The station

Later that morning, I made my way to the police station, anxiety curling in my stomach like smoke. I know I have to report everything : the break-in, the strange gifts, the overwhelming feeling that someone's been watching me. I hold the card and the jar with the brain slice tightly in my hands, as if clutching them hard enough might make the whole thing less surreal.

Inside the station, I am led to a tired-looking investigator with graying hair and eyes that suggest he has seen too much and still I think this will be his first brain in a jar. He takes the jar and the card from me, inspecting them with a deepening frown.

"This is disturbing," he mutters, holding the jar up to the light. The preserved brain slice floats in its fluid, weirdly fascinating. "A brain in a jar… this could be considered a threat."

I shake my head quickly, trying to stay calm. "No. I don't think it's a threat. It's… a gift. A messed-up one, maybe, but not malicious. I think whoever sent it just doesn't know how to express whatever they're feeling." My voice falters slightly, but I force myself to stay steady. "What scares me more is that someone broke into my apartment to leave it there. They knew where to find me. They were inside my bedroom."

He nods grimly, jotting notes into a small pad. "We'll look into it. In the meantime, be cautious. If you even think you're being followed or watched again, call us right away. Don't wait."

I nod, but the reassurance doesn't reach me. As I leave the station, a hollow feeling settles in my chest. There are too many unanswered questions, too many puzzle pieces that don't seem to fit together. I keep going over everything in my head, but it only makes the unease grow deeper. The police men will not come to my apartment to search for fingerprints, or forensic proof. Am I this uninteresting for them ? 

When I arrive back at the apartment, the locksmith is just wrapping up. The lock clicks into place with a finality that should make me feel better, but it doesn't. And then I see him.

David's waiting by the door, leaning casually against the frame. He offers me a wry grin. "Just so you know," he says, "I'm not joining your cult."

I can't help the tired smile that tugs at my lips. "You'd be the worst initiate anyway," I mutter, brushing past him into the apartment.

Inside, I set my things down and turn to him, all the tension from the morning pressing against my ribs. There's something I need to ask. Something that's been gnawing at the edge of my thoughts ever since that phone call this morning.

"David," I begin, quietly, "were you… uncomfortable this morning?"

He looks at me, genuinely confused. "Uncomfortable? What do you mean?"

I take a breath, steadying myself. "I was awake when you got that phone call. I know you were hugging me."

His expression shifts, softens. He looks almost embarrassed. "I'm sorry," he says. "I didn't mean to make you feel weird. I fell asleep facing away from you, but when I woke up... I was holding you in my arms."

His voice is low. Honest. His gaze searches mine like he's afraid of what I am thinking.

"Do you regret it?" I ask, barely louder than a whisper.

There's a pause. His expression turns unreadable, guarded. Then slowly, gently, he replies, "I regret that it was too short. I wish I could've stayed like that longer to enjoy your warmth."

Something inside me cracks open at his words, and before I can stop myself, I reply, "I regret there was a blanket between us."

The room goes still as we both realize that it is too late. We fell deep, whether it is lust or love is another question. The air between us grows thick, charged with everything we haven't said. Neither of us moves. We just stand there, suspended in this breathless moment waiting for one of us to move or talk. Then David exhales, soft and slow, gets up and closes all the curtains. He then turns to me, and come to pick me in his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and he carries me to my bedroom. 

There, the curtains are already closed. He puts me on my bed, and kneels on the floor. My breath catches in my throat as I see this man humble at my feet. The space between us dissolves in an instant and we finally kiss each other…