"What?" I replied with a confused tone.
Suddenly, i felt like i was drawn back to reality as the caller gave a scornful laugh,
"Now, this is just so very sad, Joey." The man sighs, "Don't you think it's unfair that I have to keep your secret and yet you're still not working on your end of the bargain?"
I take a long pause. Secret?
The way he said this made his voice even more familiar.
"G-Gillian Ray?" I ask, still unsure of myself.
I could almost feel that lunatic smile emerging on his face, enough for invisible hands to grab and choke me.
"Well, at least you didn't forget my name." His words dripped with sarcasm.
Frustration boils inside me all as i clench my fists, gripping tightly at the edge of the table.
Can't I go one day without having to go though so much trouble? Can't i just close my eyes and relax?
"What do you want?" I grit my teeth. But what's the point of asking? We both know that I'm aware of what he wants.
"You know very well what i want, kid." His voice more threatening than before. "Here I am trying so bloody hard to maintain my calm but you just keep on getting on my nerves, you know that?"
I smirk, "Why don't you drink some water then? And when you're in a good mood, call me if you like."
Maybe i went a bit too far.
Because, right than, I jump, startled as I hear i loud bam from his side.
"I've had enough of this!" Gillian shouts with maddening rage, "Tell me Joey, where is my goddamn money?! We made a deal! I want my money!"
For a situation like this, I seemed very peaceful.
"You should really tone it down a notch," I snap, "I think my ears ae bleeding. And also, stop whining like a baby."
"SHUT UP KID!" He yells, "How can you act this way when I know your secret huh? Do you think I wont tell John what happened? Do you count me as an idiot?"
I shrug, "I don't know about the first two questions but are you sure you want me to answer the last one?"
I sink back in my chair, holding the phone further from my ears as Gillian swears.
"You think that just because Miller is gone for the whole day, you can act more superior than me?" He hisses, "I have my spies staring into your soul this very minute."
I frown at that, but this is just the usual update of my life.
I scoff, rolling my eyes, "Wow...I'm so scared."
Gillian takes a long deep breath, thinking this through.
"Ok, listen you little brat." He says tightly, "Since you don't care about how serious your situation is then fine! I'll tell Miller everything!"
I know that at that moment I should have freaked out, but maybe it's because of Mr. Miller not being home or either the warm and comfortingly safe memories of the library just made me a whole lot confident.
"Ok..." I mumble, "Whatever, I'm hanging up."
Apart from how brave i'm feeling, I know that I have the benefit over here. Gillian needs me. He needs me more than I do. He'll make sure he wins no matter what the consequence. I am that consequence.
"W-wait!" Gillian growls, "Don't you dare hang up on me Joey!"
"And what if a do?" I retort.
"Gotten a bit more heroic haven't we?" He laughs insanely, "I like it."
"Shut up, weird jerk."
"Ok, ok."
The sudden shift of mood was surprising.
"How about I make another offer?" He insists.
"Not interested." I reply, tartly, "I only agreed to that deal because I knew you wouldn't leave me alive in the alley. But that's all in the past."
"I'll give you anything." Gillian pleads. "Anything you ask for and I'll give it a in less than two seconds."
My ears perk up as I grin.
Now we're getting somewhere.
"Alright." I say, pretending to act uninterested, "I'll get you your money."
"Oh thank god!" He sighs with relief.
"But you'll keep you promise?" I ask.
"Even though you see me as a bad guy, which I am," He announces proudly, "I never go against my word!"
"Sure but if you do, than I always can tell Mr. Miller about you." I add, carelessly.
"Y-you wouldn't tell him." He laughs nervously.
"Oh I will. I can tell him if I don't like you." I mutter, "Anyway, good talk. Need to go. You'll get what you need."
"When?"
"Goodbye."
"Wait I-"
I end the call before he could rant any further.
I breath in the friendly scent of books, resting my head in the table, burying it in my arms.
