Threads Of Healing

Chapter 2: “Strangers In The Night”

CALEB’S POV

(Year 2025)

I woke up before my alarm clock could ring. Something felt off. I wasn’t in my bed, my electric fan had stopped working, and I was drenched in sweat.

Bottles. Empty bottles surrounded me, their presence a blurry reminder of the night before.

I was drunk. That much was clear. Yet somehow, I managed to wake up early—so early that my alarm hadn’t even gone off.

I grabbed my phone to check the time. “I need to go to work.”

Still groggy, I forced myself through the morning routine. Breakfast, a quick shower, and throwing on my uniform felt more like muscle memory than conscious effort.

I live in Angok now, in a small, stuffy apartment. My job as a bike messenger isn’t glamorous, delivering food, packages, and newspapers across town. The work can be frustrating—some customers refuse to pay if I’m late—but there’s something freeing about riding through Angok. The wind against my face, the sight of the beach as I pedal past. Those moments make it worth it.

When I reached the shop, Ethan, my best friend and coworker, greeted me with his usual smirk.

“Wow. You’re early. Did hell freeze over?”

“Miracle, I guess,” I said with a tired grin.

Ethan handed me two boxes marked "Fragile."

“Boss says you can deliver these and then take the rest of the day off.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”

“Maybe you’re his favorite now,” Ethan teased.

I chuckled awkwardly, grabbed the boxes, and started to leave.

“Hey, Caleb,” Ethan called. “Wanna drink tonight? Angok’s club is opening.”

I shook my head. “I think I’ll pass. I already drank last night.”

“Suit yourself.”

The first delivery went smoothly. Mr. Smith greeted me warmly, as always.

“Good job again, Caleb,” he said, handing me a tip.

I smiled, pocketed the money, and pedaled off to my next destination.

When I saw the address, my heart sank.

The mountains.

“Goddammit,” I muttered.

After riding as far as I could, I dismounted and began the long climb. The boxes felt heavier with every step, the summer sun relentless.

Halfway up, I heard laughter—kids playing nearby.

Suddenly, they appeared, racing around with water balloons.

I tried to step aside, careful not to let them hit me while I carried the glass plates.

But one kid hit me square in the face.

I staggered, lost my grip, and watched helplessly as the boxes tumbled to the ground. The sound of shattering glass echoed around me.

The kids froze, wide-eyed, before scattering like frightened birds.

I dropped to my knees, staring at the broken pieces. “No...”

Minutes later, a woman stormed up to me.

“Are these the plates I ordered?” she demanded, her tone icy.

“I’m so sorry,” I stammered. “Some kids threw water balloons—”

“You’re blaming my kids for your carelessness?” she snapped.

She didn’t wait for my response. Pulling out her phone, she called my boss to complain.

After hanging up, she glared at me. “Clean this up and leave.”

Back at the shop, my boss was fuming.

“You caused a lot of damage, Caleb. This is the first bad review we’ve had this month.”

“Boss, it wasn’t my fault—”

“Are you going to make the kids pay for it?” he interrupted.

He checked his phone. “You’ve got 23 bad reviews in five months. That’s unacceptable. I thought you were finally doing a good job, that's why I gave you a day off”

“I’m sorry, Boss,” I muttered.

“Don’t be. You’re fired.”

The words hit me harder than I expected. I walked out, my head hanging low. Ethan was waiting for me outside.

“I got fired,” I said quietly.

He patted my shoulder. “Guess I’ll have to help you find a new job.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll figure it out.”

Ethan grinned. “about the club tonight”

I sighed. “Yeah. I could use a drink”

The club was lively but not overcrowded. As we waited outside, a sleek sports car caught my eye. It gleamed under the streetlights, looking completely out of place.

Inside, Ethan and I ordered beers.

“This is strong,” I muttered after my first sip.

“You’ll love it here,” Ethan said.

Before I could respond, a loud crash drew everyone’s attention.

A man was gripping a woman’s wrist tightly, his voice raised. “Why are you playing hard to get?!”

No one moved to help. Not Ethan, not anyone.

