Grains Of Vanishing Reality

This is the story of Kevin.

He was an average man with a simple life. He made a good living for himself, straight out of college, working at a tech start-up company as a cyber technician in Chicago. He has no kids, no girlfriend, not even a pet.

His parents, who were up in age, lived in Ohio where he was born and raised. He has an older brother who just made partner at a law firm in New York City, and a younger sister who was finishing up her senior year in college at Michigan State.

A lot of people always wondered why Kevin was single. He was by far the handsome one, as his brother was the charmer. He was the typical heartthrob throughout high school and college. Tall, muscular, clear skin, nice curls that the girls died over, sweet, had good grades and most of all-a smile that could give anyone a toothache. He had everything. Young and off to an amazing start to his adulthood.

That was until, things got strange. Very strange…

It all started one fall brisk morning. Everything was normal. Well, normal for Kevin that is. He awoke, went for a morning jog around town. He waved to the local bakery owner Mr. Brown, spoke to Ms. Lydia, who owned the Bodega a few blocks down the street, ran in place while he waited for the light to change as he checked his heart rate. Then ran the long four blocks back home. He had the same routine almost every other day.

But today… today would be the day his life would be a thing of the past. Literally.

While showering, Kevin noticed while rubbing the water out of his eyes, things were blurry. He grabbed a towel to dry off, while wiping his eyes again. Things were seemingly better, but this time he saw a shadow out the side of his eyes at random times. Even bright lights would appear as he got dressed like someone may have flicked a light switch on and off.

“That’s weird.” He said aloud.

He blinked a few times, fixed his hair and brushed his teeth.

The blurry mess went away. He let out a sigh of relief as he drove to work.

That’s when the random bright light on the side of his left eye appeared again while driving. He looked to his left, thinking a car had just shined their lights on, as it was kind of a gray day. Overcast of clouds as it would be raining later in the day. There was no car or any light for that matter to his left. He shrugged it off as he continued to work.

Once he parked his car and began walking towards the entrance of his building, he saw a shadowy blur. No figure, just something that looking like a smudge or a cloud of smoke. He noticed if he looked out the side of his eye, he didn’t see it. Only when he looked ahead. He blinked his eyes a few times and the blur disappeared just as fast as it had appeared. He paused in his steps in the middle of the road as a car approached him.

“Beep!”

The car horn made Kevin jump as he was rubbing his eyes.

“Kev! Get some coffee man!” Mark yelled.

Mark was his best-friend and co-worker. They both started at the same time, had so much in common, they naturally clicked-instantly. Thus, the beginning of their “bro-mance” as the other co-workers liked to tease.

“Whatever, I’m fully awake. I think it’s something in my eye.”

“Well, get out the street!” He laughed as he parked.

Kevin stuck his middle finger up at Mark, as he walked across the street and waited for him to park. Mark, a jokester, but very smart, swung his backpack over his shoulder as he jogged across the lot. Keys in hand, he hit the alarm over his shoulder.

“Sup bro.” Mark said as he gave Kevin a hi-five.

“Man. Same ole same ole.”

“Da heck were you doing in the middle of street man?” Mark asked as they walked inside.

“I keep seeing these blurs. Like shadows and lights out the sides of my eyes.” Kevin said gesturing to his face.

“Take your contacts out.” Mark smirked.

“I don’t wear contacts.”

“Well, maybe you should start then-blind man.”

Kevin pushed Mark as they horsed around a bit laughing.

“You better get ya eyes together if you want to keep peeking at the “Lovely Laura” over there.” Mark said as he waved at a girl who worked at the indoor barista.

“Shut. Up.”

“Dude, just go over there and talk to her.”

“No.”

“Come on. You’re always smiling like you’re in a daze when you actually make eye contact with her. Ask her out.”

Kevin rolled his eyes. “I’m good.”

“You definitely need a eye exam. As fine as she is, you would be a fool not to talk to her.”

“She probably has someone.”

“I bet you five bucks that you can keep, she’s single and ready to mingle.” , Mark teased as he did a little dance.

Kevin glanced over at Laura, slightly waved and kept walking.

“How would you know?” Kevin asked inquisitively.

“I asked her friend who works the barista on the weekends.”

Kevin smirked looking unimpressed.

“Well, if you won’t-I will.”, Mark said as he turned back walking in Laura’s direction.

“Mark! Stop!”

“What one man won’t do, another man will Kev! Carpe Diem!”

“Alright!”

“Atta boy! Go get ’em!” Mark smiled as he patted Kevin on the back for support.

Kevin inhaled and exhaled as he walked towards Laura. He wondered what he would say, how he looked, if his lips were chapped, did his breath smell. His mind raced with randomness until his thoughts went completely blank once he was in her presence. Face to face. Smiling.

“Hi Kevin!” Laura began.

“Ah, hey there Laura.”

Kevin who instantly became too stunned to speak, began rocking back and forth on his feet.

