Disclaimer: Any canon content belongs to its respective owners such as BBC and its writers. All original content however, does belong to me and its contributors.
With me still? Good. I know it doesn't seem like much right now, and at the moment there's no Doctor and no big event to even indicate such, but bear with me, there's more. That day was just the first of many that led me to the man with the box. My retelling might be slightly embellished but hey if it keeps you listening. I shall continue…
Three days had passed before Jaiden returned to work. It was approaching the weekend quite fast, and folks were scrambling to fill his work until he did. Sadly he was just as tweaky, maybe even more so, than he had been the day I had followed him up the elevator. I still never found out where he had vanished off to. The man, however, was more often to himself than even usual and quite frankly avoided the staff room by all means possible when too many were in there. It was as if the man had a huge secret to hold on to and didn't want to share it with anyone else. All it did though, was make me more intrigued by his alienation.
A part of me wanted to approach him and ask, but at the same time I was hesitant. Where had he been all this time? Something inside gnawed at me telling me it was no place good, wherever it was. I couldn't assume though in any case. I almost did go up to him by the end of the day, but alas I chickened out and went home as was per usual. Yet because my mind was so wrapped up in this mystery, my walks home became more and more paranoid by the second. Things such as wondering if the man knew I was watching him and might be following me because I did know crept into my mind. Or that maybe something was just waiting in the shadows of the Cazrin Tower after work when I'd come out after dark. Any number of things could have filled my head and all would come back to the same scenarios it seemed.
On this particular day I decided to make a stop before going back home to an empty house. There wasn't anyone to go back home to after all so I had time. I stopped at the café, which I normally do before work, but today I decided why not go after as well. It wasn't like I had to get just coffee or bagels, I could get a quick sandwich and maybe some bubble tea instead. So I did, and by that point there was no real rush hour going on for food or drinks thankfully. This allowed me to quickly grab my stuff and vanish to a table right away. I knew having a meal out would hopefully calm the jitters I had started to get from obsessing over this situation.
While I ate I did the typical modern day thing and took my phone out to snoop the social media circuits like twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. I had only been about almost halfway through my drink and food, when someone decided to sit at the same table as me. Not that I was bothered or that it wasn't a free country to do so, but it did seem sort of strange. I hadn't noticed though until they said something that they had been there, so I guess if they hadn't I would have never known they were.
"Mind if I sit here a moment?" a male voice stated, I looked up.
"Uh….no." I stated, but then realized by the look on his face that I was saying no he couldn't. "I mean no I don't mind."
I gave a short embarrassed laugh. Boy you really messed that one up I thought to myself. He gave me a smile though. That made me melt just a bit. Whoever they were, I wasn't going to lie they were charming. Then I remembered, I had a date with Aaron and my face went back to staring at my screen, trying to scroll Facebook, but with not much avail as I had before. My cheeks had gone from fair to a deep shade of pink.
"Thanks." they said in return. A silence fell between us at the table, one that I think a knife could have cut through because of how thick it was. He then spoke again, not to me specifically, but just in general. However, this time I jumped and almost dropped my phone, "Does service here always take so long?"
It probably had barely been ten maybe fifteen minutes. I even check the time out of habit and then looked up at the man across from me, "Sometimes, depends on what you ordered."
"Ah I see." the voice was matter of fact as he turned his gaze toward the kiosk. I could tell now that I was paying a bit more attention that he was sitting sideways in the chair, an elbow rested on the table and a closed fist against his cheek as his faded colored jacket outlined his body. Semi long shagged hair etched his features, but it was half way well kept. Had he really been worried about his drink, or was he just trying to make small talk so as not to leave the air between him and I an awkward tension? Either way it got quiet again for a moment.
"Come here often?" I asked, just out of curiosity of course. It seemed obvious he didn't, but what was it of me to assume.
"No, not really." the man stated back, not even looking at me directly. "First time actually, at least to this place anyway."
"Ah." I nodded in approval. "Well I would say it's got the best coffee and sandwiches this side of the Sound."
"Is that so?" he stated in curiosity turning his head just a bit to look over at me again, a small smile playing off his face.
"Yeah, it's not just another Starbucks sitting on a street corner. This café is private owned. Basically a mom and pop shop." I rambled off. Somehow he found that amusing though so I continued, "However, if one is looking for filling foods, the best food around has got to be down on the waterfront."
"Oh?" stated with some interest, his gaze still drifting back to the kiosk. It irked me a bit he wouldn't look me straight on, but I didn't push it, everyone had their quirks.
"Yeah Ivor's has the best fish on the west coast. Granted they aren't mom and pop, but the fish they get, comes I hear straight from the market fresh that's also on the wharf. The whole waterfront is a tourist attraction."
"Hah, do I look like a tourist." the man stated with straight face at first.
"No! I mean…..I'm sorry." I quickly back pedaled.
"Hahaha, that look on your face." he chuckled. "It's alright. You caught me, red handed. I'm not from around here."
"Oh!" I sighed with relief and then gave a bit of a chuckle myself, a hand having gone to my chest out of having a racing heart from fearing I had offended the man. Instead he seemed to brush it off like nothing and instead made light of the situation.
"So thank you. I might have to go check out these things before leaving." he mused.
I looked down at the phone again, but now I was bored with reading what was on the screen. The man had drawn my curiosity. Like where was this man from? Why was he visiting? Who was he visiting? Question after question entered my mind. I put my phone down and looked back up at him, a new light invigorated in my eyes.
"Well…." I began. "If that's the case there are a lot of things to see around here."
"Like?" he raised a brow.