He said he'll give me anything I want.
Anything.
What will I ask for?
I already knew the answer to that.
If I get what Gillian wants...
And if he keeps his promise...
Then...
I'll ask for a new life.
Far from here.
A wonderful happy life...
Very far from here.
I wonder what will it feel like,
To live a new life.
For what seemed like a long time, I allow my heart to feel happy as a flush with thrill, closing my eyes and smiling.
*******************************
I wake up with a start, almost hyperventilating, as i wipe the sweat of my forehead. I groan, my body feeling stiff from sleeping in the same position on the table like that.
I look at my phone, sighing to see missed calls from Gillian.
Oh shit.
It's the middle of the night. I over-slept.
Gillian must be freaking out by now.
I quickly rush outside the library and lock it, running to my apartment. Fiddling with the keys, i quickly enter inside, a sharp wave of heat hitting me in the face.
I sigh, scratching my head as I walk up to the kitchen and open the fridge, groaning at the empty shelves in it. I should have got some grocery shopping done today. I press my hand against my stomach, controlling the urge of hunger. I open the cabinets and find some left over cheese and bread. Grilled cheese sandwich it is.
But first, I seriously need to get the work done. I'm not even sure when Mr. Miller will come.
A shiver runs down my spine as I stare at his room.
I've never entered his room before. Ever.
Mr. Miller never said anything about not being allowed to go there. But I'm not stupid. I can see the threat in his eyes every time i walk close to it. Doesn't matter if I'm just walking past it. He doesn't even want me to look towards its direction. To put it bluntly, I'm scared to go inside.
"It's fine, Joey." I take in a deep breath through my mouth, "You'll be fine."
I give a glance to the clock one last time.
It's two in the morning.
Let's just get it over with.
For a new life.
I have to this for a new beginning.
Slowly, I take heavy steps to the room.
With trembling fingers, I grab hold of the cold door-knob, pushing the door open.
********************************
Darkness covers the room completely. So it takes a while before my eyes adjust to the dark. I didn't dare to turn on the light, scared of what I'll find.
I look around with wide eyes, half-shocked that the room seemed...normal.
There was a bed placed on the side, right next to the window, through which glistened the night sky. Beside the bed was a long shelf filled with books, but it was too dark to read out what type of books they were. And of course, in the corner of the room there was a study desk and a cupboard. But what caught my eyes the most was the chest in front of the bed.
It was the first thing i walked to, but it was unfortunately locked.
I gnaw at my lip, muttering, "Where did you put his cash?"
It took me a while to inspect the room but I came to no avail. I sigh in frustration, kicking at the bed.
"Where is it!" I yell at myself, "Where did you hide the damn cash!"
I glare at the cupboard, the last place left to search in.
My only hope.
Without having any second thoughts, i flung the cupboard open with anticipation.
My eyes widen in horror as I jump away with a yelp.
I fall on the floor, backing away with my hands and feet, my heart thudding to see inside the cupboard.
"W-What the h-hell...?" I stammer.
Blood...
Bloody weapons...
Blood dripping everywhere...
The cupboard...
was stashed with bloody weapons...
"W-Why...?" I stutter, gulping down a scream.
The stench of the blood clawed at me, forcing me to taste the strong copper, in my throat.
I clasp my hands on my mouth, knowing that I if i stayed here a little longer, I'll throw up.
I get up and dash outside and in the bathroom, breathing loudly, shivering violently. I turn on the tap and stick my head in the pouring freezing water, stinging me on the neck. I remain in that position until I can't breath.
I should have never gone inside the room.
I should have never opened the cupboard.
Why did i go inside, knowing that a psycho's room can never be normal.
The images of blood flashed vividly in mind as I grabbed a towel, and rubbed it viciously on my hair.
The knives.
All those knives he used to kill the people.
And yet he never bothered to hide its evidence.
Just then, I hear a faint light sound.
I perk up my ears, realizing.
It's the bell.