Exaggeration
929 Words
I say goodbye to the police officers as I go out of the interrogation room.
They all helped me through my panic attack. However, their attempts didn't really do much because all I could think about was Noah. And that was the actual reason why I started to feel better.
I'm about to leave when a man walks towards me. His eyes are red, which means he has been crying for a long time. Maybe he's a friend of the man who was attacked.
"A-Are you the man who called the police?" He asks in a tone full of pain.
"Yes. It was me."
It doesn't matter how hard he tries to stop the tears from falling down his face, they won’t stop. "I'm sorry." He apologizes between sobs.
Paul Smith was hospitalized after the aggression he suffered in the dark alley. Judging by the suffering of this man, I assume he couldn't make it.
I hug the black-haired, young man, rubbing his back softly.
"I'm sorry." He repeats. "It's just that h-he was my best friend. He didn't d-deserve this."
"Everything will be fine. The police will find the murderer, don't worry." I say, more to myself, trying to believe my words are true.
I step back.
He wipes away his tears with a tissue. "My name is Spencer, by the way. Spencer Fowler."
We shake hands. "I'm Eric Ashby. Nice to meet you."
The pale man sighs heavily, lowering his gaze to the floor. "I'm really thankful for you trying to help him out."
"I did what anyone would have done.” I state
“Thank you." He says, smiling weakly.
I smile back before walking away from him and going outside the building. I invite Kevin and Troy to eat breakfast somewhere nearby since they were the ones who have been by my side since I called them.
A police officer will follow me wherever I go during the weekend, just in case the murderer tries to find me again. After all, he already knows where I live, and I wouldn't be surprised if he killed someone else just to get to me.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes, not letting the negative thoughts consume me.
We finish our meals. Kevin and Troy apologize for leaving me alone during the rest of today, but I can't force them to change the plans they had already made.
Also, I still have Craig and Frank to keep me company in the distance.
As I open Skype, I wonder if I'm exaggerating. Maybe the murderer is more interested in escaping and won't even bother in killing another person.
However, he chased me for several minutes, only stopping because he was afraid of getting caught. The police don't even have a clue about who he may be. If they don't find something in the next four days, the murder will be forgotten but my fear will still be here in my chest.
I may never be able to sleep without having nightmares. My anxiety will get worst to the point that it will force me to go back to Fairford as an escape.
My phone rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. I answer. The other person doesn't even give me time to speak.
"Eric, are you ok? I'm sorry, I've just heard your message. I didn’t know it was you who was calling." Noah says hurriedly with concern filling every short silence between his words.
"I'm feeling better now, thank you."
"What happened?"
"Nothing important." I brush it off.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." I say, but my lie is evident.
We remain in silence for a couple of seconds.
"Well, I only wanted to know that." He informs.
"Hold on."
"What?"
"Do you think we can talk tomorrow?" I clear my throat. "In person."
He doubts.
"I-I have an appointment. You know, about the hypnosis thing."
"Oh, it’s fine."
"Sorry, Eric."
"No problem."
"See you on Monday?"
"Sure. Bye."
I hang up and toss the phone on the table, next to the keyboard, before running my hands through my hair.
He knew I lied. I wanted to tell him the truth, but I can't involve him in this. I close my eyes again, tapping the wood surface with my index finger, simulating a counter I used many years ago.
No one knows the actual reason why it helped me. It's not the action nor the sound itself. Each click triggers something in my mind.
Right now, I see the shadow running after me. After a tap, I see how millions of stars fill the darkness.
The fear is replaced by amazement.
I open my eyes again, ready to fake a smile and start the call with my best friends. Lying to them hurts me, but it could be worst if something bad happens to them because of me. After all, I could fake happiness for a long time now. I definitely can fake it for a little more.
No one will know about my sorrow. There has been only one person who noticed it. Nevertheless, that person has abandoned me in the past. Although he is still nearby, we don't share memories, which makes me think he's not the same person I met three years ago.
I can live a lie without the fear of being discovered. I'll leave the city in an attempt to forget everything and everyone.
My murderer may not be able to find me away from here, but I'm sure the ghosts of my past will.
- Writer
