Silence.
No movement.
Just my blank stare fixed on the ceiling.
“I wonder, what the—-“
Then, suddenly, my phone rings and fills my room.I glance to the side, still half-lost in static thoughts. The first ring fades, replaced by the buzz vibrating through the nightstand. The second starts — I sigh, already tired. I reached out and answered,
"Hello?" My voice barely held steady. Silence answered, no breath, no sound, just dead air. I furrowed my brow, a flicker of unease rising in my chest. A feeling of unease and confusion made my eyebrows frown.
‘Who called me?’
I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the ‘Caller ID’. My eyes scanned the screen with a tired kind of indifference. Unbothered eyes, just silent unimpressed motions as I saw.
< Mother >
From a glance, I noticed that beside my mother's 'Callers ID' there was a muted icon. ‘Why does she always mute herself?’ I scoffed, dragging a hand to my forehead where a headache threatened to bloom.. I take a deep breath, and look at the screen ‘speechless’ is one word for it. I then press onto the speakerphone button knowing I don’t want to hold the phone to my ear for what will come.
"Well, good morning to you too Mother..." I murmured under my breath then continued louder with confidence, "By the way Mother, you have yourself muted on your end." I said as clearly as I could.
Something about her voice — the way it filled the silence — felt too familiar. With that clarity, the words twisted into my veins.
‘Déjà vu’ that’s all I could think,
Was it fated? Rehearsed? The words just kept creeping on.
"Oh, sorry dear. Phones these days... must have miss-clicked." She tsked while her audio kept going in and out as if she was moving her phone around while talking.
"Anyway Myden! I'll ignore that sarcastic murmuring I heard... and I'll get straight to it, I called because you must come visit today." She changed topics on and off with half-scolding and pure seriousness on visiting.
I froze, stumbling to sit up on my bed, slipping on the sheets my head bangs into the frame.
“Fuck, god damn it.” The sudden words made my eyes go wide hoping my mother wouldn’t comment on it. I then properly scoot back while rubbing my head to lean in a good posture against the frame.
I then spoke quickly to cover up the mistake and answered my mothers words,
"Sorry, Mother I don't know if I can-" and just as scripted. I got interrupted, and she snaps at me,
"OH, FOR GOODNESS SAKE MYDEN, DON'T START WITH THIS AGAIN!" She paused, to take a deep breath followed by a tsk to continue.
"I know it's your day off, what could possibly be your reason now? HUH?" She drew it out with theatrical disbelief., "For one you have NO friends, NO Lover, and sure as hell don't have a pet."
‘Sheesh, mother really knows where to dig, and hit me. No matter how much I feel like she’s said it before… it still hurts..’
"Okay, okay... one ouch. Two, how do you know I don't have a pet?" I spoke back to her this time deep inside I could feel like my own ignorance was speaking for me.
‘Was I always so playful?’
"Myden... this ISN'T a time to be a SMARTASS." she scuffed under her breath as if in disappointment, "If you did have a pet I'd have heard something on the other end of this call..."
"and even if you did, I'd wonder why you haven't shown them off. Plus you're too busy with work to even take care of them."
"Sheesh mother, you really know how to drive someone into a corner." I flinch slightly,
‘I can see her fierce facial expressions now… her eyes of disapproval and scolding.’ Leaving nothing but a sigh. As if she heard my sigh her voice only intensified when she spoke up once more,
"Now you can't say 'I can't come'. Don't use your laziness as an excuse, it makes you look pathetic." Her voice went from normal to mimicking me and processed back to normal making me feel dejected yet very familiar.
‘What is even happening to me?’
"There are no excuses. This is important, you must get here soon! Don't take too long either! You must show up!" she prepped her voice in a more cheerful yet demanding tone continuing,
"Do you understand this? For once LISTEN to me. I’ve always been right about these things, Besides, it's urgent!"
"Fine, you win mother!" I paused feeling more drained as if my blood ran cold. Be it from losing or out of habit from losing to my mother my arms by instinct couldn’t stop from raising in an 'I surrender' pose and continued,
"I'll see you today at some point okay? Happy?" After I spoke I noticed my sarcasm and annoyance… and as if on cue my body yawned while tears threatened my eyes. No matter how awake I felt at this moment my body screamed as if otherwise. But every word my mother spoke, every breath, every sigh, every ‘tsk’. It engraved its weight into my mind.
"Come before the afternoon reaches... You have to make it here on time! Please, Myden don’t do this to me today. I beg you."She hung up. Just like that.
