VC – Chapter 0.5
October 2018 – When I met Patrick – Part 1
I woke up .. again, and again I had the same twisted bad dream. This recurrent vision that does not sleep, that does not go away. "The night was warm, I sat there watching the stars, for what I thought it would be the last time and then the cold of the steel touching my skin …. the blood, all the blood." STOP, I've to stop this, *sighs* I've to feed.
I opened the fridge while checking my phone, Damn I getting low in supplies, only two bags left, I have to meet him again. One of the unread messages caught my eye, Erin Carter the media boss, what does she wants with me, "Meet me, asap. You know where to find me". I really don't feel like meeting you today, but I think I have to, right?
After eating, I grabbed some clothes, my backpack and left *sighs, I do miss my coffee*. The Bus was on time, *fucker*, didn't even have time for a fag. The Bus was pretty empty, less than a hand of sleepy meat bags spreading around the seats, diving on their phones, with headphones on. I like it this way, everyone is too busy to pay attention, or to notice something. Two stops ahead, a few more got in, roaring, probably in their way from a pub to another, laughing, looking so happy, so empty of meaning, so dull. I'll probably be late, but I am walking the rest of the way.
As I was walking side by side with the Liffey, I wondered what Erin would want. Why would a "suit" all fancy self-absorbed woman like Erin could possibly want from me? Well, I am sure she didn't invite me for tea, she probably wants something done, but what? Probably I should have replied to her, but saying what?
Finally, I arrived.
I'm at the door, raise my hand and knock. Some guy opened it. Patrick is his name, *seems to enjoy my Chuck the doll t-shirt*, he looks tense, Erin too, something is happening, she looks more serious than usual. I close the door.
Erin: This is Tris, please take a seat. I was going to stay by the door, but…
Me: OK. And took a seat, wondering if we were waiting for someone else, there was still an empty chair.
Erin: It looks like the third person is not coming *can she read my mind?*, he'll have to give me a very good explanation for not being here today. *Boring … it's just boring listening to this kind of bullshit*. Tris *Why me? Ohh I just arrived and looks like she wants to make her point …* please tell me the most important rule of the Camarilla.
Me: Well there are a lot of important rules, but… ahh. but maybe the most important is "Don't tell anyone about us"? Patrick looked like he was enjoying this, with his smiley face.
Erin: Yes, very good. You see Patrick (I was right and he was struggling, I wonder why?) we have to make sure we take care of our business, I have to tell the right story always, so please do what I ask you to do and take Tris along. *Damn, I can't go back home I see*.
Me: Yes, we will, as I immediately got up and walked towards the door. Too much on the air inside the room, some fresh air would help.
After leaving the room he filled me up on what we were supposed to do and guided us to his car. *So he has a car, of course, mid 40's, clean shaven, well presented, roughly, denim style if you can call it like that (white runners, jeans and a superhero t-shirt), much nerdier than denim, I should follow trends more, NOT. I suggested we went to the hospital first, but Patrick preferred the crash site first, and off we went. Not much talk on the way, he asked what music I would like to ear, The Prodigy I said. He did not like it, but he didn't complain also, *I am sure it was not on his playlist, took a while to search for it on his tablet*. He emanates that fatherly trust, like he had control on life *this almost made me laugh, like I could … ever*.
Eventually, we arrived, I felt the car slowing down, stealing my attention away from the sea *so beautiful, an immense ocean of sadness*. The car stopped, in front, the Garda barriers still standing, outlining the right area *I wonder if she did it herself …, of course not, let's focus here*. We both left the car, the cold silence of the night was appeaser. Patrick immediately started to look around, examining every detail, holding dearly to his tablet, like it was part of his arm, *who is this guy?*. I like to start slow, take my time focusing. There were tyre marks very near the edge, at the bottom of the gulf something looking like a car door. But where is the car? Already recovered? *Finally found my pack of cigarettes, *sighs*. As I was going for one, suddenly Patrick looked agitated, I could feel his jitters, almost like he had been possessed, heedless, he rushed back to the car, I barely had time to get in, as he started the car and ripped off as fast as possible, *he didn't even place is tablet on the right place, throwing it to my feet*, something went wrong, but what exactly?
After a couple of minutes, always at high speed:
Me: Stop the car.
Me: Hey, stop the fucking car. Still nothing…
Me: STOP NOW. Finally, he stopped.
Me: What happened back there?
Patrick: Ohh, nothing really, let's just go to the next place.
Me: What? Take us back.
Patrick: Look I think we should just move to the next place, where do you think we should go next?
Me: *You are not telling … right..* Where is the hospital exactly?
Patrick: St. Mitchel's in … *Wait, really? That sounds good, I am low in supplies anyway so, why not*.
Me: Let's go to the hospital then, or the Garda dep. whatever…..
He drove. No music this time. No small talk. Well, it couldn't get much better than this… But something was bothering me. I sensed something very different from Patrick when he freaked out, and what exactly did he see…
We arrived, *my favorite food store*, the outside was quiet…
Me: Hey Patrick, I know someone here. That person will help us get what we need. But…
Patrick: So let's go then.
