V, 2022.
He had been the last to step off of the growling bus, and the smell of exhaust had immediately filled his nose. The small, and large backs of different people had split off into different directions. Harry was frozen under the central city buildings that looked down on him. Dirt bronze shoes tapped against the concrete at a moderate pace. Ahead of him, buses were driving to a stop to drop off another load of people. Some joined Harry in front of him, and beside him in his walk. Others again went off on the opposite path. Harry feared his hand accidentally being touched by the stranger next to him, his resonating paces nearly lining up with his, and let his pockets that were woven into his midnight slacks cradle his hands.
The uniform acted as the glue holding over his solemn countenance. The rich city was littered with numerous buildings that had its brand built high over doors which were offering warm welcoming with "OPEN" signs. Moreover, Harry had walked past small salesmen that had been trying to lure people to buy whatever product they were selling. One even approached Harry with a gimmick you would see an auctioneer manifest with fast-talking and with fiery greed intentions. Harry hadn't even looked into the man's eyes. He blocked his words as it was a practice to do so every time he came down this street. Which were the streets owned by businesses.
He tugged his collar.
Despite Harry's inclination toward the immediate decline, he was still witness to the hungry people that fell for the gimmicks, and the pleasures. Today especially, there were bunches of people pouring into the interior of restaurants, grocery stores, and more personal businesses. But there was an emptiness that triumphed in his heart. His eyes couldn't communicate that there was something in those places worth chasing. That there was nothing that would perpetually close the distance. However, Harry did not actively try to pursue these things. The settling of this life now was enough. Time, job, and monetary gain helped him to sustain his lifestyle.
The sidewalk had cleared for a moment with few people walking by him. Off memory, his step had slowed into an eventual stop. He was the first to stand in the area that would launch him on the path to the other side of the road. The path in front of him was painted with giant white marks separated evenly, disappearing into the opposing corner of a widespread sidewalk. There were people waiting over there as well, Harry distracted himself with a searching gaze. He stood four bodies away from a glistening grey stop light that was built standing over him by a foot or two. Gradually, the reverberating passes of vehicles had been occasionally taken by the footsteps of others. Vehicles, then more footsteps. More vehicles, and now a crowd of people had grown around him. Harry tried his best to keep his arms clasped close to his ribcage so as to avoid any bumping. He stole a glance up at the light where the bright hand lit up on the screen's dark contrast. A small exhale slipped through his nostrils, and his eyes fell back on the other sidewalk awaiting him. However, despite his resistance, out of the corner of his eye, a noticeably bright, and small carriage with dirt-woven wheels stole him for a moment.
From the stroller, there were light sobs that got immediately got intense upon his acknowledgment. Louder, and louder. He tried his best to resist the outrage-
"WAHHHHHHHHHH!"
But quickly, he cut his head to the left to grab the features of a woman on the phone standing behind the stroller. His brows created a moderate conflict on his forehead as they furrowed together. He tried to refer to images of working at the restaurant. Harry could remember the faces of the employees despite entering their workstations a few times a week. He could remember the scent of greasy food, and he could remember red hair that was patiently waiting for his exit-
"WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!"
His body glitched to the piercing outcry of the child, and Harry felt hotness in his chest that he could not help but give into. Drawing a loathing glance at the woman who ignored the child, apparently, the best she could. He allowed himself to gaze upon the features of the duo a little more, his frustration told him to as he shot hopeful thoughts that something would come from the sky, and shut them up. Little legs were even kicking up furiously yet the mother's persistence to ignore the baby was what irritated Harry the most. As he thought more about this feeling, he registered the thoughts of the people around him. They must have felt the same way but they kept themselves intact. It would do no good to snap, and embarrass himself. As well as draw more attention. However, as he checked the light again, it felt like hours were being dropped on him. Slowly crushing the amount of patience he had to maintain.
He took another look at the light.
Patience, he reminded himself.
He took another glance.
Patience.
The baby's screaming kept assaulting his ears, and the evening wind whispered to rattle his bushy doe matted hair. He threw his eyes towards the horde of civilians walking on the sidewalk path diagonal to the one where he stood.
Just another minute.
"WAHHHHH!"
Today of all days.
