Adapt Read Free

him.
    “Life’s not that bad,” she said with a gentle smile.
What am I supposed to say to that? Who was that? I would recognise her smile if I had met her previously. Maybe she was at the court case. Oh well.
Daniel continued down the stairs to the tube platform. The grim tube stations of the city had become familiar to him over the preceding two years. The feeling of déjà vu lost out to anticipation and a childish excitement.
I had better text to say I’m running ten minutes late. What on earth is that?
he thought whilst staring at his mobile phone.
This is the second time that this has happened
. He gazed at the screen in confusion.
It’s too long for a phone number. It’s just a code of, what, forty digits or so. What the hell, it’s gone off on its own, the exact same thing happened last time. I really need to get this phone looked at.
    The train pulled in and he boarded the half full carriage. The scent of stale beer emanated as he strode through the puddle of spilt alcohol, the can that it once belonged in still rocking back and forth. He sat opposite what appeared to be an angry looking yet pretty young woman arguing down her phone in a raised voice. Daniel turned up the volume to his MP3 player until it was on full.
The theme from The Mission, that’s enough to make any tube ride more bearable. I’ll just sit back, close my eyes and escape for a moment.

Illusion of Connection
    Daniel arrived at his destination ten minutes late as he had predicted. The snowflakes were now falling more heavily; he had to squint to look up at the white, brick, five storey building. The ice particles were glowing red as they passed the top floor window. He entered the building. As he walked past the entrance to the ground floor flat a pungent odour engulfed him.
That’s potent
, he thought. Not only could his nose detect the tainted air, his taste buds were excited on the tip of his tongue. Daniel’s senses were in symphony with his memory and he was immediately brought back to his teenage years; it was an aroma with symbolism. It conjured nostalgia of hanging out with old friends, passing around a joint and sharing intoxicated laughs.
    Daniel took on the five flights of stairs. On his approach he was overwhelmed with emotion.
I feel so nervous, more so than ever before. This feels different. Where’s the naughty excitement I usually have? It’s been replaced by a blend of feelings.
His heartbeat was racing; at least that was normal.
I’ve been thinking about her too much, every day for the past few weeks she has been at the forefront of my mind. Keep your emotions in check for the next few hours.
    Daniel’s chest expanded as his lungs filled with oxygen. He rang the bell. A smile lifted his cheeks whist he leaned against the door frame, his ear to the door.
She’s got more locks than Fort Knox
.
    “Hello, Daniel.”
    The nerves he had felt were replaced by a confidence that eluded him so often. He was struck by the beauty before him,as he was every time her welcoming smile appeared from behind the door.
    “Susana.”
    “Come in, honey.”
    “How are you?” he asked as he entered.
    “I’m fine, thank you. You’re late.”
    “Yeah, sorry I…” he said before being interrupted.
    “Was you in no hurry to see me?”
    “I couldn’t concentrate for most of the day thinking about you,” he said. Susana closed the door and turned to face him.
    “That’s okay then. I will let you off. This time.”
    “You look lovely in that dress,” he said, admiring her figure, which the black knee length number was hugging so tightly. Daniel leaned forward to peck her on the cheek. With her index finger on his chin she guided his lips to her own.
Soft as I remembered
. Susana’s kiss excited the sensory receptors on his lips, which were firing up the reward section of his brain, instructing him to seek more of her. He eased his fingers through her long, silky blonde hair, down her back, and gently clasped her wrist. He