18th April – 9:00am

Sam: Chris?

Chris: Yeah?

Sitting on my couch, my best friend Sam and I were enjoying our weekend.

Sam: Do you remember Jane?

Chris: That dumbhead from our college?

He chuckled.

Sam: Yeah. I met her yesterday at the groceries store.

Chris: So?

Sam: Come on, don’t be so cold. She wanted to meet you.

Chris: Sorry, not interested.

Sam: Are you kidding me?

Chris: Don’t you remember how much she used to hate me? She even stabbed me once with a knife. And obviously she covered it up by giving it the name of an ‘accident’.

Sam: I don’t care. I’m bringing her tomorrow and it’s your place.

Meanwhile, I was playing with my phone and without even hearing what he said, I said yes.

He then left after waving at me and I was left all alone.

I would’ve definitely said no if only I knew what trouble she would bring to me. Though I called her ‘dumbhead’, she was as clever as a fox and my worst nightmare. Reason? No one knows.

The same night-

I opened my eyes and found myself in the middle of a dark forest. The crimson moon was hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds.

Chris: Why am I….here?

“Because I brought you here…”

The voice whispered amidst the perfectly still trees. It was as if the forest and everything in it was asleep.

Wavering my eyes all around, I saw a small, dark figure miles away from me.

Chris: Who are you?

My voice unexpectedly came out very small but I knew it heard me.

“Someone who will help you all along…”

Chris: What?

Suddenly the figure started to come towards me. But it wasn’t walking or running. It was flying. It kept on increasing its pace until it stood in front of me. It wore a long and plain white robe which seemed to be of ankle length but her feet were nowhere to be seen.

Seeing that, my eyes widened and I felt a chill running down my spine.

When I looked up towards its face, my breath got caught up inside me. It had a face which looked all burned up. It had no skin anywhere. It was then that I noticed it’s chestnut hair….it was a girl. Her lips were turned up into a large, frightful smirk. Her eyes were blood red in color and opened so wide, it looked as if someone tried to gouge them out.

Chris: W-what are y-you, really?

I said, stammering.

Her face slowly came even closer to mine, just a few inches away and then she screamed at the top of her lungs.

I sat up breathing heavily. My face was covered in a layer of cold sweat.

Chris: That was one hell of a nightmare…

I then realized that my hands were clutching onto the bed cover tightly. I loosened my grip. When I removed my hands, I saw blood droplets on both sides where my hands held the bed cover.

Chris: What…is this?

I looked at my palms smeared with blood and shaking in fright.

Chris: Where did this blood come from?

I asked, knowing that there wasn’t a soul to reply.

The next morning, I woke up by a series of continuous tweets which was my doorbell. I checked the time in my phone.

Chris: Who can it be at 5 am?

I groaned but got out of my bed anyway to open the door.

I was greeted by a smiling and unfamiliar lady at my doorstep.

Chris: Who are you?

I said, irritated because I was still sleepy but I had to take care of the uninvited guest first.

“It seems like the ‘jerk’ doesn’t recognize me!”

My eyes widened at the nickname and I immediately recognized her.

Chris: Jane?! Is that really you?

To be continued...

Chris: Jane?! Is that really you?

Jane: Yup!

Chris: You look…different.

Jane: Is that a compliment or an insult?

Chris: Maybe a compliment. The Jane I remember was a blondie, had a weird fashion sense and huge glasses. But now…you look like a human being.

She chuckled and blushed a little.

Jane: Very well described.

I rolled my eyes and asked her to come in.

She did look and seem different. A black hat with a macaw feather, neatly brushed hair reaching her shoulders which appeared like a small cascade of golden waters, blue lenses, a symmetrical designed dress and red heels which completed her look.

Chris: So, why are you here so early in the morning? And where is Sam?

Jane: Sam had to go last night to foreign business trip urgently so he gave me your address and left. And I too have somewhere to go soon today so I thought I could spend a few hours with you.

Chris: Sure. Just wait for a couple of minutes and I’ll make myself more presentable.

Jane: Fine.

When I came back, I saw her sitting on the couch fidgeting with her dress.

Chris: Would you care for some coffee?

Jane: Yeah, sure.

Then, I stood in the kitchen making coffee for both of us and she was just watching me with her back resting on the wall.

Jane: Are your hands okay?

Chris: What?

I turned towards her with a puzzled look.

Jane: Your hands….they were bleeding last night, right?

Chris: How…do you know?

Jane: What do you mean ‘how’? Obviously by seeing the wrappings on your hands.

Chris: What….?

When I look at my hands I noticed white clothing on them done neatly. “But how…? I didn’t do anything. I just woke up.” These thoughts pondered in my mind.

Chris: Oh…yeah…

Jane: Are you…fine, Chris?

Chris: O-of course! I’m fine.

I said, stammering.

I then served her coffee and led her to the couch.

Chris: So, how are you doing?

Jane: Well, I became a fashion designer. My studio is just two blocks from here.

Chris: Great!

Jane: And Chris, I hope you forgot whatever I did to you earlier.

I gave her a mocking smile and said-

Chris: Well, no, I hadn’t but since you’re so nice now…..so fine. I forgive you.

Jane: Thanks. And what do you do?

Chris: I’m an employee in a gaming company.

Jane: Ah, that’s why Sam kept saying you never leave your phone alone!

I chuckled.

Jane: Do you know why I stabbed you that day?

I flinched a little at her sudden change of topic.

Chris: Oh! I thought that was an accident!

I said in a sarcastic tone.

Jane: I’m serious, Chris. I don’t hate you and I didn’t mean to do what I did. It’s just that….I used to have bipolar disorder.

Though, it seemed kind of strange that how severe could her ‘bipolar disorder’ be to make her stab someone; but I accepted her reason.

Chris: I’m sorry. I didn’t know. But what could be the reason of such a disease?

Jane: Nothing much…..just problems with my aunt and her family. I…was an orphan since birth.

I saw her eyes getting teary.

Chris: Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to tell me if you can’t. I understand, really.

She slightly smiled.

Jane: I didn’t know you were so good at comforting, jerk.

Chris: Me too.

She let out a little laugh. It sure felt good to see that she is doing well now and on her own.

After talking for about two hours, she bid me goodbye and went. We also exchanged our contacts to keep in touch from now on.

Chris: Who knew she could have such a sad story?

Then, my attention went to the bandages tied on my palms. I slowly undid it.

Chris: There’s….nothing?

There was no blood on the bandage and my palms. There wasn’t even a single scratch.

Chris: What is going on?!

To be continued...