Deception

Chapter 4: Clocks

Previously in Deception :

I wake at 2 am from the mixture of a nightmare and jetlag. I miss my balcony, that's where I always went when I woke from nightmares.

I grab my pack of cigarettes from my bag and take one out. I dig in the front pocket, searching for my lighter until I find it. Slipping on one of the warm coats Mary lent me, I open the window and crawl out onto the rooftop.

Slowly, I light my cigarette and blow O's, letting the smoke ruin my lungs. Killing yourself slowly is the only real control you have over your life.

I stare out into the streets of London and let my cig calm my nerves. I am almost completely calm until I hear a large bang come from below me. I lean over an see a group of men arguing. I cover my mouth from making a sound because these men don't look normal.

I can't even make out the words they are saying. They sound angry and drunk. At least four guys are ganging up on another. One pushes him and he stands his ground. When another lifts his hand to punch him, he catches his fist and twists it until the guy falls. Then they break out. I feel as if I am witnessing a crime, a murder. I don't think I can witness another.

I begin to scoot back up closer to the window but the men are still in sight. One by one, they fall down as this man strips them of their dignity. He is drunk too, because he can barely stand but fighting four other men bigger than him wasn't even close to a struggle.

Eventually he is the only one left standing. He chuckles too himself while he kicks the first guy who threw a punch and then slowly turns around to walk the opposite way. With the moonlight shining, and my heart thumping out of my own chest, I can see clearly the anchor tattoo on his neck as he drunkenly disappears into the night.

Chapter 4:

I wake in the morning when Mary calls me down for work. She teaches me a few things and tests me on the recipes. Of course I would start on a Saturday, the busiest day of the week.

~

The line is outrageously long and I have only been working for an hour. Mary has me working the cashier because it something I don't necessarily fail at.

Customer after customer, smile after smile. Mary smiles at me ever so often, making sure I am okay. I begin to feel like I am just a charity case.

"Hey new girl." Someone bumps me and I literally almost fall off the counter.

"Ouch, great first impression." I laugh and he shrugs. I watch him carefully as he reaches into the cookie jar and shoves it in his mouth whole. He starts giggling with his mouth full because he thinks Mary didn't see. But she saw. I watch carefully, biting my lip as she walks over to him and pulls him by the ear into the kitchen.

Two minutes later he comes out of the kitchen, all red faced and sticks his tongue out at me.

"Was the cookie good?" I ask him while I put it an order for a customer.

"So worth it." He winks, running his hand through his blonde hair as he begins to make the ordered drinks.

When the line dies down and he finishes making his drink, I walk by him and sit on the counter.

"Where's your accent from?" I ask.

"I could ask you the same question." He replies.

"But Ireland." He finishes.

"I am Charlie." I smile, giving him a sturdy handshake.

"Niall." He smiles.

I hear someone cough and I look up at the register counter.