28- Something here doesn´t fit

September 12, 2016. Same date.

World change: World II.

I wake up with a bunch of missed calls from a couple of artists under my care. The one I have the most is from Trevor. His latest single was supposed to be released this morning, but my body decided to give in again and now for sure the producer is going to want to hang me from the tallest building in the city until I apologize for my sins.

That's why I did what I could and left instructions with Theo in case something like this happened. That's the only thing that keeps me from stressing out.

I take the time to check the messages, and it seems Trevor is happy with the response on social media. Miraculously, he thanks me. The excess of emojis makes me dizzy, but I'm not going to complain. I'm not "old" enough to reject those things so soon.

I put my phone aside and realize Dakota isn't here. Maybe she's having dinner or something. I rub my eyes several times before fully regaining my sense of time and space. It's ten o'clock at night. And it's September twelfth! I might have been unconscious for three days, I think. I missed the whole weekend!

I turn on the lamp next to me. There, next to the picture of the two of us on our wedding day, there's a note with a message traced in marker:

"I went out to drink for a while. I'm with some makeup artists. Faven knows the address. You can ask him.

I left this for you in case you wake up before I come back. I hope you do, because we've been talking less since we got married, Eron.

I need to clear my mind. I don't think I'll be home tonight. There's pancake mix in the fridge if you're hungry. Goodbye.

-D.L"

My lungs fill with air, and then I slowly exhale. It doesn't surprise me that Dakota spends time with her friends or goes out to drink. But it does shock me that she does it during the week, especially considering she has to work tomorrow. And what does she mean by not coming home? She also didn't write in the note that she loves me.

Now it's me who needs a drink.

I go to the fridge to look for a beer. Luckily, I find a couple. And I also see that Dakota's soda glasses are still there from last Friday. Today is Monday. The image fills my chest with a strange angst. For some reason, it doesn't seem like a good sign.

I sit on the couch and drink beer, and I occupy myself by watching repeat summaries of matches on TV. That feeling of anguish doesn't leave me even then. I don't think things are going very well.

I decide to search for videos on YouTube about alternate worlds. I do this for research purposes, but with each video I play, I am left with more questions than answers. What is really happening to me? Could it be that I'm going crazy and my mind simply needs to disconnect to prevent me from going insane? I don't know. I really don't know.

Well, I think it will be necessary to meet with that guy, Chad. Maybe that will make me dismiss this crazy idea immediately. There must be a more logical explanation than a conspiracy theory.

I look at the front door in the hope that Dakota will walk in, say it was a joke, and that she actually went to some market to buy snacks to watch some YouTube videos before going to bed.

Obviously, I don't have any attracting powers, so Dakota doesn't appear at the door no matter how long I stare at it. Is she not upset with me, right?

I send her a few messages just in case. It's good for her to know that I'm not dead.

Eron:

I woke up a while ago. Take care of yourself and avoid a hangover, please.

I love you.

After taking a deep breath once again, I move to the fridge to take out that mix and start making my dinner. I'm not hungry, but I feel a bit weak. It seems that this time I wasn't given an IV all weekend. I'll have to recover on my own.

I dial Faven's number and put it on speakerphone. It will be best to talk to him while I continue with my cooking tasks, I think. I hope he's awake and doesn't want to kick me for calling him at eleven at night.

"Why do I have the honor of this call at this hour, Eron?" His voice sounds groggy. He was definitely sleeping. "I just got yelled at because of the ringtone of my phone. Justify your call."

I bite my lip as I turn on the stove and place the skillet. I think I stay silent for too long because I hear Faven again.

"Eron? You woke me up. Don't run away," his tone starts to change a bit. Now he seems to be joking. "Are you calling me because your love for me burns with the intensity of a thousand suns, so you call me because you can't live without me?"

"Of course I can live without you, clown," I finally respond. He laughs.

"Ah, you and I both know that each other's lives wouldn't be the same if one is missing."

I stay silent because I think that bastard is right. I feel a strong pang in my chest just by imagining it, but I'm not going to say that.

"Are we that important, Faven?"

"Ah, being so rude and mean, I don't know how you conquered a being of light like Dakota," I hear a door close and other movements that I can't identify on the other end of the line. "Are you sure you're not practicing witchcraft? It's reckless to cast a spell without knowing what it's about, Eron."

"Oh, no. I can't believe you're saying that," I burst out laughing for the first time. He does too.

"The same can be said about your wife, but the other way around. How did she conquer you?"

"Her mere existence conquers me, Eron. You should already know that."

I laugh again, feeling the heaviness in my chest diminish as the conversation progresses.

"Can you send me the address where Dakota is, please?"

"Ah, that's the real reason for the call. You don't miss me like you used to. How it hurts!" He claims in a theatrical tone. I roll my eyes, but it does make me laugh. "You're not planning on going there, are you? I heard she went to have fun with her friends."

"It's just to be cautious, Faven."

"Alright. Then I'll write it down for you. I'm hanging up."

"Oh, Faven, and one more thing. Don't leave.

"Ugh. If you tell me not to leave, I'll stay by your side forever," he mimics the sound of a kiss.

"You're a clown, you know that?"

"Thanks. I hope to make money out of that someday," he says. I can also hear him laugh. "What else do you want?"

"Send me Chad's number, your sister's boyfriend, please. I want to talk to him."

"Your wish is my command, sir. I hope you find what you're looking for! Maybe you can schedule a video call. It's the fastest way, alright?"

"Yes…"

I smile. That's Faven; maybe he's thinking that my idea is nonsense, but there he is, encouraging me to do it because he knows it will bring me peace.

I could have told him that I appreciate that gesture, but the words die in my throat before being spoken.