Tail Spin

Third Encounter

"I'd like a half-caf, triple-shot, soy, no foam, extra hot caramel macchiato." A high maintenance customer ordered at the counter.

"Come again?" Christian asked.

"A half-caf, triple shot, soy, no foam, extra hot caramel macchiato." The lady repeated.

"Help." Christian pleaded with the barista next to him.

"Sorry pal, but we're swamped." Was the barista's reply.

Christian turned to the customer dressed in a beige blazer, white blouse underneath, skinny black slacks, and high heels. "Do you know how to make it?"

She looked up from her phone. "Excuse me?"

Christian feels his cheeks heating up. "This soy, foaming drink is the very first one that I've heard of."

"Can't you make it?"

"I wouldn't know where to start."

"Is there somebody else that can make it?"

"They're too busy to help me."

"I'll just ask this guy." She scooted her way to the line on her right causing a ruckus from the people behind her.

"Ma'am. You can't do that." Christian's co-worker addressed her.

"I was here before her." She explained rudely. "This red headed barista refuses to make my drink."

"That's not true." Christian defended himself. "I've never made a drink that complex before, and I'm m not sure how to make one."

The teenaged barista is trying to make peace with the lady as other customers have no choice but to wait and watch as the woman demanded to speak to a manager.

That's when Christian caught something in his peripheral vision and noticed a drink floating in mid-air. Panicking, he grabbed it in a rush and saw writing on it with what the lady requested. "Harry?" He asked as he looked around trying to find any signs of his body guard, but no such luck.

"What seems to be the problem here?" Christian's boss arrived.

"Nothing." Christian spoke rapidly. "Someone was nice enough to make this for you." Christian presented the cup to the lady. She took it, examined the sharpie words on it, and took a sip.

"That's more like it." She said.

Christian felt nudging before stuttering. "That'll be 4.75 please." She was going to reject the idea of paying but Christian's puppy eyes made her exhale before taking out her credit card and handing it to him. "Thank you." Christian spoke to her. "And sorry about that." She didn't say a word as she turned around and left.

Christian's boss put his hand on his shoulder. "How about taking a break? I'll cover you during that time."

"Okay." Christian said before slinking away as his boss took over his station.

He slumped in a chair in the empty break room. "What a nightmare." he heard a clanking sound. "Oh, and thank you for saving my skin out there." He thanked his invisible companion. "And Sorry I called you Harry Potter. What's your real name?"

There was nothing but silence before hearing his phone bing. Checking it, he found a text that said, 'Harry is quite alright.'

'Are you sure?' Christian texted back.

'Positive. Now, it's time to return to your shift.' the message bubble posted before deleting by itself making Christian jump and stare in disbelief.

After his shift is finished, Christian is standing in a packed Subway cart. ' I should've gone home with the others.' Christian thought glumly before taking a much needed breath when the train stopped and people moved to exit, but grunted when more people entered. "Great." He muttered sarcastically.

"My thoughts exactly." His eyes widened when he turned around and spotted Graham right behind him. Christian tried to squirm away when he felt Graham wrap his arms around his waist. "I'd like to finish what we started the other night."

"Even with people around?" He winced when Graham's hold tightened.

"I'm not that reckless." He leaned closer to mutter in his ear. "We'll get off at the next stop."

"What makes you think you can drag me out of here with a bunch of people crushing us like sardines in a can?"

"Don't underestimate me, you fool. Either come with me, or I shall hunt one of these unsuspecting passengers."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

"Meanie."

Graham couldn't help smiling a bit. "That's the best you've got?"

Christian squinted his eyes angrily at him. "That's the nice version of what I really want to call you. Excuse me for trying to be cordial out in public. By the way, were you stalking me? Bumping into me this much can't be mere coincidence."

"But it is." Graham said. "I'm not one to stalk my prey."

"Why is it I don't believe that?"

"It is the truth." Graham insisted. "I only visited you at the coffee shop to be sure your blood was that of a supernatural. The rest was dumb luck."

"Why's life tormenting me like this?" Christian asked.

"You're one to talk, since you're the only meal to have survived this long."

Graham's words sent a dreadful pit in Christian's stomach. A chime coming from the train's speaker indicated the next stop's approaching.

"This'll be fun." Graham stated.

"What are you, an adrenaline junkie?" Christian asked.

Graham's hold on Christian didn't waiver as the Subway came to a stop, and as the doors slid open, the crowd dispersed as others gathered.

"Let me go." Christian demanded as he attempts to wiggle out of Graham's grasp. "Harry! Harry Potter!" By-standers gave them funny looks.

"This better not be one of your tricks, or else." Graham warned.

"Let me go, and find out."

"Are you taunting me?"

"More like challenging you."

"I have no time for fun and games." Graham stated as he escorted Christian down the terminal and snuck into hidden tunnels on the side.

"Oh God." Christian spoke exasperated when he examined the dimly lit area with rock and dirt surrounding them. He felt Graham stiffen at the mention of the G word and got an idea.

"Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee." Christian began praying.

"Stop that!" Graham hissed as his grip began to loosen.

"Please forgive my trespasses." Christian continued.

"What kind of being are you?"

Christian ignored him and started a new prayer. "As I walk the valley of the shadows."

Graham grabbed onto his head painfully before hearing the very faint sound of a footstep. Glancing behind, there was no one there, but he has a feeling that they're not alone.

"I'm sure we'll meet again." Graham said a matter of fact before his shadow merged and consumed his person before disappearing in an instant.