THE GUITARIST

THE ELEVATOR

ANGELIQUE

I got a text from Alex, my boyfriend, around two in the afternoon, asking me to come to his band's last rehearsal. The show would be the next day and there was a lot of expectation regarding the preparation of the musicians.
One of them was a famous guitarist whose performance was always enigmatic.
That afternoon, I was released early from work as a team of engineers was going to carry out an electrical repair in the building. I decided to arrive earlier at the studio so I could leave before the rehearsal was over, because if the soundcheck didn't go as expected, the musicians would stay late into the night.
Upon arriving at the place, I noticed that the door was open, as if someone had already arrived but had not locked the key. Thinking it was Alex, I decided to look for him.
I heard some noises coming from the last door in the hallway and, when I opened it, I came across one of the members, who was getting ready and what was the hatred he felt for not having knocked on the door, who threw the bucket in my direction that he used to wear on my head.
I couldn't dodge it in time and that ornament hit my mouth with such violence that I felt a shock and soon after a hot liquid ran down my chin, dripping on the white blouse I was wearing.
That man advanced on me with a hatred I had never seen before and his huge hand started to choke me instantly, throwing me backwards. I felt my head hit the wall.
In sudden regret, he let go of me and picked up the bucket from the floor.
I was so scared that I quickly apologized and ran away in tears, hoping I wouldn't find anyone in the studio or nearby.
I waved at the first taxi I found and asked it to take me to my house. The taxi driver, looking in the rearview mirror, suggested that we go to the hospital, but I said that everything was fine and that I could bandage it at home.
It took about twenty minutes to get to my house and on the way, I was thinking what could I have done that was so serious to have been punished like that by a stranger. Anyway, I wouldn't tell Alex anything to avoid any conflict. Also, it was my fault, as I shouldn't have walked in without knocking on the door and without having identified myself... and while I was lost in my thoughts, the memories of my old relationship came back...
Before moving to Claremont, I lived in Wisconsin, a quiet town full of students from every state. The reason I lived in that city was precisely the college and the courses I took to strengthen my curriculum. In my junior year of graduation, I met Erik at a party on campus. He was from Finland and was doing a master's degree in computing. We talked a lot over the next few days and a short time later, we started dating. Our relationship lasted a year and two months, as he was abusive during that time.
Erik not only beat me... he took all his stress out on me. I walked around with bruises all over my body and I always tried to camouflage the bruises. We didn't get to end our relationship, as I had meticulously planned my departure without anyone knowing. I bought a bus ticket and needed two suitcases to put clothes and books. Things that didn't matter, like the gifts he gave me, I left at the republic.
As I didn't trust my roommates very much, I told them that I was going to Egypt to visit my mother and that I would be back soon. I arranged everything with my grandmother, who at the time lived in Claremont, and she picked me up at the bus station. I didn't tell her anything about what had happened and little by little I started a new life. I remembered all that as I looked out the car window, feeling that bruise hurt.

BRIAN

I arrived at the studio earlier than everyone else, as usual, because I had to separate the instruments from the rehearsal and tune my guitar. I had already put the mask on my face and when I took the bucket to put it on my head, a girl walked through the door, without even having knocked before.
The anger I felt at that repeated behavior only inflamed my hatred and, taken by anger, I did something I had never done in my entire life: I hurt a woman! I don't know what happened to me, but my tantrum made me throw the bucket at her!
Before the blood ran down her face, I rushed furiously towards her and my hand automatically started to strangle her, throwing her against the wall, in an unthinkable act!
When I felt her swallow hard, I woke up from that trance and realized it was Angelique, my co-worker's girlfriend, Alex. I released her immediately, blood running and in shock. I picked up the bucket from the floor and she was gone.
How could I be so aggressive!? Why did I take that anger out like that and on the wrong person!? I tried to run to catch up with her but the studio people were arriving and I was stopped at the door by them.
-Where do you think you're going, Buck? - said Jape, the band's drummer, laughing.
I was still tense and cold from what I had done. I watched Alex, who was calling someone. It must have been for his girlfriend, the girl I threw my bucket at. Unsuccessful in the calls, he gave up and a little discouraged, suggested that we start the rehearsal.
-Dude, what's going on with you!? - asked Thomas, the bassist, scratching his head.
-Blood - I said, feeling all the members of that band look at me and then around the room.
-What blood, man!?
-Did you kill someone here? - asked Aelden, the vocalist, laughing.
-The main attraction is you! - continued Thomas.
-Look, man, this is our last rehearsal. - Alex remembered.
Still distraught, I could barely hold the guitar with trembling hands and I grabbed what was mine and got out of there as fast as I could.
On the way, I put the bucket in my backpack, as I didn't want to be recognized by anyone. That scene couldn't get out of my mind.
- The guy is too weird! - grumbled Jape.
-But he was always weird! - continued Thomas.
-Now I'm suspicious that there's a body around here! What if the police show up!?
-Hey, stop being a coward and let's get this shit started! - said Aelden, impatiently.
-Something happened that he didn't want to tell us... - commented Alex.
-Have you received any news of pregnancy!?
Everyone laughed and Aelden scoffed, gesturing:
-The guy is a virgin... How could he have eaten someone? Only if he used his fingers!
-And how do you know he's a virgin? - asked Jape, curious.
-Man, I informed myself before requesting the guy for the band. Complete sheet!
They were curious but Alex soon interrupted:
-Well, whatever it is, don't disturb the guy, because he's going to open the show and then he's going to play with us.
Before rehearsal began, Jape searched the room they were in and was threatened with being kicked in the ass.
I wandered aimlessly around town with my guitar case and backpack. If only I knew where she lived, I would apologize in person...
That blood didn't get out of my head and I walked for a while until I arrived at my parents' house.
I reached into my pocket for the key to the door and opened it silently, hoping not to create any fuss. I entered slowly and as there was no one in the room, I walked down the hall and into my old room, closing the door and sitting on the bed.
-Brian?
I heard my mother's voice and replied:
-I'm here, Mom.
She walked in, smiling at me. I got up to hug her and she noticed I was freezing.
-What happened, Brian? You are freezing!
-Mother... I did something I shouldn't have done.
She was shocked because she looked into my eyes, startled. I noticed when she swallowed hard and asked:
-Did you... kill someone...?
I denied.
-You raped someone...?
I denied.
-You stole?
I denied again.
She breathed a little relieved, putting her hand on her chest.
-And what did you do, dear?
I tried to find the words inside my own mouth and said:
-Mother... I hurt a woman. I threw my bucket at her and blood came out...
My mother took me by the hand and we sat on my bed.
-Take off that mask. I want to look at you.
I did as she asked and she could tell I wasn't doing well as my face was screwed up with guilt. She cupped my face in both hands and whispered, looking at me with her sparkling blue eyes.
-Then you need to apologize, dear. That's how I taught you.
-But... what if she doesn't want to see me?
-If she doesn't want to listen to you, at least you'll have a clear conscience.
I lowered my head and my mother placed her finger on my chin, lifting my head.
-Don't let it stop you, my son. Do your part, okay? Be sincere.
Talking to my mother always made me feel good. She knew how to open my mind and make me feel better.
-Come on, let's have lunch. I made a chocolate frosting carrot cake and I know you love it!
I confess that I wasn't very hungry, but I agreed to accompany her and ended up having a snack too.