Angel City - Isaac’s Apartment Hallway

  Isaac stepped out of the elevator, the strange encounter with Alex still weighing heavily on his mind. He walked down the hallway toward his door, keys already in hand.

  Just as he inserted the key, the door to the neighboring apartment opened. Amanda stepped out.

  “Hello, Isaac…”

  Isaac didn’t look at her. He turned the key in the lock.

  “What is it, Amanda?”

  “Can we talk?”

  “We have nothing to talk about.”

  Isaac pushed his door open and stepped inside. Amanda followed him in before he could close it.

  “Isaac, please… listen to me…”

  Isaac sighed, leaving the door ajar. He walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, needing something cold to calm the irritation rising in his chest.

  “I’ve already said we have nothing to talk about, Amanda…”

  “Isaac… I… I couldn’t accept your proposal back then… because…”

  Isaac sat down at the small kitchen table, taking a sip while looking directly at her.

  “Because what?”

  They stared at each other. Amanda lowered her head, an expression of deep disappointment in herself washing over her face. She couldn’t say it. Or maybe the reason wasn’t good enough anymore.

  “See?”

  Isaac stood up and started preparing his breakfast, turning his back to her.

  “Have you had breakfast?” he asked, his voice neutral.

  “No.”

  “Okay. Want to have breakfast here?”

  “Mmhmm.”

  Amanda stood there, looking downcast. She felt something soft brush against her leg. It was Mia. Amanda picked up the cat, a small, sad smile appearing on her face.

  “Mia? You’re still here… Isaac… you really took care of her.”

  “Mmhmm… and now she’s taking care of me.”

  Isaac finished making the coffee and eggs. He set two plates on the table, then poured some food into Mia’s bowl. He sat down opposite Amanda.

  “Is this enough?”

  “It’s great… Thank you, Isaac.”

  They ate in silence for a few minutes. The only sounds were the clinking of forks and Mia crunching her kibble.

  “Did you find a job?” Isaac broke the silence.

  “Yes… I talked to Lisa… and I went back to my old bartending job.”

  “Good.”

  Amanda put her fork down. She looked at him with watery eyes.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you still love me?”

  The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Isaac stood up, picking up his plate and walking to the sink. He shook his head, disbelief etched on his face.

  “Why ask that now?”

  “Can you answer me?” she pressed, watching his back.

  Isaac turned on the tap and started washing his plate. The water rushed over his hands.

  “I loved you… more than you could imagine,” he said, his voice steady but low. “But you made your choice. And now, I’ve made mine.”

  Amanda was crying silently now, looking at his broad back.

  “I’m dating Kate.”

  Amanda lowered her head, the tears falling freely. She nodded, accepting the finality of it. Isaac continued washing the dishes, scrubbing a spot that was already clean.

  “Well… congratulations,” she choked out.

  “Thank you… I hope you find your happiness too.”

  “I need to go… Thank you.”

  Amanda stood up quickly, wiping her face, and rushed out of the apartment.

  Isaac turned off the tap. He looked at the empty doorway.

  “Good luck, Amanda.”

  Angel City - Coplan Court

  Isaac was playing soccer with his friends. For a moment, he forgot the pain, the visions, and the confusing women in his life. He was just a guy chasing a ball.

  They stopped to catch their breath. Isaac sat heavily on a park bench while Joe trotted over, handing him a bottle of water.

  “Here… Drink this…” Joe panted.

  “Thanks… I’m too out of shape… need to start exercising more…” Isaac gasped, wiping sweat from his forehead.

  They both started laughing.

  “I know the feeling…” Joe took a long swig of his water.

  Isaac drank, watching his best friend. The guilt about the morning’s encounter with Alex gnawed at him. He had to say something.

  “Hey, Joe… I wanted to tell you something about Alex, man…”

  “Beautiful, isn’t she?” Joe interrupted, a goofy grin spreading across his face. “That woman is sensational, bro… I’ve never been as happy as I am today with her.”