[6:45 a.m.]
“Perfect,” I muttered, Stretching my arms out, yawning.“Woke up just in time to be scolded back into existence.”
My stomach growled. Loud. Sharp. Embarrassing. My face felt warm, and my body bolted out of bed. Dragging my limbs towards the window. Drawing the curtains back with the loose tie to the hook on the side of the ledge.
I peered out the window while the sky was still dark—an oil painting just before dawn.
I don’t know what I feel, as I look. This longing, something welling a deep allure.
A whisper daring me,
‘Come here~’
‘Come find me.’
When I ask in a low tone,
“Find what?”
The faint reflection of myself bounced however, what I saw didn’t seem like me.
‘Pink eyes? Purple hair? People can’t even have pink eyes…’ as I raised my hand touching the window instinctively. Then just like that; As if it was an illusion, it swirled and distorted. Gone.
It was as if that voice was telling me what I saw; I didn’t.
“Maybe, I am going senile.” I shifted in place, still staring at the window, until my stomach growled again.
I look down,
‘I know, I know.’ Patting my belly.
“First things first.. food.” Overturning my attention elsewhere, waking to the nearby chair in the corner of my room. Grabbing my basic oversized hoodie that laid upon the seat. I rushingly tossed it over my head and placed my arms into the sleeves. Allowing the bagginess to cover over my tank top I wore to sleep.
‘Should be fine to wear my pyjama pants out… it’s just the 24/7 convenience store anyway.. plus it’s too early for anyone to care.’
As I was walking past my bed, I reached up to my blue dyed hair that’s trapped inside my hoodie pulling it out.
‘Ahh that’s better. I can breathe now.’
I then pat down my hair a bit and pull my fingers through some knots.
‘Seems this isn’t enough.’ I thought while my hair just spiked out more. A sigh escapes my lips.
‘It doesn’t feel good either.’
“Maybe I should shower before going out…” I dragged my last word out as I shifted my walking path passing the exit to the rest of the house. Then passing by the closet door on the other wall as I turned the corner lastly reaching the door to the bathroom.
When I opened the door, my figure filled the mirror's frame.
‘Gosh, I look like a mess’
‘People would think I fell out of bed.’
I sigh as I touch my puffy face and walk closer to the sink to grab my brush. Once I got close enough to the cabinet underneath the sink in a reachable distance. I opened the top left drawer to see my basic hair products.
‘Mm, maybe I should take out my hair tie. For after the shower too… since Im too lazy to use a hair dryer. I can just put it up in a bun and then leave the house to get food.’
As I nod to my plans I set it all onto the counter.
‘I should turn the shower on, while I brush my hair so the water will be warm when I’m done.’
I get a move on as I think of more tasks I need to do. Going to the left of the room where the shower was and turned on the hot water. Then turning around and carefully taking my brush and brushing my hair in front of the mirror. As all the tangles slowly lessened and straightened out I looked a bit close to the mirror.
“Oh.. my roots are showing again.” I sigh, I move my hair around looking at it.
“I guess it’s almost time to dye my hair a new colour…” with the words that left my mouth my mind flashed the image I saw reflected from the window.
“Should I dye my hair purple next time?” I smile then just laugh at myself swiping away the brush and placing it back into the drawer.
I turn away to feel the water temperature, ‘This feels about right.’ I simply then undressed, and entered into the shower and closed the curtain.
A slow breath released out. While, the patter of water hit my skin dripping to the floor. The light weight settled over me and absorbed into my hair pulling it down.
The familiar, Relaxing, like the silence that feels good when you're too tired to think further. My eyes closed. While the voices in my head implored me to ‘Just let it fall’.
*Pit pat pit pat*
I open my eyes once more, ‘I feel like I’m getting too lost in the warmth. Let me just get this shower over with.’
I grabbed the shampoo, *click* as the lid opened. I suddenly felt an unknown weight as if it flicked a switch in the corners of my mind. It forced my body to move on autopilot, having hands lathering without thought. Dazed, yet somehow everything stilled — but too still. It was like those movies that had a slow-mo before a crack appeared making everything around to disappear.
Then—“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!!! YOU’LL NEVER UNDERSTAND!!” A woman’s voice. Furious. Splintered. Her words came in waves — fast, loud, shaking.
I froze. But my hands motion wouldn't stop — Continued as if hypnotized.
“HOW CAN I UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU’RE ALWAYS SUCH A RAGING BITCH ALL THE TIME?!!!” A man now. Closer. The sound crashed like it came from just outside the curtain — or inside my own ears.
