J – Jeans

This is a serialized story – be sure to read in order: from A (afterthought) to Z (zealous).

Nash spun in a circle, looking for an exit. He could see the door where they had entered, but there was no door to be seen. Worse yet, Courtney had disappeared. He slumped on the ground, feeling defeated. He had no idea what to do next. After a couple minutes of self-pity, he stood and really studied where he was. It was an alley but there was no sky above him. It was painted to look like he was outside, but it was fake.

Nash returned to the door they had entered through. “We were supposed to take another left, our last one. Courtney went straight. What’s on my left?” Nothing had changed. Garbage cans, litter, and a cat overhead. “There’s got to be something…” he muttered.

A louder yowl from the cat caused him to look up at the balcony. “What’s up with you, kitty?” The cat sat and cleaned it’s paws as Nash continued to study the balcony area. His eyes watered and he blinked several times, then wiped them. Not trusting what he saw, he blinked again.

“Is that… Can’t be… Gotta check it out!” He raced up the rickety metal steps to the balcony and stared at a door. It was a small one, but still a door. And it was on the left from his entrance door. The cat meowed and he reached down to pet it. “Thank you. I don’t think I would have seen this without your help.”

He knelt down and felt a sharp pain in his knee. An old can had sliced his pants and nicked his shin. “Dang it, these were my best jeans. I’ll never be able to get the blood out.” When he realized what he had said, he chuckled. “Gotta get outta here first.” He turned to the cat. “You coming with me?”

As if in answer, the cat strolled down the stairs without a back look.

He laughed, “I guess that’s my answer.” With one more swipe at the seeping blood, he took a deep breath and whispered, “I’m gonna find you, Court. Hang on!”

To be continued…