21st Century
I open Dave's office door and walk directly to the couch, throwing my bag beside me on the floor as I laid down. A few minutes passed and Dave hasn't said a word, which is weird since he's usually the first to make conversation.
"You know, you're taking my nap time away." I complained. Still no response as Dave continues to ignore me. He was concentrating on the paper he was holding, so I got up and crept over to his desk.
"Let's see what we have here." I mumbled to myself as I snatched the paper from his hands. Dave shot up from his seat and tries to take the paper from me, but I move out of reach in time and dart to the other side of his office. Looking at the paper I realize it's a picture of me and Dave. Confused, I scan the rest and see in the top left hand corner, there's some cursive writing and it said, "and so, Almyra, I will forever be by your side, always. Love, Kian."
"Jones, why in the hell would you do that?" Dave took the paper from her, walking back to his desk and putting it in the top drawer, slamming it shut. He sat down and sighed.
"Who's Jones?" I questioned, inching towards the chair in front of his desk and sitting down.
"What? Oh, no one. I didn't mean to say that. Why did you take that?" He questioned, looking at me.
I kept quiet, thinking about the picture he had. If I'm not mistaken, the picture was a drawing of me and him. But it looked really old, it was faded and the edges were slightly torn. Like it was drawn over two hundred years ago.
In the picture, Dave had long hair down to his shoulders, and some stubble. If you ask me, he looks way better like that. The girl, or me, has a scar from the corner of her left eye to the corner of her mouth. I don't understand, why is it me and Dave? Why do I have a scar on my face? Who is Kian?
"Myra."
"Hello, Myra?" I looked up right before Dave threw his pen at me.
"Were you really gonna throw that at me?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows. He immediately put his hands in the air while tossing the pen behind him, trying not to smile.
"What do you mean? I wasn't doing anything." He tries to act cool and starts stretching his arms like he didn't just get caught. Looking at him, all I could think about is the drawing of us.
"Dave, what was that?" I blurted out, imagining his long hair everytime I looked. Is that how he pictured me? With a scar on my face?
"I- I don't know what to say, Myra." He sighs, avoiding eye contact.
"How about the truth and a good explanation as to why you have a drawing of me, your patient, and you, my therapist, together?" I lean forward in my chair, trying not to look as anxious as I feel.
Dave took a deep breath and said, "okay, well. This may sound crazy, but I've had this picture for over a hundred years. 171 years, to be exact. We were best friends back in the 1800's. I didn't want you to find out like thi-"
"Hold on. You really expect me to believe any of that?" I say looking at him while shaking my head in disbelief.
"I don't know what else to tell you, Myra." He looked tense as he combed his fingers through his hair. I glance over at the clock on the wall.
"Oh, it's 4:13. I need to go." I say as I stand up and grab my bag from the couch.
"Myra, where are you going? Don't you want to talk about this more?" I shake my head as I start putting my hood on and my headphones in my ears.
"I think I've had enough for today." I pull out my phone to put music on and start walking towards the door.
"Wait," I stopped and turned around, raising my eyebrows at him.
"Never mind." He hesitates, I go to ask him what he meant, but I drop it and leave his office. I pull out my phone and go to spotify. I press shuffle and Therapy starts playing. How ironic.
***
After going down five flights of stairs, I finally made it to the main floor. I could've taken the elevator, but I wanted to think everything over without being interrupted. As soon as I step out into the lobby, I hear someone calling my name. I put my head down and walk quickly towards the exit.
Not paying attention to what's in front of me, I nearly ran into an elderly woman, but I noticed her just in time to dodge her and dart down the sidewalk. I ran into the next alleyway, so I wouldn't be spotted right away. I lean back against the brick and try to catch my breath as I hear someone sigh. I slowly peek around the corner to see who it is.
Dave is leaning against the wall. I go to move back into the alleyway, but I see him slide down the wall looking at the sky and he says, "Why?" So, I stay.
"Why did you have to do this to me? None of this would've happened if I were still dead. I don't know how much longer I can take this. I hate looking into her eyes and seeing nothing! I don't understand why it had to be this way. She doesn't know me at all!" He shouts, standing up.
I quickly hid behind the wall, not wanting him to notice me. I hear a thud and the sound of bones breaking. I dash into the sidewalk as Dave falls to his knees while cradling his arm, he starts to cry.
"Dave!" I cried out, running over to him.
"Dave! Oh my god. Why did you do this to yourself?" I exclaimed, sitting next to him. I gently pull his hand up and examine it closely. His knuckles were bleeding and already started to bruise.
"I hate when you do this shit, Kian. Why do you keep hurting yourself? We're going to get you to a hospital." I carefully help Dave up as he looks at me shocked.
"What?"
"What did you call me?" He asked nervously, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"What do you mean? I called you Dave, like I always do." I watched as the flicker of hope left him and then his face went blank.
"Oh, I thought you said something else." He mumbles.
"Come on, we're getting you to the hospital now," I say as Dave nods his head.