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Blurred Lines Prologue
He twirled around in his bed, having trouble falling asleep. He is huffing, almost as if his lungs had closed down from terrible flu.Suddenly, he is pulled from his slumber. His chest appears to be more receptive to receiving air, but his breathing remains irregular. A loud squeaking sound caused by a door that slides across the oak floor compels him to stand up.He moves towards the direction in which the noise comes from. He stares intently at the door. The noise came directly from a window which, because it was wide open, blew the door open back and forth timidly. Friction between the sill of the door and the floor causes an unbearable and irritating squeaking sound. The sound seemed to agitate him. He walked toward it in an attempt to shut the door.He approaches the door to close it, but as he does, he notices a familiar figure that he can recognize from a mile away. The figure sits in a ladder-style office chair. It was the wind that caused the squeaking sound of the door as it
Blurred Lines ONE
Note: This is a present-day event, i.e. (start of odd-numbered chapters time span event: 1,3,5, etc.)The sudden vibration of my phone under my pillow caused a droning thump in my head. Therefore, I was woken up prematurely as a result. I am so annoyed right now. I am totally perturbed. Who could be calling this early in the morning? Well, whatever it may be, you can forget that I will indulge him, or her, or them. Lazily I tucked my left hand under the pillow. Even with my eyes, half closed, I still scanned the screen. After having pulled my phone from underneath my pillow, I instinctively felt the need to click the reject call button. My wits are rattled as I recognise the number and name that flashes on the caller ID. I dare not reject a call from her. I will never hear the end of it. The call took me by surprise at this hour of the morning. The call came from Isabella, my girl. A curvy smile stretched across my face. I hastily slide my index finger over to the accept call butto
Blurred Lines TWO
Note: This is a past-day event, i.e. a 'flashback' (start of even-numbered chapters time span events: 2,4,6, etc.)It is the day before the last school year. As opposed to having previously been dropped at Blackwood with a limousine, my mum has opted to take me around this time. Yeah, I know what you're thinking - the supposed top guy at his school is going to be dropped off by mummy. Frankly, I preferred it as well.I never seem to get to spend as much time with either of my parents anymore. I suppose after Daniel’s death, none of us seems to have any agency to live life with a sense of gratification. I help my mother put the last suitcase in the trunk. She finalises a couple of things with our security chief and head house help, before getting into the car.The length of the pathway on this estate feels as if it could be a highway by itself, so unnecessary is its length. We finally approach the gate at the far south end wing. About five hundred miles from the estate we crossed the p
Blurred Lines THREE
Note: This is a present-day event, i.e. (continuation of odd-numbered chapters time span event: 1,3,5, etc.)I firmly gripped the half-burned note in my hand, staring for quite a while at the continuous flashing of the wording on Gregory’s smartwatch. I notice that his running shoes are missing. Then he must probably still be running. I am very much aware that he is fanatical about it. He could run for hours on end in the morning. Sometimes even in the afternoon. Interestingly, he is known to be punctual. So, for the time I have come to know him, he has never been late. It concerns me somehow. Did something happen to him? I try not to ponder too much on the matter. But like a blown-up ball that bounces back when you try to push it down underwater, it keeps popping up in my head.After a while, I subconsciously shrugged my shoulders. Knowingly so with the surety that he might return at some point. Perhaps even with a good tale to tell. Who the heck knows?I decide to leave Greg’s room,
Blurred Lines FOUR
Note: This is a past-day event, i.e. a 'flashback' (continuation of even-numbered chapters time span events: 2,4,6, etc.)The first day of my last school year has been rolling like a long boring flick. Some of the other guys are up quite early already. For once I feel like just sleeping a bit longer for a while. I was not provided that leisure. Bill came knocking on my door and woke me.“Come on Erik, surely the student president should be setting an example for the other guys,” he says sarcastically.“I was not the one who elected myself into office. I shall choose to sleep if I wish,” I answered him sleepy“Oh, thee high and mighty,” giggled Bill. “President, vice president, of the student council. You bunch were likely business transactions, were you not? Contesting to see whose dad could give the school’s budget the best financial boost? Not to speak of those badges on your blazers that were pinned on your chest, is the bloody quotation you will be wearing throughout the year.”“F
Blurred Lines FIVE
