Unlike most lies that unravel after a while, this just refuses to let me uncover its secrets.

The office door slams shut, and the keys jangle in my hand as I lock the door. I sigh.

Another case. I shove the damn useless usb drive into my pocket. The person who gave me this better have a good reason for wasting my time.

I reopen the file, just in case I left something. I didn’t. But I find myself staring into the picture of the woman. Her eyes crinkling at the corner as she smiles, unaware of the disaster that would fall upon her. And she was such a pretty lady. I close the file and put it in my bag.

The wind blows hard against my face, its howl drowning out the traffic noise. It’s nice and peaceful, but it still can’t help me get rid of my thoughts.

I wonder why it’s only when I need my brain to be thoughtless is when it decides to not listen. Oh well.

I’m waiting for the light when a ball rolls down the road. Its colour is a faded red, but it most certainly means it was cherished much. I scan the opposite sidewalk for anyone who might have dropped it.

My eyes pass a man sitting at the bus stop reading a newspaper, then a group of girls in too much makeup and deathly high heels. Apart from them, there is no one else, no one who could’ve even had a ball.

But then again, not everyone is who they claim to be.

An exhilarating feeling rushes through me and my hands get jittery. I’m reminded again of why I even chose this job in the first place. The thrill of finding the answers never fails to amaze me. With my sweaty palms, I push my hair to the side. Vision was very essential was it not?

I blink once.

A flash of red and black and maybe a bit of orange.

A face covered in blood. Eyes wide. Mouth hung open in despair.

Then I’m back on the crosswalk. The man is still there, flipping to the next page. The girls are still talking, still waiting for the green light. And I notice something else that makes me grab the hem of my shirt—The ball was gone.

————————————————————————————————————————-

I get home in a daze, my hands trembling. Every turn, every blink. It was always there. I had tried to not blink for at least four minutes. But I did. And the flash returned.

The keys vibrates violently and it takes me multiple times until I can put it in the slot. click

I basically rush in my apartment, stumbling over the flower pot I had put on the side, and slamming my knee onto the carpet. A scream bursts from inside and I screw my eyes shut before I realise my mistake.

A flash of red and black and maybe a bit of orange.

A face covered in blood. Eyes wide. Mouth hung open in despair.

Then. A single piece of tissue floating around.

I open my eyes and I’m in the kitchen. Holding a jar I never knew I had.