Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

As I walk down this miserable long road we call a life, I was left with the very thought of the night that changed my life forever…..

I start off my story not as I am now but as a young boy just learning to find his place in the world. I was quite the silent little man back then. Sadly I was an only child, so I kept to myself mostly. I always felt alone, even though I was far from it. All I had ever known were my Mom and Pop. We moved around a lot, you see, making my childhood a tough one. I never had time to make any friends, at least not for very long anyway. Which is why I learned at an early age to never get too attached. Harsh I know but it was the hard truth I came to accept for many years.

I love my parents, even to this day. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about them. They weren’t what you would call the typical Mother and Father but they both were excellent loving parents to me. I couldn’t comprehend their reasoning for our endless moving around. I resented them for their reluctance to lower the anchor so to speak. At least someplace we can settle, somewhere we all could call home for once and be like an ordinary family.

To do ordinary family things. Like going to school and making friends. Play catch with my Pop, listen to our favorite baseball team play on the radio, or celebrate holidays like Christmas. Maybe even see a flicker show or rather “a movie” as you say today. Perhaps even owning a pet, like a dog or a cat. Hell I would have been happy with just a goldfish that I won at a fair. At least I would have had a friend. Someone or something to talk to while my parents were out doing whatever it is that they use to do, meanwhile I’d be all alone at the Inn.  

They had these…..secrets, secrets that they had kept from me. I know what you must be thinking. What family doesn’t have its secrets? What family doesn’t keep things from their children? Right? If this was any ordinary family I would tend to agree with you but these secrets go much deeper. It has to do with what they did for a living, you see. They’d just refer to it as a “job” and leave it at that. I could have been wrong but I got the sense it was much bigger than an ordinary “job”. Most likely even dangerous, which is probably why they were particularly adamant about me never knowing the truth. Saying, “I wasn’t ready” or something. Who knows the real reason, If that was even the reason at all.

We’d stay at Inns in different city’s all across the country. Not too long though. Just a month, two at the most and then we’d leave to their next “job” destination, wherever that may be. Don’t get me wrong, I loved traveling as I grew older. I got to see so many exciting new places that anyone would only dream about seeing. It was almost like an adventure to me. The view between destinations wasn’t too bad either. Granted I only got to see it through the backseat window of my parents 32 Ford. I only wish we had a place to call home. Some place permanent, a place we can come back to after a long road trip. Not some cheap cheesy Inn that I couldn’t stand.

My parents were really tightlipped. They Never spoke a word about the “job” around me. Whenever they came home their subject always changed to something more suitable around me. It’s like they lived two different lives. One life with me and the other I never knew about, at least not entirely anyway. Needless to say, all this secrecy peaked my curiosity.

“Were my parents hitmen or trained assassins of some kind?”

“Were they fugitives on the run from the law?”

“Were they spies for the government or something?” I asked myself.

All these questions and many others have been rattling around in my brain countless times over the years. Perhaps I was just being paranoid. I could never find any hard evidence proving my suspicious fantasies anyway. They were oddly good at it I suppose or maybe I just didn’t dig deep enough. I began to get overwhelmed with frustration in my failure to pursue the truth. This mystery only got harder as I grew up but I was determined to find out one way or another. Only time will tell I suppose. Maybe one day my parents will finally deem me “ready” to know the truth. Until then my search to unravel the truth continues.

The one odd thing I did find though, was that my Pop always wore this rather bizarre looking necklace. It was a small, metallic-red, human heart that had two golden stakes running through it, which ironically formed a cross. There was also a golden ring on the back of it. From what I could tell it was all metal because it slightly sparkled in the light. I only caught a glimpse of it a few times but never closeup because he always covered it with his shirt too quickly.

“Was it a Christian necklace because of the cross formation?” I asked myself.

My Pop wasn’t a religious man so I found it rather odd he would wear such a creepy looking necklace. I did manage to find the courage to ask him about it once but unfortunately I didn’t receive an answer. He just dodged the question entirely while he slid it through the neck hole of his shirt and out of view, particularly my view. Then he changed the subject. I didn’t bother asking him again about it after that, in fear of getting the same awkward silence after asking about it. Clearly he doesn’t want me to know or rather I wasn’t ready to know. It must have been important somehow or else why would he wear it?

“Why hide it from me?”

“Why all this secrecy over a bizarre looking necklace?”

It must be the key to all of this I thought and I’m gonna find out what.

At the age of fifteen I got what I wished for, a place to call home. Sadly that pipe dream came at a horrible price. It was halfway through the month of June at our newest location, the Pinecone Inn in New York City.

“Pinecone Inn?” What a joke I thought while smirking at the ridiculous name.

It was a little remote place in the “Big Apple” with structured rooms reminiscent of a Pinecone, hence the name. The inside of the Inn was very woodsy and the fresh scent of pine filled the air. Even though the outside looked like a pinecone, the inside looked like an ordinary log cabin. Felt very cozy and welcoming. It had a beautiful stone fireplace in the living room in the shape of, you guessed it, a pinecone. It was a pretty nice Inn, despite it looking ridiculous on the outside. I thought it to be a bit much for my taste but it will do, since we won’t be here long. Boy was I ever wrong.

One day, my parents were off on their latest “job” like the others. Then they’d come home very late at night. Unfortunately this time was different, they never returned. My worst fear came true, I was now all alone for real. My parents had prepared me for such a time where they might not come home a few years ago. But who honestly could be prepared for such a thing, they are my parents.

A Memory From Many Years Back

“A day may come when we will no longer be with you my boy.” My Pop explained while kneeling to the floor rubbing the sides of my arms with his hands.

“But why? Don’t you love me anymore?” I asked innocently, with tears starting to form in my eyes.

“Of course we do. We love you more than anything in this world.” My Mother replied reassuring me and hugging me tightly.

I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was holding back her tears to my question. It must have hurt her but I needed to know.

“You must stay strong my boy. We both love you with all our heart. Just know we will always be here with you even if we aren’t physically here.” My Pop added, followed by him putting his hand on my heart.

“I love you both so much too and I will try my best to be strong.” I replied with a tear running down the side of my cheek.

I wiped away my tears, and held onto them tightly together while they both knelt on the floor to hug me. Then my Pop pulled away slightly to tell me one final thing that day. Something that has stuck with me for the rest of my life.

“Listen to me carefully my boy. If your Mother and I aren’t back within a week just move on with your life. Most importantly….whatever happens….don’t come looking for us. Understood?”

“Yes sir.” I’d replied while staring into my Pop’s brown eyes to show him I was listening and understood what he asked of me.

End of Memory

That sentence, “Don’t come looking for us”, is the phrase that stuck with me.

“What did he mean by that?” I wondered.

“Why couldn’t I look for them?”

“Were they planning on leaving me at some point and why?”

“Was there something I did wrong?” I thought to myself.

This was the first time that they never came home for a long period of time. I sat at the kitchen table every night that week. Falling asleep to the crickets chirping outside, which was soothing to my ears. It was like a lullaby putting me straight to sleep. Just as I fell asleep to the crickets, I was awakened by the morning songs of a bunch of robins oddly sitting on a bush near the window. Singing away like it was Mother Nature’s morning choir. Even though it sounded so peaceful, I remember waking up disappointed because they still never returned to the Inn. I still waited a week like we talked about, hoping they’d show up but nothing.

Luckily there were plenty of food for me to eat in the fridge during that week. Mostly just leftovers from takeout that we never finished and a few soda bottles. My parents weren’t much of cooks sadly. I would have loved to have that quality time with them just making dinner. Perhaps even laughing uncontrollably when food particles hit our faces during a food fight.

“Ha ha.” I laughed at the thought.

That final day I packed up my things and anything else I wanted to carry along with me. I then waited at the kitchen table one last time while drinking a soda from the fridge. Hearing that crisp, pop and hissing sound from the bottle as I opened it, sounded so refreshing. The orange flavor was just as refreshing as the sound itself. It was as if liquid candy was sliding down my throat like a kid on a playground slide. That feeling of the carbonation slightly burning my throat afterwards, was a sensation that I think I enjoyed more than the orange flavor itself, strangely enough.

I walked over and grabbed the last two slices of cold pizza from the box in the fridge. This would be my final meal at the Inn. I love cold pizza just as much as I liked it warm. My parents found me a bit of an oddball when it came to pizza, ha ha. What can I say I liked it.

My parents would always warm theirs up in the oven since there were no microwave ovens invented as of yet. As I took a bite of that cold cheese pizza, I stared at the birds chirping outside the window while sitting at the kitchen table. A bit mindlessly I might add, like I was in a trance. Before I knew it both slices were gone, as if I were on auto pilot or something. A bit shocked I just washed it all down with the rest of the crisp orange soda from before.

Near the end of the day I got a knock at the door. I rushed to the door like a kid on Christmas morning, hoping that my parents would be walking through. I imagined seeing my Mother with open arms, kneeling on the floor so I could run into them and hug her ever so tightly. Sadly my eyes were only met with an Officer of the law and his partner, rather than my parents.

“Hey there son, my name is Officer Stone and this is my partner Officer Wilson. What might your name be?” The man in blue asked while his partner stood there listening and taking notes.

The manager of the Inn was there as well but he stayed outside for safety reasons I would assume. Red and blue lights can be seen flashing just outside in the parking lot. Making the Inn fill with the very same lights all over the walls and floor.

“A…it’s Thomas sir, Thomas Hillyard.” I replied a bit confused and disappointed, wondering why they were here.

“Are you here all by yourself Thomas?” His partner asked kindly while taking a gaze around the room.

“No sir, I’m here with my parents but they are out at the moment.” I replied with a truthful lie.

Yes they were out but they been out for days now but they didn’t need to know that. Unfortunately, I could tell in their eyes that my “truthful lie” was off to them just by their small glance at each other.

“Son do you know where your parents are right now?” Officer Stone ask suspiciously.

“They are on a “job” right now. I’m sure they will be back soon.” I replied with sureness and conviction in my voice.

“I see. Do you know where that, ummm, “job” of theirs might be?” Wilson asked, while getting ready to write it down in his notepad.

“No sir. I’m always home by myself when they go to their “job”. I replied while looking over at Officer Wilson taking more notes.

“I see. Well how about this necklace? Does it have any significance to you?” Officer Stone replied while dangling it in front of my face.

I grabbed ahold of the necklace to get a better look at it more closely in my hand, since it was swinging about as he held it. I was a bit shocked cause I grabbed it rather hastily. It was the small, metallic-red, human heart necklace of my Pop’s. I turned it around and saw that the gold metal ring was attached to the red heart itself and not at the golden stakes as I imagine before.

At that moment my heart sunk like a ship in water, straight down to my gut. “This couldn’t be my Pop’s, could it?” I asked myself in denial.

It was the very same one that I’ve seen him put on countless times and hid from my view. This was the very first time I have seen it up close in my bare hands. It was such a heavy, clunky thing in the hands of a child back then.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. My chest felt so tight after this realization that It felt as if a boa constrictor was squeezing the air from my lungs. A horrible gut wrenching pain started resonating from my very core, straight to the tear ducts of my eyes. I tried to be strong, like my parents asked of me but I could feel my face just heating up waiting to burst. I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“It does mean something to you, doesn’t it son?” Officer Stone asked while putting his hand on my shoulder.

Tears started running slowly down my cheeks. “Y…ye…yes sir, it was my Pop’s.” I replied stuttering as a single tear drop fell onto the wood floor, then another on the necklace.

I knew in my heart the hard truth that was just about to unfold from this Officer’s very tongue. A truth that I was prepared for but not completely ready for.

“Son, I’m sorry to break this to you but your parents…” He paused slightly while getting down on one knee.

“They…..they passed away in an automobile accident.” He continued, while putting his hand on my shoulder.

“Our deepest condolences young man.” Officer Wilson sadly replied, while they both took off their hats and held it to their chests.

My eyes closed with the news of their passing. Making more tears to fall heavily down my cheek. I clenched my Pop’s necklace in my right hand as it quickly fell to my thigh. I then felt a sharp pinch in my hand as I clenched down to tightly.

“OUCH…” I yelled while small drops of blood started dripping down the side of my hand and onto the wood floor.

When I opened my hand I noticed the stakes punctured my hand causing it to bleed.

“You ok son?” Asked Officer Stone.

“Yea I’m fine, thank you Officer. I just punctured myself on my Pop’s necklace is all.” I replied, while showing him my hand.

I put my Pop’s necklace around my neck and then grabbed a towel on the kitchen table to wrap my hand in. The news left me a bit shocked and yet unsurprised to be honest. I was warned about a day such as this but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would come to pass. Until now at least.

“C…Ca…Can I see them?” I struggled to asked, hoping I could see them one last time.

“I’m sorry son but the automobile they were in caught fire and all was left were piles of ashes on both the front seats. We found this key with a pinecone keychain hanging from it and your Father’s necklace buried within the pile of ash. We noticed the number eight was engraved on the pinecone keychain. That’s how we found Pinecone Inn, and the room, which in turn led us to you.” The men in blue explained.

“So they……burned alive?” I ask with an unbearable tightness in my throat.

“We believe so, yes.” Stone confidently replied.

“Do you have any other family we could call for you, like a Grandparent.” Officer Stone asked.

“No sir.” I replied with my head down looking at my hand.

“Perhaps an Aunt or Uncle then?” Officer Wilson added.

“No sir. There’s no one.” I replied with my head down.

“I’m sorry to hear that son. Why don’t you come with us. We will figure something out and get that hand looked at. Ok?” Officer Stone suggested with his hand reaching out for mine.

I went with him of course. Got my hand looked at and bandaged up at the police station. I never saw the Inn again after that. Sadly it went out of business five years later, which would be seventy-one years ago today. From what I read in the papers back then, a fire broke out in one of the pinecone looking buildings. Apparently squirrels packed pinecones, of all things, in one of the chimneys. The shoot from the fireplace wouldn’t open due to the pinecones being stored there for the winter and the whole place caught fire. The fire broke out and spread to the other buildings. Sadly seven people were lost to the flames, and a dozen or so were injured. The owner of the Inn, I forget his name, was one of the injured. Poor guy lost everything. I’m sure he’s an old man by now or perhaps he has joined the angels, just like my parents.

Eventually I was placed in an orphanage for a few years until I was old enough to take care of myself. No one wanted a child who lost their parents. They wanted someone with a “clean slate” and “no baggage”. Not my words but theirs. Words I overheard countless times from families looking to start a family. Who could blame them, I was a wreck. I was quiet, never spoke and cried a lot. My whole world turned upside down over night. How was I suppose to act? I missed my parents. They were all I had, there was no one else. I was alone and on my own in this cruel world to fend for myself.

I swore one day I would find out what happened to my parents, against their wishes. Not to mention this secret life of theirs that they didn’t want me to know about. Also to find out what this necklace is and what it means. Why was it so important to my Pop?

I always felt the automobile accident was complete horseshit. Forensics of my day was completely different back then, not like today anyway. Back then it was pretty much the basics. Like dusting for prints, testing for blood types, poison analysis, firearm identification, etc. They probably couldn’t do much anyway due the state of my parents car and their remains. Not to mention the limited technological advances of the time. The fact that my parents just turned to ash didn’t sit right with me.

“Wouldn’t their bodies still be in the car but burned and not piles of ashes like they found?” I thought to myself.

“Something just didn’t smell right if you asked me.”

“How hot would the fire have to be to burn them to ashes?” I asked myself pondering with my hand on my chin.

Since I was on my own and had nobody to claim their bodies. The state just took care of things. I had no graves to visit, no ashes to spread on their most happiest of places, nothing. I was too in shock to even think of asking them for their remains or at least what they could salvage from the wreckage. That way I could have at least some closure. All I’m left with is this bizarre necklace of my Pop’s that I wear with me at all times. I felt as though he was with me and that was comforting somewhat. Still does today even after all these years have passed for me.

Years later I ended up working around a bit doing odd jobs here and there to get by. I was an honest worker, making an honest living at the Gilbert’s Grocery Store in Manhattan, New York. I always did as I was told. I “kept my nose clean” as the saying goes. The pay wasn’t too bad but at least I was able to put food in my belly and a roof over my head.

The grocery store where I worked was the only place I had worked the longest. The owners, Richard and Laura Gilbert were just the nicest couple you’d ever wanna meet! Always treating others with kindness, dignity, and respect. They’d always greet new customers with a smile. Helped people in need, like myself. They took me in when I needed the help and offered me a job stocking shelves there. I wouldn’t have had any of that if it wasn’t for them. I will forever be grateful to them.

I always take the route home that passes by the docks just to catch a glimpse of the pretty green lady, lighting her torch to guide the way to the “golden door” of this nation. Call me a softy but I like to catch the sunsets at the end of the day! Seeing the reflection of the heavens casting their essence onto the crystal blue waters was comforting some how. A comfort that I much needed back then and now long for. It’s funny how the littlest of things we all take for granted in life are the things we will miss the most. You never know how much you’ll miss something till it’s gone or not necessarily gone but out of reach. At least I can still see her at night. 

What I wouldn’t give to see and feel the sunlight one more time. I remember it like it was yesterday.

A Memory From Many Years Back

The sun was shining so warmly on my skin that it felt like a warm embrace. Kinda like the ones my Mother use to give me. I’d close my eyes and imagine it was her hugging me but then my eyes opened to the hard reality. It still gave me comfort though because I always opened them with a smile. I like to think she hugged me in spirit.

My dark brown hair waved gently in the fresh sea breeze as the wind picked up. The waves carried the sunlight out to sea with such grace. Making it shimmer like the most rarest of diamonds, sparkling endlessly across the Atlantic. Almost like our nation’s flag blowing in the wind. Lady Liberty standing there erect while breaking the sunlight with her body. 

End of Memory

The best sunsets that I remember are the ones where the sky makes everything green pop in color. Almost like the grass and trees were bioluminescent. I bet with my eyes now it would be much more enhanced.

Oh how I miss that warm embrace, that eternal light that breaks through my darkness. Perhaps I shall bare it again one day but if I do it would surely be my end.

Chapter Text

A few years had passed since that trip down memory lane at the docks. I was in my 30’s and still worked at the grocery store.

I was awakened by the warm sensation of the sunlight bleeding in through my bedroom window. So brightly, almost blinding. My hand immediately rose to my brow to block the blinding light from my tired squinting eyes. They slowly started to adjust as I got up.

My father’s necklace was lying on the nightstand next to my bed, shimmering in the sunlight. I grabbed a hold of it and stared at it for a bit. Flashbacks of the stakes piercing my flesh filled my thoughts. I couldn’t help but glance down at the two scars it left on my right hand.

“Boy…did that hurt.” I thought to myself while putting the necklace around my neck.

I then made my way to the kitchen to see what I can make for breakfast. I opened the fridge and began gazing at my choices. A half a dozen eggs caught my eyes, so I grabbed two eggs and began frying them in a pan on the stove. While that was cooking, I added two slices of bread in the toaster. A minute later the eggs were done and the toast popped up not too long after. 

I then grabbed the butter from the fridge and a knife from the drawer. After scraping the smooth butter with my knife, I began buttering my toast. Which was then placed along with my eggs on a plate that I grabbed from the drying rack on the counter.

I can still remember the smell of the freshly squeezed OJ in a jug in the fridge. It captivated my sense of smell as I put the butter away. A scent as fragrant as the spring air. That citrus taste is as fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday. How it use to make my tongue go wild in excitement as its sweet juices slid down my throat. Such a refreshing taste to have in the morning along with breakfast.

I grabbed a glass from the drying rack and sat down with my plate along with the jug of OJ at the kitchen table. I poured myself a glass and was mesmerized slightly by the orange waterfall making its way nearly to the top as I filled it. As I ate I couldn’t help but ponder of that last day at the Inn. That last drink and meal that I had. Hell even those two Officers that found me sprung to mind.

Officer Stone is still on the force in New York. His partner, Officer Wilson, transferred to a different Precinct in a different State, not too long after they found me at the Inn. At least that’s what I was told anyway. Their questions were rather odd now that I think about it years later, particularly Wilson’s.

While dipping a piece of toast in my yolk, my mind began to fill with more questions. Questions I didn’t think about before. Like, “Why would they ask me where my parents were, especially if they already knew my parents were deceased?”

“Why did they ask me where their “job” was? Why did it matter?” I continued with my thoughts, while taking a bite of my toast with yolk on it.

My head was swirling with so many questions, more so than there are answers. 

“I’m gonna have to ask Officer Stone some very tough questions one of these days.” I thought to myself while taking several bites of egg whites.

Questions I hope to get answers to. After all, my search for answers continues and whether I like it or not they both are a part of that search, as well as my past.

I finished eating the last few bites of my breakfast. My chair screeched like nails on a chalkboard as it slid on the floor when I rose from my seat. I slightly flinched to the sound while walking over to place my plate in the sink.

While drinking the last few ounces of OJ from my glass. “Ahhhh, so refreshing!” I said to myself out loud while placing the glass in the sink and returning the jug to the fridge.

I noticed the key to my apartment in the corner of my eye, lying on the counter where I had left it from yesterday. It was on a metal chain that I would wear around my neck, along with my fathers necklace. I grabbed it and hung it around my neck so I wouldn’t forget it on my way out to work.

I then went to my bedroom and got dressed for the day, rather quickly I might add. I put on a white button-up t-shirt and some long black pants. I grabbed my wallet off my dresser, gently sliding it into my back pocket. I then rushed to the door, while stopping suddenly by the small, white, flat, rectangular object on my floor near my door. I picked it up and noticed that it was an envelope with a note on one side of it that said, “ATTENTION PLEASE READ” in big bold letters written in ink.

I then opened it to reveal its contents. It was from my Landlord.

“Mr. Hillyard,

This is a rent update of the terms of your new lease agreement, which will start at the end of August when your current one ends. The rent will be increasing from $18 per month to $35 per month, starting September 1st. If you are unable to make the new monthly rent. You will receive an eviction notice upon not receiving your rent payment. No exceptions. Please sign on the last page and return it to me at your earliest convenience. Good day.

Tim Reed
Landlord”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I yelled.

“No exceptions? Gee, wasn’t that short and sweet.” I sarcastically thought to myself as I rolled my eyes in irritation.

My landlord was an asshole. So receiving this notice wasn’t that much if a shock. He always had it in for me since the day I moved in. I never had a clue as to why. Now he pulls this shit on me? I wonder what I did to him to get his panties in a twist. Who cares, I know for a fact I didn’t do anything to him anyway.

“So I have two months to either ask the Gilbert’s for a raise or find another job with better pay or else I’m on the fucking street.” I thought to myself angrily.

Inside the envelope were two other papers. One of which was the new agreement in detail and the other is the paper I had to sign to accept the new terms. I was in a bit of a hurry this morning so I folded everything back up and stuffed it back in the envelope. I then slid the envelope into my right front pocket while walking out and closing the door behind me. I was a bit in a hurry that I almost forgot about locking up. 

I turned around towards my door a bit irritated because of my apartment numbers. It was a rather old looking door, a bit brown with a square top panel and then three rectangular panels beneath it. The top panel had the apartment number “29” and a letter “B” for the floor attached to it. They were painted white but looked a bit worn and faded due to how old it was. The numbers and letter were held on by three individual nails in the center of each.

The nine, however, was a bit loose and swung down a lot. Turning my nine into a six. I had asked Tim countless times to have it fixed or replaced. It has been months already with no word of what he plans on doing with it, probably nothing. So I constantly have to turn it around manually which gets very irritating. Especially when I would get someone else’s mail or the constant knock at the door that wasn’t meant for me.

So I turned the six back to a nine again and locked my door. I then walked out my building rather hastily. We are getting a shipment of food today at the store and I can’t be late. I need to help stock the shelves before we open.

As I walked into town there were many different businesses along the strip. Like the grocery store I work at, a Library, Marie’s Antique Shop, Danny’s Hardware Store, Pete’s Auto Repair and Fill Up, just to name a few. The grocery store was in walking distance from my apartment which was very convenient for me. The Gilbert’s were always there bright and early to open the store. By the time I get there Mr. Gilbert is in his office crunching numbers, while Mrs. Gilbert works the register until more employees come to work their shifts for the day.

Today, however, since it’s a delivery day Mrs. Gilbert will be helping to sort the food coming in while Mr. Gilbert will be moving crates of food around in the back room with a dolly. Meanwhile, Josh a colleague of mine at the time, helped me stocked the shelves before the Gilbert’s opened for business.

When I reached the store a “CLOSED” sign hung at the door. I knocked on the glass door so that Mrs. Gilbert can let me in for my shift.

Knock…knock…knock

Mrs. Gilbert opened the door a few seconds later, “Ahhh, Thomas! Good morning!” She happily greeted me.

“Good morning Mrs G.! Sorry I’m a bit late.” I responded while quickly walking in, so she could lock the store again.

“No worries Thomas, there is a fresh pot of coffee in the lounge if you want some!” She added as she locked up.

Mrs. Gilbert always made a fresh pot in the morning and throughout the day. Something I have always appreciated about her. She always took care of her workers. A quality that is lacking today in society. I always called her Mrs. G. for short but she didn’t seem to mind it though.

“Oh…Ok, thank you Mrs. G.!” I replied before walking through the white door with  “EMPLOYEES ONLY” written on it.

While walking down the hallway you can’t help but notice the employee photos hanging proudly on their wall. I stopped to look at myself in the group photo. I was a scrawny little shit those few years ago. Funny how time passes by in a blink of an eye. Even more so now when time is endless for people like me, well, almost endless.

I’d pass by the Gilbert’s office on the way to the employee’s lounge to grab a cup of coffee. There were beige lockers in a room off to the side of the lounge for the employees. I walked to my locker with my name on it. Inside was my dark green apron that I wore for work. It had my name tag pinned to the left side of it. I put it around my neck and tied the tie around my waist.

The delivery truck had pulled in at the back of the store as I poured myself some coffee. The large garage door started to open. I walk in the back room and I see Mr. Gilbert pulling the door open with a chain on a crank. Much different from today. Now you can just open it with just a finger press of a button. Rather remarkable, if you asked me.

“Good morning Mr. Gilbert!” I added while walking in the back room.

“Hey Thomas, good morning to you as well!” He happily replied while pulling the chain one last time to fully open the door.

A large truck started backing up towards the garage door. Mr. Gilbert guided him in while waving. The truck eventually stopped, just as the bottom on his truck went on top of the concrete barrier, with just an inch of clearance. That way they didn’t need to use a ramp. The driver came out the truck with a clipboard in his hand.

“Good morning Sir! Mr. Gilbert I presume?” The driver asked while pulling out a pen from his pocket.

“Good morning and yes I am!” He replied.

