Quietly. And just come back.

Get back to me

The sounds of glass glasses, the voice of familiar people, faces filling the space around, their office. The smell of baking, or rather a birthday cake, is in the air. Today is a special day.

This setting is painfully familiar...

For a second, the man hesitates, thinking, and then turns around sharply, hearing a scream. The voices are quiet...

- YOU LIED TO ME. - A cry of pain, anger and disappointment hurts his ears. He cannot say a word. As if someone stepped on the throat. The screams of pain didn't stop.
A familiar face in front of him grimaces in anger, and an eye fills with tears. The blue beloved look turned red and furious with indignation.

- I BELIEVED YOU. -he shouts.
He notices the paper in his hands, and trembles, realizing everything in an instant. He steps forward.
- Please, let me explain everything! - He pulls his hand to him, hoping to touch. But he was hit painfully on the palm of his hand, pushing him away.
-It's over between us, Updike. - he growls and turns around.

No...

- THAT'S ALL!! - He screams with a loud cry through tears, and tears this damn paper.

No!

The man stretches out his hand, wants to take a step, but cannot. Feet seem to be glued to the floor.

NO!

A familiar figure moves away, rapidly leaving the room. Everything went dark in an instant, a chill ran down his back, causing goosebumps.
People whispered.

The man felt his own cheeks begin to burn his own tears that escaped from his eyes.
He continued to watch. He couldn't say anything. Couldn't do anything.
And as soon as the door slammed in the depths of this corridor of darkness and cold.

He screamed...

- STOP! RAPHAEL!

Updike bursts out of bed, screaming loudly and holding out his hand in front of him.
Cold sweat rolled down from his forehead, his nightgown was soaked, he shivered from the cold and from the felt emptiness in his heart. His hands are trembling, and he nervously swallows the lump in his throat.

The same dream has haunted him for ten years now. Every time before his birthday, he has this goddamn dream. And nothing ever changes...
To be honest, every year he barely recovers after him, because the memories of painful moments devour him from the inside. It hurts. And emptiness with longing forever rolled right before the "happy" day, which people celebrate with a smile...
But other than a smile to hold back tears, there can be no way. And it's his fault.

He exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from his damp forehead.

He probably had enough sleep for tonight.

The beginning of the day did not go very well, as did its continuation. Today he had to run a lot around the office, somewhere there were not accounting, somewhere there were problems, maybe even the equipment broke down, and they had to call the master to fix it.
In short, he was tired specifically, although only half a day had passed. It's good to be home soon.
True, he is unlikely to fall asleep, insomnia sucks. And the very reason that Updike tried not to think about also sucks.

-Check everything again, and then mail the document to this new candidate. -Gabriel said while talking to his friend, Sterling.
He hasn't celebrated his birthday in a long time. Only for a couple with Uriel and a case of wine, and then Uriel refused most of the bottles, since he does not like to drink alcohol much like his good friend. Sterling and Updike's birthday is on the same day, and it's tomorrow. But they need to work. Especially if they're the ones who run the entire TGG organization, it's not always possible to take a break, not even a little. Only at the end of the day, and then not as much as we would like.
- Yes. -Uriel nodded. - The candidate is an excellent specialist in her field. I think it will be useful for the organization. We just don't have enough guards.
- She?
- Yes.
- It's clear. - Updike continued to work with papers, which he does not particularly like, and Sterling continued to study the resume of a new future employee if the contract was successful.
Updike sighed and cracked his numb neck. How tired he is today.
- Didn't get enough sleep? - Uriel asked, looking at how Updike was suffering. Of course he knew the cause of his insomnia, which intensified in these fateful days. He really wanted to help his friend, because if Updike is not feeling well, Uriel is also feeling bad, as his terrible mood is transmitted to the people around him. And in particular to him.
Updike sighed loudly.
- It's the same every year.
- I know what will cheer you up! - Sterling smiled. Gabriel looked at him, having no idea what his friend was up to this time. But if Sterling decides something, then he decides it finally. And no one will stop him from carrying out his next crazy idea. In general, they were pretty good, and even useful, so Updike sometimes listened to his opinion.
- And what is it?
-How about spending your birthday with me?- he smiled.
-That's stupid, we do it together every year.-Updike rolled his eyes. It looks like he's not the only one who's pretty tired today, otherwise he can't explain why Sterling has become such an idiot all of a sudden. However, he has always been like that. According to Updike.
- You did not understand me. This year we will really celebrate the birthday like normal people, with our own little party, where only the birthday people will be, that is, us.
- And why do you not like those birthdays?
-I don't want you to get drunk again and cry to me about how unhappy you are.-Uriel rolled his eyes.
- I do not do that.
- You do it. - He put an end to it. - So this year, I plan everything. I will make you feel better!
Updike considered. Who is he to argue with Uriel when he is so insistent on his idea? Maybe if he succeeds, he'll really take his mind off the... Bad?
After a moment's thought, Updike waved his hand.
- All right, why not.