Lucas was awakened by the scent of something burning which didn't come much of a shock. His sister Stella was over. When it involved cooking she managed it like a person attempting to disarm a bomb using a YouTube guide.
He straightened up his hair tousled around and paid attention.
Tap tap tap.
Fwoosh.
"Oh come on, stay still—"
Yep, that was definitely Stella.
Pulling himself up from bed Lucas shuffled along the hallway. Entered the kitchen just in time to catch his little sister flipping a pancake that appeared to have lost a tough battle, with gravity.
Stella noticed him. Smiled. "Good morning Grandpa."
"I'm not a grandpa."
"You produced the same sound Dad does when he takes a seat."
"I didn't produce any sound."
You did. It sounded like a collapsing accordion.
Lucas. Grabbed a mug. "Just make sure you don't set the house on fire."
"I would absolutely not " she responded. "Perhaps a neighbors home if stirred up but certainly not yours."
At that moment the storyteller—myself actually—felt quite exhausted.
Stella dropped another egg into the skillet. It hissed as if resisting its looming destiny.
Resting against the counter Lucas inquired, "What has you up early?"
"Jet lag " she replied.
"You crossed one time zone."
"My body is delicate and sensitive."
Lucas shot her a glance. "You consumed ramen at 1 a.m. You're not fragile."
She directed her spatula toward him. "That was ramen meant for support."
Their exchange was smooth, like a pair of cats that barely endured one another still hissed playfully.
Stella served a breakfast that appeared dubious and pushed it in his direction.
He prodded it using a fork. "What could this be?"
"Protein and carbs."
"This is a cry for help."
"Just eat it."
And somehow, against all odds, it wasn't bad.
"Understand?" Stella grinned.
Just as Lucas was about to answer the doorbell sounded.
They both stood still.
Lucas looked over at his sister. "You didn't… ask someone to come by did you?"
Stella's grin became remorseful resembling a puppy caught gnawing on a shoe.
"Stella."
"Listen " she said swiftly "before you lose your temper—"
"Stella."
"It's not a big deal—"
"STELLA."
She hid behind the fridge door as if it served as a barrier. "I might have told a friend to drop in…"
Lucas closed his eyes. "This isn't some museum. Quit dragging people into my home."
"They're not random! Emily's basically family."
"Stella I have no idea who Emily's "
The doorbell sounded more this time, with greater urgency.
Lucas marched to the entrance swung it open and—
"Oh!" exclaimed the girl on the porch. "Hello! I'm Emily!"
She was bright. Too bright for morning—like a human notification ping.
Stella glanced out from the kitchen. "Surprise?"
Lucas pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. "Stella you have to stop bringing NPCs into my living room."
Emily chuckled, evidently pleased. "I assure you I'm mostly harmless."
Lucas grumbled about requiring potent coffee and proceeded to slip on his shoes.
"I'm heading off, to work " he declared, motioning vaguely toward the pair. "Act properly. Avoid burning anything down.. Don't invite the entire neighborhood over."
Stella gave a salute. "Can't make any guarantees."
"Stella."
Alright, alright. I'll be good. Emily will well.
Emily flashed a thumbs up.
Lucas remained unconvinced. He lacked the time to debate the house rules.
He went outdoors shut the door behind him and exhaled deeply.
Finally, peace.
At least that was his belief.
He approached his vehicle got in and turned on the ignition. Nothing unusual—a standard morning.
Except for the girl in the car across the street.
A girl about his age, staring directly at him.
Head inclined, gaze fixed without feigning to scroll her phone like a typical individual caught in a dubious act.
Lucas however did not observe this.
He was preoccupied with tuning the radio.
Conversely the narrator did perceive it.. I possessed worries. Numerous worries.
The enigmatic girl leaned down a bit as Lucas retreated but maintained her gaze fixed on him until he disappeared around the corner.
It was at that point she ignited her engine and took after.
Again: concerns.
The journey went smoothly. There was traffic. Lucas sang off-key to a tune that didn't merit abuse.
His initial destination—as usual—was the café, beside the office. The place where he requested the espresso each morning. The spot where the regular barista consistently greeted him with a grin.
Except today? She wasn't there.
He gave it thought. Everyone requires a break now and then. Time progresses.
He took his espresso expressed gratitude, to the cashier and exited holding the warm cup.
Behind him, parked half-hidden near the alley, was that same car from his neighborhood.
Same girl.
Same stare.
However more Lucas failed to observe.