Note: This is a present-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered chapters time span evennts: 1,3,5, etc.)It is Friday morning, the day after Greg’s disappearance. The television in the hangout blurs in the hangout. Something about Avian influenza that caused two deaths in England is being broadcast. I am bewildered about the fact as to how the Avian flu has its origin in Hong Kong but had spread rapidly toward the West: The Middle East, Italy, Frans, and England. Even parts of North Africa have been affected, and case there has been detected as well.Gradually the sound of the television fades as the voices in the hostel hallway amplify. It appears as if it is the voices of teachers. Some of the seniors gather in small groups in the hallway.“What the heck is going on?” I ask one of the guys that are in reach.“Gregory has not yet returned,” he said.“Mr Steward, along with a couple of other teachers are in his room.”“Sorry guys,” I say as I forcefully try to get through the crowd t
Blurred Lines SIX
Note: This is a past-day event, i.e. a 'flashback' (continuation of even-numbered chapters time span events: 2,4,6, etc.)On the quad between the five hostels, there is another water drainage pipe that runs along. It is this iron lid which Cedrick now removes. The metallic sound reverberates through the night. By the windows of the hostels, the rest of the guys stand and look on. They know exactly what is going on, they too went through this.I notice Gregory standing somewhere between all the other guys, while we wait for the eighth graders on the other side. While it appears that he might be standing amongst us, he seems at the same time distant. Arms folded. His eyes intently fixed on the dark hole in the ground.Shadows stretch long dark stripes over the paving. Voices banging against the buildings.We wait, breaths held until... the first pale fingers were folding over the edge of the manhole. Cedrick held out his hand, took hold of the eighth grader’s, and pulled him out. The yo
Blurred Lines SEVEN
Note: This is a present-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered chapters time span events: 1,3,5, etc.)By Saturday morning, the news had spread like a flu epidemic to the lower grades. Everyone tries to get information out of the seniors, but because they don't really say anything, the guys make up their own stories. I am on duty in the Basquiat dining hall. Just wander around there listlessly, wishing the bunch would now eat and walk their free-range eggs and other organic food."They got him, guys. For Gregory." an excited voice behind me. I turned around quickly. "Hung from a tree. His tongue so out -" I grabbed the grade-eight guy by the shoulder. Hard. "Where do you hear?" "By Jones," he says, quietly startled. "Who's Jones?"He pointed with his finger. I felt anger take over my body. It's so bad that for a moment I just had to pause and breathe. Calm down. "Tell Jones I will pull his tongue out if he spreads such rubbish again."I walked outside and sat down on the staircase i
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Blurred Lines Epilogue
Outside the car, the landscape glides by silently in the dark. Erick's cell phone breaks the silence. Private number, read the mobile screen."Erick, hello?" He listens. And then just push it to death."Who was that?" asked his mother tiredly."Someone from a newspaper."She sighed. Erick turned in his seat and looked at the car following them.His father. His face was barely visible in the dark. He turned back again. It is still a long way to Johannesburg. The car lights flow brightly across the tarmac.Lux est imago veritatisErick leaned his head against the passenger window. His tongue felt thick in his mouth."I'm not as solid or bullet-proof dead as I thought," he said softly.A hand on his shoulder. His mother's.Only now can he cry. For his father, and also for Daniel.The cell phone rings again. The journalist still hasn't gotten the message that he doesn't want to talk to her. "Just one thing please, Erick," he heard her say, "the guy the police are looking for—I have two na
Blurred Lines THIRTY-FIVE
Note: (odd & even-numbered chapters’ time spans – merge continue)This is the last I see of G-4ce. The panel van races down the street, around the square. Away!I walk slowly back to the guest house. Totally rattled. There are more people on the street now. They just look at me, at my broken face, and torn clothes. Blood. One woman wants to help, "Leave me!" I screamed, yanking my arm out of her hands.My mother is alone in the guest house room. She looked up from a magazine, and turned pale when she saw me, "Erick!""Where's dad?" I ask"What happened?""Dad. Where is he?" Harder."He went to look for cigarettes before he drove.""Row?""To Bergville. Doctor Paterson..."Of course. Suddenly I wonder if my father left all his business interests for my sake or if he came to help Doc."I have to go see him," I said and turned back to close the door."You can't! Not like that. My child, what is the matter with you?" Panic in my mother's eyes. Only now I think about it: how will mother ta
Blurred Lines THIRTY-FOUR
Note: (odd & even-numbered chapters’ time spans – merge continue)On Wednesday evening, about two weeks after Gregory and I were in the Blackwood memorial museum, I crack the online store's site, get the administrator password and penetrate their server. Client names, home addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, login codes and passwords. And yes, credit card numbers.Gregory just smiled when I gave it to him. Quiet and withdrawn.I'm already in bed when I get a message on my cell phone. Probably Isabella again, I think. I limp across the cold floor to get the mobile phone on the desk and then quickly jump back into bed.It's an MMS then. And it comes from GregoryA picture of a white hat...It was the night before he disappeared.
