Why am I the witness? And when I capture it on film, does it mean that it's the end and I'm alone?
Mark
Mark hurried down the street, mumbling sorrys as he bumped shoulders with fellow bystanders. He clutched his camera to his stomach protectively. The Life Cafe was just around the block, he was almost there. He hastily turned a corner.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" A woman, maybe a few years younger than Mark, gushed; after the two crashed into eachother. Her cheeks were bright red from embarrassment. Mark recognized her from somewhere. Although he couldn't remember where.
"Oh my gosh, did I brake your camera?" she looked horrifed.
Mark examined it quickly. "No, no... it's fine." he mumbled. Where did he recognize her from?
"You're Mark, right?" she looked tired, deep purple circles were under her eyes. She sounded tired, by the quietness of her voice. She looked... sad. "Maybe a little miserable," Mark thought.
"Yeah, how did you-"
"Oh! We've met."
Mark cocked his head to the side. He tried not to seem rude, but he couldn't help but stare. She looked nervous. Her eyes were wide. She was shaking slightly. She must be cold, her jacket was thin.
"I guess you can say we haven't officially met..."
"Life support!" Mark burst out. It had just come to him. Back when he went with Collins and Angel... "Sorry. I didn't mean to just..."
"It's okay. I'm Pam." She tucked a lock of her brown hair behind her ear.
Mark felt his head spin. She'd stopped showing up to the meetings, right after Ali died. They'd all assumed...
"Why did you stop coming?" Mark asked, a slight awkwardness coming over the two.
"It all just became too much. I didn't want to leave but it felt like I had no choice. Listen to me, I'm babbling like an idiot!" Pam's cheeks heated up again. It added color to her sullen, pale face.
"No, it's actually interesting." Mark assured her. "I'd love to hear more but I'm meeting some friends at the Life Cafe."
"Oh, of course. Angel and Collins I assume? How are they doing? They were so lifelike at the meetings, they lit up the whole room! I missed them terribly after I left." she said pleasantly. Mark felt a lump in his throat. He felt a sudden wave of sickness swim around in his stomach and his knees started to knock.
"Uhm, I really have to go..." Mark whispered. He wasn't one who liked to give bad news.
"Oh, sorry... will I ever get to see you any time soon? We could get a coffee at the Life Cafe, but only if you want to..."
"Sure. How about tomorrow? Around 12?" Mark said quickly, without thinking. Her face lit up at his response.
"Great, bye!" she waved and hurried again down the block. Mark stood there for a few seconds, thinking the situation over. He was still pondering everything when he walked into the Cafe.
"Mark! What took you so long?" Collins called from a small booth. Roger sat across from him, curiosity pasted on both of their faces. Mark walked over slowly.
"Where have you been?" Roger asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Nowhere, just catching up with an old... friend."
