Paul got out of the taxi just a few meters from his apartment.
The streets felt empty around him, and once the taxi had vanished, darkness enveloped the world. He glanced up, but the stars were hard to see, perhaps due to pollution. The half-moon seemed to follow him wherever he went, keeping a watchful eye.
Slowly, the streetlights flickered on. One by one, as he walked past them. Yet, his mind was foggy. The moment he left Drayden Street, thoughts swarmed his mind about today and what he'll do tomorrow.
"Was that just a coincidence? Cops raiding that place. No. Were those cops really there? But that man's voice was loud enough to confirm that he was telling us the truth. He could've just run off by himself."
(slightly exhaling)
"Whatever the case might be, Roxy and those three others probably gonna think it's because of me. Just think about it yourself. I just went there, my first time, and didn't waste much time with them. Just as I was about to buy the stuff? Cop— uncle's came, all of this directed towards me, Or is it?"
"Maybe it was just a coincidence, maybe those cops are just petroling the area that's all, and that keeper mistook it. You see, I don't have any problem, if I get caught by the cops because of this. But the problem is, I've to answer others.
You know which others I'm talking about right?"
"I can only pray to #### that Roxy is kind enough or dumb enough. So that he doesn't doubt me much. I'm just a normal student after all, and if he probably thinks I left in a hurry because I was afraid. Then maybe... I can go tomorrow again to check. If I don't and go tomorrow then they're probably gonna doubt me. Or maybe... they'll think I'm scared."
Shit.
"Should I go tomorrow? Or not. What you think. I can easily find another group like this, ain't even an issue."
He finally took the elevator to the fourth floor and walked toward his room 404.
The hallway was brightly lit with white lights. As he slowly approached his room, his right hand reached into his Jean's pocket and took out the key and inserted it into the door lock.
Turning the key slowly, he glanced to his right at the door to the next room. With a quiet 'cachuk', the door unlocked. He pulled the key out of the keyhole and pressed down on the door handle, pushing it gently open.
He walked in slowly, closing the door behind him. He thought about taking a quick shower before dinner. As he crossed the dark hall, suddenly something ------------
He picked up his pace, nearly sprinting into his bedroom. Which was just as dark. He rushed to the wardrobe on the right side of the bedroom door.
He flung it open, and a loud thud echoed; his mind turned blank, as he felt something calling to him faintly.
He tried to ignore the voices, quickly pulling clothes from the wardrobe, searching frantically.
In the next moment, he grabbed a small glass bottle filled with white tablets. He rushed to open it as he turned towards the bed. Once it was open, he quickly took a few tablets in his left hand and swallowed them without counting how many he took.
After swallowing, he exhaled lightly. Feeling an unfamiliar relief washed over him. He stepped forward, but everything turned blank.
The mysterious voice calling him faded more and more, until he collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep.
The following day Paul woke-up, slightly pressing his temple with his right hand, his head felt a little foggy.
He also noticed that he was still wearing his hoodie , jeans and shoes from last night. He sat down slowly, and saw diffused clothes on the floor in front of the wardrobe.
The wardrobe was opened wide.
He got up from bed and felt something. He grabbed and lifted it up. It was some small glass bottle, around the same size as his fist.
Next he picked-up the clothes lying on the floor, and the bottle. Placing it inside the wardrobe.
After doing everything. He grabbed the white towel and exited the bedroom and went towards the bathroom to his left.
The sun was already up and brightening up the hall room. He opened the bathroom which was all white. The floor also was covered with white tiles.
He took a long and relaxed shower clearing his head and mind.
Fifteen minutes later, he went out. The towel wrapped around his waist, his hair all wet, as he walked inside the kitchen and left all the dirty clothes inside.
The kitchen room was just to his left in the corner of the hall room. Besides the dining table.
He walked inside and opened the fridge, but there's nothing left inside besides the water bottle. Which also seems almost empty.
"Guess I'll have to pick-up some groceries on the way. No, maybe I should call Simon to deliver it " He thought for a second, "prolly not…maybe I should try calling Sara? Nah, better not. Yeah Julian but.. if he isn't in a hospital again."
And thinking about this, he entered the bedroom, and checked the phone which was laying on the bed.
It's almost eight AM.
He checked the battery too and thought it's enough. He turned back towards the wardrobe, took out his school uniform, and wore it. Looking at himself in the wardrobe's full-body mirror.
He stood almost taller than average, his face calm, looking at himself he couldn't even read the thoughts of the person in front of him.
He felt that the figure standing in front of him, inside the mirror, was someone else. He has smooth pale skin contrast with his dark, slightly messy hair which still had few droplets of water, falling just above his sharp, well-defined eyebrows.
His deep-set eyes, calm and observant. Which read his every thought.Even if he tried looking sideways it followed him.
A straight nose and thin lips, usually set in a natural line, not giving any expressions.
He tried to open his lips, but it didn't move.
His posture was relaxed. After shifting to this place he hadn't done any work outs, but his body was still holding out just fine.
Though looks thinner compared to most, not on a slander side. And finally which keeps bugging him.
When he matched the eyes with the figure in front of him.
He felt some unusual air— or aura.
He looked composed but also detached from reality. The figure in front of him also near but also very far away, that he couldn't reach in his whole life time. The distance between them kept increasing, slowly but consistently, like he was standing on endless abyss and kept sinking deeper and deeper and dee....
He quickly turned his gaze.
That's not me.
Erasing all thought aside from the abyss.
He turned towards the bed, picked-up his smartphone, and walked out of the bedroom. His black bag-back laying on the sofa. He picked it up.
Slanged back on his right shoulder, walking towards the door. Wore his socks and black school shoes, and stood up. As he felt like everything was done. He pushed open the door gently, and locked the door behind.
He took the elevator, crossing the small yard and passing the black metal gate. He turned left walking towards the jail, like his daily routine, even without committing any crimes.
As he walked on the side of the streets, under a bright sun for a few minutes, he felt a little hot. He thought that if he hadn't worn his blazer.
Moments later, he took out the phone from his pocket and called Julian.
After three rings Julian answered with.
"Sup!" His voice was lively and energetic as always.
"Are you busy with something today?" Paul asked.
"Yeah.. kind of. What's the matter?" Julian
asked, his tone sounded a little curious.
Paul, expecting this answer from Julian, said a little awkwardly. "Can you deliver some groceries to my place, I'm all out. You know...I ain't good with this type of stuff."
Julian didn't reply right away, probably thinking of something.
"Sorry man, I can't.. I've been asked by Simon to keep watch on some dude. Currently heading out there." He waited a few seconds for Paul to say something but Paul didn't reply.
He continued. "Why not ask Sara? She'll probably be free today." Julian suggested. "I thought you were gonna ask for some info or something."
"Yeah, I'll try calling her " Though he won't. "And don't tell Simon about this, Okay?"
"Yeah. "Julian replied back and Paul ended the call.
He thought that maybe it's okay to pick up some groceries on the way home after school, because he had nothing much to do anyway.
Since he already has one job: to monitor a girl.
Suddenly his mind clicked while looking sideways, a small coffee shop.
He had remembered Sara buying coffee from this shop.
He walked up to the coffee shop and ordered a large cold coffee. The man inside was around late thirties, wearing an all black dress. Half covered with white colored apron.
He nodded his head, and filled the large plastic cup with cold coffee. Put the white straw in it and close it. Gently placing it down in front of Paul.
Paul scanned the QR code and paid for the coffee. He grabbed the cup while putting back his phone in pocket.
Then at his usual pace, he walked towards his destiny. While sipping cold coffee.