Black Static #57 (March-April 2017) by 2017 Mar-Apr (epub)

Author:2017 Mar-Apr (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dark Fiction and Film
Publisher: TTA Press
Published: 2017-03-27T00:00:00+00:00

***

Gillian didn’t go out so much anymore. The weather had turned and it had rained practically the whole of October. No point getting wet unnecessarily, James said. You’ll catch your death of cold. Of course, he was right, but even so, what did he think she was? She felt more robust than he gave her credit for. Except when the fear came. Then she wasn’t so strong. But James didn’t know about the visions. He wouldn’t understand. Anyway, she could manage them as long as she had her pictures. They were proof that she wasn’t just nothing. They told her she existed.

But maybe he had a point about going out unnecessarily – not about catching cold, so much as leaving herself susceptible to the visions. They could catch her out unawares. She’d had one in the flat last Thursday. Watching one of the daytime game shows she was fond of, she caught sight of the man in the studio audience. The children sat alongside him – that’s how she’d known. He didn’t say anything, just watched her from the aisle seat halfway up the banked rows. Once she’d noticed him her anxiety had become too much and she’d had to turn it off. Since then, she avoided watching TV on her own. It was safer when James was around.

She missed the excitement of going out to different places like they used to do. She missed her friends and she missed going to the centre. James said they didn’t need to. We’re stable, he said. We’re good together.

One afternoon while he was out, Polly called, wanting to know why they hadn’t seen her at the centre in so long.

“It’s not been that long,” Gillian said.

“Six weeks or so,” Polly said. “They miss you in the art workshop.”

“They do?” Gillian smiled. “Well, that’s nice of them to say.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“No reason, Gillian. We’re used to seeing you every week. Just wanted to touch base, that’s all.”

“Yes, but I’m fine. We’re fine. James says we shouldn’t be going to the centre so much because it means we’d be taking the places of other people more deserving of your support.”

“That’s not how we work.”

“Well, James said we should be more independent. You and Max say the same thing. You say it’s your job to make clients less dependent on you.”

“How is everything with James?”

“Great. I mean, he looks out for me. It’s like I don’t have any worries or concerns. He takes care of everything.”

“Well, that’s good. And you’re keeping in touch with your friends.”

“Yes. Yes, of course. We text each other all the time.”

“Good, Gillian. I’m so glad to hear you’re doing well.”

“Well, thanks for calling, Polly. I appreciate that.”

“Drop in soon, okay. Everyone would love to see you.”

“I will.”

The call made her feel lonely. Though she had texts two or three times a week from Sandra, it had been nearly a month since they’d gone for a coffee together. I could call her, she thought. Arrange something.

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