Final Gerald

The smell of toast woke Gerald from a deep sleep. He smelt freshly squeezed orange juice and heard voices from the kitchen. The strain in his back, that Gerald only noticed when he tried to sit up was almost unbearable. He felt as if every muscle in his body had been stretched and pulled. The pain in his joints soon subsided after Gerald stood, and did a few basic stretches that he remembered from his school days.
'Morning,' Gerald's mother said as Gerald entered the kitchen.
'Morning,' he repeated, sitting at the table next to her.
Gerald's father laid plates of fresh toast in front of them, and then set a plate for himself down on the table. 'Sorry,' he said, noticing Gerald's lack of excitement at his sense of culinary adventure.
'It's okay,' Gerald murmured, his neck still slightly stiff.
'That'll go away,' Gerald's father said, putting a piece of toast in his mouth and flicking through the morning paper.
'What will?' Gerald asked.
His father looked up at him, 'The neck thing,' he said waving his toast in the air.
'Oh,' Gerald said, picking up a piece of toast.
Gerald's mother put her hand on Gerald's shoulder and smiled. He turned to look at her and found himself returning the smile. She stroked the back of his head and let her arm fall after Gerald shook his head slightly.
'Eat up,' she said, 'It'll go cold.'
'Well, sorry again,' Gerald's father started. 'I haven't had to cook breakfast for a while,' he smiled at Gerald who returned the smile.
The three sat at the round breakfast table, Gerald's father flicking through the paper, his mother focussing on her breakfast, and Gerald, staring absent-mindedly through the window. A knock sounded at the door and Gerald's parents gave each other puzzled expressions. On the second knock Gerald sighed and went to get the door.
Sally stood in the open door clutching a pile of books under her arm. 'Hi Ger,' she said.
'Hey Sal,' he smiled and let her in. 'We're just in the kitchen.'
Gerald closed the door, while Sally made her way through the house.
'Morning Sally,' Gerald's father looked over at the toaster. 'Hungry?'
'Hey Greg,' Sally waved, 'Lola.'
'Sally,' Gerald's mother said with a smile. 'Much on today?'
'Not really,' Sally began, taking a seat at the table. 'I just have to return some books at the library.'
A stern look crossed Gerald's father's face and he gave Gerald's mother a cautious glance. 'Taking Gerald with you?' His question came out as a statement.
'Sure,' Sally smiled, not catching Gerald's father's concern. 'Cool?' She look at Gerald.
'Yeah,' he replied, 'No problem.'
'I know what they say,' Gerald's father held his hands up, 'But that campus gives me the creeps.'
'Oh honey,' Gerald's mother smiled at her husband. 'These kids can take care of themselves.'
Gerald's father nodded, then shook his head slightly as if trying to dismiss his concern. 'I know,' he finally said.
'Wanna go now?' Gerald asked Sally, stuffing the last piece of toast into his mouth.
'Sure,' she grinned, placing her hand on his back.
'Cool,' Gerald picked up the books, pretending not to notice her hand on his back. They went to the front door and Sally opened it for him. As Gerald walked through, he leant over and kissed Sally on the cheek. She laughed and closed the door.
'Oh Gerald!' His father's call came too late, the two were already gone.
'What was it?' Lola asked.
'Oh just this article,' Greg said, sliding the paper across the table.
Lola read the headline; “Man stops speeding train!” She looked up at her husband, confused. He pointed to the first lines; “A local man has died after jumping in between a moving train and a stalled bus full of children. Witnesses say the man was able to stop the train hitting the bus before dying of injuries sustained in the incident.”
Lola shook her head and focussed her attention on the kitchen window. Greg sighed and picked up another piece of toast, chewing lazily as he too stared through the window.