I stood and approached them. “Let her go.”

The man glared but released her.

Before I could relax, his fist connected with my face.

I hit the floor, the room spinning. He climbed on top of me, his punches relentless.

The crowd jeered, their boos ringing in my ears.

Then, out of nowhere, the man howled in pain.

The woman had stabbed him in the back with a fork.

He rolled off me, clutching his wound.

The woman grabbed my arm. “Come on!”

She dragged me out of the club, and we ran until we found a quiet street.

We didn’t stop—we just kept running. I glanced back and saw a group of people chasing us. They looked like his friends, and they were closing in fast. She was still holding onto my arm, but she was slowing down. Without hesitation, I grabbed her hand firmly and pushed forward, running as fast as I could. I kept looking over my shoulder, my heart pounding, until we finally found a place to hide.

I was breathing so hard. She reached out for something on her bag. It was a handkerchief. She went closer to me and wiped the blood from my nose. She smiled at me afterwards. I quickly looked away, but she grabbed my cheeks and made me look at her.

“I would appreciate it if you stay out of this.” She said while smiling. She was staring into my eyes, and her face was so close to mine.

“I will.” I gently pushed her and walked away.

She grabbed her bag and ran in front of me. She offered her hand to shake mine.

“My name’s Agatha Anastasia Claire.” I didn’t shake her hand and continued walking.

She followed me. “Aren't you gonna tell me your name?

“Caleb” I said while walking

“Where are you going?” She asked.

“Home.”

“Walk slower. My feet hurts.”

I kept on ignoring her, but she was still following me. Her heels were making so much noise every time she took a step. It was very annoying.

“Hey... Hey... HEY!!” She screamed so loud that her voice echoed all over the street. I flinched at how loud her scream was. People across the street were staring at us.

I stopped walking and turned to her. She walked faster towards me.

“You’re really good at ignoring people, aren’t you?”

“Why are you even following me? Can you just leave me alone?!”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you.”

I got surprised after she said that. How can someone say something like that so casually?

“You’re crazy, aren’t you?”

“Call me whatever you want. We’re meant for each other, Caleb.” Her arms were crossed over her chest while she stared dead into my eyes.

“What even made you say those kinds of words? Because I helped you? That was basic human decency. Don’t be delusional.”

“If that was basic human decency, then how come only you helped me?”

“Because they were scared?”

“Exactly. Out of all the people inside that club, you were the only one who wasn’t scared. It’s because I gave you strength.”

“No, you didn’t.”

I slowly stepped back, planning to run away because of how weird she was.

“We are each other’s safety pin.” She said, smiling at me with seductive eyes.

“S-safety pin? What does that even mean?”

“If you are falling apart, a safety pin can stop you from falling. It’s like a person who is always there for you every time you're in trouble.”

“How can you even say that you’re my safety pin?”

“Remember what happened earlier? When that crazy man wasn’t letting go of my hand, I was the one in trouble. But you showed up and helped me. That’s why you’re my safety pin. Afterward, that man choked you. You were the one in trouble, but I helped you by stabbing that man’s back with a fork. That’s why I’m your safety pin.”

I didn’t quite understand what she was talking about. She was still smiling while staring at me. I was starting to get scared.

“D-don’t assume too much. If I had a safety pin, that would be someone from a long time ago.”

“But where was that ‘someone’ when that man was choking you?”

“You’re talking too much.”

She let out a chuckle. “Keep playing hard to get. It’s making me want you more.”

A car suddenly arrived. It was the sports car from earlier. A person who seemed to be her bodyguard came out and opened the door for her. She went inside and even waved at me, “Bye bye. I’ll see you soon again.”

“I hope not.”

The car drove off, and with her gone, the world around me seemed to fall silent. Was she really that loud? My thoughts lingered on the 'safety pin' she mentioned. When she explained what it meant, my mind immediately went to Brielle. She was my safety pin—always had been. Or so I believed. But was she, really? If she was, then why wasn’t she there to hold me together when I started falling apart?

Maybe safety pins have an expiration date.

Maybe they do.