Ineffable ꕥ Joost Klein ꕥ

8.

'What business could he possibly have here that he would risk running into us?'

'I don't know, Appie. I didn't stop him to ask.'

Joost had made sure that Elke's windows were shut when he lit his cigarette. He peered around Ms Brauwer's kitchen, the only thing that seperated Elke and Joost's walls, to see the lights on but the windows closed. Her curtains were open, most likely so she could see the cities lights off in the distance, but Elke was safe from his smoke and his conversation.

'He has to be in trouble. He has to owe someone. Maybe Donnie?' Apson rambled through into Joost's ear. With his phone in one hand, Joost took a drag of his cigarette. The nicotine did nothing for his churning stomach and he let his hand hang out into the dimming evening.

'Donnie would kill Acid on sight. Maybe he's lost his mind and doesn't care anymore,' Joost listed with little interest.

'Alanis is looking into Roan Colijn. I'll let you know if anything pings. It might be a good idea to see if your neighbour knows anything-'

'No. I'm not doing that.'

'Why not?'

Irritated, Joost finished his cigarette and exhaled the last of its hit. He threw it into the street but remained leaning on the window's frame. Apson waited for a response on the other end, eyebrows raised and his suspicions climbing. Joost let him wait out of spite and found himself looking to where Elke's windows would be. What was she doing right now? Why had she let that evil, putrid man into her apartment? Letting Roan inside after what happened at the car meet was bad enough. The only answer Joost believed was that Elke didn't know who it really was that she said had been particularly nice to her.

'Because she doesn't know anything,' he said into his phone.

'How can you be so sure?'

'I just know. I'll talk to you tomorrow.'

'Alright. Bye, Joost.'

He was an idiot. Joost should have listened to his instincts when Elke mentioned the name. He should know by now that no one ever just appeared in his life by coincidence. There was always more at play, whether it be from someone's interference or from God's own will.

His neighbour tantalised Joost with her large eyes and pretty smile. At first, Joost thought that he was going to enjoy the next time he saw her in the hallway or in the underground carpark. Then Roan was mentioned and it put a damper on his hopes. Elke's obvious unhappiness with her boyfriend revived Joost, but with another twist of the sick game, he was back in a state of disappointment, anxiety and a crippling fear.

The next time Joost saw Roan, he had to say something. He hated the man and wouldn't care what he was involved in if Nathan hadn't been seen in Joost's apartment building. But at a corner shop in the middle of the day, when Joost was sure that Elke wasn't with him, he stepped into the aisle where Roan grabbed something off the shelf.

When Roan spotted the blonde, he clicked his tongue and tried to walk the other way.

'Roan,' Joost called his name, hiding his disgust.

'I don't want to talk to you,' he snapped back.

'Me neither so I guess there's no problem.'

Roan recoiled, turning to head down the aisle once more. Joost rolled his eyes and said,

'How do you know Nathan?'

The man paused, his chosen packet of crisps loosening in his hand. He turned back for the second time and eyed his girlfriend's neighbour.