Nora had given up on her will to cook, so they went out for brunch instead. Chrys was radiating with glee: she had helped Nora store the groceries away, and had ultimately been rewarded with a kiss on the forehead. They also had a quick chat about their childhood lives before they left. She found out that Nora as a child, was very fond of the library, however, spending a majority of her life overseas.
It was almost as if they were dating already.
But Chrys most definitely didn't have such confidence to ask. They had only met – what, less than a week ago? She was pacing it much too quickly.
As they strolled down the city streets, their eyes crawled up sky-scrapers and through the deciduous maple trees. She batted down the impulse to hold Nora's hand as she crumpled up her fist.
The scent of urbanism lingered under their noses. They passed bakeries and a florist, which Nora pointed out.
"I work there sometimes. Lovely place."
Maybe that explained why Nora had so many flowers in her room. Chrys nodded.
"Gift me some for Valentine's aye?" she joked, but to her astonishment, Nora agreed.
They arrived to the centre of the street, where an Italian restaurant stood. Its awnings were a burgundy red, which contrasted elegantly with potted palm plants and oak wood furniture. A blackboard had been stalled outside, which in white chalk, read the day's special.
They were welcomingly greeted by a short-statured and moustached man, who happily ushered them to a table.
"Special?" Nora asked Chrys. The Fettucini with fresh chicken and sautéed potatoes. At then, Chrys agreed that she would've accepted anything on the menu; she really was starving. They settled on two specials.
As the waitress came over, balancing their meals on her forearms, Chrys sparked a question. She'd been clinging onto it for a long time. Suspended at its thread.
"So uh... this Midnight Rose thing... Is there any more you can tell me? Besides... having a black belt, superpowers and a degree in medicine?" She was sarcastic, but also somewhat dead serious.
Like letting go of a helium balloon, Nora released a quiet sigh. She watched the world outside the restaurant's window, as if contemplating an answer and puzzling pieces of information together in her brain. She seemed uncertain of where to begin. She tapped her fingertips together.
The roads were drizzled with cars here and there. Vehicle and people traffic was low, and allowed for a small group of children to play soccer nearby a second-hand book store. The cool, azure sky reflected an essence of tranquillity against the cottons of clouds.
"Well um... it's-it's really complicated. There are about... maybe no more than ten of us? In the one group, that is. There are more groups, not just the Rose. There's The Golden Angel, The Lonely Ghost, The Old Crow... And maybe you've heard of this one before... The Grey Skull." She was plastered with ambivalence, while closely monitoring Chrys' reaction.
She continued, trying to liven up the mood. "Sounds like it's been pulled out of a movie, am I right? God knows who came up with those names."
Chrys' mouth twitched unnervingly. "You mean like... The Grey Skull nightclub? Is that a co-incidence?"
Nora licked her lips, as if expecting that she'd ask that exact question. "No, not a co-incidence. I have no idea how much I should be telling you right now..."
Chrys looked at Nora with eager eyes.
She felt like somehow this would allow her to find more about Katherine.
YOU ARE READING
If You Need Someone to Talk to
Mystery / Thriller"Call me if you need someone to talk to" was the note that came with a phone number, written on a napkin and slipped discretely into Crys' back pocket. Too drunk to remember anything from that particular night, Crys is defeated by her cur...
