Interactive Game for the Members of the Forum to Participate

THE NEXT DAY

“Mark, is it true what Tony said?”… “Is it true?”… “I don’t believe him one bit. If it’s true, that will be disgusting!”… “Really?”… “No way is that true!”…

“Mark. It’s Marie. Dad had a stroke. Come home.”... “Mark. Come home. Dad is in a pretty bad shape. Where are you?!”… “Mark! Don’t bother coming back! Dad is gone and it is all your fault!... I wish it was you who is dead rather than father! I never want to speak to you again!”…

TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER

“Hello?”

“Helloe. Who ith thith that I’m thpeaking to?”

“Is that you my little angel?! Can you get mummy on the phone. It’s daddy.”

“OK daddy!”

The little girl walked upstairs to get her mother.

“Mummy. Daddy ith on the phowne.”

“Daddy?” Ana ran downstairs to pick the phone.

“Mark?! Where have you been?!”

“Sorry I didn’t call for a long time…”

“Do you know how long it’s been? Come home Mark. The kids started asking questions about you. I can’t cope with this any longer.”

“What did you tell them?”

“I told them that you are on one of your business trips but this time it is extra long because this time it is extra important. I’m scared they’ll start asking when you’ll be back. I’m not sure I can cope with that. Please come home now Mark. We need you.”

“I will. I just need a little more time.”

“It’s already been over two months now. I’m struggling here with the kids.”

“I need time. Please honey. I really need this.”

“Please come home as soon as possible Mark! I’m in big trouble if you don’t comeback right now. Think of the kids!”

“Hold on my love. I’ll do my best!”

A FURTHER TWO AND A HALF MONTHS

“Mark. We have a meeting with our lawyer regarding our kids. I’m coming to the city so we can discuss with them regarding settlements. I really need you to show up!”

“But babe. I love you.”

“I thought I love you too.”

“The children are sleeping Mrs Heston.”

“Thank you Ren. Here’s the fee.”

“Your welcome Mrs Heston. Goodnight!”

Ana glanced at her answering machine. She pressed a dial.

“You have twenty one messages… Beep!... Why did you tell me I’ll never see you again. Please talk to me… Beep!... Why did you tell me you’re changing your name and moving away. Please don’t! Give me another chance… Beep!...”

Ana stops the recording when she notices her children peeking through the stairways.

“Babies, what are you all doing up this late? Go back to bed.” The infants obediently follows. She then plays the recording again.


“… Beep!... Please pick up the phone Ana! I beg you!... Beep!... Why aren’t you picking your cell? Where are you darling? I need to see you. Please talk to me… Beep!... Please don’t leave me Ana! I love you! Please please please answer the call!... Beep!... When you said I’ll never see you again, I feel like a part of me died! Don’t do this to me! I love you! I need you!... Beep!... At least please don’t take the kids away from me! I’ll have no reason to live anymore! My love, don’t leave me! My heart hurt so much, I can’t breathe!... Beep!... Ana?!... Beep!...”

Ana heart feels like her heart is going to drop out through her bowels. She lost he composure and crashed onto the floor, grovelling in misery, pain and disappointment. Crying uncontrollably without recession through what seems like a night without an end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPsRcg-1wgc

Rossa – Hati Yang Kau Sakiti The One That You've Hurt

Jangan pernah katakan bahwa
Don't ever say that

Cintamu hanya untukku
That your love is only for me

Karna kini kau telah membaginya
Because now you had divided it

Maafkan jika memang kini
Please forgive me if right now

Harus kutinggalkan dirimu
I have to leave you

Karna hatiku selalu kau lukai
Because you always hurting my heart(me)

Tak ada lagi yang bisa ku lakukan tanpamu
There is nothing else that I can do without you

Ku hanya bisa mengatakan apa yang ku rasa
I can only say what I'm feeling

reff:

Ku menangis membayangkan
I'm crying imagining/thinking(remembering/reminiscing)

Betapa kejamnya dirimu atas diriku
How cruel you were towards me

Kau duakan cinta ini
You had two-timed(played) with this love

Kau pergi bersamanya
You went/left with him/her

Ku menangis melepaskan
I'm crying letting you go

Kepergian dirimu dari sisi hidupku
Your departure from my side, from my life

Harus slalu kau tahu
You should always know

Aku lah hati yang telah kau sakiti
I am the heart(It is me the one with the heart/It is me) that you have hurt(broken)

repeat *, **
repeat reff

Ku menangis
I am crying

Harus slalu kau tahu
You should always know

Aku lah hati yang telah kau sakiti
I am the heart(It is me the one with the heart/It is me) that you have hurt(broken)
 
Characters Profile Overview

Mark Heston
Occupation: Former CEO in a large multi-national company. Retired six months before death
Orientation: Homosexual male (but loves his ex-wife)
Suicidal tendencies: Yes
Suicidal Attempts: Yes
Successful: Yes

Good qualities: Generous, kind, understanding, caring, loving, good sense of humour, loyal, responsible
Bad qualities: Vain, sensitive, impatient, emotional, narcissistic, insecure, introvert, indecisive, imposing, self-obsessed, self-destructive, arrogant

Elsa Verbinski
Occupation: Housekeeper
Orientation: Heterosexual female
Suicidal tendencies: No
Suicidal Attempts: None
Successful: Not available

Good qualities: Fast thinker, problem solver
Bad qualities: Lazy, inconsiderate, selfish, cruel, conniving, arrogant, subjective, stubborn, irresponsible

Hayden (Dale) Sanderson
Occupation: Solicitor
Orientation: Homosexual male
Suicidal tendencies: No
Suicidal Attempts: None
Successful: Not available

Good qualities: Generous, kind, understanding, considerate, tolerant, sensible, a realist, responsible
Bad qualities: Insecure, conniving, materialistic, suspicious, paranoid,

Dane Karl Johnssen
Occupation: Retired army officer. Was a sportsman and soccer player before the Afghanistan and Iraq war. Now works in a box factory.
Orientation: Homosexual male (married to his wife)
Suicidal tendencies: Yes
Suicidal Attempts: Yes
Successful: No

Good qualities: Generous, kind, understanding, caring, loving, good sense of humour, loyal, sensitive, arrogant, responsible
Bad qualities: Short tempered, emotional, vain, impatient, narcissistic, insecure, introvert, decisive, imposing, self-obsessed, self-destructive,

Jason Kronen
Occupation: Mechanic
Orientation: Homosexual male
Suicidal tendencies: Yes
Suicidal Attempts: Yes
Successful: No

Good qualities: Good sense of humour, loyal, kind, understanding, caring, loving, generous, funny, responsible-ish
Bad qualities: Immature, paranoid, emotional, impatient, narcissistic, insecure, introvert, indecisive, self-obsessed, self-destructive, sensitive

Landon Glenn
Occupation: Not available
Orientation: Homosexual male
Suicidal tendencies: Not available
Suicidal Attempts: Not available
Successful: No

Good qualities: Eager, a realist,
Bad qualities: Inconsiderate, subjective, irresponsible

'Winston'
Occupation: Not available
Orientation: Homosexual male
Suicidal tendencies: Yes
Suicidal Attempts: Yes
Successful: No

Good qualities: Kind, loving, good sense of humour, funny
Bad qualities: Narcissistic, insecure, introvert, sensitive, indecisive, self-obsessed, self-destructive, accident prone
 
Last edited:
BACK IN THE PRESENT

PICKING UP THE PIECES

A strong gale blew the bedsheet off me and into the air. I tried to catch it but the wind pickes up so rapidly that there was no chance for me to get it back. I wonder where the winds will take it.

“You’re pathetic!” Dale “And ugly!” Landon “Go back to wherever you came from kid!” Dane. [Insults]… “Oh yeah?! Well you lot are”… “Go on! What?!” …………… “Badgers! You’re all are badgers!” Badgers?! … “Badger? Really, is that the best that you can do?!” Dane. They all laughed indiscriminately without end. Then I wake up.

Woke up early again today. The sun is not up yet but the sky is already lit with a bluish hue. I want to go back to sleep but I found it difficult to lay my head back on the pillow. It’s just so frustrating. With nothing else to do, I begin walking around the house looking for signs of people. It seems Mark’s friends didn’t come home from the beach last night. But what happened to the assistants?

“Oh boss! Please let me stay! I’m hungry!” Ivan.

“I wanna eat too!” Edward.

“No! Get lost!” Landon.

Thanks people that fill in the missing bits!!! Anyway, I found Jason asleep on the couch with drool coming out of his mouth. He stinks! I walk around a little longer then stopped suddenly. Mark is dead. I sighed. I can’t stand being in this depressing place anymore so I woke Jason up.

“Jay, wake up!”

“Huh? Hey buddy.” Jason comes around and wipes the drool with the back of his hand. His mouth stinks.

“Peeyuh! Didn’t you brush your teeth last night?!”

“Must’ve fallen asleep.” He blankly responded.

“That’s not a good excuse.” I told him off. He just smiled… Cheeky with a swear word. “Go and freshen up! You smell like a rat just crawled into your mouth and died.” He stubbornly placed a cushion over his head. I pulled his hand to get him to wake up. He sulked and walked away. Perhaps off to the bathroom to have a bath or something.
I found him coming out of a bathroom later looking fresh and recharged. But he still stinks!

“Did you brush your teeth?” I asked.

He nodded, “Yeah.” Then blew his breath on my face. How vulgar! Anyway, his breath smells minty. That just mean he’s plain stinky.

“Jason, can you help me?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Can you send me back to the apartment? I don’t want to stay here any longer. Please?”

“OK!”

“Now.”

“Right now?!”

“Please?!”

Jason took a deep breath and sighs, “[Grunts]. I’ll be in my van.”

I packed my stuff and the jars of spiced peaches. I also brought a tub of sour cherries I prepared with the early spring cherries from the orchard. I don’t like sour cherries but when you’re dealing with the death of someone close to you, you take up strange hobbies to cope with the loss. Anyway, Jason was being really helpful by loading my stuff at the back of the van. I went over to the passager seat and closed the door. There was a tremor as Jason closes the back hatch. Jason then sits on the driver seat, strap on his seat belt and starts the car. I noticed his van really stinks! It stinks like them garages where mechanics works in. The smell of male labourers. I tried to not breathe the air in, almost pinching my nose but that would be rude! The guy is decent enough to drive me around and I’m complaining about the smell of his van. Then I smelled his putrid musk. Who am I kidding! I almost puked! Trying to be subtled, I winched the window down a little to let the fresh air in. Jason turns on the car fan letting air from the outside in. It had a faint odour of tar and motor oil. At least it’s better than Jason’s smell. Euugggh! I saw a car air-freshner perched on the heater. It wasn’t on. I almost reached out to get it to work then gave up to be polite. Sometimes false modesty can be such a pain! Jason smiles and turned it up and smiles again while warming up the car. He faces the front, his expression turned cold and drives the van off the driveway onto the motorway.

The journey feels slightly different this time. Unlike the time when Mr Wylie drove me back to the apartment. I don’t know what. Probably the smell. Jason stopped next to the apartment building. Like last time with Chuck, I asked Jason a favour to drop me at my work place later. He agreed and stopped the engine.

The routine this time feels rather bland, tasteless. People are coming in and out, fake smiles. I don’t have a care about the perceptions people have of me as I go on the usual business of getting into the lift. Maybe I’ve been ‘there’ before. I went into the apartment and went straight to the place where I last saw Mark’s vest. I picked it up and smell it while crying. It smells pleasantly of him. I never thought I would do such a thing but I am really missing him. He’s like a big brother I never had. I carried on smelling it and kissing it and holding it tightly close to me, trying to make sense why he left me prematurely.

I heard someone was using one of the bathroom in Mark’s… part of the house.I went over to check it out. When I opened the door, a young lad was drying himself. He was naked. I was shocked.

picture.php


I closed the door and left the area. Who on earth was that?! Then I also remember noticing there were extra shampoo bottles there. What the… what happened here while I was gone for a few days. I walked around even more and stopped in front of a room. A peculiar sound was coming from inside. What the…

picture.php


“Who are you?! I asked him.

“I’m Alex.” He held out his hand but I didn’t take it in after seeing what he used it for. I saw the waste bag inside the room was full. Out of impulse, went over to get it and clear up the rubbish. The Alex guy carried on whatever he was doing. He was making funny expressions and it was getting uncomfortable so I quickly leave the room. I was about to take the stairs back to my side of the house when a young lad was, I don’t know what you call it, lounging around?... on the stairs.

picture.php


“Who are you?” I asked him.

“Scott Stone! Who are you?”

“I live here! How did you get in?”.

“Mark gave us the key.”

“Why?”

“For the party, mate!”

“What party?”

“Snail party! Where ‘ave you been at?!”

Then his friend Alex comes over, “Scotty, I am so ge’’in’ laid!”

“Yeah! There’ll be tonnes of babes! I can’t wait!”

I tried to smile for my leave but I think I’ll probably appear like a sour grape. Scott moves his legs so I can pass down the stairs. ‘Snail party’ kept whirring in my head, trying to make sense of it. Then it struck me. Oh God! I make my way towards my room but stop suddenly in front of a shelf holding a few of Mark’s photo album. I picked the most recent one and flip through the pages. Looking at the pictures within it when he was still alive, I couldn’t tell that he could end his life like the way he did. There was a certain gloomy air about him in some of the photos, but nothing definite about his destructive state of mind. Why Mark?! I took one photograph of him that I think represent what I thought of him when he was still alive. He had a warm pleasant smile and a welcoming posture. I held it close to me and cried.

The house is a mess! I don’t even want to think about what happened here. Why would Mark give the house key to total strangers? It doesn’t sound like him. Or maybe… I don’t know much about him. Probably. He had always been reserved. I think that was one of the reason why I stuck around him. The kitchen was in a pretty bad state let alone the dirty dishes that wasn’t even there the last time I came home. My fridge was raided horrendeously. All the good food was wasted used to ‘Jackson Pollock’ the ceiling. Mark’s fridge and storage cabinet wasn’t spared as well.

I went over to my room and found out that everything was turned upside down. My drawers where I keep my clothes was rummaged in but nothing was left to be scattered. Thank God! Unlike Mark’s Wardrobe. It was bare! Hardly anything was spared. I think the only thing left was his tank top that I picked up from the floor. My bathroom was destroyed! The toiletries was squirted all over the walls and ceilings. The tap was left running. It’s horrible! It looked nothing like how I remembered it. I think I never seen anything like it.

It’s… aaaggghhh!!! I feel like crap! Oops, sorry. I thought I could sit on my bed, messed up probably by them hooligans. My hand touched it. It was wet. I almost tried to hold it close to my nose, changed my mind and wash my hands up to the elbow. I don’t even want to know what happened here. My laptop was intruded into. There is a pool of clear sticky stuff on top of it. Aaahhhh! Why do this has to happen to me!!! Foolishly, I brought it over to the bathroom and try to wash it off with a hand towel, just to get most of it off. Turned it on to see if it still works. It does. Then turn it back off without shutting it down properly and put it in the computer bag. Some loud music is starting to play outside. I peered through a crack and see that the appartment is starting to fill up with people. Multi-coloured lights shot up from nowhere. This place has turned into an organised chaos that I knew nothing about.
 
I can’t live here anymore! Everything is destroyed. Nothing that was at a familiarity is still here. It seems, I have to move out now. I’m not even allowed bereave around Mark’s things because of what is happening and what happened here. I can’t stop the torrent of tears from my eyes. It seems it’s going to be a week of misery. I packed up everything of mine that I could salvage and drag them out of my room. The place is packed now full of young people. I had to push and shove to make my way through. I dropped a plastic bag of my belongings and crouched down to get it. As I’m about to stand up, I accidentally touched someone’s wet parts. I cringed. I didn’t mean to. Everyone’s bumping against each other and things. I can’t possibly walk through the crowd without something undesirable happening. I’m innocent! As I got my head up, I saw a friend from Youtube was doing the DJ-ing. Squinted my eyes and was sure. I was disappointed. It is difficult to get out, but eventually, I did.

I am really upset. I’ve just lost a friend, made homeless and my hand is dirty after touching someone’s ding-a-lings. An accident! I looked across the corridor, then remembers that there’s a toilet there. I went over to wash my hand with liquid soap and went down the building through the elevator. As I pass the reception, I almost handed over the key then common sense tells me maybe I might want to go back and see if I still have a few of my belongings left behind. I took a deep breath and walked out through the revolving door. The porter greeted me. I almost responded but don’t have the mood to do so, just ignored him. Jason saw me. Got out out of his van and helped me with my things.

“What’s up?” he asks.

“I got kicked out.”

“But who… huh?”

“There’s some crazy kids having a party up there. The place is trashed! Nothing was left.”

