The Folder

Chapter Two

Arthur

He lays in bed unable to get her off his mind. Her delicate figure and long brown hair that smelled of the pine trees back home drew him to her. Hell, who was he kidding? Everything about her appeased him. Everything made him want her and ache for her touch.

He’d tried so many times to drown in someone else over the last few months, but not one could take his mind off of the school girl. Her lips were the last thing he imagined before sleep came and her dark green eyes haunted his vision when he awoke in the mornings. It was like a hunger that grew every day inside of him.

He had been to the coffee shop every morning where they had first met, hoping that he’d have the courage to talk to her again, but fearing rejection, he never did.

Actually, most of the mornings he never even spared her more than one glance, although he could feel her eyes staring through him like knives tickling his skin.

She was the reason he went there every day for two months, even just her presence was satisfying. But today everything would change, he would walk up to the table that she sits at every morning before class and sit down. She would probably slap him, but he knows he deserves it. The slap would send a rattling chill down his spine and then he would kiss her. Kiss her hard in front of everyone and maybe that will be enough to satisfy the ache. If not...well, if not, he will ask to see her again. And then again and again and again after that.

Ever since the night they’d spent together, something had changed inside of him. He was no longer a puppy lapping and begging at any girl who gave him the slightest amount of attention, but a man whose desire for a woman had turned into a raging fire. Over the course of weeks, his want for her had turned into a need.

He hops out of bed having decided last night that he must talk to her today. He had dreamed about her voice all night. He had to do something to tame the beast inside of him.

He takes a cold shower, the water hitting his skin like ice, and dresses quickly. He’s in such a hurry that he almost forgets his key card and has to run hastily back to get it. He pauses, wondering why he is in such a hurry. It's only 5:50 am and she is usually there from 6 to 6:45. As he reaches for the door knob, someone knocks on the other side, so he opens it feeling only a little guilty as he comes face to face with the person on the other side.

“Mary,” he says, his face dropping only for a second.

“Arthur,” she says with a sweet smile. “Listen, I need to talk to you. Do you mind if I come in for a sec?”

He stares off down the hall, “uhm yeah sure come on in.” He steps aside knowing he owes it to her to hear what she has to say.

“Why have you been so distant lately?” She asks, cutting right to what's on her mind as he closes the door. Typical Mary.

She doesn't see it, but irritation flashes across his eyes before he turns around. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do, you know. You’ve barely spoken to me in a month,” she pouts.

“Listen, I’ve just had a lot going on but it’s all about to be over soon.” He walks over to her and squeezes her arms, causing goosebumps to form.

“How much longer?” She almost whispers.

“Today,” he says, letting go. “I just have to go do this one thing before class, and I promise I’ll start acting normal again.” He can see the doubt in her eyes and hates himself a little for it. He knows better than anyone else that she is supposed to be the girl he loves, his best friend, the person he confides in; but the simple truth is she’s just not. Something's happened the past year. Even before the other girl came into his life, they had already begun to grow apart. He knows that she thought not giving herself into him would make her more desirable, and it should’ve, it sort of was until the school girl. But as I said, something was off even before she came into his life.

“Fine,” she says, “just go. I’ll lock up for you.”

He kisses her forehead, trying to give her some reassurance. He instantly regrets it. He can never see himself being with only her. “Okay, see you in class.” He almost runs from the room before she can see his face and to the elevator that will take him down to the small coffee shop. He waits in the plant filled deserted lobby impatiently. All of his other mates are still sleeping. When the elevator chimes, he swipes his card and begins his descent to the first floor. His heart begins to quicken and, weirdest of all, he begins to sweat. When the elevator opens, he steps out and is immediately engulfed in a crowd of people.

He makes his way to the shop with a million different scenarios playing in his head. Should he buy coffee and then go to her table or just go straight there? He’s so overwhelmed by his thoughts he almost runs straight into someone but he barely notices.

