She breathed hard, her legs sprinting to their fullest. She couldn't seem to stop running. The belt of the treadmill sped in her opposing direction, but failed to trap her in its bind. She continued hard and strong, watching the rain pour from the sky as she stared blankly out the window. She frowned.
I could be doing this outside. She let out a sigh, and looked away from the window. She wasn't going to complain. Being let out of work for an afternoon isn't something most businesses do, especially if it isn't too important.
Then again, she just barely made it safely to the black and white floor of the salon when she fell. Or more like fainting. It was that strange feeling inside of her. Almost identical to what she felt when she received visions, only more painful. It didn't feel right.
She blinked, realizing she had dozed off into her own little words of flashbacks. She gasped, and hastily glanced at her watch.
"4:01…? Where is he?" she said out loud.
The telephone rattled on the kitchen counter. She set the machine to a halt and picked up telephone.
"Hello?"
"Hitomi! It's Marina."
The worry line in Hitomi's forehead deepened at the tense tone of her co-worker.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yeah. Um, I think I may be over-reacting but…some strange guy came in today. He was asking for you and…well, I turned my back for a second – and I mean only a second – and the guy was gone. He was by the front desk, I'm sure. My address book is gone. I think he might have taken it." The line was silent. "I just wanted to make sure nothing happened over there."
"I see." Hitomi bit her lip. "Well, uh, I'm okay, thanks."
"No problem, Hitomi. But promise me you'll phone right away if anything terrible happens!"
"Okay, I will." There was silence, and Hitomi waited for a reply. "…Anything else?"
"…Oh, yeah. The school called awhile ago."
"Uh-huh?" she replied attentively.
"I guess they're having some trouble with Ty."
Hitomi sighed in aggravation. "Okay, thanks, Marina."
"See you tomorrow."
Hitomi hung up the phone and pulled out the hair-tie. Her waist length, dirty blond hair flowed gracefully down her back and shook around as she headed to her bedroom in a hurried pace.
"What this time?" she grumbled.
* *
Hitomi rushed out of the apartment building, carefully trying to jog in her flip-flops and short skirt. She covered her head with the hooded jacket she wore to shelter most of her body from the pouring rain. She constantly reminded herself what an inconvenience it was having the car in the repair shop. Luckily, the school was less than a block away and she made it without getting completely drenched.
Two figures sat right outside the front office. The little boy with the shaggy black hair kicked his hovering legs back and forth between the wide distance from the chair to the floor. He looked up, glanced at Hitomi, and glared viciously at the plump lady standing next to him. Hitomi forced a smile at the principal and hurried to the little boy.
"Miss Kanzaki. I'm glad you could make it."
Hitomi kneeled in front of the child. "What happened, huh Ty?" she asked gingerly. The little boy was silent, a stubborn frown glued to his face. The Principal took over.
"He got into another fight with some of the boys from the other grade one class. We've had him at the office since recess."
She looked up in shock. "Another fight?" Hitomi cleared the bangs from the boy's face. "Why, Ty?"
"Miss Kanzaki, if you're son continues to do nothing but raise havoc over this school, I'm afraid will have to dismiss him from school for a week or so."
"What? You mean, suspending him?"
The principal nodded, her dark brown eyes almost cruel looking as if she were enjoying testifying the punishment.
"But he's only seven! I'm sure he didn't mean it."
"Oh, he meant it all right! He gave two boys a bloody nose, plus numerous scratches on another three."
Hitomi sighed and stood up. She took the little boy's hand.
"I'll be sure to punish him in a suitable matter."
The child stared at his mother in disbelief with his auburn eyes. Hitomi placed her hand over his head and lead him out the front doors of the school.
Walking down the streets and trailing over the gentle pattering of the rain, the two of them were silent. As they reached the apartment, a shiny silver car waited on the curb, leaning on it was a female figure hooded with a pink cloak.
"Marina?" Hitomi called, quickening her pace.
The woman turned around and smiled, her perfect, straight teeth lighting up the streets. She held a small hand purse and a jingling pair of keys in her hands.
"You left these at work."
Hitomi grinned. "Oh yeah." She took hold of the items. "You want to come in for something?"
"No, that's alright. I've got to head back to the salon."
Hitomi blinked. "You're not walking, are you?"
Marina pointed to the beaten up car in front of Hitomi's. "I came over here once I heard that the towers would only release the car if someone was here to take ownership." She rolled her eyes. "Damn grease balls."
Ty giggled.
"Thanks so much, Marina!" Hitomi gave her a hug. "God, it's so nice to have you around."
"Of course it is," she grinned. Hitomi smiled. "Talk to you soon, Hitomi. Later, dude," she waved to Ty. He smiled and waved back. She disappeared in her car and drove noisily around the corner.
Hitomi shivered and rubbed her arms. "Boy, is it ever cold out here!"
Ty nodded silently.
Hitomi paused, then responded cheerfully, "Why don't we go get some hot chocolate from the coffee shop?" already preparing her keys and opening the passenger door.
His auburn eyes beamed happily and he leaped into the seat. Hitomi shut the door and hurried to the other side, muttering, "That, and a swig of vodka", before entering the vehicle.