Chapter V

Clangs and creaks of the opening and closing of doors in the movie theatre are the only thing that keeps me awake this exhausting night. Regrets and lost hopes were visible in my every sigh and deep breath. I looked at my watch, the hands of the clock pointed to the numbers of 11 for the short hand and 10.6 for the long hand. Saying it's already 11:56 in the evening. A little bit of hope surprisingly emerges from inside of me after realizing I have only 34 minutes before my duty ends.

I quickly lifted my head after I heard someone's footsteps approaching my stand. Then I was supposed to say my greetings to a customer. Surprisingly, "How could I help you-", the cheerful greeting vanished.

A man in his white shirt with trucker jacket and black jeans was standing on the other side of the glass window. I'm not the one to judge but, he seemingly had the symmetrical features for someone who had at least dozens of women under his tail. I never evaluated this when I first bumped into him that day.

"Wait, I know you", I said to him on the other side of the glass, pointing my index finger at him. The man tensely smiled at me and put down both of his hands inside his pants pocket. "You were at the amusement park. The one that I bumped into", I announced.

He removed his right hand from his pocket and put it below his chin. Later on his brows followed in crease. Even though I can't see half of his body I can still perceive that he is tapping his left foot. A moment passed and he confirmed my claim.

"Yeah! you were the girl. The one that is purblind and knocks off my photos", he answered triumphantly.

I was shocked after I heard it, "Beg your pardon?"

"Pardon what?" he obliviously asked.

"Purblind you mean", I collectedly said but deep down I'm inconceivable.

"Ow! Purblind. Ones that have defective vision", he confidently explained. "You know, that ones that have problems in visions or seeing things-"

"Stop!", I cut him. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and exhale it, then look back at him with seriousness in my eyes. "So, you're saying I'm blind?", I lick the front of my upper teeth then inserted my lower lip.

His eyes widened after realizing the result he just did. "If you want to watch tonight's show SIR, my apologies but, the theatre was about to close in 34 minutes and the movies were already about to end", I informed him bitterly. "Maybe, best if you return tomorrow afternoon" I strongly suggested

I reach the handle of the folded grill above my head and put it down to finally close the conversation. A bang on the transparent glass window startled me and made me stop setting the grills down.

"Wait! I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry", he repeatedly said.

I lifted the grills once more and looked at him furiously with rage in my eyes, then suddenly I slammed the grills right on his face.

"Wait! Aren't you going to entertain your customer?" he shouted while relentlessly slapping the glass. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to do that, I was just..."

I open the door of the booth and get outside. "What?" I firmly said and crossed my arms.

"...joking around", he mumbles. I rolled my eyes at him and took a deep breath.

"What a joke", I sarcastically said and went back to lock the booth.

"My deepest apologies" I groaned.

"I already said SIR, we are almost close. If you have that much time to joke around please take it somewhere else".

I turned my back at him. Walked straight to the worker's lockers.

"It's Dylan", I stopped mid way and turned back at him after hearing him saying something.

"What?"

"I suggest, you address me as Dylan. I don't know where you can put that name in your sentence but, you bet", he seriously answered. "And, I'm sorry if I call you that name. My bad".

Hard to believe the transition but, his words speak sincerity. I guess I reached my limit earlier. This is actually my first time hearing from a total stranger a profound apology. I never experienced a cruel critique before so I am in different shock and disbelief.

"Well..." I swallowed first before continuing, "I also realized that I responded inappropriately", I said.

A grin smile slowly emerges from Dylan's face. It actually brings goosebumps to my body so I strongly protest, "Stopped" by hoisting one palm in the air. He quickly switches from excited to serious.

Now, he was staring at me pathetically, "Yup, we are now on fair. Bye", I quickly said and ran down to the lockers. My hand was now already at the door when he shouted.

"Can I buy tomorrow's ticket?" I close my eyes in disbelief, "Since I'm already here, can I?".

"NO!", I shouted back and closed the door finally.

I fetch my bag in the locker and switch my clothes from my usual outfit. Tie my hair and my laces. My phone simultaneously chimed after I turned it on. I stare at the screen. Names of Reighly, Mom, and Lex pop up on the screen. I opened my Mom's text.

From: Mom

Message: Update: Lex and I just went to see a movie. It was so funny we were dead laughing the entire time. Hoping we three can do that too. I love you Kar.

Next, Reighly.

From: Reighly

Message: I was hoping we could go this weekend to see some dresses for this next week's wedding invitation. I know some shops and maybe we could go there and buy some. Text me if you agree to this.

I replied Reighly.

To: Reighly

Message: Okay. I don't think I have a choice [rolling eyes emoji].

Then, I opened Lex's messages in excitement.

From: Lex

Message: [Lex sent a photo] Hope you were here, Kar. Love you!

The photo was taken outside the cinema. Lex was eating popcorn smiling at the camera while Mom was holding it with the same expression as his. The picture gives me the feeling of warmth and joy inside. This is my first time, after a year, witnessing the big and sweet smile of Lex.

I touched the screen of my phone, "It's great seeing you like this Lex. Don't worry I'll be there", I whisper. I could feel a smile slowly forming on my face.