"The Farris Wheel, especially at sunset." I offered. "There's the old fashion carousal, plenty of stores, the aquarium. Those are on the waterfront. Or the Needle, it rotates high above the city line. I hear notes are passed among patrons who dine there. There's also the museums. The musical fountain, they sometimes have the orchestra play there. Of course there's plenty of theatrical things to see like the opera. Or going to concerts or small time musicians in places like these. And there's the EMP."
"What's EMP?" he mused.
"Experimental Music Project of course." I blurted like a nerd.
"Of course." he smirked. By the look on his face it might have been something up his ally maybe.
"Some of the greatest musicians have their guitars stuck in a huge art like structure that spans two floors." I stated acting a bit like a fan girl I realized.
"Sounds quite interesting. Definitely plenty to see." his eyes seemed off distant somewhere for a moment before his order was called and he ended up going and grabbing it before coming back and looking down at me. "Perhaps if we cross paths again, you might have to just show me some of those places."
My brain suddenly took a roller coaster at those words. Had he just indicated he wanted to see me again somehow? Oh dear. It made me swallow very hard in deed, so I used my drink as an escape to show how much that made me go pale. My usual social awkward shyness finally catching up with me as was per usual. Trying not to feel like wanting to pass out from shock of that I said very meekly, "Sure."
"Lovely." he stated with a smile, took a drink, and began to walk away. "See ya around."
"Bye." I waved faintly and then just sat there before decided to face plant the table. All I could think was frack my life. I tried to take another drink of what I had, and realized I had been drinking it the whole time and now was out completely, bummer.
I didn't see the stranger at the café again all the rest that week. I was, however, able to keep an eye out on the coworker, Jaiden. The strangeness hadn't changed. By the weekend, I was nervous to go to the party I had been informed of earlier that week. It was so bad, that I had found myself for about two hours straight staring at my looks in the mirror trying to coax myself that it would be alright because who could I trust better than trusting myself.
I eventually found an outfit I thought was suitable for a party like the kind I was being invited too, but not before I had made a complete mess of my room in the process of finding one. In the end I tried cleaning it up a bit, but alas I was still certain that if anyone saw it, they'd figure I was a lazy slob or something. It didn't help that by the time I had finished getting ready, that my ride and date, couldn't forget that, would be arriving soon. So there was no doubt that I felt like I was in a whirlwind rush by the end of getting ready. I didn't even put much for makeup on. Not that I was a huge fan of wearing such, but on special occasions I would. It all just really depended.
Eventually Aaron showed, and I was grateful. The last thing I wanted was to keep him waiting. As I finally left my abode, I noticed his car was definitely one of them top of the line sort. Probably what he spent most of his nine to five paycheck on. There he was though, standing outside his driver side door, smiling at me like a yearling old foal. I couldn't help but smile back in return as I made my way to the deep midnight colored vehicle.
"Hi." was all I could seem to get out.
"Hi." He replied back with a wave. "You're looking nice tonight."
"Well I didn't think I had to dress up like I was going to some royal ball now did I?" I mused in response.
"No." he stated quickly. He looked offended, like he thought he might have said something wrong. Wow, maybe he really was a genuine sensitive sort. I should thank him for the compliment maybe that would help.
"Thanks though." I tried to back pedal with words. "I'm sorry I'm just not used to these sorts of outings."
"I can see that. Well just relax, you'll be fine. We're gonna meet Sansa at the party and all will be right with the world." he seemed to try and assure. "She said she was coming with a date."
"A date?" I reeled and then thought, since when?
"Yeah some dude she met recently. Said they had heard about the party and wanted to come. They said they were a friend of the host and was willing to go as her plus one. Go figure right. I don't know it's whatever to me. As long as Sansa is happy and keeps her googly eyes and drool festing to herself it's not a problem."
I had to laugh, that sounded about to be the most normal thing I had heard all day today from Aaron, or anyone really for that matter. Without another word I got into the car and fastened my seatbelt. Aaron climbed in on the other side and did the same before starting the vehicle. Through the speakers came music I had not expected Aaron to be a fan of. Well maybe I could if I tried hard enough, but just from first glance it was really hard to tell. I mean who'd of thought Aaron big shot employee of the month type extraordinaire, was a fan of country. He looked a bit embarrassed of the fact.
"Sorry, was listening to the radio and song I liked came on." he stated quickly and turned the station, thinking I was probably more a pop girl than someone who'd like the off the beaten path genres.
"Oh no, its fine. Really I don't mind. Country is … cool … in its own way." I tried to offer.
"No its not. The look on your face says something else." Aaron stated honestly.
"Yes it is! Sure it is!" okay I couldn't take the stare, I fold. "Alright no, but hey if you like it so be it. I myself like a couple country songs here and there but that's not my thing really. It kind of depends on the artist. Now give me some classic woman's rock or even modern, and then we'll be talking."
"Oh so your one of them types huh?" Aaron teased.
"Shush, there's nothing wrong with eighties rock. Pat Benatar was perfectly fine and so was Stevie Nix." I tried to defend. "They were pioneers of their time."
"I just think it's cute you're into things that aren't of today."
"Oh so what, you think I'm just another pop star wanna be?" I teased my best serious face on.
"I uh no! I mean," he paused a moment. "Ohhhh …I didn't mean it that way!"
I chucked, "Ah don't get your undies in a bunch I was teasing."
"Oh …. Hahaha." he sighed with a bit of relief as we pulled away from my front yard area. It wouldn't take us long to get to the party, but with the time in between, it left a looming feeling in my stomach none the less.
