Circles

Chapter XII

"Do you really have to leave?"

"Yes. The clients are waiting for me, and time is short. Come here." Alister hugged him tightly, tilting his chin to give him a careful kiss. "I'm going to miss you."

"Can't I accompany you?"

"No. Only colleagues from the company are attending."

Noah started nervously playing with his hair.

"Do you wish to inquire about something?"

"No..."

"Are you certain?"

"Are you coming back, right?"

"Absolutely." Alister embraced him a bit more firmly to offer reassurance, smiling. "Why would I not? Do you think I'd abandon you here?"

Noah fell silent, restlessly shifting.

"You're free to ask any question."

"No...it's just...it's my fault that..."

"Ask me." He interjected.

"Is there...any...young lady on this trip?"

"Indeed. My secretary and a recently joined young woman."

"Oh..."

"Does it concern you?"

"Are they attractive?"

"Their appearance isn't relevant, Noah. I'll be back. Don't be concerned. Don't worry. Now I must go, or I'll miss my flight."

Alister released him and grabbed his suitcase, while Noah followed him, still holding onto his shirt. As they reached the first floor, Lizzie was waiting near the door.

"Noah, Lizzie will stay until 8 every day, she'll keep you company while you have dinner, and then she'll leave. She'll be back early the next day. You shouldn't worry."

"Alright," the boy finally let go of the shirt and looked at him for a moment. Alister knew that if he wasn't careful, Noah would burst into tears.

"It's only three days. I'll be back sooner than you think, and I'll bring you something if you behave."

"Yes. Be careful..." Noah gave him a faint smile as Alister walked out the door, heading towards the waiting car outside.

A few moments later, the vehicle pulled away, and Noah watched it until it disappeared on the horizon.

"Do you want something to eat before lunch?" Lizzie asked, looking at him curiously.

"No, I'm fine."

"Come on, it's only three days. Why do you get like this? I remember when you first came here, you used to hate him..."

"I didn't hate him..." he muttered, looking distressed.

"Yes, you did. Don't you remember? Anyway, it doesn't matter. Stop being so childish and wait calmly like an adult."

"Yeah..."

As night fell, while Lizzie said goodbye and closed the door, Noah felt the true weight of loneliness. The house where he had grown up looked eerie, and even though he turned on every light he could find, he still had the feeling that someone would appear at any moment.

In the empty living room, he climbed onto the couch and curled up in front of the television, trying to distract himself with anything that was on. He was afraid to move. He took out his cellphone and sent a text message to Alister, but received no response.

The stairs creaked.

Noah got up from the couch, growing increasingly frightened.

"There's no one here... It's just me..." he repeated to himself over and over to calm down.

"Noah?" The boy turned around in terror toward the direction from which the familiar voice had come, but he saw no one.

He picked up his cellphone again and called Alister. He needed him and was scared, and didn't know what to do. The tone rang several times before redirecting to voicemail. He felt short of breath, so with each attempt, he tried to breathe a little louder, attempting to calm himself.

It was only two nights, but he didn't know how he would survive until the next morning. He felt the house beginning to shrink, causing the air to become denser around him. He could smell the cleaner Lizzie had used on the furniture hours earlier, and he began to feel dizzy.

He didn't want to stay there another minute, slowly started walking towards the door, trying to go unnoticed, but as he attempted to open it, his cellphone started ringing, startling him. Quickly he pulled it out of his pocket and looked longingly at the illuminated screen.

It was Alister.

He answered as fast as he could, feeling like he'd be killed if he didn't tell him quickly what was happening.

"Alister, there's someone in the house! Please come back, they'll kill me!"

"Noah, focus on my voice, listen."

"Please...!" he whimpered.

"There's no one there. I promise you."

"How do you know?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Huh! Alister!"

"Take a deep breath and go to your room. Slowly. Don't rush."

Noah began to walk slowly through the living room with blind faith, while he listened to Alister's voice guiding him to breathe.

He stumbled up the stairs, and as he reached his room, he slammed the door shut and hid inside the closet with his heart racing.

"Listen. Just focus on your breathing. There's no one there except you, and Lizzie will be back in a few hours."

"Are you sure there's no one?"

"I promise."

"Alister, can you come back? I'm really scared... I don't want to be killed..."

"I can't. Come on, Noah, I trust you. I know you can do it, and I'll be proud."

"Alright..." he mumbled, hesitating. He needed Alister to feel that way about him, so he had to try.

"Besides, if you manage it, I'll do whatever you want, although you can only choose one thing, and you have to behave."

"Anything?" Noah's breathing started to calm down as he focused his mind on other matters.

"Yes. I promise."

"Alright... I'll do it..."

"Feeling better? Are you in your room?"

"Yes."

"Good. Lie down and try to sleep. I'll stay with you for a while."

Noah emerged from the closet, looking in all directions to make sure there was no one in the room. He quickly put on his pajamas and got into bed, covering his head with the blankets.

"Did you do it?"

"Yes..."

"Good boy."

"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Yes. Come on, tell me about your day."

"I didn't do much today..."

"Try to remember the details, and tell me slowly."

"Alright..."

"You're a good boy, Noah."