"Hiccup?" I called out.
"I'm not taking people right now. Come never again."
"I've been looking for you."
"You're looking at the wrong end of the rainbow." He peered around the tree trunk. "Go away. There's no treasure here."
He took a drag and blew the smoke straight forward. It seemed to cloud around his face for a few seconds before dissipating.
"Put that out. I need to ask you something."
"This really can't be an inconvenience to you." He sneered. "The hell you want?"
I pulled out my cell phone, approaching while holding it in front of me like some kind of peace offering. I somewhat assumed that he would have a blade hanging casually from his belt, or be able to see a distinct rectangular shape in his pocket. Although I tried not to glance down as I came closer. How weird would it be if he caught me staring at his pants? He didn't move in the slightest when I faced him. He had no expression, just a mutual face which showed no displeasure or delight. The cigarette was held inches from his lips.
Leaning against the trunk had ruffled his hair somewhat, and his backpack had disappeared. His smoke was merging with the looming fog, obscuring his face.
"I want us to make progress on this. The sooner we get this done the better."
"Man, you actually like that class don't you? Her accent doesn't put you to sleep like the rest of us?"
"It's our senior year, we need to put in the effort in order to graduate."
"Some of us do." He muttered.
"This morning you said the project was of interest to you." I still held my phone in front of me.
"Finding a topic is. The research, the typing of the paper, the having to stand and face nuisances, isn't so pleasing." He said after a drag.
"So you only like some aspects."
"Hey, Hofferson does know how to summarize."
"Look, I know you don't want me wasting your time. I came to get this over with."
"Then stop. With the small talk. And quit holding your phone out like it's a weapon. Unless it's one of those taser phones."
"So what if it is?"
"Then you better hope you can hold on to it if you try to use it." He took a small breath in of the cigarette. "Or what do you want to do with it?"
I flicked through my apps. I'd gotten his attention, that was for sure. Although, who knew what it would take for him to actually pull out that blade? I opened up a new contact. Holding out the device toward him, having a mind to take the little smoking tube and stomp it under my boot. Hmm, I may be wanting to see whether or not the blade rumor was true.
I swallowed. "Type in your phone number. I'll be keeping in contact with you for the next month, until this is over."
"Then I can burn the phone, right?"
He smirked at my sudden widened eyes, but he took the phone. The cigarette was allowed to dip to the ground, and with a careless step he smashed it. As I watched the ground, I could see there were about five other cigarette butts nearby. I saw his hand dip into his pocket, and I couldn't help but step back. I had no idea whether or not it'd be an immediate attack. He pulled out whatever was inside and tossed it toward me. My hand caught it, and then my eyes centered on the object.
"Might as well do the same, don't you think?"
I opened my palm to see an old-school phone, a Verizon with a slide out keyboard. There wasn't a case on it, and were scratches on the back of the phone. I couldn't help but slide out the keyboard, I hadn't seen a phone like this in years. The phone sprang to life, showing a wallpaper of dragon curled in on itself.
"I can see why you said you don't have access to internet."
"Yeah no shit."
"But why don't you have a touch-screen?"
He held out my phone. "Why do I fucking need one? It's for the essentials. Text and call. Don't need some stupid Temple Run. If that's all you need, get out of my sight."
"I can do that for today," I said calmly, "but you and I are stuck together for the next month Haddock. Start getting used to it."
I slid the phone into my pocket, already hearing a lighter being flicked behind me. I turned.
"How many do you smoke in one day?"
He flipped me off in response. Shifting around the trunk so I could no longer see him. A small plume of smoke drifted into the air. Somehow, I was reminded of the smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, though this smoker had no wisdom to impart. My shift started at 4:30. It was a weekday, so not many people would frequent the cafe. I had been asked to work today rather last minute, being messaged in a passing period by a coworker if I could cover them. I had accepted, knowing I could use the extra money. If I wanted to have a car for university I needed to start saving.
So far there wasn't much I had to spend on, since I was still living at home and my parents had bought me a bus pass for my birthday. They motivated me to continue working however, because I would be grateful I had the money for when I was roaming the campus and living the college life. I sat down at the bench, pulling out my headphones. I knew it'd be another five minutes before the bus would arrive. If everything went well, I could make it to my house in time to change and make it in time. I slipped my pass into my pocket, leaning back on the bench as I waited.
A car passed by me that I couldn't help but stare after. A dark green Challenger with smoke seeping out of the driver side window. Hiccup didn't notice me as he drove by.
In the early evening, I threw on my raincoat as I made my way into the steady drizzle. The cafe wasn't due to close for another hour, but it was four of us behind the counter tonight. The manager could spare someone leaving. I was one of the only workers who was juggling coursework along with paid work. There were occasional mercies. I took a couple of steps, heading for the car with the ignited headlights. A rare night where my dad was able to pick me up. I pulled off the hood in relief, pulling out a pastry bag that had been stashed in my coat to prevent it from getting wet.
Once I got home, I spooned some fried rice into a bowl before retreating to my bedroom. When I did have to work weekdays, my parents came to understand my routine. A quick seizing of food then descending into the maze of homework. I opened my laptop, and typed in some of the links for the websites I'd found. I couldn't help but pull out my phone. He wasn't going to get off easily, no matter how I tested the rumor as to how he'd threaten people. I dialed his number. A text would be too easily ignored. As it dialed, I considered that he could send me to voicemail.
After about 20 seconds, there was a click of the line connecting.
"Haddock. State your business or begone."
"You better be sitting in front of a computer right now." I said sternly.
"Oh Hofferson," He chuckled, "do you forget that some of us have a life?"
"I won't stop telling you of the importance of this."
"No, little miss goody."