My breath hitched as it sporadically made my chest heave — and yet I still couldn’t stop moving.
“OH NOOO YOU DIDN’T JUST HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CALL ME THE BITCH WHEN YOU’RE THE ONE WHO CHEATED!!!!”The screaming pierced through everything — through the water, through the heat, through whatever grip I had on this moment.
It wasn’t coming from the hallway.Not the neighbors.Not the street.It was here.
Every word landed like it knew me.Like I wasn’t supposed to hear it—but it knew I was listening.
‘Why?’‘How?’
Without words being answered, my body was done and turned the water off, making me snap out of it, stopping the autopilot mode. This made the back of my knees buckle with stress and confusion. Just as I was falling I grabbed onto the wall.
“Okay? What the fuck?” The words spewed out.
I stay still— waiting for my legs to stabilize.
When the shaking stopped, I grabbed the towel on the nearby shelf and rubbed the towel on my hair, then onto my body capturing all the stray-away water drops. When it was deemed enough I wrapped the towel around me and walked out towards the sink counter.
‘I wonder if this is what it’s like for those on high amounts of drugs.’
‘Actually, I don’t even wanna know.’
As my thoughts changed off and on. I grab the hair tie and bundle up my wet hair into a struggle bun.
‘I forgot to grab the clothes to change into…’
‘Oh well.. I guess it doesn't matter now. I’ll just go to my closet.’
Just as I shifted to turn; In the corner of my eyes, the mirror reflected those pink eyes covering my own with tears streaming down my face. I raised my hands to tap my face where the tears weren’t. Just like that the imagery disappeared.
‘Okay… I should just get out of here.’ Making my mind up I walk out the bathroom and right into the closet.
Walking in I skim through the room, ‘I should just go for comfortable clothes since it’s my day off. Not like I will meet anyone at this time.’
With that in mind I go to the clothes further in the back. Where my comfy clothes are hiding behind my work casual clothes.
I grab the typical grey sweatpants and my favourite hoodie that has a cat hiding in the front pocket and when you pull it down slightly it flips you off.
‘It’s truly amazing, whoever thought of this deserves a reward.’ Smiling with a sense of pride I grab the rest I need and put them on.
“Alright, this should be all good. Time to get some food.”
I leave the closet and go grab my phone lastly and put it in my pants pocket. I then change my direction towards the last door I haven’t gone through in the front of the room. As I walk through the door I head towards the stairs stepping down and walking right towards the door on the right. On the wall on the left of the door was the entrance to the laundry room along with the key holder which was right beside it. I grab my house key, ‘should I drive?’
‘Nah… maybe fresh air may do me better..’
I leave my car key hanging as I turn and put my sneakers on.
I open the door,
‘I believe I have everything needed right?’ I pat down my pockets, ‘this should be good.’ I then walk out making sure to lock the door on the way out.placing the keys into my pocket as I walk down my front steps carefully as I leave my pathway heading towards the sidewalks,
While walking for a bit the fresh air settles around me making me breath in and relax a bit. ‘The breeze feels good, it’s cool yet warm.’
I look up at the sky getting lost in my trance as I walk habitually towards the place I go to often.
‘What should I get to eat?’
‘Should I get snacks for later?’
‘Hmm, I know once I get there I'll end up craving their noodles…’
‘Which I probably shouldn’t have in the morning…’The bell above the door chirped as I stepped inside.“Good morning, Ma’am!” After she spoke, the pride welded into her eyes, ‘she’s probably thinking she did a good job by calling me ma’am’ grinning like an idiot,
With indifference I just gave her a simple nod. ‘It’s too early for this’
‘The girl couldn’t be any older than 16’ with that in mind I couldn’t even be offended and walked off into the food sections,
I hum in a lowly tone that’s barely above a whisper, ‘what should I grab to eat?’
I passed by all the ramen options and the rumbling of my stomach intensified…
‘I knew this would happen…’
‘But, I don’t wanna feel bloated nor get indigestion so early. So I shouldn’t eat this right now.’ I try to tell myself all the reasons not too as I drag my legs to keep passing by looking at other options.
In another section there were all kinds of kimbap and sushi. ‘Those look good too.’
‘But the real question is what kind do I want today?’ With too many decisions in front of me I noticed
“MYDEN?!” The voice sounded surprised but very energetic, drawing a sigh as I dunk my head lower for a second to gather my thoughts and hide my annoyance. Knowing exactly who called my name.