Jason looks up and saw the colourful lights coming out of the windows of the top floor. We went back into the van. Jason looked glum, “Why am I not invited?”

“I have no idea.”

Jason sulks, then smiles. “I’m crashing the party!” he takes off his seat belt and got out the car. I called out his name but he ignored me. Three police cars came and parked outside the building. Jason stopped on his track and stared at the police officers as the were entering the building. He looked glum again. He got back in the van with a frown. I pity him a little.

“Must be an illegal gathering.”

Jason became angry, “You called the police! You’re such a spoil sport!”

“It wasn’t me! It must’ve been…”

“Shut up, you fucker!”

When he said the word, I almost laugh. It was funny the way he said it. Jason stops in front of the complex at the edge of the city. I thought for a moment.

“Jason. Can you please wait around for longer? Since I’m homeless now… I don’t know what is happening in my life right now. Every structure that I had is destroyed. I don’t think I can handle it.” I begin to cry.

Jason made a face like, “Great! Why do I have to deal with this crappy kid?!”.
“There there. Stop it kid!...... OK! I’ll wait up for you! Do what ever you gonna do! Piss off!”

“Can you please drop me back to the mansion later?”

“Yeah! Now get out of my face! You look like shit!”

“I won’t be long.”

I need to get some days off work to get back on my feet. I went to the back of the van and took out the spiced peaches and sour cherries with me.

“Whatcha doing kid?”

“Just getting a few stuff.” And closed the hatch.

I came late to work. I’m not really planning to work today, or even, the whole week. I wish not to work the whole year if I could but if I do that, I better just start living on the streets. Then I remember I can’t stand living without running water. Fine! I’ll just take a bereavement leave for the rest of the week. I freshened myself in the washroom first before I face everyone. My collegues greeted me with a strange look in their faces. I must really look terrible. I went over to the manager’s office and requested for the bereavement package. I told him everything. He must’ve feel sorry for me that he offered me to take as long as I want to, with pay. Or maybe because of the way I look. Maybe even both. I went over to my friends and gave them the stuff I made.

“Are you OK?” Charlotte asks.

“What’s wrong baby?” Esther being concerned.

“Mark died.” I said then left them. They called to me but I ignored them.

As I was about to go to the secured employee entrance, Esther stopped me. “You know we’re there for you.” I nodded and shook them off. I know they are just being concerned, but I can’t deal with anyone right now. My phone rung, but I ended the call and switched it off. Jason was still where he parked his van previously. He looked tired. He had his head resting on the steering wheel. I went onto the passenger seat and closed the door.

Jason was awake. “Hey! Ready?” he asked. I was sicked by the stench of the van. I got my head down. Almost puking. “What’s up?”

“You stink Jason.”

“Really?” he smells his armpits. “Hmm.”

“When was the last time you had a bath?”

He thought for a moment, “Three days ago?”

“Ughh! How about your clothes? When was the last time you washed it?”

He shrugged. Disgusting! He’s either lazy or doesn’t know how to take care of himself. Then a sense of realisation struck me. It was like I woke up from a long hazy trance. I felt in my pocket and discovered two vouchers for two bottles of free dewberry scented bath/shower gel. When did I…? Oh, Esther just gave it them to me but I don’t even remember. Weird! Did grief made me forget what just happened?

“Are you OK?” Charlotte

“What’s wrong baby?” Esther

“Mark died… Here. I made spiced peaches and…” putting a tub of sour cherries on the desk ”… sour cherries.

“Where have you been, pet? You didn’t come to work since Monday.” Minara

I chose not to answer.

“Ooh! Here. You both got a bonus.” Esther gave me a piece of colourful glossy paper “The company must be in really bad shape when they start giving vouchers rather than money.”

“Yeah. They are down sizing the day shift and started listing severance. The only way you can stay employed is if you move in the night shift. I’ve applied for the late shift. Even that’s not secure because if you don’t perform, you’ll still get the boot!”

Just super! First a friend died. Then end up homeless. Now I’ll end up unemployed.

Hakan appeared and approached me, “Friend, how are doing?”

“A friend just died.” Esther

“Who?!”

“Mark Heston.”

“Who?”

“You don’t know him.”

I’m too upset with what just unfold in front of me, so I bid farewell. “I’m leaving guys. See you next week.”

“OK babe.” Esther

“Take care pet.” Minara

“Call us if you need anything!” Charlotte

“Take care friend.” Hakan shook my hand and patted the back of my shoulder.

………………“You know we’re there for you.” Esther

Jason snaps his fingers.

“Jason?”

Jason grunts.

“Before you drop me back at the place, could we stop at the mall for a bit. I want to get these.” Showing him the voucher.

“Sure.”

A sense of loss creeps in. I can’t hold it in anymore. I brokedown, “I miss Mark! I don’t think I can deal with this.” I cried and cried. Nothing I did could stop the torrent of tears soaking my sleeves and falling onto the car seat.

Jason made a face, “Stop that!” and grunts. He pulled me in towards him and gave me a strong hug. “Here. There, there. You’ll make me cry too.” He looked onto his tears and mucus sodden t-shirt. “Ah man! Look what you did to my shirt!” I moved away and cried even more on my lap. I must look really terrible that he pulled me towards him again and hugged me even harder and let me soil his t-shirt even more[When you’re sad, even Jason’s smell was tolerable. Sometimes, when dealing with a loss or just plain sadness, all you need is a great, big, considerate hug and someone’s t-shirt to rub your snot onto. Can I have a hug too?]. I must’ve looked really terrible because even my hair was soaking wet. I didn’t know I could make that much tears. What is happening with my life?! In just four days, everything comes crashing down and there’s nothing I can do about it. How could Mark do this to me?! I feel the need to blame everything on someone but the more I think about it, the more it seems like… No! It’s his decision. But maybe, just maybe… if I did, he would still be alive. But… I never thought he would do such a thing to me. Something just doesn’t add up. What happened and why?
 
FLASHBACK

SOMETIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT

Winter this year is a killer! Outside, everything was covered under a thick blanket of dense white snow. Through the windows, traffic was at a stand still. Rarely did I saw little ‘fly droppings’ of people dotting about down below, potentially with shovels to move the snow. Language classes are not on yet until spring and there’s no work today because, duhhh! IT’S SNOW DAY!

TV was boring. Re-runs of dumb Christmas or Thanksgiving specials and cooking shows that are not really cooking shows. Satellite TV had lost it’s appeal. I wanted to do something else, so I walked around the gloomy, bleak apartment for something to do, in the end I found myself staring outside the window again. Curious to catch a snowflake before it reached the ground or window ledges, I opened the window just a little and caught one, but it melted before I could licked it.

“Oi! Did you opened the window!”

“Yes!”

“Close it! You’re letting the cold in!”

Spoil sport! Then I remembered my trees outside on the balcony. The cold might kill it! So I took a bucket full of boiling hot water. It was a pretty little bucket. The vessel holding the water was made of aluminium, aluminum, surrounded by some wooden planks held together by two metal rings to give it that rustic look and an iron handle. Mark came home with the bucket one day with one of his ‘man lays’. That’s what he called them anyway. God knows what he used them for.

I also brought a pair of scissors and some white ribbons from the Thanksgiving presents my friends gave to me to tie onto the trees. I went up the stairs then to the wide, triple glazed glass doors to open it, Mark stopped me. He was sitting in front of his desk doing some paperwork.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going outsi…”

“Don’t!”

“I’m just watering my plants! I’m using hot…”

“Stupid! It’s cold! You’ll let the heat out!”

“Put some clothes on! Why on earth are you wearing your undies only!”

“This is my house! I do whatever I want!”

“Well, you’re wasting energy for the heating!”

“Remember who owns the place you are living now kid!”

“I’ll only be a few minutes. My plants could die because of the winter cold.”

“No!” with that he turned back in front of his desk and carried on with whatever he was doing.

I pressed my face to the frosty glass and looked at my poor freezing plants. It was like they were calling me to shake the heavy burden their branches have had to endure. Looking back at Mark’s uncaring face, shuffling piles of papers and writing something down on them, I thought to myself, “I don’t care! I’m going to open the door and tend to my plants!”. So I did!

I shook the snow off the trees and brushed the leaves of the more tender plants then poured boiling water onto the roots of the trees and tied the white ribbons on the branches and praised God for letting them grow healthily.

I went back inside, careful not to let too much heat escape and swiftly closed the door.

“Get rid of it.” Mark said.

“What?”

“Get rid of your stupid trees.

“No!”

Mark rubbed his forehead, taking deep breaths and sighing. “You’re not living here anymore. Two weeks. Make sure the trees are gone.”

“You’re kicking me out?”

“What the fff… What else idiot!!!”

I tried to reason with him, “But it’s cold out there!!!”

“I don’t care.” He responded coldly.

“You can’t do this!”

“Yes I can.”

“It’s Christmas! Have a heart!” I begged him to reconsider. Mark just ignored my plea and carried on with his work. “Mark?!”… “Mark?!!!” Angrily, I threw the bucket onto the floor and stormed off downstairs. I dressed warmly and burst out of the apartment, slamming the door behind and went for a walk, concstantly praying for a divine intervention.

CHRISTMAS REVELATION

“Hei Chris! It’s Mark!”

“How are you Mark?!”

“Good! I’m good! How’s my sister?”

“The same. We’re good over here.”

“Have you heard anything about my kids. Are they doing well at school?”

“They’re good kids! Little Jenna entered a kindergarten. She took part in the Thanksgiving concert. Do you want me to send you some pictures?”

“Yes! Please!... How’s Ana doing?”

“She’s OK. She met someone.”

“She did?!”

“She’s been going steady with this guy for nine months already.”

“Nine… Months?”

“Sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s just that…”

“No, I’m OK. She should be happy.”

“Anyway, I heard a rumour that he might be proposing to her…” Mark was really disappointed, “…maybe he’ll pop the question during Christmas dinner…Mark?”

“Yes?”

“Are you OK?”

“Fine. I have to go now. Bye… and Merry Christmas.”

“OK. Merry Christmas…” Mark ended the call, “…Mark?”

I’ve been avoiding Mark lately because it had already been waaaaay passed two weeks after I’m suppose to be out of the apartment by now. I was paranoid the whole time, thinking every sounds of creaking and tap leaking were the signs indicating Mark’s presence. No idea whether my anxiety was baseless or otherwise. On the other hand, Mark seemed a little down lately. He seemed distant, unattentive. Stranger still, he didn’t even seem to notice me still being here. He ate the food I cook for him then went straight to bed or watch TV with a glassy stare. It was weird! I’m worried that he might be in one of his depressive phase and something bad might happen, again. But why should I care! He kicked me out of my home. In the middle of December! I’m not obliged to look out for an obnoxious, arrogant, selfish, rude [swear word] even if he’s a danger to himself! Right?

“Hei Chris! It’s me! Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas bro! How are you?!”

“Good! How did everyone like their presents?!”

“They loved it! I put my name on the cards instead of yours, just as you told me.”

“So?”

“So, what?”

“Anything happened there for Christmas?”

“We went ice skating, but without the skates. Snow-sledging, ice-fishing. The kids enjoyed playing snow.”

“What happened during Christmas dinner?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ana.”

“Oh.”

“So?”

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“He proposed, didn’t he?”

“Yes. He did.”

“What did she say?”

“She… did.”

Mark paused. He was extremely shattered. Heartbroken.

“Sorry Mark. Do you still want the Christmas pictures?”

“Sure…Give my kisses to Marie and my kids.”

“I will. Hang on there.” Mark ended the call.

BOXING DAY

Mark came home drunk last night. It was a horrible sight. There was piss, vomit and believe it or not, faeces in the hallway. Cleaning up was a nightmare, especially since I had to keep avoiding Mark from seeing me. I’m just glad that I found a new place to rent. It is three times further from my work place, but it was the best that I could muster. I was lucky that the owner was in a giving mood because, after all, it is Christmas. The rent was four thousand K’s. At least it has running water eventhough the toilet is backed-up. It has central heating, I think and a nice-ish kitchen area. Who am I kidding! The place was horrible!!! A dump! But I got no place to go. I don’t really have a choice to complain.

THE FOLLOWING NIGHT

Mark made a call to his friend, Dane. Dane wasn’t able to answer because he was fighting with his wife, so the shouting and screaming, all the noise and rage drowned the ringing. He tried calling his other friends but all of them either was too busy to answer because of the holidays or switched their phones off. Eventually he was able to reach his friend that goes by the name, Landon,

“Hello? Landon. It’s me.”

“Hey Mark! What is it?”

“Do you have some time to kill?”

“I’m actually in the middle of something…” [I have no idea what Landon Glenn was up to!]

“Oh, never mind. Sorry to bother you.”

“Hey Mark. Anything happened?”

“No, it’s nothing. We’ll do something later.”

“Mark, if anything happened, you know I’m here for you.”

“No, it’s OK. Really, I’m OK.”

“You don’t sound OK. Come on, out with it!”

“Do you have time for a drink?”

“Sure buddy! The usual place?”

“I don’t know. I just need to talk to someone.”

“What is the matter, dude?”

“I… I’m havin that suicidal thoughts again.”

“What is it this time, bud?”

“I found out… Ana…is remarrying…”

“You’re still hung up on that bitch…”

“Please… not now Landon.”

“OK buddy. So, shall I pick you up?”

“No. I’ll come and get you. See you in five.” Mark ended the call.

A drunken man returned to his home unable to function and extremely, p*ssed.
 
I woke up abruptly late in the night to the clanging of noises that was extremely hard to ignore. I was forced to wake up and foresee what the ruckus was about. Why am I not surprised. It was Mark.

He looked disgusting. He reeked! The smell of alcohol was so overwhelming, I had to hold my nose up to keep the undesirable odour at bay. God knows what language he was speaking in in his drunken state. He was laughing in one moment and crying in the next. Somehow, I’m just glad that I’ll be out of this place soon and not have to deal with the sort of antics that were relentless as I was living in this apartment.

Mark turned around and saw me, “Hey you. What happened to your nose?” he placed his palm on my face and started pushing and rubbing it on my face like he was trying to flatten a lump of platerscine. I slapped his hand away. “I thought I kicked you out already. Why are you still here…” he squinted his eyes and stared closer to my face, “… no nose?”

No nose!!!!! “I found somewhere else to live. I’ll be out by tomorrow.”

Mark mumbled and grumbled to himself. No idea what. As if I care. He smiled at me then a sound like a tap was left running. I was about to look for the leak and saw Mark’s pants was starting to have some wet marks. It grew until his whole trousers was soaked in urine. Pee was leaching off from the brim of his hosers. It was despicable!

Mark laughed and began mocking me like a sing song, “You have to clean it up! Ha ha, ha ha ha!” and started cursing and swearing and insulting me. The name calling was attrocious that I can’t even mention it. It was de-meaning. The sort of language that I found too unacceptable, that I went off my rails! I don’t know how to describe what happened later other than I went crazy. After that, I pushed a furniture to fall on him. Not sure what it really was. A display cabinet of some kind. I think it had some medals, trophies and awards or something. God knows. After that I went back to my room. Took a shower then a change of clothes and went back to sleep.

Then around thirty minutes later, I heard some scuffling. I waited around for it to stop but it wouldn’t. Feeling extremely annoyed and very tired, I stomped my way back to the place where I left Mark. He was still there, struggling to get himself up. Every time he pushed himself off the floor, his elbows gave way and he slumped back on the floor with the furniture crashing on his back. I thought I’d help him because he started to stink up the place and… I do sort of feel sorry for him. I mean, he really is drunk and p*ssed right now. If I wanted to punish him, I ought to when he’s sober because what’s the point of punishing him if he’s not going to learn from it, right? Anyway, I lifted the furniture from him and got it to stand proper, then Mark started to make weird noises like gasping and stuff. It was terrifying. I helped turning him over. Then his lips started to go blueish-purple. That’s not good. When his eyes started to roll over and began seizing like he’s experiencing epilepsy, I went over to the phone right away and made an emergency phone call. Mark looked really scary like one of those ghosts you see in films and the dim light illuminating the place unscrupulously casted intriguing shadows in the room and over Mark’s features. Mark was gargling like he was choking on a some water. It sounded like he was drowning. His breathing slowed down gradually like he was sighing every time he took in and breathing air out. His breathing seemed to have stopped. His face looked vaguely yellow, his lips, no longer quivered.

“Mark?” It was like he’s… “Mark!!!!!”
 
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

“Is he going to be OK doctor?”

“He’s in a current critical state. Let’s just give it some time… What is your relation to the patient?”

“I rented his apartment.”

“We’re going to need you to fill in a few forms stating the circumstances the patient was found. What is his name?”

“Mark Heston.”