While handing him the clipboard and pen. “Great, I just need you to sign here and here.” The driver added while pointing to the areas where Mr. Gilbert needed to sign.

Mr. Gilbert grabbed the pen and started signing on the clipboard. My eyes were a bit fascinated by the older gentleman’s pen. The pen itself was filled with its own ink. Pens like this were rather new at the time and wasn’t really used very often. They were also quite expensive. Most people used dip pens and a small jar of ink cause it was cheaper. I find it rather fascinating how a simple pen has changed over the years. Some pens of today can be bought in packs and then thrown away like a worn out pair of shoes once it runs out of ink. 

While handing the pen back to the driver, “Here you go Sir, thank you so much.” Mr. Gilbert replied.

While taking his pen back, “Excellent, we will unload it for you.” The older gentleman replied while walking to the driver seat of the truck.

He then tossed the paperwork through his open window and walked to the back of the truck. Another man, much younger than the older gentleman, stepped out of the passenger side as the driver unlocked the back doors of the truck. You could hear the squealing of the hinges of the lock as he opened it. The doors swung open revealing all the slatted wooden crates of produce and variety of other different items that the Gilbert’s ordered.

The two men started unloading everything into the back room of the store. The driver used a dolly for the heavier crates, while the other carried lighter ones by hand. Mr. Gilbert started rolling a few boxes into the sorting room on a dolly so we can start restocking.

The two men then loaded the boxes left over from the last shipment that we had a few days ago into their truck. The company they buy from reuses the boxes for future deliveries. These boxes weren’t made of cardboard like some companies use today. They were made of wood.

“Ok we’re all done here.” The driver yelled to Mr. Gilbert, since he was in the other room at the time.

While holding out his hand, “Thank you so much. I hope you two have an excellent rest of your day.” Mr. Gilbert replied.

“Thank you Sir and to you as well.” The driver added while shaking Mr. Gilbert’s hand.

The driver then closed the door of the truck making that ear wrenching squealing of the hinges again and locked it up. Then they both got back into the truck and drove off. Mr. Gilbert slowly started to close the door and locked it up. He kept the key to the door on a set of keys that he hung on his belt loop for safe keeping. Meanwhile, Mrs. Gilbert, Josh and I are sorting where things need to go in the other room.

“Josh, take this cart to the produce section.” Mrs. Gilbert asked kindly.

“Yes Ma’am.” Josh replied.

Josh was a really nice guy. He was a bit younger than I was and very respectful. The Gilbert’s hired him two years or so after me. I showed him the ropes on what to do but he was a bit a of a slow learner. I didn’t mind that about him but he seems to be doing quite well for himself here.

Josh grabbed the cart and brought it to the produce section the started restocking the produce. A few seconds later Mr. Gilbert came in with more cases of food and then left to get more boxes.

“Thomas, take this to the cans aisle.” She replied while smiling.

“Sure thing Mrs. G.” I replied while grabbing my cup of coffee to take a sip.

I then made my way to the can aisle to stock them. There were a lot of cans of beans and soups in this load. Took me a while to put everything where they needed to go. Josh suddenly comes my way with another cart of cans. This time it was more soups and sauces.

“Hey Thomas, I got some more cans for you. The rest of these are sauces so I’ll take the rest down the spaghetti aisle” Josh replied, while removing the boxes of soup off his cart and onto mine.

“Thanks, Josh.” I replied while taking another sip of coffee and then continued working.

“No problem, he replied as he walked away to stock the sauces on the other side of the aisle.

I finished up stocking the cans that Josh gave me and walked back to the back room with my cart filled with the empty wooden crates. Finishing my coffee by the time I reached the back room. Mrs. G. was loading another cart full of soda bottles while Mr. Gilbert helped her. I then dropped off the empty crates near the door, where the others once were, so the delivery guys can grab them next time.

While rolling the cart back to the Gilbert’s, “Here is an empty cart. I’m gonna go help Josh with the sauces.” I replied while walking away.

“Hold up Thomas, this one is almost ready to go out.” Mrs. G. replied while waiting for her husband to load the last crate of soda onto the cart.

“Sure thing Mrs. G!” I happily replied.

“Oh hey, grab one for yourself if you like. Tell Josh as well if you see him out there.” Mr. Gilbert added.

“Thank you Mr. Gilbert. I’ll grab one once I’m finished restocking them and I’ll be sure to let Josh know.” I replied.

He gave me a nod in acknowledgment and finished loading the cart. I then grabbed it and slowly made my way back out there being very careful not to drop any of them. The crates were pretty wobbly from them not sitting just right. Thankfully, It wasn’t to far since the fridges were on the back wall where they need to go.

The bottles were clinking and clanking together like wind chimes in the summer breeze as I made my way to the fridges. I began stocking the sodas. We had cola, orange, root beer, and ginger ale flavors.

“Once I’m done I think I’ll grab a root beer.” I said to myself.

We had quite a lot of these to fill. It was definitely a popular drink back then. I saw Josh walk by with a cart full of bread. He must have been done restocking the sauces, so I made my way to the bread aisle to let him know about the soda.

“Hey Josh, I just wanted to let you know Mr. Gilbert said we could pick a soda. Would you like one? I’ll go grab one for you if you want.” I kindly asked.

“Yea sure! Thank you!” He replied.

“Ok what would you like? There is Cola, orange, root beer, and ginger ale.” I ask kindly, while remembering what I restocked.

“Ummm…..I’ll take a Root beer! Thank you Thomas!” Josh happily replied.

“Sure thing! Coming right up!” I added jokingly.

He chuckled at my dumb joke and continued stocking the bread on the shelves. I then headed back to the fridges. Grabbed two root beers and headed back to Josh.

“Special delivery!” I jokingly yelled.

“Ha ha ha, thank you Thomas!” Josh replied laughing while grabbing the bottle from my hand as I handed it to him.

We then used the shelves to pop open the caps of the sodas, like we did many times before. A gentle hiss could be heard from the bottles as the caps came loose. We removed the caps with our hands and put them in our pockets so a customer wouldn’t step on them accidentally when we open.

“Cheers!” He said as he clinked his bottle up against mine.

“Ha ha cheers!” I replied before taking a sip.

I actually never drank one before. It had a slight minty, licorice flavor to it, which made it sweet and slightly syrupy. Mixed with the carbonation made it taste so smooth! I definitely can see why it was much more popular than a cola back then.

Josh then took a sip. “Mmm…ahhh. Love these! Thanks for grabbing me one.” He replied while taking another sip.

“No problem.” I answered after swallowing another sip.

“Alright I’m off. Gotta bring the cart back to the Gilberts.” I added.

“Ok, see you in a bit I’m almost done here.” He replied while putting a loaf of bread on the shelf.

I headed to the fridges in the back where I left the cart from earlier and walked back to the back room. I then stacked the slatted wooden crates by the garage door, like I did last time, before I gave the cart back to the Gilbert’s.

The Gilbert’s started storing the rest in the back room so we can fill it on the floor if need be later.

“Was that the last of it Mr. Gilbert?” I asked while dropping off the cart.

“Indeed it is. He replied.

“Hey dear, would you mind unlocking the front door and change the sign out front from closed to open for me please?” He asked his wife, while loading some sodas in the back fridge, as well as some other items to keep fresh.

“Of course, honey.” She added while taking out her keys.

“Hey Thomas, why don’t you come with me. You unlock the door while I get the register ready.” She replied while walking with me.

“You doing alright Thomas?” She asked as we walked to the front door.

“Huh? What do you mean?” I asked a bit confused while drinking some more root beer.

“Well you have this look on your face like you are worried about something. You also seem more quieter than usual. Everything ok?” She sincerely asked.

“Is it that obvious?” I embarrassedly replied.   

“Thomas, I’ve known you since you were a young man. You still have that same look you had back then as you do now. You may fool everyone else but you don’t fool me. So spill it.” She demandingly asked.

“It’s my ass of a landlord.” I bluntly answered.

“Go on.” She replied.

“He’s been an ass to me ever since I moved in and now he slid this under my door this morning before heading into work, which is why I was a little bit late.” I explained while handing her the envelope from my pocket.

She opened it up and read the note inside.

“He is raising my rent because my lease is up soon. I been a bit quiet because I been working up the courage to ask you both for a raise or I fear I’m gonna have to leave to find a new job soon.” I explained.

“Wow, “no exceptions”, huh?” She replied while reading and shaking her head.

“What an ass.” She added, while handing me back the envelope.

“Let me talk to my husband about what we can do and I will let you know first thing tomorrow morning. Ok? Don’t worry.” She replied reassuring me.

“Thank you Mrs. G. That means a lot.” I replied, while feeling a bit relieved.

I then headed to the door to unlock it. Already we could see people lining up outside waiting to come in to shop. I waved and said hello through the door, while flipping the “CLOSED” sign to “OPEN”. I immediately unlocked the door and opened it.

“Good morning everyone!” I happily replied while holding the door for an older woman with a cane.

“Good morning, young man!” The old woman replied as she walked in. Followed by the others.

I could see Mrs. G. through the window greeting the customers with a smile like she always does as they walked in. She was such a good hearted person. I believed her when she told me, “not to worry”. She was like a Stepmother to me almost. She always looked out for me. They both have really, which is why I didn’t wanna have to look for something else so sudden like this. It was rare that I received such kindness that I didn’t wanna lose it. They both were like family.

The day went on like any normal work day at a grocery store. People coming and going as they please. Making purchases and sharing a bit of their day with us as they brought their items to the register to pay. I could see this quality in humanity slowly dwindling as time passed. People don’t seem to care about one another that much anymore and it’s a pity.

At the end of my shift i said my goodbyes to the Gilbert’s and started walking home. I could smell the sweet scent of that delicious pizza sauce from my favorite pizza joint, John’s Pizza. I stopped in to grab a slice or two and an orange soda for dinner. That thought about the Inn this morning got me craving a slice of that heavenly pie I had years back.

It was a very popular pizza joint at the time since it was rather new. Who knew such a place would boom in popularity over the years with different pizza joints all over the country. Each one with different flavors of sauces, different toppings. Wish I could grab a slice again today but the food I once ate no longer fills me like it used to. I crave something much different now.

As I took a bite of that delicious pie. The hot melted cheese oozed from my mouth to the pizza slice like a thick web of mozzarella. Slightly burning my lips but I didn’t care. The sweet sauce with that melted cheese was so divine. I savored every bite. Just thinking about it just makes my mouth salivate tremendously. If there is one thing I miss more, now being what I am, was the fill this delicious pie gave me.

I ended up eating both slices while walking to the docks. Drinking that delicious orange soda along the way. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much of a sunset on this evening so I headed home to rest. I will wait until I hear from the Gilbert’s before I sign that paper and give it back to my ass of a landlord. I hope Mrs. G. will come through for me. For now I will go home and rest my head and hope for a better tomorrow.

Chapter Text

It was a gloomy start to the day. Not a single shade of blue could be seen outside my bedroom window. The sun was nowhere to be found. The entire sky was blanketed by a thick sheet of bright white clouds, as if it were a blank canvas waiting to be painted by Mother Nature. Robins nestled patiently under some leaves and branches in the tree next to my window, awaiting for the morning drizzle to subside. Meanwhile, a few other robins took the opportunity to bathe in mother natures blessings, rather than quiver to the thought of the cold rain dampening their delicate feathers.

As I gazed down below, I could see folks walking by as they went about their day. Wearing their raincoats and umbrellas in hand, tucked close. People coming and going from Louise’s Diner across the street. If you had a craving for a burger, Louise’s Diner was the place to be! Granted her place wasn’t just known for outstanding burgers. She would also make delicious pancakes that were out of this world and don’t get me started about her pies. Especially apple and pumpkin! My absolute favorites back then!

I also saw little children jumping in the puddles that their parents told them not to. After being yelled at by their parents. I couldn’t help but smirk at their shenanigans as I watched them have fun. Kids will be kids I suppose. My parents never cared that I did such things. Just as long as I wasn’t too careless with my actions. Anything that would quote on quote, “draw unnecessary attention to us.” Which was a bit odd in my opinion but I did my best to do what she demanded of me.

“You have to be smart.” My mother would say.

I eventually got dressed for work with high hopes that Mrs. Gilbert has some good news for me. I grabbed my father’s necklace and placed it around my neck, along with my key that I left on my night stand from the night before. I slid them both underneath my blue button-up shirt and put on some black pants. I grabbed my wallet off the dresser and slid it in my right back pocket as I made my way into the kitchen.

I saw the letter my Landlord left me the day before lying on the kitchen table and then remembered I needed to sign my lease agreement so I can return it to him. So I grabbed a jar of ink and my dip pen from the drawer next to the kitchen table. My pen wasn’t as fancy as the delivery guys ink filled one from yesterday but this will do. I sat down at the table and grabbed the envelope from my landlord. I unpacked its contents and placed the page I needed to sign in front of me, while placing the others off to the side.

I slowly twisted off the lid on the jar of ink, being extra cautious not to spill it. I dipped my pen in the black ink, pulling it out slowly and giving it a light tap around the rim to remove excess ink. The words, “Sign Here” was written in black typewriter ink, followed by a line of dots. I signed my name above the dotted line and waited a few seconds to let the ink dry. I folded the rest of the pages back up and stuffed it back in the envelope.

I then put the lid back on the ink jar. As I rose from my seat my chair squealed extensively as it slid across the wood floor, so I could tuck the signed paper in my front pocket. I decided to skip breakfast that morning, due to my nerves getting the best of me. As much as I believed Mrs. G. could help, I still wanted to wait and see what she had to say before turning in the signed paper.

I walked to my closet that resides on the opposite wall next to my apartment door and I pulled out my blue rain coat and black umbrella that was hanging up on the rack. While slipping it on, I walked out and closed the door behind me. As I turned around to close I notice that my 9 turned to a 6 again. I annoyingly turned it back around again like yesterday and then locked up.

The walls of the apartment were pretty plain. Just white walls with metal accent lanterns lighting up the hallway so everybody can see. Then an even bigger lantern hung at both ends of the hallway. The floors were made of wood and had long burgundy runners stretching from one end of the hallway to the other. As I made my way down the steps, also made of wood. It had small, rectangular, burgundy runners nailed down to each step. The Landlord had to install these to prevent another incident. What incident you might ask? A tenant lost their life in a tragic accident on these very steps. The poor man slid with his wet shoes, falling backwards down the stairs and snapped his neck. Needless to say the poor bastard died instantly.

The white light from the gloominess outside lit up the staircase as I made my way down to floor “A” of the building. I walked down the hallway of floor “A” and reached the main entrance for outside. I suddenly stop at the door to open my umbrella before heading out. As I was getting it open a man walked up to the door and stopped rather suspiciously waiting. Thinking he was someone from the building, I let him in. His face was covered by his black raincoat which was dripping wet.

“Good morning. Come on in and out of the rain.” I replied to him while holding the door open.

The man didn’t respond back as he walked past me and into the building. He didn’t even look at me either, not that I could see his face anyway with his hood up. It was rather odd I thought to myself. Must have been in a hurry and didn’t have time for pleasantries, I thought to myself or perhaps he was just a mean tenant. I didn’t think anything of it and continued on with my day.

As I walked out, the rain drops started hitting my umbrella like little diamonds dancing sporadically above my head. Then slowly slid off like a miniature waterfall and onto the sidewalk. The rain started coming down slightly harder than it did when I stepped out. Meanwhile, the wind started picking up as well. Thankfully not so much that the rain would be hitting me in the face.

As I was walking down the street I had this eerie feeling like I was being followed. I kept checking behind me to see if anyone was there but with no success. The thought of that creepy fellow outside my apartment building earlier sprung to mind. Perhaps I was just being paranoid. I walked a bit further and couldn’t shake that feeling like I was being watched. I took a glance over my shoulder and there he was across the street.

“Was he following me?” I thought to myself.

“It can’t be the same guy, could it?” I asked my self a bit shocked.

I continued walking down the street and stopped at the stop sign. I waited for a few cars to pass before walking across the street. The man was still there, leaning up against the wall of the building with one leg propped up against it, smoking a cigarette. As if he were trying to throw me off but I knew better. His head was still covered by his hood and was aimed down. I still couldn’t see his face unfortunately. Soon as I passed the corner he threw his cigarette in the street and started walking, following me again.

As I was walking down the strip where the grocery store is. I kept telling myself “I’m almost there, I’m almost there.”

Finally I reached the grocery store and knocked on the glass door.

KNOCK….KNOCK….KNOCK…I pounded. Hoping someone opens the door quickly.

No answer. I knocked again.

KNOCK…,KNOCK….KNOCK….while cupping my hand over my brows peeking in to see if I can see anyone. They must be in there office.

“Mrs. G., hello, are you there?” I yelled.

I looked over my shoulder for the man and I can see him walking rather slowly, like a lion getting ready to pounce on its prey. Eventually Mrs. G. opened the door and the man finally backed off and slowly made his way across the street.

“Morning, Thomas. You ok? Sounded like you were in trouble, everything alright?” She ask with concern in her voice.

“Morning. Yea I’m fine, thank you. It’s just I think someone was following me.” I replied a bit frightened and confused while closing my umbrella.

In a stern voice, “FOLLOWING YOU?” She asked.

“Yea, there was some guy in a black rain coat with a hood on. I couldn’t see his face but I could swear he was following me. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.” I replied feeling a bit silly, while rubbing the back of my neck and looking outside cautiously.

“Should we call the authorities?” She asked concerned.

“No I think he is gone. Besides I’m probably just being paranoid anyway or maybe I’m just seeing shit. I don’t know. I was just a bit spooked is all.” I explained.

Concerned for my safety, “Ok but if you see this creep again. let us know, ok? I will alert this to my husband and the rest of the workers so they know. Go get settled in and meet me in our office so we can discuss about yesterday.” She replied while pointing to the employee lounge.

I went through the “EMPLOYEE’S ONLY” door and saw Mr. Gilbert heading into his office.

“Good morning Mr. Gilbert.” I replied while peeking in.

“Ahhh good morning Thomas! Wonderful weather we’re having huh? He sarcastically replied.

“Ha ha ha yea, it started picking up as I walked here.” I chuckled while looking at my boots and umbrella dripping onto the runner outside his door.

While pointing to the employee lounge with my thumb, “I’m gonna go to my locker and get some coffee. Would you like me to pour you a cup while i pour myself one Mr Gilbert? I asked kindly.

“I would appreciate that, thank you Thomas! He replied with a smile.

I headed down the hall to the employee lounge and stopped at my locker. I dropped off my raincoat and umbrella. Swapping them out with my green apron with my name tag on it. I slid the loop over my head and tied the straps around my waist, while heading back into the lounge.

I grabbed two mugs and poured both myself and Mr. Gilbert a cup of coffee. I liked to add two teaspoons of sugar in mine. Where Mr. Gilbert likes his black. Back then coffee had a bit of a nutty taste to it unlike how coffee tastes today. It’s much better now than it was back in my day I might add.

I headed back to the Gilbert’s office, walking a bit slowly not to spill any. When I walked in Mrs. G. was sitting at her desk while talking to her husband. Most likely about my mystery stalker. Who the hell was he anyway, I thought to myself?

While handing him his coffee. “Here’s your coffee Mr. Gilbert.” I replied.

“Ahhh thank you Thomas.” He replied while gripping the handle of the mug.

“Come sit Son, my wife told me about your situation yesterday and about this hooded man following you here this morning.” He added.

“Thank you.” I replied, while sitting down in the black leather chair residing in front of his desk.

“Yea, my landlord is being an asshole. He has had it in for me since I moved in. As for this hooded guy I don’t have the faintest idea who he is. I let him into my apartment building thinking he was a tenant that forgot their key or something” I explained to the both of them.

I handed him the envelope that my landlord shoved under my door yesterday so he could see for himself. He opened it up and read the contents. He had a disgusted look on his face while reading.

While shaking his head, “what a prick.” He replied while folding everything back up into the envelope.

“Well, we both talked it over last night and as much as we don’t wanna lose you here, we can’t raise your salary. It’s not that we don’t want to, because we do. It’s just we can’t financially. You see we are barely hanging on as it is. Since the meltdown, things have been slowly going down hill since. Small businesses like ours just hasn’t been able to stay afloat for very long.” He explained.

“I’m so sorry you two. Isn’t there anything you can do?” I asked concerned.

He was right though. The “meltdown”, as he called it, is what you would call the, “Great Depression” today. A bunch of businesses closed up shop, bunch layoffs happened, stocks fell, people lost a lot of money. It was a horrible time back then. Many lives were destroyed in the process.

“We have. Remember all those days you seen my husband at this very desk crunching numbers? Well that was to keep us afloat for as long as possible. We probably only have a year, maybe less and then this place will close. Might have to layoff some workers between now and then…..but believe me Thomas we’ve done all we can.” Mrs. G. replied with assurance in her voice.

“I’m truly sorry you guys.” I replied.

“It’s ok Thomas, we had a good run. It’s time for new adventures.” He added while taking a sip of his coffee.

Mrs. G. stood behind him draping her arms around him to comfort him. Mr. Gilbert rained his right arm and placed his hand on her left that was casually placed on his chest.

“And we shall start this new adventure together.” She replied while hugging him tightly behind the chair, while kissing his left cheek.

I felt horrible that they been hurting for this long and didn’t tell me. Perhaps it was their sense of pride getting in the way. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t about to ask making things harder than it already was for them. I just stood up and gave them both a big hug.

“I love you guys. You both have always looked over me through the years and I can’t think you enough for that. You two are like family to me.” I explained, expressing my love and gratitude.

“Awww of course. You are like a son we always wanted. We love you to.” Mrs. G. replied while they both hugged me back.

“We’re really sorry that we couldn’t help. If you lose the apartment, you are more than welcome to stay with us. We’d be happy to have you.” Mr. Gilbert replied.

“Thank you guys, I will keep that in mind. I might have to take you up on that.” I happily replied somewhat relieved that I wouldn’t be living on the street.

“No problem Thomas.” Mr. Gilbert added.

“Alright I guess I will get back to work.” I replied while taking my cup of coffee and took a sip for the first time.

“Ok, Thomas. Oh…..don’t forget your envelope.” Mrs. G. replied while grabbing the envelope and handed it to me.

“Ahhh thank you Mrs. G.” I replied while stuffing it back into my right front pocket.

I then walked out while heading back to the lounge. I was a bit distracted that I didn’t drink my coffee. It was somewhat warm as it touched my lips. I just chugged it and began to work my shift. Days like today were very slow and boring. I just filled the shelves with items needing to be stocked again from being bought. Mostly soda’s, and canned goods like soup.

This mystery man, filled my mind the whole time that I worked. The way he just stood there like a statue in front of me by the door of my apartment building. The way he didn’t say a word to me, like I wasn’t even there. Also, why was he following me the whole way here? What did he want with me or from me? Could it be my father’s necklace? If so, why? My mind was racing with so many questions. Just adding to the already growing pile that’s filling up in my brain.

I can’t believe this place will eventually close. I had so many fond memories here with the Gilbert’s and their customers. It’s so sad they been going through this alone. I hope this madness will end I thought. How am I suppose to find something in times such as this. I’ll be out of the apartment for sure. At least I won’t be on the street thanks to the Gilbert’s generous offer. To be honest, I hope it doesn’t come to that because i wouldn’t want to be a burden, especially now.

Many hours later my shift was over. I grabbed my belongings from my locker and headed home. The rain had finally stopped so I didn’t need my umbrella. The sun was out and the rain was almost dried up from the sun. I’d casually look over my shoulder from time to time cautiously. Making sure this……mystery man……in the black hood, isn’t still following me as I make my way home.

I made my way to the docks. I wasn’t about to let this one person ruin my day. After the bad news I got from the Gilbert’s, I needed something soothing for comfort. It wasn’t dark yet because my shift ended early today. I guess the blue waters and the cool summer air will have to do.

Chapter Text

I was walking to the docks after my shortened day at work. I needed to get some fresh air and to think. The air was a bit smelly. Usually after a good storm the water starts smelling of fish. While growing up and moving around a lot, you tend to pick up on these things. Especially when there’s a body of water near by the Inns we stayed at! So I’m pretty use to it.

As I reached the docks, I almost got ran over by this fella in a forklift. Knocked me right on my ass. My umbrella flew up in the air and landed on the ground. The man, looking no older than me, rushed out of the machine that almost crushed me.

“Oh my God….I am so sorry, I honestly didn’t see you there. I’m still learning to work this damn thing. Here, let me help you up.” The man said, as he offered his hand to help me to my feet.

“Thanks.” I responded, a bit irritated while reaching for his hand.

“There you go, good as new.” He said as he frantically brushed the dirt off my raincoat after pulling me up right.

“Neat looking necklace you have there!” He added.

“Thanks it was my Pop’s.” I replied while putting the necklace back underneath my rain coat to hide it from view.

“I’m truly sorry again for almost running you over, I hope you are ok.” He nervously added.

While rubbing the back of my head, “I’m ok, thank you. Don’t worry about it. It’s water under the bridge.” I replied.

With the sound of relief in his voice, “Oh good!My name is Carlos by the way.” He added while reaching out to shake my hand.

“I’m Thomas, pleased to meet you Carlos.” I replied while shaking the man’s hand.

“So what do you do here Carlos?” I asked curiously.

“I’m a Longshoreman.” He answered while taking off his hard hat revealing his short blonde hair.

“A Longshoreman? What’s that?” I intriguingly asked.

“Basically I just load and unload cargo here at the docks. They have me working this really complicated machine because Fred quit or so I was told. He just stopped coming to work one day.” He explained while shrugging his shoulders.

“Ahhh I see, so who’s Fred? Has anyone seen or heard from him?” I curiously asked.

“Oh….right….sorry, he was the last guy who worked this wretched machine before me. Unfortunately no one has seen or heard from him since. They been training me to fill his shoes or until they find someone new who knows their way around one of these things. I’m still not quite use to it yet. I’ve only used it for a couple days or so.” He explained as he looked at the machine scratching his head.

“Ahh I hear you, took me quite a while to learn myself.” I replied.

So what did you do before this?” I then added.

“I was a sorter in the warehouse here behind me. Fred would transport these crates to the sorting room in the warehouse where me and a few others would sort everything to their appropriate shipping destinations.” He quickly replied.

“Ahh I see.” I added while listening and picking up my umbrella up off the ground.

“Hold up, let me back up here for a sec. Did you say it took you a while to learn to? Does that mean you know how to use these?” He excitedly asked!

While laughing at his question, “Ha, ha, yes I have! Even where I work now but it’s been a while. My boss mostly uses it now” I answered while gently kicking the tire with my shoe.

“Ahhh I see, did I mention we’re hiring? You should apply. I bet you would get it, hands down too, since you know how to operate them!” Carlos enthusiastically replied.

