Shutter: Volume One by Eli Chastain

Author:Eli Chastain
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Eli Chastain
Published: 2014-08-08T23:00:00+00:00

I’M RIGHT BACK WHERE I have already spent a good chunk of my day - sitting in my dark house, staring at the picture of Niko from last night, my eyes burning a hole into his. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to glean from his image, but I can’t seem to look away. The expression on his face is a mix of pleasure and pain with the smallest hint of sadness. I can’t figure him out. Nothing I thought I knew seems to be true.

I’ve created this false shell of who I thought Niko is over the years, building the facade from the traits and characteristics of his personality I’ve witnessed. The Niko in my head sat so high on a pedestal, even with the many faults I knew he had. I don’t want to lose the comfort I’ve found in my own personal Niko. I know who I thought he was could never be reality; no one is who they appear on the outside. Now, he’s turning out to be better than I thought he could be, and I don’t want to shatter that and lose the comfort I’ve grown to expect from the Niko I created. I’m not sure I want to experience the real Niko at the risk of losing my imagined version of him.

My cell phone chimes with a message, illuminating the room with an ominous glow from the screen.

Come to the courtyard

Why?

Someone’s here to see you

Who?

Who do you think? Niko. Get out here.

Shit! Panic seizes me as I reread Brock’s response. Why is Niko here? I didn’t think I’d see him again after I ran away from him this afternoon. I take a quick look at myself in the small mirror next to my bed before I walk outside to the courtyard.

The courtyard is one of my favorite parts about mooching off Brock. He didn’t opt for the usual Olympic-sized pool when he bought the house. Instead, he had fountains installed surrounded by a glorious yard and a maze of hedges. Just like you’d see in a movie depicting nineteenth century England.

The men’s laughter echoes across the yard as soon as I step out of my house. Their rich baritones easily guide me to the center of the maze and the largest fountain.

“I’m so glad you agreed to meet with me. Deals like this don’t come along every day in the movie industry,” Brock says.

“I agree. I think we will work great together, and I look forward to it,” Niko says, sharing Brock’s enthusiasm.

I turn the corner in time to see them shaking hands next to my favorite table, a table I’ve spent many hours at debating my mere existence. I’ve soaked that table with more salty tears than even I probably realize.

“So what’s going on?” I finally say, drawing their attention.

“Niko and I just finished meeting about a project we may team up on,” Brock says with a smile. “This fella here is much more than a pretty face; he’s quite the screen writer, as well.

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