“The hospital is going to need his details. It’s OK if you don’t know much about Mr Heston. All we really need is his next of kin and such.”

“I don’t know anything about his family.”

“His contacts. His friends.”

“No. But I can look it up.”

“We’ll greatly appreciate that. We’ll contact you if there is any new development regarding Mr Heston.”

“Thank you Dr Verden-Bohemier.”

MARK IN THE HOSPITAL

I know I’ll be intruding Mark’s privacy, but I had to find his next to kin for the hospital so I looked through his contact in his cell. Ingrid was obvious because I met her before. As I looked through his list of contact, I noticed there was no number for his family member. No ‘mum and dad’ as such. Is he an orphan? So, being rather nosey, I poked my nose in his messages. There, I found some of his contacts that the texts seemed to indicate he was familiar with them. Some of them too familiar, if you know what I mean! I gave all of Mark’s relevent contacts to the hospital on the third day Mark was submitted to the ICU.

“How is Mark doctor?”

“Mark has been in and out of consciousness. Every time he’s awake, he looked rather upset about it. Do Mark have any issues?”

“He has this, suicidal tendencies doctor. I don’t know why he has it.”

“Could you have known where this ‘suicidal tendencies’ rooted?”

“I wouldn’t know…”

“Try to remember.” Dr Verden-Bohemier invited me to sit.

“Well… He made me promise not to tell a soul about this but, he did tried to kill himself with a metal rod in the park once. I went through the usual procedure, advised him to seek help.”

“Did he?”

“I don’t know. The weird thing is, the next day after he stabbed himself, he looked rather
happy. Is that a sign for manic depressive?”

“Perhaps. When did this happened?”

“Last year. Late summer. Perhaps even early autumn.”

“Could you think of the reason why he might be pushed to stabbing himself?”

“A few weeks earlier, he broke up with his boyfriend.”

“Do we have a name?”

“Kirk Crosden. But I doubt he had anything to do with that.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, Mark seemed to be relieved that he broke up with Kirk. Kirk was a bit of a bi-polar.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes Kirk can be really happy and pleasant in one moment then he changed and became rude and aggressive the next in a flip, like a switch.”

“Did Mark displayed any suicidal tendencies before that?”

“I only knew him around three years now. I wouldn’t know…”

“Thank you. You’ve been really helpful.”

“You are welcome doctor… Actually, I think I might remember something.”

“What is it?”

“It was the day I first met Mark Heston. He talked to this lady…”

“Yes, go on…”

“Then he was leaning dangerously on the railings of the balcony. He said something…”

“What did he said?”

I tried to regress the words in my memory, “I don’t remember, but I think it was rather suspicious. It might even be that he was contemplating jumping off the building. I didn’t take it really seriously back then.”

“Do you have a name for the lady?”

“What?... No.”

“Anything else?”

“I don’t think so. Good bye doctor!”

Three days after Mark was submitted to the ICU, I was told by Dr Verden-Bohemier that Mark was awake. I thought I’d visit him. I brought along some homemade cookies and biscuits. If he doesn’t like them, I can always eat them. I ain’t buying him no flowers. Wait, ‘ain’t’? Think of the carbon footprint, especially if it’s imported. I also brought along his Ipod. He usually brought it along when he left for a jog or whatever. I was about to go over to give it to him when I saw some strangers standing next to his bed. They were talking and laughing. Probably his friends. It felt awkward, not only because I wish not to know anymore about Mark and his friends, I am getting him and his life out of my hair because I’m moving out, but because it was me that almost killed him! What am I suppose say to them when they talk to me. “Oh, hello! I’m whatever, I used to rent a room in your friend’s apartment before he kicked me out. And by the way, it was me that almost killed him!” Are you crazy!

So I just sit around listening to his Ipod, nibbling a few of biscuits from the tin. It’s not as if he’s going to miss some of ‘em going missing. Mark got tonnes of songs from Nickelback and a few by ‘Three Doors Down’. His Ipod could hold eight gigabytes of data, and it can play videos! Not that I want one. It’s just another useless junk! The ear phones was giving me headache so I took it off and turned the device off. I spied the strangers leaving the ICU where Mark was. When they were finally gone from sight, I went over to give him the biscuits and his Ipod. I saw Mark was trying to fiddle with the life support machine then gave up. He then tried to choke himself with his bare hands. How stupid. I knocked on the glass door.

“Hei!” I called out. Mark noticed, embarrassed, stopped what he was doing then turned away from me. I opened the door, “I brought some cookies… and your Ipod.” Mark ignored me. “I’m sorry I almost killed you.” He didn’t even turned to face me. “Did you remember what happened…”

“Why didn’t you let me die! You should’ve let me die!”

Mark started breathing heavily and his heart rate was rising. The beeping from the machine intensified. Mark beats his chest really hard, over and over again. It sounded like his fist was about to punch through his ribcage. Doctors and nurses came rushing over to stabilise Mark.

“What happened?!” the doctor asked.

“I don’t know!” I responded and left the ICU. It was terrifying seeing Mark in such a state. I left the area and waited until the situation was less tense. It was too distressing, I left for home.

Mark slowly opened his eyes, “Where am I?”

“Mark Heston? I’m Dr Verden-Bohemier. Can you hear me?”

“Yes, what happened?”

“You’re in the hospital. You were comatose for five days. Can you remember what happened to you?”

“No. That’s the question I asked you.”

“Right…” the doctor talked to himself while writing on his chart. “How are you feeling Mr Heston?”

“Fine… I guess.”

Dr Verden-Bohemier’s pager sounded, “I have another patient waiting for me Mr Heston. Rest assured. You’ll be walking in a couple of weeks or so. Just rest.” Then began to leave the ICU.

Mark stopped him, “Anything happened while I was out?”

The doctor shook his head, “You had visitors. But you had a visitor every evening in the last five days.”

“Who were they?” Mark asked.

Dr Verden-Bohemier told him, “They are very worried about you Mr Heston. They wished you a speedy recovery. Do you wish for me to contact them now that you’re awake?”

“No! Don’t!” Mark mumbled, “You said I had a visitor every evening this last five days. Who was it?”

Dr Verden-Bohemier told him, his pager beeped twice now, “I have to go now!” Mark nodded and Dr Verden-Bohemier left. Mark went back to sleep.

“Mr Heston had been taken off the life support. He will be moved to the recovery room later tonight.” Said nurse Macille Dupont. She had a Creole accent. Maybe even Saint Martin. I don’t know. Never been there.

“Thank you nurse Macille.”

“You’re welcome! Gee, thanks kid. The shift was backed up the whole day and not one person said thank you. You made my day!”

I giggled.

“Mr Heston. Our shares dropped by fifty points but we think it’s probably because you are not running the business right now. Perhaps…”

“Probably?!” Mark shook his head.

“Perhaps if you have a speedy recovery, investors confidence…”

“Do you have any good news?!”

“Well, we closed a few unproductive companies and establishments and replaced them with ventures requiring less expenditures but equally good for the company's PR.”

“Like what?”

The managing assistant began flipping the files, “A fabric factory. A few shops in ‘A’ street, mmmm…”

“Anything else?”

“An orphanage and three retirement homes. We made sure the residents were relocated comfortably somewhere else…”

A nurse was knocking at the door, “Mr Heston! You have a visitor!”

“Norman. Lets carry on with this later.”

“But Mr Heston…”

“Later!”

“Right Mr Heston! As you wish!” Norman leaves.
 
“Who is it nurse?”

I popped my head out, “Hello!” Mark made a disgusted face, “Ugh! Come in.”

“I made some ‘devil’s trumpets’ stuffed with berries! Some got strawberries. There’s some raspberry ones…”

“Can you stop yapping?!” he said, ‘yapping’.

“… and some blueberry ones… Fine!” I noticed a pile of papers on the bed side, “What’s this?” I picked it up and began reading them, “Back to business, eh?”

“What do you know about business you dumb fuck!”

I ignored it. Then I noticed a newspaper that mentioned the foreclosure of an orphanage. The name correlates with the name of an orphange mentioned in the document. “You had to do with this?! How could you? You’ll be separating the children from each other. It’ll be damaging to them!”

“You don’t understand business.”

“But Mark…! You’re an orphan yourself. How could you do this? Don’t you care about them? It’ll be bad for business as well.”

“I do what I have to keep the company afloat. We’re facing a recession. Investors want results. The process is the least of their concern.”

“From what hell hole did the devil bore you! Your parents shouldn’t have let you live in the first place. I saw you do ruthless moves and shady deals without really knowing what it was all about. I should’ve known better. I’m glad I’m moving out.”

“Fuck you! If I’m such a bad guy, why didn’t you let me die! You should’ve let me die!”

“Well maybe I should have! Maybe you should die! I’m not going to miss you if you die anyway, you jerk!” I stormed out of the room with so much anger and hatred towards Mark.

I realised I was being harsh on Mark. Sure, he just let some unfortunate children go through a painful procedure but… I don’t even know or understand why Mark is who he is and why he made bad decisions. What he did was a terrible act in my eyes and most reasoning people but I’m starting to wonder if my perception on Mark as a person is only superficial. Could it be that he’s not really a terrible person. He did do nice things once and a while. That has to count to something. Maybe he do has a soul. I ran over back to the ICU.

Mark stared at the ceiling pondering his whole life. Maybe snotface was right. Maybe all the bad things that happened in his life were punishment for all the terrible things he did. Maybe he deserve everything, the grief, the pain, the self hate. Maybe he deserve to die. He’s a terrible person. He should die. Yes. He deserve to die. He looked over to the IV line and twists it firmly with both hands, wrapped it around his neck and began strangling himself. Tears came out of his eyes because of the pain the plastic tubing crushing his wind pipe, perhaps even crying because of the wasted days he lived in this world. He heard some running footsteps. Mark quickly stopped what he was doing and pretended like nothing happened.

When I see Mark again, his face was flushed, perhaps from anger. “Mark, sorry about earlier.” I walked closer to him and saw that he’s been crying. I took a tissue and dabbed on the tears.

“Get away from me you freak!”

“You’ve been crying, haven’t you? I’ve hurt your feelings.” I giggled.

“Guys like me don’t cry, stupid! Only sissy pants like you do!”

“I made you cr-aaaaa-y!” I sung.

“Shut up!”

“Don’t die Mark. It’s not your time.”

Mark grumbles, “Yeah, whatever! You’re just saying that.” he said 'whatever'. I would've said, 'Wha'eva!'

“Yea, I didn’t really mean it. Well, goodnight. Enjoy the pastries!”

“Mmhm.”

I was about to leave the room but I can’t shake the feeling. I’m scared that Mark might actually kill himself. I turned around and gave him a great big hug!

“Don’t die Mark. Everyone will miss you.”

“Oh really? Who?”

“You’re friends and…” I paused a little. I don’t even know much about Mark’s social circles other than, ‘not my kind of people’, “I’ll miss you!”

“Ugh! Get offa me!” he said while trying to prise me of him. I didn’t let him. Mark sighed, “Can you please get off me?”

I giggled, “No.”

Mark sighed again, “I don’t wanna stay here any longer. Can you get the doctor to sign me a release form?”

“Can you manage? I mean, you’re still unwell.”

“Please?”

I stopped hugging him, “Fine. I’ll ask him.”

“Thanks.”

“But why?”

“My mother died in a hospital. I don’t want to…”

“Fine. I got it. Night Mark!” I gave him a hug and gave him a quick friendly cheeky peck on his cheek.

“Ugh! You poof!”

“Goodnight Mark!” I laughed the whole time as I was walking in the corridor.

Mark tried to take his life again using the IV line. He gave it all his strength. As he began closing in to the darkness, fears started to creep in. He began to hesitate taking his own life then releases the chokehold. He then started again then gave up. He looked at the glass sliding door that the last visitor left through. Should he give life another chance? Is there a point to it? Is there anything to achieve from it? Does it matter? Should it matter? He became too tired to think about. It just hurts his head and his weakened heart. He decided to go to sleep.
 
MARK CONVELESCES AT HOME

The hospital is bringing Mark home today. I waited for them in the Lobby. By them, I mean Mark and the paramedics. Instead of stopping at level twenty nine, we went straight to the top floor.

When we we entered the apartment, one of the paramedics asked me a question, “Where is the room?” I told them to follow me.

The paramedics laid Mark on his bed. I was shocked! Mark had became really skinny from the last time I saw him. “What happened to him?”

“What do you mean?” asked the female paramedic.

“The last time I saw him, he was… I don’t know how to say it. He’s not like this. He’s skinnier now!”

“It was the medicine he’s taken. It causes rapid weight loss.”

“Is he OK?”

“He’ll be fine. He’ll gain back his weight when he start taking the steroids we prescibed.”

“Steroids?”

“For the pain.”

“Right.”

“What is your relationship with…” she reads her chart, “… Mr Mark Heston.”

“I’m a tenant. I rented a room here.”

“So, will you be taking care of the patient?”

“No. I’ll be moving out soon.”

“Anyone staying over in the penthouse to supervise the patient’s progress?”

I almost forgot that the apartment is a luxury penthouse, “Not that I know of.”

She exhaled, “You need someone to watch over the patient! If you have no one, you need to hire a nurse to watch over him.”

“OK. But how?”

She looked over at her partner and beckoned him, “Marcus, come and explain!”

“OK. The fee is around the ballpark of maximum fifteen hundred…”

“Fifteen…!”

“… an hour…”

“An hour…!”

“Tops. Minimum a thousand.”

“Are you sure?!”

Marcus ignored my question, “It says here, Mr Heston has no health care insurance. His company says he’s eligible. Did he refused his entitlement?”

“I don’t know.”

“The state provide around fifty percent discount to citizens.”

“Oh, OK!”

“Do you have a social security number?”

“No, I’m on a foreign student visa. Mark is an American.”

“Do you know his social security number?”

I shook Mark to wake him up but he was in deep sleep, “No, I don’t.” I thought for a moment. I don’t want to move to the crummy apartment that I found. The place was really bad. Then I had an idea and thought I’d risk it. Anyway, what is Mark going to do in his state. I’ll move out when he can really kick me out, “I think I’ll stay here a little longer. I can take care of him during the weekends and my days off from work.”

“The hospital can provide a loan at twenty five percent interest if you can’t obtain the funding on your own. Shall I do the calculations of the cost for you right now?”

“Yes please.”

“Sixteen hundreds an hour will be charged at first because of the absence of social security numbers and the proxy, you, are not an American citizen….. around ninety thousand dollars, if the recovery time is around three months. Over, it will cost more, less, we’ll reduce the cost.”

Dumbfounded, “Is that really necessary?”

“We have expensive equipments monitoring Mr Heston and the drugs that needs to be administered at a specific dosage and at certain time and duration through his recovery. We can take it away but Mr Heston’s chances of pulling through is close to nil.”

What am I to do? Do I have a choice? “OK. We’ll take the full package.” The male paramedic that goes by the name Marcus handed me his clipboard to sign. Then I remembered the grocery money. I looked in the pocket notebook where I audited the comings and goings of the groceries for the upkeep of the apartment. There are still around eighty four K left. “I found a source of funding that might cover some of the cost.” I showed them the jar of money and the book. “Will this help?”

“This will cover nicely! Good job!” the Marcus said to me. I’m glad I’m not going to be tied in to making a loan that I can never pay. I’m still paying for the fifteen K that I owed Mark, with interest. Things like that, that kept reminding why I even bother doing this. It’s not my fault that he lost his bike!

After I bid farewell to the paramedics, I went over to check up on Mark. It’s funny looking at him sleeping because it was like he was blowing raspberries every time he exhaled, together with the sounds the machine makes, they sound like some rapping melody of some kind. Well not really, but it was funny. “I don’t know why I put up with you?” I said to him. I nudged his head over and over again then slapped him. I guess it’s a form of payback for all the grief he caused me for all these years. “It’s a good thing that you look cute when you’re sleeping.” Then I left him room.

“I heard that.”

I was surprised. I leaned back and saw Mark smiling with his eyes closed. God, that’s embarrassing!

A couple of weeks…

I was able to came back home early one day, so I thought I’d give Mrs Espinosa a day off. I neglected to clean the place up as often as I did because Mark didn’t have the power to complain anyway but when I looked at the surrounding, I grew restless so I began cleaning the apartment.

picture.php


Then, while I was hoovering, I was shocked seeing a naked man on the stairs. I screamed his name, he opened his eyes. I was relieved.

“Mark, what happened?”

He smacks his lips, “Where am I?”. Temporary amnesia. It’s the drugs he’s taking. He looked around. “This stairs looks boring. Remind me to renovate the place.”

“Can you get up?”

Mark looked at each of his limbs and tried to move them. He shook his head.

