I feel too many words are said but never enough to fill that empty space, for some people it's a hole while for some it's a dark void. My life as they say it is getting to its prime yet I know am living on borrowed time. Too many scares underneath my shirt but now it appears I no longer remember how got some of them, some remind me of who I am and some makes me wonder who I might have been if I choose a different part.
Hours have passed and I find myself sitting in a bar at the end of my street, I know for a fact this place is not safe but now I understand nowhere is safe enough if your time is up. All I could do is wait and watch people live their lives, get their hearts broken while they drawn themselves in problems and sorrows, at the end majority of them come to places like this searching for a brief period of escape, but, not all of them. For some this is where they live their life, they see their reflection in glasses filled with beer and they find it appealing.
This place has an inside bar and an outside bar separated by glass with reflectors. like usual am sitting at one end avoiding unnecessary conversations with random people. A girl with a fancy dress just walked in and she walked straight to the barman, she sat down there for some minutes and decide to move because she too was avoiding unwanted conversations. Now she's coming in my direction.
It seems you also had a tough day, she said.
And why would you say that? I asked.
I just assumed cause you are by yourself and you don't look like someone who is waiting for someone. Can I sit?
If you want to please sit.
Thank you.
What are you doing here?
What do you mean?
You know exactly what I mean, from your dress even a fool would know you are rich, and I believe you tried your best to blend in so you decide to put on your cheapest dress, or am I wrong.
You can't just assume you know me.
That's exactly what I have to do, which makes me wonder how many people must have seen you come this way.
Who are you?
Exactly the question expected from a rich girl. if you must know, my mommy told me not to talk to strangers.
Oh, so you are a mommy's boy? now I understand where the sarcasm comes from.
Why are you really here?
I should be asking you first since you have everything all figured out, she said.
Well if you must know, I just killed a man and now am having this feeling that someone is going to kill me, so that's why I find myself in this bar, now answer the question.
I didn't know you crack jokes too, well, I just wanted to know how this place runs at night.
From the look of the time, it's pretty late, if that is really what you came for you must have had your fill by now and decided to go home but no, you did not. You must be here for something else.
You sound educated enough, I think you too are not from here. that's why I chose to sit here.
No, from the look of things in this bar, I appear to be one of the most fearsome persons but still, you choose to come here, why?
Wow, don't get ahead of yourself, I only came here because I don't feel safe around those guys at the bar.
If you say so.
So, what do you do? she asked.
I never asked myself that question but now that I think about it, nothing. but still, I make money.
So you are rich?
Yes, but no, it's complicated. Why are you asking, hope you are not a journalist or a reporter?
No.
I know I lie when I hear one.
How? she asked.
Because you came with an escort.
And why would I do that?
Everyone has been stirring at you since you entered and from what I've noticed, the bar is full, that never happens on a midweek.
It s because I look good.
No, attractive, yes but not in the way you would want to be fancied.
Now I don't understand, it seems you don't like my company, let me find somewhere else to sit. She got up to leave.
Wait, you don't have to leave on my account and besides, I am the only reason you have not been approached by one of those guys following you.
What do you mean, I came by myself?
I know, but like I said you are attractive to many people here, oh, do you think you can walk in and walk out unscathed?
I didn't offend anyone, why would they want to do me harm?
Please sit.
I think you are just trying to frighten me, no one is following me and this is a free country so I can go where I want.
I believe now you watch too many movies that's why you are miss informed about places like these. You walked into the bar and went straight to the barman, after about a minute, three guys also entered and the first thing they did was look around as if they were searching for someone, in this case, that person is you. They approached you and for some reason, you decide to come here where you think they can't follow. You told them you came to see me that's why they left you alone for now. So please sit, now there are more guys around waiting for you and now you've dragged me into your mess. This place is not as free as you would like to assume.
She looked around and finally sat down.
What do they want? she asked.
It depends on how you act and where you are approached. if you act tough they might just take what you have and let you be but again, if you act too tough they might just decide to tame you by rapping you. In the end, it depends if they choose to be merciful.
We must call the police.
They won't come, not after the deed has been done. that's just how things are here. Why are you really here?
Like I said, to know how life is down here.
No, that's what you've prepared to tell whoever came close to figure out why you are here. I believe we've moved past all that, so I ask, why are you really here.
I don't know what you want me to say.
I have my doubts but now you've confirmed it, you guys like to stick to your script, never thinking that situation and circumstances might change. You are a reporter but I don't know why you are here. so do tell.
Well, I came to your table because I suspect you too are a reporter.
Did something happen, reporters don't usually come here and when they do they usually never go back.
Can you get me out of here?
It depends on what you have to offer. I said.
Am here to investigate someone called James, there are rumours he came from a rich family but for unknown reasons he chose to live here, I am here to discover why.
So you risk your life for a story?
You don't understand, this story can go viral if told.
How many people did you ask?
Everyone I can approach and sad to say people here are hostile.
Oh, now I know why those guys are following you.
Why?
To kill you.
What?
who sent you?
Eh, Eh... a woman, she must be a relative. She wanted the story for herself.
Have you found this James you are looking for?
Sadly, no. I don't even have a clue on where to start.
If you have this information, what do you plan to do with it?
As I said, it will go viral.
So you want to double-cross the person that sent you?
Think of her as a source.
So either way, you are going to die?
What? and why would you assume that?
If this person lives here, it hasn't occurred to you he might be dangerous? and this relative wants things to be quiet, if you go viral with this story, there must be a way for her to get back to you and I believe you know this. This is not a game, your life could be on the line here.
Oh, I see. What would you have me do?
Let this story go and go home safely.
Then how would I get paid? she asked.
The money was not why you take the job, you took this job for other reasons but I won't ask.
I can't recall your name?
I never told you.
Oh, my name is Sandra, nice to meet you and you are...?
Call me James.