u/Salt-Information-522

Part 3: Short supply

I head for the kitchen and open the cooler. The food is running low—enough for maybe four days. Outside, the storm won’t let up. It is getting worse, in fact. No sunlight either. The sun is shy.

 

There is no way to hunt or forage out there. Hell, I don’t think anything would eat me out there if I passed out on the snow. I came here with enough meat to last for at least a fortnight, maybe even more. Now, I have to feed a lioness and her two cubs. I did not plan for that.

 

The only option left is being practical. I must ration the food, make it last as long as possible. However, I don’t think I can explain that to a lioness. I don’t even know how frequently they eat. All I know is they smell it when I cook it, and then they want it. What am I supposed to do?

 

Today, I tried testing the waters, and she did not take it well. She does not like it when I eat alone, which sounds almost sweet. Maybe if it was for a different reason, it would be endearing. In reality, it is terrifying.

 

What has worked partially, is that I roast some amount of meat, then store it in the cooler, and sneak outside with the pieces every time I need to eat. I have to keep an eye on the door when I am outside. She notices when I try this. Her growling grows more intense. It probably won’t last for long.

 

Now, I have just decided to feed them every other day. Let’s see how that goes. If this works, the food will last for a week. The storm might break by then and I might be able to go outside for a hunt. At least the water and fuel are enough for a month.

 

Part 4: Run for the hills

Today was the fifth day. The food is still plentiful, but not enough. The storm still rages, no possibility of a hunt either. The only progress is that the sky switches from dark blue to having a tinge of green in it. Regardless, I am giving up on the previous strategy of sneaking food out to eat.

 

I enter her room again to make things right. I sit near her and offer her some meat. She accepts. I extend my hand towards her to pat her head. She stares at my hand, carefully studies it, then she swats at it. Luckily, she didn’t get me. I withdraw my hand and just sit there for about ten minutes.

 

After the lackluster interaction, I step outside the room and shut the door. I turn and I hear a loud growl from behind, I look down at the floor to see one of the cubs, staring up at me and grabbing onto my leg. Oh no.

 

I hear more growling. This time I feel the intent behind it. I freeze up, then I rush towards the front door and open it. She bangs and scratches on the door of her room. If she breaks out of there on her own, she will hunt me down. I do not know what to do, so I rush back in, open her door, and bolt for the exit.

 

I run at least 200 feet away from the house. I turn around to see her sitting at the front door, teeth bared and growling. I take a few steps forward, she doesn’t move. I walk a few feet towards the house, again nothing. I get within 100 feet of the house, and she growls.

 

I don’t think I am getting inside. At least not for tonight. I start to walk around the house and go to the side. She doesn’t seem to mind that. I step closer to the house from the side. I climb up the fence and enter the courtyard. I sit against the wall under the shed. 

I have been walking for hours, I think. It is cold but I am used to it by now. I hear a noise coming from the side and I turn my head to look at it.

 

“A crow?” I think. “Why is a crow following me?”

 

Then, he nods at me. I offer a piece of the rabbit I had hunted, but he doesn’t seem interested and just flies away. Well, that was that. I start to walk again, and he comes back and does the whole bit again. Is he asking me to follow him?

 

You know what? Let’s humor this crow. I start following. He keeps pace with me. He stops at a few branches and makes sure I keep up.

 

Ten minutes later, he perches on a branch, stares at me for a few seconds, and then flies away. I guess that was that. Then I look down and I see a lioness and her two cubs, huddling together, staring at me.

 

I freeze. I look at her. She looks at me. I start slowly backing up. She remains in her spot. It seems she is about to freeze to death. I take out my coat and start to slowly move towards her. She lets out a small growl. So, I pull the dead rabbit out of my bag and offer it to her.

 

She pauses at that. I slowly inch closer and place the rabbit right in front of her. She immediately starts to eat it. As she is eating it, I put my coat on her. She pauses again.

 

When was the last time you surprised a lioness twice?

 

Anyways, now I am in my cabin again, sitting at the desk in my bedroom, writing the events down in my diary and the lioness and her cubs are sleeping in the other room. There hasn’t been much noise since they got here, so I guess she is in a good mood. Especially after the dinner we had together. Nothing big happened, just peaceful eating.

 

The cubs were much less guarded and way more curious than her. She was not hostile but also not over friendly or enthusiastic.

