Chapter A Few Weeks After Halloween #3
I opened the closet door and was immediately hit with the overwhelming scent of him.
My eyes watered at the sight of Haze’s things, neatly packed away and tucked inside the small space.
I kept everything as a way of trying to hide away from the world and keep him close, but in the end, it felt more like a prison.
And I was reminded of his absence every second of every day, desperately crying out for him. It was killing me.
“I can’t do it anymore, Kush. I can’t live without him.
” A small tear trailed down my cheek. “Fuck, I need to clear my head!” I wiped the tear away and reached into the closet, finding Haze’s leather jacket.
As I slid my arms inside the sleeves, the smell of him instantly engulfed my body, both comforting and torturing me.
I pulled it close, closing my eyes as I took a deep breath.
Where are you, Haze?
Another tear fell down my cheek as I stood there.
I miss you…so much.
Kush meowed again, breaking me from the moment.
He rubbed along my legs and purred, watching me closely.
“I know.” I wiped my eyes and picked the chunkster up.
“It’s just not right being here without him.
” I nestled the cat close and kissed the top of his head.
“I’ll be back soon, okay? I just…need some time to myself.
I need a break from this hellhole.” He blinked.
“Be a good little pothead.” I kissed the cat’s head again and placed him atop my bed.
“I’ll be back…eventually.” I grabbed my phone.
As I walked towards the front door of the apartment, I couldn’t help but search my phone.
I tapped away at the screen and scrolled through my messages, hoping somehow I had missed something, but just like every day since Halloween, there was nothing.
Only the old sent messages of me trying to reach out. Messages he never even read.
Where the hell are you, Haze? And why haven’t you responded?
I grabbed my car keys and rushed from the apartment, locking it on my way out.
The night was freezing, and the air was filled with a gentle mist. “Fuck, it’s so cold.
” I clutched Haze’s jacket tighter as I rushed to the classic black Mustang parked out front, quickly unlocking it and tucking inside.
The white leather seats were always so comforting, just like the lingering smell of my brother that surrounded me.
The car had been Haze’s, but ever since he went on the run, I’d been taking care of it for him, just like I knew he’d want.
“Come on, baby, purr for me.” I twisted the key in the ignition, and the car roared to life, vibrating my entire body as it hummed just right.
I smiled, the sound being another layer of comfort, reminding me of my brother.
“There she is.” I put the car in drive and rolled from the apartment onto the main road, driving through the misty cold night. “Time to get the fuck away from here.”
My mind wandered as I drove for a ways, losing myself in endless thoughts and worries. I needed to clear my head, but instead I found myself reeling. I was hyperfocused on Haze, questioning everything. I couldn’t think or even focus on anything except him. And I felt crazy.
Why won’t he text me? Does he no longer want me? Was it all a mistake? No, it can’t be…but then, why haven’t I heard from him? Why hasn’t he contacted me at all? Fuck, where are you, Haze?
I looked down at my phone, wishing it would light up. But it didn’t.
I hope he’s okay. Maybe I should text him again? No, you’re being ridiculous, Indi! He obviously would reach out if he could. Right?
I looked down at my phone again and my stomach turned.
“Fuck this.” I snatched it up, steering the car with one hand as I unlocked it and tapped into my messages, scrolling.
I found the thread I was looking for, and sent a quick text to the unknown number.
My stomach twisted as I waited for the message to be delivered.
Nervous anxiety pressed against my shoulders as I stared at the screen.
My phone beeped and I gasped. “What the fuck?” The message showed it couldn't be delivered and my heart sank.
The realization that I had no way to contact Haze made me sick. And sent me off the deep end.
What the fuck? What the fuck! Why?
Rain tapped against the car as I drove further out, checking my phone over and over again.
Why can’t I text him? Did something happen? Wait, did he get caught? Or hurt? Fuck, where are you, Haze? Where are you? Why won’t you answer me? Why?
My hands slammed against the steering wheel.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I began to panic when I looked up in the rearview mirror and noticed a single headlight in the distance.
