Driftwood

DRIFTWOOD


It is a gloomy day. These series of rainy days seem unending. As always, in any rainy event, my neighbors in this grand apartment are buzzing around the corridors in loud unhealthy noises.

Today is Saturday. I never felt anything like this before - uplifted, optimistic, cautious, and comfortable. As i walk through my mundane Chinese cabinet in search for my white cap, a sudden sound trembled outside my window. I didn't mind the strange sound of crack. I continued my search. The cap is right inside the wooden panel just above the glass frames. I grab it and get the car key, sliding it inside my black tweed coat.

I go straight down the exquisite ivory-white staircase until i reach the door of the grand apartment. It is an unusual scenario walking through the fancy lobby alone. This place is filled with busy people at this hour.

"They must probably still sleeping, sir", said a voice behind me. It is Allex, the apartment security personnel. "Last night was surely unforgettable for them. With all those mess those strangers caused here -", he added.

"Something happened here?" I ask the personnel. It is unbelievable that this lobby is a mess just last night. Everything here is fine now. But with the obviously brand new fixtures here, to believe is just a finger-inch away.

"You were here last night, aren't you sir?" he ask pessimistically.

It is unusual of him to ask such scrutiny to anyone who is a residence of the condo - or as they humbly regard as - grand apartment.

Though a pang of insult bit me hard, I just keep my composure to keep him in his prized job.

"Perhaps the sleeping pills completely coveted my consciousness - I can say" I defend my self with sarcasm as I my lips pressed to keep my mirth from jolting out.
"Perhaps -"
"So who is the prime man breaking loose here?" I quickly pick up.

I take the chance to stare to his face to see how serious the incident meant to him. He seems unable to sleep, I say, from the dark stretches hovering beneath his eyes. The incident must have guaranteed a permanent tattoo in his mind.

He seems unwilling to let me go my own way without choking me with the story of last night's event. I keep my silence, open my ears, but as I'm about to extend my mock sympathy, he suddenly speaks -

"Five men in black tux smashed and mutilated this place last night" he still pushes the conversation.

"Don't worry too much, I bet the iron bars of the city cops will cause them to revisit what they've done" then as I flush out my sarcastic words, a sudden dismay blows his eyes. "They're in jail, right? Or are they still lurking out there-" then I stop my insolence to clearly see how serious this matter had cost him.

"Goddammit! The criminals just disappeared when they got upstairs" he blurted.

I tried to fluctuate my voice to project a sympathetic effect. "What do you mean they just disappeared?"

"That's all I can say. I don't have any idea what the hell had happened-" his voice thumping.

"You called the cops, haven't you?"
"They're gone. No one spotted where they went - they left not even a print" he grunted.

A rage pushes me from the back giving me chills about those freaks still here in the condo. Truth to say, my feet bursting a rush to get out from here to save my head from any unexpected commotion. I then realize the unusual loud noises I heard when I was in my room a few minutes ago, that the deafening silence mean I am left here alone. Will I be confronted by a vivid drama of how my life will end? This serious twitch in Allex's usual heavy authoritative voice to his meekness now is something alarming. How many unit owners opt to stay here? Five? Four - or two? Or all along this daybreak I am left as a prey to my predators? I couldn't see any logic to stay any longer talking about killers with a coward security personnel. Am I being overly engross talking the chances to know better how my death will likely be?

"I have to go," I insisted the line before something happens to me here.

I turn my back on Allex hoping too so he'll realize what kind of danger will snatch his life in this place. I have no doubt they are already here - following me, following us.

With no sign of hesitation, I left the lobby. This is surely a madman thing but this is better. Soon enough, in any unexpected moment, I might loose the most precious to me.

"Sir, they're looking for a couple," Allex's words pained my consciousness realizing how near they are now.

I didn't mind him. I have no time left to waste. I have to hide the most precious to me.

I left Allex at the lobby. If he only know how vicious his tale will end, he will keep his forsaken life hiding and bursting with fear. I walk as fast as my speed permits to get to the parking area. There, I can take her away from here - saving her means saving my life.

My fear frosted when I reached the basement parking area. Everything became calm and diluting now I know that the most precious to me is only meters away.

"She's late"

She promised to be here on time. I walk a little faster rushing to my navy Yaris hoping to find her inside the car waiting for me.

I scan my pockets in search for my car key. I felt the key inside my left pocket. I pull it out and hold it tightly in my palm. It is a relief -

On the left parking space to where my car is parked, I notice there is a shiny red Scaglietti. It is never here before. It might belong to a new resident here in this condo. As I draw myself closer to my car, anxiety rules my head.

There was no one new came in. To be here is even more dangerous.