He steered his head to stare at the baby, illustrating a light pink color with flower designs ridden on the sides. The mother looked to be about in her twenties with blonde hair falling down to her shoulders with signs of a recent cut among the ends. She grappled with her phone and kept scrolling and scrolling. Eyes, bored, and half covered, she could somehow easily ignore the child as if it were as easy as breathing. The crowd around them, mixed with civilians in formal clothing, mostly male, were mute. New York, known for its people with short tempers, and the busy scowls that took over their countenance, Harry would not have imagined someone not saying anything. His disbelief was further instilled by the expression among them. Not even a shred of emotion he shared- no irritable mannerisms or complaining which would accompany him.
Harry tried to flush himself in his head again before another cry. Soon this light would switch, and he would be on his way, he advised himself. Though, there was a feeling of dread that had taken his heart. After replaying the memories he held at work, contrasting memories of his life prior to it bled through. This job had kept him stable to afford him a mediocre living, and he was grateful enough for that. It was easy living.
But can I say...
He felt the giant buildings stare at him again. They were intense with glass that reacted with the confronting sun to give its shimmer.
Harry leaned forward just enough not to crash into the taller man in front of him. Past the five or so people that were horizontally lined up beside him, he made contact with the child again. Everything in his head went silent, and he became focused on his movement. But there was an inkling amount of discomfort that made him freeze. He thought he saw a short, dazzling, brunette woman that was a body away in front of him diagonally shoot a judging look towards him. With hesitance, his hand began to move upward.
Just wave. Just get the attention. Only to quiet the noise.
Was that man beside him looking at him funny? Hesitance took over him again.
It would be easy. Quick, he kept consoling. Then back to the road.
What would that woman think of him if he were caught? The questions kept stabbing him with decaying precision, each making his movement more restricted than the last. But he told himself to just get it over with for his sake. No one else.
But something had stopped him at that moment. His hand had frozen, and his body became strung by uneasiness. He slowly stood up straight, motivated by a feint but feeling memory, bouncing around in his mind, as flexible as a doe. Now, he could hear the people around him listening, and murmuring. Their voices became amplified, and Harry could sense ambition within their words. The usual business that would carry them tomorrow, and so forth. Prepared to reach their destination with intention of shifting their reality or enhancing it.
Harry's hand dropped. His back returned back to the usual small curl that gave him his posture, and both hands once again returned to his pockets with his jacket dancing to the breeze that greeted the area. Peering in between the shoulders of a man, and woman, buildings standing in front of him had become active with walking people instantly. A heated feeling molded in his chest. Each of his hands became tense and tense as he bawled his hands in furious progression.
"Yeah, I'll be there in a sec' Jessica," A man said behind him with a deep voice that could pass as a twenty-year-old, "Yeah, yeah, I'll make sure to buy a suit for the honeymoon- Love you, bye,"
His heart thrummed to the warmth building in his head.
"Supply is up by seventy percent sir, " A female voice affirmed, "Yes by the end of this week, we will be in the perfect spot,"
His jaw winced as he bit into his teeth.
Another voice, "Hurry up, I've got a kid to get to!" Laughter erupted through the air.
From behind him, "Love you too, dad!"
Just this once.
Another, "Be safe, and don't talk to strangers!"
It would be easy. Then back on his path.
A soft promise, "I'll be home soon,"
Harry felt the power start to coruscate through his body. The tension in his hands had dissipated underneath an immense feeling that he slowly gave into. Then this power stretched through both of his arms, and he felt them go numb before being sedated with energy. He wanted it to be quick. He did not want them to suffer. It would be over before they knew it. In fact, he could be gone before any bystanders ever processed what happened.
He looked down at the concrete and then shut his eyes.
Every day he came down this street, at this time. It would be the same thing.
Over, and over, again. Do I have to do this?
His hands slumped in the warmth of his pockets, and the intensity of its power began to leave his body. Harry straightened himself back to the slight curl that had defined his posture, standing like a vulture about to fly. His eyes danced to the sides to see if anyone had noticed his near outbreak but everyone kept to themselves. The way he could still hear them brought forth a conflicted emotion. An emotion that gave the pit of his stomach a sickly feeling like eating a lot of sugary food. Though, this emotion was not enough to inspire that power again. Despite the feeling, Harry took no satisfaction in using it. Not always. Not ever.
"Are you okay?" The voice startled him enough to freeze his body but he assumed the soft probing voice could not have been talking to him. He kept himself attentive to the light above. Once he looked down, he saw that most of the people around him jogged the other side anyway, and he could sense a few presences looming around him. He felt relief that it was almost time.
