The cell phone rang on the desk as Julian was typing away on the laptop screen. It was a very early morning, and he was one of the first few to arrive at the office. He picked up the phone and saw Randal's name across the screen. He clicked the answer button.
"Hey man," Randal's loud, excited voice almost made Julian drop the phone. "Happy Birthday!"
'Birthday?' Julian thought. He checked the calendar on his PC. He slapped a palm over his forehead as he realized his friend was right. Today was indeed his birthday.
"Thanks," He responded. "You wouldn't believe I forgot."
"Actually, I would," The mocking tone was clear in Randal's voice. "You were never keen on things like this."
"Quite so."
"So, birthday boy, how are we celebrating?"
Julian sighed heavily as he rubbed his forehead.
"Randal, you know I don't celebrate birthdays. They are a constant reminder that I'm getting closer to my grave. Besides, where is the joy in celebrating the day one was brought to this corrupt and evil world?" He said.
"Not this again, man," Randal retorted, the irritation clear in his voice. "Not this again. Can you just think positive for once? Just this once. It won't kill you, you know. We can't start this wonderful day with brooding. The past week was terrible enough as at that. Let's use this as an opportunity to move on."
"Alright, fine." Julian snorted.
Either Randal did not detect the tone in his voice, or he chose to ignore it.
"Good. Like I asked earlier, how do you plan on celebrating? Any ideas? " He asked.
"Not really. You're more of an expert on these things than I am." Julian said.
There was silence for a few seconds. Julian assumed his friend was racking his brains for an idea.
"You know what? I don't have anything for now. I'll leave this one on you. But if I get any ideas, I'll give you an update. I need to attend to something. I'll call you back. " Randal said and cut the call.
"Good talk." Julian muttered. He frowned at the receiver before placing the cell on his desk.
A knock on his door was heard as he moved to resume his work. He groaned lowly at the second interruption within twenty minutes.
"Come in." He said.
The door opened and Nancy walked in with a cheerful expression on her face.
"Morning." She piped as she stood at the opposite side of his desk.
She was dressed in a grey suit and skirt with some buttons of the top left open to reveal a pink blouse within. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail and her trademark glasses was ever present, magnifying her bright blue eyes. As much as he didn't want to admit it, she looked radiant.
"Morning, Nancy," He answered casually. " What's up?"
"Nothing much," She replied. "Just thought I could branch in and wish a happy birthday to a certain someone."
She stared intently and waggled her eyebrows, giving him a cheeky smile.
"Thanks." He sighed as his eyes averted hers and went straight to the screen.
"So how are we celebrating?" She asked.
" You too? Did Randal put you up to this?" He narrowed his gaze at her.
"Randal? No," She shook her head. " Did you guys speak earlier?"
"Yeah. About a few minutes before you walked in."
"And you haven't gotten any ideas?"
" No."
Nancy put her left index finger on her chin as she stared at the ceiling in thought. Her lips twisted and her eyes narrowed as she hummed. A bemused expression appeared on Julian's face as he stared at her. She reminded him of a young child at the moment. A young child in a store trying to decide which brand of candy to buy. After a while, she snapped her fingers and turned her gaze to him.
"I got it," She said. " We're celebrating at the fair."
"The fair?" He scowled. " Thanks, but no thanks."
"Oh, come on, Julian," She pouted. " When was the last time we went to the fair?"
"Approximately fifteen years ago," He replied. " And they don't hold good memories for me."
"Please." She persuaded.
"No."
"Please." She persisted.
Her eyes widened behind her glasses. Julian hated when she did that. It was her biggest weapon in her arsenal. That compulsive gaze she had used on him several times. He groaned.
"Fine." He muttered.
Nancy's eyes lit up and she smiled in triumph.
"Yes!" She cheered.
"But we won't stay long." He said.
Nancy pouted again as her mini celebration was cut short. She shrugged. At least it was better than him refusing.
"Alright," She smiled as she backed away from the table. "This evening."
