Obscured Reality

CHAPTER 2

"Mallory, Why are you here again? You're not allowed to go here because the last time I saw you here, you are about to j-"

"What else will you people prohibit me?! First my cat! Then social media and even here, my haven. Travis, I thought you understand me because you're a doctor. Of all the people really" I yelled with my voice cracking as I cry. He went closer, trying to hold my face. I stared at him with hatred and I saw pity in his eyes.

"Shit! Don't give me that look Travis! You know, I don't need pity!" I spat at him. I hate being pitied because I've got too much already from myself.

I can't believe this, I came here to unwind but end up crying again. I look up the skies to stop these tears. "Can you please leave, I want to be alone" I asked him while still looking at the sky full of stars. From my peripheral vision, I can see that he is staring at me, he doesn't even barge from his place. "I said leave!" I repeated now looking at him with irritation. "Ok, I'm really sorry Mallory" He said with defeat in his tone.

It's been five minutes since he left but I'm still here sitting under the sky, staring at it. The night breeze intensified making me hug my knees. Deep in my thoughts I remembered how I ended up here again in the hospital. Five days of agony because of these thoughts. Five days of sleepless nights.

I felt something warm covered my shoulders. A jacket, thinking it was Travis again, I shove his hand together with the jacket.

"Travis, I said I want to be alone!" I shouted as I turn my face to him. I was startled that I step back until my back hits the wall. Wearing a hospital gown with an IV stand on his right, it is him again. He is now looking at me with irritation in his eyes while trying to get up from the ground but failing miserably.

I suddenly questioned myself of the fear I showed earlier. Feeling guilty, I walk into him and squatted trying to support his back to get up. I am about to touch his arm but I failed because he shove my helping arms. Startled, I let him get up on his own until he successfully leaves this rooftop. I remained sitting on the ground still shocked of him being here. I suddenly remembered my lost phone, I totally forgot about it for a while. I decided to stand up to look for my phone. I wandered my eyes around but what caught my eyes is the black jacket lying on the ground. "It must be his" I thought. Picking up the jacket, I smelled the manly perfume covering his jacket. Did he leave this on purpose for me to remember him? Seriously that man is creeping me out. I don't even know his name, how will I give this back to him.

"My phone!" I remembered and start looking around the bench in this rooftop. For a moment I stop and just sit on the bench. "I don't have a phone anymore"
I sigh, remembering that they also get it because it's bad for my mental health according to them. I smiled bitterly.

"Who are you?" I thought while looking at the jacket on my hands. A tear escape from my eyes. The nights, the days have been harsh to me lately. "No, you've been harsh to yourself" I said to myself.

~

I punch in my code to my unit but it won't open. I tried to put it again but it still won't open. Out of frustration I kick the door and it suddenly opened... by someone. I look at the unit number and it says "401"

"Who the hell are you?! A--" The owner shouts, I didn't bother to look at him out of embarrassment. I just run as fast as I can until I reach my unit, "407". I immediately punch my code and yes! It opened, I go in quickly and close the door. I lay my back on the back of the door panting. I just got home from my school exhausted from the result of my midterm's exams and that happened.

I felt a fluffy fur surrounding my feet. I look down and squat as my cat welcomes me. "Hi Lilith, did you miss me?" I sat on the cold tiles petting my best friend, my cat. She is worth it, I left from my 'home' and decided to live alone away from the toxic life I have there. This is my third day living here. They let me live separately and provide financially but in return, I shall not come near them anymore, they decided to abandon me, the black sheep of the family.

Lilith gets on my lap and swipes her paw in my face. "Meow~" she purred.

"Aww you must be hungry Lilith" I said while rubbing her chin. I know she loves this move. I put her down and stand up to get her food. Pouring enough cat food in her bowl, I suddenly feel hungry. I put down her bowl and she immediately starts eating it. While I try to find a food to eat, I remember I didn't eat at school earlier. I open the refrigerator and was disappointed to found ice and bottled water inside it. "Lilith, I need to go the grocery store to buy foods" I sigh. I get my keys on the table and wallet.

I close my door and started walking through the hallway of this building with my head down. I pass through the unit 401 but the door suddenly burst open and my mouth formed an O, shock to see who actually lives there. Again! Seriously why do I keep seeing him? I walk faster to the elevator and when I finally reach the elevator I push the close button immediately. But hey, of course he got in, lucky me. All throughout the ride down I keep my head down so my hair is covering my face, I don't care if I would look like a ghost.

"Where to?" a deep voice asked between the silence. I was startled that I lift my head. I forgot to push B1 while panicking earlier.

"B1" I answered not looking at him. I don't know if he recognize me until the elevator rings, opening the door to B1. I walk out of the elevator but suddenly I drop my wallet and stopped from walking hearing what he said.

"Mallory, 19 years old, Unit 407. Don't you remember me? The one you pushed on the rooftop of the hospital last week" He said. He always makes me nervous, how come he knows so much about me.