Afterwards, I close the screen of my phone and put it in the back pocket of my pants. Closed the locker, off the switch and walked straight to the door to finally go home. I was shocked after I opened it.

"Dylan! What are you doing!", I surprisingly said.

He was leaning on the side of the door and it gave me because I thought a strange man was there. Some of the lights were close and even the inside lights of the lockers were also close. So, if only he didn't look at me and a small ray of light from the stairs I will definitely kick him in his balls.

"I thought you left", I pat my chest and massage it gently.

"You said I can buy a ticket", he answered confusedly.

"No, I just shouted 'No' earlier. Jeez!", I groaned.

"Oh! I thought you were", he said disappointedly.

"Look, Dylan, Dylan right?", he nodded, "why won't you just skedaddle, hmmm, because it's already midnight and I am closing the theatre", I composedly asked begging to get rid of him and his annoyances.

His face suddenly turned from pleasant to dead serious. I guess he now finally understood my request. He turned his back to me and I thought he was going to leave for good. I was wrong. He stopped mid and looked back at me.

"I was thinking", he started. I stare at him, waiting for his words, "Since it's already midnight, I'd like to offer you a ride to your house, if that's alright for you".

I adjust my stand position. Tightly grip my shoulder bag and squint stare at him. My response took long enough so he proceeded to say another one.

"For a woman just as you wandering the streets is not as good as it thinks, apparently, it is a lot more dangerous. I am generously offering you this because I know the possibility of the result and I don't want my conscience to hunt me. So, do you want me to give you a ride?" he seemingly had difficulty in defending his offer.

"And what possibility is that?", he had his eyes switch from angle to angle. Trying to find comforting statements to further explain and answer my question.

Although I know what he means I was half enjoying this moment tricking him in his own expression. Perhaps, I could try manipulating his words against him or just leave this and go home.

"You know girls that you are seeing in the news. Those ones that-".

"I cut you there. I do appreciate your offer mister and I guess you are not the kind of person that can't understand this but, I work here everyday, sometimes I close the theatre and go home with nothing occurring to me but my heavy breathes after paddling. So, my decision is NO. I am more capable of defending myself and most of all I am capable of paddling myself down to my house. Goodbye". I never imagined that I would use my most calm voice amidst the build up impatience in my body after this whole encounter.

I did not wait what response he had and just straight to the back door of the theatre and unlocked my bicycle that was parked to a post. Then I started paddling my night below the shines of the moon and the stars. Even though I am exhausted after meeting the guy I never escape the feeling of nostalgia in my heart.

Sun's up and my list of groceries are already in my purse. The list contained mostly canned goods, cereal, milk and some other things that I wrote in my last minute before going out. I just want to make sure that I have everything before I insert the key to the lock. Afterwards, I put on my shoes and picked up my shoulder bag. Ready is the only thing you could see in my face.

I straight towards the door and revolve the door knob. To my surprise a letter was sitting at the top of my door mat. I picked it up and ran towards the stairs to see if the person was still in the building. Unfortunately, the man was already absent.

I flipped the letter. I recognize the same letter that I got a few days ago. My curiosity starts to make me feel a little bit anxious. I began searching for the last letter. Remembering where I settled the parchment in my apartment and searching for every potential container, books, drawers, and crevices that I usually kept my things. For almost half an hour of finding the letter I remember that I put it on the living room table before Reighly texted me to go to the Coffee Shop.

I immediately started searching the letter in the table's drawer and there I found the same letter. I went back to my room and evaluated both of the letters. Two identical letters show up in my apartment with no sender's information and neither a postal sticker on the side of the envelope.

What are my odds of getting this? Which person has the time to do this?

I pick up my phone from my bag which is only beside me at my bed. I dial Reighly's phone number, after three rings she picks up.

"What's up?", she said.

"I need your help with something. Can you come here after work?", I ask.

Having Reighly here helps me think straight of the course of action that I must consider at this moment. The letter gives off creepy chills on me and I highly doubt that there's endorphins in there. My heart starts to thud really fast. I'm already afraid now.

"Why? What's wrong?", Reighly said worriedly.

"I don't exactly understand but it's better for you to see it in actuality", stuttering.

"Okay, Okay, Okay. I'll be there as soon as I can", she said.

"Thank you, I'll wait.", I replied and hung up the call.

I locked myself up in my apartment and waited for Reighly.

A knock was resounding throughout my whole apartment. I get up from my bed.

"Kar, it's me Reighly", I heard. I open the door and let her enter.

"What happened?"she's worried.

I never said a word and escorted her to my bedroom. Two similar letters were sitting side by side on my bed. I looked at her full of frighten but her expression was confused.

"What?", she said.

"I got these letters the day you texted me to meet up at the Coffee Shop in Downtown Carso", showing her the first letter, "This one is today", I continued.

There's finally clarification in her eyes, "There's no sender's information nor any detail of the sender".

"Did you read it?", she asked.

"No, that's why I called you immediately", I answered.

She sits down beside the letter, "I'll read it for you".

