Chapter 5

The classes ended before I knew it. Today, I had learned a lot at school... I learned that there were 7 large trees in our school yard, and 3 of them had bird nests near the top. I also learned that our classroom's windows were not cleaned very often or well enough, and I learned that if I concentrate enough, I can hear the sounds of passing cars far away.

The lessons? That's a different story... During the lessons, I only learned that I hated being at school more than I even remembered hating it.

I also glanced over to Teo's desk from time to time. He was doing his best to pay attention to the class and take notes, and had no intentions to talk to me. I knew he was waiting for an apology, but he was not going to get it... At least not in the foreseeable future.

I got up and rushed out of the school. I wanted to get to the nearby stationery before other students filled the place up.

I quickly ran into the shop and looked around for paint. This shop wasn't somewhere I visited very often, so I didn't now where most of the things were. I did, however, see some colored paper on some shelves.

"Could I use paper instead of..."

I was having weird thoughts.

"No, I can't. I need paint."

"Hello."

I saw the shop owner behind me.

"You've been looking around for a while. May I help you find what you need?"

I was slightly irritated for no apparent reason, but I couldn't reject the help.

"I was looking for paint." I said. "I need some good, vibrant but dark reddish, crimson sort of color, especially."

"Of what type? Water color? Gouache?"

"I... I want to paint some thin, white fabric to another color. What should I use?" I asked.

"Hmm... Fabric you say..." he said, thoughtfully. "I know what you need. It only has a few basic colors though, so you will have to mix your colors to get what you want."

"It's okay."

"This box will be... 35."

"Here."

"That will be all? Have a good day."

I walked out of the shop, almost as if I was running away from something. Actually, I was running away from something; the people, the noise, the traffic... I didn't enjoy any of it.

Rather quickly, I made my way to the neighborhood. The streets were empty as usual. I slowed down my pace and kept walking on the sidewalk.

A street light flickered as I was passing under it.

A soft, chilly wind hit my face.

Dejavu. Is that what it was called? My memories were telling me that this had all happened before.

I felt a sudden urge to look behind me, and so I did. There was no one there, but I was feeling like I was being watched. An irrational fear crept up into my head.

"I'm not doing anything that I need to be ashamed of." I told myself. "So, why is this feeling..."

I looked around for a little longer before getting to my apartment. As I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I looked around again, anxiously.

Still, there was no one watching me. Not nearby, not in the distance. I removed my shoes and closed the door. My anxiety gave up it's place to relaxation and serenity.

"At least I got the paint... I should get to work."

I turned my laptop on, and navigated to my internet bookmarks to read more on the old lady's doll making blog. When I found a relevant blog post to read, I got my hands on the blood-stained fabric and started working on getting the right color of paint to paint it.

"Now that's red, and that's black... The two colors I want to use on the dress."

Just when I was really getting into it, I heard someone knocking on the door.

"Oh right, my uncle was going to come... Ugh!"

I closed my room's door and opened the apartment's door to let my uncle in.

"May I, mister?" he cheerfully asked to be let in. I moved out of the way, inviting him without words.

"How are we doing today?" he asked. "Is everything on track?"

"Yes." I said. "Everything is okay. I'm fine."

"Great to hear, great to hear as always. I brought some food again - speaking of which, did you like the stuff I brought yesterday? If so, I'm planning to be a regular customer to that new pastry."

"Sure, it was okay." I said.

"Perfect! I knew you would like it." he laughed warmly. "Oh, by the way, what is this smell?"

"What smell?" I asked.

"It smells like... like plastic or something. I don't know, I don't recall this smell; but it sure is strong!"

It must've been the smell of the paint... or the blood, if it had such smell. I may have gotten used to it while working, by my uncle wasn't. I had to distract him!

"Maybe it is coming from one of the neighbors."

"That's quite a strong smell though." he asked. "Were you doing something inside before I came?"

As he was headed for my room, I came up with a lie. A 'partial' lie, perhaps.

"It may be the paint." I said.

"Paint?"

"School project." I mumbled. "For a school project. I'm... preparing a presentation."

"Oh, I see." he said. "Well, if you are in need of something for your project, you know you can rely on me!"

"Thank you, uncle. I am doing fine by myself."

"Alright, then. I will be leaving for now."

"Okay."

"See you later, boy!"

The moment he went out and closed the door, I let go of the breath I was holding for minutes. I had been trying really hard to hide the cut on my arm, and I was really lucky to be successful in that.

I went back into my room, where a creepy surprise was waiting for me.