"So…" I began. "Are you excited to be going?"
"To what? The party?" he asked, and I just nodded in response. "Well yeah of course. I mean why not, lots of the company are going to be there. It'll be great and fun, getting to socialize with others from work. You should really try and get out more."
"Yeah I suppose." I stated my voice sounding not as sure.
"Hey look, it'll be great. You'll have fun. I'll have fun. Sansa and her little date will have fun. It will be a blast, just saying. So stop worrying." he offered. "Seriously, I have watched you whittle away your life in that cubical at work day in and day out. I can tell it's really not your cup of tea. And to be quite honest, that's a good thing. Not everyone's cut out for the cube life."
"Says Mr. Employee of the month." I accidently backlashed out of habit, not realizing it wasn't nice, he was only trying to help.
"Okay I suppose I deserved that one." He said a bit bruised at my comment.
"No you didn't." I looked own.
"Sure I did," he nodded and then looked briefly over. "It's not how I meant it though. I too was like you once, hated my job, the bland nine to five. Still do to be honest. I'd rather do what my true dream was, not be almost sitting pretty at the head of a department."
"And miss having a supped up car like this? Or a large paycheck come in?" I asked, a part of me as the lesser poorer employee wanted to be a tad bitter. This was part of why I never got out, I sucked at discussing things that could involve myself. Yet he didn't falter it seemed. Something just made this dude seem too perfect.
"Well the perks are nice, mind you, but alas it doesn't really make me truly happy." He admitted with a sigh.
"Why not?" I was genuinely curious.
"Because, money can get you only so far. You can only try and be one of the quote unquote good ol' boys for so long before it just leaves you as hallow as a one night stand." Aaron stated and then chuckled. "So you see, parties like these aren't just for the fact of status, it's the fact I have friends there whom I want to hang out with and see. And yeah maybe take advantage of the ritzy snobby foods. Just don't give me a batch of caviar that stuff is gross. I love sea food, but I like the dive bar kind. Straight up fish and chips for me yes sir. I'd rather go down to the wharf and get fresh salmon or trout. Not some little eggs on a gold trimmed china platter."
The words that rolled off Aaron's mouth made him sound more like a normal average person who lived from paycheck to paycheck than living up the life of luxury. How in the blazes could that even be possible!? He had clearly reeled me in on this thought train.
"So wait, I don't get it. You live like your large, but you sound like just another Joe blow from down the street who lives in an apartment? How in the world is that possible?" I sounded flabbergasted. "I mean sorry it's none of my business."
I looked down at my hands that had started twiddling with themselves out of nervousness and embarrassment.
"Hahaha, that's because I am just that dude down the road who lives in an apartment." he admitted with a laugh. "I mean come on you seriously believe I live in some big awesome house? Nah. Why bother when I'd be the only one living in it. Oh, I suppose I couldddd put my plethora of Employee of the Month trophies up that you believe I seem to have along with a huge garage for this supped up car I got. Oh and for an icing on the top of the cake maybe have a dog named Fefe to go along with it."
I couldn't help but giggle at the snark he was serving me in return. He totally had me there. I had been being a complete jerk and he served it to me in the kindest way possible. I deserved it and I knew that.
"Okay, okay you made your point." I laughed. "Don't judge a book by its cover."
"Exactly." he stated matter of fact.
"I got to say though, that was pretty funny to think about." I offered.
"Yea sort of. Kind of scary too, to be honest. Especially the dog name Fefe. All I could imagine was, was something pink and poodle looking." Aaron gave a blah face at the idea of a pink fluffy dog. "Or maybe one of them small yippy Pomeranians I'd love nothing more than to use for a football during super bowl season."
"Yeah that does seem a bit scary." I said as I could tell my thoughts were drifting away from the party and more onto Aaron, which was a good thing actually. My cheeks reddened. Was I actually starting to like, like this dude and not just casually like him for the sake of going to some party I could care less about since I really didn't know that many people? The thoughts left me warm feeling in areas I normally didn't feel warm like my chest and face and maybe even my hands too.
He had went on to talk more but with my mind distracted I couldn't make out all of what he was saying, but I tried to keep an open mind to anything of relevance as I tried to control myself. As much as I could tell he had gone on about football a bit, not something I was completely into, but could tolerate if with a room of friends that did. He even said one of his dreams was to go into college football and then hopefully make majors, but alas he admitted he wasn't quite cut out for the rigorous end of the sport and even admitted he wasn't into using just to get an edge in the game. He then went into a bit more about the guys at work seeing as the discussion about football had led to something to do with the stuff at work. That's when he finally roundabout to a topic I had hoped wouldn't crop up during this particular night.
"So what do you thinks up with Jaiden?" he asked finally drawing me out of me almost ear ringing, rib burning revere.
"Um, I don't know." I admitted. "I mean, he's been disappearing off to the thirteenth floor a lot, and it's made him start acting weird. Other than that though, I don't know."
"Oh. When did you see that?" he inquired.
"Uh the first time a while back, that day he came in and down that pot of hot coffee."
"Ah, I see. Yeah, some of the other big dogs have been saying that Jaiden's been sort of just cracking the past few weeks, maybe even past few months or so. Not really sure." Aaron offered. "I tried asking about, but no one else knows what's going on with him either. It's kind of weird."
I almost wanted to tell him I had followed Jaiden up to the thirteenth floor one day, but I kept my mouth shut. The last thing I needed was to be put too far right in the middle of things and become a target myself. I couldn't just sit there either and say nothing.
