The cell phone rang on the desk as Julian was typing away on the laptop screen. It was a very early morning and he was one of the first few to arrive at the office. He picked up the phone and saw Randal's name across the screen. He clicked the answer button.

"Hey man," Randal's loud, excited voice almost made Julian drop the phone. "Happy Birthday!"

'Birthday?' Julian thought. He checked the calendar on his PC. He slapped a palm over his forehead as he realised his friend was right. Today was indeed his birthday.

"Thanks," He responded. "You wouldn't believe I forgot."

"Actually I would," The mocking tone was clear in Randal's voice. "You were never keen on things like this."

" Quite so."

" So birthday boy, how are we celebrating? "

Julian sighed heavily as he rubbed his forehead.

"Randal, you know I don't celebrate birthdays. They are a constant reminder that I'm getting closer 

Fear.

Julian was familiar with that word but never submitted to it. All he went through from his years as a kid till the present hardened him and thought him how to deal with fear. He had seen all sort of horror films.He had read all sort of horror books. Horror and thriller were basically his field of enjoyment. But yet as he sat across the beautiful parapsychologist, he couldn't focus on anything at all. Despite the cool air that wafted around the restaurant, he was sweating. His movements were jittery as his fingers kept drumming on the table. His eyes darted left to right at intervals. Earlier that day, he had taken permission to close from work early. He barely had the chance to speak to Nancy throughout. Even if he did, he wouldn't know how to give an explanation for his actions the previous day. He knew Nancy had her own disturbing thoughts:Cheryl. As nice as she was, adding his 

‘DR. LORETTA TORRES.'

Julian stared at the name on the rectangular gold frame nailed to the door. Nancy had somehow managed to convince him to come here. After looking up different professionals on the internet, this was the only one they could get that was within town.

Parapsychologist? Each time Julian tried to roll it off his tongue, it sounded strange to him. Like an Arabic language. Where did Nancy get all these kind of ideas?

Julian did not realize he was staring at the door for almost five minutes until a voice called out to him.

' I think she's ready to see you now, Mr. Fernandez."

Julian turned around to see the secretary by the desk. She had an amused look on her face. Probably wondering why he hadn't gone in five minutes ago.

'Right. Thank you." He replied.

He knocked twice before he entered the office.

A woman sat at the table looking over some papers. Julian deduced 

The cell phone rang on the desk as Julian was typing away on the laptop screen. It was a very early morning and he was one of the first few to arrive at the office. He picked up the phone and saw Randal's name across the screen. He clicked the answer button.

"Hey man," Randal's loud, excited voice almost made Julian drop the phone. "Happy Birthday!"

'Birthday?' Julian thought. He checked the calendar on his PC. He slapped a palm over his forehead as he realised his friend was right. Today was indeed his birthday.

"Thanks," He responded. "You wouldn't believe I forgot."

"Actually I would," The mocking tone was clear in Randal's voice. "You were never keen on things like this."

" Quite so."

" So birthday boy, how are we celebrating? "

Julian sighed heavily as he rubbed his forehead.

"Randal, you know I don't celebrate birthdays. They are a constant reminder that I'm getting closer to my grave. Besides, where is the joy in celebrating the day one was brought to this corrupt and ev

Chapter 8