Stranger

Richard looked at her for a while before asking, "Why didn't you just give me the device so I could put it up by myself?"

Lily shrugged and stepped back with a smile on her face. "It was just a spur of the moment and it doesn't help that you think I'm doing weird things behind your back."

Richard nodded seriously. "You are really doing weird things behind my back."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "You want to know why I always sit on a stool with my eyes closed? You want to know what I do in my room? Well, here's the key. Go check for yourself."

She held out the key to her room. Richard's gaze moved from the key to her face. She was serious. He shook his head. "I don't want to see more weird things."

"Like another me inside?"

Richard froze. That was possible too.

Lily smiled. "I usually don't sleep much at night due to security reasons and your constant nightmares. The only time I have is the afternoons or evenings. Even then I have to cook and go shopping for groceries.

"I get really tired that I would just sit on a chair and sleep while sitting. I'm not a robot. You've known me for over fifteen years."

"And you're still young."

Lily looked down at her feet. She felt weird trying to explain things to him. "Why am I even explaining this to you? You're not my boss."

Richard shook his head. "What if I bite this thing off mistakenly?"

"You can't mistakenly bite it off. Even if you're chewing it should be fine. It would take deliberate biting to break it. And if you do break it accidentally just call me up and tell me it's not a distress."

"What if you're too tired to come at that time?"

"I'm never too tired to do my job, Richard."

"How long did it take mother to make this?"

Lily smiled brightly. "It took her only a week to have one made for you. I have a dozen more so you can wear one each day."

Richard gave her a threatening look. "You told her what happened in Groovy Wild didn't you?"

With a shrug Lily said, "I didn't but with all the commotion and the news, she was bound to know. I only had to explain why I kept it from her."

"You called her?"

"More accurately, she called me." Lily said and added, "I think you should visit her sometimes, Richard. She worries for you."

"I will visit her soon but not now." Richard paused for a bit before asking, "What did she say?"

"She said, and I quote, 'tell my son to come visit me as soon as possible and be sure to make him bring Priscilla.'"

"Bring Priscilla…"

Lily laughed and rubbed her arm nervously. "You should get going now."

He nodded but looked at her one more time before going out.

After making sure that he left, Lily locked the door and went back to her room. She stood by the door and her eyes traced the table and the scattered clothing on the floor.

She sighed and locked the door again. She pulled off her top and then her jeans short and threw them to the side as well. She sat down on the small chair and faced the table in front of her.

On the table were knives of different sizes and sharpness. There was a gun and a few bullets on the table and a plate of half-finished food. The most eye catching thing was the blood covered towel by the side.

She picked it up with a gentle expression before putting it down. She took a syringe filled with a clear liquid and injected it into her arm. After a while, her eyelids drooped and she closed her eyes while sitting upright.

Her breathing was steady and her heart rose and fell naturally. It was only two minutes later that her wrist watch made a ticking sound. She snapped her eyes open and looked at it. It was her alarm indicating that it was time for her usual run.

She got up and dressed up. She put away the scattered clothes and washed the plates. She packed the knives away. On her way out, she looked at her face on the mirror and saw that her eyes were brighter. She nodded and left the house.

….

She jogged along the street with a bright smile on her face. She had her phone strapped to her arm as she listened to the music that was playing while she ran along.

She would occasionally wave at people as she jogged by. She made a turn and continued to jog, her eyes scanning the area seriously. The mild sun shone brightly and it was enough to make her sweat.

She went on. It was only then that she heard a scream behind her. She turned to look at the direction. It was a child playing around and had fallen on her face. She was still looking when she bumped into something…or rather someone.

They both fell down but Lily manoeuvred and stumbled to the side, her eyes scanning the unknown man she had knocked down.

"I'm sorry for bumping into you!" he said with a voice that oozed sarcasm.

"I know." Lily smiled and helped him up. "Who are you?"

The man raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean? I live on this street."

"Incorrect," she shook her head gently; her hand was still holding the man's. "I have memorised the faces of everyone that lives here and your face hasn't popped up until today."

He smiled nervously. "You really do that?"

"Of course."

"Well…I just moved in and I stay down the road."

Lily observed him for a while and said, "Cool."

She began to jog away again but her hand was still hooked to the man's arm and he had no choice but to follow along with her.

He quickly resisted and complained. "Why are you holding my hand and dragging me along?"

Lily rolled her eyes at him. "Isn't it obvious? We're going on a run."

The man froze.