The Package

I woke up early that morning. It was bitterly cold and I was shivering uncontrollably. The light poured in through the window. As I climbed out of bed, a glance out the window instantly made me uneasy. The reason it was cold was because outside the ground was covered in snow.

Not too terribly odd, aside from the fact that when I went to sleep it was mid summer. I walked into the living room and was struck with an extreme feeling of loneliness. Why is it that you can just sense when you are alone? The feeling nags at you. You’re alone. You’re alone. You’re alone...

It was true enough. Both roommates were gone. The belongings left behind. Beds unmade, clothes strewn, lights left on. It was if they had left for a short while set to return soon. The feeling told me better though. I knew that they were gone for good.

Warm clothes. I needed to get warm, because I couldn’t think straight to figure this mess out. The jeans, sweatshirt, and coat seemed to offer little comfort. Another glance out the window told me that I needed to go outside. The answer was out there. It was not in the apartment.

Outside my door the hallway was dark. It was even colder. I knocked on doors, knowing full well that I was totally alone. I got what I expected. There were no answers to my pounding. The answers weren't here, they were outside. But I knew that, didn’t I?

The cold air stung my face. I walked across the parking lot. It seemed so much bigger, so much more desolate. The footprints I left in the snow were as lonely as I was. There was no one else. Just me.

The fear began to overtake me. Everyone was gone. They left me. WasI to be alone here for eternity. Why is everything so familiar, yet so different? Should I cry? No, that didn't feel right. I was too hollow to cry, too empty. Tears seemed as pointless as my situation.

The sound startled me at first. A light crunch followed by another and another. It was getting closer. Footsteps maybe? Yes, that was it. I saw the figure approaching. I thought I recognized him, but I wasn't sure. Yes, he was an acquaintance from when the season was summer and the world was correct.

He stood in front of me looking expressionless. There was a brown paper package in his hands. He held it up to me. I didn't know what to do.

“Are we alone here?” My voice sounded so muffled in that place.

“Do you see anyone else?” His voice made the fear and loneliness subside. He was warm, I could feel the heat from his body.

“Where did they go?”

“You don’t understand. Don’t worry you will.”

“Understand what? Tell me what I need to know.” He had figured it out, I could tell by the look in his eyes. He could answer my questions.

“I can’t. I’m leaving.” He smiled when he said this.

“Take me with you. Are you going to where the rest of them went?”

“You don’t understand.” He looked around and seemed to shrug that place off. “You need to take this.” He handed me the package. I held it in my hands. There was absolutely nothing remarkable about it at all.

We stood there looking at each other. I wanted him to tell me why I was here. I knew that he couldn’t. I didn’t want him to leave. If he left then the loneliness and fear would take over again.

He smiled. “Okay, I’m leaving now.” He turned and walked back from where he came from. I just stood silent, watching him retreat, wishing I was going with him. Soon he was gone, and again I was alone.

I turned to go back to my empty apartment. Why did I have this package? Should I open it? No, that didn’t feel right, after all it wasn’t my package.

It was his and he had left, just like the rest of them. Or did he? It didn’t add up. Maybe it was us that had left, not everyone else. Could that be it?

The feeling washed over me. It was warm and soothing. I understood, now. It made sense; the past, the present and the future. The reasons and the answers were clear. Everything seemed like it was wrapped up in a perfect package. I had opened it and understood. I was leaving soon.

As I opened the door to my apartment, I heard a voice.

“Do I know you? I thought I was alone here.”

I turned to him. I knew he didn’t understand. I offered up the package. He just looked at me.


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