“That is you right?” He spoke once more, piercing through the aisle.
With my shoulders slightly tense, ‘how do people have this kinda energy to waste in the morning?’ I ask internally not expecting no answer as I shift my head to look up with no expression in particular.
“Yup.” I say popping the ‘p’ at the end sounding more sarcastic and tired, i drag on my words and continue,
“And— it’s youuu—“ with a fake laugh that follows through as I drop my hands from what I was gonna get and just straighten my posture. Knowing full well I can’t pretend to not see him. ‘I guess, I have to get this encounter over with.’ With that i face him head on.
“I knew it had to be you! Couldn’t be anyone but Myden.” He beamed with flushed cheeks blinding me as if the sun had direct contact into my eyes. ‘If this was a manga, how much you wanna bet they’d draw him with sparkles and flowers surrounding him as he smiled?’ I Inwardly scoff at myself for just thinking those thoughts.
“Heh, yeah… it’s me.” I say flat, unenthusiastic and a slight awkward undertone hoping he would take the hint and hurry up with whatever he wanted to say and go away.
“Were you also here to grab something quick to eat for breakfast?” He asks, as she shyly adds on “how about I treat you today?” With his basket being clenched closer to him, his nerves seemed to be getting to him, but that doesn’t matter to me.
“That’s unnecessary.” I cut cleanly, keeping my voice firm and my face unreadable. ‘I'm not being paid to deal with this right now…’
“Come on, don’t be that way! It’s been a while since we talked.” He stepped closer slowly.
“It’s been three days.” I replied bluntly, staring at his actions alert and questioning.
“Well yeah, but not outside the office,” he tried to correct, as if that changed anything. I sighed and shook my head down slightly. Then suddenly, without notice he wraps one his arms around mine as he grabs the assortment was going to grab before he talked to me and put it in his basket. I look at him in pure bafflement while he just smiles wider as if he’s proud of grabbing it.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
He then starts walking, guiding me along, ‘this doesn’t feel like a reunion at all, I'm a hostage.’ I hold back my sigh and just go along with him as if I have no legs of my own. Having to keep reminding myself ‘I don’t want to make a scene…’
‘Don’t do it, Myden.’
‘You know how this week has been going already.’
‘Don’t make it worse.’
I take one last deep breath in and calm down knowing I have to see this idiot at work.
He then speaks up once more as he grabs some snacks —assumably one’s he likes—
“You know… we never get to talk outside the editor’s quarters,” he added, like it meant something significant.
I didn’t bother replying. As I looked around trying to decide if there’s anything I wanted,
Till he suddenly asks, “What kinda snacks do you like? I’ve always wanted to know.” He tried to sound casual, but the moment he tried to coincidentally grab something I was looking at a bit longer than other stuff and placed it into the basket. I started to feel itchy as my words that slipped out came off a little to snappy,
“Why would you wanna know that?” I asked just trying to go invisible behind my blank expression and only looking at the shelves or the floor. I don’t even know what he said after that. The world around me felt like it bent—time moved wrong, slow, then too fast. I blinked myself back to reality and looked down towards the arm still linked with mine and noticed the basket.
‘Holy shit’ my stomach twisted seeing the basket close to overflowing.
“Why so much?” I muttered, eyeing the basket harder.
He stammered, clearly flustered, “Ahhh… yeah, I guess this is kind of a lot...” He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck like he just got caught peeking through a window he wasn’t supposed to.
‘Tsk…’
I blankly blinked a few times then tried to step away. ‘I can’t handle this right now… I don’t know why he always acts like this to me. It’s so annoying at this rate.why must I endure this? We are in public, if I leave I could just make a scene.’
Before it all really settled into my brain he spoke lowly sounding a little insecure, while his hand slipped grasping the edge of my hoodies sleeve,
“But it would be worth it, if it could make your day…” I didn’t even have to look at him to know his face was a tomato. Even I wanted to cover my face when hearing that, ‘what is this some sort of Kdrama?’
I could feel his hand slightly shaking as he tugged once more,
“You should go take a seat, I’ll check out all this and we can eat together… Kay?”
After he spoke, I just felt so deceived but didn’t know why I actually went and sat down.
‘I don’t know why I can’t leave. I have my chance to do so.’
But every part of me knew that if I left now all those who walked past us had been pausing and staring too much. I couldn’t handle the possible embarrassment or consequence that may show up next week when we must meet for work.
‘Why am I so weak?’ Sigh…
As I sat down and just completely leaned onto the table resting my head into my arms.