"Well, I can't see any options we have but to read it eventually. But, what happens if I got a death threat?", I anxiously utter.

"We will go to the police and report this", she answered collectedly.

"What if the police were there accomplices? And they'll know that I'm getting some help. They will get me killed", I hysterically explain.

"There's no such thing as that Caroll. Wake up", she firmly complains.

"I'm really scared Reighly", I said.

"Don't be. We are in this together", she comforted. It was effective though.

I cover my mouth with my fingers, they sit on my lower lips. Reighly open the first envelope and pull out the letter inside. I usually open my bedroom window for the sunlight to enter. The sun's light passed through the paper and showed off the cursive writing in black ink.

"What does it say?", a quavering question.

A light grin shows up from Reighly's lips, "I'm no spoiler so you better read it", she said.

"What do you mean?", I said. She hands me the letter.

Letter:

Dear Caroll,

I don't know if you remember me but, I can clearly remember your story that you always read under the tree in front of the library building. Maybe you are wondering how but I was sitting there up in the tree. I don't have the courage to speak up to you so I waited 'till you leave. I never imagined that my waiting would turn out to be great. That was the day I first met you and heard your story. I grow likeness towards your voice. Since then I always climb the tree, hide myself there before your arrival, and listen to your story every day until afternoon. Yours is my highlight.

My eyes widened after reading all of this. I lifted my head. Reighly were already smiling from ear to ear, an unusual excitement, obviously.

"So, let me hear it", she eagerly asked, crossing one leg to the other, leaning backwards.

I sat down beside her, "I don't know what to say".

The whole letter did not only send me the feelings of the person but it also brings me back to my childhood days where I was obsessed with the story book that my father gave me on my 10th birthday.

"What do you mean you don't know. The man clearly knows you and see", pointing to the last statement in the letter 'Yours is my highlight'.

"I mean, I'm speechless. Reighly when I was 10 years old my father gave me this story book on my birthday and every day in school under a tree I always read it alone" I explained.

She looked at me begging for more.

"And, I have no clue that there was someone up there", I continued.

"He has not ever since introduced himself to you?"

I shake my head.

"But I once suspected before due to the leaves falling down from the tree to my book. I thought it was just some birds hanging out on the tree so I left it in my thoughts". She slammed her body to my bed.

"You know this is too old school, right?", she suggested. She turned her head on me and I to her.

"Yeah", I cannot be more agreed.

"I like it", she complimented and rose up. "What about the next letter?".

I look at the same unopened letter. I picked it up and opened the paper, "Well, there's one way to find out.

The same lettering as the first one shows up on the paper the moment I unfolded it. Reaighly started to read it aloud.

Letter:

Deak Caroll,

I saw the day you went to the infirmary because your nose is bleeding. I wanted to comfort you so I planned to finally see you and introduce myself after school but after I went there the room was already empty. The nurse informs me that you are already headed to your house. I was sad that time walking in the corridors of the school because I thought I could finally be friends with you. So, I waited the next day at the tree. I kept on waiting 'till noon but you never show up. The remaining days of waiting for you at the tree only gave me lost hopes so I stopped. I never knew you already transferred school. Your adviser told me when I'm anxious about your absence.

Since then, I have sat at the top of the tree waiting for you to lay down and read your book again.

I remember the day I was in the infirmary because Melissa accidentally elbowed me on my nose. The bleeding didn't occur right away but after several moments during our lecture in History I felt something running down my nose and I thought it was just water so I rubbed it out. I was shocked that time when I saw the red liquid in my hands. The teacher escorted me down to the infirmary room and waited there for my parents to arrive. They indeed both went and they fetched me to go home. That was also the day when my father and mother announced to both of us Lex that we are going to transfer school and home. Maybe the reason was because of my father's work. At first it was tough, meddling myself in the crowd but, eventually, I learned and developed my social skills and made some friends that I don't know where and what is happening to their lives right now. After graduation we surely choose different pathways. Some leave the village to pursue college, which happens to me, or probably they wanted to find a job in other places, or maybe for experience that's why they leave. Whatever the reasons the communication between each other ceases.

"I didn't know you weren't originated in Heneral Kar", Reighly said.

"Apparently not, we resided at Golden River in Hummington city before we transferred to Jolls Valley. I don't have much memory of the reasons for it but I guess it is because of my father's work", I answered.

Reighly gently nodded and got back to the paper.

"What do you think about the letter?"I asked Reighly.

"One thing is for sure, it is not a threat", she said. "The man definitely wanted to redeem something in this letter that's why he gave this to you. The events inside are so treasured to him that he even wrote it and sent it to you. He wanted you to know that he clearly likes you to know him".

"That's absurd he could have just written his number or social accounts on the paper so I could reach him and talk to him", I complain.

"The man is clearly different, Car. I mean, he is not the guy that you typically see on a man today. The written letters with no name of him saying that he still has doubts. You know, of the probable outcomes, shame?", she answered.

I can't blame him if he can't show his face right now, or he doesn't have the courage to introduce himself to me. He clearly remembers my events when I was at that school. Probably I could try and pay a visit to my old teachers. Hopefully, they recognize me.