"Sir?"
That was until she leaned in the corner of his eye.
Obvious surprise made his head turn abruptly. Her charcoal hair swiftly fell back as she recovered to her spot and then stood straight with her body, looking up at him now. His brown eyes met the blue. It was cut down to only extend, and cover her ears, as well as cover her pale forehead mostly with messy, and curly strands that resembled a tiger claw. Harry could reach his arm out, and still not touch her despite his long arms. However, the distance between them was respected by the people who were walking around them, and Harry was stuck in her wide-eyed glare. If she stood on her toes her forehead could reach his eyes but he still felt a twinge of intimidation. He took a quick look at her lithe figure. There was a white collared shirt, sleeves pulled up to her elbows, that was embraced by a dark dress, without sleeves, that was seemingly one piece. It shortened to expose the beginning of her thighs which were covered by dark stockings, and then, wrapped at the waist was a grey belt.
"I'm sorry to bother but you looked a bit troubled," She spoke with a tone that indicated eloquence, and proper manners. This was in contrast to the usual slang and formation of speech he had grown up with.
No words came to mind.
The woman with the baby carriage smothered the phone in between her neck and pushed the baby carriage with two hands. Harry noticed them leave after the crowd picked up the pace, and that the baby stopped crying. As if listening to the woman's alluring voice too. "You know, if you are ever wanting to win a woman's heart, you should be brave enough to take the first step. I am sure she would appreciate it." She spoke as clearly, and monotone as a text-to-speech robot but her voice was also lathered with interest.
But Harry was only momentarily distracted by it. He, almost as if second nature, returned to the usual scowl. "What makes you think that was my intention? You don't even know me," He stabbed, trying to scare her off. Her brown eyes were big and curious, a pair you'd see from a puppy, but she carried herself with a sternness that made her look firm. Like she was not going to move unless it was of her own volition.
She turned her body to face him now, her shoes not making a sound against the concrete, "I suppose you're right. Though, I was watching you for a while."
Harry shook his head incredulously and stared ahead again. He still felt her there.
"Were you expecting something from her? It seems like you caught got up in the moment."
"So now I'm getting a performance review by a stalker?"
"Maybe some respect would suffice,"
"Don't respect people I don't know, sorry."
She looked away, "Fair enough. I did not mean to come off rude, I tend to be honest."
He scoffed, "Well isn't that good for you,"
"But it was pitiful," Harry thought he heard a biting tone leveled. He pivoted his head slightly to look.
"In fact, it was the saddest thing I had ever seen,"
Harry thought bitterly that she was just insulting him now.
"We may be strangers but I can at least admit that."
"And what gives you the right? Who even are you?"
"I like to confront things that are interesting to me. Life is better that way. Hopefully, you can be the same, someday,"
He threw his body to turn, narrowed his eyes, and spat, "Listen, I don't know what they taught in psychology but my only hope, lady, was for that baby to shut up. I'm sure I wasn't alone- I was probably doing someone a favor! So go bother someone else 'cause... " Anger ate his words, frantically looking away to avoid judgment for his stumble. Then, he looked her in the eyes again," 'Cause I don't need your pity." He said this slowly.
Car horns filled the silence between the two. She had an unreadable expression on her face as if programmed not to give herself away. Harry was tempted to flee after saying his point but his eyes were snatched by a small curl that had grown ever so slightly on her lips. The herd was still moving around them yet her eyes still pinned him to his feet.
Now Harry noticed, that the smirk was not a smirk. Rather, a sad smile, and his features softened.
"The world could use a few more favors, right?"
Harry's lips parted slightly. He glared at her, irritation, and confusion colliding to create an expression. Who was this woman? Why was she so interested in him? After she said these words, she kept looking at him as if waiting for him to agree. No, Harry defused, as if he was some spectacular-looking animal. However, he merely felt an uncomfortable shift swim through his body. The temptation to walk away was thwarted but his stubbornness. He would not let this person get away with what she said so easily. Her puzzling look kept his words paralyzed from slipping harsh words from his mouth, and as he wrestled with it, his mind drifted back to his appearance. How he would be seen by the public. His hands were out of his pockets now he noticed. They were shuffled to escape as a result of his heating anger, and in a flash, he threw them back into the warmth.