Not long later, the sound of rustling bags being placed beside me rang through my ears.
I lift up my head out of my arms and shift myself to the side to look at him and the bags while still relaxing.
“Sorry, it took a while didn’t it? I think I went overboard this time.” He scratched his nose as he placed it on the table and rubbed the back of his neck.
‘Was it really all that long I’ve been waiting? It didn't feel like it was that long at all.’
‘Not like I was willingly waiting for him or anything.’ Shifting my thoughts around I just answered politely with no meaning, “It’s fine.”
The biggest smile displayed onto his face as he looked at me then shifted it to the things in the bags quickly as he started to take things out placing them in relative places as if on purpose.
‘He’s such a weirdo.’ I rolled my eyes and sat straight up so there could be more room in front of me.
I looked out the window briefly as I thought I saw something in the corner of my eye, a weird shadowy symbol but as I whipped my face to turn that way fast. Nothing was there in the end.
‘Weird.’
“You okay Myden?” I looked away from the spot and looked back at him, seeing his slight confusion.
“Yeah, I just thought I saw something in the corner of my eye. I suppose it was nothing.”
I then looked at the table as it was all set and noticed he put all the snacks and such I like in one area closer to me. Making me tilt my head slightly, ‘I didn’t tell him I liked any of these..’ ‘oh well.’ I grabbed one of the many snacks and food displayed before me and started nibbling at it.
“You must be tired, it is rather early. Plus it’s your day off, you should be allowed to sleep in.. or is it cuz you have other plans today?” His voice filled with concern and sympathy then faltered near the end as if he felt insecure.
Then my brain rendered for a moment and I stopped mid chew,
‘Wait, how does he know it’s my day off?’
I look up, coincidently making eye contact instantly which made me slightly flinch while words mumbled out my mouth,
“So, everyone seems to know when my days off are now huh?” I dryly laugh and then take another bite of whatever comes next.
“Ahh, no, please don’t get the wrong idea about me… you know how my uncle is right… he just loves to complain a lot… heh” he spoke fast trying to defend himself.
“Ah, yeah I forgot. Your uncle is Mr. Resbly, right?” His visibly tensed body slightly relaxed as I didn’t drag on much more.
“Yeah, that’s him.” He responds
“Mm, he loves to give me a lot of work. Even spams me with complaints on my days off you wanna see? He will start texting in about-“ as I pulled out my phone looking at the time.
[7:30am]
“Now” just as I spoke notification after notification went off.
“Seems he is more upset today though.” I shake my head and bitterly laugh.
Then out of nowhere my phone rang, I looked down confused and baffled seeing his number. I sigh and just say “sorry, I’ll probably need a moment.”
As I answered his angered voice burst my ear making me flinch and pull my phone away from my ear.
‘God, what did I do to deserve this?’
The old geezer just kept yapping and yapping saying whatever he wanted, loudly and distruptly. No care in the world. I didn’t even answer, nor had room to speak.
Suddenly, he grabs my phone.
“Hello, Uncle.” His voice stern, deep, demering. Silence—
The phone no longer had any sound mutter from it.
“Now you're quiet huh? Well, uncle, I had no idea you had this kind of hobby.” His dry laugh echoed, as he continued, “I’ll make sure father is aware of this.” With that he hung up and didn't allow him to answer.
He tapped a few other buttons on my phone, then took his own phone out and took photos of all his uncles dms to me. I sat there baffled, unsure what to do right now.
He then went into my contacts, added his name and number, called his phone and saved it on his. ‘This can’t be for real’
He then went back to his uncle's number and blocked it on my phone. By then I could feel my mouth being left slightly ajar. ‘How do I react to this?’
“If he ever tries to contact you, tell me.” His face showed no smile, no joke. It was as if the one he showed before was fake. Sending shivers down my spine, all I could do was nod as no words could escape my enclosed lips.
He gave my phone back and it was in his text contact reading [Ricky ??]
I stare, as something inside me tinged with unknowing emotions welling inside me.
Then just like that he smiled brighter than any light as if he was proud of sneaking the heart emoji into his contact name.
‘I’ll have to make a mental note to change that later.’
*clink* the sound of the asserted box opened and he grabbed the chopsticks and picked up one of the sushi’s bring it closer to me,
“You haven’t had a chance to eat much yet, try this.” He spoke clearly with a new blush seemingly like it was permanently there as if what I just saw; I didn’t.
I was going to comment on that but just as I opened my mouth he swiped the food into my mouth quickly. ‘Huh?’