She left his office at that moment. Julian sighed as he faced the system. For some reason, he couldn't resume his work. Letting out a groan of frustration, he leaned back into his seat and thought about the events since his visit to the parapsychologist.
It had been three days since then and everything seemed normal. Nancy had asked him how it went, and he answered affirmatively. However, he omitted the part about the dinner date between them. Till now, he couldn't explain why.
But one thing was certain at the moment. Everything was going well.
-------------------
Julian eye's twitched as he stared at the smiling figure standing in front of him.
"What is she doing here?"
The person he was referring to was none other than Trish.
After Julian had closed from work that evening, he had put a call across to Randal, informing him about the new development. The two best friends, along with Nancy, agreed to rendezvous at the fair. Julian had arrived first, Randal five minutes later and finally Nancy. What Julian didn't expect was Nancy inviting Trish along.
"Oh, will you simmer down?" Trish's smile widened. "Don't act like you're not happy to see me, Julie."
"I'm not." Julian replied flatly.
"I know you're lying," Trish said, ignoring his heated gaze "Happy birthday by the way."
"Thanks." He muttered.
Looking around the fair, Julian noticed the vast difference. The place had changed a lot since the last time he was here. Then again it was fifteen years ago. The place was even livelier. A new popcorn booth was by his right. An area that housed bumper cars wasn't far behind. A large roller coaster stood to his adjacent right where the screams of people could be heard as they enjoyed the ride. His eyes lit up as he spotted a tossing booth which housed a lot of prizes : Stuffed teddy bears, goldfishes, and parrots.
"I'm going to try my luck." He said to his friends.
Turning his attention to the tossing booth, he walked away from them.
"Win something for me?" Nancy called out.
Julian paused. He turned around and stared at her. She stared back and gave him a small smile. After a while, he nodded and resumed his stride.
"Just ask him out already." Trish shook her head at her friend, a cheeky smile on her lips.
"What are you talking about?" Nancy said in a low voice. She rubbed her arm and averted her eyes.
"You know what I mean, sweetheart, " The blonde teased. "You two have been doing this back and forth for almost twenty years now. It was adorable before but it's getting sad."
"I-I still don't know what you're talking about." Nancy stuttered.
She walked over to the bumper cars, her strides quicker than usual.
"Typical and predictable," Trish giggled as she saw Nancy nearly trip. "This never gets old."
Randal had been quiet all the while. As he took note of Trish's teasing of Nancy and his best friend's relationship, he couldn't prevent a frown from appearing on his face at that moment. Staring at Nancy as she entered a bumper car, his frown deepened. It was always about Nancy and Julian. Always about them.
Julian picked up a small white ball and aimed it at the target. His aim had always been accurate. Participating regularly in a game of archery back in high school would do that to someone. The attendant however had a bemused smile on his face as he observed Julian. Several had tried earlier and failed, leaving him with large grin as he counted the money and observed their disappointed faces. Julian caught sight of his amused expression and frowned. Surely, this man clearly underestimated him.
Julian reared back and swung his hand backwards, preparing to strike.
"Julian?"
He paused and turned around. Trish stood there staring at him with a blank expression on her face.
"Trish," He sighed. " What is it this time? Aren't you supposed to be with Nancy or something?"
Trish didn't reply. Her brows furrowed and her expression was unreadable. Julian didn't know what to make of this strange behavior.
"Trish?" He tilted his head sideways.
"It's nothing serious," She finally said. "I just wanted to talk to you about something."
Julian opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by someone clearing his throat behind him. He glanced swiftly behind him and saw the attendant staring impatiently.
"Well? " The attendant snapped, tilting his head sideways in the direction of the target.
"Right." Julian said.
"One moment." He whispered to Trish.
Julian gripped the ball tight and narrowed his eyes at the target. Changing his stance to a pitchers, he threw the ball with all his might. The attendant stared agape as the ball struck the target and a ding was heard.
"Nice!" Trish squealed.
Sighing defeatedly, the attendant turned his gaze to Julian.
"Pick your prize." He said flatly.
