Secrets of Society

Chapter 3

I wake up stiff as a board, practically sucked into the crack of my couch. I realize I can't really see and start patting my hands around for my glasses. It's definitely late-morning with the amount of light coming into the space and I rub my eyes as I adjust. A large yawn overtakes me and I realize how parched I am. Walking over to the kitchen sink, I notice a small corner of an envelope poking underneath my door.

I side-eye it as I beeline to the cupboard to grab a glass of water, debating if I should even touch the paper on the floor. I greedily gulp down my first glass and hastily refill it, leaning against the counter as I savor the second glass of water. Staring at the sliver of envelope, I wrack my brain to imagine if it was anyone but the mysterious figure. A shiver runs down my spine at the idea that they made it into the building and still were able to figure out my apartment. I guess I should be thankful they just left the envelope and didn't try to get in...but who's to say they didn't?

Glancing around blearily, I don't notice anything different from last night. I can't rule B&E out, but nothing is disturbed that I can tell. These secret society bastards have trained assassin's on their side; they could easily murder me in my sleep if I was seen as a threat. I've seen the news stories, and the skill they reserve for keeping their secrets is terrifying.

Still full of paranoia, I lay down on the floor about six feet away from the door and peer underneath the gap. I don't see anyone waiting, and I don't notice any other items around the envelope. I push myself up heavily onto all fours, lean toward the door and gingerly pluck the envelope, dragging it on the floor and inside my apartment. Plopping myself in the middle of the rooms and crossing my legs, I stare down at the envelope on the carpet. It's a plain, unassuming envelope. No marks that I can see; my name isn't even on it. Delicately, I pick it up and start to open it. The flap isn't sealed, so it hinges open easily. Inside is another plain card, like a large white note card.

Typed in a basic serif font, it has a date one week from now and an address that I'm not familiar with, but it's in a town about 30 minutes away. I hold the card up to the light to see if there's anything else I can notice, but there's nothing else I can see on the card or the envelope. Frowning, I get up and place the "invitation" on my counter as I pad back over to my phone. I unlock my screen to message Seb to find he's beat me to it this morning. Afternoon? Whatever time it is.

Hope you were able to sleep last night, his messages read, Let me know when you're up and I'll stop by for lunch. I smirk at the comment that he knew I wouldn't be up before lunch. I check the time on the screen and it's just before noon. Perfect. I let him know I'm up and ready for some tacos, and have some big news to tell him. I know as soon as I mention my presumed stalker, Sebastian will refuse to let me sleep here on my own. I sigh as I mentally prepare for his need to be here for me, and I get ready for the day.

———

Eight street tacos later, I lean back in my chair, rubbing my stuffed stomach. "I needed this," I look over to Sebastian's still half-full plate, "Let me know if you need any help with those." The restaurant is moderately busy with a weekend lunch rush, so there's enough noise that we can talk with relative confidentiality.

Seb scoffs, "Not sure where else you could put these tacos, but there's also no way I'm sharing."

Groaning, "You're right. I'd literally explode," I say as I shove my empty plate away from me. I take a few breaths and let the food settle, knowing I stuffed my face to avoid talking about my paranoia. Cautiously, I start, "Seb...I think my research is getting close to finding something." I dart my eyes to Seb's face, but he's still focused on his food.

Glancing up at me, he replies, "What do you mean? You've got a breakthrough or something?" Seeing my nervousness, he pauses eating and rests his gaze on me, brows furrowing.

"Yes...but maybe not a good breakthrough," I pause, gathering my thoughts, "I think...I think I'm being followed. By someone from a society." I steel myself and match Sebastian's stare.

"I'm sorry...what??"

"I think I'm being followed," I repeat with more confidence, "I saw someone creeping around my apartment building last night, and this morning," I pull the notecard out and place it in front of him on the table, "This was left under my door."

Seb picks it up and scrutinizes it, reading the paper and doing some quick visual exams to see if there's anything more than what was obvious. "What does this mean?" he asks, waving the note card between us.

I shrug, "I can only assume they are trying to scare me straight, murder me, or induct me into a society. It could mean anything at this point."

Seb stares incredulously at me, "Oh, that's all?" he asks sarcastically. "What are you going to do? And what do you mean about someone stalking around your apartment??"

I sigh heavily, "I don't know what I'm going to do. And I meant what I said about someone following me to my apartment: I think it was that figure I mentioned seeing in the pizza place last night. Who knows how long they've been following me...obviously long enough to know I'm looking into things they don't want me finding out about."

Seb leans back into his chair, mouth slightly ajar as he stares at the paper he's replaced onto the table. "You realize this means I'll be sleeping on your couch, right?"

I groan in response and roll my eyes, "Somehow I knew you were going to say that."