After a few more times I tried to speak he just kept feeding me with a face like he was enjoying every moment of it. My stomach felt like it was doing somersaults,
Then my phone dinged once more, I tilted my head wondering who it was now. I noticed even Ricky pulling out his phone too. I checked mine seeing,
____________
[Amanda]
GIRRRLLL YOU UP?!?! I GOT SOME TEA!!!
YOU KNOW THE DIRECT MANAGER AT WORK RIGHT?
HE FINALLY GOT PUT INTO HIS PLACE!!!
[Me]
Put in his place? What happened?
[Amanda]
Well, he was doing the usual when he goes around the office and basically bothers everyone…
Then at some point when he was on his phone typing and even got into a call, he got so angered he punched a hole in the wall by the printing room!!!!
THEN NOT LONG AFTER HE GOT ANOTHER CALL…
I HAVE NO IDEA WHO OR WHAT WAS SAID BUT
WHEN HE ENTERED HIS OFFICE THERE WAS A LOT OF YELLING,
AND THINGS BEING THROWN…
NOT LONG LATER SECURITY WAS DRAGGING HIS ASS OUT!!!!!!!!
[Me]
NO WAY?!? REALLY?!?
[Amanda]
YES WAY… OMG I JUST HEARD FROM ANOTHER COWORKER
YK BEDEL SHE JUST TOLD ME! THERE'S CURRENTLY A GROUP CHAT GOING AROUND..
HoLd Up Im tRyInG to gEt iNvItEd to it.. yOu wAnT iN tOo?
[Me]
LOLOL YOU HAVE TO GET IN, I GOTTA SEE WHAT'S GOING ON TOO!!!!
[Amanda]
I GOT YOU GIRRL LOLOL
____
I then looked up, and Ricky made eye contact instantly. SHIVERS screamed down my back.
I couldn’t help looking away, out the window. Just as if my eyes were fucking with me, that very symbol was face to face with me. ‘What the fuck?’ I internally screamed while my body only flinched backwards slightly.
“Hey, you okay?” He asked, concerned. As he placed his hand onto my back— Probably thinking I was gonna fall off this stool.
“Uh.. um.” As my eyes darted from where the symbol disappeared to Ricky. I felt like I wanted to cry. “I'm okay… I just must be seeing things.. I didn't get much sleep today.”
His eyes softened and his hand that seemed so firm on my back, was noticeably shaking slightly. He retracted his hand and then unwrapped a cookie and placed it into my mouth.
“Well, I'm sorry I must have kept you here too long.” He spoke with clear, genuine sadness displayed into his tone and demeanour.
I bit into the cookie and held the rest in my hand,
“No, it’s not your fault, don't blame yourself.” Words just ended up vomiting out my mouth, like I had no control. I finished eating the rest of the cookie, which somehow made me regain the energy that feels like it’s leaking out of my body.
“Well..— I feel like I am to blame. I got too excited that I got this chance to see you on an odd day and just…” he abruptly stopped speaking with a downcast depressed look… as he looked down to the floor like an abandoned puppy.
Something within me tingled my heart or was it a ping?
For some odd reason my body could help but move on its own as my arm reached out and my hand patted his head. When I did that his shoulder froze and became stiff and his ears seemed to redden. ‘Huh… weird.’
His head shifted onto my hand as if he was trying to act cute like a puppy. Then just as I was about to retract my hand, he put his hand around my wrist covering my hoodie sleeve and placed my hand on the side of his head, baffling me. ‘What is happening right now? Am I in the right mind?’ He then spoke once more filling the silence between us,
“You know, I was gonna ask you to go watch a movie with me after this…— well.. after I deliver my manuscripts at the office…— since then I’d have time off today too. However, if you're truly this tired I don’t want to burden you.” He spoke awkwardly, yet gentle but the sense of insecurity steeped through my core. Unsure what I’m supposed to say or do.
“We could always go see a movie later, how about that? Since you have to go to the office anyway. How about we meet up here and then go to the movies together?” Just as I spoke out, I had no idea why I was making plans with him.
‘What am I doing? Should I really be doing this?’
“REALLY?!?” His voice raised so cheerful and happy that his whole body stood up, his hands started picking up the snacked left untouched placing them in their respective bags. Leaving me slightly confused.
Once he was done I noted that all the things he placed in one bag were things I liked and the things I didn't were in the other. He placed the one filled with the things I liked in front of me,
“Here keep this and have some for later. I should get going before you change your mind! I’ll text you when I have given my manuscripts to the office and we can plan around there okay?” He spoke fast as he zoomed out as if he wasn’t with me in the first place.