  They looked at each other. Isaac saw the pure joy in Joe’s eyes. He couldn’t crush that. Not right now.

  “I understand… Joe, I met her at Dr. Connors’ hospital… and she…”

  Joe’s phone started ringing loudly. He looked at the screen.

  “Isaac… be right back… just need to grab something I forgot in the locker room… real quick.”

  Joe ran off before Isaac could finish his sentence. Isaac sighed, watching him go, then turned his gaze to the orange and purple hues of the sunset.

  Suddenly, a sharp, blinding pain pierced his skull.

  “NOOO! Not again…”

  He fell from the bench, screaming in agony. The world dissolved.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  [VISION START]

  Unknown Location - Date: Unknown

  Isaac wasn’t on the soccer field. He was trapped inside a slimy, translucent pod.

  He looked at his hands. They were covered in thick, black pus. He pushed against the membrane, tearing it open. He tumbled out, hitting a cold, hard floor, gasping for air.

  He looked around. He was in a hive. Hundreds of similar pods lined the walls of a massive, dark cavern.

  He looked down at himself. His clothes were rags. His hair was long and matted, and a thick beard covered his face.

  Thump. Thump.

  A vibration shook the ground.

  A giant spider, the size of a tank, emerged from the shadows directly in front of him. Its many eyes glowed red. It screeched, mandibles clicking, and lunged at him.

  Isaac screamed.

  [VISION END]

  “Isaac! Isaac!”

  He opened his eyes. The monster was gone. The sky was clear.

  Joe and Kate were hovering over him, concern etched on their faces. He was lying on the ground, his head resting comfortably on Kate’s lap.

  “Isaac… you woke up…” Kate whispered, tears streaming down her face.

  Isaac, disoriented, reached up and touched his nose. His fingers came away bloody. He sat up slowly.

  “Where am I?”

  “Dude… we’re at the court… we were playing,” Joe said, his voice shaky.

  “Why is Kate here?”

  “I wanted to surprise you guys, bro… I called Kate… but when I came back with her, we saw you on the ground… screaming. We came to help… we’re your heroes.”

  “Joe… Stop… Now is not the time,” Kate scolded him gently.

  “Okay, okay… Kate is your heroine.”

  Isaac tried to stand up, his legs wobbling. His friends grabbed his arms to steady him.

  “Isaac, do you want to go to the hospital, honey?” Kate asked, brushing the hair from his sweaty forehead.

  “No… I’m fine… sorry to worry you guys.”

  Isaac pulled Kate into a hug, kissing her forehead. He looked at Joe.

  “Thanks, Joe. Thanks, Kate… love you guys.”

  “It’s all good, bro,” Joe laughed, though he still looked worried. “But now… it’s time for your surprise.”

  They all looked at Joe.

  “I managed to get 4 reservations for the most expensive and luxurious restaurant in Angel City… L’Amour.”

  “Seriously?” Kate’s eyes went wide. “You outdid yourself, Joe,” she laughed.

  “Where’s that poor friend I used to have?” Isaac joked, forcing a smile.

  They all laughed, breaking the tension.

  “Okay, okay… Tomorrow… Sunday… 7:00 PM. No delays… You hear me?”

  The three of them started walking off the court towards the parking lot. Kate reached into her purse.

  “Isaac… since we’re here… I bought this for you.”

  “Kate… You didn’t have to.”

  “Go on… take it… I know you’ll like it,” she smiled.

  “Thanks, honey.”

  “And for me, Kate? No gift?” Joe teased.

  “No, Joe,” she laughed.

  Isaac opened the small box. Inside lay a beautiful antique hip flask, made of gold and engraved with strange insignias. It looked heavy and expensive.

  “Kate… this is amazing.”

  “I know you like good whiskey… thought you’d like this flask. It brings good luck! And whenever you take a sip… remember me.”

  “I will,” Isaac smiled, running his thumb over the engravings. “Thank you, Kate.”

  Angel City - Kate’s House

  Isaac pulled up to the curb in front of Kate’s house. He took a quick sip from his new golden hip flask. The whiskey burned pleasantly.

