Together With You

Cat and Mouse

We have gone on a few dates since, but Sho has been staying at the hotel. I have been working so late at night I feel bad. I haven't gotten enough time to stay the night with him.

    "Ugh, when will this night end? How are you holding up Narumi."

    "Tired as ever." She scoffs. Her premature gray hair.

    We recently got a new employee whose name is Laura. She is very German looking with bright blue eyes. If I am being honest, not quite my type. Something about her is too much. Just then Laura comes up and sits on the edge of my desk. She always wears such scandalous outfits. If only the boss didn't have a soft spot for women.

    "What's up Laura? Did you need help with anything?" I said kindly.

    "Are you just about finished up? I say we all go get drinks on me, are you in Narumi?"

    "I have to get home. But thank you." Narumi stands up, Files her folders, then exits the building.

    "Just me and you then Lian" She smiles. It's probably just the exhaustion but it is not the most comforting smile. I miss Sho, he's probably already asleep though. I look at my watch and see it says a quarter to midnight.

    "Alright, I'll have a few drinks. It has been a hell of a week."

    I close up my book and we make our way to the bar.

    "This is my favorite place to go drinking."

    "Why is that?"

    "They have a stage, as the night goes on the sloppier the drunks. The better the songs." She laughs.

    "You should go up there and sing something."

    I grab a beer from the waiter and begin chugging down. It is quite the crowded bar. Tables are all filled and the rambling of all the people is almost louder than the stage music. There are also bright colored light illuminating the area. If i weren't so tired I would have one hell of a migraine right now.

    After a few I am finally tipsy enough to relax and enjoy the awful songs.

    They announce the next person up is singing some old song. Well it's actually one of my favorites, not many people enjoy it though. I prop my feet up and prepare to listen.

    "Ugh, who even likes that old music? I'm sure it's some old pervert. I can't take another one eyeing me down." She begins digging in her purse. "You smoke?"

    I pause looking at what's in her hand. It's been a while since I've had a cigarette. But dont I deserve it after this week.

    "Occasionally, do you mind lending me one."

    "Only if you give it back. Do you want me to start it for you old man?" She sticks it in her mouth.

    "I think ill pass." I grab it from her and press my lips around it. Just then the singer begins the song. I hear the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. One that could haunt my dreams. My eyes widen as I look at the stage.

    "At least let me light it for you." She beds over the table and pushes her lighter against my cigarette. Her breasts pushed up against my arm. Any man would love this but not me. Just then a few people move and there I see Sho on stage. He is wearing the most ridiculous while simultaneously cute outfit I've ever seen. He has on a ball cap with reading glasses. God knows who he stole those off of. Tight black jeans and the shirt I left him. The drink in his hand spilling slightly as he moves. It is one of those fruity drinks he always gets, most of the time they are virgin.

    Just then he finally sees me in the crowd. It's like being picked out of a million, my heart could melt right there. However, I hadn't realized that Laura's face was so close to mine. I take a nice big puff of the first cigarette I've had in years. And her lips press overtop mine.

    I pull away just as I look up to see Sho still singing but looking out into the crowd. I hope he didn't see that.

    "Sorry Laura." I gently shove her away from me. Handing her money for the tab I say "I'm out of here."

    I keep the cigarette lit though. Using it to calm me as I go outside.

    Once again it's raining. It's always raining. I stand under the bar canopy and sigh. Smoke fills the air exiting my lungs. I mean lets be honest none of this was that bad.

    I see Laura step out of the door, walking quite quickly.

    "Hey, I told you I'm taken-" Just then she held something against my face, a cloth. It was cold.

    ...

    I wake up with my hands and feet unable to move. What has happened to me? My eyes are pretty blurry. I look like I am in some sort of white room. I feel a sudden cold sensation on my leg and look down. It had a scalpel sticking out of it. Red, red is everywhere. Is that my blood?

    Suddenly my vision snaps back and I am able to assess my surroundings. I am in some kind of tarped over room. I feel around with my hand, It seems I am rope tied to a rickety wooden chair. The kind of chair you would see around your grandmother's dining area. A hand comes over and grabs the scalpel, yanking it out of me.    

    "I knew that would wake you up." Who is this? It's definitely a female.

    "You know I was surprised you didn't recognize me when I started working with you." She says pulling out a ring of tools.

    It's Laura! That bastard, but what does she want with me?

    "mh -" I choke. I cough and spit until I see a spray of blood come out onto my legs. "What do you want with me?" I say.

    She picks up a needle from the case. "You don't remember me, poor Lian. April 6th, two years ago today you did something very naughty." She drags out a chair,setting it up right across from me. "I'll give you a chance to think." She sits.

    And just like that I remember how I came to live the life I do now.

    It was about 10 years ago.