“Are you looking?” He then asked rather hastily.

“As a matter of fact I am. I’m currently working over at the grocery store just a block over. Perhaps you know it?” I replied with an outstretched arm pointing in the general direction of the grocery store.

“Ahhh yes! I know the place. Gilbert’s Grocery! Richard and Laura’s place, right?” Carlos answered with a smile on his face.

“Yes, that’s it! Do you know them?” I asked curiously.

“Not personally but I use to buy a Hershey’s candy bar from them every Friday when I walked home from school. They are such lovely people.” He added happily.

“Yea I completely agree. They have been so kind to me. They took me in and gave me a job there stocking shelves. One of the best places I have worked in a long time and the longest I might add. Sadly I need something with more money because of my nitwit of a landlord raised the rent on me. He’s actually been on my ass ever since I moved into the apartment. I don’t even have the slightest clue as to why. All I know is that I can’t possibly afford the place on my own with what I’m making now at the grocery store.” I replied in disappointment.

I was about to tell him they are on the brink of closing due to the Depression but I figured I’d keep that bit of information to myself. It’s a bit personal to them and I don’t wanna go spreading word about them closing. They’ve been part of this community for quite a while now and I’m sure many who adore the Gilbert’s would be quite upset about this unfortunate news. Besides, no one knows what the future may bring. Anything can change in a week or even a year, so I just kept it to myself.

“I totally understand. I’m sure the Gilbert’s will as well, once you tell them.” He replied.

Unfortunately, they already know my situation but I figured I better not tell him the truth that they can’t help me. Mostly in fear that I will have to get into the reason why. So sadly I had to lie to him yet again.

“Thanks, I hope so, I just hate to do this to them on such short notice but I will wait and see if I get this job first.” I replied crossing my fingers.

“Oh yea of course. Here, take this path behind me. It will lead you straight to the warehouse. When you get there ask for Gary, he’s my boss. Just let them know I sent ya.” He replied while pointing the way with his left hand and then pointing his thumb at himself with the other.

“Ha ha ha, I will. Thank you so much Carlos, wish me luck.” I replied as I walked away with my hands in my coat pockets.

“No problem and best of luck to you.” Carlos yelled while getting back into the machine and putting his hard hat back on.

I followed the path as I was shown, which wasn’t very far. When I reached the warehouse I came across a large open door with long rectangular sheets of weathered clear plastic that hung over the door. I pushed the plastic aside and walked through. The warehouse was huge. So many employees walking around, moving boxes and crates by hand while a few others moved them around like Carlos does on the forklift.

A beautiful young woman, around my age, with long brown hair stood near the door writing in her clipboard, directing people where to go.

“Excuse me Miss, could you tell me where I could find Gary?” I asked looking a bit lost.

“Oh, hello! Ahhhh….sure thing.” She nervously replied while looking at me.

“I’m Silvia his niece and his secretary here.” She replied while reaching out to shake my hand.

“Nice to meet you Silvia, I’m Thomas, Thomas Hillyard!” I nervously replied while shaking her hand.

Her hand was smooth and soft like silk. Beautiful nails as green as spring leaves. I was quite taken and impressed by her grip. Not too tight but tight enough to show she can hold her own in the position she presides.

We must have stared at each other awkwardly shaking each other’s hands for the longest time. At least longer than normal. Could this be that “spark” people talk about when they meet someone? That strong magnetic pull at first glance. As I gazed into her baby blues, while she gazed into mine, I could see a sweet yet kind hearted soul looking back.

“Nice to meet you too, Thomas!” She replied while smiling.

“Ahhhhh Silvia?” I replied while looking at her gazing into my eyes.

“Yes…Thomas?” She replied while smiling.

“Heh, could I have my hand back.” I replied with a smirk on my face.

“Your hand?” She asked confused while looking down noticing she was still shaking my hand.

“Ha ha ha….yes…right…of course. Oh my God how embarrassing, I’m sorry!” She replied while blushing and releasing my hand from her grip.

“Ha ha ha it’s quite alright, no need to apologize!” I replied while watching her cheeks turn red.

“So where can I find Gary?” I asked again.

“Ahhh yes, I’m sorry, he is ummm….in that little room up there by the steps.

As I looked up I could see a silhouette of a man in the office window pacing back and forth while speaking on the phone. I started walking towards the steps when the young woman at the door stopped me.

“Excuse me….Thomas…..wait a moment. You can’t just go up there. Let me give him a call first and see if he is available. May I ask what this is about?” She asked kindly with those blue eyes staring me down and twirling the phone cord with her fingers.

“It’s about a job opportunity if it’s still available, Carlos sent me. I met him out by the docks earlier” I answered while pointing towards the outside door with my thumb.

“Oh ok, you may have a seat over there in the waiting room area in the meantime. Please help yourself to some coffee if you wish while I give him a call.” She added while running her hand through her hair.

“Thank you Miss, will do.” I replied while walking to the little waiting room area.

“Heh, no problem, Thomas!” She replied while smiling.

I walked over to the waiting room and poured myself a cup of coffee, added two teaspoons of sugar and some cream. Then grabbed a stirring stick and gave it all a spin in my cup! As I took a sip I glanced over at Silvia making the call to her boss or rather her Uncle apparently.

I looked up at Gary’s office window while taking an another sip of my coffee. He started peeking through the blinds of his office window, looking down at me while he talked to his niece over the phone. Silvia looked up at him while tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear away from her view.

This place is huge I thought to myself. White-tiled floors stained by tire marks from the forklifts that come and go I would assume. An open ceiling where you could see the metal framework of the ceiling. Large lights hang down, reminiscent to those found in a gym or an arena. Large fans also hung down as well. Spinning rapidly to keep the workplace somewhat cool. Which didn’t work in my opinion. At least these large doors are open and the fans can circulate the incoming air.

“Excuse me, Thomas.” She yelled while trying to get my attention.

Hmmm? I replied snapping out of my gaze looking around.

While raising her hand to those luscious pink lips. “Hehe.” She giggled slightly.

“He said give him a few minutes and you can head on up. He is currently on a call at the moment but should be done shortly. Afterwards he will buzz me to let you know he is ready for you. Sound good?” She added while running her hand through her shiny brown hair, smiling.

“Sounds good to me! Thank you again Miss!” I replied with a gentle smile on my face.

“You’re most welcome Thomas. By the way you can call me Silvia.” She happily replied while twirling her hair with the tips of her fingers, while smiling back.

Silvia was a stunning woman and caught my eye, just as I most certainly caught hers. If it was any other time I probably would have asked her out just then but I didn’t have the money to show this beautiful woman a good time. I was pretty much broke. I hoped with this job I can get better pay. Then I could indulge myself in such pleasantries of the dating world. That was my reasoning anyway.

A few minutes went by, “Ring…..Ring…..Ring…..Ring” The phone yells and Silvia answers.

“Yes….yes….I will let him know.” She answered while looking over at me.

“Ahh Thomas.” She playfully calls me over with her pointer finger curling slowly flirtatiously telling me to come here.

I walked over to her desk with coffee in hand. She kept her eyes on me the whole time I walked over while fixing up her hair a bit casually. So that I wouldn’t assume the obvious.

While smiling. “Hey there handsome! Gary will see you now.” She cheerfully replied as I approached her desk.

“Oh ok, thank you Silvia!” I replied a bit lost in my gaze.

“My pleasure Thomas!” She replied nervously.

I turned around and started walking towards the steps to Gary’s office. “Something was there, wasn’t it?” I asked myself while smiling as I walked away.

Silvia put her face in her hands in embarrassment just as I turned around, my guess blurting out handsome wasn’t her intention. Ha, ha that was cute I thought to myself. This left me with a smirk on my face as I made my way up the staircase.

I slightly peeked through his window while he waved me in. On the glass door was his name, “Gary Summers, Office Manager”, written in big bold black lettering. I opened the glass door which was finished with a metal handle and walked in.

The white walls had many photos of the man and his company, some awards, degrees and a large sword fish hanging above his desk behind him. The floor of his office had a rich blue carpet which complimented the metal framed furniture nicely. His desk was metal as well and had a beautiful wood top with a black finish on it. Very fitting for an office manager, if you asked me.

The right side of the desk had a typewriter along with a few photos of him and his wife, then another with his kids. All beautiful framed in metal to match the desk’s legs. There was a silver name plague with his name engraved on it, glued to a piece of blue stained wood neatly placed on the edge of his desk.

“Welcome Mr. Hillyard. Please come have a seat.” He replied while stretching out his hand to the metal framed seats with blue cushions on it in front of his desk.

“And you are Mr. Summers I presume.” I replied outstretching my hand.

“Yes, please call me Gary.” He happily replied while shaking my hand.

“So I hear you are looking for a job, is that right?” He asked while folding his hand on his desk while I sat down.

“Yes sir, Carlos out by the docks mentioned you have an opening to work here.” I replied but leaving out the part where he almost ran me over.

“Ahh yes Carlos, he is a really hard worker here. He is right though, we do have an opening. We need someone to do sorting here in the warehouse when shipments come in and go out. Perhaps using a forklift every once in a while as well. So tell me Thomas, do you have any experience using a forklift?” He ask hopefully.

“As a matter of fact, I have. I’ve done some odd jobs here and there that required me to use one. Including the job I’m currently at right now.” I happily replied.

“That’s brilliant! May I ask where you are working now.” He replied excitedly.

“Yea sure, it’s at this grocery store a block away from here. Perhaps you heard of it as well, Gilbert’s Grocery?” I replied.

“Ahh yes I know the place. Richard and Laura Gilbert’s place if I remember correctly.” He pondered while rubbing his chin.

“Yes that’s right.” I added.

“Good people too if I’m not mistaken. So what do you do for them there?” He curiously asked.

“Yes they are, very good people! One of the best places I’ve worked in a long time in my opinion. They took me in when I needed a job. I stocked shelves there while moving around shipments of food when it came in.” I added.

“Ahhh see. So why you looking to leave? If you don’t mind me asking.” He intriguingly asked.

“Makes me sad to leave to be honest but I need to. My landlord raised my rent and I need a better paying job in order to stay there or I will be out by the end of next month.” I nervously replied.

“Ahh I see. I’m sorry to hear that. Well the job is yours if you want it. I can pay you double what you’re getting there. With a raise within the year. How’s that sound?” He asked.

“That sounds amazing Sir, thank you so much!” I happily replied.

“Excellent! So when can you start?” He asked quickly.

“Well I wanna give Richard and Laura my two week notice tomorrow, and on the third week I’ll start here. So is that ok?” I respectfully asked.

“I completely understand. Believe me I was in your shoes once so I totally get it. If you give me your contact info we can discuss this further over the phone in the coming weeks. I’ll also inform Silvia of your employment here and when you’d be starting so that everything will be ready for you.” Gary replied with an outstretched hand with a paper and pen in hand.

“Yea sure thing.” I replied while grabbing the form and pen he handed me.

It was one of those ink filled pens. “How neat!” I replied.

“What’s that?” He asked curiously.

“This pen, I never used one before. I saw a delivery driver have one of these a few days ago and I thought it was pretty neat. I still use the ink jars and dip pens.” I replied excitedly.

Gary reached into his desk, and pulls out a brand new pen. “Here, take it.” He happily handed me the pen.

“Really? I couldn’t. These are expensive pens.” I replied a bit shocked.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s yours!” Gary replied while holding the pen out in his hand.

While grabbing the pen, “Thank you Sir I really appreciate this!”

“Don’t mention it and please, feel free to call me Gary” He happily replied.

I filled everything out and handed the paper back to him. “Here you go. If you need anything else from me, let me know.” I replied while handing him the form.

“Excellent, I will do that. See you in three weeks then Mr. Hillyard.” He replied with an outstretched hand.

“Thank you so much again Sir, I mean Gary. It means a lot. See you in three weeks.” I replied while standing up and shaking the man’s hand.

I then left Gary’s office with such relief knowing that everything is gonna work out. It’s funny……if it wasn’t for Fred quitting, and Carlos working that forklift today; this life altering opportunity wouldn’t have happened.

As I walked down the stairs I could see Silvia talking to someone, very important I would assume, on the phone. As I walked by I waved at her and smiled. She responded in kind while putting loose hairs behind her ear again. I walked out thinking about our interaction, happily smirking as I made my way down the stairs.

The way she looked at me with those gorgeous baby blues. The way she shook my hand longer than expected. It was slightly odd but rather flattering. I never had such a thing happen to me before. It was like the whole world stood still for a moment. Where it was just me and her and nothing else mattered.

I wonder if she felt the same. I know this might sounds stupid about someone I just met but sometimes that’s all it takes, at least that’s what I read in stories anyway.

As I walked out the large door with the horizontal clear plastic panels, I hoped to see Carlos and tell him the good news. Unfortunately he wasn’t around so I just walked home. I did plan on stopping to get a bite to eat at Louise’s Diner across the street from me to celebrate. I got a new job, met a beautiful woman, I could stay in my building and not have to move out. I was such in a good mood but all of that joy came to a screeching halt the moment I turned the corner with my apartment in view.

Chapter Text

It was starting to get dark on my walk home from the interview. The stars were just starting to push through the clouds, so they can light up the oncoming night with their essence. There was a gentle coolness to the air. As it started picking up I remember seeing leaves dancing around chaotically in the air across the street.

My hair sporadically kept finding its way in front of my face, slightly blocking my view as I walked to the stop sign. As I turned the corner, I brushed my hair out of my face. Suddenly I froze in place. Red and blue lights could be seen flashing, lighting up everything in sight like it was Christmas. There were police cars parked outside my building. Shocked at the sight, I made haste down the street as fast as my legs could allow.

When I reached the scene, I noticed police cars parked outside the entrance with yellow rope tied to their mirrors of their vehicles, stopping the public from going any further. A few people walked by watching curiously. While my neighbors waited outside scared and upset behind the barrier. They were looking just as clueless as I was.

“Oh no, what’s going on?” I asked out loud while waiting and watching the building.

Officers were walking in and out of the main entrance, talking to each other inaudibly. Others stood by the cars making sure folks stayed behind the rope.

“A man was let into the building apparently and broke into apartment 26B. That’s all we have been told at this point. We are waiting word from whoever the head officer is to give us an update on what happened.” Mrs. Peterson replied.

Mrs. Peterson was a kind woman and a tenant who lived on the third floor of the building. We saw each other from time to time, expressing pleasantries, and I’d help her occasionally to carry her groceries up to her apartment. It would be tiresome for her to carry such a load up these steps. She was an older woman in her seventies who lived alone. She was a widow you see. Her husband was the poor bastard who slipped and fell down the stairs and died instantly years prior.

She might have had a son or a daughter but if she did they never came to visit her. At least from what I remember. I felt so sorry for her. I couldn’t fathom what she went through at the time. Especially living in that apartment all alone after she lost the love of her life to a freak accident like that.

“Oh no kidding, do they know who let this person in? I asked curiously, knowing full well that this person was most likely me.

While shrugging to the question, “No idea. Just that this person was let in and broke into the apartment at this point. Hopefully we will know more soon.” She quickly added.

“Oh ok thanks Mrs. Peterson.” I replied.

While looking off to the side mindlessly in thought. “Oh my God, what have I done!” I said to myself in deep regret.

“I had let that hooded man into my building this morning and he broke into 26B no less. That’s just a few apartments down from mine.”

“Wait a sec. 26B? Could that be my apartment?” I asked myself because of my nine swinging into a six occasionally.”

“Oh shit, I need to find out if this was my apartment or the fella who lives just a few doors down from me.” I thought to myself while focusing on the entrance.

As soon as I saw that a stretcher was being carried out by two gentlemen dressed in all white, I knew something terrible had just taken place tonight. On top of the stretcher was a person draped in white blood-stained sheets. Everyone gasped at the sight as a pale arm swung loose from the sheet. Even one woman in passing screamed in shock. The two men in white frantically tucked the deceased’s bloodied arm back under the sheet. Keeping it out of view.

The head policemen eventually walked out of the building and had a few inaudible words with the two men that came out with the body. Whatever the officer spoke to them about had them both shaking their heads in agreement. Afterwards they walked away and loaded the stretcher with the body in the ambulance. Few seconds later they drove off.

The head officer then turned and started walking towards us. As he approached I couldn’t make out his face since the lights were flashing everywhere, somewhat blinding to my tired eyes. As he got closer, a name I knew to well, was spoken from his lips.

“Good evening folks, my name is Detective Stone.” The man replied.

“Could it be the very same Officer Stone that found me those years ago? I asked myself while getting closer.

“Excuse me Detective but did you say Stone?” I asked the man in blue.

“Yes Sir I did!” He replied.

“The very same Stone that found a little boy at the Pinecone Inn years back?” I curiously asked again.

“Why, yes, the very same. How did you know that? The man asked intrigued and a bit perplexed by my knowledge of this event from his past.

“Officer Stone, it’s me Thomas, Thomas Hillyard!” I replied.

“Heeeeeeeyyyyyy Thomas! it’s good to see ya Kid! It’s been a while. I’m actually a Detective now, I was just an Officer back then when we found you. How you been?” He replied excitedly. 

In a sarcastic tone, “Ummm excuse me for interrupting this……rather touching reunion but what in the bloody hell is going on here? When can I go back to my damn apartment already?” Mr Freedman rudely interrupted.

Mr. Freedman, as you might have guessed, was a despicable old geezer in his early eighties. He had a bit of an English accent but had quite the mouth on him. He walks around with a wooden cane that had a handle shaped like an eagles head. He was a tenant on the third floor, if memory serves, same as Mrs. Peterson.

He’d always treat people like dirt, even those that were kind enough to lend him a helping hand or rather tried to. He also liked to hit people over the head with his cane sometimes. Not hard, mind you but enough to hurt. I fell victim to such harassment from him a few times myself unfortunately over the years.

“Ahhh, right, my apologies.” He respectfully replied to Mr. Freedman.

“Here Thomas take my card and give me a call sometime so we can have a coffee at Louise’s Diner here to catch up.” Detective Stone replied while handing me his card.

“Oh ok, sounds good. So what happened here? Someone was let into the building? Whose body was it that we saw those two men carry out?” I asked while shoving his card in my front pocket. 

“Yes, unfortunately, as you may or may not already know. Someone was let into the building, that much is true. We’re not certain as of the who yet but we suspect it was someone from the building. Sadly Mr. Tanaka in apartment 26B was fatally attacked.” Detective Stone replied with a saddened heart.

“Oh no, who would do such a thing. He was such a kind man. What did he ever do to anyone? What kind of evil son of a……….” I replied but then was interrupted.

“OH….do SHUT up, BOY. Enough with this rather USELESS rant. What’s done is done.” Mr. Freedman rudely replied while waving his cane in the air suggestively towards me.

With a raised voice, “WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO MY GOD DAMN APARTMENT ALREADY?” He yelled.

“Sir, calm yourself. You will be able to get back to your lives soon, very soon. Need I remind you to keep that cane to yourself Mr. Freeman. We don’t need another incident tonight.” Stone firmly replied to Mr. Freeman.

“YEAH….YEAH.” Mr. Freedman replied while rolling his eyes at Stone and walking away in anger.

“Now have any of you, seen or heard anything about this tragic incident?” Stone asked the group.

“No, I don’t believe so.” Mrs. Peterson replied.

“How about you Sir….Sir……?” Stone asked Mr. Freedman.

Getting angrier Mr. Freedman looks at Stone,“NO I DIDN’T SEE A BLOODY THING, ALRIGHT?.” He grumpily replied.

“Ok fine.” Stone answered, sounding a bit fed up with Mr. Freedman’s responses.

While turning towards me with a pen and paper in hand, as if he were ready to take notes, “How about you Thomas?” Stone asked.

I answered rather suspiciously, “Ahh, no Sir.” I replied regretfully.

I could tell he saw right through my answer again like he did in the past. He is a detective now after all. I bet he was trained to pick up on certain details or certain situations that would give people away. Then again I never did have much of the, what’s the phrase you folk say today? Ahhh right, “poker face”. Ha ha I’m still getting use to the lingo of this time. The blood of others helps fill that gap, which I will get into at a later time.

“Well if any of you folks remember anything, anything at all, do contact me at this number.” He added while giving out his card to everyone else in the group.

“Pardon me, Sir.” An Officer yells out to the Detective.

Stone turned around towards the officer that called him and walked over. They both started speaking to each other rather quietly and then turned back to us.

With a stern voice, “Once my men are done, you all will be cleared to head back to your apartments. So in about a……..ten to fifteen minutes or so, ok everyone?” Stone replied while looking down at his watch.

“UGH, ABOUT BLOODY FUCKING TIME!” Mr. Freedman rudely replied.

I kept my mouth shut of course but I was utterly appalled by this man’s demeanor. Like Tanaka’s death was somehow an Inconvenience to him or something. People like this make my blood boil but I was always reluctant to speak my mind in such situations. I didn’t wanna escalate the situation further. That all changed when I turned.

As the police and ambulance drove off down the street, we were able to return to our apartments. Before heading up, I stopped by my landlord’s office on the main floor. With everything going on, I didn’t wanna forget to drop off the signed paper for the new lease, per his request.

I was thrilled to see that he wasn’t in his office. Probably had to go down to the police station to make a statement or something. His office was on the small side. It had a back room where he went to do whatever it was that Landlords do but the front of the office was for its tenants. It had somewhat of a C shaped wood counter that wrapped around the door to the back room. The top of the counter had a hinge with a small door that swung upwards. That way he can go in and out of his office in the back room without having to hop over the counter.

On the left wall, there were these wood slots. Much like being in a waiting room for a doctor’s office today. Where they have similar slots filled with magazines hanging on the wall for its customers to read. On the front of each slot were the tenants apartment number. Instead of magazines the slots were mostly used for maintenance requests but also doubled as mail from tenants. Such as rent or paperwork like my lease signature, stuff like that. Which I kinda liked because I didn’t have to grace him with my presence.

It’s always a relief not having to confront him. Especially when I didn’t know what his deal was with me. I certainly never did anything to him. I mean other than moving in. Maybe one day I will find the courage to ask what his deal was but for now I will just avoid him as much as possible.

I thought a lot about taking the Gilbert’s offer and staying with them, instead of living at this godforsaken hellhole but with this guy following me and now Tanaka. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been a good idea. I wouldn’t forgive myself if the Gilbert’s ended up like my neighbor. As much as I hated it there I slid my signed paper in the slot with my apartment number on it and then quickly walked out before he got back.

I slowly made my way to the stairs and walked up to floor B. When I reached the top I could see Mr. Tanaka’s apartment being blocked off by some yellow rope and a large note attached to it that says, “DO NOT ENTER” in big bold letters. As I walked by the apartment I couldn’t help but feel ashamed for what took place here. It was my fault this happened. From what I could tell the door was still intact. Nothing that would suggest a forced entry.

“Did Tanaka let him in? Did he know the mystery man?” I asked myself.

While walking down the hall, slowly searching for my apartment key around my neck, I noticed something rather strange as I approached my door. My apartment number, more specifically the number nine, wasn’t swinging down anymore. Normally it would fall every time I fiddle with the door knob.

“As a matter of fact it is fixed!” I said to myself curiously inspecting the number on my door.

“Someone must have added a new nail to it so it wouldn’t swing down anymore.” I said to myself rather happily.

“Was it Tim my landlord? Did he finally fix it? I asked myself curiously.

That idea was somewhat struck down as I inspected it a bit more closely. The nail was dripping red with something. It wasn’t dripping down my door as of yet. It was a very small amount but enough to drip down the nail and on the top of the number.

I gently touched the red liquid with my index finger. Then turned it around to look at it. I gave it a sniff to see if it smelled of paint even though I didn’t see any fresh paint anywhere. It was a dark crimson color. My next thought made me feel rather sick to my stomach.

“Is this…..bl……blood.” I asked myself while quickly wiping it off on the carpet beneath my feet.

My heart started pounding in my chest like a drum to this realization. I wasn’t scared of blood mind you but rather the fact this is here on my door. I frantically grabbed my key around my neck and quickly slid the key in the lock to open my door. Soon as it was opened I rushed in fairly quickly, closed the door behind me and locked up. My hands landed on the backside of the door, along with my forehead resting up against it in relief that I was safe in my apartment.

My relief soon turned into a nightmare from which there was no escape. As I was looking down I saw a folded up piece of paper underneath my feet. I backed away and looked at it suspiciously. The white folded piece of paper had a red thumbprint on one of the corners.

“Could that be why there was blood on the nail?” I asked myself.

I quickly picked it up and unfolded the paper. Inside was a note written in red ink or rather I thought it was ink before reading it.

The Letter

“Thanks for inviting me in. I hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty in fixing your apartment number. Sorry about the bloody up number. I used my finger to press in the nail. I found it rather IRRITATING that I got your number mixed up with your neighbor down the hall. Tanaka was it? Regardless, his blood tasted so sweet. He even offered his blood as ink for me so I could write you this letter. Wasn’t that nice?”

“His blood tasted sweet?”

“What the hell is he talking about?” I nervously asked myself.

“OH MY GOD, He wrote this with his blood? I said out loud while I watched the note drop to the floor like a feather.

“Nice?”

“How was that nice?” I said while staring at the note on the floor in disgust and walked away.

There was more to the note unfortunately and I was curious to read what was left even though it was written in blood. So I walked back and picked it up being careful not to smear the red ink, I mean blood.

The Letter Continued

“We’ve been looking for you for some time, well your Father anyway. He stole something that doesn’t belong to him and we want it back. If it wasn’t for those damn Officers that found you years ago, we’d have it by now. The Officers didn’t have it either or at least the one didn’t. So we have come to the conclusion that you are in possession of what we seek. Return the Amulet to me and I’ll SPARE YOU the PAIN and SUFFERING I just inflicted on your poor rather tastefully sweet neighbor.

Sincerely,

A Deadly Friend

End of Letter

“Oh my God, what have I done? Poor Tanaka. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” I said out load as tears trickled down my cheek.

I took a seat at my kitchen table. Placing the bloodied note down before me. I firmly planted my elbows on the flat surface while carefully placing my hands on my face with regret.

“A Deadly Friend he says. Who is this guy, certainly no friend of mine.” I said to myself while looking down at the note.

“The Amulet? Is he talking about my Father’s necklace? I asked myself as I held it in my hand.

“So my Father stole this?”

“And he says ‘we want it back.’ Who’s ‘we’?”  I added.

“Great, bad enough there is one psycho, there are two. Maybe even more.”

“No way am I giving this up, it’s all I have of my father.” I added angrily.

“So……this is an Amulet? An Amulet would imply that this thing does something. So what does it do, I wonder? Especially after this so called, ‘Deadly Friend’, went through such lengths to try and acquire it.” Once again more questions than answers I thought to myself.