"Yeah, I have a feeling if this keeps up they'll fire him soon. I'm sure he's been tweaking out because of some cut in pay or hours or something. Though it doesn't seem like managements out for him so I don't know."
Aaron shook his head about it and quirked one side of his lips in an odd dislikable smile. For a long few moments he looked over the dash board out the window to where we were going. The discussion had cut down some of our travel but we still weren't there yet. I pursed my lips a bit trying to think of a more positive thought, and then one came to me.
"Hey, maybe he'll be at the party too? Maybe he got invited or someone saw how bad off he's been and did. To try and cheer him up ya know." I stated with a light voice.
"Huh, now there's a thought I hadn't thought about. Good one." Aaron said, a genuine smile on his face at that comment. That grin, oh that grin, its unnatural magic made me have to smile back without control of my own mouth. Damn his charm, damn him, damn it all!
"Thanks." I said with a small laugh and looked out the window again, trying to tear my gaze away from his face. This was not going to be an easy night, no sir re bob. Yet somehow easy was not my gamer mode, hard or extreme was. Frack my life.
Sometime later we finally managed to get to the party. Any other discussion during the car ride had been much more casual. More like us talking about the things we liked, places we been, etc. Stuff that a real date would have gone on about, that anyone else outside of conversation would have cared less about. He had even gone on to mention that he actually was a pet lover and that he had a German Shepard dog named Charlie that he often times called Captain as well since it was close in tone anyway.
The topic of Jaiden had been dropped all together after that brief inquiry. I was thankful too, because after a week worth of dealing with it, I was just this side of the line of getting tired of hearing about it from others. Partially because it was all the same news over and over, and partially because I did want to know what was going on. My curious nature always had the better of me.
Before I could get too far away from the parked car though with Aaron, a pair of arms glomped around my neck and a higher pitched "Squee" sort of sound emanated right next to my ear. I knew just from the sound alone who had arm attacked me, it was Sansa happy to see me there.
"I know it!" she stated with glee. "I know I could get you here somehow. Girls pay up!"
She let go of me after giving me a strong air constricting hug and then held her hands out for two girls that flanked her. They both put bills in her hands. They had been betting on me. Thanks a lot Sansa your faith in me is over flowing. She then went and gave Aaron a quick hug before looking back at me.
"Thanks for making sure she got out of the house Aaron." Sansa chirped.
"Yeah, no problem." Aaron awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "So shall we go inside, or are we just gonna party out here all night?"
"Right!" Sansa said excitedly. "That reminds me. You, come with me!"
And now I was going to be drug from where I was temporarily rooted. My eyes went wide as I was lunged forward into the night towards the building the partying was being held. I gave a quick glance back at Aaron with a pleading gaze. All he did was shrugged at me.
"You too lover boy." Sansa said sharply towards Aaron, whom just magically seemed to follow after being commanded to come. The entourage followed as well making the group at the moment four girls to one guy. To any outsider that would make Aaron look pretty swag to say the least, but it was far from the truth.
"Where are we going?!" I cried out, unable to stop our momentum. The sounds of loud music stared to drift in as we entered inside the building. The girls who had been with us departed to wherever they were wanting to go. Of course it had to be club and dubstep music for the sake of being able to talk rather than dance and enjoy self in such a manner. Then again I suppose those were only my thoughts on the matter and not everyone else, seeing as some people I could tell in the whirl wind of movement, were actually dancing to the current song playing. Some more provocatively than others.
"You'll see! I want you to meet someone?" she stated excitedly.
"Let me guess, your date? Aaron told me you had come with somebody." I stated.
"How dare you Aaron, go and spoil all my surprises! Shame on you! For shame!" she said dramatically.
"I know I know I'm such a truly awful person. Tell me a story I don't know Sansa." Aaron teased dryly. All she gave in response was a pout face of pathetic.
"Well you're no fun at all." she stated with a small brood, then began to look around.
"Nope, none whatsoever." he said still following.
"Where is he?" she looked a bit frustrated not finding the person she was looking for, and then before I could catch myself a breath or balance she zipped off again, bee lining for the target she had been looking for. Before I knew it I was careening right towards an open ended table with no chairs that had lots of platters on top of it along with a punch bowl and cups at one end. The punch end was the part I was heading towards. However, before I could go face first into the delicious red liquid that would be as my doom, I was stopped by a pair of strong, yet somehow gentle hands. They righted me, from face planting the bowl, no thanks to Sansa. I was going to have to remind her how much of a terrible friend she could be sometimes, or at least how much of a truly klutzy one she was. Either way in the moment I was a bit flustered at her for almost being flung into a fruity bliss. I'd forgive her later, I was sure of it.
"Whoa there," a voice so familiar stated. Why was that voice familiar? Why did it make my heart race? Why the hell were my cheeks turning a bright red all over again like they had in the car? I just had to look up into that voices face, and then…..oh my god. IT WAS HIM! How? Why? Who? What? When? All the questions imaginable just started to bubble up into my head. This guy, I hadn't seen for days, just so happed to suddenly show up at a party that he somehow got invited to. That was Sansa's date!? What the actual what!? Mind blown…..game over.
There I was though, his hands around my upper arms, and me just staring like a guppy fish square into his brilliant soft blue gray eyes. How had I not quite taken notice to those before? My gaze then drifted down to that soft casual smile he seemed to be giving me, even though his eyes seemed to be telling a terribly different story. One that seemed more concerned than happy. He actually cared if I was alright. I didn't really know this man, excepted as the coffee man in the coat, but as I stared at his engraving gaze, I began to feel like I had known him for so much longer than that.