“How did you get there then?!” I helped him up so I can bring him back to his room. When I looked at his bed, I knew why he went down and left his bedroom.

It was horrible taking care of Mark. One day when I came home during lunchbreak, I found him asleep on the corridor. It turned out he had gone to the toilet right on the spot because his legs suddenly cramped and went stiff so he couldn’t move. The stench was, euggggh! We had to move the place he sleeps downstairs in my side of the apartment so I can better monitor him. The machines was doing my head in. When is he going to get well? His tantrum was just as bad as when he was well. Perhaps even worst now that I had to help him with everything. I’m just glad nurse Rita was around to take shifts and deal with his whims when I’m out of the house.

Almost two months and few days later…

Mark was starting to get better now. His appetite was growing, and he started to work out again. I told him not to but he wouldn’t listen. I should’ve covered the mirrors in the house. I know how vain he is. Ever since he was well enough to walk on his own, he thinks he can do anything. I had to keep reminding him that he’s still sick but he’s so hard headed. One thing he listened to me though, going out is off limit.

I was going for my language classes one day. I thought I’d check up on Mark before I call nurse Rita in. I went over to his bed and saw something unsavoury being stubborn under his blanket. I nudge him.

“Mark, wake up. I’m leaving to school.”

Mark stayed still. I shook him harder. I was shocked to find that he was hard, stiff. I cried. I thought he finally killed himself. It was like he was petrified like in the Harry Potter movie. The one with the Chamber Pot of Secrets. I thought he stabbed himself and died. I pushed the duvet over.

picture.php


Nope, it’s his thing. Not a knife. Still, I made a phone call to the hospital.

Sobbing, “Hello? Dr Verden-Bohemier? My friend died.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. He’s stiff already. I think he died last night.”

“What is his temperature?”

I touched his skin. Surprisingly, he’s still warm. “Cross that out doctor. I think he just died this morning. He’s still warm. Can you please comeover please. I don’t know what to do.”

Dr VB came a few minutes later. He checked Mark’s vitals. He smiled. He lifted Mark on oneside and dropped him. “He’s OK!”

“What?! Are you sure?” I poked at Mark, “But he’s well in rigor mortis.”

Dr VB slipped his hand under Mark’s pillow and pulled out a small clear resealable plastic bag with a few tabs inside. “This!”

“What’s that?”

The doctor laughed, “It’s a drug. You’re friend is in pretty much rigor! But without the mortis.” The doctor seemed pretty tickled pink. He began swinging his stethoscoped and it accidentally hit Mark’s… there was a muffled groan coming from Mark.

“I don’t quite understand. That drug made Mark like this?”

“You don’t know?” I shook my head. “Then your friend here is probably playing a prank on you!” The doctor seemed he can’t contain the rising tide of laughter. “Sorry.”

I sighed angrily, “So, he’s fine?!” the doctor left with a rosey cheek full of amusement, ready to share his first joke of the day with his colleague. I looked at Mark and became really angry. I had to punish him for making me went through that humiliation. I took a chilli and rubbed it under his nose and into his nose holes. His nose twitched and barely grunted because of it. “Serves you right! Next time if you do this again, I’ll just ignore you! Even if you’re really are dead!” I left Mark after I got hold of nurse Rita and left for my language classes.
 
YOU DARN, SCHEMING... AAAAAAAH!!!

EARLIER…Yesterday

Mark had some of his friends over while the narrator was away. They tell each how they’ve been, what they’ve been doing lately and exchanged stories. The sort of things friends talk about.

“Marky, any idea when you’re gonna be kicking around the block?” Landon asked Mark.

“The doctor said I’m good going back to work but I mustn’t push myself.”

“No, I mean when are we gonna do some action! You know what I mean?!” Landon insinuated. He started touching Mark’s… and it went like, you know, thing.

“I can’t Lando. Maybe when I’m feeling stronger.”

Landon sulked, but still doing it. “Landy, leave him alone.” Dane requested. Landon took his hand off. Landon dissatisfied, jumped on the bed and began kissing and gropping Mark. Euwww! Dane squeezes his shoulder, once again telling him to stop. Landon got off the bed sulking and kicking the floor.

“It’s OK Dane. I’m sorry Lando. It’s not that I don’t wanna. I’m just too tired.”

“Fine. But once you’re fit for a duel, you come to me first! Deal?”

“I promise.”

“It’s your birthday coming up buddy. What do you want?” Dane asked.

“Let’s do a house party!” Winston suggested.

“Yeah! That will be wicked good!” Landon exclaimed.

Mark shook his head, “No guys. I don’t feel like in a partying mood.”

“Then can we party?” Winston asked.

“What do you want for your birthday this year buddy?” Dane asked.

Dale had an idea, “Why don’t we go fishing?”

“No guys. I don’t wanna do anything this year. I don’t wanna celebrate my birthday.”

Landon became agitated, “Why not?!”

“Don’t say that buddy! It’s your birthday. You have to celebrate it.” Dale. Winston concurred.

“Please guys. I want to rest this year. Maybe we can have a belated party, later on. When I’m in a partying mood. Not now.” Landon, Winston and Dale became disappointed.

“Leave it guys! Marky needs his breathing space.” Dane.

“Not even a beer party? It’ll just be us guys!” Winston requested. Mark shook his head. Winston sort of powted. He was about to say pizza but still Mark shook his head. “Dude, did you replace us with someone else?! Who is it?!”

Mark laughed, “No Winnie! I’m just not feeling well. I’m not well. Why don’t you guys get it?!”

[Characters position in the room, Mark was lying down on his bed, Dane was standing rubbing Mark’s hair, Dale was sitting on a chair rubbing Mark’s feet, Landon was sitting, holding Mark’s hand and rubbing Mark’s left thigh, Winston was sitting, squeezing Mark’s left arm with both hands.]

“I’m bored staying indoors all the time.”

“Why don’t you go out? Get some fresh air.” Landon.

“I can’t. I’m not allowed.”

“By who?” Landon.

“This nurse and this kid that looks after me.”

Dane, “You should listen to them buddy.”

“Why don’t they let you go out? Who the hell do they think they are telling you what to do?!” Landon.

“They said I’m too weak. I think that’s stupid! I’m already working out! Didn’t even break a sweat!”

“Someone need to teach those bitches a lesson…”

“Landy, quit it!” Dane advised Landon.

“Tell you what! I think we should pull a prank on them. What do you think?”

“Now Land…” Dane and Dale said simultaneously.

“I think I’m might be up for it.”

“Now buddy. I don’t think that’s such a good idea. You should rest…” Dane.

“Oh, relax Daney! It will be fun! Which prank are we gonna pull on them?!” Landon was festering with excitement.

“The kid has to clean the place up every time I took a crap. Maybe we should crap in a box and hide it in the kid’s bedroom. Somewhere the kid can’t find it.”

“Guys. That’s sick, not to mention cruel.” Dale.

“Or we can put hair dyes in the shampoo. The kid will look like a clown after that!” Landon.

“The kid is already a clown!” Mark and Landon laughed. “You know, there’s one thing we could try. So far, I could tell the kid to do anything I wanted. The kid felt sorry for me. Probably because the poor fucker thought it was it’s fault that I’m like this!”

“That fucker did this to you!!! That kid needs a…”

Mark began to worry, “No no no Lando! It’s not the kid!”

“If it is, I’ll crush that ugly fuck! No one messes with my dudes!”

“The kid is a bit of a freak. Kept checking up on me. Everything sharp and pointy was hidden from me. Whenever I was using a pen, the snotface stares at me while I was working. Look around! The place is almost empty!”

“Glad someone is watching out for you dude! Takes away my worry a little.” Dane.

“You should play dead!”

“Yeah, you’re right!”

“I mean really play dead! Proper stiff, snuff. Then we’ll take a video of what the kid do to you. I think the kid is gay.”

“Why would you say that?”

“The kid been watching you dude! It’s obvious the freak likes you!”

“You guys are crazy!” Dale. Dane nodded, feeling the same.

“No, guys. I think Lando might be right.”

“Here we go again!” Dale.

“I am cute, aint I?”

“Just stop it Mark.” Dale.

“We should make a bet. Who thinks the kid will do something to Mark?” Landon. Winston lifted his hand. The other two men shook their heads. Feeling rather awkward, Winston put his hand back down.

Mark lifted his hand, “I think the kid will do something to me.”

“Whatcha gonna do?! Landon.

“You know.” Mark raised his eye brows up and down, holding his… thing. Dane, Dale and Winston made sighs of disgust. “If I’m right, you guys owe me birthday money.”

“What if you’re wrong?!” Dale.

“Then I’ll owe each of you money. Wager, a hundred bucks!”

“I’m in! I’m with your camp buddy!” Landon.

I came home and found Mark stoned again for the third time. This time, he was completely bare. It was disgusting. “If you can hear me, this is the last time I tolerate this Mark. Next time, I’ll kick your ding-a-lings. I swear, whence you got better, I’m moving out of this place.”

“Mark, pay up!” Dale.

“I don’t understand! Why did nothing happened?”

“Maybe the kid is straight.” Dane.

“Doubt it! That shrimp is a sissy!” Landon.

“Yeah! The kid bakes cookies!” Mark took some hundred notes from his wallet and handed it over each to Dane, Dale and Winston.

“Uh uh uh…Three times the wager. Nine hundred bucks.”

“Oh, come on!”

“A deal is a deal. You shouldn’t have been too cocky!”

“What is the next prank, dude?!” Landon.

“No more pranks buddy.”

“Why?! You should at least do one last payback! That kid is a pushover. Tell the kid to do something embarrassing. Then we snap it up and put it on Youtube!”

“No. It’s no fun anymore.”

“Why?”

“The kid did nothing wrong. I mean…”

“Why should you care?”

“Well…Maybe…It’s just that…I think I might…”

“You think you might?”

“I think I might…”

“Yes?”

“I love…”

“Wait. You’re not gonna say what I think you’re gonna say? Are ya?”

Mark became nervous. He’s not about to embarrass himself by saying something he’s not really even sure about. “No! I love having the kid around. Who else gonna do my laundry and keep my penthouse clean! I don’t even have to pay the kid! In fact, the kid gives me rent. Crazy!” Shaking his head. After his friends left, Mark began to wonder how his life would be like when the narrator moves out. Would it ever be the same?

It had been a few days since the last time it happened. I’m just glad he stopped it. I guess he actually heard me. Mark seemed better now. The doctor said he’ll be doing well on his own now. That means, I have to move out. [crying] I’ve started packing my things already. Today, I’ll be signing a contract for that crummy apartment. I don’t want to move!

“The doctor said you’ll be fine from now on. You can go outdoors now because they are slowing reducing the amount of morphine you’re taking. Remember to follow the instructions.”

Mark nodded then realised, “Wait, I thought so far, it was you and Rita was taking care of my meds. What happened?”

“I’m moving out!”

“You’re moving out! But why?”

“You … Wait, you don’t remember?”

Mark looked confused, “Remember what?” This seems to be a great opportunity not to be missed. I wasn’t really kicked out if he can’t remember kicking me out. This is good. I’m not looking forward moving over to that rundown place. A dump with a feeble excuse to call itself a space fit for habitation.

“Nothing.” I pretended.

“What do you mean when you say you’re moving out?”

“It’s nothing. I’m not moving out.”

“But why…” Mark was about to begin his sentence, hesitate then gave up. “Hei.”

I turned to face him, “What?”

“Thanks for taking care of me.”

“Mrs Espinosa did it most of the time. Thank her.”

“I will.” He smiled. “Thanks for staying with me.”

“Whatever.” I left him and went in my room locking it. I don’t want him to know that I was getting ready to move out. He might remember that he kicked me out in the first place.
 
BACK IN THE PRESENT

WAKING UP FROM THE NIGHTMARE

Jason and I swing over to a mall later where the coupon says I can claim the free toiletries. Not that I need them. But what else am I suppose to do for the rest of the day. Anyway, I left Jason next to an island with plants in them. We agreed that I’ll see him in a few minutes later. I was only getting a two bottles of liquid soap. It’s not as if anything interesting is going to happen around Jason. Right?

Clue… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOEvBlNI-wc

After I got the stuff and got myself some pastries to bring home, I don’t know why I got them, I don’t even have a craving, I came back and found Jason still sitting where I left him. He looked upset, but then he always had that slightly sad look in his eyes and his thin lips looked like he’s powting, ready to cry at the same time you got the feeling that you shouldn’t mess with him. Probably because he has an imposing build. I thought of asking if he’s alright. Naaaah!

“Got them Jay!”

“Anything else?”

“No. Lets go.”

We got back in the van. I grew impatient, ripped open the crisp plastic covering of the twin pack bottles of soap, unscrewed one and gave it a whiff. Why did I even bother? I don’t even like dewberry.

“Smells nice. What is it?”

“Dewberry scented bath/shower gel. D’ you want it?”

He shook his head.

“Oh, go on! I don’t like dewberry!”

“Put it at the back.”

“You could use some.”

He looked at me with a patronised look. He got me worried, then changed his expression with a smile and laughed. What a relief!

When we were finally back to the place, my temporary place to live, I freshened up, took a table spread I found in a room where they keep the sheets there, and have a picnic on my own. I can’t believe it had barely been eight in the morning, yet I went to the appartment, got to my workplace, and went to the mall in just over an hour. I thought about it. Right! I always had to wake up early to catch the bus or walk so that’s why it feels different. Jason was my chauffer. Thank you Jason!

I can’t stop thinking about Mark. Could I have stopped all this? To drown my sorrows, I sing a song to myself. Yes, I have a terrible voice, but I sing for my own amusement and no one else. So there! Anyway, I almost laughed at the part where… never mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3mKQT08_rk

There's a part in the flashback later that explains why the narrator is laughing. See if you can spot the reference.I picked a great spot overlooking the cliff. The sky was beautiful! You can see that the day broke a few minutes ago because most that you can see is the blue with alternating arrangement of orange. It looked random but naturally organised, like a mixed salad. I looked over at the food I bought earlier. They looked beautifully made, colourful, but even that wasn’t alluring, rather they overwhelmed me and makes me want to vomit. Not even the prettiest one with slices of kiwi and stuff could tempt me. Why did I waste money on these?! I feel bad with my foolishness, but I don’t want to waste them. I cut an acute slice of a giant lemon custard. I don’t think I can even finish the slender portion, so I pinched the pointed end and gave it try. Nope, I don’t feel like eating the rest. Feeling rather idled, I walk around for a few seconds and sit back down on the picnic spread.

Jason appeared looking like he had a nice morning shower. He was smiling. This time, he’s wearing a black t-shirt with a fairly large white fish bone insignia on it. I think he changed his jeans too, but I can’t tell really. To me, they all looked the same more or less.

“You had a shower?” I asked him. He grunts. I guess that means yes. “Nice t-shirt. Where did you get it?”

“Thanks. It’s mine. I left my clothes here once and a while.”

He got a pleasant smile. Sort of remind of Mark. So he left his clothes here…? STOP! I think we know enough of that! I thought I’d offer some food. “Want some of these?”

He looked uninterested, shook his head. I pack up the food to bring them back inside so I can have them later. “Wanna help?”Jason asked me. I nodded. I observed as he took his hand out of his pocket. He rubbed his fingers of his right hand and sniffed it then held out his hand to help. That’s suspicious.

“Why did you do that?” I asked.

“Do what?”

“You rubbed your fingers together then smelled it.”

“It’s nothing. Come on, give me something to carry.”

Come to think of it, he had his hands in his pocket most of the time. Actually, almost all the time. He had it in when he was at the door yesterday. Something is not quite right. “Why did you have your hands in your pockets?” Jason exhales, then put his hand back in his pocket. “Jason? Have you been… you know… touching your things.” Grunting sounds coming out of his nose. “All this time?” I think I struck a nerve because he seemed uncomfortable.

He looked down. “Yes.” I was right?! He turned to me, “How could you tell?”

I have no idea what or how to answer. I’m as surprised as he is. “Why?”

“It’s too embarrassing to talk about.”

“Oh, go on!”

“Promise not to make fun of me!”

“I won’t.” I swore.

“I have a small penis.” Huh?! So that means… Oh my God! “Don’t make fun of me!” he exclaimed with anger. I just ignored him, looking at the sunrise. I turned to look at him seeing that he is upset, having both of his hands back in his pockets.

“I don’t know why guys are so obsessed with that sort of stuff.” I really don’t.

“So ya ain’t gonna make fun of me?”

“Why would I? It’s stupid anyway.”

Jason held out his hands to offer me help carrying the stuff. I declined. No thank you! Not after where those hands have been!

“I can manage.” Smiled and quickly leave him there.

Jason found me in the kitchen putting the food away. “Where are the guys?”