Blurred Lines THIRTY-THREE
Note: (odd & even-numbered chapters’ time spans – merge in this chapter)The reflection in the glass door of the gallery. "Gregory!""Didn't think you'd see me again, huh?"I swing around. Walk closer to grab him. Relief. "Is that genuinely you?"But Gregory only lifts one arm, presses against my chest, and pushes me away. a crooked smile drew around his mouth."Your hair...Blonde? And the goatee?" I want to take his hand away, but he pulls it back hard. "Where have you been? The whole world is looking for you!""Mmm... know, I saw my food on Police File. Never thought I'd end up there.""But if you saw it, why—""What's this? Twenty questions? Leave it. I'm in a hurry: just came to finish something.That's what fear feels like Fire flashes through your body, every nerve jolt awake, adrenaline throws your mind into overdrive, your eyes open, your breathing stops and your chest cavity squeezes. And you hear it - your own breathing stops and your sinuses squeeze. And you hear it - your
Blurred Lines THIRTY-TWO
Note: This is a past-day event, (continuation of even-numbered chapters time span: 2,4,6, etc.)"I've never been here," said Gregory. It's a Tuesday afternoon in the middle of winter. The last bell rang. I'm in a hurry, want to get to the hostel. This afternoon there is another rugby practice.Gregory stopped me with his arm just as I was about to run. He looked up at the two-story building in front of us. We've walked past this a thousand times, but it's one of those places you never see again.It's right there. Just another college building."It's the Blackwood Memorial Museum," I said."Let's go in.""I have to get moving.""Come on, Erick," His eyes darkened. "We'll walk through soon."A hand wraps around my throat. I look at the museum. Maybe I overlooked it on purpose at other times, because the memories are waiting inside. Gregory is already up the stairs, looking back at me as he stands in the doorway. "Come now!"Daniel.I follow Entangled in my own thoughts.Step by step bac
Blurred Lines THIRTY-ONE
Note: This is a present-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered time-span: 1,3, etc.)"Come along," said Sergeant McCallister."Where to?""The local precinct. The community service centre."I frown."The police station, Erick.""Are you arresting me?""No. You must come and make a statement." Sergeant McCallister was right, it was going to be a long day.A little while later I get into the back of the police car. The classes are changing. Curious eyes stare at me. They can think about what they want.The asphalt road on which we stop in front of the police station is crumbling against the curb. A fence about four meters high spans the building. Every few steps there is a lamppost that would illuminate the fence in the dark. On the pale winter grass in front of the sandstone building with the green are two flagpoles. On the left hangs the national flag, on the right the police flag.The police offices are clean, but the furniture is old. In the office where we sit, there is a single
Blurred Lines THIRTY
Note: This is a past-day event, (continuation of even-numbered time-span: 2,4,6, etc.)The mother of all challenges, is what Gregory calls it.Hack the website of an online shopping group. Without any help. Get personal information of buyers, addresses, names, phone numbers, email addresses. Credit card numbers deserve extra kudos."No, I’m not doing it," I say. "We're going too far now, Gregory.""Are you scared?""No, it's just...I can't.""Can't? Or won't?" His attitude defiantly. Typical Daniel liked when he came up with a new extreme sport."Okay, won’t," I tell myself it's the right thing to do. I should have stopped earlier. "What if I get caught?""I taught you what to do. No one will know. You're not going to do anything with the info. White hat, remember.?""I don't know. It's too dangerous.""What could be so dangerous? You hack the site, poke around in a few scripts, and see if you can get to a mainframe. A database. That's all.""No." Definitely."So, what you're really t
Blurred Lines TWENTY-NINE
Note: This is a present-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered time-span: 1,3,5, etc.)"I see I was right then," said the man there in front of the computer."Even if you no longer have your laptop, you would still continue with your hacking."He turned in the chair and looked up. Straight to me.It's not Doc. It's Sergeant McCallister. He looks tired. "I've been watching you all evening. I wonder what the inspector is going to say now? She thought you had a big enough scare. Said I was going to waste my time. But look now."I swallow, my throat is dry. The pack of ream paper in my hands willy-nilly slip out between my fingers."What is all this stuff?" asked Sergeant McCallister.There is no way out. No sweet talk will help. I have to tell him about Doc."There's something..." The words struggled to get over my dry tongue."Speak louder, Erick, I can't hear you!"I just want to start over when Sergeant McCallister reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. It didn't rin
Blurred Lines TWENTY-EIGHTH
Note: This is a past-day event, (continuation of odd-numbered time-span: 1,3,5, etc.)Autumn turns into winter. The trees are stripped bare and in the morning the mountain is a black stone giant that hugs the school.It's Saturday night. Blackwood kicked ass with the rugby and there is reason to celebrate. Residence barbecue. There is a crazy electric atmosphere at the school. Loud music blares through the hostels all afternoon.The dormitory father has heard that there are some guys planning to smuggle in liquor and the Student Council is supposed to be on high alert.The chefs are planning a feast. Doc's instruction. Long-covered tables stand under the trees. Snacks, soft drinks and fruit juices. A bar where a bartender mixes mocktails.I call Isabella. "Are you going out tonight?""Will see what Clarissa-they say. Maybe we'll chill tonight at the one with DVDs."The conversation is the same as pretty much any other we've had before."Love you, Erick," she finally said."Same."I br
