Tall buildings, so different from one another, reflected the beauty of each neighborhood. Centuries of grand design and sculpture came to create that iconic cityscape, the buildings galloped up to the sky and Justin cocked his head up to admire the skyline, the warm sun beaming down on his face as he leant back on the chilling metal seat. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to bask in the sun. His newfound relief easing his anxieties, Harper had only been back in his life for six-teen hours, but he already felt like his old self. Like everything was returning to how it should be.
The noises of the street were the heartbeat of the city, as Justin listened to the rhythm of the car engines parading up and down, he misheard Max approaching him. He stood for a moment watching his brother lounging in the autumn sun before violently clearing the mucus clinging in his throat, Justin's eyes peered open and he observed Max standing above him holding two coffee cups and smirking amusingly to himself, "are you relaxed sir?"
Justin sat up in his seat and reached for his drink before placing it on to the slanting table in front of him, "I just got bored waiting…"
"I'm not complaining, I just didn't realise I'd been promoted to your personal waiter Professor."
"Stop with the Professor stuff," Justin cringed, "I'm not at work."
"Sorry, I just assumed having a personal waiter was just one of the benefits of being in charge of the Wizard World," Max slumped down in the seat opposite Justin's giving a loud moan as his back scraped across the dented metal backrest. "Speaking of the wizard world, have you heard from anybody?"
Justin shook his head, "no and it can stay that way. We have bigger problems to deal with, work can wait. Did Harper definitely say to meet here?"
"There can't be any other coffee shops in this area, I think they were all burnt down."
"I knew it was a bad idea, we've just got Harper back we shouldn't have made her rush into this. Besides, Mason hasn't spoke to use since the funeral what makes us think he'll want to see us?"
"I don't know dude, but it's got to be worth a try, right?"
Justin shrugged his shoulders, peering down the street in an attempt to distract himself from his worries Justin's eyes widened as Harper scurried along the everlasting sidewalk. The street was a conveyor belt, forcing Harper's dainty legs to keep moving but the faster she moved the further away the two brothers seemed to be. A feeling of nausea and electric tingles spread through Harper's side as the stitch burned inside her, as she took the final steps towards the Russo's her head buzzed and her heart raced. She clutched one of the empty metal chairs near the table and grasped the cold metal, forcing the fresh air into her aching lungs Harper panted breathlessly as she waved to the brothers.
"I'm… sorry." Inhaling dramatically, she then continued, "I got held up at work. An old lady dropped a jar of hot sauce, and I couldn't leave until it was all cleared up."
"No problem, so are we ready?" Max probed, Justin felt a little apprehensive and this emotion was mirrored in Harper and Max but he still led the way. Charging across the street, with the others in tow, Justin entered the apartment building and straight into the empty elevator ready and waiting for them.
The ride up was long and silent. Justin remained fixated on the reflecting doors in front of him whilst Harper looked to her feet, unsure of what to say in fear that she would make the situation more awkward. Max was not oblivious to the intense atmosphere surrounding him, he was however less concerned about showing his true feelings. He felt the need to move, constantly throughout the whole trip up his limbs writhed around ranging from small jitters to larger movements. When Max was moving the anxiety seemed to disappear, or at least he could ignore it for awhile. The persistent tapping of his foot on the lino floor soothed him, much to Justin and Harper's dismay.
A small bell chimed above them as the elevator came to a harsh stop, once the doors dragged open everyone stepped out. Feeling hesitant, they took in the unfamiliar surroundings. The hallway had the same dull personality as the lobby and elevator. The cold floor was slate grey, and the walls dove, polystyrene squares lay on the ceiling above along with gloomy lighting. Commercial building prints were plastered on the wall, tasteful in the dreary kind of way apart from the random etchings of graffiti littered around the poster. Harper glanced at the large plastic numbers above every door, dark with white lettering- no fancy fonts, just big and bold.
A cold shiver shot down her spine as an uneasy feeling riled up in her stomach, "this is so weird," she whispered. "Just think, if things were different we'd be coming to visit Alex here…"
"She was so excited to move in here," Justin let a small sigh escape his lips, "I can't believe Mason moved in on his own."
"Well let's see if he stayed." Max approached the chipped door, looking up at the bold numbers reading 208 he struck his cold knuckle on to the hard wood.