“I think they are at the beach. Where ever that is.”

“Lets go there!”

“I don’t know…”

“I do! Come on!”

I’ve got nothing better to do, so “Sure.”

I followed Jason down the hill and through the forest along the narrow beaten path which looked like it was laid with grit. The path ended at some sandy area with huge boulders. Jason called out his friends.

“Guys! Where are you?!”

Faintly, “Over here!” Jason goes to his friends while I walk around a little. This place looks familiar. I think Mark brought me here once. But… naaaaah! My joints are a little tired but I don’t remember doing anything heavy. Oh, this morning. I’ve been rather forgetful lately. Must be because of Mark’s sui… death. I heard some thrashing in the water. I look at the sea and see what look like a man drowning. I ran over to the guys and called out to them but they already noticed it. I can see Dale running over to the water towards the figure in distress. I’ve got a feeling that it is one of them. At closer inspection, it was Dane.[Pale faced. A little blue. Mouth slightly parted. Eyes opened. Happy?] I saw Jason running back into the forest, possibly getting help.

Dale did his best to resuscitate. Dane gave a deep heave of breath. Blood came gushing back to his face. Dale felt for his pulse. His facial expression didn't change. It doesn’t look good. Dale kept pressing Dane’s chest trying to get Dane to respond. Dane was fighting for his life kept trying to take air in. What felt like a very long time, Dale looked very tired. His friends offered to help, but his faced seemed hopeless. Dale stood up and moved away. Is that it? So, what happens next? Please don’t die Dane. It’s already enough that Mark left me. I don’t even know you.

Landon went over and touches Dane’s body. His torso twitches due to muscle spasm. [Dane ejaculates. Happy?!] Landon seemed pretty amused by it.

“Guys. Look!” and touches it again. Clearly his other friends are upset. Landon got his thing out and did it into Dane’s mouth. I was horrified. Then Dane started coughing. His eyes rolled over and let out a hair raising cry. It was terrifying. He sounded like he was in serious pain. I can’t help the tears from my eyes. What is happening around me? This is just too much. Dale tried again to revive Dane. Eventually, the groaning stopped but Dale didn’t stop. “Is he gone?”

Dale sniffles, “I think so.” Landon got down and carried on with his business. Dale seemed upset. He rubs Dane’s groin and patted then turned away. [Dale’s action caused Dane to ejaculate. Again.] Who are these people?! What is Landon doing?! Dane’s chest slowly stops moving yet Landon seemed tranquille. Dane? I… I don’t know. I was too… I went over behind some boulders and crawled into a ball, trying to make sense of things, which will never make sense. The guy was smiling at me the last time I saw him alive and well and now…
 
Last edited:
picture.php


OLD BOYS BEING BAD

Winston became curious, “So, Karl. What is this yah-luhr-grr-aesh?”

“It’s wrestling little dude! You’ll see once we got to the beach.”

“Sounds like a gay sport to me!” Landon

“No Landy! All of the guys there doing it are straights!” Dane rubs his head and face. “It was like a gay man’s dream to be surrounded by a sea of gorgeous, fit, straight men.” Dane is happy. Hurrah. Sheesk! Crazy horny bunch.

“Guys! What do we do about the kid?” Dale began.

“Nothing! Or we suck ‘em so the kid give up everything!” Landon

“You know that ain’t gonna work. Mark left everything to the kid. That or everything is given up to charity.”

“Shit!” Landon “Do you think the kid is Mark’s?”

“No way! He would had to be around twelve for that to happen!”

“You’d never know!”

“I think we should give the kid a chance.” Dane suggested.

Everyone was surprised, Dale “Are you feeling OK buddy?” Landon “Yeah! We thought you hate that little bastard!”

Dane sighs, “I do… The hippie kid is alright… but… there’s a reason why Mark told us about the kid before he died. I think we should give it a try.”

“Hippie? I don’t want to! I hate that ugly fuck!”

They finally arrived at the beach. The moon was low, floating just a few inches off the sea. Winston starts cracking on the beer, passing it around. The men observed Dane as he prepared himself and explained the rules. [Fine! I’ll tell you what he did. He rolled up his jeans just to the knees then lifted the huge bottle of oil and pour it over himself, rubbing it into his hair and all over his skin. He poured some on his hand and placed them in his pants. You know what he’s doing. The guys did the same, except for Winston because he’s already wearing trunk. Dane helped them get the oil on each other because the container of oil is very heavy. So, they touch each other, rubbing the stuff on each other. Happy?!]

So, they wrestled and had fun. Dane got too cocky because he beat them almost all the time. Losers had to drink. The person who pass out will be… euugh! They asked for a re-match, but still, they lose. Dane began to enjoy his uncontested victory, taunted his friends so he can beat them again in another tournament. “Turks may be better at it, but I’m king among you LOSERS! YAH! OH YEAH!”

They huddled together, Dale “I’m really hating him right now! He’s making us look bad!”

“Are we gonna do anything about it?” Winston

Dale thought for a moment “I think we should pin him…”

“Hey wimps! Scared that I beat you again?”

“Hold your horses Karl! I’ll beat you again!”

“You wish!”

“As I was saying. We should pin him down, all of us, and pour beer in his mouth until he’s so pissed…”

“I like the way you think Dale!” Landon

“So? Whatch ya guys think?”

“I’m in!”

“Winston?”

Winston isn’t so sure that it was a good idea or that it would work, “OK.”

“Dane, I’m up for it!” Dale

“Whose turn is it?”

“Mine!” Winston points out

“Good man!”

Dane and Winston began to wrestle. Dale and Landon took Dane by surprise. Landon did a choke hold and Dale pulls his legs so he fall on his back. The guys restrained him, pinning him to sandy ground. The tickled and things. Dane was a sport, laughed, but annoyed at the same time at the way his friends are treating him.

“Guys! Fun is over! I’ll wet myself!”

“That’s the point!” Dale

Disgusting what is going to happen but if it is not told, you guys would switch off. [Sigh]Winston sits on Dane’s chest, pushing his mass towards his knees and Landon kept his choke hold. Dane was choking as his air supply was rapidly running out. You lot think about unclean thoughts. Go on!… Fine! I’ll make it quick! Dale… euugh! Lick… yuck! Dane’s leg. Moving on! As Dane passing out, Dale slip Dane’s jeans off him then went to get the beer. They all got down to their undies. He pushed Winston over so he could pour the beer into Dane’s mouth. Winston took over Landon’s role so Landon could suck on… you get the idea.

They got Dane so drunk, he can’t get up and defend himself from what his supposed friends are going to do to him. Dane was furious but laughed.

“You’re sick guys! Aaahh! [coughs] I… guys are gonna pay for this!”

Dirty stuff! Yuck! Landon… do stuff into Dane’s mouth. Forcing him to take it in. Dale do rear deployment, whatever that is and Winston like, did things to Dane’s thing. They rotate and repeat until they exhausted Dane and eventually themselves. The things I have to tolerate so you guys will stay with the story.

Morning draws in. The guys wake up and stared at each other very content with the activity they were up to last night. Sickos! They looked around to look for Dane.

“Where is he?” Dale

Winston noticed, “There!” Dane was sleeping far away, pretty close to the water.

“Winnie. Wake him up before he drowns.”

“I say let him drown so we can have fun with his body later.”

Dale wasn’t amused, “We just lost Mark, Landon. It’s not funny.”

“Don’t tell me you’re not thinking about it!”

“Not this time. I can’t take two losses at once.”

Winston went over to wake slumbering Dane. He shook Dane up. Dane coughed, letting out last night’s drink that filled his stomach.

“Dane. Wake up.” Dane to groggy to respond instead took a deep breath and exhaled. Winston can see that he’s awake, left him. Dane tried to stand up. His head was throbbing, he can’t keep his balance causing him to trip over several times. The tide was drawing inland every passing seconds. Dane dangerously walked towards the see. He thought he can see…

“Hey, Dane! What are you doing?!” Dale

“Forget him! He’s only going for a swim!”

“But he’s drunk! But then again.”

“He’s a good swimmer. He’ll be fine!”


Jason appeared a little too late with his van later. I heard the tyres rolling over the gritty beaten path.

They unload Dane’s lifeless body into the van.

“Where is the kid?” Dale

“Who cares? Leave the fucker.”


I heard my name being called out but I wish not to answer. What’s the point? Dale eventually found me mumbling gibberish. I wasn’t even saying anything comprehensible but it sounded like I was saying words. It doesn’t make sense. Jason also saw me.

“What’s gonna happen?”

“We’ll talk about it back at the mansion.”

“What about the kid?”

Dale thought for a moment. “We take him with us. The kid seemed to be in shock.”

“Poor kid.”

Landon calls out, “Hey guys! Lets get going!” the guys waved back.

Dale spoke to me, “Come on kid. Lets get going.” I don’t want to go anywhere with you freaks! What… I… getting my head down so I don’t have to think. Dale grew impatient, picked me up and dragged me to the van and threw me in. It was sad seeing Dane’s lifeless body. My fingers touched his right hand. I felt his cold wedding band. I feel like going crazy. I want to hurt him so much for letting me through this. Him and Mark! What the… Why?!!!!! Dale came on board as well. He argued with Landon about coming over. He told Landon to walk back with Winston on foot, then closed the hatch as the van began moving. I stood up and went over to the passenger seat. I turned my head and saw Dale doing things. He was… [the narrator is too distressed. Dale was licking the semen off Dane’s body and sucking… stuff. Then did it in Dane’s mouth then kissing him while lapping… Yuck! That’s enough! Are you guys even humans anymore or just creatures with… Whatever. What am I going to do with you guys? I can’t seem to finish my sentences properly with you guys. You always make me worry.] I hit my head on the window over and over again to get the images out of my head. God help me! Please help me! I don’t want to be in this situation. God…

They brought Dane to the white room and started doing stuff on him. Vigorous stuff. The narrator had lost bearing and became inattentive.

“Hey! Look! He’s still doing it.” Landon ejaculated as he made Dane’s torso do the similar muscle spasm. Dale saw the narrator looking… just looking bad. What more is there to describe.

“Jay. Take the kid some where else.”

“OK, buddy… Hey kid. Let’s go somewhere else.”

The narrator couldn’t move. Jason nudge almost caused the narrator to fall. Jason lifted the distraught person. He was about to bring it up to one of the rooms, you know, the themed rooms but the narrator got off and walked away.

“OK.” Traumatised, got down onto the floor and lied down. Jason became concerned. “Hey. Don’t sleep on the floor.” He once again picked the kid up. “Where?”

“Downstairs.”

He got what was being said, “OK.” Jason tucked in then kissed on the forehead. “Hang on there.” Then kissed the forehead again. He left by closing the door.
 
FLASHBACK

MUGGED

I finished my reports early today so I waited in the employees’ lounge until everyone else was done with their work. The first person I saw entered the resting area was Esther.

“Hi Esther! Finished working?”

“No baby! I still have a few calculations left but I think I’ll do it tomorrow. You?”

“All done!”

“That’s great!” then Minara Begum showed up. “Hey Minara baby! So?”

Minara spoke in her Bangladeshi slash Geordie accent, “It was mad pat! I was trying to isolate five chemical compounds in a product sample, it turns out there were twenty different compounds instead! I just hate it when they fail to report properly!”

“I think they did it on purpose.” said Esther.

“I think so too!” Minara agreeing with her.

“Shift is over! No more work talk! Now, who is left in the lab? That God damned Chase was hassling everyone to lock up! Can you believe now he’s in the Human Resources Department?!”

“No way!” Minara and I exclaimed.

“They are laying off some of the staffs now because you know, the whole economic crisis and such.” As Esther was telling us of the grim news, Charlotte showed up and spoke in her London accent. Essex or something, I don’t know. “Alright guys! How was your day?”

“Good!”, I said, “Not bad!” said Esther, “A nightmare!” Minara said.

“Do you know the Arab guy in our lab?”

“Yes!” we answered in concert.

“He’s leaving us! Today is his last day!”

“Awwwhhh!” we exclaimed. “But why? Is he laid off as part of the severence package?”

Charlotte shook her head, “Apparently, his green card doesn’t checkout. He’s getting deported!”

“What!” we said.

“Apparently, as well, his name is in the terror watch list!”

“But Umar Hilani is a generic name! There bound to be a few hundreds or even thousands of Umar Hilani in this world!” I pointed out.

“Yes, but he is from Syria.” Charlotte said. “Oh, yeah.” We all said knowing that the country is in the US list of countries accused of state sponsored terror.

“Who’s in the lab now?” Esther asked.

“No one. Most left already after the shift ends. Around five thirty.”

Umar Hilani opened the door, “Oh, hey ladies!” he greeted and just gave a nod as a welcoming gesture to me. “Is anyone going back to the lab now? Chase been asking for the place to be sealed for tonight.”

“Nope.” Everyone said shaking our heads.

“Is it true you’re leaving us Umar?” I asked.

“Yup! It’s my last day today.”

“Well, we will miss you.” I said.

Esther in her loud voice, “Oh we all will really miss you! Damn ‘lame duck’ is taking out all the dreamy Arabs from this country with his stupid policies!”

We all giggled, Esther carries on, “Hell yeah! Omar, you’re the only decent looking guy around the lab…” then looked at me, “No offence kid! You’re beautiful in your own way!”

I laughed not because I see it as an insult but because I’m glad I’m not turning people’s heads, “None taken Esther!” I said wiping the tears of laughter.

“What about Cole? He’s cute! And Kevin!” Charlotte said.

“That white boy?! He’s much too young for me! But with Omar!” she raised her eye brows up and down.

Umar is probably blushing but his naturally tanned skin hides it. “Good night everyone!” he bid to everyone, holding out his right hand and nodding to every faces in the room.

“Assalamualaikum.” Minara said to him.

“Waalaikumussalamwarahmatullah.” Umar responded.

“Umar! Just sing for us one last song please?!” I requested.

“Which song do you want me to sing?” he asked.

“Oughni at tarab!” I said.

“What’s that?” Charlotte asked.

“It’s the songs he’s been singing all this time. Where ‘ave you been Cha’luh’?”

“So that’s what it’s called.”

“No Charlotte. Oughni at tarab means ‘traditional Arabic songs’ stylie. Not the name of the songs.” I said.

“Oh, right!” she exclaimed.

“Go on baby! Let me hear you singing one last time!” Esther said and we all made noises agreeing with her.

Umar Hilani sings beautifully. I was probably the only one that understand a little about his singing and what the song was about. The girls were just staring at his face and admiring his voice. Typical!

“Masyallah!” I exclaimed.

“What’s that?” Esther asked.

“What’s what?” I asked.

“That mush mush sheller…”

“Mashallah?”

“Yeah, mush ella!”

Umar explains it to her, “Muslims and Arabs say ‘masha allah’ when they are complimenting on someone or something.”

“Oo! Say it again baby!” Umar entertained her by repeating the phrase. “Ooh! Again!” Esther requested.

Then I said, “Enough of that Esther. The guy needs to get home. You know, to his OWN FAMILY.” Esther crossed her arms and appeared grouchy.

“Bye everyone.” Umar bid.

“Mas al kheir!” I said to him.

“Mas an nur.” He replied and left closing the door behind.

“Oh fuck!” Esther shouted. Me and Minara told her off. “It’s all our damn president’s fault! Now I have nothing to look forward to! I’m voting for Obama. I ain’t voting for white trash like McCain.”

“Hey! I’m white!” Charlotte said.

“But you ain’t American. I love you baby!”

“Good!” Charlotte sulked.

“Friends, did any of you see Janice?” Minara asked.

“From human resources?” Esther asked with Minara responding with a “Yes!”

“Yea, where is she?” I asked.

“Haven’t you heard?! She was fired!”

“No!” we all said at once.

“But why?” I asked.

“Because she did a bad job of down sizing the employee list.”

“And now they got Chase to run the department!” grouchy Esther blurted.

“But he’s a jerk!” Minara said.

“Exactly!” Esther said.

“Have you been colouring your hair Charlotte?”

“Yeah, I bleached them.”

“Stick to highlights.”

“Why?”

“Your hair is starting to thin out a bit.”

“Really?” Esther and Minara agreed. “Awwh! I knew something was wrong. Thanks for pointing it out.”

“I’ll have to start sending out my résumés then.” I sighed and stood up ready to go home.

“No, you’re good! The rest of us that are in trouble!” Charlotte said. “Oh yes!” they all said, also getting ready to go home.

“Really?” I asked Charlotte.

“Mhmm.” Then switched the lights off and closed the door.

A few days later, I received a call from Charlotte telling me that Janice was living in a shelter at the edge of town so I thought I’d go on over for a visit.

“Goodbye Rita! Take good care of Mark for me!”

