Beauty of a crystal

CHAPTER 18

As I stand in the middle of my small living room apartment, I feel my heart beating faster than a bullet train. My phone is clutched tightly in my hand, and I take a deep breath before softly pressing the call button. The phone rings five times before his voice speaks on the other end.

"Hey babe. This is a surprise. Haven't talked to you in a week," Chris speaks, and I can't help but think that his voice used to sound gentle, smooth, and attractive. But now, as I question myself, I realize that I never really found him attractive.

"Yeah... yeah. I know—hey listen, we need to talk," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. Talking to him doesn't make me nervous anymore. It feels like I'm just talking to the next person, not someone I used to have feelings for.

"OK...is everything good?" Chris asks in a suspicious tone.

"I-i—yeah, everything's fine," I reply, nodding my head even though I know I'm not convincing.

"Oh, about we meet at Joe's in 30?" Chris suggests.

"Yeah, I'll see you there. Bye," I say, hanging up the call. I turned to see the white dove on my kitchen counter, the one that had flown into my apartment through the window a while after they left. I had come to realize that the doves belonged to them

Still, in the very same yellow dress from this morning, I leave my apartment a while later and start heading for Joe's Cafe. As I walk, my mind is racing with thoughts about what I need to say to Chris. I know this conversation will be difficult, but it needs to happen.

As I walk down the deserted streets, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. The silence is deafening, and the emptiness is disconcerting. The buildings and houses that usually bustle with life are now eerily silent. I quicken my pace, hoping to get to my destination soon.

As I walk, I turn around and sideways, searching for any signs of life. But the streets remain desolate. I feel a shiver run down my spine as I realize that I'm completely alone.

Just as I'm about to continue my walk, I jump in fright as a man suddenly appears in front of me.

"What in the—!"

I let out a scream, louder than I had intended, and he chuckles in response. But when he sees the glare I have on my face, he goes silent, although the smile lingers on his face.

I glance over at a streetlight and see a black dove perched on it, watching us with its beady eyes. The whole scene feels surreal as if I'm in a dream. 

As I was walking down the street, someone suddenly jumped on me from behind. I fell to the ground, but before I could react, the person who had jumped on me started apologizing in a heavy British accent. He smiled broadly and kneeled to pick up my phone which had fallen out of my hand.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to jump up on you like that," he said, handing me my phone.

Still a bit shaken from the sudden attack, I hesitantly took the phone from him and thanked him.

"My name is Morgan," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Crystal" I introduced accepting the handshake with a smile

"I already know," he said, still smiling.

I gave him a confused look, wondering how he knew my name.

"Already know? Are you some kind of stalker?" I asked, pulling my hand away from his.

"No, of course not. I'm more of a guardian, " he says, shaking his head as if the idea of being a stalker disgusts him. "Trust me, Crystal, you know me. We might have shared I meal once in a while. "