Obsession Chapter One
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story.
It was early morning, and I had over slept. My eyes refused to open as I heard my phone ring. My boss raged on the other end as I sat up running my hands over my face. I mumbled my apologies and promised to be in as soon as I got dressed. She gave her apology for her tone and asked that I take my time as to not rush myself into an accident or anything.
When she finally let me go, I stood and reached to open the curtains. The sun spilled into the room and warmed my face as I took in the view of the Los Angeles sun. I picked up a brush from my dresser just to my right and began brushing my hair out without taking my eyes off the bright sky. I am fairly intuitive, and I must say I felt something different that morning. Like the calm before the storm.
Dressed in my usual scrubs I stepped into my place of work and started my day with a fairly cool cup of coffee. Serendipity Rehab Center was usually a quiet facility that had a clinical vibe so our guests don’t forget they are here to be healed. Some rehab centers are more home-like and try hard to make their guest feel they are in the real world. And I can tell you first hand, that is a lie. Living in a place like that did nothing but sugar coat the situation. Which is why I enjoy and respect the facility I work at now.
I sat behind the front counter with Jeremiah, the front desk operator, as I finished my paperwork from the night before. He cranked up the tiny radio beside his computer as the tunes of The Beatles flowed through the miniature speakers. He spun around in his chair as he seemed over come by a song that I swear played every hour on the dot. His blond bangs flew about as he shook his head to the beat. I laughed when his glasses fell straight to the floor before his foot almost crushed them completely. Our laughter was hushed by Susan, my boss and Vice President of our staff, who took her place leaning her elbow on the opposite side of the counter.
“I’m glad you got here so soon, Sam, but please keep the noise level down.” She said to me as she leaned over the counter peaking at the pile of papers before me. She was an extremely thin redhead. I mean if it weren’t for her enormous height she would be blown over by a small breeze. She always wore heavy eye make up and bright red lipstick that never matched her skin tone and, more often than not, would end up smudged either on her teeth or on Bruce, the janitor.
I let her remark go in one ear and out the other as I laughed at Jeremiah who had walked around the counter and leaned against the counter before her, mocking her. The relationship between our staff has always been a unique one. Susan is very lenient with most of the staff and she has been known to throw professionalism out the window and be a total goofball in the middle of the lobby along with the rest of us. I honestly could not see my hard work being wasted any where else.
“Have you finished registration on C-14 yet?” Susan asked as her smile grew in a suspicious manor.
I shook my head.
“Have the signed papers on my desk by one, Sam.” She demanded before taking off down the hall to her office.
As the clatter from her heals grew faint, I turned to Jeremiah. “What’s the rush?” I asked.
He sat back down and leaned over the back of his chair, “Special Arrival, Sam.”
I flipped through my papers until I found the magic number. Room C-14. I read the physical description as I stood to step into the volt. Very tall, slender male. Green eyes. Shoulder-length brown hair, heavily tattooed. The only word that ran through my head was “Typical.” Everything else was blank, the only other information was that he was admitted late the night before. Which meant I had to spend the next four hours collecting his personal information.
In the volt I found his belongings. A cell phone, an ipod, a folded up piece of paper with a list of words in a foreign language, a rolled up bunch of twenty’s and his empty wallet. It was completely empty. Nothing to be found in here, I thought. I left the rest of the papers to Jeremiah as I stuffed a pin in my pocked and made my way down the hall to room C-14.
The door was left open, as it is a rule after eight o’clock in the morning. I entered as quietly as possible so as to not frighten him. The average addict is very aggressive and uneasy after their first night here, but I found him lying still on his back in only his torn up jeans. His bare chest rose as he inhaled loudly, sensing another presence, but he remained still and silent. He only closed his eyes as I stepped closer. He seemed completely somber and was not hiding his pain very well from his face.
He had soft green eyes and shoulder length brown hair just like the description. He also had a bit of a mustache and beard, but his face was red and swollen. A definite sign that he had been drinking heavily for who knows how long. I had to admit, he was not what I was expecting at all. Sure he fit the description of a reckless junkie, but there was something about his appearance that lacked the edginess of that specific stereotype.
I hugged my clipboard to my chest as I greeted him. “Sorry to bug you, sir, but I must get some information from you before we can begin this process.”
His eyes remained glued to the open window next to his bed as he replied, “Shoot.” He said quietly. His voice was deep, rugged, uncaring and with a hint of a British accent.
I walked around the bed to sit in the only chair next to the very window he was lost in. My eyes were on the paper before me as I began scribbling my notes. I felt his eyes digging into me before I looked up to see him lift his head off the bed and stare at me in surprise. I didn’t get why the wide-eyed express until he spoke.
“Have we met before?” He asked softly.
I shook my head, “I don’t believe so.” I replied.
His head rested back on the bed. “Sorry. I thought I’d seen you before. I’m not sure why.”
I gave a broken smile. “Maybe in another life.”
To my surprise he gave a hint of a smile back.
I found myself lost in the sight of his face and had to shake my head. “So, Let’s start with the basics. Since we have no form of identification.” I looked back up at him. His face seemed to have softened since I first stepped into his room. He merely stared at me with a peaceful look upon his face. I was unsure where to start. “Or would you prefer to fill this part out yourself?”
His face grew a bit brighter before he sat up slowly and gently took the clip board from my lap. As he leaned over scribbling his information on the paper, I found myself admiring his body art. The tattoo that covered his entire left arm was a bit confusing, but I smiled to myself when I noticed the eyes that covered the top of his back. Those eyes were unmistakable.
“A fan of Mr. Poe are you?” I asked.
He looked over at me and nodded. “Brilliant man.” He replied as he continued answering the questions on the paper before him.
I leaned over, resting my arms on my legs and fiddled with my hands. I couldn’t believe how nervous I felt around him. When he finally finished, I read over his name. “Vile?” I asked
“Ville.” He corrected me.
“Villa?”
He smiled. “Close enough.” He leaned back, resting his arms on the bed. “Now what?”
I peaked over the top of my clipboard at him. “Now I’ve got to get you in the system. I’ll leave you alone now, Mr. Ville.” I said before getting up to leave.
“Hope to see you again, Sam.” He replied.
I stopped to look back at him puzzled before realizing my name tag and smiled. Definitely not the typical guest, I thought as I made my way down the hall.
*Note to my readers:
Sorry about the delay. I am working on several different projects at the same time and juggling a day job so please be patient with me. I will get a new chapter out as soon as I can. Thank you for reading.
AshSky