Page 6 of Shadowing My Dreams
I still had a job, though! That was great news since I had depleted almost every dollar I’d ever saved. But four of my customers took me back on immediately when I walked back into the gym. Everyone was happy to see me, and it felt warm and comfortable to be back in a place that had been like a second home to me.
Hell, I spent more time in the gym than I ever did atmy house. I had worked too much. I planned on keeping my client list smallso that I could have time for myself. It felt necessary – which was odd for me. I was young and still had a whole future ahead to look forward to. But I no longer wanted my life to be just work. I wanted something more.
Whatever happened to me in that hospital – or the accident itself – had changed something fundamental about me. Hopefully, it was for the better. I wanted to dootherthings. I couldn’t remember the last book that I’d read, which wasn’t about lifting weights or training. I used to love adventure and fantasy books. I still bought all the Percy Jackson books even if I hadn’t read one of them in years. Maybe I would travel more? I should if I could get my finances back in shape. I didn’t want to go into debt. God, I was lucky to have saved all of my money. I could have easily woken up to a nightmare – no job, house, or life to come back to.
I was the luckiest son of a bitch alive.
But I was creeped the fuck out, though. Things were… weird, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why. The last few days, I’ve felt…different. My peripheral vision is all wonky, and I should call my doctor about that. I’m seeing too many floaters, which makes me think I’m seeing someone who’s not there. When I turn to look – nothing. No one is there, even though I feel likeI’m not alone. It’s been mainly in the house. But I’ve also seen the same thing walking to work every now and then.
It's freaking me out a little. It makes me feel like someone is watching me, and it’s put me on edge. Last night, while I was sleeping, I woke up in a cold sweat and swore that I hadheard someone breathing heavily. Maybe I woke myself up snoring? Maybe I snore now, even though I had never done so before? Maybe it was just a dream that had felt real? Whatever it was – it made me feel like I was a stranger in my house.
Where the fuck did I put my stupid cell phone?
Before the accident, I would have had it on me at all times. But since coming home, I decided to try to unplug as often as I could. I didn’t want to feel chained to technology anymore. I didn’t need to go on Facebook or Instagram anywhere near as often as I used to. I wanted to take that time back to do something more than scroll.
I‘d been putting my wallet, cell phone, and keys on the little table in my entryway. Out of sight meant out of mind. But it wasn’t there. I was positive that when I came in a few hours ago, I put it here. But only my wallet and keys lay on the table.
I had to have picked it up without meaning to. Old habits do die hard sometimes, and for years, it had practically been attached to me. Maybe I carried it into the living room where I had been sitting watching HGTV? I dug around in the cushions of my couch and looked under it—nothing.
Fuck… I must have laid it down somewhere weird.
I checked the kitchen. I checked the fridge, the freezer, and my cabinets.
I walked into the bathroom and looked anywhere that I might have put it.
Nothing.
I hadn’t been anywhere else. I came home, and the first thing I did was turn on the TV, walk into the kitchen, and make myselfa salad. I ate on the couch. I did go to the bathroom once. That’s it. It had to be in the living room somewhere…
I walked around the entire space and found nothing. It wasn’t like I could call it. I didn’t have a landline – I wasn’t eighty. I slumped down on the couch, completely at a loss.
Then, a miracle happened. My phone rang. I knew it was Daveed, that sweet bastard, calling because it was the Darth Vader theme ringtone that I had assigned to him. I jumped up and followed the sound to the base of my stairs.
I hadn’t been upstairs at all. I knew that, so how did…
I ran up the stairs as fast as I could. My legs burned with the effort. I stopped to listen, turned right towards the master bedroom, and stopped in the doorway.
My phone was sitting on the windowsill.
What the actual fuck!
I walked over and picked it up – breathing heavily with exertion. “Daveed,” I answered.
“Dude. What’s happening?”
“I… I have no idea. I…” I stopped myself from telling him. Maybe I did come up here and didn’t remember. I didn’t want him to worry; honestly, I didn’t want to worry myself. I didn’t want to have to go back to the doctor, but there was something wrong – I could feel it. Did I really come up here?
“Dude, what the fuck’s wrong. You sound weird.”
“My phone was upstairs, and I ran.” I mean, it wasn’t a lie. “I’m more out of shape than I thought.”
“Sounds like you need to do the Stairmaster,” he chuckled. “You knew it was going to take time.”
“Yeah…” I sighed. If anything else happened, I would tell him. But for now… I just needed to see if it kept happening, right? “I’m just anxious. This week has been a lot.”
“You tired? Need company or anything?”
“No, man. I mean, yes, I am very tired. But I’m just gonna…” I glanced to the right, swearing that someone had just walked by. “Fuck…” I walked over and sat down on the bed.
