I threw the pen down onto the table and stretch my aching back. A quick glance at the clock tells me that I only have 3 hours worth of sleep left before the new day starts again. Cursing lightly, I got up and head for the rubbish can in the corner of the kitchen. I had to bring out the garbage before I can go to bed.
Pausing at the door I pull on a coat over my pajamas and slip on my slippers before dragging the bag of rubbish out. Suddenly the door next to me flew open making me jump. I nearly shouted but managed to squeak instead.
A man came out of the house holding a garbage bag too. He is dressed in a white tee and running pants pulled high up over his waist. His hair is messy as if he just got up from bed and in his mouth is a lit cigarette.
The moment he closed his door after him, he sensed a presence and turned sharply to stare at me. I was also shocked into standing still. On seeing me, his jaw dropped open and the cigarette fell from his lips.
His strange reaction surprised me and I took a step forward into the light so he can see me. Instead of acknowledging me, he bent down to pick up the fallen cigarette and walk away with his garbage bag. It occurs to me that I had not seen him for almost two weeks now and yet he is being so unlike his former self. Instead I feel emptiness in the pits of my stomach.
