Stares (Part 2)

By the time I got to work the next day, I was almost too late, because it took me way too long to fall back asleep. It was Thursday, and to confirm my displeasure for the worst day of the week, I was called up for a meeting that lasted all morning long and did not allow me any time to think of anything else but the decisions I had to make during the meeting.

When I left for lunch, it was way past my normal time and I had to go to a restaurant near the office, along with some of my colleagues who attended the same meeting.

I ordered a grilled fish with rice and salad, which was better than I expected, for the meal it was. I was distracted by the informal conversation when the waiter brought a glass of red wine and placed in front of me. As I had not ordered wine to drink, because it was a normal work day, I declined the offer, but he pointed at a table on the opposite end of the large room and said:

- It's a courtesy from that client...

I looked in that direction and saw a man dressed in dark clothes lifting his glass of wine and moving his lips in what seemed to me he was saying 'cheerio'.

For some reason, I felt a pinch in my stomach and did not want to drink it, but I thought better and decided that it was more convenient to force myself and take it in spite of the apprehension I felt. My colleagues finished their meal before I did and got up, but I said it would take me a while longer, still.

When I was alone, I looked in the direction where my beneficiary had once sat, but I did not see him anymore. I got up and walked on to the cashier. The young man on duty told me that the bill was already paid, which I found it odd, once we did not usually pay each other's bills on a work day.

- The customer who paid the bill asked me to give you this...

It was only then that I realized that it had not been any of my colleagues who had paid off my small debt for that simple meal. He handed me a folded paper with a little sign scribbled in black on the outside of the message.

I unfolded the paper and looked around, but I no longer saw the man. I was intrigued as I remembered what he had told me on the phone.

I should have suspected that the offer of a glass of wine was not exactly what I should call a conversation, as he had clearly indicated, when he called me at that hour of the night at home. Since I did not go to lunch alone, he decided to postpone the conference for another occasion, which left me somewhat relieved. But having my meal paid for by a stranger, made me feel rather uncomfortable.

Anyway, I did not know if I was ready for a conversation with that character... yet...

I had no way of knowing what he wanted from me and I found that story very strange. In fact, he gave me more time to prepare for when the time came. Postponing such a meeting was the best thing one could do.

As I prepared to cross the street, I felt a strain on my arm and turned around, surprised and frightened.

A well-dressed woman in a dark grey suit and hair tied behind her head in a well-fitted bun had pulled me back, milliseconds before a black car passed at high speed, very close to the curb where we were.

- Careful! He crossed a red light!

I felt completely stupid.

- Thank you. My mind was elsewhere...

- It's not a good strategy being that distracted when you cross the street.

- True... I'll be more careful. Thank you so much.

She smiled condescendingly, crossing the pedestrian lane and disappearing among the passers-by who were walking in and out the busy sidewalk. A cold sweat ran down my body, although it was a pleasant and warm day.

'Careless fool! And to make matters worse, as if I needed it, this happens on the day of the week I hate most! Fucking odd Thursday!'

***

By mid-afternoon I was so immersed in an assignment that I did not notice the phone ringing insistently. A colleague called my attention and I picked it up immediately. The hoarse, familiar voice on the other end said:

- You must be more careful when crossing the streets. Careless people might get hurt...

- Yes. I know…

- Was the wine any good? I think it tasted a bit too fruity to match the fish.

- It was a full-bodied one, I agree. But that's how I like it. It was very good. Thanks for the offer.

- Great. You’re welcome.

Before I said anything else, I heard the line go off and I stayed there, with the phone still in my ear, as if I thought the conversation was yet not finished. It was getting bored and a little disturbed, to say the truth.

Someone called me to attend another unscheduled meeting and there I was busy for the rest of the afternoon and a little bit of the evening after the normal closing of the day, once again.

When I left the office, it was already past eight o'clock and I was visibly tired. I thought it would be a good idea buying something in a take-away on the way, instead of preparing any food, so I had less work and could eat as soon as I got home. Then I could finally rest from the long day. I could not even think very clearly. I just wanted to get home, eat something and lie down immediately afterwards.

The BBQ chicken was still hot when I started eating and the chips were crunchy and tasty. I pondered on how good it was to be simple. The cat got his small portion of chopped chicken breast and he was still happy savouring it when I finished my dinner. After having the dishes placed in the washing machine, I checked the cat’s bowl of water just to make sure I was not going to miss anything and prepared to rest.

I fell asleep in no time.

In the middle of the night, I woke up with the impression that there was someone else in the apartment. I looked around and noticed that the cat, my reference, was awake and staring out of the room. I got up and switched all the lights on, went to the kitchen, then to the living room but I did not see anyone else.

I also checked the entrance door to certify it was well locked from inside.

‘I must have dreamed of something I can’t remember... or I am starting to go somewhat deranged...’

When I turned around to go back to my bedroom, I realized the living room window was open, to my complete astonishment. That was unacceptable, as I used to keep all windows shut so the cat would not go out without my knowing. I did not remember having opened it at all. I would never be that careless… or would I?

‘I have to stop this nonsense! I'm going to end up in a padded cell!’

***

The next day I was so busy that I did not have time to think about any other thing but work. Fortunately, it was the last day of the week and thus I could rest for the next two days. I was looking forward to it.

I got home so tired that even the cat was surprised he did not get enough attention, but he lay down beside me on the couch and fell asleep with me, as if he understood that I needed his support too.

The phone rang just a few minutes before midnight.

The same hoarse voice, quiet and monotonous, showed an affinity that he did not really possess.

- You should not sleep on the couch. You will get up with a sore back and neck.

- And how do you know I'm on the couch?

- You're still not convinced, are you? What do you believe, anyway?

- I'm a man with a totally rational mind. I do not believe in anything I cannot prove scientifically.

- There are many baffling mysteries in this world. You should be more open to the experiences you cannot support with your logic. Who guarantees that there are no other dimensions beyond this one?

- Other dimensions? You must be kidding me...

The man did not argue. I could hear his heavy breathing on the other side of the line. I did not know what was coming next. To my surprise, before I said anything else, he hung up.

‘What does he want from me? Other dimensions? What the hell was that? I only know three dimensions... and sometimes I’m not even sure of those!

***

- You must be open to perception. It is not enough to believe. You must accept it.

- But this can only be an illusion... I cannot believe it!

- Open your mind. There is nothing impossible, as you can well see.

I shut up. I was being preposterous. If that was not enough to believe, then what would it be?

He showed me the way, letting me go though and then began to walk beside me. I did not even know what to think. There was nothing minimally appropriate to say. When looking around, it all seemed to be like a souvenir shop, with many galleries opening, like the sewer tunnels underneath the city... with the exception we were not under the city and the galleries were not empty or dark. The various entrances and exits led to many strategic points, as if they were access portals to that place. They changed places, constantly, as if designed to prevent them from being detected, which made a certain sense.

- This side serves as a balance to the other, but now it's totally chaotic, because of the mercilessness that are continuously happening on that side. Things have gotten out of control and the balance is getting harder and harder to reach.

- And why am I here?

The man stopped and looked at me with a strange face, as if he could not believe my naivety.

- Someone on this side has sent me to show you what's going on and ask for your help.

- Help? Who could need my help?

He just looked over my shoulder.

- Me.

I turned around quickly to see who had spoken. My legs shook and I almost choked. I tried to sound normal, but my voice betrayed me completely.

- I should have known better...