Somehow it felt like for the briefest of moments time seemed to slow down as our gazes locked. I wanted to know more about this mystery man. To find out his secrets. His touch even made me relax, more so than any time I had ever been before. My eyes, without moving my head, glance momentarily down at his left hand on my forearm. It was smooth, somewhat youthful, but at the same time felt like it had seen experience of some kind or another. Then just as fast as time seemed to slow down for a moment, it then seemed to pick right back up again, and I found myself smiling at him.
"You alright?" he asked warmly looking down at me.
"Yeah." I breathed, unable to come up with any other words right at the moment.
"You sure." he seemed to want to be reassured.
"Yeah." I nodded finally as he let go of my arms with a small nod and then looked over at Sansa almost forgetting her name. "Ah, Sansa."
"I'm so sorry about that. I just wanted her to meet you." Sansa said apologetically and then more quietly to the man. "She doesn't get out very much you see."
He gave Sansa a nod of understanding, though the look on his face was unreadable as to whether or not he really agreed with that statement. Thanks a lot Sansa for trying to throw me under the bus. In either case, Aaron finally put an arm on my shoulder to reassure he was there.
"Are you alright?" he inquired. Both men gave each other stares that seemed very neutral, but I myself was getting the impression there was some male form of communication going on between the two regardless, and not the casual sort. My cheeks flared again, but I tried to keep my cool.
"Yea I'm alright Aaron. This nice man saved me from a fruity demise." I quirked.
"Ah, well thank you then, um…" Aaron was at a loss for names, mostly because he didn't know this mans.
"Oh just call me John." the other man quipped lightly.
"John, nice. Well thanks John. We wouldn't want her to have had her first real night out go out with a Carrie looking splash. That would have been embarrassing."
I couldn't say anything, I was too embarrassed to. So instead I just took advantage of the punch bowl next to me and grabbed a drink, then shoved the clear solo cup in my face before it could turn as red as the punch I was drinking.
"Oh of course, that would have been tragic." the man who wanted to be called John stated with a raised brow.
"So, um I heard your Sansa's plus one." I offered up after a long sip from my cup.
"Well …" he began but was cut off by Sansa.
"Yeah! You wouldn't believe it! It was the craziest thing how it happened! You see, I was down in Pikes place at one of the stands shopping for something. He and I got into talking, one thing led to another, and then bam! Here we are!"
"I guess that sums it about up." John agreed. Again I could tell his eyes were saying something totally different. Not quite a lie, but not all the truth either and it made me want to give a poop face sort of about it, but I didn't. Instead I raised a brow in curiosity. What was he not saying?
"Oh well, that's great!" I tried to be social, but if anyone could read me like a book like the way I seemed to be reading Mr. Mysterio across from me, then they'd know I was putting on as much of a façade to save face. At least for Sansa anyway. Loved the girl, but right now she was being very trying. All I wanted to do was drink, eat, and try and be merry. Though my skewed view of being merry was not the quintessential version of playing house and going tee hee hee about everything like a valley girl. Thank heavens Sansa was only like this more so in public than she was in private when just the two of us hung out.
Aaron sensing the awkwardness said, "I'm gonna grab some of the food before it disappears. You want some?"
His question was directed towards me, "Uh sure."
"Cool, I'll be right back." he said, that time my eyes catching the faintest glance of jealousy streaking Aarons gaze. Oh boy, was all I could think. This could not be happening. Not on the first night I was out in such a long time. I was not going to be some chick in a romantic comedy, no way. This was not that T word I shall not mutter and I was not some Swan princess about ready to be fought over by a wolf and glitter sparkle. No, no, no, no, no, just no!
Yet what could I do? I was trapped for the night hanging with two amazing looking men. One would I had talked very deeply intimate more with, and the other that seemed to share some same interests as me, like coffee and bagels. Okay, I can do this, I can keep my cool and not turn into a sappy puddle mess in front of two men like a cheap grocery smut novel. I got this, right! I looked from John who was in front of me and listening to Sansa go on about something he didn't seem particularly interested in but smiled and listened anyway, to the other, being Aaron, who was carefully selecting food off a bunch of different platters.
Oh, who the hell am I kidding! This game mode of mine just had gone from extreme and hard to apocalypse mode all in the course of only a few hours. By the end I had a feeling it was going to turn into a straight up disaster. Unless I could hold it together. I had to, for the sake of Sansa if not for myself. Bless Sansa's heart, it was in the right place, even if her mind wasn't always. It was then as if by just hapchance, or maybe magic, John had disappeared off into the crowd somewhere. Clearly Sansa had been in tow because I didn't see her either when I looked back over to where they had been talking. I think somewhere in the back of my head I heard that John fellow say something of "I'll be right back." But it had been so garbled up amongst the music that I consciously completely missed it. Blinking, I looked about in all directions, but there was no John nor Sansa to be found. Only Aaron was left, who finally came back over with a couple plates of food that looked like they should have been silver plated, but were in fact just plastic with a sheen to them. Go figure right?
One would have thought for some uptown party held by another high up employee it would have been more standard plating style to have something more fancy, but then the thought had occurred to me that why bother when it would mean more chore work than necessary to clean up with. After all metal could get bent and china could get broke, so it made sense somehow in the end.
"Where did Sansa and that John fellow go?" Aaron inquired with a raised brow.
"Who knows?" I shrugged. I really didn't care to be honest, especially where Sansa had disappeared off to. It was time to take Aaron's advice and just relax and enjoy myself. "Maybe we should find a place to chill for a while. Unless you'd rather hover the food all evening."
"Nah, not unless you want to."
"Uh no."