Laura, who looked at him puzzled, started the conversation instead.

“Would you like anything today?”

“Um…yeah about that. I’m not a coffee drinker.” He said in a low tone as he leaned in.

“We offer more than coffee. How about a tea or something we can create on the fly? 100% juice?”

“Wow! Had I known that, I would’ve came here sooner!”

They both laughed.

“Um…do you have anything strawberry flavored?”

“Sure! Do you want just that or another fruit?”

“Surprise me. I have no food allergies.”

After a few sounds from the blender, Laura made him a Strawberry-Apple smoothie with a touch of lime.

“Wow! This taste great-thanks!”

“You’re welcome! Glad you like it!”

“What is this called?”

“Doesn’t have a name. You get to name it whatever you like.”

“Let’s call it the “Lovely Laura.” Mark chimed in out of nowhere.

Kevin coughed a little, as some of the smoothie hit the back of his throat.

Laura shook her head as she asked Kevin if he was okay.

“Excuse him, I’m sorry for that.” Kevin said slightly annoyed.

“Don’t be. I like it.” She said smiling at Kevin.

“Welp, my work here is done. Laura, can I have my usual & put it on my tab please.”

“Sure, coming up.”

“What the heck man?!” Kevin asked with a stern look.

“Look, you’ve broken the ice. Now just ask her out already.”

“I was about to before you came with your goofiness.”

“I’m getting my order and then I’ll be out of your way. Promise.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“I will. Besides, my crush will be clocking in soon and I don’t want to miss her.”

“Oh, Sidney from the business office?”

“Yep. Maybe we can all double date?”

“Not a chance man. I would prefer my first date solo.”

“Ah…I love a man with boldness!” Mark said as he put his arm around Kevin jokingly & laughing.

Kevin shoved him off.

“All set!” Laura said as she passed the drink to Mark.

“Thanks! Catch you guys later!”

With that, Mark took off on the elevator. Once out of sight, Kevin made his move.

“Ah… so…Laura…”

“Yeah-what’s up?”

“Ah, I wanted to know if you would be interested in maybe going out sometime?”

“Wow! Um... yeah sure! I never thought you would ask.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I was always kinda hoping you would. I was actually working up the nerve to ask you.”

“Wow. I had no idea. I’m so glad I did.”

“Me too.” Laura said smiling.

“Well, here…let’s swap numbers. We can text and maybe catch a movie?”

“Yeah, I would like that.” Laura said as she passed her phone to Kevin.

Once they saved each other’s numbers in their phones, Kevin waved bye to Laura and he disappeared onto the elevator.

“So?” Mark asked as Kevin sat down at his desk.

“I got her number and asked her out.”

“My man!” Mark said aloud, as he threw his fist in the air.

As the work day continued, Kevin and Laura texted all throughout the day. They had so much in common and even set a date that weekend to catch a new horror flick that just released. As the day ended, he and Mark walked to their cars.

“Wanna hit the grill?” Mark asked.

“Nah, not tonight. Parents are in town remember? And we’re going out to dinner. I gotta jet to shower and what not.”

“Ah, that’s right. Alright, man I’ll catch ya later.”

“Peace.”

While driving home, Kevin was so elated that he couldn’t stop smiling. He gushed like a teen at the thought of taking Laura on a date. He felt like today was a dream he didn’t want to awake from. And to top it all off, his parents were in town. He couldn’t wait to take them to the towns most popular favorite steak house. Life was good.

As Kevin parked, his phone alerted him a few times with text notifications. He checked them out as he grabbed his things and locked the car. One was from his mom. One from Mark and one from Laura.

Of course he checked Laura’s first.

“Glad we finally got to talk. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow at work. Have an awesome time at dinner!”

Kevin smiled from ear to ear, as he replied back, walking to his place.

Then he checked Marks, which read.

“Dude…I’m so freaking proud of you bro for finally asking the “Lovely Laura” out!

Tell the parental’s I said hi and don’t forget to let them scan ya app to get those points!”

Kevin shook his head laughing to himself, as he replied back.

Lastly, as he walked into his place, locking the door behind him, he checked the text from his mom.

“Honey, we are going to meet you at your place and ride with you okay? We should be there in about an half hour.”

Kevin called his mom and told her okay. He confirmed with her where to have dad park, his apartment and floor number in case they forgot. His mom reminded him it would rain sometime tonight and to bring an umbrella. With that, he hung up, tossed the phone in the middle of the bed and got ready to shower.

He already had in mind what he would wear. It was slightly chilly, so he opted for a nice pair of black slacks, a black button down, threw a baby blue tie on the bed with undergarments, and a leather jacket. He didn’t have to worry about the umbrella since he kept that in his trunk. He blasted music on his speaker, and jumped in the shower. As the warm water hit his head, Kevin began singing along. That’s when he thought he heard something spill onto the floor.