“Perhaps Stone might have some answers that I been searching for. I will definitely give him a call to set up a time to meet. Perhaps even show him this rather bizarre and frightening note I received under my door.” I thought to myself while getting up quickly to lock the door.

I searched my apartment top to bottom, just to play safe. This murderer, could have gotten in from my window. He could be hanging around somewhere in the shadows waiting for me to lower my guard. Only to spring at me and murder me where I stand. All to get this damn necklace or rather Amulet from me. I check my closets and bedroom window for forced entry. Even under the bed like some damn child looking for the boogeyman. I felt so ridiculous.

“Ahhh… good, all clear.” I said out loud.

I exhaled in relief while sitting down on the bed. For now it’s time for some much needed rest. That is If I can sleep at all, especially after tonight.

Chapter Text

It was the middle of the night, nestled comfortably under my sheets. It took me a few hours to finally fall asleep after the night this building had. I remember laying there mindlessly for hours just staring at my bedroom ceiling. Not necessarily frightened nor was I in shock. It was as if something deep down inside of me was perhaps use to it, that’s what scared me the most. As if my mentality is starting to change.

“Is something wrong with me? Why am I feeling numb to this? I asked myself shaken by this thought.

While I was asleep a loud crash coming from outside my apartment, caused me to wake erratically. It was rather dark in my bedroom at night. I tried turning on my lamp next to my bed with no success. Must be a power outage I thought but then that theory was put to rest by the street lamp outside my bedroom window. It shined a faded beam of light on my ceiling and a portion of a wall, so it couldn’t have been an outage.

I heard the noise once more, so I sprung from my bed and headed to my apartment door. I thought perhaps there was an intruder but there wasn’t, at least not in my apartment. I slowly unlocked the latch, while hesitantly reaching for the knob with my right hand. I finally found the courage to turn the handle and open it. Cracking it open slowly to investigate, peeking ever so cautiously out into the hall to see if I see anyone or anything.

The lights were flickering sporadically down the hallway with a vacant, yet eerie silence. ‘What is going on’, I thought? I opened the door all the way to take a look to see if I could see anyone, still nothing. Then all of a sudden I heard a loud but close scream coming from down the hall. The loud wailing scream made the hair on my neck stand up in fright, which immediately made me turn my head towards what sounded like excruciating agony.

As frightened as I was I closed the door behind me and walked down the hall slowly towards the horror. I had such an eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach, which grew stronger with every step. The hairs on my neck continued to stay erect as I stood in front of Tanaka’s apartment, from which the scream originated. The flickering lights surely added to my sense of fright at that moment. It was like being in some kind of fucked up horror movie that you might see at a flicker show, or movie theatre as you kids say today.

The door started shaking as if someone was trying to get out. The doorknob itself was rattling erratically. Slightly turning left and right with no success. Wanting to help, I rushed to the door to try and open it myself. Unfortunately it was locked for me as well. Perhaps I could have tried ramming into it to open it, or something.

“HELLO..…” I yelled as the rattling of the doorknob continued once again.

As soon as I placed my hand on the doorknob again, the noises and rattling stopped. Everything became quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Then all of a sudden someone or something hit the door very hard on the other side, causing me to jump back in fear.

“JESUS FUCKING CHRIST….” I screamed!

My chest was going up and down from breathing so heavily. I could hear my heart racing so fast that I could feel it pulsate on both sides of my neck, right below my ears.

“I need to calm down.” I said to myself quietly while staring at the door nervously.

There was a sign hanging on the rope that read in big bold letters,

“BY ORDERS OF THE NYC POLICE DEPARTMENT

DO NOT ENTER
ANYONE CAUGHT
WILL BE ARRESTED
FOR EVIDENCE TAMPERING”

I ignored the yellow rope and sign put there by the Officers from earlier that night. I had to know what was going on, someone could really need my help. I slowly turned the knob and slowly opened the door. The eerie sound of the door opening could be heard throughout the hall. The creaking of the hinges gave me goosebumps down my arms and spine. It definitely put me on edge. It was rather strange that the door was locked before but isn’t now.

I looked around cautiously as I walked between the ropes making sure not to pull it off or rip the sign. I remember thinking, ‘this is a bad idea’ but I proceeded anyway. No one was in sight, so I continued in hesitantly looking both ways, just so I could be prepared for any more surprises.

As soon as I took my third step into the apartment, the door slammed shut behind me. I immediately turned around in terror but no one was there. I walked in a bit further even more cautiously than before.

“Hello anyone there.” I nervously asked into the black void of the apartment.

The eerie silence of the apartment hit me with more fright. It was so dark and hard to see. The lights were flickering here and there. I could barely see in front of me. My arms reaching out in front of me just in case I didn’t walk into a wall or something. Just some pictures hanging on the walls, which I assumed were family photos. I couldn’t make out any faces of who might have been in them, just silhouettes.

The walls began to get sparkly like water under a moonlit sky. With the lights flickering I was able to see the blood pouring out behind each picture. Slowly making its way down the walls and onto the floor. It inched its way towards my feet.

I took a few steps, feeling the wetness on my bare feet and in between my toes. I looked down and I was standing in a pool of deep red blood. I sprinted down the hall but it felt endless, like I could never reach the end. Leaving trails of bloodied foot prints behind me. ‘What in the hell is going on’, I thought to myself?

Out a nowhere, it looked as though a spot light turned on, shining down onto Tanaka. He was standing clear as day before me. He was dressed in his garage work clothes since he use to work at a car repair shop. His eyes were black as night and skin as pale as these walls. His neck was being devoured on by a dark figure. Tanaka was bleeding heavily down his neck and chest while more ran down his arm, dripping onto the floor.

The man or perhaps beast, was covered by the shadows of the darkened room so I couldn’t see his face. His eyes glowed a menacing red as he raised his brow to gaze upon me while feasting on Tanaka. All that could be heard was the sound of flesh being ripped apart at Tanaka’s neck, while rather disturbing sounds of slurping can be heard from the man. He held onto Tanaka very tightly like a lion that just caught its prey.

“YOU DID THIS TO ME.” Tanaka yelled.

“YOU let this MONSTER in the building. It should have been YOU. MY BLOOD is on YOUR HANDS Thomas.” Tanaka angrily added while pointing at my hands.

“I’m so sorry Tanaka. Please forgive me.” I replied as the spot light just shut off and the lights in the apartment began flickering like before.

Mr. Tanaka just vanished before my eyes as the lights started flickering again . I looked down at my hands and sure enough they were covered in blood, like he said. I rushed towards the washroom in hopes to wash it off. As much as I scrubbed them it wasn’t coming clean. My heart was racing in fright, while my hands shook relentlessly to the sight.

“Why won’t it come off?” I thought to myself as I frantically tried harder.

As I looked up in the mirror to see my reflection. I could see a man in shadow just over my right shoulder, standing there in the darkness just outside the bathroom door. While watching me as I tried to wash my hands, his head was slightly leaning from left to right. Which was very odd and creepy to me. I turned to look behind me and no one was there.

As I turned back towards the mirror, I could see him still standing there. This time slightly panting, eyes glowing an eerie red like before and a menacing grin dripping with blood. His head was dead straight gazing at me. Like he has found his prey……me.

“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM ME?……” I yelled out loud towards the dark figure in the mirror with no response.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I asked again.

In a creepy, growling type voice, “YoU kNoW wHaT I wAnT.” The voice replied.

Then he charged at me with his mouth open wide. After that I woke up in bed, panting in fright from what was just a nightmare or was it? It was so vivid. I took my hands out from under my sheets to look for traces of blood, nothing. I check my necklace around my neck, still there. I then sat up on the bed for a second, rubbing my hands over my face. Questioning myself, questioning my sanity.

I rose from my bed and headed to the bathroom to grab a glass of water. As I looked into the mirror I started getting a flashback from the dream, where I was frantically washing my hands and looking up at the mirror. Then I came back to reality, shaking my head in disbelief. I then grabbed the glass that was sitting on the ceramic sink. I usually leave a clean glass there so I wouldn’t have to go into the kitchen to grab one.

As I turned on the faucet, while holding my glass under the flowing water to fill it, I had another flashback. This time it was the man drinking the blood from Mr. Tanaka’s neck. As I snapped back to reality, the water was overflowing from my glass. Dripping down my fingers and down the drain. I quickly turned off the faucet and slowly took sips of my overflowing glass of water. While I drank, I gazed upon my reflection as I quickly gulped it down.

Flashes between dream and reality started to deceive my eyes as I gazed upon my reflection. Seeing myself frightened in one and then the creature smiling behind me in another. Red eyes staring deep into the pit of my soul. A menacing smile with dripping blood down the corners of his lips.

“Who the hell is this man?” I asked myself.

While placing the glass down on the sink, “snap out of it Thomas, it was just a dream….It was just a dream.” I repeated.

I then turned on the faucet on once more. I cupped the running water with my hands and bent over the sink to splash the water over my face in hopes to wake myself up. As my eyes were shut, I blindly reached for the hand towel on my right to dry my face. As I removed the towel, I caught my eyes in the mirror again. Which immediately caused another flashback of the man in the mirror rushing toward me. I woke myself out of it by hearing the glass I just drank out of hitting the floor, shattering into pieces.

“What on earth is wrong with me?” I asked myself while picking up the pieces of broken glass off the floor.

“It was a dream, wasn’t it? It was so vivid.” I added with my head swirling in confusion.

I never been so horrified by a dream in my life. I use to have many recurring dreams of my parents passing as a kid but nothing like this. Especially not ones that gave me flashbacks.

After I cleaned up the floor as best as I could in the middle of the night, I headed back to bed. I laid there playing with my father’s necklace around my neck.

While looking at the Amulet in my hand, “what could YOU possibly do that this person, this monster, this….this….I can’t believe I’m gonna say it, but….this vampire could possibly want with it?”

“Could it be possible? Could the stories of vampires be true? Could Such a creature really exist or is it just my imagination playing tricks on me?” I asked myself.

“What would a vampire want with YOU? What do YOU do that makes YOU so sought after. ” I asked while looking at the Amulet more closely.

“I should really meet up with Stone and see what he knows.”

“Perhaps I should hit the books at the library. Maybe the answers I seek are there. If not, there is always the antique shop.” I thought to myself while closing my eyes, falling back to sleep. Hopefully this time with no nightmares.

Sleeping

Hours later I woke to the warmth of the sunlight hitting my face. It felt as though my Mother’s hand was caressing my cheek to wake me from a nightmare, like she use to when I was a boy. I welcomed it immensely, especially after the night I had. Birds were singing joyously outside my bedroom window for the rain and gloominess has finally moved on. I rose from my bed to have a look outside my window.

Little robins were hopping about from branch to branch, so happily and peaceful. Expanding their wings, soaking up the suns warmth to dry their delicate feathers. A few people were walking by as if nothing happened. While a few others stopped to look and point at the building. I’m sure it already made it in the funny pages, as we use to say.

I also could see Jimmy, the paperboy, handing out the morning paper in front of the diner across the street. “I could just see the headline now, MURDER AT APARTMENT COMPLEX. Check out such and such page for details.”

As tired as I was I got dressed and headed out the door. I locked up on my way out and headed outside to grab a paper from the young kid. He was a fairly young boy wearing a pale green Gatsby hat, some called it a Cabbie. If I’m not mistaken golfers wear them now, how fascinating. He also wore a white button up shirt with a bow tie that matched his pale green colored pants and shoes. Brown suspenders held up his slightly big pants.

“Heyyyyy! Jimmy, how’s it going kid?” I happily greeted while walking up to him.

“Hey Thomas! I’m doing swell. How about yourself, you look a bit pale, you alright? Jimmy replied while looking genuinely concerned.

“I’m doing fine, thank you. I just didn’t get much sleep with everything that happened here last night.” I replied while rubbing my eyes and then running my hands through my hair.

While changing the subject, “so how’s the saving up coming a long?” I questionably asked.

“It’s going good. I think if I sell a stack and a half of these I will have enough for that new red bike I been wanting.” He answered happily.

“That’s excellent! Good for you kid!” I replied.

“Let me tell you a little story my father once told me.” I then added.

Memory

I remember arguing with my parents in a store once over some toy I saw on the shelf that I wanted. I was being obnoxious about it, crying hysterically, and drawing attention to ourselves, which they didn’t want. We ended up walking out of the store and went back to our car. He strapped me in and settled me down. My mother wiped the tears from my eyes and sat in the front seat. Afterwards my Father sat next to me while my mother sat in front with her body turned towards us listening. We had a really nice conversation where he told me something that I will never forget.

He said, “I’m gonna tell you something my Father, your Grandfather, once told me when I was your age. There will come a time in your life when you are working and you will be able to buy the things you really want with the money you’ve earned for the first time. When you do, it will hit you differently than either myself or your Mother could ever buy for you. You’ll feel a certain sense of pride and accomplishment with yourself. Showing I did that or I bought that with my hard earned money.”

End of Memory

“Gosh Thomas I never thought of it like that.” Jimmy replied while rubbing his chin.

Don’t get me wrong my parents weren’t cheap people. I’m sure they would have gotten me that toy if I wasn’t so obnoxious about it. They just didn’t wanna reward bad behavior, which was a very good lesson they taught me. In all honesty I think this is lacking in society today. Perhaps one day that will change, and I hope it does.

Both my Father and Grandfather were right. I remember buying myself a pair of good shoes that I saved up to buy when I first started working. I took care of them and shined them up every day. What I didn’t realize he taught me another valuable lesson that day and that was the value of money. Taking care of the things I buy so they last.

Now this young man standing before me will soon get to witness this for himself. I’m sure he will wash this bike, shine it up nicely like how I did with my shoes. I honestly wish him the best of luck, he is a good kid.

“Anyways I gotta get back to work. I will remember what you told me. Thanks Thomas!” He replied.

“Oh, would you like a paper?” He quickly added excitedly, while pointing to the stack of papers to his left, tied together with twine.

“Sure do, here you go kid and keep the change for yourself.” I replied while handing him three cents for the paper and a whole dollar to put towards his new bike.

A dollar may not seem much today but back then it went a long way. Things were cheap then, unlike how they are now. It’s ridiculous. Everything changes I suppose. Sometimes not all for the better.

While looking down at the dollar that I handed to him, “Gee, thank you so much Thomas.” He adds while handing me the paper.

“It’s no problem! Thanks for the paper! See ya around, kid.” I replied while walking past him to the diner.

“See ya, Thomas.” He replied.

With my back turned toward him, “EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT. UNKNOWN MAN KILLS TENANT, MURDERER AT LARGE.” Jimmy yelled out loud so pedestrians walking by would pick up today’s morning issue.

I was right about the paper, well…..somewhat. The headline wasn’t what I expected but it was still front page worthy. The kid’s stacks were selling out rather quickly. I guess getting people’s attention by enticing their minds with words of curiosity and fear sells papers.

As I walked into Louise’s Diner, a saxophone could be heard playing jazz music from a jukebox on the back wall. It sounded soulful, and upbeat, the kind of music you could snap your fingers to. I could sit there with my eyes closed and just enjoy the ride. Letting the notes carry me with blissful calmness. Listening to such mastery always calms my nerves but not today, strangely enough.

The front counter was white, long and rectangular. Card stock menus were spread out neatly on its slick wooden top. In front of the counter were metal bar stools with burgundy cushioned seats. To my right and left were booths all along the walls with the same color seats and white wooden tops. A few folks were sitting in them, just enjoying their breakfast or cup of coffee, while reading the morning paper.

A waitress stood behind the counter drying off a few ceramic ash trays with a white rag, after being washed. She quickly placed each ceramic square ash tray between each menu on the counter, while other waitresses were taking folks orders. They each wore matching pic-wic uniforms. They were blue shortsleeved dresses with a white collar, and matching collar on the sleeves. They also wore a detachable apron where they held their pads of paper and pencil inside their front pocket, so it would be easy to jot down a customer’s order.

A few waitresses were walking around taking orders or dropping them off to the customer. They all were pretty young, except for Louise, she was much older. She inherited the joint from her parents when they passed many years ago. It was a different diner then, even the name. Biggins Diner was the name, if memory serves. Louise changed the name and brought new blood to her families legacy. She did quite well for herself and was always a kind soul.

The floor had a black and white checkerboard design with a glossy finish, reminiscent of a chess board. How fitting, I thought. I remember sitting at the front counter feeling like a pawn in a game of chess. Just waiting there like a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. It made me feel really anxious. So much so that my leg started bouncing up and down like some deranged jackrabbit.

“What can I get you love?” Asked Louise.

“Huh?” I asked completely dazed.

She smiled a bit and asked again, “what can I get you?”

“Oh…I’m sorry…my mind wasn’t there for a moment. Yes, ummm……” I replied while looking down at the menu.

“Can I have the ‘Morning Special’, please.” I replied.

The ‘Morning special’ came with two pancakes, two strips of bacon and two eggs.

“Sure thing, and how would you like your eggs?” She kindly asked while jotting it down on her notepad.

“Scrambled, please.” I replied.

While ripping off the piece of paper she was writing on, “You got it. Coming right up.”

She turned and handed the order to the chef in the other room behind her.

While turning back towards me, “What would you like to drink in the meantime?”

“Oh….Umm….some coffee would be good with some cream and two sugars, please, thank you!” I answered.

While smiling, “Sure thing!” She replied while pulling out an empty mug from behind the counter.

She went over by the coffee pot machine and brought back the pot. She slowly began pouring the black liquid in the mug in front of me. Then added the cream and two teaspoons of sugars like I requested. She then gave it a stir and slid it over to me.

“Here you go Sugar, be back with your order in a few.” She replied while grabbing orders off the done rack.

I flipped open the paper and began reading the story on the front page while I waited for my breakfast. Apparently, there were no signs of forceful entry.

“Hmmmm…just as I suspected. I knew his door wasn’t damaged just by looking at it when I walked by. He must have let him in or perhaps he knew his attacker.” I said quietly to myself while taking a large gulp of coffee.

As I read further there was something even more bizarre. It says, “Even though Mr. Tanaka sustained several cuts and bruises during the fatal attack, there were no traces of blood left in his body. The blood found on him and the small amounts on the floor was all they could find.”

My mind immediately did a flash back to my dream seeing Mr. Tanaka being devoured by that mystery man. Watching his blood dripping from his neck and pooling a bit on the floor. Mr. Tanaka looked me right in the eyes and said, “your order is ready.” It was something he didn’t say in the dream before and I was rather confused by it. That phrase snapped me out of my day dream.

I immediately saw the waitress sliding my plate of food over to me along with a fork and saying, “your order is ready” for the second time.

“Oh I’m sorry, thank you Louise. I replied while smiling.

“Are you ok?” She kindly asked.

“I’m fine thank you.” I answered

The food smelled amazing and the taste was out of this world. The eggs were so soft and fluffy like little clouds sitting on my plate. I still remember the sweet and saltiness of the slices of bacon like it was yesterday. Not to mention how crispy it was.

The pancakes were soft and spongy with a hint of vanilla. The scent of sweet maple slowly dripping off its sides like a miniature waterfall, was mouth watering! Making it most satisfying when taking a bite! Needless to say I loved the food. It definitely took my mind off of the terrifying morning.

What I wouldn’t give to have anything on that menu once more. Unfortunately it’s just no longer….filling….for me any longer. I crave something much more….hmmmm….perhaps for now let’s just say it’s something to die for.

I’m sure Detective Stone knows more, I thought to myself while I ate breakfast. I need to talk to him and soon. Who knows if or when this person will be back. For now I needed to go to work to take my mind off everything.

“Shit I still need to break the news to the Gilbert’s of the new job opportunity.” My eyes widened slightly to the thought.

While anxiously running my hand through my hair, “I haven’t even begun to think about how I’m gonna do that.”

Louise walked up to me and asked, “how’s everything Sweetie?”

“Yea I’m just thinking about what I’m going to say to my boss about leaving is all.” I replied, not even thinking straight.

While giggling, “I meant the food.” She added.

“Ha ha ha, forgive me, my mind just isn’t here today. Yes the food was delicious! I quite enjoyed it, thank you so much!

“Ha ha it’s quite alright Sugar, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it!” She replied while smiling.

“How much do I owe you?” I asked.

“Forty cents!” She replied while filling some coffee to the gentleman that was seated two stools down from me.

I reached into my pockets to see if I had any change on me but sadly I didn’t, so I grabbed my wallet from my pocket and pulled out two dollars.

“Here you go, keep the change!” I replied while putting my wallet back in my pocket.

While I was walking out, “thank you!” She replied.

I turned around towards her, “it’s no problem. Have a nice day Louise! I replied quickly.

“You too Thomas, come back again!” She happily added.

While smiling, “ha ha sure thing Louise, take care!” I replied while waving goodbye and walking out.

Chapter Text

After leaving the diner I headed into work. The sun rose from his slumber to bring the coming morn, graciously greeting the strip with his warm smile. The elegant sunlight refracted off the windows like a mirror. Shining beams of light out into the distance like a shiny city on a hill.

Not a single cloud was visible after that storm. Only a beautiful blend of bright oranges, and yellows. Not to mention the transition of sapphire beginning to be illuminated by the suns brilliance. The air was a bit cool for my taste but bearable. The bitter coolness was a sure sign that fall is here and winter is just around the corner.

The streets were busy as usual. The sounds of rumbling vehicle engines could be heard down the strip. The occasional honking and exasperation could also be witnessed from impatient drivers. They filled the morning air with such abhorrence for slow traffic and pedestrians walking, that it was rather bothersome to listen to on my walk to work.

A few children were happily running about as they waited for the school bus to pull up. Their parents waving goodbye and blowing them kisses from the bus stop. My eyes wandered suspiciously from face to face as I walked past more people. Cautiously watching over my shoulder to see if I was being followed like before. Doubtful but I must stay vigilant. After all, this person or creature, whatever you wanna call him, is after me.

“Poor Tanaka, he didn’t deserve this.” I kept repeating to myself.

As I reached the grocery store I could see the “CLOSED” sign hanging on the door. I gave the glass door a knock so the Gilbert’s can let me in for my shift.

Knock…knock...knock

I waited a few moments, but no answer, so I knocked again.

Knock…knock…knock

A few seconds later I could see Mrs. Gilbert rushing towards the door.

“Hey Thomas! Good morning, come in.” She happily greeted.

“Hey Mrs. G., good mor…..” I replied while Mrs. G. caught me off guard with a surprise hug, stopping me mid sentence.

“We heard what happened to your building last night. I’m so glad you are ok.” She replied.

While hugging back, “yea I’m ok. No need to worry.”

“I wasn’t even home when the incident occurred.” I replied while slowly exiting Mrs. G.’s warm embrace.

I wanted to tell her the truth. That I wasn’t ok. That I was in danger. That I was really the target but I figured I’d keep them both out of it. Mostly in fear of them getting attacked themselves or worse. Unfortunately, Mrs. G. knows me all too well, so I put on a happy face like nothing was wrong. In hopes to steer her away from my concerns and put her at ease.

“That’s good to hear you weren’t home.”

“He was just a few doors down from you, is that right?” She asked.

“Horrible, just horrible.” She then added.

“Yea he was, he didn’t deserve what happened to him.” I replied while walking with her to their office.

Mr. Gilbert was sitting at his desk in his office drinking coffee when we walked in. “Ahhhh Thomas!” He replied.

“Good morning, so great to see you Son!”

“Good morning Sir.” I replied.

While giving me a hug, “so glad you are alright.” He replied.

“i’m sorry to hear about your neighbor.”

“Did you know him?” He asked.

“No not really, but I know he was a mechanic at that repair shop down the street, Pete’s Auto or something.” I replied.

“Oh, you mean Pete’s Auto Repair and Fill Up?” Mr. Gilbert added by snapping his fingers while trying to recall from memory.

I quickly responded, “Yea that’s the place.”

“We went there three years ago to have Pete change a flat tire for us, remember.” Mrs. G. asked her husband.

“Ahhh yes, I remember.” He replied while smiling at his wife.

“So do you have any news.” Mrs. G. curiously asked.

“Not really, just stuff I already assumed.”

“You both are more than welcome to my morning edition.” I replied while handing them the paper.

“Oh and get this, you know the cop that found me all those years back, Officer Stone?” I added.

“Yes, we remember.” Mr. Gilbert intriguingly answered.

“Well, he was the head officer on the scene last night at my apartment. He’s a Detective now.”

“How strange that he would find you again. Almost like your lives are intertwined somehow.” Mrs. G. replied.

With a raised eyebrow, “I don’t know about that but it sure seems rather suspicious to me.”

“All it does is leave me with more questions.”

“He knows more than he is letting on, I’m sure.”

“Either way, I need to talk to him and see what he knows, he gave me his card to call him to catch up.” I replied while showing them the card.

“Well you are more than welcome to take a day or two if you like.“ Mrs. G. offered.

“I know you been in search for answers since their passing.” Her husband answered.

“Especially when this could lead you to something about your parents.” Mrs. G. added.

“Yes I agree, you should go talk with him.” Mr. Gilbert replied, agreeing with his wife.

“Thank you both, it means a lot.”

“I think I will take a couple days. If that’s ok.” I asked.

“Yea that’s perfectly fine.” Mr. Gilbert replied.

“Well I guess I will be heading out then.”

“Oh I almost forgot.” I replied while turning around towards them.

“While I was out yesterday, I found a job as a longshoreman at the docks.” I bluntly added.

“That’s excellent news Thomas, we’re happy for you.” Mrs. G. replied.

“The fella that works there let me know of a job opening, so I went for it and I got the job.”

“So does that mean you will be leaving us?” Mr. Gilbert asked.

With my head down, “unfortunately, yes.”

“I don’t wanna leave but you both know my situation.” I added.

“Ahh yes, don’t feel bad Thomas.”

“You gotta do, what you gotta do.” Mr. Gilbert added.

“I’ll start my two week notice once I get back. Is that alright?”

“That’s fine by me Thomas.” Mr. Gilbert answered.

“Thank you both again for listening and I will see you both in a couple days.” I replied while heading to their office door.

“Keep us updated ok.” Mrs. G. replied.

“I will, bye you two.”

“Bye.” They both replied as I walked out.

Mrs. G. rushed to their office door, “oh and Thomas.” She yelled while peeking out the door.

“Yes Mrs. G.?” I replied while turning around towards her a bit puzzled.

“Stay safe, ok.” She answered.

“Always do.” I replied with a smile and then headed out.

As the door shut behind me I remember feeling a bit of relief in my chest. Not that I was leaving in two weeks but the fact I was able to break the news to them. This was the first step in a new direction for me, a new beginning as it were. If only I had known just how new of a start it was about to become.