Not worth it.
"So long, stranger," Were the parting words that attracted his stare. She moved to join the crowd that was escaping to the other side yet she walked at her own pace. Seemingly unbothered by the risk of the speeding cars that could slam into her small body, her hair swaying from left, and right in a calm fashion.
He looked up.
Missed the light.
Harry scolded himself for allowing her to get into his emotions - into his head, and he sighed. The world around him had seemingly calmed. He stood alone, with only the shoes hitting the pavement behind him, and cars moving hastily in accordance with the light. Harry again saw something out of the corner of his eye. This time, it was a black glove on the ground. Harry at first assumed it was something a woman would wear these days for style but it did not look fancy at all.
Was it hers? The question had entered his mind but he digressed. It could have been anyone's, and why had she entered his mind so easily?
But it sat in the same spot she left from. Cleaned, and still. His intuition told him it had to be. Harry turned towards it and began his approach. He scanned around for anyone looking at him oddly, the pressure to grab the glove lifting off him as easing realization led him. He would rather be safe than sorry at this point.
The glove was laying folded in a mess on top of itself. Harry got into a crouch, sitting on his toes then grabbing the glove with his right hand, and spreading it out with his left in duo. The wind fumbled around in his dark brown hair, pushing it back. It was clean despite it being on the floor, and it was designed well, its rich material creating a smooth surface. The size was not too big nor too small. Harry could fit his hand in there if he tried, but it would be snug and tight. He wouldn't dream of putting on her glove anyway.
As a matter of fact...
The glove was put inside his right pants pocket. There was a burning feeling that Harry succumbed to. It would be better if her glove was thrown in the trash like some meager product. It would give him some pleasure to be able to at least have that over the woman. A satisfactory punishment for talking to a stranger though he still blamed himself for giving into her game easily.
Once Harry crossed the street, he made a right, opposite where she walked when she made it across. Various people walked past him and walked with him underneath the shade that was created by thick wooden material as the ceiling and being upheld by metal poles that were struck down on the edge of the sidewalk. Its enormous size created an intimidating shadow on the street that was being run over by cars that came were speeding to the light he just left, barely overwhelming the pace at which the murmuring people of New York were walking. Their voices came in as they came close, they gradually fading out as he passed away. But Harry's ears became pressed on the commentary behind him, "Those freaks, and the fact that they spend OUR tax dollars on 'em.." Harry heard a scoff, followed by a,
"itsa' load of bull,"
He had walked four miles from where he saw that woman. Then he noticed, he kept mentioning her. She kept peering into his brain without even having a presence here. Her smile kept grabbings the strings of his mind. It almost made him forget the condescension she was showing towards him. Almost.
Was he sure that it showed such an emotion? That there was a weakness that somehow propelled that expression? What would it be for her? She dressed cordially, he remembered. He had made the inference that she could probably be some type of detective but he thought otherwise of it now. She looked too soft in the eyes - not like a hard, skeptical agent of the law. Her figure carried an easy face but he dreaded imagining those annoying, big brown eyes again. Moreover, she carried herse-
"GET THE HELL OUTTA' WAY!" Harry could only whip his body to dodge, and allow his shoulder to get pushed by the tremendous weight of a man that towered at least a head over him, eyes filled with anger over his shoulder as he trailed away, and Harry scrambled to regain himself to walk straight properly - seeing people in front of him look back at him in curiosity. He even saw a group of girls chuckle a the man's abrupt outrage, or at the way, Harry flinched away from the bald, bearded man.
He shrank into the collar of his shirt, and he felt the material of the glove rumble around in his pocket, hands trying to dig deeper inside.
Maybe it was the monster that subsided within him. Maybe that was what made him feel this impatience. But it was there, that distaste. Society had grown hostile towards his kind for a while now. He didn't think that he would be labeled alongside them after the hatred he had for Spider-Man. He hated the way things came back to him that way. After getting a taste of how it felt, he could understand. The weight of how people view you become heavier because you're supernatural. Many people, like his father, lust for that title. They want to feel strong, and out of the norm, and relish in it.
