Isolated

The café is bustling today. Stepping through the door, I'm immediately greeted by the aroma of coffee and baked goods.

It doesn't take long to notice her. Soft lighting overhead, highlighting her golden hair and glistening skin.

'Mmmm... This place always smells good,' I remark, taking a seat. 'Have you ordered yet?'

'No. I just got here,' she smiles.

'Can I take your order?' the waitress asks.

'Two americanos, a bacon and egg bagel and french toast with berries, please,' I say, handing the menu back.

'Right away, sir.'

'Even though we've met like this, many times —'

She leans in, a strand of her auburn hair drifts over her face. She sweeps it back.

'Are you alright?' a look of concern on her face.

'Fine… Yeah, I'm fine. It's just been a crazy day.'

'You want to talk about it?' she reaches for my hand.

'No… I think I'd rather put it behind me,' I say, focusing on the soft warmth of her hand.

'You sure?'

'I'm sure,' I say, managing to smile.

Somehow the uneasy feelings in the pit of my stomach start to subside, just as our order arrives. A few sips of coffee, and tearing into the croissant in front of me, I begin to feel myself again.

Leaving the café, we take a stroll down the narrow cobblestone street. Passing by a canal, we cross a bridge heading towards a dune.

Soft hues of purple and orange colour the sky, as the wind lifts sand and deposits it in rippling waves. The light fades, and I'm in total silence. No scents, not even of her perfume which up until this point had filled my senses with it's comforting lavender and earthy notes.

'Hello?' I call out. No response... Not even a vague echo off of any surface. Just total darkness. 'Where am I?'

The waves crash against the shore. I squint and shield my eyes, before turning to watch her as she walks towards me.

'Hey you,' she says. 'I was wond-dering where you got to.'

'I had to be somewhere. Had a feeling it might be urgent,' I wrap my arm around her shoulder. 'Why? Did you miss me?'

'Only always,' she smiles and presses her forehead to my cheek. 'I worry about you, you know?'

'I know, you don't have to — I'm fine.'

Dark clouds crowd the horizon, as we watch the waves lapping the shore. She flickers for brief moment, and they seem to advance and retreat, in a strange rhythm.

I wrap my arms around her, as if to hold on tight. Like she's some sort of life raft in a squall that's about to envelop me.

'I don't like this,' I say, looking at her.

'What is it? What's wrong?' her face showing concern. I open my mouth to answer. Darkness.

'Oh, no! No-no-no! Please.'

'What is this?'

'Where am I?'

Nothing touches my senses. No light. No smell. No sound. No taste.

'AAAAAH!'

My senses return. I'm in a dark alley. The walls lean inward, footsteps echo before my feet touch ground. I hurry to the light. The walls feel like they're closing in on me. I stumble. Regaining my footing, I climb a fire escape, push through a door that creaks as it shuts.

I'm now in a garden, the sun warming my skin, the scent of lavender in the air. Birds chirping as they circle overhead. Her arms wrap around me from behind.

'There you are… Are you alright?' she asks, her voice calm and soothing. Her warmth — Her scent — Her touch, fill my senses.

'I am now.'