12 Hours

The contents within the box rattled as I carried it out of the subway. The station itself did not seem to be kept in good condition with the lights flickering and torn posters about some sort of election plastered upon the shattered tiles of the walls. With every step I took the sounds of my shoes clicking upon the floor echoed throughout the station.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit lonesome; I had just been laid off from job as being a police officer and I had no place to go. However, it was then after experiencing those appalling moments, that I received a letter by anundisclosed individual. In it, there was something that convinced me to arrive at this very city, to give myself a second chance. Of course it was quite naïve of me to trust a letter that was sent by a stranger, but then again it was really the only direction I had; I didn’t have anything else to lose.

After walking for some time through the dark, empty halls of the station, I was met with a flight of stairs that led out of the station. I slowly but steadily took one step at a time up the stairs. The task was quite difficult for I was carrying such a heavy box with all my belongings in it and all it would’ve taken was one small push and I would’ve been sent tumbling the steps.

I really shouldn’t have brought all these cassettes of old detective movies. Hell I don’t even have TV to watch these on anymore. But then again they could be antiques so I’m sure they would fetch a hefty price, maybe enough for me to afford a pack of insta-noodles.

I finally arrived at the top of the stairs where I was met with the cold brisk breeze of the winter night. I was lucky enough to be wearing my overcoat otherwise I most likely would’ve caught a cold. I placed my hand under my hat rustling through the papers that were in it until I had found the right one. I took the letter out and unfolded it with my trembling hands, taking another gander at the address within it.

Now let’s see…2340 Rolland Ln. It shouldn’t be too far from where I’m at.

I folded the letter and placed back under my hat. I took a good look around where I was only to find out that the streets were completely empty. I understood that I was in the outskirts of the city, but for a place to be this empty; something was definitely going down in this city. But I had my own matters to attend to, and that was to meet up with whoever was waiting for me at that address.

I continued to wander, finding my way to my destination until I subsequently came across a section of the city which appeared to dilapidated. The cracked windows were boarded up by damp planks of wood that were covered in green fungus, and the color of what was left of the walls seemed to have been faded giving a more greyish look. Judging by what remained of the building structures, it was easy to come to the conclusion that this used to be a small apartment complex of sorts.

So this is 2340 Rolland lane huh….an odd place for a meeting. I was at least hoping for a nice fancy restaurant so we could have a candle lit dinner. Maybe there’s still a chance the person still brought some food.

I placed the box I was carrying aside to a corner. As I did so, the rats that resided there scurried away due to the presence of such a big box. I then proceeded to sit down on one of the larger pieces of rubble and started to whistle.

Well it shouldn’t be long till the mystery person arrives. Just got to wait…

I took the letter out of my hat and started to read it again over and over. Even in a place like this, the moon still shone its light brightly upon the clear starry night sky making it easier for me to read the letter.

It was then as I read the letter, I heard a noise behind me. Now I’m not going to sound stupid and imitate the sound for you readers but it was most definitely a rustling sound of sorts. I placed the letter back under my hat and stood up rotating in a full 360 degrees as I surveyed what was around me. There appeared to be nothing but just as I was about to sit down again, I heard the rustling once more.

Spooky environment: Check. A helpless protagonist that’ll most likely trip over everything: Check. Now all we need is the serial killer…and I’m sure that’s him making those rustling noises.

I quickly picked up a twig lying on the ground and held it in an attacking position.

Gah...Not the best choice of a weapon but everything else is way too heavy to pick up.

All of the sudden the rustling noises stopped and it soon transformed into loud footsteps which got louder and louder by the second. I turned around to see what the source of this sound was but as I did so, something hard swung at my head hitting me. The swing must’ve been considerably hard for upon its impact I lost complete control of my body, and collapsed on to the floor. Along with a fuzzy feeling in my head, darkness started to envelope my eyesight, and it wasn’t long till I was out cold.