Harry, after several turns, and crossings on the streets, finally saw familiarity within two store complexes that stood across from each other. On the right sidewalk, opposite where Harry walked down, there were people that poured into a door that had a piercing light spread through the transparent, glass door On the sides were rectangular windows that were filled with white-clothed tables, and black wooden metal chairs sat around them. Harry could, like usual, make out the people devouring the food on their transparent glass plates. Anyone would be curious enough to take a dip inside the restaurant. Its ridiculous title, "OSBORN EATS", was especially alluring with the lights - which was what the letters were made of - that blinked on, and off every few seconds with delay.
Harry slipped his hands out of his pocket, adjusting the top buttons with his right hand. Had to make sure he still looked the part
"So long, stranger..."
A sigh was stolen from his mouth. The day would be short, and over with quickly, he told himself. He looked up at the sky. The afternoon sun sat among the ocean blue sky dotted with clouds. It had to be around three P.M. Nothing crazy ever happens around that time, at least, he assured himself.
He made jogged his way across the street when no cars were incoming. However, several other cars, that were parked along the sidewalk, were shielded by a white line that separated the driving road from the cars that were intending to park. He squeezed through the crack of two cars that persisted of a white van that had the restaurant's logo on it, and the front of a smaller blue car then took a step on the sidewalk. At the front door now, was a man dressed in a short-sleeve black collared shirt, and black slacks with black formal shoes like his own. Standing straight with broad shoulders, and his hands were folded over each other behind him. He was looking left and right but not checking the people that walked in. Harry questioned his purpose as he slowed his pace but shed the thought away.
As if waiting for his presence, the man's glare was layered with a degree of intensity that made Harry nearly recoil. His brown goatee, the only hair shown on him, pointed at him. Something told Harry to pick up the pace and hurry inside. But his intentions were met by an arm that made him freeze, several steps away from the door.
Great.
Harry mustered up the will to look the man in the eye, "Is there a problem?"
The man didn't answer.
Harry gestured to his face, "Bit of a pitiful look on my face?" He joked, "Been told I have that,"
"Your face is fine. Well for now it is," The man turned his body all the way to look at him.
"Listen, pal, I-"
"Show me your neck. Now."
Harry's features became hardened, "I work here."
"It doesn't matter! Show me, now!" Harry's shoulders stiffened at the man's outburst. He could feel the dozens of gazes and the people from inside glaring. There were also people behind him watching the squabble as they waited for entry.
Sighing, he replied, "C'mon, man, do we really have to-"
The man stepped closer, "Not them. Just you,"
Harry felt a slight flinch in his right hand. He had been in fights in high school but he can't remember if he had ever come out without something being bruised. He can't recall ever winning cleanly. Half of his mind was focused on the people around him too. There were no weapons he could use, nothing that would hurt the man greatly. From experience, he knew he had to react fast.
No, then I'd look like the bad guy! Of all the crap that could've happened today, why...
"Thought I told Hailey to clean up the mess," A voice quipped with heavy sarcasm. Harry wasn't sure if she was referring to him or the rabid stranger.
Leaning on the inside of the door gap while holding the door itself with a foot, was a woman with short crimson hair. Both of the men looked at her, and Harry could feel the tension cease. The hostile man had the expression of a child who had been caught doing something bad. He knew she worked here, and her challenging demeanor made him start to crumble. Eyes widen, and lips slightly parted, he looked back at Harry with equal shock and backed away from him, "It was nothing, miss. I was just checking if this guy was good for your store or not, that's all,"
"That guy happens to be an employee of this establishment, dumbass. Who made you the hero for our company?"
"I-I was just doin' you guys a favor-"
"Oh, thank god, you saved us from earning a profit off of food that people actually enjoy! We appreciate it, and I'm sure the asylum you escaped from does too!" She spat with mock gratitude. Harry thought he heard a few laughs behind him. But her belittling was replaced by a sharp tone, "Leave, or I call the police. Now."
Harry cast an eye at the man, countenance drawn with surprise. She had left him utterly speechless, and Harry felt some tension release from his shoulders.
It was quiet for a while. Murmuring in the line of people that had stacked behind Harry began. The man shot one last malevolent glare at Harry, and then back at the red-haired woman, who was waiting for his reaction.
"You're gonna need a need hero, one day. Spider-Man wouldn't have let this slide!"
Harry expected another cutting retort.
She stood up and held the door with her left arm. Several inquiring gazes peeked from inside the windows.
"Leave."
