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2. Where monsters go

The light was still on in the house across the street. The fact that someone was awake at such an hour was completely normal for the city, but in this place it seemed strange. Having brought the first box of things inside, the man glanced towards the neighbor's house again. The movement in the window was fast, completely fleeting, but he could have sworn that he saw a person. Drawing someone else's attention was the last thing he wanted, but apparently he screwed up.

Tired, but happy with extra payment, the movers left in an hour, and he was finally left alone. Alone with his new home and, unfortunately, with his thoughts. The silence here seemed...unbelievable. He thought he would feel better once he came here, but so far it all seemed like very nice theatrical scenery that could collapse at any moment.

Trying to distract himself, he began to place dishes, books and other small things on the shelves, to hang clothes in the closets. And every time he finished, he started again until each thing stood, hung or lay "perfectly."

Perfect order. He always strived for it in everything, believing that in this way he could put his own thoughts in order, clear his head and come into some semblance of harmony. And it usually worked. However, having dealt with all the boxes, he was laying in bed motionless, looking at the ceiling, but could not force himself to fall asleep. And if everything was "okay," then why did the body refuse to relax?

This silence seemed to mock him, as if it wanted to say: "What, you think you got off so easily? Do you think that's all? It will never end. The end will come only with your death." That probably was true. Probably, if you spend so much time so close to death, it will follow you everywhere. He could only guess whether the anxious expectation of something inevitable would ever subside. Could this happen to someone like him? Did he even deserve peace? In the wild, animals leave their pack and go far away to die alone. He wondered where the monsters go. To some quiet place like this?

The night concealed only a threat. The calm seemed illusory, and the weapons hidden throughout the house did not change anything. Every cell of his body, every muscle was still on alert.

Fight or flight.

The eyes still couldn't close.

The light was still on in the window of the neighbor's house.

***

The day was warm and sunny, but Nika was not happy about it at all. She managed to pass out only in the morning, she slept for only about four hours at most, and now the sun was mercilessly burning her eyes. Sitting on the terrace of a local cafe, she tried to hide under a colorful umbrella, but the glare from the glass of the windows, polished dishes and passing cars still bothered her. However the coffee here was really excellent. Nika almost didn't regret that the day before she had vowed to her only friend to get out into the city and meet here for lunch today.

It was impossible to refuse Lauren. She could charm anyone. Her smile, her laughter, her stupid jokes and relaxed manner of communication captivated and endeared people. It was easy to be with her, she literally exuded global positivity, spreading it to everyone around her like a virus. Lauren was also extremely stubborn and always achieved what she wanted. Nika didn't have a chance when this girl spoke to her six months ago in this very cafe, which, as it turned out, belonged to her.

"What's the matter, baby? You look lousy," Lauren said worriedly, tired of watching Nika constantly wince and slide lower and lower in the wicker chair, ready to crawl under the table and curl up there.

"I just didn't sleep well." Never mind. Now, I'll finish my coffee and again will be more alive than anyone else.

"You always sleep poorly. Take sleeping pills already, like a normal person."