More Gerald

Lola Smith sat perched on the hospital bed, her feet in stirrups, her face red and drenched with sweat and tears. She let out a low moan and her husband Greg squeezed her hand, his face showing grim concern. The midwife placed a hand over Lola's belly and told her to “push!”
Later Lola slept, her baby son being rocked gently by Greg, who sat next to her in the ward. Her eyes fluttered open and she tilted her head looking up at Greg. 'What happened?'
'You passed out,' Greg said, cradling his son. 'I'll get the nurse.'
'No,' Lola said, a rush of energy filling her voice. 'Wait.'
'Honey, you've been out for two days.'
Lola took this in, thinking. Her eyes drifted to the window and she gently placed her hand on Greg's arm. 'Let me hold him.'
Greg bent down and let Lola's arms wrap around her son before saying, 'It's not safe for me here.'
Lola nodded and looked up at her young husband. He wore a grey hooded jumper from the university he had enrolled in during the summer. 'Is he like us?' Lola motioned towards the sleeping infant in her arms.
Greg nodded.
'What have you been doing? You said you wouldn't even be here for this,' Lola said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Greg pulled a folded newspaper from his backpack on the floor. He studied it and sighed. 'I did leave,' he finally said.
'What brought you back?' Lola asked, kissing her son on the head.
Greg turned the paper to Lola, she read the small headline at the bottom of the front page; “Man stops speeding train!” It looked like a tabloid article, but Lola saw that it was a decent paper.
'You?' She asked without looking up at Greg.
'No,' he said, but faltered. 'Kind of.'
Lola shook her head, her son finally waking. 'Shh,' she whispered, kissing his head again.
'There was this guy,' Greg began, 'Just a boy really.'
Lola looked up expectantly.
'I,' Greg put his hand behind his head, scratching at nothing in particular. 'I helped him.'
'What was his name?' Lola asked.
'Jerry something,' Greg scratched again. 'He said his name was Jerry Wilkins.'
'Jerry,' Lola repeated quietly, looking at her son. 'How old was he?' she asked.
'Eighteen,' Greg said with a sigh.
Tears began to form in Lola's eyes again and she pulled her son close, kissing him on the head repeatedly.
'I'm sorry,' Greg looked down at his young wife.
'No,' Lola said finally, wiping the tears away with her free hand. 'Don't be.'
'I have to go now,' Greg said and moved to leave. 'I'll get the nurse,' he said over his shoulder.
'Wait,' Lola called.
'What is it?'
'Will you help him too?' Lola looked down at her son. 'When the time comes, will you help him too?'
Greg shook his head and left.
Lola cried openly, knowing she would never see the man she loved again. A nurse stepped into the room looking slightly bewildered. 'Mrs. Smith?' She questioned.
'Ms. Smith,' Lola corrected, wiping a tear from her cheek.
'Good to see you and baby...' The nurse faltered.
'Jerry,' Lola said. 'Baby Jerry.'
The nurse stepped over to the bed, still looking slightly confused. She leant down and placed her hand on the tiny boy's head, her confused expression breaking into a smile as the infant opened his eyes. 'He looks like a Jerry to me,' she said. 'Little baby Gerald.'

The force of the train caused Gerald's arms to buckle. He saw the speeding mass of iron and death falter. His palms burning and bleeding, Gerald held on. The impact forced his spine into the steel side of the bus, compacting the bones and severing the nerves. He felt the flesh on his back tear and that was the last physical sensation Gerald felt. His body went numb, but his mind raced. His thoughts centred on one concept, one focus. This train will not touch this bus. Gerald repeated the thought in his mind, it took on a life of it's own circling around his head. A strange energy came from the thought and although his body was broken and numb, Gerald maintained his position. The thought evolved, twisting and growing, gaining mass and power with each loop of his disturbed mind. Eventually, this train will not touch this bus became, this train will not touch me.
Gerald felt a sudden release of pressure on his hands and spine. He looked forward and saw the train slide backwards on the track. The sound of the engine screaming and dying deafened Gerald. He looked down and saw specks of blood on his shirt. He watched and realised they were coming from his nose. Turning his head slightly Gerald saw more droplets of blood on his shoulders. These could be coming from his ears, but he couldn't be sure.
A booming roar and a final crash that almost knocked the rigid Gerald over sounded, and he knew the train was dead. Gerald collapsed onto the ground, unable to move or blink. He felt unable to breathe and through his ruptured eardrums he heard a faint hissing noise coming from his chest. Gerald's limp torso flopped over on the ground and the shattered mass of bones and mangled organs caved in on itself.
His eyes were drawn to the bus stop across the street and Gerald watched as the man in the grey jumper stood and walked over to him.
'How you doing kid?' The man asked, kneeling beside him. Blood oozed from Gerald's mouth, although he couldn't speak anyway.
'Don't worry, son,' the man rested a hand on Gerald's head. 'Close your eyes now.'
Gerald refused to let his eyelids drop, knowing how damaged and beaten he was.
'Close your eyes Gerald,' the man repeated. He leant in closer and whispered into Gerald's ear, barely audible through the blood, 'Close your eyes, and you'll wake up.'
Gerald's eyelids fluttered but he held on.
'Time to wake up Gerald,' the man stroked his hair, 'You did it son.' Gerald saw the man's wide smile, his eyes full of tears. 'You did it.'
Gerald closed his eyes.