  “It really does make me think of you…” he smiled, pocketing the flask.

  He grabbed a bouquet of flowers from the passenger seat and knocked on the door. Kate opened it almost immediately.

  “Isaac! You look handsome…”

  “You look beautiful, Kate. These are for you.”

  “Isaac… Thank you… They are lovely,” she beamed, smelling the flowers. “Come in, please. I’ll put these in water and grab my bag.”

  “Of course… excuse me.”

  Isaac stepped inside. Grandma Nita was sitting in her favorite armchair, knitting. She looked up, and her eyes lit up.

  “Well, look at that… what a pleasant surprise. Isaac Anderson… Good evening, my son.”

  “Grandma Nita… Good to see you.”

  They hugged warmly. Kate watched them with a smile before heading to the kitchen with the flowers. Grandma Nita leaned in conspiratorially.

  “I’m so happy to see you two together again… Kate wanted this so much.” She paused, then winked. “Don’t forget to use a condom tonight.”

  “Grandma! Please! Don’t say things like that!” Kate shouted from the hallway, turning bright red.

  Isaac and Grandma Nita burst out laughing.

  “Bye, Grandma…” Isaac chuckled.

  “Bye to you all, and be careful…”

  Angel City - Restaurant L'Amour

  The restaurant was the definition of opulence. Crystal chandeliers, velvet seats, and the smell of expensive wine.

  Isaac and Kate approached the table where Joe and Alex were already waiting.

  “Finally, huh… we were waiting for you guys,” Joe grinned, standing up to shake Isaac’s hand.

  They sat down. Alex, wearing a stunning red dress, locked eyes with Isaac immediately.

  “Sorry for the delay,” Kate apologized.

  “No… it’s fine… Kate… Meet Alexandra Martinez.”

  “The super actress of the moment…” Joe added proudly.

  Isaac gave a strained, awkward laugh. Kate noticed the tension but said nothing.

  “The one and only,” Alex smiled, extending a hand to Kate. “And you must be Isaac’s girlfriend… Katerina Mitch.”

  “Yes… Do you already know Isaac?”

  “Oh yes… we’ve run into each other a few times.”

  Isaac and Alex exchanged a look—one of warning from him, one of amusement from her.

  Drinks arrived, and the tension eased slightly as they ordered food. The conversation flowed, mostly led by Joe’s enthusiasm and Kate’s politeness, while Isaac kept his guard up.

  Isaac checked the time on his phone.

  “Excuse me… I’m going to the restroom real quick.”

  “Don’t take too long, bro… dessert is coming,” Joe said.

  Isaac stood up. As he walked away, he felt Alex’s eyes burning into his back.

  He entered the luxurious restroom. It was empty, except for one man in a black suit and a hat, washing his hands at the sink. The man was whistling a tune Isaac didn’t recognize.

  “Good evening.”

  The whistling stopped. The man looked at Isaac through the mirror and smiled. It was a perfect, practiced smile.

  “Good evening, my good sir.”

  Isaac felt a chill. Something was off. He went to the urinal, did his business, and moved to the sink to wash his hands. He could feel the man staring at him.

  “Is there a problem?” Isaac asked, drying his hands.

  “No… No… None at all… actually… I need your help… could you assist me?”

  Isaac turned to face him fully.

  “Oh yeah? Help with what?”

  “Nothing major… I know you are a busy man… but I need information, you see…”

  “About what?”

  “Oh, you know… about this city… and a few others… information about customs… food… especially food… Laws… things like that, you know.”

  Isaac frowned. “Yeah… I guess I know. Okay, I suppose.”

  “Perfect,” the stranger smiled wider.

  He pulled a notebook and a pen from his pocket. But before he could ask a question, a strange, high-pitched electronic sound emitted from his pocket.

  “Shit… Not now…”

  The man pulled out an unknown device—it looked like liquid metal—and silenced it.