I slid my hands in my pockets as I started to walk down the street. I felt the corner edge of Detective Stone’s business card gently poke the tip of my finger. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the number written on the back.

“I should call him and set something up.” I said to myself.

I slid the business card back in my pocket once more. There were a couple pay phones located just up the street that I pass by everyday on my way to work. Every time I pass by, there is always somebody using it. I hoped that this time would be different. As I was walking towards the pay phones I could see one being used by a young woman with brown hair and another unoccupied.

As I reached the payphones, she was just finishing up her call and hung up. Her head turned quickly towards me, making her hair swing from one side to the other, which caught my eye fairly quickly. Her face lit up when those eyes caught mine. Blue eyes shining so elegantly in the morning light! A gorgeous smile pleasantly greeted me, which made me smile in kind. It was Silvia from the docks.

“Hey Thomas!”

“Funny running into you here!” She replied happily.

“Hey Silvia, it’s good to see you!” I replied while smiling back.

She stood there smiling, running her hands through her beautiful hair with nervous intent. Leaving an awkward silence between us.

“I heard what happened at your apartment building last night.”

“Absolutely tragic.” She added.

“Yea he lived just a few doors down from me.” I replied.

“Oh no, are you alright?” She asked concerned.

While feeling her hand brush mine, “yea I’m fine, I was actually with your uncle during the interview when all this took place.”

“I only arrived home when they just took Tanaka out on the stretcher.” I added.

“Did you know him?” She asked curiously.

“No not really.”

“I mean we expressed pleasantries but that’s about it.” I explained.

“He was a mechanic at that Pete’s Auto Repair and Fill Up joint just down the street.” I added.

“Ahh yes, I know the place.”

“I never been there personally but I know where you’re referring to.” She replied.

An awkward silence thickened the air between us. We didn’t know what to say next. She twirled her hair nervously with her index finger while I rubbed the back of my neck with my right hand also nervously. I knew I had to say something to end this awkwardness but I didn’t know what.

“Hey, ummm…..would you like to get a coffee or perhaps lunch sometime?” I nervously asked.

“Coffee sounds great!” She replied happily.

“Good….great….excellent.” I replied nervously while slightly walked backwards into the telephone booth.

I was so nervous and excited that she agreed to a coffee date that I started spewing all these different affirmative responses. I was kicking myself in my ass at this moment. I must have sounded and looked like a deranged fool walking mindlessly into the booth.

She started giggling and covered her lips with her hands as she witnessed me walk into the booth. “Easy there Romeo, it’s just coffee, hehe.” She said while giggling to herself some more.

I started laughing with her at this point, “ha ha ha, right!” I replied while rubbing the back of my neck in feeling a bit dim-witted.

“Hehehe, well I gotta go, it’s was great talking with you again.”

“Oh, before you leave, how’s tomorrow morning at Louise’s Diner sound?” I asked curiously.

“Sounds good to me.” She replied while smiling.

“Ok, see you tomorrow!” I replied while waving goodbye.

While walking away, “see you later Romeo!” She replied while waving with a smile.

Almost forgetting why I went there to begin with, I turned around towards the payphone and picked up the phone. I scrummaged through my pockets for left over change and found two cents in my back pocket. I deposited the two cents in the machine waiting for the dial tone. I reached into my pocket with Stones card and started dialing the numbers written on the back.

It’s amazing how it use to cost two cents and over the years it rose to fifty cents just to make a call. I can see why though, gotta make money somehow I suppose. Humanity today would rather use their portable devices. No need for such old fashioned ways of communication. One of the marvels of time I suppose. When yours is nearly limitless you tend to be surprised by mankind’s achievements and pitfalls as a race.

The phone started ringing and then a man answered the phone.

“Hello, New York City Police Department, Detective Stone speaking, how may I help you.” Stone answered formally.

“Good morning Detective Stone, it’s me Thomas, Thomas Hillyard.” I replied.

“Hey Thomas, good to hear you again.”

“What can I do for you?” He asked.

“I was just wondering if maybe we can talk sometime to catch up. Plus I have a few things I’d like to talk to you about.” I replied.

“Well I’m a bit swamped here at the moment but how about tomorrow around three?” He asked, while the sound of paper being shuffled around could be heard through the speaker.

“Yea that sounds good.”

“Anyways….I don’t wanna keep you, I’ll let you get back to work.” I replied.

“Thanks Thomas, see you then.” He answered.

“See you then.” I replied while hanging up.

The sound of my two cents made its way down into the coins depository and made a sweet chime sound as I hung up. I walked back into the morning crowd thinking of where to go on my day off. Perhaps the Library or Marie’s Antique Shop. I need to find out what this thing is around my neck. That is, if I even can.

This Amulet is probably so old that there is nothing in the history books about it. Same with the antique shop. Marie most likely never saw anything like this before.

“Well…there is only one way to find out.” I said to myself.

I continued down the street, keeping my eyes open to my surroundings. People can be such in a hurry sometimes that they will bump you in your shoulders or even knocking you right on your ass if you aren’t careful. Happened to me a few times myself. Today unfortunately was that day.

The screams of an older woman could be heard down the street. “AHHHHHHH SOMEONE PLEASE STOP HIM. HE STOLE MY BAG.”

A man was currently mugging an old woman just around the corner behind me. Swiping her purse and running away laughing. He turned around the corner by the stop light and shoved me so hard to get me out of his path. I ended up hitting a trash can and fell to the sidewalk, meanwhile the trash was being distributed all over the street. I felt so confused and so infuriated that this happened to me. I sat there for a second or two on the ground before I found the courage to pick myself up and chase after this thief.

As I bolted towards the thief I started picking up speed. I felt as though I was flying down the street with very little effort. I don’t know if it was the anger, or perhaps the rage filling me up that led me to catch up to him so quickly. I grabbed ahold of him and brought him to the floor like he did me.

My heart was beating erratically from the rush of adrenaline filling my body. The man struggled tremendously trying to escape but I wouldn’t let this weasel get away. I turned him over so I could pry the bag from his firm grip.

“DROP IT DIRT BAG.” I yelled.

“THIS DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU.” I later added while continuing to struggle with the man.

The thief never spoke during our confrontation. Just the usual grunting and resisting here and there, while trying to hold on to his precious prize. A prize he didn’t earn nor deserved. Times were tough with the Depression hitting but there was no reason to rob from your fellow man or woman.

Perhaps he was already a lowlife before all this. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t about to sit by and bear witness to it. Especially when I’m perfectly capable of doing something. It’s something I have always done in the past. To not draw any attention to myself. Not anymore.

“I….SAID….DROP….IT.” In a lot more stern voice.

This time, however, felt different. Something I couldn’t explain at the time. I just remember feeling strange. For instance, I could feel my heart pulsating through my eyes like wild fire. My grip on his clothing got tighter as well as my grip on the woman’s bag.

“Please don’t hurt me.” He screamed.

“Here take it.” He added looking frightened.

“GOOD, NOW GET LOST, BEFORE SOMEONE SICKS THE FUZZ ON YOUR ASS.”

“What the hell just happened here?” I asked myself while watching the man run off scared down the street.

“How did I run that fast with such little effort?” I continued to ask myself.

I rose to my feet with the woman’s bag in hand. “Here you go Mam, are you alright.” I asked while returning her property.

“Yes I’m ok, thank you so much, ummm?” The woman asked referring to my name.

“It’s Thomas Mam.”

“Well thank you again Thomas.”

“It’s no problem Mam, I just did what anyone else would have done in this situation.” I added.

“I hope you have a great rest of your day Mam.” I added as I walked away.

“To you as well.” She replied.

I continued on my path down the strip, disappearing in the endless crowds of people. Continuing my cautious glances at the people walking by. I happen to look down at my shirt and it had blood on it. I felt up my shirt feeling my chest and pulling it back out to look. My hand had a few props of blood on it.

I headed down an alley way so no one sees me. I lifted up my shirt and there were scratches and puncture marks on my chest near the Amulet. The puncture marks had blood slowly dripping down my chest. The Amulet must have inflicted this wound upon myself when that son of a bitch pushed me.

“Why didn’t I feel it?” I asked myself.

I pulled my shirt down and left the alley to head home to clean myself up.

Chapter Text

As I made my way upstairs to my apartment, I could feel something cold up against my chest as I walked. I looked down at my shirt and two blood spots, the size of golf balls, had formed. Flashbacks of that night flooded my mind like a river. My hand hanging down my side. Blood slowly flowing out of my clenched fist like a leaking faucet.

It was the night I got these two scars on my hand. The way the Amulet penetrated my flesh as I squeezed it, the immediate pain I felt. This, strangely enough, didn’t even affect me. It’s almost as if I went completely numb to it.

There was one thing I did feel that didn’t happen the last time though. It felt as if something was burning under my skin. The sensation wasn’t just coming from the wounds themselves but further within. My hand rose to my chest in reflex to relieve the discomfort, which was unrealistic. Little did I know something was happening inside of me. Something that I wasn’t aware of nor prepared for.

While walking down the hall I was greeted by a tenant from the building. An elderly woman that looked to be in her late seventies. Clarice Jenkins was her name, if memory serves. We all just called her Clair for short.

She kept to herself mostly and rarely ever left her apartment, so seeing her walking the hallway was a bit surprising to me. She wore a long-sleeved burgundy dress with pink flowers on it and a burgundy cloche bucket hat with a pink bow on it to match her dress.

While walking by with a cane in hand, “good afternoon young man.” The old woman replied with a scratchy voice.

While covering up my bloody shirt with my arm, “good afternoon to you as well Mam.” I politely replied as I walked past her.

“Wait a minute, afternoon?”

“Where did the time go?” I asked myself, confused while rushing down the hall to my door.

I immediately unlocked my door, rushing in and closing it behind me. I pulled off my bloodstained shirt and dropped it lazily onto the bedroom floor as I walked in. The blood slowly trickled down towards my abdomen like hot candle wax, leaving a dark red trail behind it. After walking into the bathroom I quickly grabbed the hand towel off the rack, cautiously holding it to my chest. Dabbing it ever so gently.

“Ahhhhh…..damn!” I hissed, gritting my teeth as I continued.

As I was wiping away the blood, I could see two puncture wounds which were bleeding slightly and a few scratch marks on my upper chest. The puncture wounds were the main cause of the bleeding. The scratches, thankfully, quickly dried up and stopped bleeding immediately.

I rinsed out the towel under the warm running water of the sink, while repeatedly wringing out the excess with a firm grip and twist of the wrist. While looking down at my chest, I gently wiped away the dried blood. Unfortunately, it continued to flow gradually from the wounds, so I held the towel to my chest in hopes that it stops.

“I can’t believe that fucker pushed me.” I said angrily, while continuing to clean myself up; hissing loudly as the towel touched the wounds.

My eyes caught my own in the mirror and it wasn’t what I was expecting. The normal warm hazel I was accustomed to seeing on a daily basis was gone. The color of my eyes were now a deep red and my pupils were dark black and wide. They appeared to be shimmering like cat eyes in the dark, almost as if they were glowing.

The wet towel I was holding fell into the sink as my hands froze in shock. I immediately cowered behind my hands in dismay. Appalled by what I saw, I frantically turned on the faucet once more to wash my face with cold water, rubbing my eyes in the process. I hoped I was just seeing things.

“This isn’t real….This isn’t real….this isn’t real.” I frantically kept repeating to myself as I splashed the cold water on my face.

With my hand over my eyes I slowly split my fingers apart, letting my eyes peek between them. They were still red, so I removed my hands away from my face to stare at them more closely in the mirror. Few seconds later they returned to normal.

“What the…..what the hell just happened?”

“Could this be the reason why the thief let go of the woman’s bag so quickly and in fear?” I wondered.

“What the fuck is happening to me?” I asked myself.

Luckily my wounds had stopped bleeding, so I grabbed some gauze from the medicine cabinet behind the bathroom mirror and dressed them as best as I could. Adding tape to securely hold the gauze in place. Satisfied with my patch work, I gazed upon my reflection once more to see if everything was normal.

While scratching my head in disbelief, “was I seeing things or did that really just happen?” I asked myself puzzled.

I shrugged it off of course. Figured I was seeing things, like my flashbacks from my bizarre dream. If it was even that. Wish I knew what I know now back then. Probably would have made things a lot easier or at least more aware of the things to come.

I made my way into my bedroom to grab another shirt from my dressor drawer. A black button up dress shirt was a good choice, to hide any more future bleeds from prowling eyes. Crumpled up cash could be seen lying around on top of my dresser that I had put there from days prior. Not much but it was enough for what I needed.

I un-crumpled the bills and stacked them on top of each other; flatting them out as best I could. Then I folded the bills all together in half and slid them in my right front pocket. Scooping up the change as well and storing it in my other front pocket. After grabbing what I needed I headed out the door. I suspected to see the older woman again halfway down the steps by the time I got done but she was nowhere to be found.

“Was I really in there that long.” I asked myself while walking down the stairs.

The sun was still out, shining a heavenly glow through the glass windows of the building; Illuminating the stairwell as I made my way down. It even lit up the entrance way into the building. I remember raising my hand to my brow to block the suns blinding light as I made my way towards the door. A couple squirrels scurried their way up a tree, on my right, after hearing the entrance to my apartment building open. Stepping outside I could hear the birds chirping in the afternoon breeze as they flew overhead. The sun immediately felt so warm on my skin, unlike how cool it was in the building.

As I walked down the street I began to work out where I wanted to go first and two choices sprung to mind. Do I spend the day researching at the library or see if the rare antique shop has ever seen anything like this Amulet before? Like a balancing scale I weighed out the pros and cons to make a logical decision. The library was a rational choice because I know researching takes time. Doing so tomorrow wasn’t ideal because of the meeting with Stone, I didn’t wanna miss it.

So I headed down the street towards the library, while keeping a watchful eye of my surroundings in mind. The streets were just as packed in the afternoon as they were in the morning. Folks walking the streets getting to where they need to go. House wives pushing their newborns in strollers. Not too many children running about like this morning though, by now I suspect they were in school having lunch or playing outside in the confines of the school playgrounds.

Seems like there was a love in the air. A fella on a bicycle road passed me and kept looking across the street. A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a white dress with polka dots, was walking on the opposite side of the street. The fella on the bike was watching her as he peddled past me.

She giggled slightly by raising her hand to her lips. With a flirtatious wave, she smiled back at the young man on the bicycle. He happily waved back of course but in doing so he rode his bike into crates of fresh produce of a street vender because he wasn’t paying attention. He flew off his bike and landed on the boxes of produce. Smashing the poor mom and pop shop’s inventory that they could easily have sold that day. Instead they were left cleaning up after this young man’s love stricken foolishness.

Watermelons, apples, and oranges could be seen rolling down the sidewalk and into the street of on coming traffic. Cars swerved slowly, while others just plowed on through them. Not because they wanted to but because they had no choice, in fear of hitting other cars and people walking.

The young man was ok of course. Seeing his mess, he panicked and ran off with his bike in hand; since the front wheel was too bent to ride. The male owner was so upset that he could be seen screaming at the young man, which I assumed were swear words in Italian, due to the owner’s upward hand gesture with pinched fingers.

Meanwhile, the young woman he was so desperately trying say hello to was giggling with her hand over her mouth. Her friends were seen laughing uncontrollably behind her. The woman, however, seemed concerned for this fella as she saw him run off with his bike. More so than her friends at least as they continued to laugh.

A large unbroken watermelon rolled right to my feet as I walked closer. I picked it up and brought it back to the Italian owners of the shop.

“Here you go Sir.” I said while handing over the watermelon.

“Ahhhh……Grazie…….young man!” The middle aged man replied happily in an Italian accent.

“You’re Welcome.” I answered while scrounging for other fruits that were rolling about on the street.

I helped pick up what I could and brought it back to them. They were so grateful of my kindness that they gave me an apple to take with me as a thank you.

In an Italian accent, “for your kindness.” The middle aged woman said to me while putting an untouched red apple in my hand.

“Ummmm, thank you Mam.” I replied while accepting the apple.

I continued onwards to the library while taking a bite of the apple. It was so crisp and juicy that a bit of juice dripped down the corner edge of my mouth but before it reached my chin I wiped it off with my sleeve. Never have I ever tasted an apple so sweet, so pure. Almost as if it were taken straight from the Garden of Eden.

The library didn’t allow food or beverages inside, so I ended up finishing it outside before heading in. The door swung open many times with folks coming and going as I ate. A few people were headed out the doors as I threw the core in the trash sitting outside the library entrance. Catching the door before it shut, I headed in.

Chapter Text

A long brown runner welcomed me as I walk to the front desk. It was a pretty decent size library for the time. Libraries in the Great Depression were somewhat scarce and slowly dwindling. Like most businesses in those days I suppose, but they gained support by seeking funding and community engagement.

By working diligently, they were able to expand and maintain their wide range of collections; despite having limited resources. This particular branch and many others, from what I’ve read, acted as a community hub for hosting events, lectures, as well as book clubs. In some cases they even resorted to getting books read over the airways. They also had bookmobiles, which I believe they still do till this day.

Heh, there is one idea back then that people today would find rather odd, called “walking libraries.” It would consist of a librarian walking around with a two shelf bookshelf on there backs with a collection of different books. The people walking down the street could rent a book out or the librarians could read something to the customer, if requested. This was beneficial during a time when not everyone had the chance or opportunity to stop at a stationary library.

As you could imagine, accessibility was a top priority. Bringing books to people from a variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds was no easy task but they did so which much enthusiasm; which I found to be quite invigorating. I suppose it gave me a sense of hope. Like maybe things wouldn’t be this way forever.

The library was filled with an abundance of books on two floors all around me. In the center was a large circular wooden desk with two beautiful winding staircases on either side. Librarians sat behind the desk cataloging books being returned, while helping others check new ones out. An older woman dressed in black with a white sweater called me over to the desk.

“Good afternoon Sir, how may I assist you.” The woman asked with a smile.

“Good afternoon Mam, I’m looking for anything you have on amulets and vampires.” I politely asked.

With a questionable look, “sure thing, are you looking for fiction or non fiction?”

“Nonfiction please.” I replied while reading the “Quiet Please” sign fixed to the side of the front desk.

“Ok let’s see what we have, give me one second.” The older woman replied while turning her back towards me to go through the logs behind her.

The long rectangular filing cabinet housed small index cards, organized in alphabetical order. I watched her patiently as she flipped through the all the A’s and V’s. Then pulling out two cards with the info on where to look written on them.

“Ummm, we have a section of books dedicated to each but you can find them in different locations.”

“Ok, great!”

“The section on vampires is located on this floor, It’s just down this path behind you and on your right. You can’t miss it.”

“Got it!”

“The section on amulets is one level up but soon as you reach the top of the stairs, go straight and make a left. Then once you pass the table and chairs area, take a right and you are right there.” She explained.

“Ok sounds simple enough.” I replied jokingly.

“Great, then I’ll leave you to it! If you have any questions or need help don’t hesitate to ask.” The woman added with a smile.

“Will do, thank you Mam.”

“Sure thing, happy reading!” She added as I walked away.

While walking down the path before me, all I could hear was the sweet sound of silence, well almost. Soft cautious whispering and the consistent turning of pages fluttered throughout the library. Quite a few folks were sitting at tables reading their books, with the look of awe and wonder in their faces. They were so immersed in what they were reading that it was as if I didn’t exist to them as I walked by. It was a strange feeling, like I was invisible.

As I reached the end of the path I made a right as instructed and sure enough there they were. Right where the woman said they’d be. It was a small section of old books, some of which were in a different language. Others seemed more of ideas really and not actual facts. Like for instance one book suggested the idea that Judas from the Bible was the very first vampire.

Yes, the same Judas that betrayed the Son of God. Judas, despised silver because of the thirty pieces of silver that he tried to return to the chief priests for turning over Jesus but was denied. He despised the cross and the faith behind its symbolic existence because Jesus chose Judas to betray him. Which is why vampires don’t like crosses or silver. Ashamed of his betrayal, Judas hung himself in the scriptures but according to this book he didn’t die but arose that sunset as a vampire. Drinking the blood of God’s children out of spite and giving his victims eternal life.

Then there were some really bizarre ones with eye witness testimonies of “unexplained encounters”, as they called it. For example there was a woman in Delaware that stated she saw what looked to be, “a male figure with glowing red eyes like a cat” that followed her home. According to this, she was deeply distraught and feared for her life. They ended up stationing a couple policemen in a car outside her residence over night for extra precaution. As for the figure she described, it never showed itself again.

A similar encounter happened to a couple in Mexico. They told the authorities that “a figure with shimmering eyes, similar to that of a cat,” peeked through their kitchen window and then immediately disappeared once the man’s wife screamed for him. After that incident it never came back.

“These sort of sound like possible animal sightings, like a bear looking for food perhaps.” I thought to myself while reading on.

Another encounter that was really bizarre was in Lafayette Cemetery, in New Orleans. A graveyard worker’s statement to the local police was that he saw, “two women wearing thin white garments, laughing, and drunkenly dancing around the graveyard at night.” You may think, ok so what. Just two woman having a good time, right? The graveyard worker went on stating that they had, in his words, “glowing red eyes like a cat when they turned to look at him”

“Hmmmm…Glowing…red eyes…like a cat.”

“Is it a coincidence that these witnesses have seen similar creatures with glowing eyes like a cat or is there some truth to their claims?” I asked myself.

“Not to mention my own encounters with my dream of the mystery man and my own eyes doing the exact same thing before coming here.” I then added.

“Is this what is happening to me?”

“Am I truly turning into one of these creatures?”

“But how?”

“I was never bitten.”

“Is that not how it’s done or perhaps it’s something to catch, like a virus or something?” I ask myself.

I continued on reading about more encounters of livestock dead in fields, horses ripped limb from limb, and chickens mutilated. Other than the horrific deaths they all shared one common trait. They were all drained. Blood was everywhere, yes but, “where did the rest go?”, they stated. That’s definitely a good question. One of which there was no answer to. At least not here.

An hour later I decided to see if they had anything about this Amulet I wore. I made my way towards the spiral staircase on the right of the front desk. The stairs themselves were made of wood with a reddish stain to them and the railings were all black steel. The spokes of the railings had winding vines and leaves around each spoke. At each end of the railing, laid a beautiful, delicately crafted, metal rose to complement the spiral vines and leaves.

I was greeted by a sign on a metal pole next to the staircase that read, “STOP…..Please use the other staircase. Thank you.”

I suppose they did this because the staircases themselves were although beautiful, were also a bit narrow for two people. It created a good flow of traffic where people can go up on the left while coming down on the right. So I went to the other side where I was greeted again by another sign on a metal pole. Informing people to use this staircase to go up instead.

The thunking sound of my shoes touching the wood steps, echoed with each stride as I made my way up to the second floor. Even though the staircase was stable, slight squeaking could also be heard from the bolts, brackets and screws holding this beauty together. As I reached the top I had to recall what the librarian told me how to find the area I’m looking for. It sounded a bit complicated to me at first but walking it was pretty simple.

“Ok, what was it again that she said to do?” I asked myself with my hand on my chin thinking.

“Ah yes, she said to go straight and then make a left.” I slowly recalled.

“Then once I pass the table and chairs section, I would need to take a right and it would be right there.” I added while following the path.

“Ahhh…..here we go, found it!” I said to myself while looking around.

I grabbed what I could and carried them to one of the empty desks that I passed up on the way. After sitting down with anticipation, I grabbed the first book off the stack and got to work. Starting with the smallest books first, saving the largest ones to read last.

I must have found at least twenty seven books on amulets, some of which were pretty thick. Spanning from amulets, medalians, talismans, precious stones and so forth from all over the world. Many believe they possess mystical powers or even healing properties. Whether any of these artifacts proclaim to do as they say is beyond my comprehension. Then again with everything that’s been happening to me recently, I’m beginning to believe anything is possible.

For instance A man in Ethiopia claimed that an amulet quickly healed his wounds after a horendous hyena attack. Leaving him with no scars on his body. Like the attack never took place.

In Asia where a woman claimed that an amulet, given o her by her grandmother, saved her from a tiger attack. The tiger charged right after her but then suddenly, at the last second, stopped. Then the tiger looked at her and then ran in the opposite direction.

There are even amulets or medallions that apparently bring people luck.

“Interesting.” I thought.

“Sure could use some now.”

After three and a half hours later of searching and reading, only to have come up empty. Did I receive some information, yes but I couldn’t believe there wasn’t anything about my necklace or amulet in these books.

“Maybe it wasn’t documented or perhaps they haven’t acquired a copy of a book with it in it, at least not yet.”

“If there is even such a book.”

I continued sitting there with my elbows on the table, while my head rested weightlessly in the palms of my hands and my fingers covered my tired eyes. My mind was swirling endlessly with thoughts of what I did learn, my questions, and my misguided feelings of hope. The frustration was irritating. Felt like I was going nowhere.

In the mist of my melancholy, a young woman with eyeglasses, stops by my table. She had long red hair pinned up and asks, “everything alright?”

Startled by her question, I jumped back in my seat, “Jesus, you scared me.”

“Ha ha ha!” She laughed while covering her mouth.

“I’m sorry about that, didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You just looked like you were upset is all.” She replied apologetically.

“Ha ha it’s alright.”

“I’m just frustrated cause I hit a dead end.” I replied with a long disgustful exhale.

While lifting up the front cover of the book that was in front of me, “The Supernatural Powers of Amulets from Around the World, huh?” She ask, reading the book cover out loud with a questionable look on her face.

“What?”

“It’s a little bit of light reading.” I replied, while rubbing the back of my head.

She snatched the book from the table and closed it. While showing the thickness of the book to me, “yea sure, light reading.” She sarcastically snapped while rolling her eyes at me.

While reaching for the book, “heyyyyy, I wasn’t finished with that.” I replied irritated by her lack of etiquette.

“Oh don’t worry about it, I’m doing you a favor, trust me.” She replied happily.

“Trust you, I don’t even know you.”

“Besides, how was closing a book I was reading doing me a favor?” I asked more irritated.

“What you are looking for wouldn’t be in these books.”

“And how would you know what I am looking for?” I sarcastically asked.

“I overheard you and Linda talking.” She continued.

While looking confused, “and who’s Linda?” I asked.

“The Librarian at the front desk genius.” She sarcastically added.

“Oh I didn’t know her name.”

“Hold up, why were you listening to our conversation anyway?” I asked, questioning her motives.

“I wasn’t listening, like I said, I overheard.” She replied, with a slightly raised voice.

All of a sudden out of the blue,“SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Someone at one of the tables shushed us for talking too loudly.

“The name is Ruby by the way, I’m a Librarian as well. I was the one cataloguing books behind the desk earlier when you came in.” She replied in a quieter voice.