Harry thought the man would pull something. He stared at the manager for so long, without so much as a twitch of any part of his body. Harry thought maybe he could push the issue away further. He felt it was necessary to do so. There was an influx of anxiety that began to persuade him. Harry glanced at the stranger's right hand, and it bent to take the form of a stuttering fist. Harry replicated. He would need to move faster than he's ever done. The stranger dug his malevolent glare deep into the eyes of the red-haired woman but she did not succumb, returning the favor. But Harry saw his fast get shakier and shakier, his body became paralyzed in place, like a leopard waiting to pounce. Harry heard no murmurs that erupted from the crowd anymore.
The chance was thrown away.
The man pivoted his body, still looking at his manager, and began stepping away. It took him a while to leave, to break eye contact, like ripping off a scab. But his back turned to everyone, and eventually, he disappeared into the walking crowd.
Silence penetrated the air until she cleared her throat.
Everyone shifted their attention to the woman now with a soft smile plastered on her lips covered with dark red lipstick, and hands embracing each other in front of her chest. Harry thought it was a completely different woman from before. The joy was practically leaping in her eyes, and she stood straight with formality.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, everyone. Welcome to Osborn Eats! " Her smile and mannerism didn't change but in her eyes, she glared at Harry, and he got the message. He moved to the side, and she spread the door open with her back to allow a large slit. Harry thought she had lost the crowd as they had stared in bewilderment.
"The first ten customers gets a 50% discount on their first meal!"
They all rushed in.
When the herd cleared, it was just the two of them alone. Harry had taken a look in, he could see better now. Overheard lights were in view as they dangled over various tables and the ordering counter. Underneath everything, lingered rich, and clean brown marble. There were sets of tables and chairs in three vertical lines in the middle with the white sheets. In the back end of the interior, there were black, leather sofas that were pushed along the walls in their own sets. Each set had two sofas that sat on the left and right of one window.
But his attention was immediately taken by the shutting of the door, and the expectancy of the intense glare she had just given the man.
Without looking at him, she sighed, grabbing the end of a cigarette from her pocket, and a lighter from her left pocket. She had whipped away her customer service persona, never failing to impress Harry.
"You're late," She said before a small snap of the lighter emitted. Harry became suspicious of the low degree of harshness that was abstaining from her tone.
"Yeah, sorry, he got in my way. Was just about to-"
"You were already late before him,"
Silence.
"I can't keep covering for you, y'know." She was looking at him but Harry squirmed away from her gaze.
Harry nodded dismissively, fearing her irritation brewing, "I know, Gayle... I know, I just... I just live far away, and I'm not that good with time, I guess." He knew the excuse was weak. He could feel Gayle doing her signature narrowed, challenging eyes that could burn through a titanium wall. She had been more strict with him than any other employee. But she wasn't as cruel, and she didn't give him any hint of why. He's been working here for months, and he still couldn't figure her out. Though, it would be best if he hadn't tried at all. Considering her relations with a friend of his.
"But I..." He began nodding his head, feeling he at least owed her some appreciation, then mustered the strength to look her in the eyes, "Thank you... for the help."
Gayle held the cigarette in between her index finger and middle finger with her arm perked up. The cigarette stood still in front of her lips. Her eyes scanned for any type of uncertainty in his countenance, the glare of a hunting bird.
"I would hope you would do the same for your fellow employees,"
"I... yeah, I mean... yeah, if it ever came up, something would be done," Harry scoffed, "C'mon, I wouldn't be that low,"
"Wouldn't you?"
Harry was struck by her challenge. There was obvious animosity behind the way she asked him, and he tore himself away from where he already knew it came from.
She dropped the cigarette after one last puff and squashed it with her heel. Harry stole a look at her, and he could now see the faint traces of brown that lingered in her red hair. It was close to being messy with strands poking up at the back, and top of her head. Its length stretched down to the midsection of her neck. Harry saw young boys, and men throwing inspecting looks at her. She wore a green collared shirt with a black apron over it. Her pale legs were enriched by the short dress that could only peak underneath the apron. Her charm was the piece that made the restaurant amiable.
