Finding support from the rigid railings, I leaned back. To capture serenity.

Here, the concept of time ceased to exist.

It was why I came here, to this cabin. To escape the guilt that came with counting time. The guilt that came with celebrating birthdays.

I released a hiccup. Bringing my hand to rub my forehead. The alcohol was beginning to wear off.

And the pounding after effect was beginning to set in.

I didn’t remember how much I drank last night. I didn’t want to. But it was easier to count the bottles than the pains.

Four. That’s how much it was. Four bottles of vodka.

Every day on the fifteenth of November, it was easier to flee than face the world.

How could it not? When his face and laughter haunted my being.

My nostrils flared in sudden anger at myself.

Life had been good. I was happy. Everyone was.

Until I ruined things for all of us.

The sound of my phone ringing dragged my attention to it. With tight lips, I pulled the device out of my pocket.

Fred’s name was displayed on the screen. I glanced at the notification bar—7:01 a.m.

“Yes.” It wasn’t unusual for Fred to call.

“Good morning, sir. I would like to know if you need me to come pick you up.” His voice was as usual. Monotone and curt.

Fred didn’t know my whereabouts. Of course, my sudden disappearance was a cause for concern. But he should be used to it by now.

I disappeared on a certain day. For a certain period. Every year for seven years.

Four years with me, and he should know.

“I don’t.”

There was silence for a while. “Alright, sir.”

The call ended.

For a brief moment, I stared blankly at the phone. It had been scheduled to go off for a day. Yesterday.

As long as it had seemed, yesterday was finally over. The phone had returned to its normal functions. I should too.

Pushing past the pounding in my head, I walked into the main house. The slight dizziness I had been feeling was now gone. And in its place was a heavy wave of nausea.

As expected.

A couple of steps in, I stopped. Suddenly. To take it all in.

The cabin was a place fit for a king. Gold chandeliers leaned downwards from the ceiling. The walls were painted a dull shade of brown.

It oozed elegance and sophistication.

An irony that a place like this was used for escaping a past so dirty.