I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but it was…gaining on me. “What the—” It quickly sped up until it was tailgating. I tapped my brakes and brake-checked them, but it didn’t seem to bother whoever it was.
“Just go around!” I waved my hand, hoping they’d speed around and pass me.
But they didn’t. They just kept following me.
“Seriously? Oh fuck me, I don’t have time for this shit,” I grumbled.
My foot hit the gas and I sped up, taking off, leaving the motorcycle behind.
I glanced back down at my phone and tried to send a second message, but I got the same automatic reply.
And I knew the only reason my texts wouldn’t send, would be because he’d either gotten a new number… or he’d blocked me.
What the fuck…
The sound of the motorcycle grew louder, and I looked back to see it once again tailing me.
“What the—Get off my ass!” My foot slammed on the gas again and I sped up, hoping to lose them.
But the driver matched my speed and kept close.
“What the fuck?” I took a rough turn and drove further, hoping the isolated twists and fog along the remote roads would shake them, but no matter how fast I drove, or how far out we were, nothing worked.
“Fuck this.” I took off to put some distance between us before I slammed on the brakes, the tires squealing, sending the car spinning to the other side of the road before it finally came to a stop.
My heart raced as my heavy breathing filled the car.
“Now what?” I asked aloud, watching as the single headlight burned straight ahead into the night.
The motorcycle had slowed and eventually stopped a few feet ahead, pulling over to the side of the road.
Their headlight shot straight at me and burned my eyes.
Who the fuck is that?
I half expected the driver to do something…
anything…but they didn’t. They just sat there on their bike and didn’t move.
“What the hell? What are they waiting for?” I felt nervous, but I was in no mood to be fucked with.
“You want to fuck with me? Fine. Fine!” I grabbed a knife I kept hidden in the center console and swung the driver’s side door open.
I then jumped out into the cold rain, clutching the weapon close.
The freezing air hit my body, making me shiver as I stood behind the open driver’s side door.
The cold mist rained down on me, and I tried to keep myself from shaking.
“Can I fucking help you?” I shouted into the air as my breath fogged around my face.
The driver remained on their bike, keeping their helmet on.
I couldn’t tell who it was, or see any hint of expression, and it made me uneasy.
But I was already here, and already confronting them.
“I said, can I help you?” They didn’t respond.
Fuck this.
I slammed the car door. “Hey!” I slowly walked towards the front of the car, driven by some force.
I wasn’t sure if it was the weed, my argument with Mary-Jane, or the overwhelming emotions raging through me, but whatever it was, it fueled me.
I felt manic, overwhelmed, and ready to let all my feelings and emotions out in a violent way.
My vision had tunneled and turned red, and I felt like I was suddenly channeling Haze’s temper.
And this fucker was about to feel all of it.
I stepped closer towards the strange driver, and with each passing second, I felt less anxiety and more rage.
“Hey! I’m talking to you!” I flicked the butterfly knife, exposing the blade as I picked up my pace.
“Hey!” The driver ripped their helmet off, and I froze, halfway between the car and motorcycle.
My eyes squinted as I noticed his silver-colored hair, realizing who it was.
“Aiden?”
My guard dropped as the man smiled and responded. “In the flesh.”
“Jesus fucking—” I stuffed the blade back into my pocket and exhaled a large breath of relief. “Fuck, do you realize how sketchy this is?” I motioned to him and his bike. “I was about to beat your ass!”
Aiden laughed. “Ahh, you wish. We both know I can take you.” He crossed his arms and his warm smile grew.
I shook my head and rubbed my temples as my anger fell into my stomach. “Fuck. What are you even doing out here? No, the better question is, why are you following me?”
Aiden sighed. “Haze asked me to keep an eye on you. He was worried about you and asked if I could do him a favor. Though I never expected you to just take off like that.”
Aiden had always been a good friend, looking out for others and doing whatever he could to help.
He was always such a good guy, and Haze was rather fond of him.
He knew he could trust him with anything, including me, apparently.
Plus, it was a bit comforting to know Haze was still worried about me.
At least he hadn’t just forgotten I existed.
I tugged my jacket closer. “So what, you’re stalking me now?” I teased.