Lingering Feelings

Laverne sighs into the crisp night air, exhausted from another extravagant event she had attended in her family’s stead. Those things aren’t her cup of tea, but she couldn’t decline when her parents asked, bitter memories of her old family worming their way into her conscience at the thought of disappointing them.

With legs heavy from standing around for hours and feet sore from too-tight shoes, she decides to take a shortcut through an alleyway to get home and out of this uncomfortable attire as quickly as possible.

She certainly didn’t expect to run into someone there.

Exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke, Lucius gazes at the clear, dark sky as he leans against the cool brick wall. He is about to draw in another breath when the loud clacking of heels echoing through the alley catches his attention. When he turns his head towards the noise, his eyes meet with the ones of a surprised stranger.

In an instant his cigarette is put out and his usual fake smile is plastered onto his face. “My, what’s a lovely young lady such as yourself doing out this late?”

Tilting her head slightly, Laverne feels as if there is something off about this man, something familiar that she is unable to place. Despite knowing better than to chat up a stranger in an empty alleyway at night, she replies truthfully: “I’m just going home, but I do feel rather restless because I miss someone…”

Lucius takes in the woman’s appearance; an expensive dress, matching jewelry, a fancy pair of designer stilettos and heavy makeup matched by a neat hairdo. No doubt the daughter of a stinking rich family. She seems exhausted, a tad gullible for talking to him without reservation. The perfect person to pickpocket.

His smile widens, he tries to make his gaze appear as soft and empathetic as possible. “That’s unfortunate to hear. Who is it you miss, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The gentle lull of the stranger’s voice draws Laverne in. This really isn’t something to talk about, especially with someone she doesn’t know at all, but there is something so comforting about the way this man looks at her that the words just tumble out of her mouth.

“It’s my family, my twin brother to be more specific. I haven’t seen him in so long… it’s a somewhat complicated story. You see…”

She starts to explain but not a single word after the mention of ‘twin brother’ registers in Lucius’ brain. He is frozen in place in front of the other, his sly move towards her handbag comes to a screeching halt.

Twin brother... Lucius’ brain repeats the two words over and over. He feels as if he is close to connecting the dots as he examines the woman’s face with narrowed eyes.

A hand touches his shoulder and he comes back to reality, Lucius recoiling on reflex. The stranger is looking at him with equal amounts of concern and confusion.

“I apologize, I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright? Your face looks so pale all of the sudden.”

He needs to get out of here.

“Excuse me, miss, but I just remembered that I need to get back to my shift at the bar.” It’s a lie and he hopes his alarmed voice doesn’t give him away.

He rushes out of the alleyway into the darkness and Laverne is left dumbfounded, yet strangely comforted.