“Vampires and Amulets, am I right?”

“Yes, but how was this doing me a favor?” I asked again.

While sitting down next to me real close to whisper it to me, “what if I told you I have access to the rare book section of the Library?”

“A section that is off limits to the public.” She adds while showing me the keys.

“Perhaps what you are looking for is down there.”

“You interested?” She then asked with a smirk on her face while dangling the keys in front of me.

Chapter Text

“You interested?” She asked.

I sat there in hesitation, unsure how to respond. How could I trust someone I just met? How do I know she wasn’t part of some grander scheme to snag my necklace for herself or for whomever was in search of it? Whether it be the “mystery man” or his “Superior” if there was any.

Then there was an up side to all of this, I might actually find something worthwhile! I could finally get the answers to all or some of my questions. It was quite possible the library deemed it to be dangerous. Enough to be made hidden from the public eye. After all, people already perished because of this thing already. First my parents, then Tanaka, God knows who else. Perhaps even I will meet my unfortunate end because of this Amulet.

“BUT NOT IF I CAN HELP IT.” I said to myself determined not to let that happen.

Unfortunately, I had to take that chance. Even if there was the slightest possibility this woman could be untruthful or even dangerous. I had to be vigilant, I had to see this through. I NEEDED answers.

With skepticism, “what’s your angle?” I asked.

“My angle?” She replied confused.

“Yes, what’s in it for you?”

“You must want something from me or else why offer your help.” I added.

“There is no angle.”

“Oh, come on now, everyone has some sort of an angle.”

With a snarky attitude, “Wow, what a cynical point of view.” She replied offendedly.

“Look….Ruby is it?”

“I’ve just met you.”

“My life has been threatened multiple times in the past few days, so forgive me if I’m a bit cautious of people right now.”

“Especially people offering their help.” I explained.

“Oh my, my apologies, I just saw you sitting there with your hands over your face looking lost, not knowing what to do or what’s even next.”

“I’ve seen too much of that nowadays because of this financial crisis we’re all facing.”

“I just thought….maybe….just maybe….I could make someone’s day better, you know?” She explained.

Her explanation seemed quite genuine and sincere. She must have been telling the truth. If I ever want to find out about this Amulet, then I must trust her. At least for the time being. This may be my only shot at finally getting some answers.

“Ahhh I see, thank you for being forthcoming with me.” I replied.

“Of course, I completely understand why you don’t trust me or people for that matter.”

“I would be to if I was in your shoes.“ She added sympathetically.

“And I totally understand if you don’t want my help.” She replied while getting up from her seat.

“Thank you….yes I would, I could really use the help.” I happily replied, catching her off guard.

“I’m Thomas by the way, Thomas Hillyard.” I added with my hand extended outward towards hers.

While shaking my hand, “it’s a pleasure to meet you Thomas, I’m Ruby Witmore.”

“Alright then, follow me.” She then added.

“Ok, let me just put these away first.” I replied as I rose from my seat, grabbing the books along with me.

She waited of course, standing nearby with her arms crossed, watching me put the books back on their appropriate shelves. She didn’t seem impatient with me, which was evident. She was either being genuinely patient or playing a role to win a much bigger prize. Who knows, only time will tell.

“Ready?” She asked with a smile.

“Yes, sorry about that.” I answered while placing the last book on the shelf.

“It’s alright, I appreciate it actually.”

“Most folks just leave them at the reading center tables and we would have to put them away ourselves, so thank you.” She explained with gratitude.

“Oh it’s no problem, I just wasn’t brought up that way is all.” I added.

Which was true, I wasn’t. My parents always taught me to clean up after myself. Granted they had to keep reminding me of that as a kid. As I grew older it was one of the many things I appreciated about them, teaching me these life lessons. I still hear their voices in my head at times instructing me to put my things away. This situation being one of those times. I like to think of it as one way I keep my memory of them alive. That way they are always with me in some form or another.

“Sounds like they brought you up right.” She complimented.

“Thanks I hope so!” I replied with a smile.

“Of course, I wish my parents were like that.”

“My father is a drunk and my mother left us when I was just a little girl.” She explained.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I replied saddened by her misfortune.

“It’s ok, It was a long time ago.”

“My father on the other hand that’s a whole different story.” She then added disgustedly.

“A story for another time perhaps, let’s go.” She replied while walking.

We made our way through the upper floor of the library until we reached the staircase meant to get to the main floor. The sounds of our footsteps echoed, once again, against the rugged wood steps. Meanwhile, its metal construction squeaked obnoxiously as we made our way down. My hand rested on the railing, sliding gently across its slick black surface as I walked down behind her.

She ambled her way towards the front desk. No Librarians were in sight. They must have been putting books away or attending to other matters.

“Good, no one’s around!” She said quietly.

She lifted up the hinged desk door, gently placing it down on the opposite side, not to disturb the readers. Behind the desk was a hallway to their offices.

“Ok the close is clear, they must be on their rounds putting books away.” She said while signaling me to come.

I walked past the wood counter and into the small hallway with two office doors on one side of the wall. On the other side was a beautifully crafted wall art of roses and vines. Almost as if it was a mural of some kind. It certainly matched the staircase’s architectural charm.

But why are we here in this back room with their offices? Confusion started settling in. Where was this “restricted section” she mentioned? My defenses were on high alert, preparing for a possible ambush. Distrust started filling me like an empty glass.

She closed the hinged door out front and headed back in to me, “ok. where to now, I only see two offices and this mural.” I replied in disgust.

“You see that rose in the center there on the mural?” She said quietly.

“Yea….and…….” I answered confused.

“Turn it like a doorknob, to the right two times and then press the little rose bud right below it.” She explained as she looked out the hallway cautiously to make sure no one was coming.

I turned around towards the mural and reached for the rose hesitantly. Turning the rose once, then twice, both of which had a slight click between each turn. Now to press the little rose bud below it. My finger slowly reached for the bud, not knowing what would happen next when I did press it. The tip of my thumb pushed the bud in cautiously. A much louder click could be heard, as well as a sequence of clicking sounds reminiscent of gears turning. All of which came from behind the mural, behind the wall.

To my astonishment a small gust of gray dust or dirt sprayed out of the wall like a mist. I jumped back in amazement as I watched a rectangular portion of the wall sink in, slowly sliding open to the left! It was a secret door. Revealing a dark room with a staircase made of stone. It was so dark, It felt as though I was staring into the depths of hell itself.

While walking towards the door that just opened, “ok, let’s go.” She quickly added.

She headed in, with myself not too far behind. After I scurried in, she pressed a button to the left of the entrance inside to close this impressive door. Seconds later she flips on a switch which turned on sconces identical to the architectural beauty of the mural and staircase outside by the front desk. They were neatly hung on the left wall, evenly spaced out, illuminating a warm light to the steps as we made our way down.

“Where are we?” I asked puzzled.

“Ten or so years ago, this place was once a Speakeasy.” She explained.

“It was used as a secret underground bar, with illegal gambling and a place to do dirty business away from the prying eyes of the law.” She replied while heading down the stairs.

“When the owners bought the building they found a blueprint hidden in an old wood desk, which alerted them to this secret room.” She explained.

“So how did they find out it was a Speakeasy?” I intriguingly asked while making my way down behind her.

Amused by my question, “ha, easy, people around town like to talk, so the word of mouth pretty much.”

“Anyway they use it now to store really old documents, books and other important items. She explained.

“Ahhh I see.”

“But wouldn’t they be worried of theft if someone knows it’s here?” I asked.

“Ahhh yes, smart guy.” She laughed.

“We can change the combination to the room from the inside wall panel on the door itself.” She explained.

“People today don’t know it’s here and they aren’t aloud in the back room anyway.”

“It’s just the Librarians that know.”

“So not to worry everything is completely safe.”

We finally reached the room. It was still quite dark but I could see a desk in the center of the room, lightly illuminated from the sconces on the staircase. I made my way towards the desk, slightly blinded by the dark, I felt around cautiously not to trip on anything with every step I took. On the center of the desk was a modern day lamp, at least for its time compared to the wall sconces.

Ruby reached over the desk and turned on the lamp. The light gave off a warm luminous glow reaching the entire room. The green glass on top of the lamp, illuminated the stone ceiling with its emerald essence. Giving it an eerie glow.

The room itself was medium sized with bookshelves filled with many books, some of which had loose pages sticking out of them. There were even scrolls sitting on a few shelves as well. The table itself was dressed with two chairs that wasn’t visible prior walking in.

“So what are we searching for?” She asked.

“Anything relating to this.” I replied while pulling out my necklace to show her.

“I see, that looks quite disturbing but alright.” She jokingly replied while looking at the necklace.

“Yea it was my father’s, they gave it back to me the night they found me.”

“Found you?” She asked with a confused look on her face.

“Yea, it was the night my parents passed away, they didn’t expect to find me at the Inn we were staying at.”

“They?” She asked.

“Oh, sorry, two police officers that were on call that night.” I replied while looking around.

“We were on the road a lot, you see and we never stayed in one place for very long.

“So did you move here then?” She asked curiously.

“No, New York was just the last place we were at after th…..their…..passing, so it became my home.” I replied while wiping away my teary eyes, turning away towards her.

I remember feeling a heavy weight wash over me like a title wave. It was hard to breathe and my chest got tight, like an anaconda wrapping its scaly body around its prey before squeezing its victims to death. Eventually I found the strength to correct my composure and calm my aching heart. Clearing my mind of this pain. I didn’t want my eyes to flare up like it did in my bathroom earlier that day.

“May I ask what happened to them?” She softly asked.

Wiping away my tears, “yea…..umm…..they passed away in a car accident.” I replied.

I really didn’t wanna answer her questions because it was too painful to think about. But if she was gonna trust me, I must give her some trust in return.

“I’m so sorry, it must have been tough.” She replied.

“Thank you, yea it was unfortunately.” I added after pulling out a chair to sit down, staring at the floor mindlessly and quiet, reliving that horrendous day in my mind.

After getting settled, we eventually gathered some books off the shelves and got to work. Hours later, we read many manuscripts, books, journals and old diaries of folks who have since long passed away. Even some photographs laid around between the pages of some of them. A lot of this collection revolved around the supernatural. Reading about their encounters with these creatures and how they, so called, “took care of them.”

The knowledge was overwhelming. The fact that these creatures could potentially exist, was too much to take in. Vampires, werewolves, witches, angels, demons, ghosts, goblins, sirens, changelings, shape shifters and many more. My whole idea of the world was shattered like glass. There was another side to the world. One that was hiding right underneath our noses. Like a world behind the world, so to speak.

I was honestly about to give up hope until this book with leather binding caught my eye. It was shoved on a bookshelf on top of other books. As if there was no more room for it. I walked over and gently pulled it out. As I pulled, loose papers could be seen sticking out of its sides. Must be another journal or diary I thought to myself as I carried the book to the desk.

The book had no title, no inscription, no writing whatsoever, anything to reveal its contents. Just a leather binding with what looked to be a small belt buckle fixed to the book itself, holding it closed. I slowly pulled the belt tip out of the loop, gave it a tug to the right and pulled the prong out of the belt hole. Slowly sliding the belt tip out of its frame, releasing the book from its locked state. I opened to the first page to see what this book was about. On the inside cover of the book were names that made my heart sink into the pit of my stomach.

My eyes widened after reading it again, “Richard and Lydia Hillyard.”

“My parents.”

Chapter Text

“What!?”

Shock and confusion set on my face as I stuttered to open my mouth, “ma…ma…my parents?”

“Did you find something?” Ruby intriguingly asked.

A bit dumbfounded, “yes, maybe, this book has my parent’s names written on the inside cover.” I replied.

“This can’t be a coincidence, could it?” I asked, sitting there questioning myself.

The first page had a bunch of illegible words and symbols written all over it; none of which I could recognize, let alone comprehend. I flipped through the next couple of pages and there was an envelope, addressed to Thomas, tucked within the book’s rather bizarre pages. I knew then it wasn’t a coincidence. This book belonged to my parents, no question about it. They left it here for me to find. But why? I then opened the envelope to read its contents while getting up from my seat, anxiously pacing back and forth in front of Ruby.

“It’s a letter from my parents.” I said out loud.

“Well…what does it say.” Ruby politely asked.

The Letter

“Thomas,

If you are reading this, then we are no longer with you. We’re truly sorry we weren’t there to witness you grow up to be the fine man we know you’ll be. We both want you to know how much we love you with all our hearts and are so very proud of the young man we see before us. Our only regret is leaving you to grow up without us but even if we aren’t around, we will always be with you and watching over you.”

My eyes became blurry from the tears forming. Nothing could pull me back from the pain of missing them dearly. One by one, tears started to slowly trickle down my cheek as if they were raindrops on a window pane. Bringing endless….ahhh what’s the word humans say today….ahhh yes, reruns. Bringing endless reruns of old memories that have long since passed, along with them.

One memory in particular was myself, eating dinner a couple nights before my parents went on their so called “job” that led to their unfortunate passing. My father sat next to me at the kitchen table, keeping me company. Distracting me, if you will, from my mother’s rather peculiar demeanor that night.

My mother sat in silence at a small table next to the window in the living room. I remember  occasionally glancing over at her from the kitchen, seeing her divert her attention to the night sky. Admiring the stars in the heavens somewhat mindlessly and a bit glum. Perhaps her mind was wondering sporadically. Not knowing what to say or maybe she was just reliving past memories. Who knows what she was thinking about at that moment.

When she wasn’t she was writing something down on a piece of paper. The paper, I assume, I am now holding. I went over to her and tugged on her other hand to get her attention.

“Mother, are you coming to eat with Papa and I?” I asked innocently.

She turned towards me with what seemed to be a forceful smile, “in a little bit Sweetie.” She replied.

Slightly disappointed, I walked away and sat back down next to my father to finish eating. She did come eat with us eventually but only after folding the paper she was writing on, and sealing it inside an envelope. Leaving the envelope on the table and never said anything about it. Never giving it another thought. I remember seeing my father giving my mother a bizarre head nod of acknowledgment and began eating dinner. The next morning they left along with that envelope on the table.

“It was that night, the night in which this letter was written, I just know it.” I said to myself distraughtly.

I closed my eyes for a moment, gripping the letter tightly up against my face. I could still smell her scent on the letter. It was very faint but it was there. Was a bit comforting to smell her once more. Like she was in the room with me, hugging me like she use to. Tears ran down my cheek and onto the letter. I wiped away my pain on my sleeve and continued on reading.

The Letter Continued

“By now I’m sure you are full of questions. Questions like, what did we do on our stops through the years? You have asked us on multiple occasions but we each have explained to you, ‘one day when you are ready.’ I sit here deeply worried by the thought of never having the chance to explain everything to you. Leaving you in this world scared, confused or even vulnerable.

We been foolish to think that we could keep this secret from you. To keep this life or even this strange and dangerous new world from you. We feared this next job could be our last, due to the urgency and severity of our mission. So we thought it would be appropriate to explain to you now in this letter before we head out. Knowing full well that this night might be our last night together as a family but you needed to know.

You see, your father and I come from a long line of hunters and protectors of the Amulet called, The Katari. Well mostly your father anyway. Your dear ol’ Mother here, married into the family business, you could say. What do we hunt, you maybe asking yourself? Vampires mostly, for we must protect the Katari, the Amulet, from them.

Make no mistake, they are quite real, my sweet boy.

THEY….MUST….NOT….GET….IT.

The Amulet I speak of is a human heart necklace with two stakes running through it in the shape of a crucifix. You have seen your father wear it on occasion, even asked about it. What does it do you might be asking yourself? Well, it gives the wearer supernatural powers of the very enemy we hunt, a vampire but without their weaknesses or thirst for human blood.

It was passed down from many generations, from father to son. Your father was next in line to be its bearer. In time, this task and sacred duty must fall unto you my boy. Which is why you never went with us on these hunts. You are our only child, our only son, the next future Amulet bearer and its protector.

But we didn’t want this life for you. We hoped we could end all of this so that you could grow up to have a normal life, away from all this. Unfortunately, if you are reading this, fate had other plans. We have left this book in the safe possession of Linda Witmore so that she may protect it until the day you come in search of answers. She is our dearest friend and we entrusted her with this task, you can as well. Inside this book you will learn everything you need to know about the Amulet, as well as the vampires we faced.

Let me leave you with this, because ‘little you’ is calling me to eat with you and Poppa.

If you possess the Amulet, keep it safe. If not, find it before anyone comes in search of it. It will protect you and only you. So be careful my boy, our sweet baby boy. Stay safe and may the Amulet always protect you.

With love,
Momma and Poppa”

End of Letter

I stood there in silence. Tears continued dripping down my cheeks and an onto the floor just as quickly. I was speechless. Not a single word could be formed. It was as if I was paralyzed. My world just expanded into something much bigger than what I knew or read about in all these pages on the table.

“So you kne…..kne….knew this was here?” I asked suddenly, struggling to respond.

“No, I honestly did not, the book maybe but not the letter.”

“Perhaps my aunt did, she was their friend after all.” She replied truthfully but was debatable to me at the time.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?” I yelled.

“YOU know how LONG I’ve COME HERE searching for answers?” I ask angrily, gripping the book tightly.

“And it was just beneath my FUCKING FEET.” I then added furiously.

I could feel the anger building up in my eyes, much like earlier at home. I turned away from Ruby to shield her from the view of my eyes, just in case. In hopes not to frighten her by this terrifying creature I am now potentially becoming.

“Please calm down, we honestly didn’t know who you were.”

“We were left with specific instructions to not let anyone but Thomas Hillyard have access down here.”

“So what was that all about upstairs then?”

“Offering me access to the ‘Restricted Section’, while dangling keys in my fucking face.” I asked angrily.

“Oh that, this place isn’t the restricted section, that is behind a locked gate upstairs.”

“It’s mostly filled with old rare books that are not aloud to be taken out, only viewed.”

“This place is something way different.” She explained.

“Then what is it then and why take me here instead?” I asked as I sat back down, head lowered.

I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her, I thought to myself. Something was off about her from the very start but I couldn’t be too upset with her though. She did help me after all and led me to real answers.

“The Librarians here call it, The Rose Vault.” She answered.

“It’s like the Restricted Section but much more secretive, as you may have guessed by the entrance.”

“But we use it to store knowledge that the world isn’t ready to know about.” She explained.

“Ok…if they know about this place, then why were we so cautious coming in?”

“We weren’t being cautious because of the Librarians knowing I brought you down here, not really anyway but rather because of the rest of the people in the library.”

“We are strictly forbidden to open the vault during the day because of the risk of it being seen.” She explained.

“If there weren’t any librarians at the front desk, then that means they were helping others and it’s good for us because that means less eyes at the front desk.” She explained her rational thinking while sitting down next to me.

“I didn’t lie to you, if that’s what you were thinking, at least not entirely.” She added while reaching for my hand.

“And I’m so sorry about your parents, truly.” She added.

I could feel myself calming down to the point where I could look at her in the eyes and not in fear of them flaring up from my anger.

“Thank you.” I added.

“I would have taken you to the ‘Restricted Section’ but once you told me your name, your full name; I knew then you weren’t just some guy needing help with research.”

“You are the son of my aunts best friend.”

“And who is your aunt.” I asked suspiciously.

“You met her already and read it out loud just now in the letter, Linda Witmore the head librarian.” She answered.

“Oh, well then why didn’t you say that at the beginning, that she was your aunt?” I asked.

“Just a habit I suppose, I have never told anyone she was my aunt.”

There was an awkward silence between us as thick as the air we were breathing down there. It fillled up these four stone walls rather quickly. I didn’t know what to say to her. I felt somewhat betrayed but yet grateful at the same time. I knew she was just doing her job and following orders.

I finally scrounged up some courage to say something, “gee my parents really withheld a lot from me.” I replied cutting the awkward silence.

“To be fair, they were protecting you but yea.” She added.

“From what I learned from my aunt, was that the majority of this collection here was brought to us by many protectors and hunters for two decades.” She added.

“Wow, seriously?” I asked a bit shocked.

“Your parents contributed quite a few themselves. according to her.” She added.

“Look, Ruby…..I’m sorry I snapped at you, it was rude and uncalled for.” I apologized while looking up at her again.

“It’s alright, I understand.”

“I honestly would have reacted the same in your shoes.” She replied while tucking her hair behind her right ear.

“And I’m sorry for the slight ruse, I only did it in good faith.”

“I should have just said something when you told me your name.” She added working to regain my trust.

“It’s ok, I understand, you needed to be careful as well.”

“Regardless, I’m happy you brought me here instead; you really helped me, so thank you!” I replied expressing my gratitude.

“Of course.” She replied, while getting up from her chair and headed towards the stairs.

“So what now?” I asked.

As she turned around towards me, “Well for starters you are more than welcome to this room anytime you like, but keep it during late business hours if you don’t mind.” She replied.

“Just mention the phrase, ‘roses are red’  to any librarian and they will know what you mean.”

“Roses are red?” I asked.

With a suspenseful smirk, “ahhhh yes it’s just a silly password derived from a poem we use to make sure we are who we say we are and not…….something else”

“Just be sure to tell them who you are as well.” She added.

“Right now though, I need to get back to work upstairs, so if you like you can stay here to read.”

“Like the restricted section, I also ask that you not take anything out, for the sake of it being lost, stollen, or destroyed.”

“Yea I can do that, if my parents contributed to this archive as you say, then it’s best to honor them by keeping everything here and safe.” I replied.

“Well….ok then, I’ll see you around Thomas!” Ruby added with a wave goodbye and walked up the stone staircase.

And so I was alone. Alone to deal with my thoughts, alone to gather what I have learned to process. After I calmed myself down I opened the bizarre book my parents left here to read about this Katari Amulet.

“Ahhh…I understand now, these Amulet bearers translated quite a lot in this book.” I said to myself.

I skimmed through a few pages but this part caught my eye.

A Section In The Book

The bond will only be set,
Once the conditions are met.
The Amulet must pierce thy flesh,
And taste thy blood.
To bond to thee.

Once the Amulet bearer reaches maturity.
Pierce thy flesh once more for clarity.
Once thou hast proven thyself worthy,
The power of the Katari will be given to thee.

Woah To The Undead…Death will come upon swift wings to all those who forcibly attempt to purloin the Katari from thee. For they will perish in a fiery blaze and whisked away like mountain ash by the breath of the four winds.

Woah To The Living…If the Katari and the undead bond, their power will increase tenfold. Beware of this day, for it may be thy last.

End of Section

“Wait a second.”

“That explains why this is happening to me.” I said to myself.

The Amulet had tasted my blood twice already. Once as a boy when I gripped it too tightly and then just recently from the little run-in I had with the thief.

“So does this mean I’m turning into a vampire?”

“Well perhaps not a full one anyway because I still feel pretty normal.” I later added.

I continued reading and it became much more apparent of what was taking place inside of me, thanks to the previous Amulet bearers. For they have written down what the Amulet does to the bearer.

If human, the Amulet gives the bearer the abilities of the undead. The bearer will have increased agility, increased strength, heightened senses and fast healing capabilities. Much like how a vampire would have but none of their weaknesses like sunlight or holy water for example. Not even their ambitious urge to feed. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks though. It does come with their anger or rather their rambunctious rage.

In the hands of a vampire, however, it makes them an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Their power is essentially doubled and cannot be stopped. Which explains why they are so eager to get their filthy hands on it. It will essentially turn them into somewhat of a Vampire God pretty much.

“My parents were right they cannot get a hold of this necklace.” I said out loud to myself.

By now it was getting late and the door upstairs started to open. Footsteps of what sounded to be a woman’s shoe could be heard getting louder and louder and the steps continued. Soon a woman emerged from the steps.

“Hello Thomas, Thomas Hillyard I presume.”

“I’m Ruby’s aunt Linda, Linda Witmore and also the head Librarian here.” She added softly.

“Hello, yes I’m Thomas.” I replied.

“Ruby told me you both were down here and I wanted to meet you.”

“Boy how much you’ve grown, I remember you being this small last time I saw you.” She added while gesturing my past height with her hands.   

“I’m sorry I don’t remember you; you were friends with my parents, correct?” I asked.

“Yea that’s right, I’ve known them for…..at least…..fifteen years or so.” She unsurely replied, while putting her hand on her chin to think.

“They were a great contributor to this library of the supernatural.” She later added.

“Ahhh….right, Ruby mentioned to me about that as well.”

“Is that how you guys met?” I ask curiously.

While staring at a wall mindlessly, “well let’s just say they saved my life from one of these creatures.” She replied, as if she was reliving a memory or some nightmare from the past.

“I’d love to hear about it!” I added.

“Alright but perhaps at a later time, It’s getting late and we are closing up shop for the night.” She replied while looking down at the clock on her wrist.

“Right, i’m sorry I lost track of time.”

“It’s pretty overwhelming, all this.” I replied as I started putting the books back on the shelves.

“I totally understand.”

“When Ruby said you were down here I figured I’d give you some space for a while.” She explained.

“Thank you I appreciate that.”

“I was just about to head out and I didn’t see you leave, since I was in my office the rest of my shift, so I figured I’d come get you.”

“I didn’t wanna lock you in the Library, heh!” She added jokingly.

“Ha ha, right, I wouldn’t want that.” I replied with a chuckle while putting the books away.

The last book I put away was from my parents. Taking one last sniff of my mother’s scent on the letter before sliding it back where I found it on the shelf. I pushed the chairs back in and turned off the light from the lamp on the table. As I headed to Mrs. Witmore she stopped me suddenly to ask me something.

“Tell me, why did you just sniff that book just now?” She asked as we made our way up the stairs.

“Oh, I found a letter from my parents tucked within its pages and the note inside smelled like my mother.”

“It was faint but I could smell the sweet scent of Lav…..” I replied while being cut off by Mrs. Witmore.

“Lavender, her favorite, right?” She asked.

“Yes, how did you know?” I replied.

“When she brought this to me I could smell it’s fragrance but over time the scent had faded and I can no longer smell it.”

“I assume you are wearing the Amulet, am I right?” She asked curiously.

“Yes, I am actually.” I replied while showing her the Amulet in my hands.

“This is why you’re able to still smell her scent.” She later added as we continued up the steps.

“Things started to happen to me, things I quite can’t explain.” I told her.

“Which is why I came here, in search of answers.”

“Then ‘the bond has been met’ and your powers will only grow from here on out, so be careful.” She replied with concern in her voice.

“I will.” I replied while hiding the Amulet underneath my clothing.

We reached the top of the steps and Mrs. Witmore pressed a button next to the door which opened the entrance to the Rose Vault. Once we exited, she pressed the rose bud that I pressed earlier to open the door, only now to close it. I started to head out before she stopped me.

