Encounters

The ringing sound of the phone woke Daniel up.

He groaned from anger, he needed more sleep.

He was receiving a phone call from his best friend, Emir.

If it was anyone else, he would've hang up and turned his phone off. However, Emir was one of the few people that Daniel still cared about (even if he wouldn't admit it to his face, of course) despite not being as close as they used to in the past.

Daniel talked to his friend for a good hour or two.

After calling Emir few names, his jokes made him forget his anger soon enough. Because his friend knew him too well. They wouldn't hold grudges against each other for a few insults. In fact, it was more of how they expressed their affection for each other.

They caught up on what was going on in each other's lives, just like they did every once in a while since Daniel moved.

By the time they hung up, it was already 6 pm.

The conversation with Emir brought Daniel back in time.

To good times.

To old times.

He missed those days.

Emptiness was back again. Loneliness stroke yet, once again. He checked his missed texts. He did wakeup at 4 pm, after all.

The memory of last night's conversation with Anya drew a smile on his face "what an intriguing girl" he thought to himself while checking his texts, certain, that one of them would be hers.

An anger that he didn't expect suddenly wore him as he realised that she didn't text.

Sure, there were many texts from other girls, but why is there none from her?

He tried to ignore the rising disappointment he was feeling and decided to go buy himself something to eat.

The walk and the fresh air would be much needed. That room was suffocating. He felt emptiness again.

He changed quickly after washing up. He didn't bother to look in the mirror. He wasn't in the mood to do so. Neither was he in a mood to care about what he looked like. Which was quite unlike him.

He grabbed his keys and left..

It was already late, outside. Streets weren't empty but they felt like they were. It was a quiet neighbourhood with few stores here and there. He walked but didn't know where he was heading. Lost in his thoughts.

His thoughts of his childhood, how happy and careless he was, at the time.

A happiness he didn't feel in a long time.

A long time until … last night.

"Yeah, I was happy last night", he admitted to himself, as a sad smile decorated his face in memory of Anya.

He couldn't deny how much he enjoyed that conversation.

"Meh, I guess it was just a one time thing, after all" he thought.

He decided not to think too much about it and walked into the store next to him, guided by his empty stomach that was tempted by the smell.

And so, he went in.

~

- Anya POV-

As I heard someone call my name after the door of the store closed, I turned my head to the familiar voice.

"I thought you were in Britain" I said.

"We were discharged early", he said.

"And instead of spending and extra week there, I decided to come home, aren't you happy to see me? " he added as he came to greet me with a mischievous grin.

"Welcome back then, Liam", I said as I smiled back.

"And what brings you here, it's already late- " Liam said before being interrupted by aunt Claire "look who's talking. Since you came back home last night, I haven't seen you till now".

Liam was aunt Claire's son. He was three years my senior and my childhood friend.

Aunt Claire is my mother's best friend. I've known her for as long as I can remember and loved her ever since.

She's always been here for us, and so was Liam. He was like the brother I never had.

"You know I'm busy, mother. I had a lot to take care of " Liam said while going to give his mother a hug with an apologetic expression on his face.

She tried to push him away, in which she didn't succeed; given he's way taller than she is, she couldn't escape the embrace. She finally gave in to he teasing and hugged him back while letting out a sweet laugh and he tried to pick her up.

I smiled looking at them. It made me remember my own mother.

Aunt Claire was like a second mother of mine. She always had that loving smile in her face. A kindness that warms your heart, and a sweet voice that makes you love her even more.

She was slightly shorter than me. Despite being a mother and having a child, she didn't look her age.

She would seem a lot younger if her deep smile lines and apparent wrinkles on the side of her eyes didn't betray her.

She was still beautiful. With time, she aged like fine wine with her green eyes and blond shoulder's length hair.

She always had it tied in a short ponytail. Especially when in the shop.

On the other hand, her son looked nothing like her.

Liam had black short hair with an oval, structured and sharp face and deep cheekbones. Nothing like his mother's round face.

His eyes were and upturned almond shaped unlike his mother's and his eyebrows were straight and thick, with a slightly darker skin tone than his mother's.

He inherited his dark hair and deep brown eyes from his father. Along with lashes that any girl would envy.

If I had to guess, his straight nose and defined jawline were all he inherited from his mother's features.

His tall and slim figure was also one he got from his father's genes. Though now, he is more well built, not like the Liam I used to know. His broad shoulders and toned body are proof that he takes good care of his physique.

After some time there, talking about Liam's trip and aunt Claire's nagging, I was heading home with my baguettes and groceries in hand, when aunty insisted on Liam walking me home.

And so, he did.

They're a very persuasive family.

The sun has set long ago and the neighbourhood got less crowded.

My house was on a 10 minutes walk from there.

"I saw your friend by the way, she sends her love and asks of you to visit her, sometime", Liam said.

"You met Zeynep? How is she doing? I haven't seen or talked to her in so long!"

"She seems like she is doing ok.

"I was there for a matter of two days in total, so I didn't get the chance to chat with her that much. And if you miss her so terribly, why don't you join our association ? "

Liam was in London for a meeting these past two days.

He was the president of -the Leo club association- in France. And both the president and vice president of every branch in the membership countries of this association, had a meeting once or twice a year in a capital of said countries.

The association conducts various projects in many fields. They help in social service activities in general. from children care to women rights to healthcare to charity. It was quite the conglomerate.