He was occupied preparing for another day filled with paperwork.
The work proceeded unexpectedly smoothly which to be honest seemed questionable.
He said hello to colleagues teased Sabrina (who appeared disappointed he hadn't acted oddly so far) and even carried on a relaxed chat, with Lily without suddenly bursting into flames.
The huge stack of documents was somewhat harsh but definitely manageable, for him. His supervisor even praised him on two occasions! He stayed steady avoided any spills and ensured no one misread his actions as flirting while dealing with the vegetables.
It was, by all means, a normal day.
This evidently indicated that the universe was planning something.
As he eventually stepped outside the building keys clutched in his hand a thought sparked in the recesses of his mind.
A faint itch of familiarity.
A car.
That same car.
Parked across the street again.
Same color. Same dent in the bumper. Same ominous vibe.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Huh."
The girl, within hesitated a fraction long before ducking.
Lucas fluttered his eyes.
Then shrugged.
"He told himself it was likely a person waiting for a companion."
The narrator wishes to highlight that Lucas possesses the awareness of a drowsy tuber.
He traveled home unaware.
The house was… quiet.
Too quiet.
Lucas pushed the door open. Halted abruptly at the scene in front of him.
His sister and Emily lay stretched out on the carpet in the living room.
Partially opened chip packets. Candy wrappers strewn about. A flattened pizza box. A single piece of cake resting down on the floor as if it had surrendered.
Their bellies moved up and down noticeably. They were both, in sleep.
Lucas stopped in his tracks. "Did they… give up their lives?"
He moved nearer.
Stella was snoring.
Emily quietly let out a burp.
Lucas exhaled deeply. "Nope. They consumed it all."
He tapped Stella with his foot. "Hey. Hey. Why does my living room resemble the wreckage of a failed food festival?"
Stella moaned softly yet remained asleep.
Just as he was about to express his thoughts the doorbell sounded.
Lucas scowled. "If this turns out to be another friend of Stellas I swear—"
He unlocked the door.
And stopped.
It was her.
The girl from the car.
When seen closely she appeared timid. A cozy sweater, untidy ponytail eyes darting between him and the floor as if uncertain, about her presence.
"Hello " she whispered softly. "Uh I've come to collect my sister."
"Your… sister?"
"Emily " she explained. "Did Stella mention she was here?"
Lucas hesitated. "Hold on. Emily has a sibling?"
She gave a nod.
He gazed briefly attempting to remember the reason her face seemed recognizable.
Suddenly it occurred to him.
The coffee shop.
The barista.
"Oh " he remarked. "You're the espresso lady."
She chuckled gently. "I do have a name you know. It's Kara."
"Kara " he said again. "Okay. My apologies. Its been a day."
"No worries." She brushed a strand of hair away, behind her ear. "May I come inside?"
"Oh,. They're… um resting. Possibly deceased haven't confirmed yet."
Kara. Looked at the chaos, with astonished eyes. "Wow."
"Yeah."
They truly gave it their all.
"Yeah."
"This is… kind of impressive."
Lucas glanced at her. "Does it seem odd that I'm comforted knowing someone else notices it?"
" a bit " she confessed.
Stella moaned, lifted herself and rubbed her eyes. "Ugh. How did I end up on the floor?"
"Since you no longer have entitlement, to the furniture " Lucas responded evenly.
Emily jolted awake. ". Sleepy."
"Lucas remarked, 'We observed.'"
Both girls whispered apologies while collecting their belongings.
Emily gave a wave. "Thank you for allowing us to spend time together!"
Lucas began to protest "I didn't allow anything to occur " yet decided he was too exhausted, for it.
Kara went out after her sister.
Lucas accompanied them to the porch out of courtesy and partly to make sure they didn't unintentionally consume anything while leaving.
While the girls walked toward the curb Lucas noticed the vehicle they were about to enter.
Same dent in the bumper.
Same shade of blue.
The identical parking space he had noticed two times today.
His mind stopped briefly.
Then replayed the events of the day.
Morning.
Work.
Evening.
"Hold on " he murmured.
Kara took the drivers seat.
He gazed.
She greeted with a wave.
He returned the wave though slowly.
The vehicle drove off.
Suddenly it made sense.
That was the same car.
He shut the door behind him rested against it and gazed eyed, at the wall.
"…Absolutely not " he whispered.
However the narrator having witnessed the event merely exhaled.
Oh, Lucas.
Yes way.