"Follow me,"
She had walked ahead as they crossed the clear street, squeezing through the same two cars Harry had come from. He could hear the hard impact of her heels hitting the pavement as he hurried behind her with his hands out. Her hands were flying back and forth in intense impatience like something had lit a fire under her. But he quickly realized where they were going. It was the other building that Harry had been looking for. It wasn't as decorated as the restaurant they left from, and anyone could see that in contrast as they stood across from each other. This building could also be mistaken for some building about to be abandoned with all the brown boxes, and lack of furniture. When they entered the building, there was a chill that he felt even through his jacket. No distinct smell that you would instantly relish at the other restaurant. It might as well have been a graveyard.
"We should be gaining more accessories by the end of this month. After we've traded all of these unused supplies, we'll be at an equilibrium," She turned around to make eye contact with him, "You've been doing some fine work here. I think you've earned the right," Walking to the middle of the room, she carried the box from its underside and placed it on top of another. There was a slew of them that were lined up against the wall, and a few that were on the ground in front of him. He'd bother to put them up later.
"And what right would that be?" Harry's eyes narrowed in agitation.
She continued stacking, walking back, and forth, "I'm going to be gone for a bit. Our partner restaurant needs some help down on 12th street."
"So you're leaving us?"
She stood in the middle of the room, clear, and open now, looking Harry in the eyes, "I'm leaving you to tend to them,"
Harry stepped forward with his left foot, "But I haven't been trained for something like that. Why does it have to be me?"
Her face crumbled up in confusion, "Because everyone else is too scared or inexperienced?" She said it as if that would be obvious, "No shit they wouldn't want to do it,"
His eyes narrowed, "I'm not?"
Arms crossed into each other, and she leaned forward slightly, poking, "Are you scared, Harry?"
For whatever pride Harry had left, the question flattened it and left it in the dust. The silence that lingered after it ushered him to snap out a quick retort but nothing would muster, and he escaped her gaze.
And she knew it. "I see. Well," She began walking to the door, her heels clicking off the floor. She walked past him just enough for Harry to get a whiff of the alluring perfume she applied to her body. "I wonder what you're father would think of you now,"
The door slammed behind him, and Harry was left to shift his gaze toward the floor. The muffled murmurs that came from outside made him twist his body around to look through the cracked blinds. Now, he could see the workers moving along with the trays, and communicating with sitting customers. His knees gradually began buckling underneath him, and he threw his back, exhaustion filling him, towards the wall. All he needed was a break. Just one.
He sat on the ground, arms laid out on his bent knees with a lowered head.
"HEY!"
Loud banging had erupted next to him to throw his eyes open which were red with interrupted sleep. The banging continued, and he heard the voice continue to scream for him. He was sure that he didn't lock the door. Looking up to his left, the silver door was stabled with a lock, oval-shaped, and turned upwards. His body groaned at the missed opportunity of getting more sleep. But he heard Gayle's voice in his head complaining to him.
Harry adjusted his collar once again, placed his hands on the floor, and pushed against it to propel himself up. Throwing himself up on his feet to stand straight. He saw the sunbeams that peered through the window blinds, and he assumed that the evening had just arrived. Luckily, he didn't miss his shift.
Turning around, he took a step toward the door and placed his hand around the door knob. He hoped that it wouldn't be Gayle coming to yell at him for slacking off already. But this voice was different. It was young and masculine, and Harry accepted the assumption that it was probably some kid that needed directions. With that in mind, still, he hesitated to twist the knob and sighed.
In front of him stood a young boy with facial hair around his upper lip, messy brown hair, and a tangy complexion. He looked like he was just entering adulthood, Harry noted.
"Hey, also sorry, I don't know whatever you were doin' in there, and I hate to interrupt but there's a problem," Harry opened the door wider. It encouraged the boy to speak faster, "Uhh, Gayle- Ms. Gayle, told me that you were in charge for now?"
Harry stared at him.
The boy broke eye contact, cleared his throat, then regained, "Well, this is urgent. Abby was supposed to close but nobodies seen her in hours. I was..." Harry tightened his grip on the door after the boy exhaled a sigh, he regained eye contact again, "We were hoping you would help,"
The boy didn't break eye contact this time through his plead. Harry could see the desperate determination lingering there.
He looked over his shoulder to the space occupied by boxes before him. Then, he shot a glance at the boy again. He placed himself in front of the door with his left hand still gripped on the knob from inside and pulled his through the crack as he guided the door to close. He still kept his eye contact with the boy and towered over him.
"Where'd you last see her?"
His eyes lit up. But it wasn't excitement.
