I didn't realize we were back in the swirling hallway.
Cael walked in front of me, his usual tired self.
I wiped the leftover tears with the back of my hand. Had I really cried back there?
"Ouch."
All of a sudden, Cael stopped. Again. Without warning.
"Hey, bro! Stop doing that." I couldn't help but complain — this was the third time. Then I sighed. Well, maybe he couldn't help it.
I walked beside him and looked at him while patting my forehead.
"How did you do that?" I heard Cael ask. There was a hint of curiosity in his voice, which made me realize this was the first time he had initiated the talk.
I was a bit surprised by his sudden question and hadn't realized I was staring at him, my mouth hanging open. I shook my head to clear the moment and answered,
"Well, did you forget again? You see, I was walking behind you, and you always stop without warning—"
"Not that," he cut me off, a bit of exasperation in his voice.
"Not what?" I asked.
"The bumping," he answered.
"Not the bumping?" I asked again, confused about what he was trying to say.
"I mean, how did you do that to Deceased Case No—"
"Wait, stop."
Oh my God—he's reciting the deceased blah blah again.
"You're asking about what happened back there in the room, right?"
He nodded, giving me that look like I was some kind of strange specimen.
"Oh."
Did I really do something there? Well, I cried, sat, and listened. Was that such a big deal?
"Well, you see—"
I turned and looked at Cael. What I saw amazed me, because aside from that tired look, he actually seemed eager to hear my answer.
He nodded at me, signaling me to continue.
I lowered my head and said, "I cried. Didn't you see?"
He looked—expectant, unsatisfied, as if my answer was only half of what he wanted.
"Whaat?"
"I did cry. You saw it. What else did I do? Well, I stayed… and listened."
Cael straightened after hearing that.
"You did cry. I saw it," he said, then continued walking.
Did he just smile? I thought I saw a hint of it. I looked at him again, but that tired face was back. Maybe it was just my imagination.
I continued walking too, but not behind him anymore. I didn't want to bump into him again when he stopped. I walked beside him now—and he didn't mind.
We continued to walk like before. But now the time didn't seem that slow anymore. And silence didn't seem bothering anymore.
I glanced at Cael and he didn't seem to be that tired, slumped-looking employee that I first met. His back looks straighter, although his tired face was still the same.
I accidentally saw his notes and I noticed that his name was not in there.