Julian scanned the booth until his eyes landed on a large pink Teddy bear. Pink. That was Nancy's favorite color.
"That one." He pointed to the stuffed toy.
The attendant let out a low grumble and handed Julian the prize.
"Thank you. Come again." He muttered in an unenthusiastic tone.
"Oh, I surely will." Julian said dryly as he snatched the prize and walked away, Trish following closely behind.
"So, what do you want to about? " Julian glanced sideways at her as soon as she reached him. They were now walking side by side.
"I don't really know honestly, " She sighed. "It's about what happened last week."
"What about last week? "
"Sam."
That single word made Julian pause in his stride and stare at her. She had an expression he could identify as guilt.
"Cheryl was arrested the next day." She sighed in a low voice.
"What?" Julian's eyes went wide.
"Nancy never told you? " Trish asked.
Julian shook his head. It was strange. How could Nancy forget to tell him something like that? He thought hard about it then remembered their conversation that was left unfinished the day he stormed out of Nancy's office. Would she have told him if he had stayed a bit longer ? Looking back, he realized he was to blame. She had probably forgotten.
"The police didn't believe her story," Trish continued. "She's awaiting trial."
Julian's heart softened as he saw the expression on Trish's face. She looked like she was about to cry. He ran his hand through his hair. They were trying to have fun while their friend languished in the cold cell. Alone and frightened. This was not right at all. Julian pursed his lips and held the giant toy under his left arm as he put his right hand gently over Trish's shoulder. Memories of their constant bickering and disagreement were forgotten for the moment.
"Trish, I—"
Julian paused as he caught sight of something behind her a few feet away from them. His green eyes went wide in fright as he discovered it was a figure. The figure's skin was burnt to a crisp and its hair was devoid of any skin. There was nothing on its face. No eyes, nose, or mouth. Out of its darkened fingers sprouted long sharp nails.
"Julian?" Trish said.
He didn't reply as he kept staring at the figure which seemed to stare back ,despite the apparent lack of eyes. The figure's body began to tremble, and Julian deduced it was from laughter. A very evil laughter.
"Julian!" Trish cried out, snapping her fingers in his face.
He shook his head, blinking back to reality and stared at her.
"You were about to say something," She said. " What were you staring at?"
Julian shifted his gaze from her to where the figure previously was.
It was gone.
"No," Julian whispered as he looked around. " This is not happening. This is just not happening."
Why was this happening to him right now? Everything had been going well and fine for the past few days. There was no way he was going to explain this one to his friends. The tattoo sounded partly believable but this one was definitely going to sound ludicrous. There was only one person who could help him out now.
"Julian?" Trish gave him a curious gaze.
"It's nothing," He said quickly. "Let's get to the others."
They joined Randal and Nancy who were eating pieces of cotton candy. Nancy squealed in delight as Julian handed her the Teddy bear. However, before she could show her appreciation, he began to swiftly walk away.
"Hey Julian," Randal called out. " Where are you going?"
"Home," He replied behind his shoulder. " Thanks for the party. It was nice. See you guys around."
With that said, he was out of the fair in the blink of an eye.
Nancy gave Trish a cursory glance.
"I swear I didn't do anything," Trish raised her hands defensively. "You know if I did, I wouldn't have any problem admitting to it. This one is all Julian."
Nancy glanced at the exit where she last saw Julian. Her eyes filled with worry. What could have gone wrong?
On his way home, Julian reached frantically into the pigeonhole of his car and pulled out a card. He stared intently at the contact details written on it. It was now or never.
He dialed the number on his cell and placed it on loudspeaker.
"Hello." A familiar feminine voice was heard from the other end.
"Miss Torres," Julian said. "It's Julian on the line. Mr. Fernandez. "
"I had a feeling I might hear from you sooner or later. " Her voice had a teasing edge to it.
Julian raised his eyebrow as he pondered her statement. Quickly shaking his head off any questions, he continued.
"About that. It's concerning our date on Saturday."
"What about it?" She asked.
"I think it's best we push it to a nearer time.
"When?"
"Tomorrow."