 

As we ate together, I asked her if she wants some roasted meat instead of raw. I get no reaction from her. She doesn’t even look at me. I tell her it tastes good with the spices mixed in. Again, no reaction. I asked her about the crow from earlier. No reaction yet again. I guess she is not interested in talking.

 

I couldn’t help but chuckle a little at that, and that earns a glance from her. It is more of a startled glance than an interested one. I hold my hand up and continue to eat.

Part 1: An unexpected guest

I have been walking for hours, I think. It is cold but I am used to it by now. I hear a noise coming from the side and I turn my head to look at it.

 

“A crow?” I think. “Why is a crow following me?”

 

Then, it nods at me. I offer a piece of the rabbit I had hunted, but he doesn’t seem interested and just flies away. Well, that was that. I start to walk again, and he comes back and does the whole bit again. Is he asking me to follow him?

 

You know what? Let’s humor this crow. I start following. He keeps pace with me. He stops at a few branches and makes sure I keep up.

 

Ten minutes later, it perches on a branch, stares at me for a few seconds, and then flies away. I guess that was that. Then I look down and I see a lioness and her two cubs, huddling together, staring at me.

 

I freeze. I look at her. She looks at me. I start slowly backing up. She remains in her spot. It seems she is about to freeze to death. I take out my coat and start to slowly move towards her. She lets out a small growl. So, I pull the dead rabbit out of my bag and offer it to her.

 

She pauses at that. I slowly inch closer and place the rabbit right in front of her. She immediately starts to eat it. As she is eating it, I put my coat on her. She pauses again.

 

When was the last time you surprised a lioness twice?

 

Anyways, now I am in my cabin again, sitting at the desk in my bedroom, writing the events down in my diary and the lioness and her cubs are sleeping in the other room.

 

Part 2: A Quiet Lunch

First lunch with the lioness. I roast some deer for myself, uncooked for them. Let’s see if they like it. There hasn’t been much noise since last night, so I guess she is in a good mood.

 

I enter their room. She is watching her cubs play-fight. She tenses slightly when I open the door but then relaxes. I pull up a chair and sit a seemingly safe distance away. The cubs perk up at the sight of the food and waste no time. I serve them the deer on a plate. She is a bit cautious but also hungry. And finally, I dig into my plate as well.

 

A few minutes of silence pass. Nothing big happens, just peaceful eating. I am not sure if I should make eye contact with her, so I don’t.

 

“Do you like it? Mine is roasted if you want to have a bite.”

 

I get no reaction from her. She doesn’t even look at me.

 

“So, no roasted meat? You should try it, you know. I get that you’re a lioness, but it tastes good, with all the spices added in it. It’s nice.”

 

Again, no reaction.

 

“Hey, did you know that crow from yesterday? The one who flew straight to your tree last night? He led me straight to you. I think it wanted to help you out.”

 

No reaction yet again. I guess she is not interested in talking. I can’t help but chuckle a little, and that earns a glance from her. It is more of a startled glance than an interested one. I hold my hand up and continue to eat.

Part 7: Rush

Nick: Look at this mess. This is why I don’t trust doctors and hospitals.

Linda: No wonder he was hiding all this.

Nick: Did he look sick? Any symptoms? Something weird? Anything?

Linda: No, he was pretty normal last time we saw him. A bit withdrawn, maybe a bit stressed out, but we thought it was because of work.

Nick: There is something wrong here.

Linda: What do you mean?

Nick: They didn’t even bother with any of this. They didn’t investigate any of this.

Linda: Maybe they did investigate but found nothing.

Nick: No, they would have found something if they tried. It is one of these doctors or hospitals that has something to do with this. They have a lot of power and influence.

Linda: So, what do we do?

Nick: Well, there is at least a hundred different business cards here. Doctors, hospitals, some kind of institutions. Either we investigate each one individually, which would take us forever and lead us nowhere.

Linda: Or?

Nick: Or we start this case from the beginning.

Linda: What?

Nick: We go back to the drawing board.

Linda: Nick, we can’t.

Nick: If you really want to find out what happened to your brother, then we—

 

His phone rings. He takes it out and answers.

 

Nick: Hey Jenny, what’s going…

 

His eyes widen.

 

Nick: What? How did that happen? Goddamn it! Okay, I am on my way.