Update

When Gerald opened his eyes, he found himself staring out of the window of the train, watching himself in the distance, leaning against the bus, protesting the inevitable. Sally sat next to him on a small aluminium stool, a large panel of knobs and buttons in front of her. She wore a sky-blue shirt and navy trousers.
'Jesus Gerald!' Her exclamation made him jump. She looked over to him, panic in her eyes. 'I can't stop it in time,' she held her hands up to her trembling mouth. 'Oh Jesus,' she moaned.
Gerald put his hand on her shoulder, 'It's going to be okay.'
'How can you say that? Look!' She pointed through the windscreen, 'Somebody's on the tracks too!'
'Come here,' Gerald said, putting his arm across her back. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him, sobbing into his chest. 'It's okay, I'll stop it.'
She sniffed and pulled away, her eyes red with tears. 'How?' Her confusion was overwhelming. The question sent waves of doubt through Gerald.
'I,' he began. 'I just will.' He added, 'Right?'
Sally turned her head towards the windscreen, wiping tears from her eyes. She squinted then turned back to Gerald. 'Is that you?'
'Yeah,' Gerald said. 'Or,' he added, 'A part of me.'
She sniffed again and grabbed at Gerald's shirt, 'Can you do it?'
'You told me I could,' Gerald countered.
'You can't stop a train!' Her eyes began to well up again, 'You'll be killed!'
Gerald felt a momentary sense of failure and he couldn't tell why. 'But you told me,' he stammered.
She didn't speak, just looked up at him, her eyes red and wild.
'You told me,' Gerald repeated. 'Sally, come on,' he leant down and pulled her close. 'You said I could save the children.'
She simply shook her head in disbelief before whispering, 'You'll be killed.'
Gerald turned around, clasping his head in his hands. 'Come on!' The frustration finally boiling over. 'What the fuck is going on?' Gerald questioned nobody in particular. He turned back to Sally who looked traumatised. 'Fuck it, I'm going!'
Gerald stepped towards the windscreen when he heard Sally whisper, 'Don't.'
'And why shouldn't I? Huh?' Gerald leant over her, yelling into her face. 'I've had enough of this shit!'
'Don't kill yourself,' she whispered, looking through the window.
'Why not?' Gerald screamed at the back wall of the train cabin. He turned to Sally, 'You're in here,' he said tapping his temple, 'Give me a reason why not!'
Sally looked up at him, her eyes big and frightened. 'What about your family?'
'Wrong!' Gerald screamed, 'I don't have a family, remember?' He tapped his temple again, 'You'll have to do better than that.'
'Friends?' Sally questioned.
Gerald pulled back, placing his hands over his face and laughing. 'I don't have any friends.'
'What about me?' She said it with a sense of desperate hope in her voice.
'You?' Gerald pulled his hands from his face. 'You?' He repeated this quietly, stepping over to Sally. He leant in close to her face and whispered, 'But you're not real,' his hand stroking her cheek.
'I am real,' she pulled back, offended. She placed her hand on his cheek, 'I am real, and I'm your friend Gerald.'
Gerald shook his head in disbelief. 'No. The only time we were friends was a dream,' Gerald tapped his temple again, trying to get the point across. 'When I went to your house, you slammed the door on me. That was real!'
'I don't remember that,' Sally looked down at her lap.
'Because it wasn't you!' Gerald cried. 'It was the real Sally!'
'I am the real Sally,' she murmured, almost inaudible.
'No! No, you're not. The real Sally studies at uni.' Gerald began counting on his fingers, one, 'She isn't my girlfriend!' Two, 'She isn't a prostitute!' Three, 'And she isn't a fucking train driver!'
Sally's eyes widened at the last sentence and before Gerald could add something about how he meant train conductor, she had vanished.
'Fuck,' Gerald sighed. When he looked through the windscreen, he could see two of himself talking to each other at the bus. One of them stepped over and merged with the other. Gerald moved through the front of the speeding train and flew into himself. His two bodies blending into one, just as the train hit.

