[Date: December, 2019.
Subject: Emilia Venlopez.]
The blinds were drawn shut, starving my office of the light it needed to breathe. The air was thick with coffee. My thoughts barely trudged through murky, coffee-stained waters.
My finger twitched as I reached for my coffee mug. It was almost empty. I drank the rest, let its bitterness cling to my tongue, and slammed it down with a thud. The desk shivered in protest.
Six coffee cups littered the desk along with the mountain of paperwork—now trimmed to a single uneven stack—half-sorted, half-forgotten.
With a twitch and a thud, my ankle banged the desk. The jolt shot up my spine as I inhaled sharply.
"Crap. Pins and needles..."
I jerked my leg loose. Pain. Its sharpness woke me up—just barely.
I glanced at my computer. My eyes snagged on the collage of pictures that were the background.
Straightening myself, I clicked on the next tab—YouTube music. I needed the white noise.
The soft beat of Lo-fi reverberated across the room. I shivered, leaning back with closed eyes. My heart hammered along, and the buzzing in my head quietened slightly.
But my leg wouldn't stop shaking. I could barely keep my eyes open.
My finger found the touchpad, slowly inching towards the shuffle button. I hesitated, internally hoping it would choose wisely. Watching you rock metal—I don't need to be reminded right now.
I clicked shuffle before I changed my mind.
Something Nostalgic played—a bittersweet melody.
Cocos en la Playa by Natalia Lafourcade—O Favorito de Mama.
A memory of home that made my chest tighten; I forced my eyes closed.
Then opened them with a sigh. I listened, letting the rhythm wash over me. Peaceful, against all my expectations. My heart tightened—so gentle I barely noticed.
The drums pulsed along with the beating of my heart.
Maracas chanted, and the soft voice echoed.
My feet tapped once, then twice. And I swayed.
The room blurred slightly, finally leaving me be. For once, everything just went away. It made me smile.
Just a little.
Time blurred as darkness took hold.
For once. Willingly.
Something breached the darkness.
A door slammed open—a concerned-looking Chase stood mid-kick, coffee in hand. The smell of fresh coffee made me shiver in delight.
Sustenance—I lunged at him, yanking the sweet nectar from his hands and practically engulfing it down in one. My eyes twitched rapidly as I stared him down.
He didn't reply immediately, taking in the messy state of the room—six coffee mugs, one feral addict and a stench so strong it burned his nose hairs.
"I see you've been enjoying yourself," he said, a half-knowing smirk tugging at his face as he retrieved the now-empty mug from my clutches.
He let out a sigh as he stepped inside, casually glancing at the chair tipped on its side. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It's been 3 weeks," he said, voice resigned, as he moved to open the blinds. Free the entrapped darkness of my lair? Never.
I dashed to stop him, but my legs betrayed me—my hip slammed into the desk. A sharp jolt lit up my nerves.
I could only watch as the light entered— And my eyes burned.
I tried to shield myself from the light, only for my efforts to prove futile. My shaky arms betrayed me, causing the light to hit me erratically.
I tumbled onto the floor, landing on my ass. I could only stare at Chase in indignation.
He ignored me, propping my chair up and taking a seat. He crossed his arms as he looked me over.
My hair was a mess, looking electrified... my clothes weren't any better, with creases unbefitting of a professional.
"Have you seen yourself?" He smirked. "You look like a drunken hobbit."
He leaned back, hand on chin as he hummed. "No, actually more like a cracked up Smeagol."
"You missed your precious?" He chuckled slightly to himself.
My precious? I blinked; my mind blanked as the word lingered. My knuckles whitened as silence stretched. Chase's smile faltered slightly as he watched me.
"Only as much as I missed you." I managed to retort; my voice came out coarse. I need water.
He chuckled awkwardly as he got up, walking towards the door.
"Wait here, I'll be back." His figure disappeared.
My throat tightened slightly as I gripped the edges of my coat.
The room feels larger—empty.
I stumbled towards my chair; It grumbled as I landed with a thud—on the floor. The chair had evaded me.
I didn't move, didn't bother.
And the ceiling suddenly looked interesting…
The sound of my door opening along with a chuckle entered my ears.
Chase appeared, looking down at me.
Crap…
I propped myself up, my arms shaking with effort.
I was sitting on the floor again, looking up at Chase.
He chuckled slightly, "Here," and threw a water bottle at me. It landed on my head and rolled away.
I watched absentmindedly.
Should I go get it…
Then something else hit my head and landed on my lap.
A snickers bar.
A small smile tugged at my face. One I denied.
Chase went to pick up the runaway bottle. He uncapped the lid and gently wrapped my shaking hands around the bottle, helping me drink in tiny gulps.
"Jeez, you been up working all night again haven't you..." His voice was soft, years of knowing each other made it difficult to hide anything from him.
"N—" I hiccupped, nodding my head. "No."
He nodded, a soft smiled tugging at his lips as he sat beside me.
"When was the last time you rested? Last new year's resolution?" He chuckled to himself.
He stilled slightly, glancing outside in thought. Then looked back at me, his soft gaze held a slight seriousness that made me listen.
"Hey," He started, slightly hesitant. "You've been working hard. Don't you feel tired? Exhausted."
No—I'm fine…
"No—," I drawled. cursing my voice. "I'm fine, perfectly okay."
I proceeded to stumble up, ignoring the weight bearing down my limbs.
Chase stood with me, seemingly anticipating something.
"See!" I raised my arms, my shoulder stiff. My eyes doing their best to keep focus on him
But my knees buckled, and I toppled down.
Chase caught me midfall. The subtle scent of burnt wood mixed with the room's coffee scent. Relaxed me slightly.
His hand brushed through my hair; a gentle act that made the heaviness almost unbearable.
"It's okay to rest."
That voice seemed to fade, as did everything else.
"You've done so much already."
It echoed in my ears...
"N—no…" I managed to squeak out.
"Shhh—rest. Take it slow for once." The voice continued. Ignoring my protests. "You don't need to handle everything yourself."
There was a warmth in my chest.
Something I shouldn't have.
I don't deserve it.
He knows it too…
So why—
"Ahhh, Dr Venlopez."
[Da—]
…What?
"It's truly a pleasure to see you again."
[DaTe: ???
SubJecT:eMiLia VenLoPez?]
polished hands manifested through the veil of darkness. As did the surroundings, slightly uncovering as he spoke.
"We didn't get to speak much last time."
Tick
Two brown eyes found me with unnerving intensity.
Tock
"Care to walk?"
[Date: Early-November?
Subject: Emilia Venlopez]