 

Part 8: The End

Nick: How is she?

Jenny: She’s doing okay. I’m glad you finally decided to bring her here.

Nick: Yeah, I…

Linda: We can really help her here, now.

Nick: I hope so. What happened to her?

Linda: Both of her kidneys were under immense stress. If she wasn’t brought here in time, it would have been bilateral renal failure.

Nick: Jesus Christ. How?

Linda: Could be unclean water supply or an infection, due to lack of sanitation.

Nick: Right.

Linda: You need to wait for the doctor. He will explain everything in detail.

Nick: Where is he?

Linda: He was in a meeting.

Nick: What meeting?

Linda: I don’t know.

Nick: Why not?

Linda: Look, he was busy, but as soon as he heard about the emergency, he was on his way. He will be here very soon.

 

Nick sighs.

 

Nick: This doctor. Are you sure about him?

Linda: Don’t worry, he is great.

 

He takes his daughter’s hand in his.

 

Linda: Do you need anything until he arrives?

Nick: No. I just need to see the doctor. Could you ask him to come quickly?

Linda: Nick, I assure you, he will be here soon. Just be patient, okay?

 

After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the room opens and the doctor steps inside. The detective turns to face the door.

 

Henry: Hello Mr… Nick Jackson. I am Dr. Henry Whitmore.

 

Henry walks up to Nick and extends his hand. Nick stands up and shakes it.

Part 5: Safe Space

The corridor is narrow and dim, a row of fluorescent lights overhead. Nick walks half a step ahead. Linda keeps pace beside him. Nick turns to Linda with an incredulous look.

 

Nick: You really didn’t know he had a secret apartment?

Linda: I don’t even know what to say.

Nick: Really? Nothing?

Linda: He would have told us.

 

They walk across the hallway.

 

Nick: We are here.

Linda: Room 308?

Nick: Yep. Alright, then. Let’s dig in.

 

Nick grabs the door handle and pushes.

 

Nick: Right, of course. It’s locked.

Linda: Here.

 

He takes the keys from Linda, opens the door and steps inside.

 

Nick: Wow, this is… I mean, I thought I was a minimalist…

Linda: Can we focus, please?

Nick: Alright, sorry. Okay, let’s see…

Linda: Go ahead. Do your thing.

Nick: Uh… okay. Anyways… laptop. Looks fairly recently used. An almost empty desk. No cables, no hardware, no clutter.

 

He turns to her and chuckles slightly.

 

Nick: What’s that all about?

Linda: I don’t know.

Nick: What, he didn’t need those for his work? Must be working with some high-tech stuff.

Linda: I don’t know, okay? Stop asking me things.

Nick: Alright, alright, jeez. Anyways… flash drives. Three. Same brand. Labeled A, B, C. Maybe backups… or projects. Maybe movies?

 

He turns to open a filing cabinet sitting beside the desk.

 

Nick: Empty soda cans, coffee sachets, a laptop charger and… hmm… about a hundred business cards. Would you look at that.

 

 

Part 6: How to be an Atheist

Henry: Jenny, why are you looking at me like that? Like I have done something wrong. Something evil.

Henry, I am not looking at**—**

Henry: Have a seat. Sit.

Jenny nervously walks over to the seat and sits.

Henry: What do you think about God?

Jenny: God? As in, do I believe in God?

Henry: No, I am saying if you had to assume that there is a God, what do you think of him?

Jenny: I don’t know, I think he is okay, I suppose.

Henry: Right. Never mind. Do you believe in God?

Jenny: No.

Henry: No?

Jenny: I believe in science and innovation.

Henry: You know, I have thought about that, I have been considering this possibility that maybe we are wrong. Maybe there is a god. I was thinking, if we are wrong, how do we deal with it? How do we deal with a god we don’t believe in? And I came to the conclusion that, in order to deal with it, truly deal with it… we need a way to kill God.

Jenny: What?

Henry: A way to kill God. A way to… you know, a weapon of some sort to defeat God in battle. Something like that. That is what you need to truly be atheistic.

Jenny: Huh.

Henry: Well, obviously, the problem we would have is whether or not the world can survive without God. Can creation survive after the creator is dead? That is the main problem.

Jenny: I don’t know.

Henry: I mean Jesus was killed, and the world is still here with billions of people. He was resurrected, sure, but still, the world survived for those two or three days. Everything was fine between the death and resurrection.

