The Box

Chapter IV

A man in a hoodie and jeans stepped out. They both gave a nervous glance and waited for him to enter. They walked to the front nervously. “Hi I’m Felix, I’m with a new company and we saw you two as perfect candidates for what we were trying”. “What is your company about”? Atlas wondered. “Very simple question indeed, however I can't answer it here”. “That's not cryptic at all,” Rachel said sarcastically. “I assure you it is as plain as day, here take my card and message me when you're ready”. He hands them two sleek, black cards with a number on it. “Why were you watching us then,” Atlas said? “Sorry for the weirdness, I just had to make sure I had the right women is all”. “I guess that makes sense,” Rachel said. “Anyways I’ll leave you two to it”. He walks out and drives away leaving the two of them mildly confused. “That was strange as hell,” Atlas commented. “Agreed” said Rachel as she slipped the card into her back pocket. “Wanna forget about it and go back to working out”? “Yeah, let's do that”. The two of them both went back to working out. Not much was said between them as they both had to process what happened. Each of them tried to start some conversation. “Some weather huh” Rachel said with a small laugh. Atlas laughed and got off her treadmill. “Well I’m gonna head home, maybe look at the card that man gave us”. “Alright Atlas I'll be here for a bit longer but I’ll see you later”. Atlas smiled and left leaving Rachel alone with her thoughts. Her mind raced with the events that happened today. She pulled the card out of her pocket and looked at it while. She ran on the treadmill and observed it closely. It seemed ordinary, just a sleek, black rectangle with a geometric design in the corner of it. She put it back and watched the day go on as she thought. She found it weird that for the first time in years she had managed to make a friend. Was she her friend though? What if she was just someone who worked out with her. After all she was going to be her competition come the olympics. The sun began to go down and her legs were tired. She got off and headed out into the cold night air. She looked down the lit up street with lamps and a few open stores and restaurants. She headed to her home still feeling strange from her and Atlas’s encounter with Felix. “What does he mean he couldn't say it then”? Rachel wondered. “I’m sure it's nothing, probably just some creep or maybe a prank”. She shook the feeling off and got back to her apartment. When she entered the first thing her eyes went to was the final box, covered by a small and uneven blanket. She set her stuff down, her eyes not moving away from the small and ominous box. She walks to it and goes to touch it but pauses. Her hand hovered just above the box like a child's hand hovering above broken glass. She shakes and moves away from the box. “I’m just tired, I don't need to deal with that tonight”. She sits down with a soft sigh and looks at the card again. She tosses it aside, finding herself somewhat annoyed by it all. “Damn creeps”.  She decides to go to bed without eating knowing it was a bad idea. She lays awake feeling somewhat upset. “Why am I so upset”? She wondered out loud. Her phone buzzes and she looks at the bright screen. “Hey you up”?Atlas had texted. She thought about the response for a moment. “Yeah what's up”? Rachel texted back. “Some day huh”? Atlas said, trying to start some conversation. “Yeah sure was” Rachel said despite not really being in the mood to talk to anyone. She didn't know why but Atlas made her feel better. As if she was a better person because someone was interested in her. Maybe she could feel good but she put that thought aside as Atlas texted “Wanna grab a bite to eat tomorrow”? She thought again and this sounded nice. “Sure I’d love to”. She sent that text with immediate regret. Did that make her sound dumb? She mimicked herself “Sure I’d love to”? “Real smooth Rachel”. She palmed her forehead and looked back at her phone. “Awesome what restaurant”? Atlas had said. “Up to you” Rachel responded. “Sweet, meet me at the gym and we'll drive to Dennys”. “I'll drive,” Rachel offered. “Okay”! “Cya then”. Rachel smiled and set her phone to charge. She slept for the night having no dreams. This was a relief to her as her dreams were usually plagued with thoughts and memories of her childhood. She awoke the next morning feeling excited for the day. She felt very sore but didn't mind it. She quickly got ready for her meet up with Atlas. She made fun of herself when she called it a date knowing it wasnt that. She got her nicest hoodie and jeans on and headed out. She got in her car and drove out to pick Atlas up. She arrived at the gym shortly with Atlas waiting out front. “Need a ride”? She joked. Atlas smiled and hopped in. She looked amazing making Rachel feel bad for not getting something nice on. “Sorry I don’t look better”. “What are you talking about”? You look amazing”. This made her smile and blush a very small amount. “Thanks, you too”. Atlas smiled and went to turn the radio on. Rachel stopped her. “You don't wanna do that, the only channel it gets is the worst one out there”. “I don't mind” She turned it on anyway. It was playing My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas. They both cringed at the same time. “That ones new,” Rachel said. Atlas turned the radio off with a laugh. “So what events do you do at the Olympics when they roll around? '' Atlas asked. “Usually the 400 meter, 300 meter and 200 meter dash”. “Nice, I don't know what I might do for the first time but definitely something with running”. “Well just know you've got this ok”. Atlas smiled and pushed hair out of her face. “Did you call that number last night”? Atlas wondered. “No, I threw the card somewhere, and found it too weird”. “That's fair,” Rachel said. The two of them laughed as they arrived at Dennys. “Were here” said Rachel. “Naaah really”? Atlas jabbed. “Shut up,” Rachel said while laughing. Rachel got out and helped Atlas out. They walked in and sat down to order. “What do you think you'll be getting”? Atlas asked. “Pancakes obviously” Rachel responded. “Good choice I might get the crapes”. “Ooh those are good” Rachel said. The waitress approached them with a small notepad. “Howdy, you two ready to order”? Atlas ordered for both of them. “She’ll have the bacon pancakes and I’ll have the crapes”. “Alrighty, anything to drink”? The waitress asked. “Just a coffee for me,” said Rachel. “I'll take the peanut butter smoothie” said Atlas. “Alright, I’ll be back shortly with your order”. The waitress left to get their food. They sat in an awkward silence despite not having a reason for it to be awkward. The waitress arrived a little while later with their food. “Here you are” the waitress said. “Thank you” the both of them said in unision before giggiling. They ate their overly large servings of each dish rather quickly. The talked and laughed while they ate and had a good time in each others company. “I have the urge to prank call that number that was on that card, creep the creeps you know”? Rachel laughed and agreed that Atlas should do that. “Ill do it later and let you know”. “Okay” Rachel said with a laugh. They finished what food they could and payed before leaving. As they got back out on the road Atlas asked “Wanna workout today or no, I dont know if it’d be a good idea after eating this much”. “Oh good point” Rachel said. “Lets skip for today, I’ll drive you home”. “Alright” Atlas said, smiling. Atlas gave Rachel the directions to her home while Rachel drove. A while later Rachel pulled into a small driveway with a rather small house connected to it. It was simple and a grey-ish blue color. A large tv could be seen inside from the window facing them. “Thanks for driving, I had fun” Atlas said. “Me too, we should do it again some time” said Rachel. They hugged which was rather strange for Rachel but she didn't mind it. They both said goodbye and Rachel drove off toward her apartment. Atlas watched the car go with a sense of disappointment. She just wanted to hangout with her friend but didn't want to come off as strange. When Rachel got back she was very tired from the food and layed down on her couch and turned on the TV to some old people show. She enjoyed the sound even though she didn't watch the show. She soon fell asleep on her couch.