My Dear Parasyte
Chapter 12
Solitude
Sonia's meltdown at the banquet had caused her to retreat into a shell. She's called in sick daily and hasn't been to work in three days. Also, she'd given up on workouts and going out to eat. Seriously, she was very close to admitting defeat. She had already begun to look up relocation information. There was no escaping the book but she could still put some distance between herself and Japan. The breakdown had been so embarrassing that it made her feel she couldn't face anyone. She was so stupid for crying like that then running away. What if Reiko had told all their colleagues the truth about why she was calling in sick? Then she couldn't go back. She was so stupid to think that she had any friends. She had no one here and that was even more reason to move. Sonia begins to tear up as she makes herself a cup of tea. Her life was now worse than it was before. She eyes a pack of cigarettes on the kitchen counter. They were purchased that night after leaving the banquet but she had not yet opened them. The habit had been kicked over a month ago, but in her frenzy, she wanted to go back to it. Sonia opens the pack of cigarettes and goes to her back patio to smoke. As she slides open the door her cellphone rings. The call is from a private number and Sonia is hesitant to answer. The private caller seemed to call daily now. Once yesterday, the day before, and again today. She had been ignoring it but it was becoming quite annoying. Sonia sighs before taking the call.
"Hello." She says
"Sonia Tara?" asks the caller.
"Yes. It's me. Who's this?" asks Sonia
Loud static begins to overtake the line and the call ends. Sonia's heart skips a beat. Who was this person and why was their number disguised? Maybe it was the police and they were on their way to arrest her. They very well could be surrounding her apartment building right now. She peeks out through the panel blinds on the door leading to the deck. A black car with tinted windows is circling the parking lot out back. Sonia quickly backs away her face frozen in fear. She needed to get out now only taking necessities. She grabs her jacket, wallet, and a floral scarf to tie over her head. With her paranoia rising she locks her door and nearly trips down the two front steps. She needed to get to the train station now. The shiny black car is turning the corner and approaching. Sonia tries to look normal and calmly walks down the sidewalk. The car speeds up because she can hear the engine right behind her. Keeping her eyes straight ahead she picks up her pace. Who was after her? Who? After a few more minutes pass the car is driving alongside her. Sonia prays that it just drives away, only it doesn't. Sonia glances over and sees only her reflection in the dark glass. The window glass in the back of the car goes down and Mister Takeshi is staring back. Sonia stops in her tracks.
"What are you doing?" she asks in pure shock.
"I really need to speak with you." He says
"I…I have something planned so maybe some other-time." Says Sonia
"It's extremely important Sonia." He says with sincerity.
"Okay well I can't be long. I…am going to pick up my dog from a friend. So she is expecting me." Says Sonia.
"It will only be a minute. Hop in." he says
He opens the door and moves over. Sonia gets inside and it feels as though her throat might be closing. Mister Takeshi is dressed in his usual business attire. Nothing looks out of place with him or the car. Gotou is driving with his excessive arm muscles straining against his suit coat as he steers. He doesn't seem bothered in the least, and hasn't acknowledged Sonia. That was more than okay with her.
"What is it?" asks Sonia
She tries to hide the nervousness in her voice but it doesn't work.
"It sure has been a challenge trying to get a hold of you." Says Mister Takeshi with a light smile.
"I don't understand. What is this about?" asks Sonia
"I'm not here to force you to relive last Friday. I just wanted to say that I am sorry for your loss. I didn't realize." He says
"My loss? What loss?" she asks shaking her head in confusion.
"The name I mentioned at the banquet made you pretty upset. The parasites."
Sonia goes silent and her expression turns fearful.
"I don't want to cross the line. I just thought you were upset by being reminded and I truly apologize." Says Mister Takeshi.
"But I haven't lost anyone because of a parasite." Confesses Sonia.
Mister Takeshi pauses.
"I don't understand." he says.
Sonia falls silent again and looks away.
Mister Takeshi puts one hand on her shoulder.
"You can trust me with whatever it is." He says
Sonia looks up into his soft kind brown eyes.
"I'm…..I'm afraid." She whispers.
"Of the parasites?" he whispers.
"No. That humankind will…." She whispers back
Gotou turns his head to glance at Sonia from the center mirror. She instantly stops talking, but Mister Takeshi manages to steal back her attention.
"Humankind, will do what?"
Sonia shuts both her eyes tightly for a second before opening them again.
"I can't tell you." Says Sonia
"You don't have any reason to trust me but I think I know what you're saying." He says.
Sonia is instantly more horrified than before.
"What do you mean? I didn't tell you anything! I don't want any trouble with anyone." Sonia says in a rising panic.
"Others may need to lose the fear of being wrong." States Gotou from the driver's seat.
Sonia freezes on the spot with astonishment on her face.
Mister Takeshi looks at Sonia.
"We are not against you." He says in a soft voice.
Sonia shakes her head.
"I just don't know if I'm ready—l mean it's dangerous." Says Sonia.
"Who has threatened you?" asks Mister Takeshi.
Mister Takeshi rubs her on the shoulder.
"There isn't a name. Every single human being wants me dead right now." says Sonia
She was very tired of holding all this in. Maybe she could take a chance for once and let someone help.
"What do you mean when you say everyone?" asks Mister Takeshi.
"It was…the….. It was the damn book. I never should of wrote it. It's caused me nothing but trouble." Says Sonia putting a palm on her head.
Mister Takeshi takes her hands into his now and smiles.
"Miss Sonia Tara. I have a job offer for you." He says.