He told him that she was last seen leaving the back of the work area which to go around there, Harry would need to travel through the alley that would lead there. Making his way there, he leveled himself into a faster-paced walk. He dodged through the dozens of bodies, crossing the street once more, and finally, slipping into the alley. It was filled with puddles and the occasional garbage bags that were stacked along the brick-built walls. Now his pace slowed.
"Are you sure, Harry...?"
He saw the door that was linked to inside the workplace. He assumed it would have been locked as he heard the employees panicking inside. It sounded to Harry like they were screaming at each other, and another was trying to calm the situation down. There was a sensation that poured into his senses. That there was filth that clung to his shoes.
After he walked past the door, he could see another opening to a different street. There were people in front of the opening then disappeared past the walls. But Harry took notice of another similar to this one that was waiting across from him. He jogged through the opening, and once again, he crossed the street. In this alley, there was nothing.
The evening sun that had lived through the clouds by pounding its light on the buildings behind him had been swallowed by the giant shadow that loomed over the alley. However, there was something that lingered in that dark. Its figure was drawn with a wide, and stationary shape that extended further into the deep. Harry's became stationary too. There was a nagging curiosity that lunged to the center of his head, his arm becoming numb, and then overwhelmed with an influx.
"I thought you hated monsters. I thought you hated me,"
Shut up.
Harry swiped it from his mind. It must have been nothing. But the silence reverberated in contrast to the murmuring going on behind him. He was almost thankful he could still be in the presence of people in case anything ever happened to him but that didn't matter at this point. The memory of the boy's pleading eyes flashed through his mind, and he managed to take the first step. Then, it became gradually easier as he was easied by the stillness that remained, his ears slowly becoming penetrated by solely the cautious stomps of his shoes.
He instantly became snatched away by the disaster of something sliding through the wall. He searched frantically for hands, or legs of some sort, his shoulders tensing to be ready to react to something- or someone- jumping out at him. But the darkness had allowed him to see the rough figure of a ladder that could pierce through with its rusted, silver shine. It also allowed him to see a path up ahead with a wall directing the rest of the alley to the left, gaining some encouragement to quicken his pace. But he heard something also synchronize with his steps once again, though they weren't normal, and Harry allowed himself to take a quick look over his shoulder to meet the uneasy abyss. Still looking behind him, he saw a square-built figure latched onto the wall making a perpetual humming noise up above. Harry couldn't tell if there was something else above it but it seemingly looked like a window that accompanied it.
but Harry could hear something, only a voice could make, mix in with the humming. Intensifying, and becoming more strangled as it continued on. Was someone stalking him? How would they know who he is? Why would they care? The questions had only served as encouragement to take another look behind him. No, this was in front of him, he could hear it clearly now, and now he hid behind the wall. If he were to walk, the corner would introduce him to a new space. But he had no idea what would lie ahead. This could be a big chase to something he doesn't have anything to do with.
"Please..." The voice cried out to him, or someone else. Then it was shut down immediately, "Quiet."
Female, and male. Harry's entire body had stiffened.
"You know what happens when you don't help the cause right?"
Harry recognized the voice.
"We're all trying to make this place better... and you- LOOK AT ME!" He hollered, "YOU'RE THE PROBLEM! YOU DON'T CARE..." Harry swore he heard pathetic sobs after the explosion, and his suspicions were confirmed when he heard desperate pleading afterward.
"But we can fix that,"
Another savage bash echoed.
The woman's crying had turned into grunts that made Harry feel some of the semblance she felt. It silenced all the thoughts of question that had come to serve, and he found himself deciding.
"Once I'm done with you, maybe... maybe it'll be easier,"
The maniac struck again.
Grunting became weaker, breaths short, and signaling desperate clinging, words fallen to the unbridled cruelty of the man.
"When did you get the right?"
He gritted his teeth.
"Of all the humans I've taken... All the minds I've devoured... Do you think I can fight with you?"
Annoying bug.
Time was pressing against his throat. There was no one close enough he could run to.
"Harry... You're too weak."
His eyes trailed to his shoes. A softness had rushed over his body like a warm blanket. His arms hung down, almost as if they weren't being controlled by any entity of the sort, and his body had been strung up like he had been possessed. The hard impact continued to rupture into his ears. But finally, and slowly, the strikes became weaker, and weaker as his footsteps also echoed around him. There was no more, and he pushed through the dark.
Not me.
