I had tossed and turned the whole night, getting only about twenty-minute pockets of sleep at a time. It was 4.00AM when I finally called it quits and dragged myself out of bed.
The morning cold embraced me in a way my mother didn't... Mostly because she and my dad had the nerve to die before I knew them. I switched on the light, squinting and scrunching my nose as I adjusted to the glaring brightness.
It had been like that the whole weekend as well. And at this point, I was running on fumes, having barely slept for the third day in a row. I stumbled twice on my way to the kitchen and stubbed my toe on the leg of my dinner/work table, and now I was truly awake, hopping on one foot while rubbing the other. This was a really great start to my Monday morning.
I took my time, since I'd woken up extra early. Brushed my teeth, took a nice long shower and did some skin care. The week before this my mornings had consisted of waking up at 6.00 am to snooze my alarm, so that I could wake up at 7.00 in a panic, rush through my routine and arrive at work barely on time.
So this was a change. The good news was, I finally wasn't rushing, and it was a calm state of mind for once. The bad news was, I was barely focused, and I was low on energy.
I continued to do random things; write a to-do list, push my old couch from one end to the other, rearrange my plates and watch my clock anxiously as it approached 7.00. I was stalling because I didn't want to get out of the house.
Because the moment I did, that feeling would come back. I checked the clock again, 6:59. Goosebumps spread on my skin the moment I stepped out of the house. Not from cold, it was quite sunny outside. I took in slow lungfuls of air in an attempt to calm myself.
I was okay. I was okay. No one was watching me.
I walked to the bus station, waving briefly at the Mr.Smith, who owned a little cafe. It was a locals' favorite spot. Walked past, Barney's laundromat where I usually did my laundry. Walked past the Presbyterian church. Everything went on as usual. See brain?Everything was normal.
I waved my work ID at the doorman as I got into the building of Elderman Rich, one of the fastest rising PR companies in the country. Which was partially the reason I stuck it out here. If I rose through the ranks here, all the doors would be open for me.
A sliver of excitement pulsed through me at the thought. That and the fact that there was a department meeting today.
Daniel, in his email, had hinted at someone's promotion. I tried to reign in my excitement, because expecting something is what usually led to the disappoinment of not getting it. But my mind didn't care, it pictured me in my own office, running several accounts, meeting big shots and rising stars in various fields.
People weren't settled into their work stations, rather, some were grabbing coffee, making small talk or going through files as they slowly gathered in the conference room. I too, made my way to the room, coffee in hand. Lord knows I needed the energy.
I sat down and took a sip, willing myself to focus on the incoming promotion, rather than all the fuckery that was going on in my head.
"Ana! Hey,"
A familiar voice came from beside me. I turned to find Vincent, a coworker of mine. I'd helped him
acclimate when he was new to the company and we often exchanged notes and ideas. I smiled at him and stretched out my hand.
"Hey Vincent."
He sat next to me and we made small talk. He had just taken on a big client and was working on that, and he would be drawing inspiration from my Wilson Motors deck, he declared.
"Seriously though, it was really good!" he said. A hush spread in the room as Daniel walked in, secretary in tow. He set his laptop on the table and looked over each one of us.
"Good morning everyone,"
His gaze landed on a woman, "Cassie," he said with a nod. Then to a man, "Charles,"
They smiled back, echoing his greeting. He allowed a few people to speak, each one highlighting a different aspect of our work. It was overall good news, which I zoned out of as they started to speak numbers.
My attention was only grabbed once Daniel stood up to speak again. The meeting was almost over.
"I just want to say that I'm proud of the work we've done," he beamed at us, "we've gotten some big clients; Habanos, Cascade, Buns and Biscuits... Wilson Motors," he said, casting me a glance. I willed my heart to calm down.
"It's been a team effort, no doubt," he said, "But one person's consistent efforts and leadership has stood out, both to myself and the guys upstairs,"
My heart couldn't choose between beating too hard and stopping entirely.
"After several conversations with HR and our department head, I'm happy to announce that starting next week," He looked at me,
"Vincent will be taking his position as team lead!"
My smile froze on my face. I hadn't even realized that I was smiling. I thought he'd been looking at me? But Vincent was right next to me, so that was an easy mistake to make. I just imagined that he was looking at me. I realized that people were clapping and congratulating him and I turned to him.
"Congratulations Vince,"
I heard myself say as I gave him an awkward pat on the back, "I'm really happy for you."
My legs stood up, and I didn't really hear or see anyone until I got to the bathroom. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. She looked at me and I wondered if her eyes had always looked dead. She was pale, and her wavy black hair made her features stand out more. She'd done her makeup, dressed immaculately for the day and yet as I stared at her, she seemed hollow.
I felt it then.
The hairs on my back stood, and the air shifted. I didn't have the energy to shake it off and pretend that I wasn't feeling it. Something brushed the back of my neck, light as a fingertip, deliberate. My breath hitched. I turned fast.
No one.
Just empty air and the faintest echo of touch still lingering on my skin. I wasn't hallucinating, I wasn't crazy. Something just touched me. I walked into my office and sat down.
Laura, my officemate, said something that I think I responded to. Daniel poked his head into the office and told Hannah to get prepare a blueprint for a new deck. I sat at the computer and responded to emails.
It was at the end of the day when Laura leaned in and poked me. Gesturing with her head towards the door. There Daniel was, smiling at me.
"Did you do it?" he asked expectantly and I stared at him.
"Do what?" I asked.
His smile faltered slightly.
"The blueprint I asked for?" he said, eyebrow slightly raised. I stood up, from my seat. It was already 5.00 pm, time to go home.
"Oh?" I asked, picking up my bag.
"I thought you asked Hannah to do that?"
I looked at him expectantly since he was blocking the doorway. And after a beat, he slowly stepped to the side.
I got home, having held myself from running. Because I'd look crazy, running away from nothing, even though my whole body felt the presence of , what even was it. A ghost? A demon? I huffed out a laugh.
This was insane.
My mind shifted to those kids. That spell book. Everything felt different after I said the spell. Crazy as it sounds.
Mobius and I milled around the kitchen. He waiting for his meal and I, preparing said meal. Vincent will be taking his position as team lead. I didn't want to think about it but my mind drifted off to that moment.
Vincent - who I trained. Who said he'd be drawing inspiration from me!
I served Mobius his bowl of cat food and turned to the sink to wash my hands.
As I reached out to grab a towel my body froze. My breathing shallowed, and every thought in my mind dissipated. Because just a few meters from my window, in the sickly yellow glow of a street lamp, stood a figure.
Tall. Too tall.
He didn't move, didn't sway or shift, yet the darkness itself seemed to pulse around him. I couldn't see his face, hidden in the shadows. Yet something inside of me twisted. It was like a part of me knew him. Even if though I'd never seen him before.