Burnt

Chapter Two

"So what are the things you can remember now?" said Steve. His voice was just above a whisper when he spoke. They were on a chocolate drink shop, sitting right behind a window pane which made them open to see the outside views. "Steve, before I ever begin telling you these.." She stopped midsentence. "these things on my past, I just wanted to tell you, I am counting on you. And I really believe you are a big help to protect myself." Maura bit her lips and quickly looked down. He vigorously nodded. Maura's face firmed, and for the first time she appeared calm and composed.

"I am Maura Hawke Series, 23 years old, residing at 706 Sycamore with my mom, dad and my 11-year old sister, Anna. Everything was usual. I mean, nothing went strange, for my entire life. Until I was sent to the Southeastern University. It was quite... a long distance from home. So my mom, decided up to pay for a boarding unit near the university. Mom and dad calls me every week to check if I'm doing good. At first week, everything was fine. But the nexts? It all became unorthodox."

"What happened?" Steve's eyes focused. "I was walking, heading home with my umbrella when I met this guy, one rainy night at the street. He was walking alone, he looked sick. 'Mister? Are you fine?' I asked him. He gave no reply, and kept walking with his arms wrapped around his body. 'E..excuse me? Anything that I could help, sir?' I continued. 'I'm doing good.' He responded, with his voice, shivering. He walked forward, twelve steps from me and I stopped walking, staring at this guy. Then he lost his consciousness and fell off to ground. I gasped and dropped my umbrella as I ran toward him. Thereupon I came up deciding to take him home for some recovery. He has an unusual temperature. Not the usual fever. A strange one.. A very strange one." There was a long pause as they stared at each other. "How strange?" Steve shrugged. His eyes narrowed.

Maura slowly cleared her throat. "When I used the thermometer to check his temperature, it broke. I've witnessed how it happened with my two naked ayes. As clear as day. Like a glass landed to the ground from the table. I tried to touch his arm. I gasped and took a wary step back as I noticed he was hot like burning.. Thereafter I rushed getting a piece of broadcloth and a bowl of lukewarm water. I was up all night, giving this.. strange guy a safe companionship. Then I fell asleep on the table beside the bed." she explained. She paused for a while as if at a loss of words. "The night after that, I woke up and checked the bed but the man was not there. 'Was it all just a dream?' I asked myself. I stood up and noticed the leather jacket under the bed which the man wore when I found him walking alone. It was for real. Not a dream. Then I've heard the wall clock ticking. 3:36 early in the morning. I tried to sleep, but I really cannot. My first period is at 8AM. Well, it's too early to think, but I got up and took a warm bath, that day and went off to school at 6:07AM." she continued.

"I was sitting on the school staircase, reading notes when somebody screamed my name from behind. I turned around and saw it was Debbie Spence. My best friend for almost eight years. 'Hey. Debbie.' I uttered. She sat behind me and said, 'What took you early, huh?' I shrugged. 'Well.. I haven't slept enough.' I replied. Then she came up saying, 'That's strange. Now who's this guy?' with a sort of teasing. I laughed, of confusion saying 'What are you talking about?' Debbie shrugged and took her phone from her pocket. 'Here'. She showed me a picture of the man and I walking in the rain. The picture was taken from behind. I gasped and snapped Debbie's phone startled;uttering, 'Where the hell is this from?' 'Hello?' she asked, perplexed. Then she scrolled up the phone to show it was from me myself, which I have sent her at 2:01AM."

"Wait, you've told earlier you woke up at 3:30, right?" Steve puzzled asked. "That's the thing. I was deeply asleep at 2:01AM. I'm pretty sure about it.. As sure as the stars. That time, the only thing that I could think of was, How come the message was from me?" Steve took a sip at the double-chocolate drink. His throat tightened. "Well, that sounds terrible."

"Probably. Debbie then asked me, 'Maura? Are you not feeling well?' 'I'm... I'm good. Just some lack of sleep' I answered, keeping the 'weird' thing at first by myself. Then the bell rang after an hour and a half. Everyone rushed in. And of crowd, I found myself standing steadily on one corner. I felt dizzy all of a sudden, and the mixed different noise around me suddenly vanished as all I can hear was a much threatening voice saying 'Maura, I am watching you.' repeatedly. 'Maura, do you need any help?' Debbie asked, estimated 21steps away from me. I had identified what she was trying to say through the movements of her lips. But I barely cannot hear her. Not because of the crowd noise, but I cannot really hear a thing save from the deep voice which kept on playing inside my head. I covered my ears and bent my knees before I staggered down the floor. " her lips trembling. Her voice was a shaky whisper; her eyes watery. "When I woke up, I was in the clinic. Lying down like a weakling. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Debbie sitting right beside me. 'Maura what's happening?' she said in a low voice. I smirked and said, 'I'm okay. Nothing to get worried about.' 'You are what? My God, Maura. You're not okay!' that was precisely what she uttered. I didn't gave her any response. 'You've scared the hell out of me.' she hugged me, completely worried but somewhat relieved. She said, 'Are you feeling better now?' and I nodded." .