Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
The steady, monotone clicking of the black cat clock attached to the wall on the far side of the room was the only noise that echoed throughout the old flat. Six-Thirty P.M.; the clock read and its ticking droned onwards. Its tail and yellow eyes swayed back and forth with every noise it made.
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
Somber, grey clouds passed by the open window nearby. It was as if the moon itself didn't want to appear on this particular night. The light wisp of smoke from a recently lit cigarette rose out of the overflowing ashtray on the windowsill with an empty pack of cigarettes close-by. It would be the last cigarette he would ever light.
"My name is Russel Hobbs. I live alone in this old two-bedroom flat. I rarely go outside. Some would say it's a lonely life and I guess that's true, but I don't like people's company. Not lately, anyway. I only trust my cats these days and I'll miss them dearly…"
"But they will understand, like they always have…"
Wide, yellow eyes of a spotted cat stared back at him from a distance. Both of the two were silent as they locked their sights on one another. "Katsu stays with me 'till the end. He watches me, as if he knew…"
"Because earlier tonight I swallowed a bunch of pills…"
"They're legal, of course. Prescribed by my doctor for my sleeping problems. But I've taken thirty-four of them. All I could find in my cabinet."
"Any second now, I will be dead. I feel calm. I'm ready for it. I've only got one thing to say now…"
"Thanks for nothing. Goodbye."
As he faded away, those unwavering eyes continued to stare at him and time marched on.
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.