"Well okay then, let's go find a place around in here to crash in on a conversation with!" he began to wander off into the crowd. Of course I followed, not wanting to feel alone already, but my gaze went to looking around again to see if I could catch where John could have vanished off too. Alas no one. For one it was too casual of lighting in the manor like house and two I was just a bit shy of too short to see over some people's heads. The place was crowded, jam packed with employees and friends of employees. In fact the whole affair kind of reminded me of the stories of college frat parties, but how was I to know what a real frat party was, I only knew anything because I watched television. In any case it was loud and busy. Almost an overload to my poor senses as I submerged with the collective centered in one of the rooms.
Clearly Aaron had found some of his other friends who were playing some strange card game and laughing while downing a few drinks themselves. It was then I managed to realize that maybe the stuff in that bowl earlier hadn't been quite kiddy approved. It hadn't seemed like any children were about, just adults like myself, Aaron, and Sansa; which meant that this was an adults only cut loose sort of party. It made sense, grownups had to be able to let their hair down once in a while too after all. As was, it wasn't like I was foreign to the occasional cooler or glass of something now and then. I just was not a huge fan of the barley brands. However, as I drank more I began to realize that I was starting to relax a bit, thank heavens, I never thought I would after that one moment with John.
Putting the best smile I could on my face, I walked over to the group where Aaron had now been sitting, patting a spot next to him for just me to sit at. I did, and I let myself try to get engrossed into the conversation the best I could. Yet it was still about things I either didn't know much about or really could have cared less on as they played some card game that I had never seen before, one full of tasteless topics and answers just as much so, however, somehow amazingly hilarious at the same time. I wanted to play, but watching the whole ordeal seemed funnier, so it was what I kept ninety percent of my attention on. For the sake of Aaron though, I tried. He really was a sweet man, and up until now I was so blind to seeing that.
It was after about another rousing two hours of the game that I ended up looking up from probably what was my fourth glass of drink, to be honest I lost count really, that I had saw John again, but not with Sansa. Where had she gone off too? In the end, I tried to convince myself it was probably just the little ladies room. By this point I had loosened up enough to start playing the game myself along with Aaron who seemed pleased by this. Another hour later, and I had finally gotten to the point where I was capable of dancing without shame. The music hadn't slowed down any, but at least now there were some more classic techno beats I could recognize, such as remixes of Rob Zombies work and some other early themes, redone for a more danceable scene.
Aaron and I started to lose ourselves into the fray of music as we danced together. He was actually a good dancer, this much I knew I'd recall later when I wasn't so out of it. However, as we were getting more into It, I saw John again. Or at least I thought I had, it was hard to tell when in the midst of a throng of other dancing bodies. The sudden realization of where my body was in relation to the others, began to not only make me start to feel self-conscious, but overheated as well. Apparently drinks and me at that point were not fond lovers in a blissful tango. Instead all it made me want to do was leave the room to get a breather as intense as Aaron and mines moment had seemed to be getting.
I knew I was going to be screwing this up for myself, but I couldn't take it. The enclosed space, the heat, the swirling feeling I was starting to inhibit. It was all just too much for me. Yet before I could try and get too far, Arron had saw that pained look on my face and took me aside just outside the throng of dancers.
"Everything alright?" he asked. "If this is all too much, I can take you home now."
"Nah." I tried to be brave about it. "It's all good. Just not, just not used to all the sounds, people, etc. I'll manage. Just need a breather."
"Okay if you're sure." his face showed genuine concern.
"I'm sure." I nodded. "What I'm more worried about is why we haven't seen John or Sansa since arriving."
"Eh their probably just playing kissy face out in the back lawn or something, we can go out there and see if they're about." Aaron offered. I snorted in retort to his comment about John and Sansa playing kissy face. I highly doubted that by the impression I had gotten from John, but what did I know. Couldn't judge a book by its cover after all as was given to be earlier in the night.
We went outside, but they weren't there as hoped. At least not as far as I could tell. This began to make me hyper aware of everything around me. There were people out on the back patio talking amongst the dim lit corners, but no one seemed ventured past that into the grass. I even almost half expected to turn around, and catch a glimpse of Sansa right behind me just waiting as if to scare the hell out of me, but when I turned around to go back in, there was no one. My eyes down cast a bit, and Aaron took notice.
"I'm sure their around somewhere. This place is only so big, couldn't have gotten too far away." he put a hand on my shoulder to reassure me. That was when our party host, whom I had not seen all night until now, finally decided to randomly pop up, which actually had spooked me. My thoughts had raced away from me apparently in order for that to happen.
"Heyyyy Aaron how's it going man!" James announced out loud and pulled Aaron into a bro man hug before taking a drink out of a glass bottle.
"It's going good. Quite a gig you got going on here tonight." Aaron commented with a grin.
"Yeah well, you know how it is. It's a weekend, and I was just itchin' to party. So I figured why go out, when you can bring the party home! It's not like I don't have a stocked bar, thanks to dad and his family business if you know what I mean."
"Yep totally." Aaron laughed and then put an arm around me. I didn't know what to say or do. I suddenly felt like a deer in the headlights. I sort of knew James, he was a part of the same upper management circles Aaron revolved in, but he wasn't from the same department. So he and I never truly met, met before.
"James this is my date for the night, Alex." Aaron piped up proudly, his chest seeming to swell with every word he seemed to utter.