Gerald's story update

Gerald sat at the kitchen table chewing an a piece of toast. He had showered and dressed, and for about an hour he had sat in bed pinching his arms and occasionally slapping his face. This was real, this wasn't another dream. Gerald was sure of it.
'Save the children,' Gerald scoffed, dropping his toast on the plate. He put his head in his hands. 'Fuck.'
He grabbed his jacket and went out for a walk. The early sun shone bright through the closing clouds. Gerald walked past Sally's house, paused, and kept walking. She wasn't real, he thought. Well, at least the Sally he knew wasn't real. He strolled past the local primary school, still too early for any kids. If he had to save the children, whatever that meant, this was a good place to start looking.
Gerald looked in on the play equipment and remembered breaking Tommy Johnson's arm. He tried to remember if he ever saw Tommy after that day. Maybe his parents moved him to another school. Strangely, he couldn't remember seeing Tommy before that day either. His only memory of this boy was the day he hurt him.
Gerald chuckled to himself and shook his head. It's strange how the mind focusses on bad things, he thought. He wandered past the oval and tried to remember his junior football days. He was only on the team for a few weeks. He didn't know the kid that he tackled to the ground. He just knew that he did it.
After walking past the school, Gerald crossed the train tracks and sat at the bus stop. He didn't want to catch a bus, he just needed somewhere to think. The school bus drove past, not stopping. Gerald looked up at the laughing, giggling kids.
A shuddering thump came from under the bus and Gerald already knew what was going to happen. The bus shuddered again and the engine died.
'Perfect,' Gerald sighed, looking up along the train tracks that the bus had stalled on. He stood up and walked over to the side of the bus, standing on the train tracks. None of the kids noticed him, and he heard the driver furiously trying to re-start the engine.
'Naturally,' Gerald sighed again, watching the train come roaring up the tracks towards him. He rested his back against the side of the bus to brace himself and raised his arms towards the train.
The horn sounded and Gerald heard the gasps and cries of the children, muffled by the glass windows of the bus. As the train rushed closer, Gerald closed his eyes.

'Think you know what's going on?'
Gerald raised his eyes and saw the man in the grey jumper sitting next to him at the bus stop. 'Not at all,' he replied.
'Good,' the man chuckled and slapped Gerald's shoulder. 'Best way to be.'
'Maybe,' Gerald sighed and looked over to the stalled bus on the tracks. He saw himself, wedged up against the side of the bus, his hands raised to stop the inevitable.
'The man looked over and chuckled, he pulled a crumpled packet of peanut m&m's from his pocket and began munching on one. 'Reckon that kid'll save 'em,' he said, looking at Gerald up against the bus.
'Hope so,' Gerald replied.
The man looked over to Gerald and did a double-take, 'Well. That's you? Ain't it?'
Gerald nodded, slouching over, his elbows resting on his knees watching himself against the bus.
'Good luck,' the man said and slipped another m&m into his mouth.
'Thanks.' Gerald stretched out on the bus stop bench and got a good look at the man in the hooded jumper. The gash was there, everything was the same as when he last vanished. 'Can I ask you something?'
'Sure,' the man said, offering Gerald an m&m.
Gerald shook his head. 'Who are you?'
'Me?' The man put the packet back in his pocket. 'Oh, I'm just nobody,' he said it with a sly grin.
'Come on, man. Give me something.'
'Okay, Gerald. I'm one of your creations.'
Gerald put his head in his hands. 'What does that mean?' He asked through his fingers.
'You want an explanation, or not? Like I said, best to not know what's going on.'
'Fine,' Gerald said. 'I don't care anyway.'
The man chuckled and looked back over to the bus. 'You'd better hurry up now, kid.'
Gerald sighed and stood up, making his way towards himself.
'Don't kill yourself,' the man called out, before breaking into a fit of laughter.
'Fuck you,' Gerald muttered. He went over to himself, sliding next to him. 'Hey,' he said to his double.
'Hey,' he said back, his arms still raised.
'Reckon you can stop the train?' Gerald asked.
'Hope so,' his double replied, his eyes fixed on the looming mechanical death approaching them.
'Here, let me just get in there,' Gerald said to his double and he took a step closer, finding his body merging with the double.
'Sure,' the double said as Gerald slid into his place. 'Good luck.'
'Yeah,' Gerald sighed to himself.

Gerald Update

Starting to set up some action here. The plot is coming together in my mind now so it's a little less wander-ish... At least in my mind. Enjoy.

