Regression: Leaking Reality

Kael checked the time. 4:45 PM His gaze hovered over his screen, no emails, no tasks, nothing left to do today. Just then, he turned to the door at the far end of the office space and squinted slightly, then bent his head and pretended to review some documents. Barely a second later, the door was pushed open and two figures walked in, their hawk-like eyes scanning the office. The two figures continued forward and came to a stop beside him but Kael was too busy to pay attention to them. Fully absorbed in his work, he failed to notice as they exchanged glances and nodded at each other. Kael only raised his head from his work after they had left the office space, as he stretched his head out of the cubicle. He hesitated then turned toward the glass wall separating the office space from a long corridor. His breath hitched suddenly as his eyes caught on a figure walking past the corridor, a young brown-haired woman in a white suit hurried down, her steps even and graceful. As if feeling his gaze on her, she turned and her steps paused for a beat, a small crease on her brow. His eyes met hers. She slowed, just for a second. Staring into those clear eyes, Kael felt his chest tighten like pressure rising within him. He tried to inhale but his breath caught. Parting his lips, he tried again but still nothing. The woman resumed walking, her figure fading behind the glass. Kael's hands gripped the edge of his desk and he lowered himself back to his seat. His vision began to dim and he rose quickly, his chair scraping behind him as he hurried for the restroom without looking back. He pushed into a stall and dropped to the floor heaving to pull air into his lungs. He barely had to put in any effort though because just as he started, a refreshing feeling of freedom flooded him as he resumed breathing again. Kael slid back against the partition wall, breathing hard. Once again, he subconsciously slowed and quietened his breathing. He stilled as the sound of the door to the restroom slowly opened and cautious footsteps echoed. As he listened, he heard the sound of a stall open and close but before he could relax his tense muscles, he heard the sound again, another stall opened, closer this time, and with it, deliberate and cautious footsteps. Hearing the sound of the stall before his being opened, Kael rose slowly and quietly waiting patiently, his breathing now slow and steady, inaudible even to himself. Everything happened quickly. He forcefully pushed the stall door open hitting the person in the face and rushed out. With some distance between them and a few seconds to ponder over the logic of his actions, Kael glanced down at his hands and then at the person across from him. Wasn't this one of the men who had entered the offices just now to observe idle employees? His eyes barely registered the two men for more than a second but this man stood out and he recognized him because he had never seen him at the company before today. As he pondered, the man recovered and pushed the door back so Kael could finally see what he was holding in his other hand... A g*n! Kael's eyes widened but at the same time, his body acted once again before he could process it. "Wait! I didn't know someone was behind the door," he made the most innocent expression he could, and walked towards the man with eyes widened as if in a panic. The man squinted and observed him but that second of hesitation was enough for Kael. Kael stepped in, closing the distance between them and grabbed the man's wrist directing the g*n down to the ground, his second hand struck his attacker's shoulder and he turned throwing the man over his body to the ground, the g*n now in his hand. Twisting the g*n in his grip, his fingers moved, and before he understood how, something snapped free and parts clattered to the ground. "Wha-" his lips parted as he realized what he had done, his gaze moving from the parts of the g*n to his hands and then the man groaning on the floor. The man holding his shoulder, rose and put some distance between himself and Kael, his eyes widened with fear. "Yo- you're leaking," the man muttered as he stared at Kael incredulously. "Leaking?" Kael asked. He stepped forward wanting to help the man but the man recoiled. "Don't! Don't come closer," The man flinched back and Kael found himself at a loss for words. Just then he remembered the man had brought a g*n into the restroom and had apparently been searching the stalls. "Who are you?" He asked, cautiously taking a step back himself. The man glanced at the door behind Kael and a hint of grief and hesitation flashed in his eyes followed by a determined glow. All Kael heard was the sound of a click as the man bit down on something he'd held in his mouth and before Kael could comprehend the situation, the man collapsed trembling and foaming at the mouth. Kael rushed to him but stopped just short of touching him. He looked at the body, then at the scattered g*n parts. 'Two men walked into a restroom, only one walks out. The other is found dead, apparently poisoned with g*n parts scattered around'. Kael hurried to the door and quickly locked it to prevent anyone else from entering. Staring at the body, Kael found himself at a loss. He waited a second, drew in a deep breath, and muttered a count. "...five...seven...ten" Still nothing. After a few minutes of not knowing what to do, he hurried out of the bathroom and after looking around to see if anyone noticed him, he hurried back to his cubicle, gathered his things, and started for home. As he reached the elevator door and pushed the call button, his gaze fell upon his reflection on the silver doors, and his eyes narrowed. Then he saw it. He was squinting, but the man looking back at him stared with wide open eyes, his gaze placid and cold. A chill ran up his spine. Ding! The elevator doors parted.