"Oh! Hi. I do believe we've seen each other about at work, but I don't believe we've actually met. It's nice to meet you." He stated holding out his hand for a shake. I took it, not wanting to seem rude. However, something strange irked me about the man. Just like something irked me about Jaiden. I couldn't quite put my finger on what though. Something about the man's touch felt, foreign. Maybe even lifeless, yet quite alive. I don't know, maybe it was all just in my head and I was seeing things where things should not have been, but the thoughts were there none the less. Eventually I let go of the man's hand, a smile still on my face.
"It's nice to meet you too." I felt awkward as a turtle. My gaze drifted to Aaron expectantly that he'd continue the conversation, but James continued.
"So, what do you do Alex?" he asked.
"I, uh, work technical." I stated. "Web and customer service stuff."
"Ah I see, that's cool. Never was much savvy with the computer aside from its basic needs like Office and the good old calculator." James said casually with a shrug. "Guess I'm just too much a social person to care what goes on in the online world, there's enough in the real world to keep me entertained."
Did he just wink at me? Oh good lord. Not even buster! Don't you dare think about it, I'm taken, well at least for the night anyway? Yet was I assuming that was what he meant. Something seemed, off about it, but what? I let it go because there wasn't anything I could do about it, Aaron was right there after all and he'd think I was being weird or over dramatic or something if I spoke out of turn about it. However, I couldn't help but to be naturally inexplicably at unease around this person. I had no reason to be, well maybe from a side of social anxiety, but this really hit off the radar. All I could do was pass it off as anxiety though and pray that, that was all it was.
"Yeah, computers aren't for everyone." I tried to offer.
"No they're not." James said taking a drink. I wanted to ask him what had gotten him so far then, his looks, but I knew that would have been snarky to say. The look though was clear as day on my face. "You think I got there just by my handsome face."
He gave a teasingly sarcastic smile, "Well maybe I did."
He scoffed a laugh, "No not really, I'm just great and organizing and presentation in public. Oh and great with speeches. That really doesn't require the cyber brain to have to work as much as other parts."
"Well, I guess I'm quite the yin to your outgoing yang then. I suck at public speaking most days if I'm face to face with someone. I just tend to ramble. Kind of embarrassing really." I stated.
"Well that's alright, someone's gotta be good at the techie stuff. Better you than me, I'd flub it so bad." James offered. "What about you Aaron, how's things going for you?"
"Oh pretty good, the usual. Some days more boring than others. Kinda glad I was able to get a fresh night out." Aaron admitted.
"I hear ya. Being a head honcho of anything is eventually mind numbing." Aaron's friend returned. I wanted to stay and listen, but my mind was just elsewhere. I wanted it to be on Aaron, and spending time with him, but my heart was just not in the moment. Maybe if it had been more one on one it might have been better, but this overwhelming scene was just too much for me I was starting to realize. I had to escape while they chatted, at least for a moment to collect myself.
"Uh, excuse me?" I asked quietly at first not wanting to try and interrupt their conversation that was still going on. Nothing though, I tried again, a bit more loudly this time. Still nothing. Third times a charm I supposed and I made it more a statement than a question and request.
"Hey, I uh, gotta go use the ladies room okay." I said and gently pulled away from Aaron. "I'll be right back I promise."
"Okay." was all I got out of Aaron and a smile. Well at least he wasn't mad at me leaving his side. I quickly wandered of, the sound of their conversation dwindling into a murmur with the other discussions going on around. Back inside the house, I went to try and find the actual bathroom for real. Maybe splashing some water on my face to calm me down would help. Biting at my lower lip in though as a wandered, I decided to make my way upstairs to see if I could find a vacant bathroom up there. I'm sure James wouldn't mind after all if it was a guest bathroom.
As I got upstairs, I wandered down the hall looking from side to side to see if I could find an open door that had a room that resembled a place to do ones business. He sure had plenty of rooms. The chandelier had been nice coming up the stairwell and the accent lighting on the landing was nice, but as much as it illuminated it did not give an outright reveal of where I wanted to go.
Eventually though I found one on the right side. It was quaint little room with light blue walls and a full bath; toilet, tub, and all. It was classy. I shut the door and made my way to the indented sink in the marble top and turned on the water. Making sure my hair was out of the way, I splashed my face with cupped hands of the cool liquid. Much better. When I looked up, I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked fine, but through my gaze I could tell I looked like a wreck waiting to happen. I closed my eyes and sighed at my reflection. Not wanting to leave quiet yet I sat down on the toilet, its top lid closed of course, leaving a soft deep dark blue cushiony rug like thing under me as I sat. I put my face in my hands and just tried to rub the weariness out of my skin. Sadly it was to no true avail and I just stared out at the light blue wall blankly. It reminded me of the Caribbean by its color tone, which was sort of soothing. Guess it was a good idea to be as relaxed as possible when using the facilities after all. Or if one was like me, staring off into space trying to collect one's self.
Lost in thought, eventually I jumped when someone actually knocked at the door. I wasn't ready to give up my spot just yet.
"Occupied! Be out in a sec!" I called, trying to buy myself some time. It was the best I had. Eventually after a few more minutes of just sitting there, I finally had to give up the room and venture back out into the party. Maybe now that I was alone I could find my own sense of fun while being here. Sadly, by the time I opened the door, there was no one there. What was even stranger, was all the lights that had guided my way to the bathroom, were not on anymore. Had I really sat that long? I didn't think I had. I looked out the door and down the hall. I could still hear the sounds of the music vaguely, or at least thought I did anyway. I looked back in to make sure I hadn't left anything and then left.
What I hadn't expected was to run right smack dab into Sansa just as I was leaving. How the blazes had she gotten there?! There had been no one down the hall what so ever. I jumped badly at seeing her.
