15 - HOWL
1240 Words
IT was after ten in the evening when Mia reached the landing on the floor of the unit where her apartment was.
She and Jenny went out for a drink in the nearby pub.
This time, they were able to finish three bottles each without interruption from work. Though they talked about work while drinking.
She saw her next-door neighbor sitting on the floor between their units. A phone was perched on his knees.
He nodded when their eyes met.
“Good evening, Detective.”
“Hello. Everything alright?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stood up. “I left my key inside.”
“Oh? Did you tell the landlord about this?”
“Yes. I’m waiting for him. He said he will be here in ten.”
“Alright.” She opened her door. “Do you need a drink while you wait? I think I have water.”
He smiled. “I’m good. Thank you for the offer, though.”
“Goodnight.”
She closed the door after she said that.
The unit owner next door moved more than a year ago. They barely interact. This was the longest conversation that they had.
However, according to the landlord, who was quite a talker when he learned that she worked in the police force, her neighbor was working in the town’s hospital as an orderly.
It was probably the reason why they often saw each other in the morning. Either she was going to work and he was about to head home or the other way around.
After taking a bath, Mia checked her phone to see if Violet had already replied to the message she sent a while ago.
Three days ago, the woman told her that she had to leave. Mia was more than happy, not because Violet finally learned to disclose her whereabouts, but rather, her reason for leaving.
Violet was going home to her family. The family that she has not seen in a decade.
From what Mia learned so far, Violet left home when she was younger to chase her own dream, and this will be the first time she has come home.
Her smile widened when she got one five minutes ago.
She pressed a button for a video call.
Grinning, she stared at the purple-eyed woman when her call was answered. The tall woman smiled back.
Violet’s hair was in a ponytail. The bugs under her eyes were noticeable.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself. Aren’t you sleeping well?”
The female doctor touched her face. “I’m working overtime here.” She spoke with a laugh. “How are you?”
“I had better days. How’s the fam?”
“They were good. More than fine, actually.”
Mia noticed the darkness on the other woman’s back. She can also overhear the crickets in the background.
“You’re in a rural area indeed.”
“You heard the cicadas and crickets?”
“I do.”
“Well, I’m basically near the mountains.”
“You already said that.”
“And you never believe me.”
“Because it was hard to believe that a woman of your calibre grew up in the countryside.”
“I’m flattered, Detective. However, I grew up running under the trees barefoot. I swam in rivers, too. I also have a skill in climbing trees.”
Surprised, her eyes widened. “Wow. Even I haven’t experienced that.”
“It’s not too late. I’ll show you the ropes.”
“I like that.”
They shared a smile.
“I miss you, Mia.”
There was longing, not only in Violet’s voice. Her eyes were, too.
“I miss you just the same.”
There was truth when Mia said that. She missed the woman’s presence in her apartment.
Violet made home-cooked meals. She was a good cuddle buddy, too.
“How’s the crime in St. Vincent?”
“No more than usual.”
“That’s refreshing. You’ll be home early.”
“You’re right. But you’re not here.”
“Is that an invitation, Detective?”
“Yeah. What are you going to do about it?”
“I---”
Violet’s response was cut short when they heard a howl in the background. It was followed by longer howls that seemed very near.
“Is that----”
“Yes,” Violet responded, unbothered.
On the other hand, Mia was worried.
She knew that wolves are not unusual in mountainous areas. However, these animals are not known for being friendly.
“Hey.” Violet must have seen the worry on her face. “I’m fine here.”
“But… I mean, wolves are feral. They are not known for being friendly to people.”
“They only fight back when they think they are in danger.”
“Exactly. You’re near the mountains. What if they think you are invading their home?”
Mia noticed that the other woman stared at her with a smile instead of arguing with her.
“You seemed to know about wolves.”
“When I was in the orphanage, some of the kids my age liked to play in the woods. One time, they ran too far. They had an encounter with a wolf. One of them was bitten.”
“Did he turn into a werewolf?”
She made a face when she noticed hidden humour in Violet’s statement. The blasted woman was referring to the fictional movies and series that turned humans into werewolves if bitten by one.
“I’m not joking, Violet.”
“I know. Did the boy recover?”
“He was fine but traumatized.” She answered. “What I’m trying to say is----”
“I will be very careful. I knew my way here, Mia. I knew about these animals. I ran with them in my spare time.”
The detective rolled her eyes at the other woman.
A frown marred her face when a series of howls broke the silence of the night. It appeared to be not just one wolf but rather a whole pack of them.
“Everything alright?”
Worry also appeared on Violet’s face after she looked ahead.
“I should check on it.” The camera of the phone moved when the tall woman stood up. “Catch you later.”
“Please do.”
“Goodnight, Detective.”
“Goodnight, V.”
“I love you.”
The call ended before Mia could recover after hearing those words.
She was still staring at the phone perched on the table.
That was the first time she had heard Violet say that.
They have been seeing each other for weeks. However, it was far from being serious, knowing that Violet’s work often sent her to places. It was quite early to say, to say the least.
Although Violet signed another contract with the organization where she worked, extending her tenure by three more months, Mia did not see it as a reason to become attached. For her, they were both adult individuals enjoying each other’s company.
Yet, she was overjoyed knowing that Violet did not see their relationship as a casual one.
Mia bit her lower lip.
She breathed loudly.
“I like to howl like those wolves behind Violet.” She said out loud before laughing her ass off.
She laughed some more, which echoed in the small confinement of the apartment.
- Writer