Waving to get my attention, “oh hey Thomas, wait a second.”

“Yes?” I asked while suddenly turning around.

“I just wanted to express my deepest sympathies, I’m truly sorry about your parents.”

“They were the kindest people I have ever met and were great friends to me.” She explained.

“Thank you, I truly appreciate it.”

“Was so good to finally see you again after all these years as well!”

With a smile, “It was a pleasure to meet you and your niece, Ruby.” I kindly replied.

“I hope to catch up with you sometime so you can tell me more.”

“Certainly!” She replied enthusiastically.

Waving goodbye, “Splendid, well…I’ll see you both again soon; hope you have a pleasant evening!”

“Goodbye Thomas, same to you as well.” She replied while waving.

I headed out of the back room of their offices and made my way out the door to head home. Rather happily I might add. Knowing that I finally got some answers to my questions and now I know where to get the rest. And I’m so looking forward to it!

Chapter Text

The following morning, I was awakened by ear deafening chimes. It was as if school bells were right in my bedroom, alerting to the children that class was in session. I sprung from my bed in fright as fast as a wild cat. Covering my ears rather tightly from this earsplitting ringing that resonated throughout my entire apartment.

My eyes were widened and alert, intense heavy breathing, heart racing erratically. I thought my heart was gonna erupt from my chest. The fear and uncertainty building up was something I never experienced before. Everything was quite strident to say the least, and I felt like I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it.

Not knowing what was causing such a ruckus, I scanned the bedroom with a darting gaze as more noises distracted my efforts. It flooded my ears like a rapid rush of an endlessly flowing river. I knew I needed to get ahold of what ever this was and fast or I’ll be flowing down river with a one way ticket to the insane asylum.

“What the?….”

“How did I get from my bed to this corner of my bedroom so quickly?”

“Wha…what is happening……..What is happening to me?” I asked myself while huddled in the corner.

Eerie whispers started pouring in from all directions, leaving me on edge. There were so many that it sounded like being in a crowded hall with endless chatter but as quiet as a library. Which made it impossible to comprehend to even the closest individuals speaking. It was as if these voices were ghostly echoes carried along by the prevailing winds. They were so faint but loud enough to know there is someone there. Only problem was, there wasn’t.

I closed my eyes as tightly as I held onto my ears. Hoping this HELL would end.

“Stop…STOP…STOPPPP….” I screamed while collapsing to the floor in the corner but nothing happened, at least not at first.

To my astonishment, my ears began focusing on each individual sound. For instance, I could hear the rumbling vibrations of passing automobiles as well as their obnoxious honks outside my building. With my eyes shut, it made me feel as if I was standing right outside on the street.

As I focused more, I could hear a baby cooing and giggling at their mother while she pushed him in a stroller down the street. The little guy sounded so happy and loved. It made me smile and calmed my erratic heart. The mother’s voice sounded soft and sweet as she played peek-a-boo with him. He just thought it was the funniest thing and started giggling immensely.

The birds were singing their morning songs so peacefully in the trees, while squirrels scurried their way up and down tree trunks crazily in search for nuts to gather for the upcoming winter that’s just lurking around the corner.

Hell, even the trees themselves gave off a sound. Not just the rustling of leaves on the branches blowing in the breeze but also the sound of tree trunks growing. Pushing through the rich soil and blades of grass as slowly as a snail crawls or perhaps even slower.

The trees also gave off a harmonious resonance that no mortal could hear. The best way I could describe this resonance is like a heavenly choir, rejoicing all of nature. Made me feel apart of it somehow. I felt as though I was connected to every tree, every bush, and every flower all at once. Like I was apart of something bigger than myself. It was quite overwhelming.

While concentrating further, the sounds of youngsters could be heard outside laughing. They were having fun kicking a ball around on the sidewalk. All while the expeditious pounding of footsteps on the concrete streets of New York, sounded like gentle bursts of thunder in a thunderstorm.

Eventually, the range from which I was hearing started to condense. I could hear chatter from my neighbor Jacob, who lived across the hall from me, talking to the Landlord about Mr. Tanaka’s tragic passing. Then I overheard my Landlord talking about me behind my back, which was no surprise. Like I always say, that man has had it in for me since the day I moved into that apartment. One day I will get answers out of him. At least Jacob had my back and told him off.

“I wonder why he even brought my name up to begin with?” I said angrily to myself and then continued on listening to more sounds.

I soon began hearing the harmonious intimate sounds of pleasure coming from a couple having morning sex two floors above mine. Flesh slapping up against flesh. Euphonious moans could be heard under her breath, while pleasurable whimpering of kisses came from their lips. His moans were faint but quite present, which only excited her further. Her breath grew heavily as she rode this man. She repeatedly called out to “God” as this lioness continued her passionate grinding. Screaming out his name in imaginable pleasure.

The legs of their bed were scratching the hardwood floor, peeling up slivers of wood chips with every thrust she made. The headboard of their bed kept slamming up against the wall, which made small specks of dust and drywall particles fall from the ceiling to the apartment floor above mine.

While smirking, “that lucky bastard!” I whispered to myself as I ease dropped on their lovemaking.

“Is this another ability of the Amulet?” I asked myself astonished.

“How could a vampire hear all this without going extremely mad?”

“Let me try something different.” I said to myself while closing my eyes focusing a bit harder than before.

I began to listen carefully for the origin of the ruckus that woke me this AM. All of a sudden the rest of the world was drowned out. It’s as if my ears were like a radio, scrolling through different channels trying to find a clear station. Then slowly decreasing the volume until only the sound that woke me was in clear view.

It was my alarm clock that was going off erratically. It was one of those two bell alarm clocks with a small metal hammer that sat in between the two bells. That was the noise I was hearing, not school bells. I forgot that I had set it when I went to bed last night. I didn’t wanna miss my morning breakfast date with Silvia.

“But why was it so loud to me?” I asked myself.

Eventually after focusing, the ringing of the alarm clock became normal. I uncovered my ears in a slowly cautious manner. Gradually rising up from my crouched position and moved gingerly over to the alarm clock that was ringing on my nightstand and silenced it.

“Phewwwwww…….Thank God that’s over with.” I announced happily while my eyes peered at the clock’s face.

My eyes widened as I glared at the clock’s undoubtedly hands, “SIX TWENTY?” I asked the clock in disbelief.

“DAMN, I’m gonna be late.” I yelled.

As I walked into the bathroom, I could see myself in the mirror. My chest was still taped and gauzed up from the run in with the thief, which left my chest so scratched up, that even a cat would feel proud of it. I opened my medicine cabinet and grabbed more tape and gauze so that I could change my bandages.

As I slowly pulled off the bandages from my chest, I noticed something changed. All my scratches and wounds were completely healed. Even my physique looked rather diverse. It was much leaner and muscular than it was days prior. Skin smooth as silk, not a single imperfection in my complexion. It’s as if my body healed and changed dramatically over night. Perhaps even sooner. For all I know it could have healed seconds after taping everything up yesterday.

With a smile, admiring my new self in the mirror, “how is this even possible?”

It’s as if the confrontation with the thief never happened. No puncture wounds, no scratches, not even a single scar. All was left over was some residual traces of dried up blood on my chest, which I wiped away with a wet towel from the towel rack in my bathroom.

As I glanced at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but notice my scruffy appearance. I grabbed my razor, brush, and shaving cream from the medicine cabinet behind my mirror. After dabbing my shaving brush into the cream, I began lathering up my face when i was struck with an old memory. I’ve watched and learned how to shave from my father when I was ten years old. I didn’t have hair of course but I pretended to shave in order to learn back then.

Memory

I remember walking past the bathroom at an Inn where we were staying and caught my father shaving.

“Hey Pop, what are you doing?” I asked innocently.

“Oh hey son, just shaving, your mother said I was beginning to look like a grizzly. Haha.” He replied smirking at the mirror.

“You wanna try?” He asked while glaring over at me through the mirror.

“Ok!” I replied excitedly while walking in.

He took his little brush with shaving cream on it and began to lather up my young delicate cheeks, chin and neck. Even tapped me on the nose with it to get me to laugh.

“Papa….” I groaned with a smile, while wiping away the shaving cream he left on my nose.

He then hands me his comb and tells me, “here use the back of this.”

“First start on your neck and do one pass upwards, then rinse, and repeat until you’re done.”

“Got it?” He asked, making sure I was paying attention.

“Yes Pop!” I replied.

I watched my father while I pretended to shave under my neck just as he was. He occasionally glanced over at me through the mirror to see how I was doing.

“That’s it my boy!” He replied praising my efforts.

“Now let’s do the cheek area.” As he raised his hand to his cheek.

Before even listening to his instructions I immediately started shaving upwards on my cheek.

“No, no, stop.” He replied.

“Here lather your cheek with some more shaving cream.” He instructed while handing me the brush that had the cream on it.

I did as he said and covered the spot where I messed up.

“This time you shave downwards, like this.” He instructed.

“Oh, how come Papa?” I asked curiously.

“You shave this way because you have to follow the direction of the hair growth.”

“Now….do as I do.”

“Same technique like before, except this time you stroke down.”

“Don’t forget to rinse between strokes and repeat, or else it will be hard for the blade to cut.” He added.

“Got it Pop.” I replied while watching my father make his first stroke down his cheek.

He glanced over at me while watching me through the mirror, “that’s it, you got it.” He says to me and then pats me on the back.

“Oh hey, you missed a spot.”

“Where?” I asked while looking at my face with nothing on it.

“Right here……boop” He replied while putting more shaving cream on my nose.

“DAD!” I screamed and we both started laughing.

He then gave me a big hug and we both continued shaving, showing me more as we continued.

End of Memory

I miss those days. I miss him. Life was much simpler then, not much to worried about, unlike today.

I shaved off my five o’clock shadow. Making sure not to nick myself with the razor. Not that it would matter since I would heal quickly anyway, allegedly. Although it would be a good chance to see how fast I do heal.

While slapping some Aqua Velva aftershave on my cheeks, “there, smooth as a baby’s bottom.” I chuckled to myself in the mirror jokingly as the aftershave gently burned my cheeks with a cool sensation.

I threw yesterday’s clothes in the hamper that sat on the floor in the linen closet, which was located behind the bathroom door. I then tidied up my messy chaotic hair with a comb but one side decided it wanted to act like a stubborn cockatoo. Constantly flipping back up with every pass with the comb.

“Are you FUCKING kidding, WHY won’t YOU go DOWN?”

In annoyance, “ughh this can’t be happening, not on my first date.”

“GO DOWN ALREADY, YOU STUBBORN ASS!” I uttered demandingly while pushing my hair down forcefully with my fingers.

Luckily I was able to tame this chaotic monstrosity with some water, “FINALLY!” I exhaled in relief while patting my hair down and combing it nicely.

As I walked into my bedroom to get dressed, I slid open my middle dresser drawer, grabbing a white sleeveless undershirt and put it on. I then checked out my closet to see what I could wear. Unfortunately, I didn’t own a suit. Never could afford one. Perhaps with my new job I might be able to finally acquire one.

Owning a suit was a necessity at the time, everyone wore one. Even Jimmy, the newspaper boy, wore one selling papers. It was the fashion back then. I needed to look my upmost best. I did, however, own a green vest, black dress pants, a dark brown leather jacket and a few different ties to go with my button up shirts.

I pulled a light blue shirt, and black pants off the hanger in the closet, which made them swing back-and-forth on the bar erratically. After laying the clothes on my bed, I went back into my closet to look for my green vest.

“Ughhh, where the hell are you?” I said out loud as I frantically flipped through my wardrobe like a deck of cards.

“Ahhh there you are.” I continued uttering, while taking it off the hanger and placing it on my bed next to the rest of the clothes.

I then looked for a tie that I kept rolled up neatly next to my sleeveless shirts in my second drawer of my dresser. The choices were either plain navy blue, a light green, and a light brown color. Another option I had were mixed colors. The first option was a white and brown with a slanted stripe pattern. The secondary option was a checkered green and beige pattern. And lastly a tricolor option with light green, blue and red stripes, crisscrossing each other randomly into an interesting pattern.

I chose the green, white, and brown stripe pattern and the tricolor pattern. By placing them on the shirt and then placing the vest on top of both, I could get an idea of which looks best.

“Ok which one should I choose.” I muttered with my hand on my chin, thinking.

“I think I will go with the tricolor option.”

In my mind I thought the tricolor gave off a “he seems like a nice, fun guy” kinda look. At least that’s what I hope it communicated. After putting everything on I began to feel my nerves settling in.

“Is this the wrong tie?”

“What if she hates it?”

“Perhaps something a little bit more casual?”

“She’s completely out of my league.” I thought to myself nervously.

With a hopeful smile, “but then again, she did say yes.”

“I just need to stop overthinking and go to the diner.” I said to myself trying to shake off the nerves.

At that point I grabbed my wallet and keys, then proceeded to the apartment door. To finish my look, I grabbed my brown leather jacket and my green cabbie hat from the closet, then headed out. As I was locking up, I caught Jacob on my way out.

“Hey, good morning Thomas!”

“How are you doing this morning?” Jacob asked while carrying a box of chains.

Once a month Jacob takes care of his brother’s dogs for him while he leaves on business trips. Feeding them and I assume with the chains, he takes them on walks. He always leaves a day early because of the long drive where he’s headed, according to him anyway. He just leaves for a week or so and comes back once his brother returns.

He asked me a while ago to grab his mail for him while he was away. He didn’t want his mail box to fill up while he was gone. Since the landlord got on his ass about it a few times prior already. I agreed to help of course and since then we been friends. Always having a drink at my place once he returned to grab his mail from me.

He threw his box on his shoulder while waiting for me to finish locking up.

While peeking over my shoulder, “hey, good morning Jacob, that time of the month again I see.” I replied while sliding my key in the lock.

“That time of the month?” He asked rather confused.

“Yea I see your box of chains.”

“Time to dog sit for your brother, correct?” I explained while turning back around and continued to lock up.

“Ahhh yes, quite right.” He replied.

“So where you headed all dressed up?” He later added.

“Oh ummm, just a coffee date.”

“Ahhhhh, just a coffee date you say!” He replied intrigued.

“Do I know this dame?”

“Is she from the building.” He asked, trying to get as much intel he could out of me.

“Haha…no, you don’t know her and no she isn’t from our building.” I answered laughing.

While elbowing me in my arm, “well, come on, spill it, who is she then?” He laughed while walking with me down the hall.

While putting my jacket on, “haha just a woman I met on a job interview at the docks.”

“Her name is Silvia.” I replied with a chipper smile.

“Ahhh, well….with that look on your face, sounds like she’s quite the beauty.”

“Haha yes she is quite beautiful.”

Abruptly changing the subject, “listen, I overheard Tim talking to you about Mr. Tanaka and then mentioning me.”

“What was that all about?”

“He’s going around the building asking people about you.”

“About me?”

“Why.” I asked puzzled.

“Like, have you seen anything suspicious going on with you and just talking shit but I handled it.”

“What kind of things was he saying about me and what did you tell him?”

“Like something just feels off about you or something.” He explained.

“I honestly just ignored him because I know who you are and it’s not what he is spewing.”

“I told him the only person who is off in this damn building, is him.”

“That he focuses on people’s lives more than he fixes things around here, like your number for instance or my damn sink that still drips constantly.” He continued.

“He didn’t take it very well and stormed off like a little child in a toy store that couldn’t get their way, haha!” He added happily.

While placing my hand on his shoulder, “Hahaha, thank you for that.”

“God I seriously don’t know what his issue is with me.” I replied in discussed.

“I know, and everyone here knows it.” He replied while we both made our way down the steps.

“Hell, even Mr. Tanaka knew what an ass he has been to you, God rest his soul.” He added calmly.

“Thanks, I appreciate that.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“The guy is just a good for nothing horses ass.” He added angrily.

There was an uncomfortable silence between us after that. As we made our way down, the silence felt symbolic in nature to honor Tanaka. A silence that lasted the whole way down to the main floor. The creaking sounds of the steps below our feet, did all the talking.

“Well hey I gotta go, I’ll catch you when I get back.”

“Grab my mail for me, yea?” He asked while heading out the door of the building.

“You got it boss.” I replied.

“Oh hey, by the way.”

“Yea?”

“Best of luck on your date.” He added with a wink.

“Haha thanks I’m gonna need it!” I replied nervously.

“I want the juicy details when I get back, haha!” He sneakily added!

“You got it; take care!”

“You too, see you later. He replied while walking out the door.

Moments later I straightened my tie while looking at my reflection in the glass door and walked out with confidence towards the diner across the street. The smell of freshly baked pancakes was in the air, more than likely from the diner. The gentle kiss of the cool air hit my cheeks chillingly. Leaves danced helplessly in the wind as they started falling off their branches. Fall was definitely here and soon the coldness of Old Man Winter will surely follow and soon.

Chapter Text

As I walked across the street, I noticed Jimmy selling newspapers in front of the diner. As always, he loudly announced the day's headline to attract potential buyers as they went about their morning routines.

“EXTRA…. EXTRA…. READ ALL ABOUT IT!” he shouted. “SUPREME COURT JUDGE CRATER MISSING!” he continued.

Joseph Force Crater was a New York State Supreme Court Judge appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, who mysteriously disappeared the same year. He had been dining at a restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen and when it was time to leave, he got into a taxi, informing the driver that he was late for a Broadway show. After waving goodbye to his dining companions, he drove off. That evening marked the last time Crater was ever seen, and his disappearance remains an unsolved mystery to this day.

“Hey, Jimmy! How's it going?” I said, playfuly tapping his shoulder lightly with the back of my hand. “I hope you’re not working too hard.”

“Hey Thomas!” he replied, chuckling softly. “Not any more than usual, heh!” He then continued to announce the headline.

“I’ll take one of those,” I said as I rummaged through my pockets for a couple of cents. “Here you go.” I added, holding out the change in my palm.

“Thanks, Thomas. Here’s your paper,” he said, handing me the folded newspaper secured with a single rubber band.

“No problem!” I replied. “See you later, kid!” I called out as I walked toward the diner.

The wind suddenly intensified, making the leaves swirl in the air like pieces of newspaper. A delicious scent floated in with the gusts, drawing my attention. At first, I thought it was Louise’s mouthwatering apple pies, but there was also a delicate whiff of vanilla. The aroma was heavenly, reminiscent of homemade pancakes.

“Is that perfume I detect?” I wondered, confused.

As I stepped into the diner, a small bell tinkled above the door. The scent remained strong in the air. I breathed in the sweet fragrance, tilting my head up as if I were a crazed hound on a scent trail. I settled into a booth by a large window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Silvia as she passed by.

A waitress came up to my table with a notepad and pencil in hand, greeting me with a bright smile. “Good morning, Sir! What can I get for you?” she asked cheerfully.

She lightly touched the pencil tip to her tongue, then opened her notepad to a blank page. With her hand and pencil poised, she focused her gaze on me, patiently awaiting my reply.

“Good morning, Miss.” “Could I please have a coffee with cream and two sugars for now?” I asked politely.

“Absolutely!” “One coffee with cream and two sugars, understood!” she responded. “I’ll be right back with your coffee!” she added, quickly writing my order in her notepad.

“Thank you.” I said as she walked away.

She took care of a few other customers, noting their orders and serving dishes fresh from the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned with a coffee cup and saucer in hand.

She then set it down in front of me on the table, saying, “Here you go, one cup of coffee with cream and two sugars. Enjoy!” She smiled as she spoke. “Just give me a shout when you’re ready to order something else,” she added cheerfully while turning away to assist other customers.

“Thank you!” I replied. “All right, will do,” I added quickly, raising my voice just a bit so she could hear me.

The coffee appeared very hot, with steam rising from the swirling light brown liquid. A spoon with two sugar cubes rested precariously on the saucer, waiting for me to add them. With a quick plop, I dropped them in, watching as they sank to the bottom like stones in water. I gently stirred the sugar cubes with the spoon, waiting for them to dissolve before taking my first sip.

I looked out the window while I stirred my coffee, observing the people as they went about their daily routines, unaware of the secret yet perilous world we all inhabit. After years of seeking answers, an unforeseen veil had lifted overnight, leaving me with more questions than before.

Suddenly, a realization struck me hard. Each person passing by could either be human or a possible creature thought to exist only in stories.

"Is that how it functions?" I mused as I mixed my coffee. "Are they concealing themselves right in front of us?" I pondered further.

Moments later, the sound of high heels could be heard approaching the diner steadily. It was so close that I turned to check if someone was beside me, but oddly, no one was there. My ears must have been picking up sounds from further away. The sweet fragrance I had been noticing intensified as well, becoming intoxicatingly pleasant. Suddenly, the bell on the diner's door jingled, and it swung open.

The source of that delightful scent entered the diner. The click of her heels echoed against the freshly mopped tiles as she walked in confidently, her back turned to me as she looked over the patrons enjoying breakfast while reading the morning paper.

“Who is this woman?” I wondered to myself.

She gradually turned her head toward the other side of the diner where I was seated, scanning the room until her stunning eyes met mine.

She beamed with excitement as she waved her medium-sized purse and called out, “Thomas!”

It was Silvia, wearing a green and white short-sleeve flared dress. The top featured a white v-neck collar that accentuated her uplifted bustline, presumably to grab my attention. The skirt fell to a medium length just below her knees, flaring out and cinched at the waist with a thin black belt. Her black high heels beautifully complemented her legs, I must say.

“Hey Silvia, good morning!” I responded with a smile. “How are you?” I added casually.

“Good morning to you too.” “I’m doing well, how about you?” she asked casually as she settled into the chair opposite me.

“Not too bad, can’t complain,” I answered with a smile.

Honestly, I was as nervous as a stray cat. My leg was bouncing up and down like a rabbit. Dating was all new to me. I sat there feeling awkward and quiet at first, unsure of what to say or how to behave. After a moment of discomfort, I finally gathered the courage to speak up.

As I watched her glance around, I asked nervously, “So, have you been here before?”

“Actually, no, I haven’t. It’s really nice!” she responded. “And the music is great too!” she added.

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorite diners in the city!” I said happily. “Plus, it’s nice being just across the street from it, heh!” I laughed as I took a sip of my coffee.

"Ah, that's right!" she exclaimed, pointing out the window at my building. "You live in the building where the murderer was just a few days ago, right?"

"Yeah, that's right," I responded. "The victim, Mr. Tanaka, was my neighbor. He lived just a few doors down from mine."

"Oh my God, that must have been terrifying!" she said in shock. "Were you home when it happened?" she asked, intrigued.

"No, thankfully I wasn't," I replied, relief evident in my voice. "Actually, I was on my way home from my interview with your uncle," I added, nervously rubbing the back of my head.

"Right! I heard that went well!" she said with a smirk, biting her lip slightly.

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to working with the company and with you," I replied with a smile.

As soon as I said "and you," her heart started to race wildly. My gaze immediately locked onto her neck, like I was using binoculars. Her jugular veins pulsed with excitement from those two simple words. I followed the pulsations down to her jugular notch. Her collarbones jutted out from her v-neck shirt, which I found incredibly alluring.

However, her facial expression was misleading. The rapid beat of her heart conveyed a completely different story than what her face suggested, which I found quite intriguing. It was as if those words barely affected her, yet her heart was stirred.

"Why is she concealing this?" I wondered to myself.

"We're excited to have you join us," she remarked, with a slight smile.

A moment later, the waitress from earlier approached our table. "Good morning! What can I get for you?" she asked as she prepared to write down our orders.

The sound of the waitress's voice brought me back from my thoughts and heightened curiosity.

"Good morning! Would it be possible for me to have some tea, please?" she replied cheerfully.

"Of course, you can!" the waitress smiled as she noted her request.

"Um, could we also have menus, please?" I politely inquired, noticing that our table didn't have any.

"Sure thing!" she replied, scanning the area for two menus. "I'll grab a couple from the front counter and be right back," she said as she headed off.

Just as swiftly as she had left, she returned with the menus in her hands, saying, “Here you go, dears,” as she set them down on the table.

“Thank you!” I responded.

“Thank you so much,” Silvia chimed in.

“Not a problem, just let me know when you’re ready,” she said as she walked away to assist other customers.

We sat there, focused, looking at the beautifully arranged menus in our hands. The selection ranged from toast and jams. To sausage and eggs, pancakes and bacon. Even fruits. Everything sounded both delightful and indulgent, almost too good to be true. In the end, the fragrance of Silvia's perfume lured me towards something that was, let’s say, rather sweet!

“So, have you decided what you want to order?” I asked with curiosity.

"Yes, I believe I have," she said, gently resting her finger on her bottom lip as she contemplated.

I waved to the waitress to come over to our table. She was at the front counter, pouring coffee into a cup for a customer from the pot she had just brewed. Coffee ran out quickly at the diner, even during hard times, as many people stopped by for a cup before starting their day. Some were familiar regulars who had tabs open to settle their bills later on.

Approaching our table casually, she asked, “Ready to order, dears?” with her notepad in hand, prepared to write down our choices.

“Umm, I’ll have... theeeeee... Flapjack Squealers,” I said, struggling to recall the name.

“Got it,” she responded, jotting it down. “Would you like me to refill your coffee while you wait?” she added.

“Yes, please,” I answered with a smile.

“Alright, what about you, dear?” the waitress inquired, waiting for Silvia's reply.

“Ummm... I’ll have the Egg-Streme Omelet, haha, that’s clever,” Silvia said with a laugh before continuing, “Could I also get a slice of toast with strawberry jam, please?” she added politely.

“Sure thing!” the waitress responded. “I’ll bring you your tea and a coffee refill shortly.”

“Thank you,” I said after taking another sip of my coffee.

“Yes, thanks!” Silvia echoed.

Louise had a knack for giving amusing names to the menu items to attract her customers, but it seemed to me that she aimed more at bringing smiles to children. She was a kind-hearted woman, always ready to help those in need, even when she herself required assistance. Such generosity is rare in today’s society.

The “Flapjack Squealers” consisted of three pancakes topped with bits of crispy bacon. I guess the term “squealers” was a reference to the sounds that pigs make, ha ha. To finish it off, they were drizzled with sweet maple syrup.

Silvia's order for the “Egg-Streme Omelet” was a clever twist on the name of an Extreme Omelet. Essentially, it was an oversized omelet packed with a variety of ingredients. It came with two scrambled eggs, cheese, vegetables, herbs, chives, and sausage.

"Of course, dear," she responded before heading to the counter to grab the coffee pot and relay the orders to the chef in the back.

As she returned to our table, she cheerfully said, "Here you go," while she filled my lukewarm coffee cup to the brim.

"Thank you!" I replied gratefully.

"You're welcome," she responded before walking away.

"So... tell me about yourself," Silvia inquired with interest.

