Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

***
Ian jumped a little. He shivered. He wrapped his arms around
himself and took the cheap phone out of his pocket. The
people in the building had taken it away and then they gave it
back. That was nice because the girl had given it to him and
told him it was important that he keep it. Good, good girl. She
was there no matter what time he needed her. Sometimes he
didn’t sleep and she didn’t either. Of course she might sleep
and he might forget that he had been watching her. He also
might forget that he had slept. Oh, life was strange and he was
so tired.
Ian pushed a button, remembering that a button must be
pushed. A number came up and a picture next to that. He
pushed the number next to the picture he recognized. The
phone rang. He said hello. She spoke quickly, a habit she
picked up when she realized how fast the dark came. She
almost had what they needed, she said. She would be back
soon, she said. She asked where he was and reminded him
how to go back to the room. That was good that she reminded
him because he was unsure.
“Are you okay?” she asked again.
He mumbled and nodded even though she couldn’t see him.
“You shouldn’t have gone alone. I’m sorry. There was the
time to consider.”
He didn’t tell her she was right. He shouldn’t have gone
alone. He forgot to tell her that it was getting harder to stay the
course. His arm simply fell to his side. He still clutched his
phone. Muscle memory. He had been so used to holding
things: pens, pointers, his sweet girl’s hand.
Ian Francis continued walking, concentrating on the words
pulsing inside his brain.
Hurry. Hurry man.
Hurry for your girl.