Out of Time

Chapter 7

Walking down the street I look up into the sky and notice that there is still a tinge of black with a slight color of pink, orange, and purple. It was early dawn meaning people were still asleep or still at work for third shift. Out of the corner of my eye I try to hide a smile as I see Andre holding Alex so caringly. Until I remember why I'm walking in the first place. Why is it so important that we go back to my apartment? It was just a dream, but why did it feel so real? Also how could my mind make up something that surreal? It's all just so confusing the pieces of the puzzle just never seem to fit correctly or at all. It's like I'm trying to make a picture, but I'm either missing a huge part of it or I'm taking different parts from others to make since of the one in front of me. Only the parts I'm taking are completely different from each other. To where if I were to put them together it would probably look like a mosaic unfortunately I can't mold the pieces I'm given to fit properly. Not to mention I can't go to the police, and I still have no idea where my Aunt Mary is located. Did she know the people that came? Were they people she owed money too? Did they kidnap her for some other reason?  What if it wasn't her they were after, but Alex or me instead? With this thought in my head I take a sudden intake of breath I didn't realize until Andre started questioning me.

"Are you okay Willow?" he asked looking over at me. Turning my head to face him I notice he's back to the impassive, stoic Andre. Although looking closer I can plainly see worry etched in his eyes that he can't mask no matter how hard he tries. "Yeah I'm fine." I lie to him. I don't want him to think I'm weird for thinking this stuff even though if he were to find out the real me. The quiet girl in the corner trying not to gain attention. Terrified of almost everything around her, and needing pills to help her live out her life. He would most definitely think I'm weird. " Are you sure? You look a little freaked out." he states bringing me out of my head. If only you knew the real me, and how I won't be able to go much longer without my pills. If only.

"Yeah I'm okay, really I am." except my whole life has completely changed is what I don't say. Even though Andre didn't looked satisfied with that answer he didn't procrastinate me any further, to which I'm grateful. Although I can lie easily it seems much harder around Andre, I almost want to tell him everything. Against better judgement I know I can't; no one can know all of my past. That's why I've been so good at lying. I've been doing it for a couple years. 

Being so deep in thought I don't even realize that we're practically halfway there. By now the sun has come slightly more visible, and is just over the horizon. Making it much warmer in the air including the colors of the sky. Changing from the light and dark to mainly just a light red to dark orange setting. Making the air more crisp as you breathe it in with slight wind gusts carrying my hair away from my face. Changing my view from the sky to the buildings around us I notice the more older rustic types.  Luckily we were in the older parts of New York for which I'm grateful. I don't have to notice all the skyscrapers and breath in the thick smog from all the cars going by. Even though you could still hear them and have a slight tinge on your tongue from all the gases it's not nearly as bad as central New York. However nice they are to look at and visit I could never bring myself to live there; not that here is any better, but I much prefer docile New York than the fast paced crowds. 

"We're here." Andre said right next to me. Looking up at my building I get a shiver down my spine.

"Okay. We need to go up to my apartment to get the keys to our part of the basement." I told him while still looking up at the old, brick building. Opening up the door to the lobby Andre walked in first. Slowly making our way up the stairs to my level with him in front. 

"So why do we have to follow what my dream said?" I asked him. Silence. "Andre?" Silence again. "An-" "Shh we don't know if somebody is in your apartment." he told me. Keeping my thoughts in my head until I know it's safe we make it up to my landing. Andre turns and gives me Alex while he slowly move forward to the door. Standing out here on the flat I hear him moving all throughout my apartment, until he comes out. "All clear." he said. Walking forwards and into my apartment I go straight into the kitchen and look for the cookie jar I know has the key in it. Setting Alex down so he can walk around while I start rummaging through the whole mess. 

"Do you need help?" Andre asked from behind me."No I'm just looking for a- Here it is." I replied while I open up the jar and pull out the key. Turning around I grab Alex's hand, and we make our way out of the apartment heading back down the stairs. "What are we doing here?" Alex asked . " We're here to look for a silver box in our storage unit in the basement." I quickly explained. Making our way past the lobby we go one more flight down entering the basement. "This way." I told Andre taking a right down the hall. Leading the way I make it to our unit at the end of the walkway. Looking into the unit through the wiring I notice not a whole lot of stuff we're gonna have to go through. Opening it up I walk to the first box I see. "How do we even know my Aunt kept it?" I asked Andre while sifting through all the junk. "We don't." he said with a monotone.

 Being already have way through the boxes I notice something shiny towards the bottom. Taking all the stuff out of the suitcase I'm going thru I notice that the bottom is removable. Taking it out I see the  box we have been looking for. "Hey Andre." I whispered. " Yeah?" " I think I found it." I replied barely audible to my own words. Taking in the beautiful box engraved with flowers and the letters W.C in the middle. With the words bringer of life beneath it.