Black Lotus

13 - Alright

August 13, 2016 | Saturday

I didn't like this.

So you mean to tell me that the week before was hectic and full of mystery and drama but this week, literally nothing? That was odd. I haven't heard or seen a thing that disrupted my day to day life or bothered me. Even work got boring for me since there were no threats to my security. However, my guard remained up. They could attack when I least expected it, and boy did I expect it.

As for Carmen, she had not been to work at all this week and I was curious as to why. Perhaps she had predicted something that resulted negatively in her favor, like a sniper shooting into her window. Bullshit, there was not a soul more paranoid than I. And I still took the risk of even going outside.

Today at work I was assigned to write an article, but with a topic of my own choosing. I chose the Olympics since it was the most relevant thing to talk about anyway. But knowing Ethereal, I'd have to jazz it up somehow to make it appealing to our readers. So, I wrote an article questioning NBC about why they failed to show Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel's ceremony on television. The article wasn't that long though, it only took me around a page and a half to clearly state my thoughts.

"Oasis, when was the last time you saw Carmen? She hasn't been to work in a few days and she never called in sick or anything." Yvette came to my desk.

"I haven't heard from her since the last day of July."

"Well I haven't heard from her since she came the other day to tell me about what was going on with you. That's strange, it's not like Carmen to not call in."

"What if I checked on her after work?"

"That would be great. Thanks." She patted my shoulder and went away.

There was really no other possible excuse than the whole paranoia idea. Or did the Lotus kidnap her like they did me a few months ago? Even if they did, at sometime she would have to be released; most likely they would interrogate her and then leave her to be left alone.

Ding! Ding!

I groaned. What now? It had better be a telemarketer 'cause I wasn't in the mood to talk. I'd rather pick up then hang up. The contact name was Uncle Sincere.

"Eh, I'll talk to him later," I mumbled to myself. I doubt it was anything important.

This was how things were for me now. I was slowly losing interest in myself and others. Wait, scratch that. I never had interest in others to begin with, only myself (not that I'm a narcissist). Everything seemed dull and lacking.

"Oasis to the photography room," the voice over the intercom spoke. Let's hope that they didn't need another replacement model for a photoshoot.

"Hey, you guys requested me?"

"Yeah, I did." Rafael raised his hand.

"What do you need me for?"

"I'll show you. Come on."

We entered into a separate room that was a dark vermilion-like color. Obviously the photos were developed here before being submitted to be put in the magazine.