“I will, won’t I Mr Heston.” The nurse said to Mark as if he’s an infant.

“I’m not fully asleep you know.” Mark opened one eye.

“I know.” Rita mocked him while making faces.

“When will you be home?” Mark asked but the door was already closed the door when he finished his sentence.

I took a bus to the shelter and had to change buses two or even three times to get there. Don’t remember. The journey took twenty five minutes. The neighbourhood looked derelict with graffiti on the walls and homeless people pushing supermarket trollies and baby carriages as a form of transport for their belongings.

When I arrived at the shelter, there were queues of people lining up for their lunch coupons. I can’t help but thinking that Janice is one of them, scraping a living on hand outs. It just hurts to think about it.

When I walked to the entrance, a large black lady stopped me. “If you want to getchya food, you need to line up for the free food voucher.”

“Oh, I’m not here for lunch. I’m looking for a friend. Her name is Janice Brocker.”

“OK then. Come on in!” she welcomes.

I was peering across the room looking for a familiar face.

“Hai!” a person called out, jumping up and down. “Hei!” I replied.

She looked healthy but now thinner. It’s sad to see a friend living in a place like this. I tried not to be rude by hiding my pity towards her.

“Hi Janice! How have you been?”

She jumped and smile, “Great!..... Oh yeah…” tapping her her stomach with her hands. I have no idea what she was on about.

“I’m pregnant!”

“Congratulations! How long?!” I asked joining her in her uppity mode.

“Three months!” she said.

“But then, Charlotte said you divorced your husband when both of you lost your jobs. How will you manage?”

“Oh, we sorted things out. He knows I’m pregnant and we called off the divorce.”

“Where is he now?”

“Out there, being a bread winner.”

“So he got a job?”

“No, still seeking… What name do you think I should give to the baby. Maybe David after his grandfather or Causton or even Jacob! What if it’s a girl…”

“Janice, are you really OK?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! Quit worrying.”

I took out a bank note worth a hundred and gave it to her.

“Are you sure?”

“You’re a friend. If it weren’t for you, I would have to work with Chase. He’s such a jerk.”

“And a racist!”

“Never mind that! He’s such a bully. Everyone hated him. Do you know that he got your post now?”

“Yes, Charlotte told me.”

“Now everyone is scared to get on his wrong side. He’s so subjective in his choice of lay offs. Anyway, what happened after you were fired? You didn’t even tell us at work.”

“Don’t ask. It’s embarrassing… Oh, OK, fine! I ran into debt, lost my house, lost my car, almost lost my husband… and gained a baby! What more do I have to add?!”

“Sorry I asked.”

“No, no. Charlotte told me everyone at work worried about me. I get it.”

“Do you know that Umar…”

“Yes, Charlotte told me… Say, do you want to help out the dinner rounds?”

“Yea, why not. Do you get your clothes from the charity shops now?’

“Charity shops? This? Oh, no I got them from the shelter. Why?”

“Now you look like me. We’re like related now or something.”

Janice laughed, “Serves me right for making fun of you a while back. But you now, second hand apparel really grows on me. It’s just as good as brand new designer clothing. They look the same, they feel the same just someone else wore them before I do.”

“Glad you finally see the virtues of things bought from charity shops.”
 
I left the shelter around late afternoon. On my way to a bus stop, a short stocky man appeared in front of me with a pistol covered in a handkerchief.

“Give me your wallet!” he commanded.

“I don’t have a wallet.” I said.

“Just give me all your valuables!”

“Well, I have this keychain that a family member gave to me. It’s pretty valuable to me.”

“Can’t you see I’m holding a gun to your face! I’m robbing you!”

“No you’re not!”

“Yes I am… Wait, what are you saying?”

“That’s not a real gun!”

“Yes it is!”

“No it’s not! Then why are you covering it in a hand towel?”

“Well, you know. So I wouldn’t leave any finger prints. Don’t you watch CSI kid?! Give me your valuables!”

“No, I will not give it to you! That’s a toy!”

“Do you want me to smoke you kid?! It’s real! Anyway, how would you know how a real gun looks?!”

“It says ‘Hasbro’ on the handle.”

“Oh shit!... I modified it into a real gun!”

“No you didn’t!”

“Yes I did!”

“Why is it hollow then?”

“It’s not!”

“As you were shaking it like a nervous wreck, the plastic parts inside rattled. It’s hollow!”

“Shit!” the mugger exclaimed. He threw the toy gun away and took out a large kitchen knife with a yellow handle out of his pants. “How’s this? Will this work?”

I was surprised, “Yes.” I cried for help then noticed the street was littered with hobos that can’t afford cable. Who am I kidding!

“Now, give me your money!”

I rummage around in my bag for it, “Give me the whole thing!” the mugger said and snatched the bag from me. He tipped out the content and pick up that thing that I keep my important things like ID, plastics and money. He ran off with it, in the mean time taking the money out and dropped the rest on the pavement. I ran to get my belongings before the homeless people in the surrounding area have the chance to get them. I check them properly, relieved that the only thing taken are dollar notes and coins.

“Thank you for not taking everything!” I called out to the mugger.

“Don’t mention it!” he shouted.

I never thought a criminal could be so considerate… Hey! The guy just mugged me and I’m chatting to myself how nice he is. Stupid!

It took me longer to get home since I had no money left to get on a bus. My phone was barred because I used up the credit so I can’t call a friend to pick me up. I was beginning to worry as the sun was beginning to set. Then my hand phone warned me that the battery was low. One of those days. As the darkness grew, rough sleepers started coming out of hiding and began roaming the street which made me even more nervous. I just prayed to God that I’ll be safe during my journey home. Then my phone rang. I answered.

“Hello?”

It’s Mark, “Where are you? It’s almost seven! Usually you are home by six! I thought you finished work at five!”

“I had a day off today.”

“Then what are you doing out there in dark?! The nurse left an hour ago! I’m still waiting for dinner!”

“Call for a pizza or something.”

“Don’t fuck with me. Get home, NOW! I’m hungry!”

What a baby! “Well go out and have dinner in a restaurant then! Sheesh!” kebab.

“Where are you?!”

“None of your business Mark. Shut up.”

“Where are you?!!!”

“I don’t know! Some street with alleyways. How am I suppose to know?!”

“What are you doing there?!”

“Trying to get home!”

“What have you been doing all day?!”

“Visiting a friend. What is it to you anyway?!”

The phone went silent. “Mark?” it took a few seconds until Mark answered.

“Who is it?”

“Who is what?”

“Your friend.”

“Someone from work… well, she’s not a colleague anymore. She got laid off.”

Again there was a silence. “Hello?” I said.

“What’s her name?”

“What is it to you anyway?!”

I can hear Mark was blowing his breath on the phone.

“Was it nice?!”

“Mark, what are you talking about?! I was visiting a friend in a homeless shelter! You thought I was on a date?!”

“What the fffff! Are you saying I’m jealous!!!”

“No! But…”

“Yeah! Ugly fuck like you couldn’t get a date even if you pay a hooker. So shut your pie hole creep!”

I ended the phone call. I’m not in the mood to argue with him. I have to get home. Who knows how long it’s going to take. I can’t even read the landmarks in this time of the night. Mark called again.

“Yes, I don’t have time to argue with you Mark. I need to get home.”

He called again. His tone changed this time, “Where are you?”

“I’m walking by a road…”

“Walking? Why aren’t you taking a taxi?”

“A taxi is expensive.”

“Then a…”

“I’ve got no money to get on a bus.”

“That’s stupid! Why don’t you bring any mone…” I ended the call again. Shish! Why can’t he just mind his own business. He called again.

“What?!!!”

“Don’t do that!”

“Shut the fuck up Mark and leave me alone.”

“Where are you now?”

“I’m walking! I told you!”

“If you needed money. You could’ve asked me.”

“Why are you calling me Mark? If you’re hungry, you’re more than capable of feeding yourself.”

“I’m worried… about you.”

“Yea right.”

“I do!”

“Why are you really calling me? Just leave me alone.”

“I’m worried man! And I’m hungry! That nurse Rita can’t cook. All she gave me was some luke warm canned creamed corn with tinned salmon! I want your cooking!”

“What are you talking about? My cooking is not even good.”

“I like your cooking.”

“Ya ya, goodnight!” and ended the phone call again. The phone warned me again about the low battery power. This was getting annoying because Mark is calling on the phone, AGAIN! I was hesitant to answer but the ringtone was unabating. I cave in and answered it.

“This is the last straw! If you have nothing useful to tell me, I’m switching the phone off!”

“Don’t!!! Why are you walking in the night? It’s dangerous out there!”

I sighed, “I was mugged. He took all my money.”

Mark strangely over reacted, “Are you OK?! You’re not hurt are you?!”

“What is up with you?! He only took the money and left everything else.”

“Why didn’t you call me?! I could’ve picked you up and bring you home safely!”

“My phone was barred!”

“Shit! Where are you?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“I’m picking you up.”

“Don’t bother! I don’t want to owe you anything so you can use it against me! I’m switching the phone off…”

“NOOO!!!!! Don’t! I promise I won’t bring this one up. Ever! Promise.”

I looked around the dark streets and thought to myself, God it is rather scary! The street lamps looked like they were so far apart that who knew who or what might be lurking amongst those shadows. Also, the number of alleyways jutting in from both sides of the road seemed endless.

“Fine… But I really can’t tell how far I am from the apartment.”

“Any street signs?”

“There are but you know…”

“What?!”

“Graffiti! Duh!”

“Landmarks?”

“Too dark.”

I can hear Mark’s breathing on the phone. Maybe he is concerned a bit about me. MAYBE. “Mark?” His breathing worsened. “Mark! Are you OK?! Oh God!” I thought he’s going to black out again.

“Is there anything that you can describe about the area you’re in?!”

“Not much really. A broken neon sign that says, ‘O-O-DEL-OU’ or something. A graffiti of a black rapper with “Yo blingO” speech bubble. Oh yea, he got a lot of bling on him and an oversized head. Just passed a trash can, and a bus stop…”

“The bus stop!”

“What about it?”

“Tell me its address!”

Sarcastically, “I don’t know what the address of the bus stop is! I know! I’ll ask a hobo!” I almost shouted the word ‘hobo’ but thank goodness I can’t see one that may start threatening me with “You got beef with me punk!” I’ll probably say, “I’m a vegetarian.” And run for my life.

“Yes do that!”

“What?! You’re joking?! Bus stops don’t have addresses!”

“Look at the side of the roof… or the sign. You’ll see the serial number.”

“OK.” I said. Curiosly I went over to the bus stop across the road but it was graffitied badly but there was another bus stop back on the other side that was not too bad. I looked at the side and was able to read the numbers.

“You’re not going to believe this.” I exclaimed.

“What?”

“The address is one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight dash nine. There’s some letters before them, but they are cracked and fading. Can’t read it.”

“Got it!”

“What?”

“I’ll be there soon to pick you up. You stay put.”

“Wait. What?! How could you possibly know where I am?”

“All bus stops in the city has an address. The serial number. To find out where you are, I just activated my GPRS, key in the code and the satellite gives me your position.”

“You can do that?!”

“Yup!”

“Wow! That’s cool!...” the phone power died out. Great!

“Do you have a twitter account?” Mark asked then realised the call was cut short.
 
I sat on the bus stop while waiting for Mark to pick me up. The street were eerily quiet. There was no one other than myself and perhaps even the bugs buzzing over everything that emitted light. I felt more alarmed of the lack of people there than the the presence of them. At least if anything happened, there’ll be witnesses.

A vehicle was coming from the edge of my view. I was hoping it was Mark but found out that it was foreign to me. It was a dirty, dusty dark green pick up truck with tonnes of stickers messily mounted all over it. The driver honked, but I just ignored it. It drove closer and honked the horn even longer. It was getting uncomfortable that I stood up and walked away.

Instead of shaking it off, the truck followed me. It was getting creepy. I widened my strides and building up the momentum until I began running. The truck is following me! I turned into an alleyway trying to give it the brush off but it was still hot on my heels. The truck sounded like it was an enraged bull ready to… I saw a blindspot, like a hole in the wall with a huge metal sheeting covering it behind a large skip. I slipped though and hid within it. The beam of light from truck was coming closer, it drove slowly as it passed the skip then angry sped off. As a precaution, I stayed there for a few more minutes just to be safe. When I thought I had lost it, I got out of the hole and looked around. Great! Now I’m even more lost than I was previously! Like an idiot, I walked aimlessly along the alleyways.

Then popped out a junkie from the shadows.

“Dddddo yo have mmmmmatches?” he asked holding a makeshift spliff in one hand.

“No.”

I tried to walk away but he over took me, “A light.” I shook my head, “No.”

A familiar voice came from behind, “Are you OK?”. He came closer and I recognised him. I’m surprised he dressed so casual. A white tank top with a pair of jeans and a black belt. His face was scruffy, unshaven. I don’t think I ever remember him looking like that before leaving the apartment. “Is he bothering you?” he asked. Before I could answer, he punched the poor shivering junkie until he fell on the ground. The junkie stood up and sped away.

“Why did you do that for? The kid was unarmed.”

“He was bothering you right?”

“Well yes…” Mark began to walk away so I caught up with him. I followed him back to the bus stop and saw the truck that was following me still beaming its high lights. “Mark, that truck was following me.” I said but he didn’t answer. I turned my head to look at his face, he smirked.

“That was you!” He smirked even more. I hit him, he started laughing so I strangled him. Then he started choking and began rolling his eyes reminiscent of that ‘night’.

“Mark!” I cried out but then he started laughing. “I’ll kick you!” I threatened him. He quickly placed his hands on his groin, cupping his precious cargo to protect it. I giggled.

Politely, Mark opened the passenger door for me. “Gee, thanks.” I said. Mark smiled. I went in and he closed the door. Mark went onto the driver seat and strangely smiled at me for no reason and started the car engine and began driving. “Is this battered jeep yours?” I asked.

He nodded, “Yup!”

“Why?”

“Huh? Oh, I had this for a long time. I use it when I drive on tough terraines. I loaned it to a friend a while ago.” Again he smiled and ruffled my hair. Freakishly strange this new person Mark has turned. I could’ve complained of the compound powder the car is wearing but I can’t be bothered.

“Wanna hear the radio?” he asked me. I just ignored him. He turned on the radio. Mark started humming some tunes. I felt like giggling but I didn’t. “Let’s eat out tonight. How about a burger?” he offered. I shook my head.

“Where would you like to eat? My treat.”

“I’m not hungry. I’m just going to snack on leftovers.” I said.

“Well, I’m hungry! I hadn’t have any real food the whole day. I’m starving!”

“Fine! I’ll cook!”

"Thanks. When I get better, I'm going to take care of you." He looked and me and smiled warmly. He looked rather cute…. Wait. What am I thinking!

[radio]…Our next song is by the band ‘Nickelback’ requested by Mr Gary Moor for his daughter Cornelia. ‘I’d Come for You’!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm70I8qAyM8

“Do you like Nickelback?” Mark asked. I just nodded.

“I love Nickelback!”

“I know. You had tonnes of their songs on your Ipod.”

Mark started singing the song. He was rather good. He got a beautiful voice like a proper rockstar. He looked at me once and a while, while he was singing which was a bit funny. I can’t help it but giggled.

“What?! You don’t like my singing?” He asked. I don’t want to answer in words because I might burst out laughing so I shook my head. He must’ve took it the wrong way and started getting shirty. His face went cold and kept his eyes on the road.

“Prick! I’d never cum for an ugly fuck with a face like you!” he blew his breath like an angry bull and talked to me no further. I looked out the window and stared at the objects in the light of the night as we passed it. I can’t be bothered to feel angry with Mark that night. I’m just glad I don’t have to walk home in the dark.

Mark suddenly let out a strange laugh, “So, are we going for a burger?” Mark asked.

“No, I thought we’ve established that I’m cooking.”

Mark nodded, “Good. I love your cooking.”

I was stumped. I didn’t dare to turn my head away from the window. Did he just said that, he loved my cooking? Naaaah! He probably said he liked it. I’m just hearing things.

Mark parked the car in front of apartment building and began to make a call. I noticed the porter was not outside.

I asked him, “Who are you calling?”

“Ingrid.”

“Why?”

“I need her to bring this car to a carwash.”

“Nooo! It’s night time. Let her rest.”

“OK. So do I do it myself?”

“Yes.”

“But I don’t want to wait for hours until they get the job done.”

“Then walk home.”

“Right.”

I opened the car door to get out.

“You’re going up to the apartment now?”

“Yup.”

“Oh!”

Mark looked rather disappointed when I said that. “I think I’ll accompany you.” I changed my mind. He smiled.

“Sure you’re OK with it?” he asked.