"There's not much to say really," I answered. "As you already know, I worked at Gilbert's grocery, and I grew up in foster care," I added with a hint of distress.

“Oh my, foster care?” she asked rhetorically.

“Yea, I was in and out of them since I was a young boy.” I added softly. “I lost my parents, which feels like yesterday, but rather a long time ago to a car accident.” I added sadly.

“I’m so sorry, my condolences.” Silvia replied suddenly.

"I really appreciate that, thank you," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "That day when they discovered me tends to replay in my mind like a movie on a loop every now and then," I remarked, rather vaguely.

“They?” She asked puzzled.

“Oh, I apologize, it was the police officers who found me at the Inn where we were staying,” I replied while reliving the past.

“I understand, and I'm really sorry to hear that,” she said compassionately. “It must have been difficult to move so frequently,” she added.

“Yea it was, they were always doing some odd jobs here and there, so we moved around a lot and never stayed put for two long, unfortunately.” I explained.

“Not even a single friend?” she inquired.

“Not at all, unfortunately!” I responded, feeling down. “But I'm glad to say I have friends now,” I added with a smile.

“Wow, that's hard to believe,” she said in astonishment. “But I'm really glad you have some now.” She happily replied.

“Yes,” I replied, followed by an uncomfortable pause.

"Anyway, that's enough about me; I'm curious to hear about you," I remarked with interest.

I relaxed in my seat, one hand on the table while the other grazed the handle of my coffee cup before I took a sip. In that moment, I focused intently on her, eager to listen to what she was going to say.

"Well, as you know, I work with my uncle," she laughed, playfully referencing my earlier response. "But during my free time, I enjoy going to the movies and dancing!" she said with a smile.

Ah, so she has a good sense of humor—that's refreshing! I mused. It's rare to come across someone who's more than just a pretty face, at least in my experience. The women I've encountered over the years tended to be overly confident, snobbish, or just plain unkind, which I found really unappealing. Which is one reason why I never got out there or open up.

I believe that a woman's worth is measured by more than just her looks; her personality is essential. Does she show care and compassion for me and those around her, instead of being self-absorbed and biased? Some of the most beautiful women can have unpleasant personalities, so to me, character is what I prioritize.

A short while later, the waitress returned with our food, "Here you are, darlings!" she exclaimed, smiling. "One Flapjack Squealer drizzled with syrup for you, and for you, an Egg-Streme Omelet served with a slice of toast and strawberry jam!" She responded as she placed the plates in front of us on the table.

"Thank you," we both said with smiles.

"You're welcome, enjoy!" she said while placing the clean utensils from her serving plate onto the table next to ours. After that, she went on to assist other customers.

Chapter Text

Steam rose from our plates, resembling the gentle wisps of smoke from an extinguished flame. We carefully unfolded our utensils, which had been neatly wrapped in a napkin, and began to eat our meals. As soon as I took my first bite, it felt like I had been transported to paradise. The blend of sweet and salty flavors was absolutely delightful. It was like enjoying your favorite dish for the first time, only to find an even greater appreciation with every bite that followed.

In a moment, my taste buds sprang to life, stirring up memories that were not my own. As I shut my eyes, vivid visuals began to form. Initially hazy, they became sharper with each bite I took. I envisioned a vast forest populated by maple trees. Soon, a man appeared, using a hammer to tap a spout into one of the trees to collect the sweet maple in a bucket.

"Could these memories be from the forest that once produced this sweet elixir?" I contemplated while sipping my coffee.

"So... how is it?" I asked Silvia, breaking the silence.

"Huh?" she replied confused, looking up at me.

"How’s the food?" I continued, smiling.

"Oh, umm... if I had to pick a word, I’d say, egg-cellent!" she answered happily, giggling and making an 'OK' gesture with her hand. "What about yours?" she then inquired with interest.

"Ha ha, I see what you did there, I bet Louise would have loved that!” I chuckled. “It’s delicious, I love their food here; in my opinion, it's the best in the city," I answered. "Would you like to try some of my flapjacks?" I offered.

"Absolutely!" She said enthusiastically.

With my fork, I cut a triangular slice from my flapjack and dipped it in the syrup, scooping up some bacon bits that were floating in the sweet brown mixture. I positioned my hand under the fork to catch any drips, making sure not to stain her dress or make a mess on the table. As I leaned in closer, she mirrored my movements and leaned toward me too.

As I brought the fork closer to her lips, she opened her mouth, eager for a taste. I fed her the piece, observing as the flapjack made contact with her tongue. She gazed into my eyes with a hint of seduction while closing her mouth around the fork. Her eyes closed shut as I cautiously withdrew the fork from her luscious lips. My gaze drifted towards them like a moth to the flame.

Her scent was captivating, and I savored every breath of it as she approached. Of course, I didn’t want to appear like a creep who smells people, so I simply complimented her.

“Mmmmm,” she murmured. “That was really delicious,” she added as I settled back into my chair.

"I'm glad you liked it," I replied.

"Would you like to try a bite of my omelet?" she asked kindly.

"Certainly," I responded. "If I may, your perfume is truly captivating; what is it?" I complimented.

As I observed her cutting a piece of her omelet with her fork, she replied, "Thank you! It’s Blue Grass by Elizabeth Arden. I love it because it has a subtle hint of vanilla."

“It's my pleasure. Ah yes, I can definitely detect that vanilla; it's delightful,” I remarked.

“I'm glad you think so!” she said, smiling.

Once she had the triangular egg on her fork, she cupped it and leaned closer to me. In turn, I leaned toward her, opening my mouth to accept the piece of omelet as if participating in communion.

“Mmmm…. Wow… this omelet is amazing!” I exclaimed. “Louise definitely knows her stuff,” I continued.

While smiling, she added, "I totally agree."

We were still savoring our meals and enjoying each other's company when, out of the blue, I heard a female voice softly call my name.

“Thomasssssss!” it murmured, resembling a soft spirit drifting in on the prevailing breeze.

In an effort to avoid appearing startled or irrational, I ignored the strange voice, convincing myself that it was merely a figment of my imagination.

But then I heard it again, “Thomasssssss.” The voice repeated profoundly.

The voice sent shivers down my spine and raised the hair on my neck. I looked around the diner, listening intently, trying to identify the person behind that voice that clearly knew me. I concentrated on the discussions happening around me and turned to look over my shoulders, hoping to locate the origin of that eerie voice, but saw nothing. Just then, while I was scanning outside the window in my search, Silvia caught sight of me.

"Are you looking for someone?" she questioned with a hint of confusion in her voice.

"Oh… um, I’m sorry... what did you say?" I answered, tripping over my words.

"I asked if you were looking for someone." She inquired again, clearly eager for my answer.

"Oh, um, it’s nothing," I responded. "I just noticed something dart by the window out of the corner of my eye; it was probably just a bird or a leaf," I went on to clarify.

"Ah yes of course; the leaves are certainly beginning to change and fall aren’t they?," she remarked. "Is that your favorite season?" she inquired to keep the discussion going.

"Well, somewhat, but only at the beginning when the leaves start to change," I responded.

"Oh, so I take it that fall isn't your favorite season?" She asked, appearing confused.

“Ehhhh, kind of, I just wish it would last a bit longer is all," I said. "Mother Nature has an incredible ability to produce stunning landscapes in autumn, which I truly admire but that beauty disappears once the leaves fall."

“Ahhh, I totally agree; the beautiful colors of autumn are stunning and it’s sad to see it go so quick every year," she commented.

“Yes, exactly.” I replied. "However, if I had to choose one, I'd definitely choose summer," I continued.

"Oh, and what makes summer your favorite?" she questioned, intrigued.

"I'm pretty sure you'll just laugh at me if I share," I said with a playful grin.

She looked at me with intent, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I promise I won't laugh. Just tell me," she urged, eager for my response.

"When I wrap up work or have some time off, I frequently stop by the docks near your workplace to watch the sunset," I confessed, a bit embarrassed. "I just can't resist how beautiful the colors in the sky are sometimes."

She sat with her elbows on the table, supporting her head with her arms, her hands gently pressing against her soft, rosy cheeks as she leaned in to listen closely. While I spoke, her eyes subtly explored my face, showing that she was focused on me but occasionally drifting to examine other features.

"I've come to see it as one of life's many overlooked wonders," I explained. "Some people might think that all experiences are the same, but there are times when Mother Nature shows us something so extraordinary that it leaves you breathless." I went on, "It's those small moments that I truly cherish, much like the autumn and winter landscapes Mother Nature provides."

"Ah, I understand... so you're a romantic; I find that quite charming!" She said with a smile, biting her lip afterward.

"You do?" I asked, taken aback.

"Definitely! It's not often you meet someone with their own viewpoints," she replied. "Honestly, it's quite refreshing!" She added.

"Really, hmmm" I responded, still pondering.

"Is something bothering you, handsome?" She asked teasingly, smiling at me.

After a difficult swallow, I stuttered, "Uh...no, not at all." I replied. “I was just considering how any other woman might think what I said was a bit immature, but not you,” I replied truthfully. “Like I’m just some boy with his head in the clouds or something.” I explained.

"Not at all," she responded swiftly. "Never think that,” she quickly added.

“Most men these days are focused on money and the losses they suffered from the crash, but you're different." She explained. "You’re really quite down-to-earth, even if some people believe you have your head in the clouds, hehe!" She playfully teased to ease my worries.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I said, "Ha ha, come on, you said you wouldn't laugh!" I laughed.

While smiling, "I'm not laughing at you; I just find it cute," she said, giggling with her eyes closed and hand over her lips.

"So that's why you were at the docks that day you came in for your interview — you were there to see the sunset," she later added.

"Yes, but before I got the opportunity to see it, I..." I started to reply, but then I paused mid-sentence. "I promised Carlos that I wouldn't mention anything." I said, feeling embarrassed for even bringing it up.

“It’s alright you can tell me.” She added concerned.

Feeling embarrassed, I responded, “The poor guy almost ran me over.”

“Oh, did he really...?” She responded, her tone laced with both anger and worry. “I truly regret to hear that.”

“Please, don’t be harsh with him or let him go. He shared the entire situation with me,” I responded, feeling remorseful.

“Oh, and what did he tell you?” she asked, intrigued.

"He mentioned that one of your employees hasn't come in for several days, so he's been covering for him while he's been MIA," I explained. "I suppose the poor guy has been trying to train himself as he navigates through the day." "He still says he's getting used to the machine," I added for clarification.

“Yes, that is correct,” she answered. “But he should have handled it more cautiously,” she added.

"I see where he's coming from though, and I share his sentiment," I replied. "I've used those machines in my previous jobs, and they can be quite difficult to master if you're not completely confident in your abilities." I elaborated, "It's not something you can easily learn by yourself in just a week."

"I understand." She felt embarrassed to learn that one of their employees was having difficulty managing on their own without being properly trained.

"So please don’t let me be the reason he gets fired; it was just a simple mistake, and I'm fine," I urged. "The only thing that got hurt was my pride, ha ha," I said with a chuckle.

With a small giggle, “Okay, let’s keep this just between us then,” she replied quietly.

“Agreed.” I replied with a smile!

“Thomassssss!” the voice echoed again like a whisper.

I looked around, focusing on Silvia, but I couldn’t find anyone who matched the voice. I wondered where it was coming from and how it knew my name.

"Moreover, if it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have found out that your uncle was looking to hire," I remarked.

"Ah, I remember you mentioning that he recommended you!" She said with enthusiasm. "That's wonderful news!" "I may have to thank him later for that and for a few other reasons, hehe!" She added with a mischievous grin.

“Say… Um… would you like to join me sometime to watch the sunset?” I asked hopefully.

My question made her heart race, and she replied eagerly, “That sounds wonderful!”

"Thomasssssss," the voice echoed again.

With a smile, I responded, “Wonderful! I can’t wait.” I replied disregarding the voice.

“I feel the same way, hehe,” she said with a smile, giggling to herself.

“So what’s your favorite season?” I asked politely.

"I really enjoy spring for its new beginnings and winter for the snow," she said cheerfully.

“Ahhh yes winter snow scenes, definitely a favorite too.” I replied.

“Excuse me dears, are you both done so I can collect your plates?” The waitress inquired.

“Yes, I think we are!” I answered. “The food was incredible!” Silvia replied with a smile.

"That's wonderful! I hope you both had a good time," she said cheerfully as she picked up the plates.

While looking at each other, "we certainly did! Thank you very much!" I responded.

"Ah, that's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it!" She said with a smile. "I'll be back shortly with the check," she added as she walked away with the plates.

While I waited, I finished the last of my coffee and pushed the cup to the edge of the table for the waitress to collect when she returns. The poor woman was overwhelmed, with just two servers attending to the tables—her and another. She was incredibly kind to Silvia and me, providing us with excellent service. Although I was currently tight on money, I still wanted to give her a generous tip.

"Alright, here it is, you two," she said as she returned with the bill, placing it on the table. “Are you done with your tea my dear?” She kindly asked Silvia.

"Ah, of course, my apologies," she replied as she took her last few sips of tea, "thank you Mam." She later added.

"There's no need to apologize, dear; it's my pleasure," she responded. With a smile, she added, "Make sure to come back again, you two!" as she gathered our cups and headed back to the kitchen.

We collected our things and moved to the front counter. I took my wallet from my back pocket, extracted the total amount due, and included a little extra for our wonderful waitress. She emerged from the kitchen with a cheerful expression.

“Are you two all set?” She asked with interest.

“Yes, ma’am!” I replied with a big smile. “Here is what I owe, and the rest is for you. Thank you for being so incredibly kind to us!” I said as I placed the money in her hand.

“It’s my pleasure dear, and thank you for the generous tip,” she said gratefully.

As we approached the front doors, the voice echoed again with a chilling tone as the doorbell rang, saying, “Thomasssss.”

What on earth does this voice want from me? I wondered, considering there hasn’t been a single suspicious person around all morning. What could they possibly want? However, I couldn’t ask without seeming like a lunatic who has just escaped from a mental institution. So, I decided to wait till I was alone before diving into this metaphorical rabbit hole with a voice that might or might not exist.

“I really enjoyed this, we definitely should do this again sometime.” She replied happily.

"I did too," I said with a smile. "We definitely should; maybe this time we can have dinner and then take a walk by the docks to watch the sunset." I suggested with hope, secretly crossing my fingers behind my back.

“That sounds wonderful!” She added cheerfully.

“Great, how’s next Friday sound; say six? That way we have an hour before the sun starts to set!” I asked, wondering if the date and time suited her schedule.

"That sounds wonderful to me; it's a date!" she responded, her face lighting up with a smile.

I could hear her heart started to pump extensively while setting up our next date. Hell even mine was, as much as I was nervous. I felt like I was hit with the biggest confidence boost.

"Fantastic!" I exclaimed, grinning back. "I'll see you next Friday!"

"Catch you next Friday!" She said, sending me a kiss as she turned to leave.

I watched her walk down the street, turning back for a brief moment to give me one last glance. She smiled and waved. Naturally, I waved back, but by the time she turned around and continued on her way, she had disappeared into the crowd. I couldn't contain my excitement after getting a second date and let out a joyful cheer. I may have looked a bit foolish, but I didn't mind at all.

The thrill was quickly extinguished when that eerie voice persisted, dragging out my name: "Thomasssss."

“Who are you?” I asked softly. “What do you want?” I demanded, hoping that the mysterious figure could hear me.

In an even more unsettling tone, it warned, “Beware, SHE….is coming!”

Chapter Text

“Who?” I called out to the expansive blue sky, my voice soaring through the cool morning air like a confused owl greeting the dawn. “Who is coming?” I pressed on, as the whispers of curiosity danced playfully with the breeze.

While I stood there, many people passed by, looking at me with such disdain that their indifference felt like a chilling wind, as if I were just a ghost haunting their path. Yet, I couldn't blame them; I felt a bit lost myself. After all, how often do people deal with unsettling whispers from an unseen realm? I couldn't determine if these whispers were echoes from beyond or simply figments of a psychic connection.

Nevertheless, given all that I had discovered in the mysterious depths of the Rose Vault, such ideas didn’t seem too far-fetched. At least not any longer, and I have only just begun to explore what is truly possible.

Following my delightful breakfast date with Silvia, I returned to my apartment. My thoughts were swimming in a sea of reflection. As I ascended the staircase of the building, the creaking floorboards seemed to resonate with the chaos of questions racing through my mind, each one equally creaking for answers.

"Where was this voice coming from, and who might have such a gift?" I contemplated, my curiosity igniting my imagination. "Is this merely another aspect of my vampiric abilities?" I mused, feeling a sense of awareness beginning to emerge within me.

The woman’s voice carried a calm yet powerful resonance, both comforting and captivating. It felt almost supernatural, as though my senses had transcended the ordinary realm and touched the intangible. However, it could also be the disconcerting influence of someone who knows about my abilities, aiming to shake my confidence. I believe that the secrets I seek are hidden within my parents’ book, ready to be revealed. But at that moment, I needed to put those persistent thoughts aside.

In the stillness of my apartment, I found myself caught in the delicate web of anticipation. Each tick of the clock resonated like the soft echo of footsteps reverberating through an empty corridor. With my newfound hearing abilities, the ticking of the clock became quite bothersome—something I barely noticed before. In an unintentional effort to disregard the clock by focusing on something different, I found myself immersed in a heightened state of awareness, enhancing my listening skills. Almost like tuning into a radio frequencies of an FM radio.

With my senses on alert, I listened intently for the ghostly murmur of the woman, her ominous warnings igniting a thrill within me. It wasn’t fear that drove me, but an enthralling curiosity urging me to unravel the enigmas hidden in her otherworldly speech. Unfortunately, I was met only with a chilling emptiness, akin to the static of a radio tuning between frequencies.

As I listened to the sounds around me, I walked through the apartment, transforming clutter into order. During my childhood, I was never very neat; clothes often found their way onto the floor and chairs, abandoning their designated spots. My parents, often busy with their “jobs,” paid little attention to keeping things orderly, permitting me to explore a whimsical disorder that I created myself.

It was at Gilbert's Grocery that I discovered a deep passion for cleanliness and organization. Mastering the art of maintaining a spotless, well-stocked grocery store was quite challenging. However, this thrilling experience provided me with an abundance of skills and knowledge that I now cherish as a badge of pride. Meeting the Gilberts felt like a perfect alignment of fate, and I am truly grateful for the positive influence they have had on my life.

I was almost done when I caught the scent of blood from the bloodstained shirt I had carelessly tossed on the floor a few days ago. I must have overlooked it as it ended up under my dresser, out of sight. I stared at it, fascinated by how my nose could pick up such a scent from afar.

The smell changed in an unexpected manner. It wasn’t the same essence I remembered. To ordinary people, blood smelled like iron, with a metallic tang that hung in the air. But at that moment, it drifted toward me like the sweet, intoxicating nectar of a vineyard.

I held it up to my nose, inhaling the scent deeply with every breath. How odd, I mused. Here I was, in my apartment, smelling my own bloodstained shirt. I imagined I looked just as unhinged as I felt. What drove me to sniff it like a hound was beyond my understanding. It felt as if my primal instincts had taken charge, leaving me powerless, which could be quite unsettling for others if I wasn't careful.

With a quick flick of my wrist, I sent it to the bottom of the trash bin and continued my whirlwind of cleaning. I was moving through life at a pace that felt unfamiliar. The world around me seemed to hold its breath, caught in a captivating stillness. It was a mixture of excitement and calm, a thrilling interplay of speed and tranquility.

In my perception, cleaning became a finely-tuned ballet, each action a graceful movement in a personal performance. To an observer, though, I appeared as a blur of vibrant energy, a colorful streak zipping through space like a superhero. Hours later the clock in my apartment struck three; time flew by so quickly, hardly pausing for a breath.

“SHIT…. I’m late!” I shouted.

I finished arranging my apartment, got dressed in fresh clothes, and left my neat little haven to head to the diner. The streets were lively in the afternoon, even more so than they had been earlier that morning. It was challenging to find a gap in the steady flow of traffic in both directions. Finally, I saw my chance and began to cross. While halfway across, a car sped up and nearly hit me.

While hitting his breaks, “HEY…WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING, DIPSHIT!” The man shouted angrily, leaning out of the window and waving his fist viciously in the air.

“NO, YOU WATCH IT, ASSHOLE.” I yelled back as I walked past his rusty beat up 1920’s piece of shit Chevy.

The car displayed indications of being in several accidents and was rusted, indicating that he had obviously failed to take care of it. I sensed he was eager to lash out at me further, but destiny had different intentions. The driver behind him was persistently honking aggressively, urging him to "hurry up."

"Yeah... perhaps you should pay attention to the driver behind you, alright buddy?" "We don't want to cause any more accidents to this ‘stallion’ you got here.” I said sarcastically, smirking as I playfully slapped the roof of his car on the passenger side and walked away.

Ultimately, he sped off furiously, his face flushed with anger. Just moments later, a police officer approached from behind and stopped him to issue a ticket. Whenever I can disrupt someone's reckless actions, it feels like a double win for me. Karma caught up with this guy fast, especially when he received his just desserts.

As I walked into the diner, the lively tunes from the jukebox immediately grabbed my attention. It was upbeat and snappy, just how I liked it. The bell above the door chimed as usual, but its sound was drowned out by the music but I heard it clearly.

“Hey Thomas, welcome back!” Judy, the waitress, greeted me warmly.

"Thank you!" I replied with a grin!

“Ah, I thought I heard someone mention Thomas!” A man at the table in a booth near the window interrupted.

“Hey Detective Stone!” I replied. “Long time no see!”

I walked over to his table and sat down. He had on a dark blue pinstriped suit and a coordinating hat, which he had placed on his beige trench coat that was casually laid out at the end of the table. As I sat, he grabbed them and placed it on the empty seat next to him in the booth.

"I'm really happy to see ya, kid! It's been quite some time!" Stone exclaimed enthusiastically.

"It certainly has," I responded with a grin.

"So, how have you been?" He inquired out of the blue. "The last I heard, you were moving to a new place."

"Heh, which time?" I chuckled sarcastically. "I've been moving in and out of homes for as long as I can recall," I explained further.

"I'm really sorry to hear that; I can't fathom what you experienced after losing your parents," he said kindly.

"It’s alright," I replied. "As soon as I turned eighteen, I went out on my own," I continued!

"What did you do then?" he inquired with interest.

"I take pride in my job as a stocker at Gilbert's Grocery.” "At least for the time being," I explained.

“Wha…..”

Just as Detective Stone was on the verge of posing another question, a waitress approached our table to take our orders.

“Hi, what can I get you gentlemen this evening?” She asked nonchalantly.

“What do you recommend?” Stone inquired.

“Well, tonight’s special is Slugburgers and French-fried potatoes!” She responded with a cheerful smile.

“That sounds perfect!” “I’ll have that then,” I replied.

“I’ll go with the same, Mam” Stone added.

“Great and what would you like to drink?” She quickly inquired.

“Uh… I’ll have a Root Beer, please.” I replied.

“Got it,” she said. “And for you, sir?” she asked, preparing to jot it down in her notepad.

“A coffee will be fine for me; thank you,” He answered.

“Well alright then.” She replied with a smile. “I’ll be right back with your drinks while you wait.”

As she turned to leave, I asked Stone, "What were you going to say?"

"Oh, umm... you mentioned 'for the time being.' Does that mean you're not going to be with them much longer?" He inquired, curious about my vague comment.

"Yes, I had to look for a new job because my terrible landlord threatened to evict me if I didn't start paying the increased rent," I explained. "Unfortunately, when I spoke with the Gilberts about it, they couldn't meet my needs."

“Oh I’m sorry to hear they wouldn’t help you.” He added.

"It's not that they wouldn't be willing to help me; they would if they had the means." I responded. "The issue is that they can't due to the tough times we're all facing caused by the ‘crash’.” I replied referring to the stock market crash of 1929. Also known as “The Great Depression.”

"I get it; they’re struggling financially as well," he said, glancing downward. "They're probably going to end up closing, am I right?" He spoke as if he already knew what was going to happen.

"Yes, unfortunately, they are," I replied, taken aback by his prediction. “They informed me about it just before I went on my two days off.”

“Yea that’s what I figured, many people are.” "It’s such a shame; they've been around for quite a while, if I recall," he added. "It's tough to watch good people have to shut down their business."

“Yea it is.” I replied with a heavy heart.

The Gilberts are more than just good individuals; they embody the heart and soul of the community. If the heart and soul were to perish, so too would the community itself. I’m unsure if the community could withstand such a loss. The uncomfortable silence that hung between us was swiftly broken, much to our relief, by the waitress.

"Here you go, boys!" she exclaimed as she delivered our drinks. "Your burgers will be ready soon," she added with a smile before walking away.

"Um... so, have you found any clues about who killed my neighbor, Tanaka?" I inquired straightforwardly.

“Nothing concrete at the moment,” he responded. “The investigation is still underway but we have our suspicions.”

“I see.” I replied curiously.

I intended to ask him for more details, but I refrained, aware that he couldn’t share his findings with just anyone—particularly not with an old acquaintance from the past. I'll allow him to share whatever he feels comfortable telling me.

“But honestly, I think their suspicions are horseshit.” He suddenly added while getting out a cigarette and a box of matches from his jacket pocket next to him on the seat.

With a puzzled expression, I inquired, "What leads you to believe that?"

As he ignited his cigarette, he mumbled "mmm" during the process. "I hope you don't mind," he said after taking a puff and blowing out the smoke.

In silence, I simply shook my head no in response. I could sense that discussing it was likely causing him distress or about to. I could hear his heart to starting to race.

"As a detective, I've seen many things over the years.” “Seeing what people are capable of, the evil they can inflict on anyone," he explained. "This case and the one’s similar to it are entirely different than what I’m accustomed to." He added while taking a puff of his cigarette.

If Officer Stone lived in this time seeing what people are capable of today, he’d go mad because of the person he was. He’d certainly wonder what the hell happened to us as a society, like I have over the years but that’s all past me now because I’m no longer one of them.

"In what way?" I asked, paying close attention.

"This isn't the first instance I've encountered a victim like this," he mentioned, sipping his coffee.

"So there are others," I responded, my astonishment evident in my tone.

"Yes, sadly, your neighbor Tanaka was just the latest case," he said softly, making sure no one else was listening.

I started to wonder who else might be involved. I hadn’t seen any news articles or heard anyone mention it in passing. Were they keeping things quiet to prevent a panic? Something strange was happening, and I was determined to find out the truth. Then, out of nowhere, he dropped this bombshell on me.

"Two of them you already know," he said unexpectedly, taking another puff of his cigarette.

"Two of them I know?" I replied, taken aback.

"Yes, your parents…." He answered.