Catastrophe

Chapter Twenty - Epilogue

I woke up from my dream drenched in sweat. I rolled over and came to the horrible realization that Gerard had died. It was miserable all over again. 

It was almost a year ago and it still hurts me every time I wake up.

I got out of bed and felt my way to the shower. I put it on the coldest setting to try and wake myself up. I also did this to feel closer to him in a way. It's lame, I know, but I can't help it. 

I stumbled out and numbly got dressed. There wasn't any point in trying to fix my appearance. I'm not trying to look good for anyone anymore.  I just wanted to get through life the best I could. I don't really care what everyone else thinks of me. 

I did my usual routine of making a pot of coffee, drinking the whole pot, and then leaving for work. I couldn't stand living in that house anymore, so I decided to rent a tiny apartment. The bedroom and kitchen were seperated by a counter. The bathroom and laundry room were in the same spot with just a curtain seperating them. I didn't need a lot of space since it was just me now.

I pulled the door shut and did the two locks that held my door in place. Taking the stairs two at a time, I pushed aside the metal gate that gaurded the apartment building doors. I shut it back and continued my walk. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I pulled my hood up and looked down at the ground.

Winter was cold this year. I felt like I was getting a hug from Gerard and smiled at the thought. It was a sad smile, of course, but it was a start.

I looked up just long enough to cross the street and walked into the small coffee shop I worked at. It was a cozy place with just enough tables for at least twelve people. The walls were a deep brown color with cream colored candles spread all over the place.

I liked it here. Everyone was pretty quiet and the atmosphere was calm. It made me calm down and forget my worries.

I started wiping down the tables. I flashed back to when all of this began. When I still worked at the diner with Margie. It seemed like it was so long ago. I can barely remember that me. The only version of me that I can remember now is the person I am. The broken, shattered version of a person.

I put my rag in the basin and washed my hands in the large garden sink that we kept behind the counter. I went around to begin filling orders when a person walked in.

Oh, big deal. A person. Whoo.

No. This person was... I don't really know. He was diffrent than anyone else. I mean, I felt like I had met him before in a previous life. I KNEW him from somewhere. I had never seen him before, but I know that I have met him before.

I smiled best I could and took his order. He paid and sat down while I made his drink. I walked around to bring it to his table. I noticed that the candle in the center of the table had gone out. I sat down his drink and began speaking.

"If you want the candle lit, I can go get the lighter from beside the register."

"No need," he said, flashing a crooked smile. "I got it."

I expected him to pull out a lighter from his pocket and light it, but he didn't. He created a barely noticable flame on the tip of his finger and held it to the wick.

"I'm like you, Cassie."

"But.. how did you know...?"

"I feel like I know you. It just felt right to show you my talents. I'm sorry if you don't have any, I just got the impression-" I cut him off by lighting my finger.

He smiled another crooked smile. My heart skipped.

He stuck out his hand. "Felix Montgomery. Pleased to meet you."

I shook his hand. "Likewise."

I didn't know where this was going, but I had a good feeling that it was going somewhere good.