Decalcomania

pt8

  We felt the presence of somebody, somebody rather than us, we both looked at each other and nervously looked behind us, only to see a male figure, standing steadily, his intense eyes laid on us. I would have fainted if I didn't know who it was, it was professor.

"Professor!" I called out, feeling my cheeks turning red from embarrassment and sorrow. I know he is disappointed at me.

"Take this!" he handed me keys and a sheet of paper, "These are the keys of my new apartment. I know you have nowhere to go, and everyone will be searching for you after this. Hide there!" he said, maybe, that was the worst and best moment of my life, feeling loved and backed up by your team, and in the same time being the one who destroyed their dream, I just realized how selfish I am, too selfish that I'm hurting the ones who love me.

"I'm sorry!" I managed to say, my throat felt dry.

"I'm proud of you!" he smiled, "and don't worry about the guards, I have already distracted them" he said, making the pain and regret grow more and more, I sadly smiled back and turned around, again, walking out of the building to the big gate, the cold wind hit us gently, welcoming us into the unknown.

We found the Minivan parked on the side of the road, just as I parked it two hours ago. You are wondering from where I got it, right? Well, Olivia could steal the keys from one of the guards, brave isn't she?

We placed Alvin gently on the backseat and covered him with blanket carefully, he was peacefully sleeping, or maybe drugged, but still he looked so innocent and angelic, making me happy that I got him out of there.

Sophia and I hopped inside the Minivan, "we did it!" I grabbed the wheel and looked at the woman who was panting next to me, "I can't believe we are all out!" she smiled

And without further ado, I started the engine and drove away, as fast as I can and as far as the road can take us. Gazing straight ahead, only half-aware of the world outside the claustrophobic comfort of the car, the almost soundless changing of the gears, the pattern of traffic lights and the sounds of Sophia sighing from time to time. Everything felt too much on me, the overthinking was killing me. Just when I think I am mastering my thoughts, fate takes a new turn. Emotions come like hands on the wheel of my memories, taking me somewhere I don't want to be in. I wonder how is it that just a thought can bring long buried emotions and stir what was settled. And it had no intention of stopping or even slowing down.

"Where are we heading?" Sophia suddenly asked, breaking the cold icy silence in the car.

"Salzburg!" I simply replied, flashing a 'don't worry' smile, she smiled back and spoke again, "I have never been to Salzburg before!"

"I have. It's my hometown!" I quietly said, I forgot to mention that, but yes, Salzburg is my hometown, I was surprised when I read the sheet of paper that I got from Professor, the address of his new apartment was in Salzburg. The last place I wanted to visit for the rest of my life, but here I am, driving the car on its road. Less than two hours and I will be in that cursed place, where I lost the love of my life, my parents.

"How long is it going to take for them to notice our disappearance?" Sophia asked

"Few hours yet, Leyla usually goes to Alvin's room at 5 AM!" I answered. Sophia hummed and titled her head on the window "I almost forgot how the outside world actually looks, the sky, the mountains, the buildings and even people!"

"I used to be an independent woman with numerous dreams and goals; I worked as a nurse for three years in one of Vienna's hospitals, helping others was always my warm cup of tea. But look what she has done to me, turning me into a weak and fragile woman, even crazy too!" she poured her heart out and I listened carefully to her painful words.

"You are free now. You can be that woman again!" I softly said and she chuckled, "you know it's not that easy, Elyse!"

"I have lost my husband, my child and my sister!" her voice cracked at the mention of her family, I felt bad for her, she was suffering and I had nothing to do.

"It's getting too gloomy here, we should be happy instead, we are out of that place!" she chuckled again, wiping her tears away. "But what have you done to Alvin?" she suddenly asked, pressing her eyes on me, I raised my eyebrows at her odd question "what do you mean?" I confusedly asked.

"The way his eyes softens when he looks at you, the way he talks to you and the way he allows you to speak your mind!" she started, "he looks so calm around you, and this is so rare, in fact, it is impossible to see him that calm. I have never imagined him being this weak around someone!" she finished,

I felt my cheeks turning red and my lips forming into a silly smile, he does? I never noticed this before. Maybe because I really don't know who he is, just like he said earlier, maybe I still didn't see his other sides yet.

"Tell me about him more?" I out of sudden asked

"Well, the only way to describe him was a bipedal complete absence of light. It wasn't just blackness, it was nothing at all. He cast no shadow, uttered no word and listened to nobody. But if he targeted someone he would seize him by the neck with no hesitation. He was somebody you need to think twice before approaching, his frontal eyes were better than any hawk and his teeth sharper than steak knives. He hated Stephan, hated Leyla and anyone that ever approached him or even talked to him. His personal space, or like I choose to call 'his personal darkness!' was everything for him. When I first told you to help him, I was worried about you, I was hesitating of my own offer. But look, seems like I was right!" she spoke, I was confused at all what she said, this can't be the Alvin I know, he was never like that, since the day I met him. Indeed, he was a bit rude, so rude I mean, but he was never that aggressive.

I took a chance to look at the backseat and saw him peacefully sleeping. "No way!" I whispered

"I know right! This is exactly what I mean, he was never like that!" she chuckled.

What if the one I have been with all this time isn't the one she is talking about? Maybe he is another Alvin, another alter. But he told me they are only three, him, the real Alvin and the little one who rarely comes out. I felt my head getting dizzy as I puzzled all the missing pieces, it can't be. I'm sure there is only three, I know him better. At least this is what I think.

"Are you there?" she poked my cheek, I snapped back into reality and nodded.

"Did you hear what I just said?" she wondered and I embarrassingly shook my head "No!"

"I said he likes you!" she seriously said,

"No way!" I laughed at her silly joke. "If only Layla hears this!" I sarcastically said and we both burst into laughter.

We spent the rest of the ride talking about our lives, getting to know each other more. There were many sides about her I didn't know and I enjoyed hearing. Indeed, she was older than me but it felt like I was talking to my best friend...