"Surprise! Happy Birthday! We missed you so much" the hillbilly-looking family yelled happily at me.
"You never keep in touch ever since you worked on the new company. Aww you might have been sad and miserable living alone in your apartment. So, we decided to prepare foods and party stuffs here and then surprised you. You've gotten thinner! Girl you got to eat sometimes! Here, eats some cake Juliana"
"Wait, who are you and who's Juliana?" I asked.
"You. We named you Juliana and you are now ours. Now, you will do whatever we say because we're a family, and a family will do anything for the family." The woman says weirdly as if I'm part of their family.
"No. You can't do that! You can't own me" I said.
"Oh yes we can darling. Now eat this cake."
The cake they were offering me wasn't really a cake but mount of unprocessed meat of an unknown animal. and it is obvious by the way their cake looks because of the dripping blood from it.
I woke up in a dark place and my hands are chained in the chair. I looked at the surroundings, it was all dark and empty. I realized that the birthday party was just a nightmare. I was heavily sweating. My eyes can't see clearly and my head hurts so bad. "Help! Where am I!?" I shouted. I heard some creaking sounds. It must be a door. From not so far area, the door open and it reveals a silhouette of a man. I can't really see clearly that's why I don't have any idea of his face.
"Well well well, if it isn't my favorite political journalist who snuck fake news about me to the public. I'm quite surprised Jules. Hmm actually, I'm not. Hahahaha" Mr. Krant laughed wickedly.
"If there is anything fake about the articles, I made years ago, it is you! We both know it's true that you use people's taxes to gamble and fund your illegal businesses."
"I admire your courage to do that, like writing something against people like us, but that is none of your freaking business. You don't want to get yourself in trouble, aren't you?"
Mr. Krant suddenly let some guy wearing a laboratory gown inside. Probably a doctor or whatsoever. And what is a doctor doing here?
"This is our scientist. Mr. Dornan and he is going to take care of you. Mr. Dornan, this is our new patient, Jules. I am guessing you already know what to do with her, okay"
"Affirmative, Mr. Krant."
After the conversation, Mr. Krant left the room. Leaving me and Mr. Dornan inside. Mr. Dornan opened his case and reached something on his carrycase. He is smiling as he revealed a syringe.
"What is that? You can't inject me with that! I know it's not safe!" I plead as he attempt to reach me.
"Stop!! I am begging you to stop! Just please stop it! You are just doing this because of Mr. Krant but please!"
"This is quite like a selective amnesia and a narcotic drug mixed together. This will get you to sleep until you forget everything that had ever happened."
I don't know how many times I begged to Mr. Dornan not to inject me the drug. I begged repeatedly at that moment but he did not listen. I feel so weak and I can't hardly speak. I tried to muttered some words to beg him but it didn't work.
"Hey that's my spot! Hey! Hey! Hey Lady! Get out of here!"
I was awakened by a man's shout. I can't remember what happened to me or where I've been. I don't even know where I am right now. And this man keeps shouting at me. I look at the place and it looks like I've been thrown out here. I guess I am still in California because this place is quite familiar. I am currently resting in a street beside a garbage container. And this man whom I believed own this space I've slept on won't stop nagging me. Well, I'm out of here.
I got up and left the area. I started to head at my apartment to take a bath. It's already nine o' clock in the morning when I got in my apartment. I cleansed myself at the bath tub and tried to remember anything that happened to me. But I can't. After that, I cooked some omelet and ate it. Maybe I am just hungry that's why I can't remember. Still hoping I can remember anything while eating, I ogled at the open window and still don't remember anything at all. I turned on the television to watch the news. Then turned it off. I need a break. I walked toward the window and saw Oliver. It started to look yellowish. It needs some water. So, I splashed some water to Oliver.
The next day, I continued my daily routine. To work in the company as a photojournalist and a researcher. I have come to like it anyway.
"Where have you been Jules" Asked Sasha.
"Home. Why?"
"O..kay" Sasha replied as she started to depart and quickly pretended that she's working until the admin was gone after checking us.
"What's up with you? Are you really okay?" Sasha asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"It's just you've been away or days and I missed you because nobody's helping me work here"
At ten thirty, I started to get out of the building to get some snack as usual.
"Where are you going?��� asked the department manager.
"Just getting some snack. Why?" I replied tediously.
"No, you are not going anywhere. You have to finish all of this" the manager said as she handed me a book load of papers. "You need to finish all of that by five-thirty"
"Excuse me but why?" I asked. "What do you mean why? You have been out for a week without our permission. We can't even contact you at those moments when we need you here. So, take these, and work it before I change my mind and fire you" the manager said.
So here I am, at the usual nearby store and it's already six pm. I am not really a kind of introvert person who wants to be alone or extrovert person that eats with friends. I just like to eat alone. And maybe I am just selectively social. I bought a bagel and a cream cheese again; it's always been my favorite. I just have to wonder how I have been out of work for weeks. That is impossible because I barely even have a five-day vacation before I finish my work and I don't get absences without any agreement unless I'm sick. After eating I got out of the store and head my way home.