Jenny: No, it wasn’t. There was darkness on the earth and also an earthquake.

Henry: And the veil of the temple was split in two, I know, but the world wasn’t literally destroyed right after he died or before his resurrection.

Jenny: The nurse leans back in her chair.

Henry: I am asking if the world actually needs God to exist. If God dies, would the world die with him or continue to exist? Maybe a god did create the world, but is he needed to keep it going?

Jenny: And what is the answer?

Henry: I think if there is a god, and if this god created the world, and if we were able to kill him, then yes, the world would keep going on without him.

Jenny: How?

Henry: God dies, the world keeps going, but it decays into waste. That waste, with enough time, turns back into a world, and the cycle continues. From gold to garbage and back again.

Jenny: And when will it stop?

Henry: If time is infinite, then never.

Part 3: Find him.

Linda: Mr. Nick Jackson? The…the private investigator?

 

He nods.

 

Linda: Hi, I am Linda. I need to talk to you about something important.

Nick: How can I help you?

Linda: My brother. He went missing a month ago. The police were not able to find him.

Nick: Oh. What happened?

Linda: Uh... can I... maybe I should come inside to discuss the case.

Nick: Yeah, sure.

He steps aside, allowing her to step inside the house.

 

She enters the house and looks around. A small living room, messy and unclean. The kitchen door open. The faucet dripping. On the other side, a dimly lit hallway. A door at the end. She takes another step forward. A television mounted on the wall. A small table in front of the couch. Her gaze drifts back to the faucet. A single drop being pulled ever so slowly, its top being stretched thin, its bottom heavy**—**

 

He shuts the door.

 

Nick: Don’t bother with the mess. I don’t spend much time in here. Work takes most of my day, sometimes all of it. Anyways, can I get you anything?

Linda: No, thanks.

Nick: Alright, then. Make yourself at home.

 

He walks over to the couch and takes a seat. She nods and takes a seat on the armchair.

 

Nick: So, you said your brother went missing?

Linda: Okay, so, a few months ago, everything was fine. Then one day, around two months ago, John, my brother, seemed to be in distress. He started to keep to himself. We were worried and started to ask him questions. He said everything was fine. He said it was just work. Then, about a month ago he just disappeared.

Nick: You said, “we were worried”. Who is “we”?

Linda: Me and our parents.

Nick: Right, he is your brother. What about his friends?

Linda: The police asked them questions, but they didn’t know what happened to him.

Nick: Does he have a wife? Kids? A girlfriend?

Linda: He has a girlfriend, but she doesn’t know what happened to him either.

Nick: Is that his file?

 

She nods and hands him the file. He takes the file and skims through it.

 

Nick: Wait, what is this?

 

Part 4: Fodder.

The nurse is gathering some files in the doctor’s office when a new patient enters. She is young, in her early twenties. She approaches the nurse. She has a sweet smile on her face, which creates faint dimples on her cheeks.

 

Adriana: So, where is Henry?

Jenny: Where is the doctor?

Adriana: Yeah. Henry. Where is he?

Jenny: Oh, he is in a very important meeting.

Adriana: A meeting?

Jenny: Yeah. He is in a meeting with the district attorney and the police commissioner.

Adriana: Is that so?

Jenny: Yeah.

Adriana: And what are they having a meeting about exactly?

Jenny: Well, I would have no way of knowing that.

Adriana: Right. Of course. Well, it is the time of our appointment.

Jenny: He’ll be here soon. Just have a seat and wait for a few minutes.

 

A few moments of silence pass between the two.

 

Adriana: So, what did he say about me?

Jenny: What?

Adriana: Henry. What did he say about me?

Jenny: What did the doctor say about you?

Adriana: Yes. You know, how my reports are, how am I doing. That sort of thing.

Jenny: He didn’t say anything.

Adriana: Oh. Well, can you check the files and tell me?

Jenny: Sure. What is your name?

Adriana: Adriana.

The nurse checks the pile and finds a file.

Jenny: Here. Ms. Adriana Mulray?”

Adriana: That’s me.

Jenny: Well, it says here that your condition is critical and that you should begin the procedure as soon as possible.

Adriana: I… what?

Jenny: Don’t worry Ms. Mulray, the doctor is one of the best in the business. He will take good care of you.