“Whatever! I’m just worried that you might collapse on your way home.” He laughed for no reason then rubbed my back. I’m freaky because I’m always freaky. He always looked so normal but behind the scene, he’s weird.

I used leftovers from last night to make curry and rice. Leftover roasted chicken and potatoes with green chillies, cumin and onions. Mark must’ve been really hungry because he ate most of ‘em. Then I noticed his skin was rather dry and flushed.

“Mark, are you feeling OK?”

“Yeah.”

“Your skin is like really dry and red. I don’t remember that being part of the side effects of the medicines you’re taking.”

“My throat is rather dry and I feel like I want to vomit most of the time.”

“Those are the side effects of the drugs you’re taking.”

“I’m also feeling sleepy most of the time.”

“Lethargic? Yea, I noticed. Once you fell asleep on that small table in the hall while you were still standing.”

“You’re serious?!”

“Ya! You don’t remember?”

Mark shook his head. “Now that I think of it, my skin starts to feel uncomfortable.”

Concerned maybe he had an infection or something because he had to take a high dosage of morphine for the pain. “Shall I make a house call?”

“No, it’s nothing!”

“How is it?”

“It’s nothing.”

I felt his forehead and found that rather than burning up, his skin is rather cool with cold sweats. “Are you sure?”

“Yes yes. It’s nothing.”

“OK then.”

“But I think I won’t be able to sleep peacefully.” Mark rubs his chest and arms.

“I know. Finish your dinner then meet me in your bathroom.”

“Why?... I think I’m gonna like how this sounds!”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

When I came back into Mark’s bathroom to get the chopped infusions out of the tub and pour in essential oils. I heard him having a shower. He came out of the shower then wrapped a towel around his waist.

“How are you feeling? Has it ease off a bit?”

Mark shook his head. “What are you doing?” he asked me.

“Take a look yourself.”

“It smells good!” Mark dipped his hand in the tub of viscous liquid, “Oh woah ho ho! What is this stuff! By the way, I did the dishes!”

“Thanks!… Hmmm, I know you’d like it. It’s an anti-inflammatory soak which I hope will stop you making inflammatory comments towards me from now on!”

“You gotta teach me how to make this! This is hot stuff! It’s like a tub full of fresh, hot, steamy cum!” What a disgusting thing to say!

My face cringe with disgust, “Never thought of it that way!... Here some coffee.” Handing over a cup of coffee that I poured from a thermos.

“What is this for?”

“So you’ll stay awake! You’ve been lethargic lately.”

“Really?”

“Yea, you fell asleep on a table in the hallways… wait, you don’t remember? We had this conversation a few minutes ago!”

Mark shook his head. Odd. Then I remembered. The side effects of the drug he’s taking. Once and a while temporary amnesia of short term memories.

“Did you do this for me?” he asked. I nodded.

“You must really love me!”

“Ewww! No!... There is something wrong with your theory. I HATE YOU!” I walk out of the bathroom as Mark starting to get in the tub.
 
Last edited:
“Pfff! Foreplay.”

I thought he said something, “What?!”

Mark shook his head, “Nothing… Wait, you’re leaving?”

“Yea, what?!”

“Can you give me a rub?”

“A rub?!”

“Yeah! A massage!” he ejaculated and made puppy dog faces. I hate it when he do that.

“What are you?! A child!”

“Come on! I’m sick!”

“Good night Mark!”

“You almost killed me!”

“Don’t play that card again!”

“I’ll kick you out and sue you!”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Wanna bet?!”

Mark is so horrible! Why do he like to use blackmail to get what he wants!

“Ooohhh! Fine!!!” I walked back in and rubbed his shoulder. Then he started to… you know… do it to his ‘thingy’. “What are you doing?”

“Huh? This?”

“Can you stop that?”

“Wuh… why?”

“I’m a little sensitive about it. Please stop. I get uncomfortable when you do that!”

“Come on! It’s not everyday…” I walked off, “Don’t! OK! I’ll stop!.” I came back and massage his head. Even when he stopped touching it, the ‘thing’ was still… ‘stuff’ and moving in the water.

“Ugggh! Yuck! I’m leaving!”

“Hey!”

“I can’t stay here looking at THAT as if you’re cranking up a carjacker!”

“That’s why people call it jackin’… wait, don’t go! Please stay!” Mark used both of his hands to keep it down. I came back and carried on massaging his head. He was still twitching and struggling to get whatever that is happening to him in check.

“Do you do this often?” He asked.

“This thing?” I asked. He nodded. “Sometimes.”

“I knew it! This thing is great! It feels like I’m bathing in cum! It’s so hot I can’t stop cumming!”

“Euwww! I don’t use it like this! I use them to wash my hair!!!”

“So you like cummin’ your hair! Get it?!”

“Nooo! I make mine with cold water!”

“So you like doing IT in cold water, huh?!”

I’m so annoyed by his dirty, kinky talk, “Nope! Not going to work.”

“Oh come on! I can’t help it… Wait!”

“Put your pants on!” I said handing over his jeans. He only took his black undergarment and put them on. Still I can see that it was… you know.

“Did you take something other than your medicine again? Can’t you get your elevator to stay put? You must’ve taken something!”

He shook his head, “I didn’t! Really!”

“Good night Mark!”

“Honest! Don’t leave!” Mark got out of the bath tub, “Look, I’m putting my pants on.” He put on his jeans. “Huh? Huh?”

I shook my head.

“Fine, I’ll buckle up. So?” he fastened his belt and rattled the buckle.

I shook my head, “Good night Mark.” And left the bathroom. I can hear Mark kicking things around.

Mark called out, “I’m in the tub now! I’ve even got my vest on! Come back!”

Mark scooped the thick water with his hand and poured it back into the tub, “Come back…” he looked down at his groin and talked to his gents. “It’s your fault! Why do you have to ruin everything!” He rubbed and squeezed it and rubbed his groin to soothe himself. Frustrated, he bashed it and screamed in pain for being foolish to blame his desires on his body for his longings.

I heard a groaning cry after I left Mark’s side of the apartment. I glanced at the dining room and the kitchen and saw that he really did cleaned up after himself. I can’t help but wondering what is up with Mark lately, especially tonight. When we walked home from the carwash, he was acting rather weird…

The lights from the shop signs and street lights was mind boggling. What’s even mind boggling was Mark. He’s following really close behind me as we walk back to the apartment. Every time I turned around, he smiled, I mean, every time! Maybe even he’s been smiling the whole time. It’s strange! He kept bumping himself towards me like he was doing it on purpose…”

Then I realised, “OH MY GOD!” it was his… that he bumped me with. I went into my bedroom and locked it, then blocked it with a heavy commode.

I was woken up by a loud knock on my bedroom door. I looked at the digital alarm clock that was sitting on the bedside table telling me it was two thirty two in the morning.

“What is it Mark?! Are you hungry or something?! Can’t you wait for breakfast?!”

“Open up!”

“No!” I placed a pillow on my head very angry to be woken up so early.

“Why did you lock yourself in your room?!”

“Go away!”

“I can’t sleep.”

“Take some sleeping pills or something!”

“I don’t want to!”

“Go to sleep MARK!”

A loud, dull, thump was heard outside. I called out his name but he didn’t respond. Slowly nudging the commode away from the door I peered through the door, a jar.

“Aha!” Mark surprised me. Pushing the door back to close it, Mark got his fingers trapped. “Owh!” I can hear him hissing in pain.

Again, I peered through the door. “Mark? Are you alright?!” I saw his fingers were bleeding. Served him right.

“I’m OK. Ihsss… Shit! Aaah!”

“Are you going to bed now?”

He nodded, “Yes. Owhhh!”

After that, I didn’t hear anything from him that night.

MARK GOT HURT WHILE ON A NIGHT OUT

Mark came home hurt one night. He was pretty beaten up with cuts all over and bleeding heavily. I tried to get him to hospital but he refused, instead, gave me a business card of a friend of his that is a doctor. I called his friend and he came to tend to Mark’s injuries. I asked him what happened but he chose not to answer. Did he got himself in a fight to get himself killed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Dc14h_3W0
 
EUWWWW!

A brief review of the yucky stuff that I UNINTENTIONALLY saw Mark up to and the yucky stuff I had to endure cleaning up. When I first moved in the appartment, I saw Mark rushing in panting and stuff. Then he sort of … did stuff. It turns out he was relieving himself. Disgusting!

picture.php


Also, this is after I almost got him killed, he drank milk and purposely spilled it on himself. Or maybe it's because the drugs he's taking compromised his co-ordinations. I don't know. He then got the cheek to smile and said, "Clean it up!" If he weren't I'll, I would've screamed at him and kicked his thing... OK, fine. He did sort of... He is gorgeous!

picture.php


He peed in his room several times. By the way, when he was ill, we had a spare bed close to my side of the appartment so I can monitor him without having to check up on him over at his side. It's more efficient. Anyway, I had to clean the wee wee. It's like he did it on purpose because I hate having to look at his face to be reminded of the guilt and insulted by him. Every time I finished cleaning up, he told me to sit around next to him.
picture.php

He asked me stuff, I answered. Most of the questions were mundane.
picture.php

After that, he just stared at me for a really long time. The room went silent and I left. A few minutes later, I heard him calling me that he peed again and the awkward situation happens again. He acted really freakily. He smiled at me for no reason. The doctor told me to be careful and watch out what I say and do given Mark's state of mind, so I had to force myself to smile and look cheerful whenever I'm around him. I HATE HIM! He must've thought I was being genuine. He started calling me 'My love', 'darling' and 'treasure'. I shrugged at the affectionate terms being used. Yuck! I just know something is wrong when I saw his thing moving under the bedsheets. I'm glad that he had shame and tried to cover them up but still, the heavy breathing, him rubbing his skin. It's naughty. Call me naive, but I think Mark is up to something.
picture.php


Oh yea! Forgot about this one. Dane Karl Johnssen's friend, Ivan. The one died in a car bomb in the Middle East. A picture of him being hazed when he first join the military. Whatever people. Make up you're own story about him if you want.
picture.php
 
MARK STARTING TO REALLY BOTHER ME…

There some great music from a Youtube channel subscibed to. It was the weekend. With nothing better to do, I listened to it. I was dancing along to it in the privacy of my room, or so I thought. As I was bouncing and spinning mindlessly, I saw Mark looking at me through the door with a smile. I got really embarrassed… and ANGRY! I stepped to the door and slammed it. “Owhh!”, Mark let out a cry, probably because I slammed the door on his face. I went over to my laptop and stopped the music. How embarrassing!

I feel slightly concerned in a moment. Maybe I slammed the door too hard and hurt his nose. I opened my bedroom door and called out his name but he’s not there anymore. He probably went back to his side of the appartment. It’s a good thing anyway. He’s starting to creep me out.

Later, I was watching videos of cats and cute little kittens. I know what some of you may think. Kittens?! I love kitties! So what! Most people like cute fluffy things!

“You like cats?!” Mark startled me. This time I left the door open. I ignored him. “Can I come in?” he asked. I turned my head and asked, “Why?”

“Just want to see what ya doing.”

I didn’t respond but he came in anyway. I don’t mind because this time I’m not embarrasing myself by dancing. He placed his hand on my shoulder as I was watching the kitty videos. I almost sing a made up song like I sometimes do when I’m bored, but Mark’s presence made it a little awkward. He was standing there the whole time as I was minding my own business. It is my room! It was getting uncomfortable, so I switched off my laptop.

“Are you done watching cats on Youtube?” he asked me. I only sighed to his enquiry. “It’s your birthday coming up in over a month.”

“How did you know?!” I was surprised. I never told him my birthday.

“From the contract.” He answered. Oh, the contract when I signed up to live here. “So, what shall we do?”

I don’t like birthdays. I think it’s a waste of time. I didn’t even tell anyone at work about my birthday. In fact, I even avoided telling people my birthday at school. I just hate birthdays, like how Garfield hate Mondays. “Nothing.”

“Oh, come on! Let’s do a party. We can have friends over…”

I don’t want him to bother my private social life! “I have no friends. Leave me alone.” I told him.

“Well, you can meet my friends…”

“No! I don’t want any party. I don’t want to meet your friends…”

“But why?”

“I hate your friends! I just want to be left alone! Go away!”

Mark got the idea. I probably hurt his feelings. He was only trying to be nice, but I wasn’t prepared to mend lines with him. Probably because of the horrible things he said and done to me. I disfavour keeping grudges but as much as I was reluctant to admit it to myself, it was probably there.

As he was about to leave my bedroom, he asked me another question, “Well I gotta get you something. A new cellphone!”

“No! Leave me alone!”

“Why?! Come on! You’re still using that old ‘calculator’ with polyphonic ringtones since the first time we met. Times has changed!”

Ignored him. “No!”

“A new laptop!”

Again, “No!”

“A car! A house! A dinghy!”

Mark’s offers were starting to get ridiculous. And I’m starting to get annoyed. I placed my hands to my ears to block out his words. He came closer to me and rubbed my back. “Hey!”

“Leave me alone Mark. I don’t want anything.”

“I mean it about the car. I’m rich! And the house.”

“I can’t drive a car. I don’t know how to.”

“I can teach you.”

“Remember what happened to your bike? I’m still paying back what I owed you.”

“Water under the bridge. So?”

“Enough Mark. I don’t want a car. Or a house. Or a dinghy. What am I suppose to use them for?”

Mark looked dumbfounded, “I don’t know.”

“Exactly!”

“But you gotta celebrate your birthday!”

“Why should I?! And why are you so eager about it?! I never did anything for your birthday! I don’t even know when your birthday is!”

“You did!”

“Huh?”

“You baked a birthday cake for me!”

“No I didn’t!” I really didn’t.

“You did! It was with cream and coffee frosting.”

“There’s always cake and desserts lying around. What are you talking about?”

“But, there’s roses painted on… you knew roses is my favourite flower, don’t you?”

I was only doodling with food colouring and a fine brush. It just happens it looked like some sort of flower. It could’ve been carnations or peonies. Mark thinks it looked like roses. Though, it did looked like roses like on them fine English porceline that is hand painted. “No! I have no idea when you birthday is!”

“Oh.” Mark exclaimed then left, followed by myself. He turned around suddenly and walked towards me with open arms. “Living with you, everyday is like my birthday…” I was spooked, ran back to my room and locked it. He’s like a freak. You guys know that right? I mean, the stuff in his computer. They scare the heebie geebies out of me! He knocked on the door and rattled on the handle, “Hey, why do you lock yourself in?”

“Go away!”

“OK.” He responded. I got down onto the floor to look at his shadow from under the door to make sure he really was leaving. He did. What a relief.

Anyway, I knew something is really wrong with Mark when he bought me a stupid new, hi-tech mobile phone. I refused to take the gift. He bugged me about it over over again. I guess he was frustrated, so he stole my phone without me knowing and placed the SIM card in the new phone. It took a lot of kicking until he gave my old phone back. The poor guy was pretty insistent in me using the phone. He did puppy dog eyes and everything. Euugh! Anyway, I felt sorry for him and used the phone as long as he promise not to give me gifts ever again. I tried using them for a few days but stopped because it was too tiresome. Stupid touch screens. He looked disappointed when he saw me not using his gift. In the end, I had to use them anyway. He looked really sad. I told him not to get anything for my birthday but he still got something. I guess he didn’t heard me, or just doing it to annoy me. I made it clear over and over again. The thing is, I think I saw the model a day before through some shop window. I hope he didn’t stalk me. Come to think of it, he’s been asking a lot of things about me, like things that I like, my interests, personal details, et cetera, et cetera. He asked if I have a favourite band, which I don’t really have, I said random things and he actually went looking for the imaginary, made up rock band. And found it! He got tickets for them as well! What the… He was trying too hard to impress me. God, what is wrong with him! Why don’t he go find a real cute gay guy that he usually brought home once and a while. It was rather flattering that he gave me all that attention but I know it is all a phase with him. You know, near death experience thing.

A MONTH LATER…

I’m having a friend visiting me today showing their new twin baby.

I went over to ask Mark if he’s OK with it.

“Mark, is it OK if I have a couple of friends over?” this was the first time I ever brought home company. I don’t know how Mark will react.

“Sure.” He said, without even looking at me. What a relief!

My friends arrived around nine in the morning. They came with only with one of the twins. I thought I’d brush up on my Turkish.

“Merhaba arkadaşlar! Selam. Nasılsınız? Burayı bulmak zor oldu mu?” I said to them and invited them in asking if they were fine finding the place.

Emine, “Hayır, pek zor olmadı.”

“Yolculuk nasıldı? Kahvaltı hazırladım.” I asked about their journey also offering them breakfast, but they declined.

Dusan, “Hayır, teşekkürler.”