No wonder Liam was so passionate about it. He is a nice person that is always there for people in need, whether they ask for his help or not. He is his mother's son after all.

Zeynep was an old childhood friend of mine, she used to live in France.

But after her parents moved countries, due to her father's work, she is now the vice president of an other branch.

"Membership alone won't allow me to join the annual assembly. I would have to be a leader. Plus, I am already busy with my university" I lied. Hopping he would let me off the hook.

As much as I respect and find his association's work admirable, I don't think I have what it takes to be mingling with strangers and making decisions and taking initiative. I don't think I am able to do that, at least not anymore.

"You could join the charity events and help in social service work in your free time" he said, as he put his hands in his jacket pockets.

"I'm too busy ", I lied again.

"Too busy doing what? Laying in bed all day and doing nothing? You need to socialise more, Anya. Locking yourself in your room is not healthy".

"You're sounding just like Lilly, now. And one Lilly is already enough to deal with. Plus, I don't want to get into arguments with my aunt after I go out more. You know how strict she was on me, growing up... And MIND YOU ! I AM SOCIALISING !" I said, in an attempt to sound more convincing.

"Talking to anime characters doesn't mean socialising" he said, in a sarcastic tone while squinting his eyes.

"Don't attack me like that! And I'm actually talking to people online now" I replied with a smug face, as if I accomplished something great.

"And how is that going ?" He asked, with a raised eyebrow.

What is it with everyone underestimating my socialising abilities, today?

"Not bad, actually." I added while staring at him "I talked to this guy all night yesterday. I mean today....you get what I mean. And I really enjoyed it" I continued.

I didn't realise that he stopped walking until I was about 4 steps ahead of him.

When I turned around to ask why he stopped, a blank expression was on his face.

… that's weird.

"Don't look at me like that I'm not lying" I said, to get a reaction out of him.

He's not budging. Did I say something wrong? He has a dead stare on his eyes. I haven't seen it before.

Before I could say anything else, he started walking again.

Something was off.

"Let's go" was all he said when he saw my confused face. "It's getting late" he let out with a forced smile, this time.

"Ok, no need to be bossy" I replied in a teasing tone.

We walked the remaining steps in silence. When we arrived at the building entrance, all he said was "be careful, Anya".

Before I could reply. He was gone. What is he talking about? I thought nothing of it and climbed up the stairs to the apartment.

The door was locked. It seems like my aunt isn't home yet. Great, I'm not in mood for her nagging as well. Two people are enough for one day. She is probably at her night shift at the hospital.

I put the groceries I got on the table of the kitchen and went to my room. As soon as I got in, I laid on my bed, facing the ceiling.

It's dark … very dark … and before I could notice it. My eyes shut.

…

Rain.

It's raining.

I can hear its heavy drops on the wet ground.

What is this sound?

A car.

A moving car.

But why can't I see anything?

It's still dark.

I hear familiar voices.

What are they saying?

Are they arguing?

I feel like I'm burning.

Breathing is getting harder.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT! WHY WOULD YOU FORGET ABOUT YOUR OWN DAUGHTER IN THE RAIN ?!"

Mother?

What is going on?

Why is she shouting?

Mother, please don't be mad.

"I TOLD YOU, I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO GET HER!! BUT YOU'RE BUSY DOING WHAT? GOSSIPING WITH CLAIRE !?"

Father? Why is he screaming as well?

What are they talking about?

Where are we going?

And why can't I open my eyes?

"I WAS WORKING, PIERRE ! AND SLOW DOWN YOU WILL GET US KILLED !"

Dad is driving? No wonder we're going at high speed, then.

He's bad at driving when he's mad.

But what are they mad about?

"MY DAUGHTER HAS A 43 DEGREE FIEVER, LEILA! I CAN'T SLOW DOWN- "

"PIERRE WATCH OUT !!"

Screams.

Cars crashing.

Sound of tires slowing down on wet ground.

Another crash.

What is happening to the car?

Why are we going down?

Pain … pain is gushing in my leg.

Another crashing sound.

We finally stopped moving.

Mom?

Dad?

Is anyone there?

It hurts.

I'm cold.

I'm scared.

Am I alone?

I hear voices.

Unfamiliar voices.

Too many voices.

Panicked, everyone around me sounds panicked.

It's the smell of a hospital.

Is someone crying?

It's a familiar voice, again.

"SHE KILLED THEM"

"No, Anya did nothing wrong. Please calm down-

"I WON'T CALM DOWN! SHE'S JUST LIKE HER MOTHER!! "

Are they talking about me?

What did i do?

Are they talking about my mother? Where is she?

Someone is calling my name. It's a weak crying voice.

"Anya"

That's Liam, I know his voice.

"Please wakeup".

Why is he crying? Am I dead?

"Anya"

Yes, I'm here. Liam, what's going on?

"ANYA"

Can't they hear me?

"ANYA!!"

~

I'm in my… room?

I can feel that I'm covered i sweat as it's growing cold and sending shivers all over my body

My breathing is arrhythmic and unsteady.

It must be that nightmare again.

I didn't have it in a long time.

I must have fallen asleep thinking about my parents, again.

Lilly and Liam told me I should text one of them whenever I get those nightmares.

They worry I might get panic attacks, again.

It's already late now, though.

Texting now would only make them worry.

*text message notification*

Who would text me at this time? I pick up my phone struggling to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness.

Daniel: Are you awake ?

-to be continued.