Coffe Or Tea

After that night, Ericka could never truly sleep. It had been like that before, but at least there were times when she would drift off.

Now it was different. Even when she felt like she was about to fall asleep, her body's alarm still blared, warning her of danger.

The problem was, this time she wasn't facing fear of her fellow humans, like Daniel.

She still had difficulty processing reality mixed with impossible fantasies, but the reality was undeniable.

She saw Liam bound in chains, his silver-furred arms, his sword-like claws, his silver eyes, and a growl that tore logic apart, emanating from his mouth bared with sharp fangs.

Her mind tried to frame the incident as a mere nightmare, trying to deny everything that had happened in unit 2074, whose owner, Liam, was her only neighbor.

However, because the suggestion had already clouded her mind, Ericka could smell the fishy, ​​metallic odor emanating from unit 2704 every time she opened the door.

In fact, her unit and Liam's were separated by an empty unit. There's a 2703 room between them.

The following nights, it was very quiet, without any strange sounds, no unusual movement.

The 27th floor returned to its original state. It was as if no one was inhabited at all.

Ericka never left her unit. She locked the door, propping it up with a chair. This time, it wasn't just Daniel she had to be wary of, but even closer were the fairytale creatures in the other unit.

Because, who would have thought, fairytales could be so real.

Ericka sat in her kitchen with an untouched cup of cold coffee, or sat on the sofa with the television on mute, just so she wouldn't feel afraid but would still be alert to the slightest sound.

She trembled every time she heard a sound from behind the wall, even though now it was only soft footsteps and the sound of a heavy door opening and closing.

What terrible sin she had committed in her previous life that now forced her to live such an absurd existence, Ericka never found the answer.

Ericka was responding to an email from one of her clients when a soft knock on the door nearly made her scream.

“Ericka,” Liam’s voice called out to her from outside. “I… just wanted to make sure you were alive.”

Damn!

Ericka almost laughed at that. Did Liam not know she was alive because she was too scared to die near him?

Ericka tiptoed to the door, pushed aside the chair that was blocking the handle, and pressed her back against it. Her breath was shallow.

“I’m not dead,” she replied softly. “But I’m not okay either.”

There was a long silence.

Ericka turned, curiosity winning over fear. She peeked through the peephole.

Liam stood in front of her door. He was wearing a black t-shirt and worn blue jeans. His hair was slightly messed up by the wind, and his face looked fresher than the last time Ericka had seen him.

But his eyes were still the same. His human eyes were a dark gray, gloomy and sad.

“I’m sorry,” Liam said, after a moment of silence. “Because you looked at me like that.”

Ericka was taken aback. The apology sounded like a confession of sin.

The problem was, Liam hadn’t done anything wrong to Ericka.

What Ericka saw in Liam that night wasn’t something he intentionally showed her to scare her or drive her out of the apartment.

It was all just a coincidence. Perhaps, a trap of fate that likes to play with humans. Or werewolves.

Ericka’s hand touched the doorknob. It felt heavy and cold.

"I bought lasagna from the restaurant on the 17th block. It's pretty good. Try it," Liam's voice rang out again. "If you need anything..."

Ericka's breath hitched, as did her hand on the doorknob.

"I'm in my unit," Liam continued, his tone thick with hesitation. "On days without a full moon, I'm just an illustrator. Just so you know and... feel a little less threatened."

There was another silence.

Then, Liam's footsteps could be heard receding, followed by the sound of the door opening and closing slowly.

Ericka let out a long breath, emptying her lungs, and slumped to the floor.

Liam looked and sounded so... normal. Just as he said, he was an illustrator. Doesn't that sound so human?

After a moment of sitting on the floor, Ericka stood up and slowly opened the door, revealing a paper bag with a restaurant stamp hanging from the doorknob.

Ericka took the paper bag. The distinctive aroma of spices from the pasta dish wafted up her nose.

The lasagna tasted as good as Liam had said. Ericka licked her spoon until it was slippery and stared at the empty aluminum bowl.

The next day, Ericka made herself a tuna and fried egg sandwich, then plucked up the courage to leave her unit, walking silently and standing in front of Liam's unit.

She pressed her ear to the door, but there was no sound from inside. Of course. The door was as thick as Ericka had ever seen.

Ericka's hand trembled as she knocked lightly. She was just considering going back to her unit when the door opened and Liam appeared.

He was wearing a loose cream-colored shirt with the top three buttons undone, revealing a line of scars across his chest, and black cargo pants.

"Ericka," Liam muttered. He didn't seem surprised, just nervous.

Ericka awkwardly handed him the lunchbox containing the sandwich. "Here. I made too much."

Liam looked at the lunchbox Ericka had offered him, then a small smile spread across his face as he reached for it.

"Thanks for the lasagna," Ericka said again, this time her voice was less stiff. "You're right. It was delicious."

"I'm glad you liked it," Liam responded gently. "I'll get you something else next time I go there."

"I think I know where that restaurant is," Ericka said. "I can go there and buy it myself."

The smile on Liam's lips faded. It was only for a moment, but Ericka's heart skipped a beat. Was she being too harsh?

"I mean, you don't have to bother buying me food from there all the time," Ericka said quickly. "Especially if it's because you feel guilty about... That night."

"Ah, okay," Liam said. "I understand."

A heavy silence fell between Liam and Ericka after Liam's response.

They still stood in front of the door, unsure of what to say. Then, with a heavy voice, Liam lifted the lunch box in his hands.

"This... Thank you. I'll eat it in a moment."

Ericka nodded. She wanted to ask many questions, but her tongue was too heavy to move. "Uh, I guess I'll be back."

Ericka walked toward her unit, but in front of unit 2703, she turned around and saw Liam still standing staring at her.

"Liam, err... Are you okay?" Ericka asked. "Your wounds..."

Liam smiled wider, revealing a row of neat, white teeth, like those of a toothpaste model.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Ericka," Liam replied lightly. "I can heal myself."

"Okay," Ericka said. She turned around again and continued walking.

"Ericka," Liam called.

Ericka turned. Her hand was already on the door handle of her unit. "Yes?"

"Do you like coffee? Or tea?" Liam asked. "I have both, if you want to take a sip. With this."

Liam lifted the lunch box in his hand.

Ericka was stunned. Then, her grip on the door handle loosened.

"Coffee. Black. No sugar."