It's difficult

Jake's POV

The warm water from the shower washed over my fatigue as I stood beneath it's rhythmic drizzle. I always like to take a hot bath when I am upset, and usually it works...but this time, no amount of hot water can wash over my sorrows. 

I emerge from the bath as the same unhappy guy that had entered it, the same depressing thought nudging at my heart, forcing me to curl up in my bed and never get up. The pizza lay cold on my couch, barely touched even though pangs of hunger gnawed at my stomach. I could hear it's distinct rumble, ordering me to eat and sustain myself. I put one slice of pizza into my mouth, forcing myself to chew it and swallow. It tasted like rubber. 

I simply didn't have an appetite for pizza. I didn't have appetite for anything at all. I haven't gone out of this room in a week, my clothes are all strewn here and there and the apartment resembles that of a raging lunatic. Even Michael, the pristine hygienist, didn't lecture me on my slopiness lately.  He seemed to be busy with his own troubles with Cassie. I would have wanted to help him, if only my own life was sorted out. 

I didn't mean to hear the conversation that Cassie and Linda had, I simply chanced upon them. When Michael told me of Linda's disappearance, I automatically knew that she would seek solace in the riverbanks. So, I promptly went there, driven by guilt and fear. I had thought that Linda would overcome all these easily. Afterall, she's a strong woman and we had known each other for only a few days. She had been in failed relationships before, so why should this be any different?

  I wondered the same for myself….why is this so different? Why is it so difficult for me to turn over a new leaf and forget the past? I had to breakup with Linda, I couldn't bear the thought of using her as a pawn to further my father's economic aspirations. With renewed resolve, I thought that I did the right thing. She'll know someday that I wasn't good enough for her and she'll find a better replacement. 

My phone buzzed in my pocket, it was a call from Cassie. I frowned, did Linda again get herself into something stupid?

"Hello Cassie." I said. 

"Hey, Jake. I was wondering if I could speak to Michael. He's not answering his phone." She said, a bit too cheerfully. 

"I thought he's with you." I replied confused, "he's not home. He had left a long time ago."

"No.. no, he left from my place too. Didn't he reach there yet?" Cassie tried hard to mask the rising panic in her voice.

"No, he's obviously not here. When did je leave?" I ask

"This is strange. He shouldn't take this long to reach home." Cassie sounded troubled, "Can I ask you a favour Jake? Please come to my house immediately…. I can't say it over phone, but I feel something is wrong. Please come fast."

With this ominous declaration, she hung up. 

I shook my head in exasperation, unwilling to leave but Cassie's worries seemed greater than mine. Afterall, how long shall I imprison myself with my thoughts when I can't do anything about it? I would have to face mankind someday, so better start now. 

The walk to Cassie's house was short enough as we lived in the same neighborhood near the University. She was right, if Mike had left, he shouldn't have taken so long to arrive. I knocked on the door, lost in thoughts and trying to think about the possible locations that could harbour Mike at this hour. 

The door was opened and I caught sight of a brilliant flash of red, Linda. I immediately turned around, perturbed by my inability to face her but I had nowhere to go. It was an awkward moment, amplified by the deadly silence between us. None of us talked, she didn't even invite me to come inside although it was evident that I should.

Someone coughed from behind Linda, and I was relieved to see Dr. Sofosys' familiar figure emerging from behind her. He had a curious twinkle in his eyes, as he took in the situation. Linda adamantly looked at the door, suddenly finding it very curious and my eyes were fixated on the ground. 

"Ah...Mr Brooks. Please come in." Sofosys ushered me in, as Linda avoided my very existence. I found Cassie sitting on her couch with Cookie perched on her lap, moaning slightly. Cassie was stroking Cookie's furs and trying to talk to him. She looked up as I entered the room and immediately stood up. 

"It's been almost an hour Jake. Michael didn't reach yet?" Her voice quivered a bit.

"Relax Cassie. He might be at the library, he's often late to return because he spends a lot of time there." I said, sitting down on the chair nearest me. Linda stood at the furthest corner of the room, refusing to even look in my direction. I tried to fix my gaze away from her.

"I have called the librarian. He's not there. Are there any friend's of his that we can contact?" Cassie enquired.

I frowned. Michael didn't have much friends whom he would visit. 

"I think you are worrying too much Cassie. He must be loitering somewhere, he'd soon be home. Don't worry." I said non chalantly.

"Obviously you would be so relaxed. Why would you care about someone at all, even though that person is your best friend in the world?" Linda's scornful voice surprised me. 

"Not a time for arguments Linda. This is serious." Cassie said, then turning to me she spoke, "Actually I wouldn't have been so worried in normal cases, but something has happened. Both of you know nothing about it and that incident makes me agitated about Michael's whereabouts. It's related to his safety."

"What incident?" I frowned.

Then, Cassie narrated the entire thing, the poisoning, Shawn's involvement, and Mike's near death experience. After she was done, I was almost paralysed with shock. 

"Shawn! A Goblin. He attackes Mike? Why didn't you tell us anything?" Linda fumed. 

"Well, you know….you people were going through your...thing. We didn't want to trouble you further." Cassie replied sheepishly. 

"You are our friend! Whatever happened with us is inconsequential in the face of your troubles. You should have told us!" I said accusingly. 

"Now, now, whatever is done can't be undone. We need to find Micheal quickly. So, let's start contacting any friends that he has." Sofosys adviced. 

The Petrywinkler began howling again and started jumping frantically all across the room. 

"This isn't a good sign." Cassie said with concern, "Cookie can usually sense when any of us are in trouble. He's anxious, Mike must be in some sort of trouble! We need to reach him."4