"Sansa! Where have you been!? I've been worried about you and John. By the way where is John? Have you see him? Why isn't he with you?" I began to ramble. My heart was racing though. It raced even harder when Sansa didn't even answer me. She was staring at me, but she wasn't actually looking at me, me. I waved a hand in front of her dead stare face.
"Sansa?" I questioned, more worried now. "Sansa?!"
All she did after a few seconds was smile at me, but was it really me she was smiling at? I couldn't tell. Either way it wasn't right, It wasn't natural. I had to find John and Aaron and get the hell out of this jacked up party. Something clearly was off, and my mental alarms had been right. Not knowing what else to do, and not wanting to lose Sansa again I took her hand and pulled her along the dark hall towards the stairs.
"Come on Sansa I think it's time we grabbed our dates and called it a night." I stated, a scared tone to my voice.
"Where are we going?" she finally said something, a whimsical tone to her voice. She sounded like she got drugged high as a kite.
"To find the others." I stated firmly not stopping.
"But we were having fun though." Sansa said, sounding more like a whining five year old than an adult. Even for her that comment sounded quite childish.
"Yes well fun times over." I said calmly as I could as we made our way down the stairs. By this point myself I was starting to feel a little light headed for some reason, like the room had been spinning. The sounds of thumping bass filled my ears. Frantically I began to look around to see if I could find either Aaron or John. Neither were in sight.
"Come on Alexxxxxxxxx." Sansa said with a giggle more. "Let's go danceeeeeee."
"Not now Sansa." I snapped, she clearly didn't listen, because the next thing I knew I was drug back into the room with the dancing attendee's. I didn't feel like dancing though, but for some reason Sansa sure did. She could have been tipsy as a skunk or floating away on cloud nine somewhere, but either way home was the only option at this point. Colors in the room started to kaleidoscope for me. The dance lights bouncing in blobby masses around me. My head actually started to hurt from the deep pounding sounds of the techno music. I tried dancing with Sansa while trying to keep an eye out for John or Aaron, but my vision was starting to get the better of me.
Was it something I drank? Could have I been slipped something? Had the bowl I had gotten a drink from been laced with something more than adult appropriate drinks? I didn't think I'd ever know. Either way it began to make me feel like I was under water, like I was about to be as blank staring as Sansa had been before she had gone all goofy. I felt like my world had gone from normal to Alice in Wonderland in about sixty seconds flat.
As I vaguely danced still I saw a glint of something move near someone and then a flash of light. They were gone! I blinked. Did that just really happen! Another glint and another person disappeared in what seemed like a photo flash. I wanted to panic, I wanted to cry out, I wanted to move my feet and run. Take Sansa with me and just get the hell out of dodge, but none of that happened. I felt like I was in a dream and was moving through molasses. Another glint and then another. One right after another people vanished. Then I saw one by Sansa. I tried to swat at it, push it away and at first I was successful, but then it came back again full force and it somehow attached to her and then just as quickly she was gone too. I was mortified. My friend who, yes was a pain in the ass sometimes, just disappeared on me! She was a thorn, but never did I want anything like this for her. I was devastated and didn't know what to do. Was one of them aweful things going to come for me too? I didn't want to find out.
Panicking, I looked around again. Sadly the lights were just too much now and my body didn't want to cooperate with me. I wanted to go home. For the most part it had been a lovely night, but right now I just wanted nothing more than to sleep, which in this case was bad, but home did sound really nice. I tried moving, and to some degree it worked, so long as I went slowly and didn't sway too much. However, those that didn't get taken, I could tell were also passing out around me. Maybe that was the coo. The way to get people without people suspecting a thing. Just believe they were well out of it by the time things got crazy. Besides there weren't as many people now as there had been at the start of the party. Less people to have to worry about knowing the truth. Cause I sure knew what I was thinking, at least at the moment. Perhaps I would be like the others and wake up thinking the same thing as them. For now though, I realized that James probably was a part of this all along, after all why would he have been outside? Or were people outside effected too? I don't think I was going to find out.
In fact I was sure I wasn't going to. Great, just great. My life a sappy movie genre, not what I was hoping for. Damsel and I weren't what I'd want, not ever. Yet here I was, trapped, and I could do nothing about it. If I find out what's behind all this; they, it, whatever the thing is, they'll regret the day the crossed Alexis Holloway.
It would have to wait though, because just as I took whatever nth step I was at, I began to teeter forward. I tried to right myself. As I tried to regain balance I tried to focus my vision. Time had felt like it had slowed down again for me. Probably because of how messed up my head felt. I blinked furiously, but my vision didn't change. However, as I tried to stare out I saw John, coming towards me…running? Or was it quickly walking? I couldn't tell.
"John!" I tried to yell out, and it felt like yelling to me, but it probably came out more a soft exclamation of dizziness. Either way he tried to say something to me but the sounds I heard felt like they were under water. I think he had been trying to ask me where Sansa was and that fellow I was with, which I could deduct he was meaning Aaron.
"I…..don't know." I tried to say. "Sansa….gone."
"Gone what do you mean gone?" he tried to ask me. I tattered a bit and did a motion I had hoped would clearly explain the vanish thing. He either must have got what I was saying, or had a concerned face for the fact I looked like hell, or that I was crazy. Either way the world around me started to go black as I saw him stare around us and notice the same thing I had. Really in real time this had all gone quite a lot faster than what my brain was processing. Eventually he looked back at me his eyes going wide as he rushed over to me.
"Hold on, it's gonna be okay." was the last words I heard as I felt myself falling. Falling, falling, falling; into what seemed like a dark abyss.