‘What is today?’
With that crossing my mind I was about to just get up and leave with the goodies Ricky gave me.
Till I felt a smaller hand tap my shoulder, I turn and face the young cashier,
“Is there something you want?” I ask, while my phone dings, I grab it to look at it till the young girl speaks once more.
“Ma’am… do you… uh— by chance know what that man’s name was who was next to you?”
“Hm?” I hummed out more in shock as my eyes widened, her face became more flushed like a tomato,
“His name.. do you know it?” She spoke once more confirming I wasn’t hearing things.
“Well, if you're calling me Ma’am. You might as well call him uncle. We are the same age. Lastly, if you ever see him again. Ask him yourself, it’s not my place to give out another’s name dear.” I then got up and walked out the store quickly. ‘Why did I have to say it like that…’ the embarrassment built inside me as I walked on the sidewalk.
Ding, once more my phone went off, this time I looked at it.
_____
[Amanda]
Hey.. can we meet up right now?
I really need a drink after what just happened…
‘Wait what time is it now?’ I look at the time [8:45am] ‘It’s way too early to be drinking…’
[Me]
We can meet up now if you want. Where are you? Weren’t you at work not too long ago?
[Amanda]
Meet me at xx
____
I turn off my phone and put it in my pocket. ‘I guess there's no time to stop at home, I’ll just have to take this with me.’ I then turn around and walk up the street, since the street vendor Amanda is at isn’t too far. ‘I better get there fast. Getting drunk here in mid-day isn’t safe.’ With that in mind I start running towards the location worried for my best friend.
As I turn the corner I see her sitting at a table alone, already three bottles on the table, two seemingly empty and a suspicious man slowly approaching her. ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck’ I start to panicking trying to move faster but my limbs were at its limit on how fast I can move at once.
By the time I got within arms reach the guy had his hand gripping onto Amanda’s wrist while she spat out curses at him to let her go. My anger surged into my body, pure rage, as I lifted my arm and curled up my fists properly making sure to keep my thumb out to not hurt my hand as I smashed it into the man’s face.
“Don’t you EVER TOUCH A WOMEN LIKE THIS IN PUBLIC SHE CLEARLY WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU NOW GET GONE. I'M KEEPING HER COMPANY YOU TRASH.” I spit out onto their face, while their shocked expression holding onto the cheek that I hit, their face enraged but they ran away out of pure embarrassment.
“This is why you don’t drink alone!!! You should have waited for me!!!” I booked Amanda’s head playfully while pulling out the chair next to her and sitting.
“I-i am just… sorry. I knew all along about how h-he was bothering you but — Hiccup— did nothing.” Amanda slurred her words seemingly nonsensical as she suddenly grabbed the bottle and just drank directly from it till it was all gone.
“Woahhhh, woahhhh, girllll you need to slow down.” As I reached for the bottle she had already finished it and she grabbed onto my hand.
“That jackass, I should— Hiccup— have punched— Hiccup—h-him like you punched that creep who held— Hiccup—onto me… I'm such a shitty friend.” She then started balling her eyes out. I couldn’t help but sigh and hugged her close to me.
“Why are you blaming yourself so much Amanda?” I ask
“You. know.. that. group.chat?” She spoke between breaths
“Yeah?” I say calmly as I pat her hair.
“That manager bastard had been doing some nasty shit…” she paused as she hiccuped and then continued, “and — and I know he was b-bothering you… I didn't know he could get any w-worse.” She then takes her phone out, unlocks it and drunkenly pulls up the group chat, passing her phone to me.
I look at her confused then to her phone and just scroll through it and see all the proof and evidence collected against what the manager had done. ‘I guess I got lucky he only sent spam messages…’
I look down and now Amanda is just blacked out laying on me.
I roll my eyes, ‘typical’ I huff out a breath as my eyes slowly soften.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.” I mumble patting her back.
I continue looking at her phone and send myself an invite to the group for later. Then I look into her contacts… as I scroll looking for his number,
‘Oh found it.’ I click the call button, already smirking, I wait as the ringing echoes through my ears.
*Click*
“Hey honey, why are you calling now? Aren’t you at work?” The deep voice gently spoke. I couldn’t help laugh,
“Come get your girl, dumbass.” I say in a jokingly disgusted tone,
“HUH?!? Myden? Is that you?— cough cough— Why do you have my wife's phone?” Surprised, his voice rises slightly and his tone completely changes.
