When the Water Called

2 / The Voice

It's December 18th, Monday, snow has been slow but the wind has become so cold and shiver-inducing like the seasonal dreams that I have been seeing again. I hope tomorrow will be a better day. 

December 19th

I woke up, sweating as always, the man still a blur to me. I wonder why I still kept dreaming about this person that I don't even know. Maybe, it's better that I don't know. I could be being haunted by a ghost for all I know. 

I disregarded that thought, it would be scary that ghosts might live here. I walked towards my work table, seeing the unfinished code that I still needed to go through.

Colby: I need to finish this by next monday, i need to start working asap.

Colby: ok i just need one more thing, my list for what i still needed to do.

I wade around my table drawers seeing dozens of papers being flung at the side of the drawer one by one. Some even survived from the first time I managed to get the apartment. 

Colby: Damn, I should probably clean this. Ugh. 

While wading out, a note managed to pop out the drawer. It said “Forget about it”.

Coldy: That sounds weird, I didn't remember that I wrote this. 

I looked around the paper and it seemed old. Must have been the first notes that I took in college. Must have been a rough year for me at that time. I took a sigh and got the note that dated today reading, finishing the title screen, and game mechanics. 

Colby: Welp better get started. 

While this was happening, I didn’t know I'd get a call from my mom. 

[phone rings]

Colby: answers* Hi mom, how are you doing?

Mom: Doing great sweetie, just asking if you’re gonna be here at Christmas?

Colby: Of course, since when did I didn’t come home?

Mom: Just asking, you know you’re getting older, maybe you have other company this year.

Colby: Mom.. ( i said with a annoyed tone)

Mom: Why? you’re 27 now, anything could be possible. 

Colby: I haven’t told you about anyone, then that means no. 

Mom: ok ok, but I just want you to know, I’m all ears.

Colby: ok mom, anyways can I stay there at 22?

Mom: Sure, what for exactly?

Colby: Having a reunion on the highschool swim team.

Mom: Oh, I thought you didn’t like swimming anymore.

Colby: hm, why? I mean sure, I won’t pursue it but it’s still memories.

Mom: I thought you didn’t like them. You used to never talk about them to me. I guess you liked some of them, but you never really said you fitted there.

Colby: I forgot ever saying that to you. 

Mom: Well, anyways, at least you're opening up your shell and living up a little. This is your golden years, it's time for doing stuff.

Colby: thank you mom for the gentle reminder.

Mom: I’m not being sarcastic, you’re young, you should live a little.

Colby: Mom, I’m fine, don't worry about me.

Mom: I know, it’s just I don’t want you to waste your life.

Colby: Don’t worry, I know what I'm doing.

Mom: Anyways, I’m going to clean your room.

Colby: My old teen room?

Mom: Yup, you’re gonna be here for 3 days and I’m not risking a dented couch because of you.

Colby: I could sleep on the floor.

Mom: -and get frost bites, better not. 

Colby: Ok, just don’t overwork yourself.

Mom: I’m your mother, I know my boundaries. 

Colby: ok mom.

Mom: ok sweetie bye bye now.

[phone ends]

Talking to my mom gave me a sense of clarity that fixed my day. Towards all the nightmares I've been having, her voice soothed me for a bit against all the tension. I wonder if I'll ever get this feeling to stay until my nightmares go away. Maybe one day.

The day ended with me finishing my daily work, I took a look at the clock and it’s 9’o five in the evening. So exhausted,I dragged myself to bed while Hayate followed my tired body. I got to bed while Hayate was on the floor beside me. While my eyes immediately drifted off, having no second thought of waking up.

Voice: Colby, I want you to know that i-