  “Well, my dear Isaac… I must go now… but I will return… I promise… and when I return, I will know where you are!”

  “How do you know my name?”

  “By now, I know everything about you, my dear…” he grinned. “After all… it is my job.”

  The strange man extended his hand for a shake. Isaac hesitated, looking at the hand, then at the man’s unblinking eyes. He shook it.

  PAIN.

  Agonizing, white-hot pain shot up Isaac’s arm. He collapsed to the floor, clutching his hand, gasping for air.

  “Rest assured, my dear Isaac… like I said… I will know where you are… until next time then.”

  The man tipped his hat and walked out, whistling that same tune.

  As soon as the door closed, the pain vanished instantly.

  “Wait…” Isaac gasped.

  He scrambled to his feet, rushing out into the hallway. He looked left and right. The corridor was empty. The man was gone.

  Isaac looked at his hand. A glowing geometric mark pulsed on his skin for a second, then faded, disappearing beneath his flesh.

  “Hello, Isaac! Looking for someone?”

  Isaac spun around. Alex was standing there, leaning against the wall, smiling.

  “Alex! What are you doing here?”

  Before he could react, she grabbed his tie and yanked him into a supply closet, slamming the door. She pushed him against the wall and kissed him aggressively. She pulled her dress down, exposing her breasts.

  “Finally…” she panted.

  Isaac grabbed her shoulders and shoved her back hard.

  “Stop! Why are you doing this to Joe?”

  Alex started laughing. She fondled her own breasts, looking at him with lust-filled eyes.

  “Darling… it’s not the first time I’ve done this… forget about Joe… are you going to miss the opportunity to fuck the woman of your dreams?”

  Isaac looked at her with pure disgust.

  “You’re just playing with Joe’s feelings… You treacherous bitch… stay out of my life.”

  Alex stopped laughing. Her face twisted in surprise, then anger. She watched him unlock the door and storm out.

  “Playing hard to get…” she muttered, fixing her dress. “You’ll regret doing that.”

  Isaac returned to the table, his heart pounding. He sat down next to Kate, taking a deep breath.

  “Finally, huh… I was about to ask Kate to go rescue you,” Joe laughed.

  “Joe! Stop it!” Kate blushed.

  “I’m kidding… now we just wait for Alex. She got an urgent call and had to step out for a minute.”

  Isaac looked at the empty chair. Urgent call. Right.

  Alex returned to the table, a radiant, fake smile plastered on her face. Isaac stiffened.

  “Hello everyone… hope you didn’t have fun without me,” she purred.

  “Never, sweetie,” Joe said, pulling out her chair. “Isaac got back almost at the same time as you.”

  “Wow, really?” Alex raised an eyebrow, looking directly at Isaac with a predatory glint. “That’s cool, Isaac… looks like we have something in common, huh?”

  “For sure…” Joe laughed, completely oblivious to the subtext.

  Isaac and Alex locked eyes. Hers were mocking; his were cold as ice. He took a drink to hide his clenched jaw.

  Isaac’s Car

  The city lights blurred past as Isaac drove away from the restaurant. The silence in the car was comfortable, but heavy with unsaid things.

  “So… did you like the dinner?” Isaac asked, eyes on the road.

  “I loved it… truly. The food was delicious,” Kate said softly.

  “Good, good,” he chuckled nervously.

  “And you, Isaac? Did you like it?”

  “Hmm, I liked it…”

  Kate turned in her seat to study his profile. The streetlights cast shadows across his face.

  “Hmm… you seem kind of worried,” she observed.

  “Why do you think that?” He glanced at her quickly.

  “I don’t know… just a deduction.”

  Kate shifted closer, wrapping her arms around his muscular arm as he drove, resting her head on his shoulder. It was a gesture of pure trust.

  “I’m fine, Kate! Don’t worry.”

  “Isaac…” she whispered. “Can we go to your place tonight?”

  Isaac’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at her.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” she smiled, her eyes sparkling.

  “Then let’s go,” Isaac smiled back, accelerating slightly.