So I offer them tea and biscuits, “Çay ve biraz bisküvi?”

”Yolculuk iyiydi. Evet, lütfen.” They said their journey was fine and they accepted the offer I of tea and biscuits.

I noticed a little baby in Dusan’s arm, “Bu kim?” He have the baby to his wife Emine so he could close the door.

”Bu bizim kızımız.” Emine

”Erkek kardeşine mi benziyor?”

“Hayır, onlar ikiz kardeşler.”

I ask them if they’ve named the babies yet. “İsimlerini koydunuz mu?” they didn’t and ask for suggestions from me.

“Hayır, fikrin var mı?”

“Erkek için mi? Ahmet, Hasan, Cengiz, Cihangir...” I suggested for the twin brother.

Dusan likes Hasan, then asks wife’s opinion, “Hasan´ı sevdim. Emine?”



She agrees, and came up with her own suggestions as well. “Evet. Hepsini sevdim. Dedemin ismi Nail´di ama Ahmet de iyi.” She mentions her granfather’s name, Nail, and she likes the name Ahmet.

“Peki kız?”

Emine, “Daha emin değiliz. Melek çok kullanılıyor. Çok fazla Melek var.” They are not fond of Melek. They think it’s too generic.


I remembered when they went to hajj a while back. There was something I said to them which gave me an idea, “Bak ne diyeceğim. Beraber hacca gittiğiniz zamanı hatırlayın. İkiniz de bir bebek istiyordunuz. Size güzel temennilerde bulunmak için "yeşilden gidiyin" demiştim. Yeşil nasıl?”

Dusan became intrigued, “Yeşil mi? Alışılmamdık bir isim ama bazılarına böyle isim koyuluyor. Çok beğendik!”
 
Mark appeared in the room wearing only his underwear. It was rather indecent given my friends are pretty conservative. I am too, but I had to put up with it having to live under the same roof.

Mark looked at my friends, “Hai.” Then looked me, “Your friends?”

I responded, “Yes. They come from Turkey. I met them on the internet. They happened to visit their sister here in the city so I invited them over for a visit. It’s OK, right?”

“Yeah, sure… Why didn’t you tell me you’re having company? I could’ve prepared for it.”

“But I did. Why are you in your underwear?!”

“You did?” he asked. It’s either he’s pretending that he forgotten the conversation we had earlier this morning or he had really forgotten. I can’t tell whether he was being genuine or otherwise, so I ignored him. The little baby caught Mark’s eyes, “Who is this?” Mark knows Turkish!

Mark became curious of the little baby, “Bu kim?”

I was dumbstruck! Since he asked in Turkish, I thought it was only fitting to answer likewise, “Dusan ve Emine´nin kızı. İkiz erkek kardeşi şimdilik kayınlarında.”

“Onun adı ne?”

“Emin değiller. Her türlü fikre açıklar.”

“Melek?”

“Hayır, çok kullanıldığını düşünüyorlar.”

“Ayşe?”

Emine, “Yeşil olmasına karar verdik.”

“Adını kim koydu?” Mark asked. I lifted my hand. Emine offered Mark to hold the baby. Mark seemed more than happy to obliged. He looked really happy. It’s really rare that I see Mark looking genuinely happy. Most of the time, even when he was smiling or laughing after he cracked a joke, there was still something missing from him. It makes me happy seeing him like this. I’m glad my friends come for a visit.

Mark seemed to be really cheered up by little Yeşil. He looked like a natural when handling her. He exclaimed to the baby like something missing was finally put back to restore… to restore… I don’t know. Something.

“Maşallah. Şu güzelliğe bakın... Ne kadar güzelsin sen... Ay çok güzel…” He looked over at my friends and me, “Çok güzelmiş.” Emine and Dusan seemed proud and flattered by Mark’s complements.

“Alhamdulillah.”

Mark seemed to be at ease with my Turkish visitors despite sitting while talking to them in his undies like it was OK. After giving my friends and their baby a friendly send off, I head upstairs to water my plants. Mark followed me for some reason. Still rather impressed of him, I had to say it, “You never told me you were fluent in Turkish!”

“I speak a little. I spent some time there doing business.”

“Are you kidding?! I’m still struggling to use the suffixes properly and my vocabulary is a sham!” Mark smirked then brushed his nose with his thumb, sheepish with the compliment.

It’s a hot day. The plants must be parched. But when I went to the balcony, all of my trees were gone except for the two large peach trees. Mark appeared.

“What happened to the trees? Did you got rid off them?” I asked him. He nodded. He must’ve remembered. I’m crushed!

He changed the subject and asked me a weird question, “Are you single?” What a weird thing to ask. I choose not to answer but he kept pestering so I answered and told him to leave me alone. I’m too depressed that he got rid of my trees that I took care of for over three years! He started talking again. The nerve! This time he tried to justify his act. “Your trees are getting too big for the apartment so I had to get rid of them. I left those two because they got too big to fit in the elevator… and the fire escape is too narrow.” Smiling?! What did he expected from me?! He didn’t even consulted with me about getting rid of them first! They were my trees! He should’ve told me first before doing it!

“Did you get them out yesterday?”

He was still smiling. That b*st*rd! “Yeah! But look! I’ve put some new addition to your yucca collection and what not!” I got that yucca from a friend you b*st*rd! I don’t collect them! He saw that I wasn’t impressed and not too pleased about what he had done. “Are you OK?”

Of course I’m not ‘OK’! “Yes!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! Very!”

“Can I ask you a question?” I nodded. “Do you like guys?”

I have no idea what he’s implying. “What do you mean?”

“Do you like guys or girls?”

Oh, it’s that sort of question! What a strange question, and I always find it awkward to talk about it to anyone, let alone to answer such a blunt question. I frankly told the truth, “Neither.”

“Really?”

It started to feel uncomfortable, so I changed the subject, “Did you coloured your hair?”

Mark gave a confused look, “No. Why?”

“It looks different.”

“How?”

“It looks slightly browny, blondy colour to it. Maybe it’s the light.”

“I did use a different shampoo brand. I don’t notice the difference. You like it?” Then there was an awkward silence from both of us. “You do know I like guys, right?” I nodded. I’m so sad that he got rid of my trees, I feel like crying. I worked so hard to keep them alive and healthy all these years with the diseases, the pruning etc. The fruit trees even started flowering. I hadn’t even smelt the blossoms let alone tasted the first fruits. It’s just too distressing that I walked towards the stairs so I can get into my room and moan about it. “Come on! You can’t possibly not be interested in either of them. You’re gay right?”

“What? Just stop it Mark. I’m not the mood.”

“You like kids?”

“Shut up!”

“You like fucking animals?” Mark’s questions started being ridiculous! I turned around and hit his head. “Owhh!” It still didn’t stop his curiosity about my interests, “Don’t you find people even the slightest attractive?”

Why can’t he just stop and leave me alone?! How stupid can you be not to see that I’m angry with him?! “I like girls. Happy?!”

“No you’re don’t! I believe the other one more. You like guys.”

Urrrgh! “I like straight people! Both men and women.”

“So you’re bisexual? You like fucking both men and women.”

“Noooo!!! I like admiring them! Sex is disgusting, and gay sex is even more disgusting!”

“Oh. You like me then? I look like a straight guy!”

“No! You’re horrible! I like nice people.”

picture.php


‘I’m a nice guy.” He admits. [Once the narrator left, Mark smiles. He knows what to do.]

Yea right! Couldn’t be bothered to tend to his whimsical questioning, I went downstairs to my room and locked myself in. I cried a little. So what! I’ve waited years to try out the fruits from my trees and all I have left are some ornamental plants and a couple of sterile peach trees. Sure, there are some veggies but they are not the same. The seedlings I grew from the seeds of my favourite berries takes a few more years for it to mature. I gave up. I’m not growing anything anymore. You win Mark. I’ll just mind my own space from now on. Anyway, he gave me a text when I was at work telling me that he got something really important. He told me that he needs me to sort out things in his bedroom. I came home at the end of the day and I found him sleeping. He dyed his hair blonde and waxed his body. Stupid. I guess that was the surprise.
picture.php

I wasn’t amused and left him. I started to make his dinner but he came out and told me not to. He looked rather disappointed but I don’t care. Whatever Mark.
 
A DISTURBING E-MAIL… YOU KNOW FROM WHO

I was using the internet one night. I received an e-mail from Mark. It says, “Just for you.” I opened the e-mail. It was a birthday e-card. I told him not to bother with anything. Stubborn doo-doo head. It had a video attached to it. I clicked play.

The video started when Mark switched on the camera. I didn’t pay attention to what he was saying, then he held a dainty little cute kitten on his hand. I assumed that was my birthday present. He then mounted the camera on a tripod. Probably. He wasn’t wearing a top. That was when it started to get suspicious. Then… well he sat on a chair and he was naked then started playing with his ‘thing’ with the poor kitten on his lap. Shocked and horrified, I stopped the video and deleted the e-mail! That was my birthday present?! A disgusting porn video?!!! I curse you Mark Heston! This time you had crossed the line! Should I confront him and tell him off or pretend that I never saw the video. I chose the second option. God, Mark is disgusting! What makes me even angry is he did it in front an innocent little kitten. I hope God punish you Mark!

THE DISTURBING VIDEO

For you guys with a dirty mind.

Video starts with Mark smiling. Frame a little shaky. Not HiDEF. A small baby kitten, really really small. Maybe even the size of a thumb but it’s eyes are opened and sparkly. He mounted the camera. You can see his whole body until just the pubic area. [Why am I writing this to entertain you guys?] He walked backward and you’ll see him stark naked. Euwwwwwh! The background looked like a seaside front porch with a grey coastline, not sunny. He slumped on a wicker chair then touches his dingalings. He placed the kitten on his lap and start doing it. The kitten crawled a little and fell onto the chair in between his groin. Mark began reading a naughty poem in Turkish.

EROTIZMA EROTIC LIKE


Kulagimin tozunda bir agustosböcegi Ask
-Erkekler giyinmek için giyinir
Kadinlar da soyunmak için-
Öyleyse kadinlarin arzulari üzere
Ben bütün kadinlari anadan dogma
görüyorum...

Apisaramda yeni dogmus bir kedi
Hiçdurma yaliyor erkekligimi
Nabzim sakaklarimda atiyor
Bir yaz yagmuru basliyor
Kan degil akçil bir dem bosaliyor
kamisimdan

Agustosböcekleri hâlâ ötüyor
Simdi biraz islaklar



A cicada on my ear, love
-To be dressed doth a man wear
and a woman so to be bare-
Since they thusly desire
I see all women stark-naked

In my perineum a new born kitten
Keeps licking my manhood
My pulse is throbbing on my temple
Then a summer rain befalls
Not blood, but a silvery drop, is emerging
out of my pecker.

Cicadas are still whizzing
They are just a little wet now.

He ended by saying to the kitten, “Senin kediyin... Küçügim. Salladı, ya?” Then turned to the camera, “Bu aşkim, sende. Benim sevimde.” Threw a kiss and ended the video. This is dirty, and disturbing.

It’s Labour Day, or May Day. So no work, no classes. I can smell cooking and singing coming from the kitchen. The singing was that song that you hear a lot about. What was it? It goes… ne ne NE, ne ne Ne, ne ne NE, ne ne Ne, that’s amore, or something but in fluent Italian. Then, another song in Italian. I assumed it was a folk song. That could be no other than Mark. He greeted me with a warm smile.

“Sorry I wake up late. I forgot to set the alarm.”

“No. I switched it off.”

“But why?” I asked but he chose not to answer, “What are you up to?” I asked.

“What does it look like? I’m cooking!”

“But why? Usually I made breakfast… This doesn’t look like breakfast, more like a course meal.”

“What? Can’t a friend cook for another friend?”

“Yes, but we’re not friends.”

“We’re not?” Mark stood still, “Yeah. We’re more than that.” I just made a disgusted remembering the video he sent me through e-mail. I’m cringing trying to forget what I saw. “So, do you like the e-card I sent you?”

I pretended as if I have no idea what he was talking about, “What e-card?”

“I sent you an e-card. Didn’t you get it?”

“I haven’t been looking through my e-mails for ages. Is it important?” It’s so hard to not make faces.

“Well check your e-mail!”

“I don’t wanna. Just tell me, what is it?”

“I can’t! You have to look for yourself!”

“I’ll do it later.”

“Promise you’ll check it out. Please…”

“Whatever.”

“I’m serious.”

“Whatever!”

“It’s really important to me that you open and read it.”

“Why did you come into my room with no permission and mess around with my alarm clock! You have no right! I didn’t poke around your room!”

“It’s my house.”

“No! Your house but that room is my room! Don’t you dare set foot in it ever again!” Mark’s face went glum. “Why are you cooking anyway? If you were hungry, I would’ve cooked instead.”

His face shot up with joy, “It’s your birthday coming up! I want to do something nice for you.”

“Why?” I asked.

His face went glum again. “Taste this!” I tried some. “How does it taste like?”

I was surprised it tasted so good, I almost coughed, “Like magic.”

“Magic. Wow.”

“Does it have meat?”

“Yes! It’s a ragu. Family recipe.”

Not expecting that, I spit the food into the sink and rinsed my mouth. “I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat.”

“But I saw you ate some chicken before, among other meat based product!”

“I only eat ethical, free-range animal products. I must know how the animals are dispatched.” My God! I sounded like a diva. Yuck! But hey, I have to make it difficult for Mark. He's a jerk!

“Go on! Taste it again! It’s good!”

“Do you know where the meat comes from?”

“Yeah! I got it from an Italian butcher. This is one top quality meat. Like me!”

“Do you know how they killed the cow, and how it was raised? Hmmm?”

“Well… no…”

“No thank you! I’ll try stuff that you are sure suitable for vegetarian. But really Mark. What’s up with this all nicey thing you’re doing? Have you got any hidden agenda because I’m having none of it!” He’s still looking glum. “Fine! Don’t tell me.” I went back to my room to get myself clean.”

“You don’t have to do anything today! I’ll do anything you want me! Just tell me if you want anything!”

“Whatever!”

Anyway, he went out and bought more stuff and made stuff with beans and... I don't know, non meat stuff. He made the effort so I just have to make him happily. Freak!From that day, Mark kept pestering me about the e-mail. I lied saying I didn’t receive it and he kept sending them again and again. He offered to check why I wasn’t receiving his e-mails, allegedly, but I turned him down. He was starting to act freaky around me and I don’t like it one bit. I kept my bedroom door locked ever since. Then my birthday came up. I’m just glad that I have classes that day. I woke up extra early thinking that I might avoid Mark, instead he was waiting for me.

“What are you doing this early?” I asked him.

“What are you talking about? It’s nine o’clock!”

Nine? I looked at the clock on the wall. It said nine in the morning. “Did you mess around with my stuff again?!” He smiled. He SMILED! What else could that mean?!!! Well… then… I beat him up, hard. “I told you not to disturb my things! Why aren’t you getting it?!!!”

He was laughing the whole time as if he wasn’t even hurting. What a freak! “You can beat me up all you want. I don’t care. I’m starting to think that you’ve been avoiding me and lied about not receiving my e-mails. I think you’ve opened it already.”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” still hitting him.

He grabbed me by the shoulders and tried to restrain me. I’m not having any of it! I swore at him. “If you’re not gonna open my e-mails, I’m gonna say it to you directly.” He started reciting something in Turkish and it was dirty. I stopped him by giving him the knee… you know, THE KNEE, up his… Mark fell on the floor crying. I didn’t want to do it but he made me feel uncomfortable!

“Sorry! But you’re starting to scare me!”

“Why did you do that to me? I never did anything to physically hurt you. Right? Uhhhhh…!” he cried. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“I don’t hate you. I just don’t like you.”

“You like me. I know you do. You said I’m cute.” He smiled.

“You’re so self-obsessed. I’m late for class now. Sorry about… that.”

I left Mark there to pick himself up. I hope I didn’t really hurt his things too bad. Poor guy. But it is funny. I wonder if I should talk to friends at work about this. I giggled for the rest of the day. I think the professor probably thought something was wrong with me because every time I asked or answered a question, I can’t stop laughing. Never thought this sort of stuff could happen to me. Poor guy. He must be really messed up and lonely after I almost killed him. Poor guy. Ha ha ha ha!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
SNUFF STORY: The Drop
Replies
13
Views
19K
callmecaleb
callmecaleb
M
STORY: The Debt
Replies
0
Views
5K
mitchman515
M
HangTime
Double Trouble
Replies
5
Views
7K
bills48
B
Z
executioner club
Replies
4
Views
6K
Outlaw
Outlaw
headsman
Repost CARNIVAL by Steve Geary
Replies
9
Views
8K
drunk_puppy
drunk_puppy
Back
Top