Chapter 5

Everything was spinning, from colors from ivy to ebony, that seemed to eat at my vision. My feet felt light, I could barely recognize my stagger. A sky of fire swung in front of me as a red velvet scent descended, I could sense a hand make contact with my shoulder, "Hey there friend, how many drinks did you have?" it was Sakria.

"YoU lOoK liKe a CraTe of BuRning GolD. Oh, drinks? I had two cups," I think I'm drunk. Or dead.

"What? Really? Okay we're going to get you home. I would like to compliment this dress though, we're did you get it?" asked Sakria.

"Um.. from the post office for a euro?" I responded. Sakria passed me a glass filled with what I hoped was just water. Before sipping I did stop myself, "This is water?"

"Yes." That was answer enough, the water was gone in a heartbeat as I weaved through the field of what looked like blossoms in the wind. I followed the fire out the party where we stopped before an opaque car. In the pause I looked towards where Sakria was unlocking the front door, "How do I know you aren't kidnapping me?" I think I could distinctly hear laughter, "Well, if you die, know that you deserved it for being so careless."

Feeling ready to throw up, I climbed in the back of Sakria's car.

I must have passed out because when I drew back in consciousness, I was hearing yelling.

"Wake up! I'm not carrying you up those stairs. I swear I will leave you on the side of the road!" Sakria was yelling. Sakria, although the words were meant to threaten, they didn't carry much anger, instead there was concern and worry in her tone.

Once my eyes blinked open she stopped yelling, "Help me stand up?" I asked weakened. Sakria grabbed my arm and yanked me out the car, I stumbled over my feet once I landed, on the hills, flat on the street. We crossed into the apartment foyer and slowly ascended the flight of stairs, "I just wanted to say thank you, I don't know how I would have gotten home, if you didn't step in," I said.

"Please, please just be careful next time. I noticed your friend Zarith wasn't here with you and I got worried. If I didn't find you first you do realize any random guy could have taken advantage of you in this state. So please, if you're feeling anxious or stressed, think it through first, and go easy on the vodka," Sakria said.

"That was vodka?!" I asked drowsily.

Sakria was trying to hold back her laugh, which didn't seem to have worked out, "You better not go anywhere like that alone, if Zarith isn't with you and you feel vulnerable, you can come knock on my I'll be glad to tag along. I don't trust you not to get yourself killed after this." That was an understatement, and one I would soon come to regret not following more often.

With a slow nod for acknowledgement I racked over to hug Sakria, who fell limp in my embrace. Realizing with shame how rarely I gave her a hug, it was quite possibly a rare thing for Sakria to receive as a whole. I would make it my mission to ensure that she never left the office without at least a hug and always a chocolate chip cookie, one of my favorite delicacies to bake. After pumpkin pie. "I owe you more than a just a cake, but I could start by baking you your favorite red velvet cake?" I was asking while unlocking my door.

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"Hmm tempting, if you can get me that cake baked by Sunday morning you'll be halfway out of debt," she said as her farewell and turned back to wander down the stairs. Letting out a deep breath I headed to sleep, now sober enough to feel the painful spasms coming from my head.

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Awoken by the sounds of banging against a wall, or maybe a door, it could have been a hallucination but sobriety should have taken full effect by now. It was when the banging quieted and slowed when it began to sound like a knock upon a door. A knock.. But it was still dark outside, who could be out there?

"Hello?" came a male's voice from the front door, the knock grew louder again, "Hello?" it sounded more like a plea than a question, should the call go ignored? Something was nagging to go and look, but when could such a voice be trusted?

Sluggishly I climbed out of bed, stumbling over legs and toes in a progression towards the door. Stopping before the door that separates me from the stranger I asked, "Who's there?"

The male let loose what sounded like a cry, "Ann. I need your help, it's your neighbor, Gelric."

Gelric? He lived in the apartment across from my own, but we've never spoken before, "What's wrong?"

"I'm in danger! Please help me," he replied.

"In danger, how?" I was more than just a little bit confused.

"I'm being targeted for assassination as we speak and I hope you can help, please hurry," he said in an urgence that dismissed any suspicions of a deception.

"Why are you under threat of assassination-" I tried to ask.

"We don't have time for that! Will you help me or not?" he hissed.

"I'll- I'll help you, what can I do?" I opened the door to see Gelric, his face was bloodless, he looked terrified, "Wait. I need to throw up," sprinting to my bathroom. I made it in time to dispose of the liquor contents from the ball.

Walking back out Gelric was frowning, "You are drunk. On this evening." He wasn't angry towards me specifically, but he seemed to have lost a fraction of hope. Across the hall I froze as the reality of what Gelric had said sunk in, "Are the blinds in your apartment all shut?" I asked nervously. "Yes, but be quiet." We walked into the apartment not risking the usage of lights, as I took in the surroundings it was a duplicate of mine. "Do you want me to help you run away or…?" hopefully he wasn't expecting me to take a death shot for him, "How do you even know about this assassination? Assassins don't walk up to people and say, 'Hey heads up I'm about to murder you."

Gelric looked like he was trying to keep himself from punching through a wall, "I know about this because I stood and watched as the last target bled to death from a bullet wound through his head. He was murdered, from something that wasn't even his fault! It was all mine… he was my only brother, now I am the target and I hope you can help me distract that assassin because I would have entrusted my life to your father if he were here, however I think you have the qualities to help me too."

"I'm sorry about your brother, that's awful, but I hope you aren't hoping that I'll help you murder this assassin. How do you know my father? Plus how do you expect me to help distract-" my eyes must have widened to the size of ring donuts. I practically ran to Gelric's bathroom. There were no blinds here, "I know how we're going to prevent your murder," I said with a grin.

Flipping open the cabinet that hung above the sink I looked at the glass then the steel behind it, slightly knocking my hand against it. "I'm willing to bet your life that the steel on the back of this mirror is enough to at least redirect a bullet. Do you have a string? It's going to be attached to the handle, where I can pull it open from outside the room. The assassin is waiting for the right moment to strike, when you switch on your bathroom light and walk into a room unprotected by blinds the bullet will fly. I will pull the mirror open just when your about to walk in to protect your head. The moment you hear a bullet hit, fall to the ground and don't move. I can then set up the distractions while I wait for the assassin to cross over and collect your body. When I give you the signal run. Grab your bags and run, there is no time to waste in your life for revenge, the results aren't worth it, it won't bring him back. Just get out while you can, leave Belgium, change your name and don't come back."

Gelric looked guilty but I think the words sunk in, "I wish you luck once I am gone, take this." Gelric handed over a small sheet of paper, I couldn't open it yet so I slid it in my socks, I also realized I was still wearing the dress. I nodded my thanks before we got to work.

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The plan worked! The bullet clattered to the ground as Gelric fell flat, he wasn't dead, there was no blood. He was still breathing even if he looked paler than a ghost. My limbs were shaking too, I just put my neighbors life at risk based on an untested theory. Should I be thankful he lived or ashamed he could have lost his life if I was wrong?