Tale of The Broken Sword

Chapter Six : Doubtful

21st September, AD 2056

Mac’s Pub, Highland Park

I shook the long cup in hand gently and then glistening cubes of ice creates a melody as it collides with itself and the walls of the cup. I recalled back the memories of the moment back in the ARDC building. Talking with Mr. Simmons sends the chills down my spine. I can’t argue with that though –Janice told me that he was once a member of an elite force in some army unit.

Staring at the glistening blue liquid, I had the urge to down the whole liquid and let it flow warmly down my throat. But, savouring it bit by bit is more satisfying than to finish the drink in one go, so I lowered the cup back onto the table. It’s evening now and people started to flock into bars and pubs for a night to unwind and release their playful mood, but surprisingly, no less than twelve people had come and they were all silent. The loud music drowned out their little talks and they seemed to be undaunted by it.

“Well,” A figure appeared next to me, sitting down on the similar high chair. “Looking at you and your partner-of-the-night makes me wanna cry.”

I turned around and smiled, even though she’s ten minutes late.

“I got some business to do just now, and yeah, those guys back in the Building, they wanted you to be there, tomorrow.” She punctuated the last few words of it.

I smirked. “Is that so? Then I should be going back home now.” I sighed heavily in frustration.

“That would come later” She grabbed on to my wrist and pulls me closer towards her. “How was life in Detroit?”

“Janice, it’s only just two days. How am I supposed to know?”

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry. What I mean was... you know, like life at here wasn’t as what you’ve expected and all... Frankly speaking, I’m concerned about you.” She pushed the cup aside towards the edge of the table. “You know, like you might space out and become erratic and things like that. I don’t want it to happen; neither do Mr Simmons nor the rest of them would want it to happen too.”

“That man...” I sighed.

“Hey, it’s alright to face such a man. After all, he was used to be part of the military. So, well... if you’d asked me, he wasn’t a sympathetic kind of man as the public would think he would be.”

I felt a sudden pain writhing in my head. Silently groaning, I shook it off but the pain still wouldn’t disappear. Janice noticed my behaviour and had asked,

“That dream again?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Having a pain after that is a normal thing, so don’t worry about me.”

“Okay, but remember, dreams are always triggered when you have experienced something prior to your sleep, like a memory.”

I raised my eyebrows at her. “That’s right, a memory or it can be a certain feeling or longing to do something but you couldn’t, so that feeling is channelled to your mind.” She continued.

“Right,” I looked down onto the cup, playing my fingers across the wet surface of it. “Thanks,”

“Just solving your doubts, that’s all,” she replied.

I quickly changed the topic. My horrifying dream is not the top of my list of concerns now. I had to ask Janice for my next question:

“Do you think that they might have some kinda...uh... a hidden agenda for keeping me in here?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, like... uh...Never mind about that.” I shrugged it off and tapped the table gently with my fingertips.

Janice leans in closer this time, squinting her eyes and placing her hands against my cheeks. My heartbeat became faster and I felt swells in my chest. For second back there, I thought that she was gonna kiss me.

“What’s that long scar on the side of your face?” she asked.

I leaned back, knowing that the scar was the least of my worries. “Oh, it’s nothing. I had an accident a long time ago.”

“Is that so?” She pulls herself away.

“Anyways,” I quickly put my words in place, hoping to change the topic. “Usually the people would often come to the place like this to party and all. Seems strange that it became so quiet today.”

“It was the Bombings 18th Anniversary today...” Janice lowered her head down. “So, people wouldn’t want to party in the face of their loved ones who perished eighteen years ago.”

“And these cretins,” She motioned her head towards the group of men laughing and drinking all that they can. “Perhaps they didn’t have a family back then, or they were just ignorant of it.”

“Can’t argue with that.” I chuckled.

“See? I made you laughed today. Isn’t it great?” She said.

“Yeah.” I smiled. “I still don’t get what you mean.”

“All that I’m saying is: if you have a problem, come and see me. Should it be an order?”

“No ma’am.” I replied. “Anyways, thanks...”

“For what?”

I paused, holding back what I really want to say. “For coming up to me. For talking.”

“Hey, no problem.” Janice winked at me.

I stare at her face for a second before glancing away, realizing that I looked like a stalker. “I should get to bed early tonight; have a lot of things to do tomorrow, right?”

“I’ll walk down with you.”

We stand off from the table and take off through the almost-empty room of the pub, leaving the drink there in place and the ice to melt out completely. When we’ve reached to my apartment a few blocks down, there is an awkward silence. I offer a meek goodnight and she smiles, leaving the vicinity of the apartment before disappearing into a corner.

I input my code and opened the door, slipping into the room. Before plopping into the half-made bed, I walked towards the hall and stared at the holographic screen. Reaching for the console placed neatly on the table along with the other accessories, I slump onto the bed and purge the memory of the day off from my mind with programmes currently on the TV.