He paused for a second and the sound stopped. He shrugged it off as he continued to shower and wet his hair. Once done, he squeezed the last bit of water out of his hair, dried off, and wrapped a towel around his waist. As he walked towards the bathroom mirror to begin styling his hair, he saw the shadows again.

“Ah shit! Not again. No, no, no…”

As he wiped his eyes again, it went away. But the sound of something spilling on the floor started again.

“The hell…”

Kevin began as he turned his head towards the sound of the noise and it stopped again. He paused and listened. Nothing but the music that still played. Concerned, but thought maybe he was losing it, he shrugged it off and continued fixing his hair. After brushing his teeth, he walked to his room and noticed rice was on the floor in random places.

“What the hell…”

He bent over and picked up a few pieces to examine it.

“The hell?! Where did rice come from?!”

Just then the phone rang. Kevin, startled, jumped. Dropping the rice. He cut the music off as he grabbed his phone. It was his parents.

“Hey sweetie, just letting you know we’re almost there okay?”

“Uh…okay mom.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah… its just this damn rice all over the floor.”

“Rice?”

“Yeah… I’ll tell you all about it once you get here. I’m almost finished getting dressed.”

“Okay sweetie. See you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too mom.”

As Kevin threw his towel on the bed, he hurried and got dressed. He called Mark as he began to pace the floor.

“Pick up…Pick up…”

“Sup Romeo!”

“Mark! Dude, you free?”

“Yeah, yeah. What you zip ya jimmie in ya pants? You alright?”

“I…”

That’s when the sound began again. This time he saw it for himself. Rice appear a few feet above the floor. Pouring over the floor.

“AH!” Kevin yelled as he jumped back startled. He fell backwards into his dresser, knocking things over.

“Kevin!” “Kev!” Mark yelled. “Bro I’m on my way! I’m calling you right back!”

Mark hug up and immediately called Kevin back via FaceTime.

“Kev!” Mark yelled, now in his car speeding.

“I’m here-I’m here!”

“What is going on?!”

“Rice…”

“What?!”

“Rice is spilling on the floor mid air. The shadows are back too!”

“Dude what rice? Show me.”

Kevin, flipped the camera view around to show it.

“Don’t you see it! Don’t you hear it?!”

“Kev… I… I don’t see nor hear anything man.”

“Bro! It’s right there! It’s covering the whole floor and spreading fast! EVERYWHERE!”

The fear in Kevin’s eyes as he flipped the camera back to his face scared Mark.

“Kev, get up and get ya keys and get out of there now. I’m almost there.”

“My parents…they are almost here!”

“Kev, get ya stuff and go to the door-NOW!”

Kevin scrambled to his feet. He grabbed his keys, wallet and bolted to the front door. He then began screaming in fear. Rice poured over his head and filled the ground so fast. He couldn’t even open the door.

“Bro open the door! The hell are you doing?!”

“I’m trying! I-I can’t!”

“What you mean?”

“This damn rice is blocking the door! It’s too heavy to open!”

“Kev! There is no rice!”

“It is! I’m telling you it is!”

“I’m looking dead at you man! THERE IS NO RICE! OPEN THE DOOR!”

“I’M TRYING! I CAN’T! HELP! HELP ME!”

Mark arrived, barley having the car in park, jumped out of the car. He bolted into the apartment building. He ran past Kevin’s parents who were waiting for the lobby elevator.

“Guys!”

“Hey Mark! Are you joining us for dinner?”

“No, no… its Kevin…we gotta go now!”

“What! What’s wrong?!” His mom asked.

“Where’s Kevin?!” His dad asked.

“Come on, the steps are here! Elevator is too damn slow. Kev! We’re coming!”

“Hurry! It’s almost to my neck!”

Mark tore through the door that lead to the steps. His parents followed right on his heels. Three flights they ran, while Kevin begged for help the whole time.

“Mommy is coming Kevin! Hold on! Hold on!”

“Mom! I can’t… I can’t breathe!

They made it to his door as his mom pulled out the spare key Kevin had given them. The door unlocked but wouldn’t budge open.

“Kev! We’re here. Move away from the door!”

“I…I can’t. The…the rice is pulling me down and…blocking the door!”

“We don’t see any rice honey!” “We’re right here!”

“Kev!” Mark screamed as he ran and pushed with all his might.

Kevin’s dad told his mom to call 911. He then joined Mark to bust the door down. That’s when his dad spotted an axe down the hall. He ran to it, broke the glass with his elbow and ran back hacking at the door. Kevin was now disappearing before their eyes on the phone. Almost as if he was going under something that wasn’t there.

“Help! Help me! He….”

*SNAP!*

Just like that, they busted down the door.

No rice, no Kevin, only his phone on the floor.

“Kevin!” Everyone yelled. “Kevin!”

No answer.

“Omg, omg, omg… where is he?!”

Mark picked up his phone. Kevin was telling the truth. On his phone, the snap sound was his camera going off. It caught evidence of him surrounded in rice, going under with fear in his eyes.