Hidden World

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, the song “Angry Again” by Metallica. I had left it to charge on my counter. I groaned and reached for the phone, rubbing my eyes wearily. Who would be calling at this time of night? My phone stopped ringing abruptly, and I glanced at the text message that had just come in. It was from Hideki, my lover that lived in the English Apartments near Montgomery Mall. I grabbed my glasses off the bedside table to read the message. And blinked in surprise.
Sorry for calling so late. The text read. I know it’s late, but I need you to come to my apartment. And before you ask, I haven’t been watching porn all night, and am in the mood. LOL At least, not tonight. Something.. Bizarre just happened. I can’t explain it over the phone. I’ll pick you up baby. Be ready for me.
I put the phone down. This is strange. What could have happened to freak Hideki out so much? He’s usually the most calm person I know! He usually chides *me* for being a hothead! I sighed, turning on my light. This sounds urgent. I may have work to do tomorrow, but this sounds urgent. I can’t ignore this. I’d better dress fast. Pulling a pair of tight blue jeans and a t-shirt that wasn’t the worst for wear out of my dresser, I dressed quickly. As I pulled on my sandals and pulled my hair into a ponytail, I heard Hideki’s Silver Toyota pull into the driveway. I glanced at my clock. Twelve minutes. I turned off my light, and hurried downstairs, trying to keep my footsteps light. No point in waking up the rest of my family. I shut the front door quietly behind me, locked it and hurried towards Hideki’s car. He knew me well enough to merely wait in the car for me. I opened the door and slipped into the car.

“Thanks.” I took the expresso coffee Hideki handed me gratefully, taking a sip. The hot liquid began to wake me up with a jolt. Hideki began to pull out of the driveway carefully onto Woodstream Drive.
I waited until he was on the main road, Hancock Street, before speaking. “You were pretty vague in the text. You had said that something bizarre had happened, but that you couldn’t really tell me over text. What’s up? Besides us?” I added wryly.

Hideki groaned. He looked exhausted. “Don’t remind me. I could have gone without having me sleep interrupted like that.”

“By what?”

Hideki sighed. “You’ll have to see for yourself at my apartment. A woman just… appeared in my bedroom. Out of nowhere. I was woken up by what sounded like ringing, and there was a bright flash of light. Next thing I know, there’s a naked woman on my bed!”

I was watching Hideki’s expression as he spoke. He was swallowing nervously and blushing, as if he was nervous of how I’d react to hearing this. I’ve had plenty of fits of jealous rage, but I wasn’t going to chastise him for being attracted to this person. Which he apparently was.

“Relax, Hideki.” I reassured him. “I’m not trying to
Be sarcastic, but are you sure you weren’t just dreaming, having a wet dream?”

Hideki shook his head, while still trying to keep his eyes on the road. “You’ll see what I’m talking about.” he said, and then was silent.

He pulled into the numbered lot in the front of his apartment building. I stepped out, taking the coffee with me. I handed the cup to Hideki, and he took a sip.

Once inside the building, I shivered in the air conditioning. My room back home had been warm. Here, it was freezing. I rubbed my arms briskly.
“What does she look like?” I asked as a way to fill in the silence. “Is she pretty?”

Hideki stopped in front of the door to his apartment. Taking out a white enameled card, he swiped it through a scanner on the door. The door clicked opened, and I blinked in the sudden onslaught of light. Every light in the apartment must have been on. Hideki gestured for me to follow him to his bedroom.
I closed the door behind me, and followed.
The first thing that got my attention upon entering the bedroom was the Chinese woman sitting on Hideki’s bed. She was wrapped in Hideki’s dark blue robe, and looked about eighteen. Long black hair fell to her hips. Her gaze fell on me.

“Um.. Hi.” I began, unnerved by the penetrating gaze she was leveling on me. “What’s your name?”

The mysterious woman began to speak. “I’ve been waiting for you, Michelle.” she said. “It’s time to face your destiny. You can’t run from it anymore.”