"Where am I? Why am I here again? Why are we here again?"

"Silly you, this is one of my favorite places to hang out. I love spending money here, but I wish there was a mall around this place."

"That's nice, but why am I brought over here?"

"Oh, sorry, Hilary, I wanted to get something for a special someone. Was there anything you wanted to get?"

"No, nothing."

"I see. Well, I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you or your boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?

.-.-.-.

Hilary's eye's shot awake as she jolted out of bed. Hilary looked around and found herself back in her room. Why and how did this happen? As far as she could remember, she was in an alleyway, not caught, right?

What time was it? What day was it? How much time had passed since then? Did Hilary dream up the occurrences the other day or hallucinate? Could it have been an illusion, or was it all too real? Should she go back to work and get ready for the day or call in sick due to not feeling well? Hilary looked down and discovered a note on the table next to the bed; she took the letter and read it carefully.

"I saw you down on the floor and dropped you off into your room. If there's anything you need, I'm at the supermarket doing some errands of my own. From Jordan."

'Jordan?' Hilary turned to notice her phone on the coffee table vibrate and fall off on the floor. She got up and went to look at the message.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Sorry, I got sick, you'll have to go to work without me." –S

Hmm, I wonder. Hilary dialed up a number and placed it beside her ear, waiting for a response.

"Hello? It's me." Hilary greeted. "I know it might be a bad time to call you at a time like this, but I need to tell you something. I’m sorry for accusing you of— something wrong? No. Yes. Well, I want you to do me a solid, and it's about Stanley. What?"

Hilary touched the speaker button to get a better hearing of what they were saying.

"Can we talk about this when I get back? Where I am right now isn't safe, so you better—" After a click, the line went dead before the person could finish their sentence.

Hilary groaned and massaged her temples. "Seriously?"

She pondered about going to the market, but today might've been one of the closing days. Then again, considering what happened the other day...

Hilary went over to her desk and took out her journal. She checked the contents inside, not remembering everything she wrote. From the corner of her eyes, she could spot Stanley outside from the window walking near a trash can. His mind seemed distant about something, or someone.

Stanley glanced down at a piece of crumpled paper that landed in his direction, which caught his eye. Stanley uncrumpled it and read it. After a while, he then clenched his fists and slammed the article back into the trash before storming back inside the apartment.

Hilary scratched the back of her head as she left her room. She went down the stairs to inspect the paper inside the trash bin. Her eyes widened upon seeing the message.

"Meet at the roof of this apartment; we need to resolve this once and for all. And if you don't show up, I'll know that it's you who's responsible for everything that's happened all around us."

Oh no, it can't be! Hilary thought in a panic. How did I not notice this sooner? She paced the area back and forth. I think I know what's going on, but I need to test out one more thing. She held her head high and dashed toward the highest floor of the apartment. I need to hurry before I'm too late!