Clan of the Dead [On-Going]

II

CHAPTER TWO

    The whole way home I couldn't stop thinking about how I left Sammy standing in that coffee shop. The weekend passed without a single text or call. My days blurred together until it was Monday and I was suddenly sitting in my office. It was noon and I was eating my favorite, a ham sandwich. 

    Rubbing my hands on my jeans, I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the popcorn ceiling. This is the same office I've worked in for the past couple of years and yet, I always expected the ceiling to look different each time. The CEO of our department hasn't had this place refurbished because he enjoys the old school look of the building. He also had vending machines installed down every hallway, some vending machines held snacks, and some held drinks.One vending machine even had feminine products. 

    Although it was nice of him to consider the female population of the building, he wasn't as dreamy as my coworkers made him sound. He was a very tall, withered old man with a greying and receding hairline. He never talked much, but he did his job as CEO well. I have no complaints.

    I indulged myself in the bag of chips I bought from the vending machines along with a bottle of sparkling water. I have always loved potato chips. They are so simple, yet delicious. And, if cooked properly, they can be a healthy snack. 

    My thoughts started drifting to the night I spent with that stranger. I have been pushing those memories out of my head since the night I snuck out of his house. It was probably one of the most reckless things I've done in my adult years, but definitely not the first time. Rubbing my temple, I checked my wrist watch. It was a quarter till one in the afternoon. The day was halfway over. Well, it's a good thing I'll never see that stranger again.

    I picked my sandwich back up, lunch was almost over. Surely I would be hungry enough to finish everything, seeing as this is the first thing I've eaten today. But my hands froze with the sandwich only inches from my awaiting lips. Eying the ham, cheese and lettuce, my stomach continued to grumble, but my throat clenched in disgust. I felt my throat wanting to gag and I sighed. Pursing my lips, I lowered the sandwich back onto it's wrapper. This always happens. When I feel hungry, I will crave a certain food, but when I eat that food my body reacts negatively. I end up not eating for days, bit at least my body doesn't reject water.

    The urge to gag was overbearing, my fingers beat against my wood desk as I tried to settle my stomach. Groaning in frustration I forced my eyes open, I hadn't realized when I'd closed them. Immediately I grasped my sandwich and brought it to my lips, I'll force feed myself if I have to. I can't go on like this. When the sandwich was a beat away from entering my mouth, a musty scent reached my nose and I froze. 

    An eerie silence ceased all movement within the room. My breathing halted. Small bumps appeared on the surface of my skin as the hairs on my arms became erect. My sandwich, gripped between booth hands, was covered in a furry black growth; like oddly colored cotton. A thin layer of fungi clung to every visible inch of the sandwich. My breathing enhanced, my lungs working overtime to make up for how long my breath had been held. My fingers cramped as I commanded them to throw the sandwich across the room, but to no avail. My body was in shock. Had I finally lost my mind?

"Drew," a voice called, but I ignored it. I wasn't sure if I could believe that it was a real person talking, or just my mind playing tricks on me.

"Hello," the voice called again, dragging out the 'o' "Drew?"

    I blinked, sighing as I spotted Stacy standing in front of my desk. I took in his appearance. His shiny jet black hair, his thick colorful eye makeup, and his tight dress shirt and black khakis. He had been tapping his foot impatiently while holding a stack of papers. The heels he was wearing made the tapping echo throughout the room. I glanced down at my sandwich, which now looked like a fully edible, and non-rotting ham sandwich. It smelled. . .delicious. I shook my head as I set the sandwich on it's wrapper and wiped my hands on my jeans. I've gone mad.

"Yes, Stacy?" I finally managed to say as I eyed his red lipstick. He wears a new color every day of the week. I wasn't sure if I liked this color. It made me think of blood. Stacy slapped the stack of papers down on the center of my desk, they landed over my hands with a loud smack. I retracted my hand and placed them on my lap instead, trying not to glare at him as I rubbed the memory of pain away. 

"Sorry." He muttered, running his tongue over his teeth. "Capt. wants you to look over these." 

    The corners of his lips curves upwards in a small smile before he clicked his tongue as he trailed away, swaying his hips. I turned away, rolling my eyes and began overlooking the paperwork. I hadn't given much thought to whether or not I liked Stacy. He was a little overbearing, and he acted more like a girl than I did, but he never gave me a reason to hate him. Not yet at least.

    When the lights began to dim in the building, I tossed the papers aside and gathered my keys and wallet as I checked the messages on my phone. It was quitting time. I sighed, I hadn't done much today but I was so exhausted I could feel tiredness seeping into my bones. The sound of an ambulance siren passing nearby grasped my attention. Turning, I saw a glimpse of the flashing red, blue, and yellow lights. That was odd, I thought. This is the sixth emergency vehicle I heard blaring down the road. How many more emergencies could happen on the same street? Nevertheless, I still lowered my head, closed my eyes and whispered a prayer.

"See you tomorrow, Drew." A coworker said as she walked past my desk.

"Bye." I replied just before she was out of hearing range. 

    I gathered the scattered papers I had been working on into one big stack before I headed out of the double doors and down the hallway. I heard the familiar ding of the elevator doors and I walked a little faster. I quickly slid into the elevator with a loud huff. The doors banging as they closed behind me.

"Sorry," I said to the wide eyed man who watched me stumble into the elevator. He was the only other person in the elevator, thank God. I dispise crowded elevators. 

"No problem," He paused before continuing with "Drew." And winked at me. 

    My soft smile dropped as I turned to look at him. He was faced forward, though I knew he knew I was watching him. I took in his appearance. He had sandy blond hair, combed neatly to the side, brown eyes, and a piercing in his left ear. I couldn't see his right ear. I gulped nervously. He was dressed casually in a dress shirt and slacks, some folders were bundled in his arm. The elevator dinged before I could say anything in response, and the doors opened. He stepped aside, letting me exit first. I smiled politely, "um. . .Thank you." 

    Flashbacks fluttered through my mind as he smiled at me. I remembered his body pressed against mine, our clothes scattered across his room floor. I remembered our heavy breathing as we collapsed in sheer bliss atop his bedsheets. My face heated. I quickened my pace to the revolving glass doors, he kept pace with me, trying to make conversation.

"Do you remember me?" He asked as we both stopped outside the revolving doors, under the shaded area. The cold winter air nipped at my cheeks, I shivered. There were only a few cars left in the parking lot as the sun was setting. The yellow glow illuminated his dark chocolate eyes.

"No, not really. I'm sorry." I looked away from his eyes. Timidness spread to every inch of my body.

"Oh, It's okay. I didn't think you would remember anyways." He shuffled around the things in his hands and thrusted forth a brown leather coat. "Here," he said "get warmed up."

 Although I was grateful that he dropped the subject, I was hesitant about taking something of his. That meant I would have to see him again so I could give it back. I grasped the coat in a loose grip. "I can't. It's yours-"

"I insist." He interjected. "You can give it back tomorrow." We stared at each other as he waited for me to make a decision. The goosebumps on my arms could be seen from outer space. I slid the coat on one arm and sighed in content. It was warm. I eagerly slid the other arm in and folded my arms over my chest to lock in the warmth. I smiled up at Alec as he turned and walked in the opposite direction that I was going. Maybe we could be friends, I considered. I opened my mouth to thank him, but I saw that he was already walking away.

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