“Well, she isn’t your wife yet, and if you don’t come to x soon she’ll be seen on the streets making out with me, aka her new girlfriend— if you don’t pick her up.” I joke and pick on him knowing full well he hates these jokes and I laugh lightly.
“Okay. I’ll be there soon.” He understood immediately and hung up with no other word.
I smile widely and whisper to Amanda “see your future husband, your knight in shining armour is worried for you. You really should be more careful of yourself too.” I sigh,
*Ding ding* my phone goes off,
____
[Ricky??]
I’ve finally given my manuscript into the office successfully.
Sorry it took longer than normal due to the complications and most of the employees were sent home it would seem for the day. When can we meet up?
‘I really need to change his contact name now… I forgot about it because of Amanda.’ I sigh but as I do that Amanda’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I chuckle, ‘he’s gonna hate this when he arrives. He gets jealous so easily for no reason even when he knows his wifey is straight and so am I.’
[Me]
I’ll be able to in a bit, I'm just waiting for the horse to get their bride.
‘He is gonna be so confused but I don’t care’ I laugh carelessly.
[Ricky??]
Oh, you with friends? Don’t worry I can wait. I’ll just be heading towards our meet up area okay? Tell me when you're close or are coming.
[Me]
I am, my best friend ended up out of work early and got herself drunk. So I'm waiting for her husband to get her, then I’ll head towards that direction. Won’t take long, I can bet he will be here fast. Even if he has to speed, knowing him.
_______
Just after I sent my last text, a car parked by the street closest to us.
“Speak of the devil, are you finally here for your sleeping beauty?” I ask smirking,
He rolls his eyes “just hand her over, I got this. I can take care of her.” He states
I tilt my head, “you better take good care of her, she is a national treasure!” I say enthusiastically, just to get a reaction from him.
He scuffs, making me continue, “what you don’t agree?”
I poke her cheek playfully “you hear this bestie? He doesn’t agree with me— I always knew we should run away and elope together!” I say dramatically, his face all serious. I sigh ‘he takes the fun all out of things’
“Fineee finneeeee. You take all the fun out of life.” I state as I wrap my arms around Amanda as I stand I carry all her weight onto mine and move her into her fiancés arms.
“Thank you for looking after her, Myden.” He speaks sincerely as he puts her into his car and nods his head at him as he drives off.
‘Man of a few words but at least he’s reliable when you really need him. That’s a good thing for her.’ As my thoughts transitioned, ‘I guess I should get going too.’ I pull out my phone then text,
____
[Me]
Thy chariot has left the bird. I shall be marching forth your way.
____
‘I'm not sure why I'm texting him this way… did I drink anything weird too? I feel like I shouldn’t be this way around him…’
‘Whatever it’s too late now’ on that note I put my phone away, and walked through the old village on my way back to the Main Street of where the 24/7 is located.
As I crossed the road at the stop sign.
The tires screamed—too close, too fast.
My body locked up mid-step, foot still hanging, lingering stupidly over the edge of the curb.
I turned my head, slow yet barely.
*CRASH.*
Not into me. The car slammed into the old electrical pole. Metal folded. Glass burst. A ripple of force shoved the air out of my lungs like I was the one that got hit.
Then a sound—
Unexpected, unknowing, confusion fumbled.
The intense *Crack.*
I didn’t even have time to curse nor did I have time to think,
The pole split, groaning like it had been waiting for years to collapse. The wires snapped first, lashing through the air like furious serpents baring its fangs.
Then—
Everything went heavy.
Wood.
Weight.
Bone against pavement.
My head hit something hard. Blood bloomed beneath me. My limbs went slack.
But I didn’t black out.
Not right away.
The world flickered.
Like a tape melting.
My skin pulsed. Symbols shimmered just beneath it, crawling up my arms like heatless fire.
My eyes couldn’t focus.
Everything spun.
Purple.
Not a color—
A presence, a person, a feeling.
The lie of safety and security.
It filled my mouth. My ears. My thoughts.
And in the middle of it, something old, something new, and something ancient.
‘I have no idea what I am seeing, nor do I have any energy left to care.’
It then moved like a form? A shape? A scream? A memory trying to claw its way out?
It made me feel the waves of noises collide,
Sirens, Horror, the unyielding from a distance
Crowded, Stares, Running.
Something beckoning, seeking, calling.
Something beyond my names reach, it mixed like two vines entwined,
The words garbled, the light faded, everything became one.
It was inevitable.
To close my eyes.