Every remained silent and waited eagerly for an answer. "We should have called him before showing up," Justin whispered, "we might spook him."
"It'll be fine, I'll just try again." Max pounded on the door three times, then again. He waited a brief moment before spotting a dark shadow glide past the crack under the door. With every footstep the floorboards gave an unearthly shriek, the steps were not strident and without even seeing what was happening on the other side of the door Max knew Mason was trying to hide. The shadow shifted every few steps, edging further away from the doorway, Max clenched his fist and knocked again.
Justin's face fell, "useless," he muttered, turning to Harper he noticed her bottom lip jutted out she was a picture of misery, nothing at all like the girl he once knew. As he tentatively reached out to take her hand the door swung open revealing Mason leaning against the doorframe. His angry eyes were a pain untold. Slightly masked by strands of his wavey locks, so reflective in the light, he sneered at the others.
Harper took a step back, hiding behind Justin's built frame, her stomach fluttered with nerves. This was not the Mason she knew. Harper gazed at his new attire, once so well presented and modest, he now wore baggy grey sweats and stood in the doorway with his torso on display. Harper felt her cheeks burn a deep red as she tried to avoid the gaze of his defined muscles. Justin stared intently at the faded scars across Mason's sides, presumably from years of transforming into his wolf form. His complexion was colder than snow and the dark circles under his eyes were illuminated by his pasty sunken cheeks, Mason scratched the thin layer of stubble spread along his jaw. He didn't speak, instead, he gave a weak smile before it quickly disappeared and his tired gaze lowered to the ground.
"Hey dude," Justin began, "how are you? We haven't heard from you since the funeral."
"Okay thanks," Mason choked, his voice trembling. "I've just been busy."
An awkward atmosphere quickly arose, feeling suddenly brave Harper approached Mason and engulfed him in hug which he failed to return. He stood uneasily in her arms before shrugging his shoulders to release himself from her grasp, "we've missed you," Harper told him softly.
Mason failed to respond, instead he simply nodded his head, "what do you want?" He whispered coldly ignoring any eye contact from the others.
"To see if you're ok," Max started, "and to ask-"
"Max!" Justin scolded, "don't you think we should ease him into this before we ask any questions?"
"What questions?"
Mason lifted his gaze from the floor and glared deep into Justin's eyes, an uncomfortable feeling passed through Justin as a cold sweat formed on the back of his neck. He stuttered profusely before finally he managed to utter, "we've seen Alex…"
Mason stared at Justin blankly.
"Well, we think we have…" Justin inhaled the cold air, "we've all seen what we think is Alex's ghost. We thought you might have too?"
Mason shown no response at all, his dark eyes shifted back to the floor and he whispered, "don't be ridiculous."
"Mason, we know it sounds crazy," Harper began.
"No, it's not crazy it's pathetic. I need to go," Mason announced turning to go back inside.
"No wait," Justin pleaded but an unfamiliar noise caught him off guard.
"Mason?" A faint female voice chimed from inside the apartment, everyone froze as their hearts sunk in disappointment and hurt, Justin's eyes burned into Mason as his fists clenched tightly. It took him everything he had not to let his anger completely take over him, only in fear that he'd do something he'd regret. "Mason?" She called again, her voice dainty and tuneful, Mason daren't look up from the floor.
"I'm sorry," he whispered before going in his apartment and slamming the door quickly behind him.
Mason rushed through his apartment into his bedroom, he pulled his door closed and rested up against the chilled wood. Softly he repeatedly hit the back of his head against the surface, squeezing his eyes shut, he felt his heart pound in his chest as panic started to set in.
Why did they have to visit?
Why did she have to be here?
What should he do next?
"Mason, are you ok?"
Mason took some calming breaths before opening his eyes and smiling down at her, "fine love. Just tired." He slid back into bed and pulled the thick duvet over their bare bodies, wrapping his arm around her petite frame, he pulled her close to him so that they were touching and whilst running his fingers through her silky hair he smiled contently.
"What's up?" she giggled.
"Nothing, it's just nice having you all to myself."
She gave another flirtatious giggle and before planting her soft lips on to his she whispered tenderly, "I love you Mason."
"I love you too Alex…"
