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| Breathing heavily, I ran into my apartment, closed, and locked the door. I dropped my briefcase and plopped down onto my old couch. The dust on the shelves and cabinets and nearly all of the furniture almost seemed inviting. I never really had the time or patience to clean the place, none-the-less, to polish it.
I knew that my worry and consternation could be felt in the atmosphere when my small cat came running up to me so as to comfort and set my longing at ease. Never had I had a closer companion than that petite feline that resided in my care. �If only you knew, Missy,� I whispered as I gently scratched her ears, �what kind of day I�ve had.� She writhed beneath my fingers and her pelt was silky to the touch. She bathed herself almost every minute of everyday as though she was eternally defiled. A gentle breeze flew in through the slightly opened window and circulated through the apartment. The breeze was cool and made me feel relaxed even after what I had been through this diminished of days. At least my dear companion was here to keep me company. Although I was now in the safety of my own apartment, I still wondered about the mysterious being that haunted me and requested my appearance tonight. Should I go? Should I not? I was uncertain of what I should do as I walked toward the chamber in the back of the apartment that I had claimed as mine. I could sense her behind me as Missy followed me into the forsaken chamber and into the lavatory connected therein. I stared intensely into the glass-mirrored surface and into my impudent eyes. I could almost behold myself swimming free within their depths. Maybe that was how it was all supposed to be. I jumped as I felt Missy rub against my leg with her soft fur. Never had I been so nervous in all my life, even of the slightest things. Even I could tell that I was taking this matter of �Robust at seven� too seriously. Missy was tense as I bent down and picked her up. �Sorry, Missy.� I soothed her. �It has nothing personal to do with you.� Missy purred a soothing purr and rubbed against my chin. �Run along now.� I told her as I set her onto the cold linoleum floor. �I don�t have time right now.� I was really tired at the time but, now, I wish I had stayed awake. That was when I crawled into my bed without even changing my clothes and fell into a vast sleep full of dreams of coffee and threatening letters and calls. The agonizing yowl echoed through the apartment. I bolted upright in my bed and gazed around with alarmed eyes. What on earth was that? I asked myself as I tediously and cautiously clambered out from beneath the blankets and stood on the carpeted floor. �Missy?� I called down the barren corridor. �Missy!� I could hear a shuffling and a muffled growl come from the hall bathroom. Vigorously shaking, I approached the partially ajar door and peered inside. The window was dark which meant that night had fallen. I could hear steady dripping emitting from within the shower stall so I tentatively entered the room and opened the curtains. I hollered in dread as I stared at the dreadful vision behind the linen. I fell to my knees and covered my eyes from the sight. Inside the stall and behind the curtains hung Missy, my precious Missy. Her throat had been cut and she hung from a rope around the showerhead. Her blood slowly dripped onto the tile of the shower floor and I could see a message written in her blood on the wall. �I warned you,� it read. I gazed at the clock hanging on the side of the bathroom wall. �7:20.� I whispered and stared back at the cat. I cried out in grief and collapsed to the floor. The dismay of seeing her like that will linger with me infinitely. I sobbed in anguish as the thought of being without my companion entered my mind. The tears fell from my eyes and dripped onto the floor as my heart seemed to break and my mind cracked under the realization of what this stranger could do. I slowly lifted myself and crawled toward my room and collapsed onto the supple and tempting bed. My mind spun rapidly as I fell into the deepest sleep that I had ever had as the sorrow enveloped me and my tears doused my pillow. I did not want to answer the phone but I knew, for some reason, I had to. I picked up the warm handset and placed it to my ear. �What is it?� I spoke imprudently into the receiver. �I thought we had an agreement, Mike.� The unwelcome voice spoke roughly to me. �I made my intentions entirely apparent. I am greatly displeased with you.� I bolted up in my bed and gazed about the room. �Since I am such a compassionate mind, I consider I could give you another opportunity to meet me.� �Compassionate?� I growled into the receiver. �You�re about as compassionate as�� �No-no, Mike.� He cut me off as my rage was about to explode. �We don�t want to lose our heads now do we?� There was a short and silent pause. �Now, down to business. I will set another time and location for us to convene. If you don�t appear at my request this time,� I could hear him breathe heavily, �I may take more than a friend from you.� The line clicked and all was silent around me. Slowly, I hung up the garnished phone and stared into the unfathomable oblivion. I could feel myself weep again as an apparition of Missy flashed before my eyes. Never will I ever forgive that man for taking the only companion I had ever known. I slowly arose from the bed and walked into my lavatory. I flicked the light switch and cursed at the radiant light. I sat on the edge of the bathtub and gazed into the mirror in front of me. I looked like I had not had a wink of sleep the entire night. �No work today.� I murmured discontentedly. �No one to share my first day off with.� I gradually stood and left the bathroom without turning off the light. I shambled down the hallway and into the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and a cool air flowed toward me from its depths. I grabbed a bottle of water and slammed the door shut. I miserably shuffled back down the hall and back into my room. I grabbed the remote control and clicked on the television. �In today�s news,� the announcer began, �there have been several occurrences of missing persons in New York City. So far the police have no leads but only ponder one question, �Is this coincidence or something more?� I turned the channel on the television. I was in no mood for missing people or homicides. I was already dealing with the both. Suddenly, I caught something out of the corner of my eye that completely took my attention off the television. The words flowing from the speakers began to drown out as my eyes grew wider as I gaped. My hands began to shake and, soon, my entire body was shivering as if some winter wind had fastened itself to me. I dropped the remote control and slowly stood as I gawked in dismay. The bathroom light was off and the door slightly shut. Someone�s here, I thought to myself as I skulked toward the bedroom door. Someone is in my apartment but�why? I could almost here the person breathing as I slowly opened the door and stepped into the hallway. I could feel my heart beat rapidly escalate as I cautiously walked down the long corridor. All of a sudden, the phone rang and I ran to the one in the living room. �Call him off!� I yelled into the receiver as I answered the phone. �Calm down, Mike.� The voice calmly responded to my request. �Get him out of here!� I yelled as I cowered on my couch. �All in good time, Mike. All in good time.� �What do you want?� My voice was shaky as I tried to calm myself down. �What is it you want with me?� �All I ask of you is to arrive at the appointed time and place. We wouldn�t want another disaster now, would we?� There was an uncomforting pause. �You haven�t given me another time. How do you expect me to�� �You shall find out the new request in good time, Mike.� He breathed heavily. �Although I know that you wish for me dead, I am of a sensible mind and shall inform you of the new arrangements.� Another extensive pause as the air in my apartment stood still. �Mike?� �I�m still here you worthless�� �Now, Mike,� he interrupted, �don�t lose your temper. Our new engagement is today�� �Today?� I almost yelled into the phone as I rudely interrupted him. �Yes, Mike, today at seven o�clock p.m. at Robust.� �Why the same time and place?� �I like being consistent. Nothing is more unnerving to me than too much change.� He slowly paused. �Don�t be late, Mike. I would hate for you to be responsible for another tragedy.� The line clicked and a dial tone erupted into my ears. I gazed quickly around but saw nothing. I listened carefully but could hear nothing. I sighed in relief as I stood from the couch and hurried out the front door. |