Finally, he opens the door to the small shop...and she isn’t there. The wait is short so he quickly rules that out. Maybe she’s in the restroom? He stands in line eagerly awaiting her arrival, but soon it becomes evident she isn’t coming. He waits for her until 7, around 6:30 something begins to poke at his spine. At 7:15 he realizes something must be wrong. She’s always been here every day for the past two months. He’s sure of it. He thinks about going to her apartment, he remembers every detail of how to get there. What if she’s sick? He doesn’t think she has many friends, or if she does, he’s never seen her around anyone.

He begins to walk back towards the elevator when he gets the sudden feeling that someone is watching him. He stops in the middle of the crowd going about their days oblivious to the boy jamming traffic. Some of them bump him but no one gives him a second thought. He scans the giant room, his eyes steady and alert, looking for danger.

The room is so huge as it is the center of the whole building and stretches lengthy distances on all sides of him. The ceiling stretches to the sky and forms a perfect dome, painted white, of course. People in lab coats, suites, and normal clothes bustle about the room hurrying to get to their next destination. The walls are white with award winning plaques in neat rows. Every kind of shop you can imagine lies behind the many doors. No one is standing still, so after a moment of searching, he turns slowly back around and tries his best to blend in with the crowd.

No one joins him on the elevator as it is restricted and needs special access. Without even realizing it he hits her floor number. Then he hits his floor number, but the elevator goes down first and he knows with a groan he will get off there.

The doors slide open with a perfect bell sound. Students stop to stare as he exits, but he pays them no attention as his feet lead him in the direction of her. Whispers follow him as he walks until, eventually, after many twists and turns down bland hallways, he’s standing in front of her door. He hesitates and almost turns around, but instead he raises his hand and knocks on her gray door.

He waits a few seconds before knocking again, “V? It’s me, are you in there?”

“How do you know Victoria?” A voice next to his ear causes him to jump into his murderous actions. He grabs the small boy by the throat and slams him against the wall before thinking. As soon as the boy hits with a thud he lets go and stares at his hand in horror. “I-I’m sorry,” he stumbles probably for the first time ever, “I didn’t realize…” he trails off at a loss for words.

“It’s okay,” the boy says, trying to catch back his breath. “I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.”

Arthur just nods and studies him. He’s older than he had thought at first glance, maybe even the same age as him. His blonde hair is combed to the side in perfection and his eyes tell a story of innocence. “Yes, to answer your question. I know her,” Arthur says, diverting his attention back to the door.

“What are you doing here?” The boy asks.

“What? Are you her boyfriend or something?” Arthur asks quickly, growing tired of the questions.

“No,” he says, “well kind of.”

Arthur’s heart stops, “Well are you or aren’t you?”

“No?” He says more of a question than an answer. “I think something is wrong. We were supposed to meet for coffee this morning and she never showed up. She’s never missed her morning coffee, not since she moved here. I’ve knocked and she’s not answering.”

The boys share a worried look. “Are you sure there’s nowhere else she could’ve gone?”

“Well no, but I’m stating the facts. If she doesn’t wake up to go to class she’s going to be in a lot of trouble.” The boy seems like he genuinely cares for the girl, which irritates him.

“Alright fine,” he says, grabbing his keycard a little shakily. “I don’t know if this will work,” he holds his key up to her door, “but-” before he can answer, it unlocks with a soft puff and inches open.

“Can you unlock any door in the building?” The boy asks in amazement.

“Yeah mostly.”

“Well that’s...creepy.”

“Shut up,” Arthur whispers harshly before calling out her name. “Victoria? Are you in here?”

No answer. With one final glance between the two, they push the door open further.

“What the hell?” Arthur says, his head beginning to pound.

“I’ve never been here before but I’m pretty sure it didn’t look like this.” The boy says quietly.

“No...it didn’t.” He says defeated, leaving the boy to wonder what he might have been doing in here before.

The small bed was stripped of all covers, and the cabinets and drawers all stood open bare of anything. The room was barely a room at all, but a closet. Arthur swallows deeply, staring at the lone coffee maker beside the empty fridge.