11 / INSOMNIA /

LINDA

Alarm blasting off, still awake on bed. I have been staring at the ceiling all night long. thinking of him. its been too long since he was here.

maybe this time he is gone, for good.

maybe he is in trouble. why do I care?

dragging myself out of bed, ready for work. today I have to submit the article to Jane. which is absolutely trash.

it might be the last time I walk through those office doors.

what should I do to get him back? I lose sleep waiting for him, thinking he would come.

staring back at myself through the bathroom mirror, I have dark eyes from lack of sleep.

I look exhausted, pale.

who is the girl staring back at me?

on my way to work, I pass by the coffee shop. the one they serve at the office sucks.

gathering my coffee cup, the first steps out of the shop, I feel unease.

slowing down, I look at the environment around me.

A shiver runs through my body, and its not a pleasant one.

nothing.

there's nothing out of the ordinary. increasing my pace, its safer at work than these streets.

that annoying chill wrecks my body again. this time, I turn around with lightning speed.

a big muscular guy is following me. right behind me.

looking straight at me. he's wearing full black.

he's totally following me.

Run

without another thought in my mind, I race for my life.

a few hasty turns, I reach the office gates. thank god the coffee shop is just a few blocks from work. the guards greet me, and let me in.

they must realize how disoriented and flushed I am, concern written all over their faces.

I am safe now.

looking back for any signs of the big scary guy, I see none.

what just happened?

what did I get myself into?

what does he want?

maybe he was just a thief.

a million thoughts run through my head.

"are you alright ma'am?" one of the guards decide to ask.

recollecting my scattered thoughts "I'm okay" reassuring him, ascending the office stairs, I disappear into the building.

"is this it?"

surprised, Jane throws the article on the table between us. it lands without a 'thud'. that's how empty it is.

"are you serious with this job?" looking at me, disappointed.

"do you even know what this means?"

"that's all I could come up with, Jane I know nothing about that sort of theme" I try explaining to her.

"oh my god Linda, this is it for us"

what!

is she going to fire me? I was expecting this anyways.

okay, maybe I didn't think this through.

"matter of fact I'm not publishing this bullshit, and I'm very disappointed"

"I'm sorry Jane, I tried..but with this I just couldn't" I tell her hoping she would understand "you know I have a drive for writing, but not with this one, I just couldn't.,"

standing from her chair, she walks her expensive heels towards me. "I know you are capable. why don't you go out for a while"

"oh my god, am I fired?" I ask looking up to her.

"I meant, go out with someone, on a date, have some fun and experience you look like a nun"

exhaling the breath I didn't realize I was holding inside, I let out a small weak laugh.

"no, I …"

cutting me off before I get to finish "you need it, at least if you want to finish this article" she tells me

"I hear Erick from back office has a crush" she teases me playfully

what!

"take it from me, let someone in Linda" with that she makes her way for the door "oh and close my door on your way out" with that she leaves me in her office.

I remain glued to the chair.

what's the worst that could happen?

Erick.

apart from always bringing me unnecessary coffee, who would have thought.

and maybe when he always comes up your cubicle to greet you.

whatever!

I get up and leave.