Me: … You stay here, and I will take care of it.
Patrick: What, you are going alone? No. Why?
Me: Come on, let me take care of this.
Patrick: Why exactly do you want to go alone?
Me: Tell me something Patrick, what happened back there? Why did you run away?
Patrick: … Me: I fell that you don't really trust me yet to tell, so … just give me some time.
I picked up my phone and dialed the number … Hey, it's me, I'm at the door, are you free, I need you… OK, give a couple of minutes.
Me: So Patrick, give me ten minutes and I will be back, OK? And stay here.
Patrick: If something happens, give me a shout. *Looks like my dad .. well I never had one exactly but.. it looks like he cares*
Me: Will do.
On the corridors, hanging on chairs, laying on the floor, coughing, vomiting, crying, I could feel life being slightly ripped away, endless fading from its hosts. In this part of the hospital the cold lights were dim, lifeless, *I think it makes sense. At the end it's a morgue, but…*. Behind the door in front of me, a feeble life…
Me: Here you are, how's life?
MG: Hey, nice to see you again *are you sure?*, what can I do for you?
Me: Something happened, someone was brought in, a victim from an accident… I need to have a look at the reports and maybe check on the body… *I soften my voice here, looking directly to his eyes, overcoming my shyness…*, please?
MG: Sure, I can do that for you, who exactly are you looking for? When did it happen? *Fuck, I don't know that, do I? Why didn't I ask Patrick… all I could think was getting my supplies…
Me: Bear with me for a second here. I called Patrick… Me: No, No nothing happened… Tell me, who are looking for exactly? Please give all the details you can think about.
MG: OK, I will get the reports, just give me a couple of seconds, in the meantime, you can check the bodies right next room.
Me: Thanks I will, and in your way can you fix me with one or two bags? I am running low on supplies.
MG: I will see what I can do.
And he went off. Let's check the bodies then…*sigh, I really don't feel like it, but … fuck Erin*.
Approaching the door, through the window I saw Joseph *What the hell is he doing here?, I had a feeling this was not going to be an easy task, but why, why did Erin ask us to do this?*. I slowly got in, coordinated feathery moves, *not that I don't want to be noticed …*. *sigh* I've been noticed.
Joseph: Hi Tris! I let myself stop behind him *safe distance?*, looking over his shoulder.
Me: Hi there Joseph, not expecting to find you here! Something important?
Joseph: Why? You forgot what I do for a living? *Right, this guy is an emergency driver for the hospital, at least it's the story that everyone believes to be true like I didn't know him better…*.
Me: Right .. right, so busy night?
Joseph: She is not here, You losing your time.
Me: What do you mean? I only stopped by for supplies.
Joseph: Hey Tris, you don't have to lie all the time you know, like you don't trust anyone. *Fucking shammer, calling me a liar .. but he is right, I don't trust … I … I trust, I can trust her … can I? If only …*
Me: *I feel doleful, empty, *sigh*, OK then, what's the story? Who's that?
Joseph: One of the bodies found on site. There is no work for me here, this time. Someone already took care of it.
Me: Humm, Any idea on who and why? *Not that I care, not the right dead person here, so …. done*.
Joseph: No. (Yes, you do, but you don't feel like sharing.. or you can't). Do you want the reports?
Me: I asked for them already.
Joseph: There you go, these ones will be the real ones, as for the others you asked, the official ones.
Me: Thanks. Patrick: Goodbye!
*Yeah, see you when I see you. I am sick of this already, if only Patrick was not such a crybaby…* I left the room to find MG waiting for me.
MG: Sorted? Did you speak to him?
Me: Did you get the reports?
MG: Y – Yes, there you go. *Humm, is there a problem?*
Me: And what about … (He interrupt me here)
MG: I have got what you asked, two actually. But you know, it was harder this time, the price raised a bit.
Me: Really? Harder? ( I felt something within, my senses taking over … MG is slightly trembling, his eyes looking at a distance, is forehead…*What is this feeling? I can almost smell fear, he.. ahh he's lying! Not even a good poker face *tsk*.
I reach him, smoothly touching his face, getting closer, my breasts pressing his arm, then his back, slipping my hand to his chin…
Me: You know something MG? (Whispering on his hear) Not long ago someone told me that you should not lie to your friends. Hurting them … is hurting yourself.
MG: I .. I'm sorry Tris. *I could hear his heart beating, loud, fast… Haa this feels so good..*, It's the usual price, as always.
Me: Thanks, I knew I could count on you. (Kissing him on his neck while leaving the quids on his uniform pocket).
I put both bags on my backpack and left with the reports, not looking back. Somehow I felt good, unstoppable, well, for a short time, before the effect wears out. I could become addicted to it, maybe or maybe not. There was Patrick, loyal to his word, waiting, diving deep on his tablet. Done I said, let's go. I just waited and followed him to his car.