Yokubo

CHAPTER 6: GOODNIGHT, GATSBY

"He sounds like Gatsby. Young, rich, living each day the way he wants. Gatsby." Daisy said

It was the next morning. Fabian lay down next to the fish pond, the water gushing out from the mini fountain behind him. The sound transported him to a place beyond space and time. His head lay on a bag as he stared up at the morning sky. Daisy lay down with her head on his stomach. The two of them were in a 'T' shape as they conversed.

"Gatsby.... Sounds pretentious." Fabian remarked.

"Or attractive?" Daisy replied. Fabian scoffed.

"In what way? A rich sugar daddy?" he retorted annoyed. Daisy chuckled lightly.

"Mystery. The unknown," Daisy said. Fabian chuckled rolling his eyes.

"So dramatic." he replied with a smirk."

"He could be a thief that stole his gang's money. He's probably hiding out here, that's all," said Fabian. Daisy chuckled.

She sighed before replying. " And I'm the dramatic one?". Fabian laughed.

"You ever feel like you wanted something, and you get it but then later on when you think you should be happy with what you have, something or someone comes along and just....changes all that?" Daisy asked as she stared up melancholically at the sky. Fabian sighs.

"I think I know what you mean," he replies. Daisy closes her eyes smiling softly as she does.

"But I can't help but feel guilty for thinking that way," Fabian said.

"That's good," Daisy replied. Fabian raises an eyebrow.

"Why?" Fabian asked.

"It means you're a good person. And good people...are a rare breed." Daisy sighed. Fabian wondered a moment.

"Is it worth being good if you're unhappy?" Fabian asked. Daisy sighs.

"Well, that is the question," Daisy replies as Fabian closes his eyes, pondering the conversation he'd just had.

Fabian's eyes open as he looks at his surroundings. The afternoon sky was about to succumb to that of the evenings. He glanced at his watch. 5:30 pm. He sighed, rubbing his forehead. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and called Hailey.

"Hello? Babe? Where are you?" he asked.

"Hey, babe!! I just finished shopping with Ana! Im on the way home." She replied excitedly.

"Don't forget I'm taking you out for dinner tonight." Fabian reminded her.

"Don't worry I remember," she replied. Fabian sighed smiling.

"Just letting you know there's quite a jam here. Subang is a mess right now." Hailey added.

"No worries. I'll see you soon babe. Bye." he replied. He ends the call. He stands up and looks down at the pond. The gushing waters of the fountain fill the air and intensify as he remembers what Tim said.

" I play."

"It's a living."

"Love is like drowning." Fabian unlocks his phone and begins typing.

Tim is setting the table. He lays out four plates on top of the table mats. He quickly puts the knives, forks and spoons beside them. He looks at his watch. 5:30 pm.

"I still have some time." He thought to himself. He put his palm across his mouth and lets out his breath. He winces at the smell. Now in his bathroom, he opens his mirror cabinet and sees his two toothbrushes. He picks up the pink one, admiring it. He smells the brush, inhaling deeply. Enjoying the smell of it. He smiles reminiscently as he puts the brush back on the shelf, picking up the blue one instead. He squeezes some toothpaste out of the tube and onto the blue brush his phone chimes. He reaches into his pocket pulling it out. It was a text from Fabian.

"Tim I need ur help now! It's an emergency!". Tim's face was overcast with concern as he began dialling Fabian's number but another text interrupts him.

"I need you to meet me here now! Pls !" the text was followed by a google maps link. Tim dropped his toothbrush and rushed out of the bathroom.

Tim reaches the location. It's a dark empty plot of land with a few trees in the background. The exact same place where Fabian met with Daisy. The headlights from his white Ford Fiesta shine bright in the pitch-black surroundings. Tim looks in his side mirror and sees Fabian walking towards him with a torchlight in hand. Tim unlocks his car door and exits the vehicle. He rushes over to Fabian.

"Fabian! What happened? What's the emergency?" Tim exclaimed, worried. Fabian just stares at him with a blank look hiding his rage.

"Fabe?" Tim called out. The gleam of the knife was barely visible as a quick sharp stab to the abdomen drew a sharp breath from Tim. The squelching sounds repeated themselves as Fabian continued stabbing him over and over in the abdomen. Tim turned around weakly as he tried to make his way back to his car in a futile attempt to escape but instead was further stabbed in the back by Fabian. Tim fell to his knees. Seemingly accepting his fate. Fabian held him upright and looked him in the eye.

"W-why?" Tim asked weakly. Fabian stared at him with the same blank look he'd had.

"I saw your toothbrushes." He replied. Tim was fading but those words confused him.

"Wha-" he began. But was stopped by Fabian's hand around his throat as he lay the torch at their feet, the light shining upwards.

"Do you feel it? The blood. It's rising isn't it." Fabian said, his voice devoid of emotion but his body trembling, with excitement or rage, he couldn't tell. It was all the same to him now.

"You either find a great love or drown right?" Fabian began. He moved closer to Tim, whispering in his ear. The inaudible whisper made Tim try a last-gasp struggle but eventually he gave out. His body now limp, Fabian dumped him in the backseat of the car. Fabian took off his shirt and pants. Dressed in his boxers he threw his shirt and pants in the backseat with Tim's body and got in the driver's seat. He sighed, adjusting the rearview mirror. He then quickly opened the door and vomited violently. Vigorously panting he counted backwards to himself to try and calm down.

"199, 198, 197, 196, 195 ....." As he took deep breaths he looked ahead and reached for the light switch. He turned off the headlights, letting the night embrace him.

EARLIER THAT DAY...

Tim and Ana stand next to each other brushing their teeth. Ana with her pink one and Tim with his blue one. The two of them spit in the sink together.

THE END