DARK REALITY

Arthur Belmont exited the doctor's office, looking more sullen than when he'd entered. Walking down the hallway, he was lost, reliving the conversation he just had with Dr. Smith. It was another consultation, but it was the last. “I think this is it, Dr. Smith. This is as far as I go,“ Arthur spoke amidst tears. Tears that never stopped falling from the moment he regained his sight. “What are you saying, Arthur?“ Dr. Smith's anxiety was vivid in his voice. He'd been a witness of Arthur's agony from the start. Been his guide through this dark phase of his life. “I'm leaving Spain. Been a year since  Stacie disappeared. Each day I spend here reminds me more of her. I think I'm gonna go nuts if I stick around any longer.&l

“What?!“ Richard Tyson had his fist clenched in boiling fury. “It was Ursula. I think this is one of her schemes to have me pander to her every sexual whim.“ Arthur spoke with much assurance, narrating in detail his encounter with her earlier. “That scheming witch!“ Richard rasped. His fury was evident in his blue eyes. “Wait till I get my hands on her.“ “Ursula's one thing. The press is another. How could they buy a story so absurd as this?“ Arthur threw the crumpled magazine in a waste bin. “How could they not?“ Richard retorted. “You're one absurd personality. Your absurdity clicked perfectly with the story's.“ Richard gave a fake beam, rubbing at his jawline. “Are you trying to get me cackling?“ Arthur asked. “If so, then try something else. Calling me absurd isn't doing the trick.“ “No. On the contrary, I'm being very serious. Something I haven't been in a long time. You're absurd. I think it's about time you realize that.“ “How so?“ Arthur leaned back on his chair, awaiti

Chad Belmont rummaged through the files in the lower drawers. They were all accounts of the recent projects in the company. He pulled out another drawer, raking it thoroughly. This time, they were files from the architects. Plans and structures. With a frustrated sigh, he kicked it close. “Where is it?“ Chad Belmont ruffled his hair in confusion. Half an hour already but he wasn't close to finding the documents. The thought that they might be in Arthur's apartment almost gave him a panic attack. Arthur's apartment was off-limits. He wanted solitude and was determined to get it. Chad Belmont still found it a wonder that Ursula could get in. But he wasn't Ursula and Arthur was never letting him in. So he just had to pray to whatever deity lurking above that those files are being confined in this office. The door flew open, starling him to his feet. “Arthur, I was just...“ He trailed off at the sight of the petite, skinny lady. Gwen, Arthur's secretary. “I'm sorry, Sir. Do you ne

A YEAR AND SIX MONTHS. He'd fantasized about this moment for a year and six months. This moment –supposed to be surreal– when he gets reunited with her. He'd spent nights making out the questions he'd ask, the thousand 'i missed you' he'd say, but they wouldn't be enough. He'd fantasized it all, but now it seems to be happening, he found himself weak in the knees. Words eluded him, after he'd said her name with so much surge of emotions. But then, the thoughts came. The hopelessness. The possibility that this could be another god-damned mirage. Another trick to get him at his edge. Another lie. Another reason to leave him more sullen. But as much as Arthur tried to convince himself that this was a mirage, it wasn't working. The voice was so vivid. And this time, he'd found someone who seemed like she owned the voice. His shaky fingers grabbed the shot glass and he took its content in a quick draught. Dizziness crawled up his eyes, but he definitely shook it off. Jostling through t