Pen and promise – the Prose and cons of destiny
Brady is waiting. The first few cabs are no good. So he is trying again. This time he lands one. The ride into the downtown area is uneventful. In fact, Brady almost falls asleep along the way. All the work in prose, and lack of sleep over the last few months, must be catching up with him. He snaps his eyes open, and tries to refocus on his mission.
The ride with Harrison fell through. Shortly after arriving on the street to make the rendezvous, Harrison texted him. He was running behind and asked Brady to travel to him instead. Additionally he believed they needed to talk. Of course it was not a problem. However, it had been years since Brady’s last visit into the city. Therefore, he feels a sense of trepidation as the cab eases its way into the business district. Likewise, he wonders what Harrison wants to talk about.
The Prose and Cons of Destiny
With this in mind, he can’t help but wonder what Harrison has been up to for the last few years. Funny how easy it is to lose touch. Even with best friends. As he reflects further inward, he is unaware that the cab has come to a stop. Similarly, he is unprepared when the back door opposite him opens abruptly. Then a mysterious scowling man gets in the cab beside Brady.
Immediately the interior of the car seems to darken. The face of the stranger turns toward Brady. He feels his blood freeze, as feelings of doom and dread fill him. The face is a barely concealed mixture of evil intent, and malice. The grin is all teeth. And the eyes…Brady looks away. He starts to ask the driver how far until his stop. However, he thinks better of it, and closes his mouth instead.
Pen and Promise
It doesn’t take long for Harrison’s nerves to unravel. After hailing the taxi he traveled to the east side of the city. The address on the business card was a local coffee shop. Harrison couldn’t believe it at first. However, he could use a good cup of java. Therefore he paid the cab driver, and stepped into the coffee shop.
As he sits down in one of the booths he decides to text Bethany. After all she’s a cop. If anyone would know what to do about the deranged psychotic guy from the street, it would be a cop. Furthermore she is a detective. Something about her suggests that she is tough and resourceful. Harrison felt this, almost immediately, when he first met her.
With this in mind, he sends the text and orders an Expresso. While he waits he messages his friend Brady. They had plans earlier in the day but Harrison had to change things last minute. He hoped Brady could make it. The last time they were together, was years ago. He is studying the past when a firm but polite voice moves him from his daydream.
“Harrison?” It is the police detective Bethany. Harrison stands to greet her just as the Expresso arrives. Sometimes everything just clicks into place, with the utmost ease.
The Prose and Cons
Brady is trying not to hurl. The sneering, all teeth smile, is still turned toward him. He can smell the stench from the breath pushing its way through that smile. In fact, it was as if something dead was in the cab with them. He purposefully keeps his eyes in the opposite direction.
He feels it is imperative to avoid any conversation with what is sitting beside him. His skin crawls to even think of it. He feels near panic, as the wide open eyes of the stranger, remain fixed on him. The panic is almost full blown as the cab comes to another stop. The scowling, full teeth grin fades as the stranger makes to exit the cab. Brady feels a rush of relief.
Then the stranger turns back around. He leans all the way over to Brady, his forehead nearly touching Brady’s. Then he quietly speaks:
“Tell Harrison we’re not done yet. We’ll be meeting again soon.”
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Prose