And if love be madness, may i never find sanity again

Chapter 2: A Good Day?

Never has the grace of the wind felt so soft and welcoming than it did when I left my interview.
It had been a 2 hour endeavour into the business and it's upkeep with everything.
Honestly couldn't of found a more boring and droning job than this if I tried.
The most interesting part of it all however, was how unmatchable Jean's expressions were.
He's so... Reserved. So collected, regimented. Contained. Too familiar...

My thoughts were pulled from me, stolen by the sudden rush of a car speeding by, the windows tinted too dark for me to see in them. All i could make out was shadows within, bustling about trying to, what looks like, find something?
That would explain the shitty driving.
"asshole"
I told the vehicle as it tumbled around corners to wherever it was going, hopefully to a better driving instructor. Perhaps they could offer them some number plates. Wait... It didn't have number plates..
I shake the thought off as I couldn't give a shit. Too much on my plate at the moment and I'm already full!

I take my crappy physique and eye sore of a being to a nearby café, noticing I hadn't eaten breakfast today.

Sitting by the window with my coffee and croissant, i sink into the leather sofa, satisfied with the day.
Nothing beats the delicate beauty of a creamy, rich coffee. The dance of pleasureable relaxation on my tongue. The tribal tradition to weave between tastebuds like trees and prance upon the curvature of the entire tongue, to make love to my throat in a reunion so sweet, so tender. Oh fuck yes!! That hits the spot, right there. The immaculate disposition of worries, the immediate, welcoming joy of lucrative, warm coffee.
"finally a day i can drink something that doesn't involve me being blacked out by the end of it all"
Again, as if on cue, my thoughts were stolen from me by a phone call? Who in the world could this?..
It was Jean

"Hello?"
"Ah yes, hello, Eli. Are you free currently? "
"I can be"
"it's a yes or no answer, Eli"
I roll my eyes to the obvious attitude this guy has. Astute and dominant opressivness around every corner, please. Yup! Coming right up, would you like a side of sass and a fucking headache with that too?
I giggle to myself.
"yes, I'm free"
"funny is it? Well come by my office. I need to speak with you"
He hung up the phone without a retaliation from me, as if expecting one.
Sighing in defeat, I, for once, take in my surroundings. It's been a good while since I've relaxed.

The decor was appaling. No surprise there.
But the people were happy, everyone bustling about their conversations or typing on laptops. There was even a cute couple in the corner, a man and a woman. They looked over at me and smiled as they went back to their conversation.
"at least people are friendly around here... This'll be a good start... Maybe even a good day.

Entering the foreboding Summers Co, I'm greeted by the smiley, straight-backed Jean Summers, he greets me as if it were the first time. Probably testing my hand-shaking ability. It feels like it'll become a bantar shared between us.
"Hiiii Mr Summers"
"This way Mr Mcullen. Oh I'll need you to walk through the metal detectors again. Just for safety."
Stepping through the detectors, de ja vu struck as it alarmed again.
"This happened last time, Mr summers. The security ruled it out as a malfunction."
I look over and don't see any security guards anywhere. Nobody is around. I wasn't in the café for that long was I?
Jean looks at the scan and he nods his head as if clarifying something he was assumimg. His face, again... A familiar expression I too have worn, once upon a time.

"I suppose they're right. Anyway. Follow me, Mr Mcullen"

He escorts me to his office instead of the meeting room. Nothing unusual about this office that stands out. Quite ordinary and neat; just how I imagined Jean to be.
He seems to enjoy having everything exactly how he wants it to be. Planned and then presented. A very calculated approach. I wish I had his mindset, I'm too fucked up inside to belong in an office like this.

Sitting down, he notices my awkward, uncomfy nature.
"please, make yourself at home here. I've got good news."
"oh?... About fucking time!"
I cover my mouth in embarrassment, shocked.
"I'm so sorry Mr Summers. That just slipped out." I proclaimed to him, his expression changing to amused.
"Haha, you are quite the personality aren't you? I'd like to give you the job."
My insides began lifting like helium. If i wasn't imagining the feeling, i could have sworn I'd be flying right now.
"Thank you so much! I didn't think I was that great though. What made me stand out?"
The tuff of hair hiding my right eye starts shifting, I sort it into place again.
"I know you have great potential, and I've seen your eye, Eli. It doesn't bother me and it doesn't affect your new job. You don't have to hide it from me. You're safe here. You're not alone."
He scratches at a small scar on his right side of his neck. It was unnoticeable to the naked eye unless you looked closely. Looks like a scar from many years ago.

Jean's words stuck to me on my way home, the way he really wanted to assure me I was" safe here" and "I'm not alone"?
What did he mean I'm not alone?
My breathing started getting heavier as my hands got sweaty, making my grip on the steering wheel falter and slip out of my hands.
Keep it together, you fucking headcase!
Trying to stabilise my thoughts and breathing by thinking of the great day I had, I picked up the pace and floored it to my house.
I swear this route wasn't this long last time! Why is it taking SO LONG!!
A thin layer of blurred vision covers my eyes as panic ensues. Hands becoming prickled with needles under my skin, cramping my muscles and spasming my tendons. The painful torture of trying not to kill myself on one of the most dangerous trips home yet.
Come on brain!! You can do this. You CAN do this...
Could have sworn that shitty driver from earlier just passed me again. Why are they still searching for something in the back?? What the fuck are you doing?!!
Another blanket of blurred vision.
Another shock wave of needles and pain.
Another frantic breath
A loosely gripped steering wheel
A turn in the wrong direction and...

Black out...