Jendela Menghadap Jalan Novels & Stories

*ADRIA CALL ME* I looked up from my phone with the calm, measured expression of someone who had trained for situations like this and was absolutely in control of the situation. Then I looked at the dining room windows. The restaurant was on thirty-six. The windows looked out over the street, not down at it—the angle was wrong for anyone at street level to see in. But there was a building across from this one. And on the fourth floor of that building, just barely visible through the glass if you knew what you were looking for—

After they all left, I went into the bathroom, while Julia remained seated on the sofa next to the large window, which offered a beautiful view of the city at night. After I finished showering, Julia went into the bathroom. It was my turn to stand in front of the large window and gaze at the twinkling lights illuminating the city at night. Everything looked beautiful. In fact, even the night sky looked beautiful, even though only half the moon was visible, and the stars scattered across the night sky weren’t as many as usual. But when the sky and the cityscape were enjoyed together, they looked beautiful and mesmerizing.

I said. "The brief specifies windows oriented to outside view from seated position," he said. "The site's east face gives the best view. But the east face in the morning produces direct light that — for some conditions — is worse than no light." He looked at the sketchbook. "Fixed glass panels that pivot. The view stays. The direct light can be managed." "Has Gloria seen this," I said. "I'm calling her Tuesday," he said. "Before it goes into the design development."

She immediately took out her cell phone and turned on the flashlight and waved it in front of the window, hoping Jared could see it. Still in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, Jared likewise turned on the flashlight of his cell phone, and the two gazed at each other as if they could communicate telepathically. The plane took off into the sky, and Jared's gaze went up with the plane until it was out of sight.

Rookie fucking mistake, I should have examined the window with more caution. Aside from finding another trap, I did learn the windows are made out of something similar to a two-way mirror or tinted windows. I can just make out my reflection in the glass, but I can’t see through it, yet I can see the light of this supposed lightning flashing inside. Iolaire walks up to me, “Find anything?” She quietly asks. “Razor blades,” I deadpan.

I hold on to the collar of my jacket, keeping it closer to my neck as the cold manages to pass through. The door shuts next to me, making me jump as I look out of the window to see the driver walking around the car and taking his place in the driver's seat. Richard’s eyes are still on me when I face him again. I take a deep breath waiting for the scold to come, but he stays silent.

The prey is coming down the lane. "Calista, look at the window" Elena whispered suddenly, her hand locking around my elbow. I stood up from the desk, wiping a line of sweat from my face with my sleeve. I walked over to the thick glass window that looked out toward the wide Manhattan avenue. The morning sun had finally cleared the top of the high glass skyscrapers, turning the thick fog into a blinding white mist. The pristine streets were empty, but deep inside the white haze, a loud, heavy sound was moving closer. *VROOM. VROOM. VROOM.*

Dolf marked each point she indicated with small pen dots. "Actually," Jenny continued, pressing her fingers to various spots on the map, "there are false windows here, here, here, and here. If there's trouble, people inside might escape through these ways. They're accessible from the outside as well, using a hidden switch on the frame. The children often used them to sneak back in when they weren't supposed to be out."

I said as I pulled way. "I'll look for her," Franz said stiffened, bobbed his head, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I'll update you back." I nodded. I saw him bid goodbye waiving his hand, fixing his glasses using his index finger. I walked towards the entrance making the door creaked. I glanced at the retractable, curved glazing elements in a sash window to lowering the windows into a basement channel. These windows sat partially lowered to form a glazed balustrade around the interior or can sat completely flush with the ground level of the square.

The next morning sun was bright and warm. It shone through the big windows of the house, making the whole room glow. Killian stood in his study, looking down at the city below. The streets were busy with people starting their day. Cars moved like tiny toys. People walked to work. He held his phone tightly to his ear. His knuckles were white.