[Original Fiction] Blue Moon, Chapter 1: A Mysterious Call

whitewizard (48)in #fiction • 7 years ago (edited)

Chapter 1: A Mysterious Call

Jan 1, 2018
12:00 am

“Happy New Year!”
Cheers erupted from the large crowd gathered in the park as the people screamed loudly and joyfully turned to pass the greeting to each other. Fireworks flew up and exploded in bright multi-colored sparks and shapes, some quite fantastic, momentarily adding to the light of the huge full moon hanging in the sky.

Across the street, Dr. Samuel Bransen watched the spectacle with a small smile. He was relaxed against the door of his car, heavily bundled to keep out the intense cold. He even had a thermos of steaming coffee in his hand.
Samuel had always been an introvert, averse to crowds and a bit of a loner right from his childhood, but he always enjoyed the new year displays and celebrations. Every year, he did the same ritual, parking here and participating in the festivities from afar. It wasn't like he had anyone to go home to anyway. And his work at the research institute took so much of his time, he was almost resigned to spending the rest of his life alone.

Samuel did have friends, but except for those he worked with regularly, they rarely corresponded. It didn't help that they all knew him for this and expected it. No one tried to force their company on him anymore. And the ladies who noticed his kind but smart eyes and athletic build quickly retreated when he didn't pay them the attention they hoped for. He didn't get visitors, and hadn't entertained guests in over two years. Except for once a few months ago. One of his colleagues, a physicist he had interned with back in college had suddenly reappeared and come to see him. Sam had been quite annoyed when the man, Edwin Branth had turned out to be a conspiracy buff who only wanted to sell him on his latest theory, effectively wasting hours of his time talking about things that weren't proven and couldn't possibly be true.

At this thought, Samuel had a twinge of guilt. He shouldn't be thinking of the man like that, especially as he had died in an accident just a week after that meeting, victim of a lab accident. Apparently, he had been diagnosed with an acute case of paranoia earlier. Poor Branth.

A police car with the sirens off rolled past him slowly. Samuel nodded and smiled at the officers inside, and finally took the last gulp of his coffee. Usually, he would have stayed for an hour or so just watching the midnight activities, but this year was colder than usual, and since he wouldn't be doing anything to give him some heat, it would be better he just went home. He turned to unlock the car door, silently wishing the excited people in the park a happy new year.

His phone rang.

Samuel was surprised. He didn't have anyone who would call him to give new year greetings, especially not in the middle of the night. He ignored it and opened the door. Probably a recorded message from the insurance company or the bank. Those people were so worrisome! Inside the car was incredibly cozy. He pushed the ignition button, turned on the heater, and breathed a sigh of relief as the waves reached him. He whipped off his head warmer and shawl, and leaned back in the drivers seat to enjoy it for a moment.

The phone began ringing again.

Now he scowled. The phone bots couldn't be this persistent could they? But who else could it be? The lab? That wasn't possible --he had dismissed then all for the night and the next day. He signed and reached inside his fur coat for the phone. He might as well take it and accept the wishes or whatever. It couldn't do any harm, right? He pulled it out and glanced at the caller id.

And froze at once. A wave of cold washed through his insides as he stared in disbelief at the screen until it stopped ringing.
He was hyperventilating. The call had been from Edwin Branth.

A moment later, the phone rang again.

Chapter 2: The Wrong Reflection