The therapist's office was small, modern and smelt a little like oranges. Gerald sat on a reasonably comfortable chair, his elbows resting on his knees, his chin balancing in his hands. The therapist sat back in her chair, her notepad on her lap.
The two stared aimlessly at each other until she spoke. 'So how was your week?'
'Good.'
She let out a laugh and leant forward, 'I'm going to need more than that.' She scribbled the word “good” on her notepad and showed it to Gerald. 'My boss'll kill me if I let you leave with just this.'
Gerald smiled. She was right, the word looked a little lonely on her pad. 'Well I had a few weird dreams this week.'
'Great! That's always a good place to start.' She smiled wide, 'We'll just jump straight into your subconscious then.'
Gerald let out a slight laugh, 'Okay then.'
'So tell me about your “weird” dreams.'
'Well I dreamt about a man who was like, floating, outside my window.' Gerald leant back, resting his hands in his lap.
'Floating man, hey? Did he do anything? Say anything to you?'
'No, he disappeared.'
'Like, “poof”?' She made a mock magician motion with her hands, 'he vanished?'
'Yeah. I saw him again later and he did it again.'
'Sounds like you've got a case of disappearing man syndrome.'
'What's the cure, doc?' Gerald leant forward again, resting his chin in his hands.
She smiled, 'Find a nice boy Gerald.'
'Why does everyone keep telling me that?' Gerald frowned.
'I'm just kidding. No, but seriously, it could be a deeper anxiety. Separation maybe? Fear of abandonment? I mean, I know all about your family Gerald. You've been through a lot.' She leant forward and rested her hand on Gerald's shoulder.
Gerald smiled, the warmth of her touch was all he needed. It didn't help him understand anything, it didn't make his problems go away, it just felt normal. Gerald only wanted to feel normal.
'I treated your mother, you know?'
'I didn't know that,' Gerald frowned.
'She was like you,' she smiled. Gerald smiled back, knowing he would never fully understand his mother. 'Well time's up kid,' she put the cap on her pen and stood up.
'Already?'
'Yeah, you've got a busy day ahead of you.' She leant forward, her lips close to Gerald's ear. 'After all, you're the only one who can save them.' She kissed his forehead.
'Save who?'
'Save the children Gerald.' She walked over to the door and held it open for him to leave.
'Sorry. What?' Gerald stood, not quite sure what he had heard.
'Time's up buddy. Time to wake up.'

Gerald opened his eyes. He was lying in bed, covered in sweat. There was no note this time, but Gerald remembered most of the dream. He rolled over onto his side and saw Sally lying next to him. She was completely naked, and Gerald looked down to see that he was too. He blinked and looked around the room. The lighting was dim, but Gerald could make out a large mirror against one wall. He looked over and realised he was lying on a double bed, possibly a queen. A glass bowl on the side-table overflowed with wrapped condoms and Gerald looked across the room at the large flat-screen television showing a pretty tame lesbian sex scene. The volume was down.
'So, you've already payed for the hour, but there are a few extra things I can do. But they'll cost you.' Sally's head rested on her hand.
'Sorry, what?'
'Hmm,' Sally looked down at him. 'I'm not sure if you'd be up for the extras anyway.'
'You're not a prostitute.'
'I can be whatever you want, honey.' She smiled devilishly, 'For the hour anyway.'
'This is a dream,' Gerald sat up on the bed.
'Sure it is,' her hand slid down Gerald's stomach. 'Still hung up on your runaway boyfriend?'
'He wasn't my boyfriend. Why does everyone say that?' Gerald inhaled sharply.
'You like that?' Sally smiled at him. Her eyes had a lazy look in them.
'Yes, but,' Gerald inhaled again. 'This isn't real.'
'Just enjoy it, honey. Who cares if it's not real?'
Gerald put his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. 'What does all this mean?'
'Who knows?' She sounded bored.
'Weird dreams, disappearing guys? What's wrong with me.'
She slid closer to Gerald, her body pressing against his. 'There's nothing wrong with you baby.' She kissed his neck causing Gerald to let out a long-held sigh. 'You like that?' She whispered into his ear.
Gerald opened his eyes and turned his head towards her, their noses were almost touching. 'I do like it.' He kissed her on the lips.
'That's normally extra, but I'll let you get away with it.' She smiled, 'You're just too cute.'
Gerald let out a laugh, 'Yeah, sure.'
'Tell me about your dreams Ger.'
'I had a really weird one with my therapist.' Gerald closed his eyes, letting his body relax. Letting Sally do what she wanted.
'Like this one?'
'What?' Gerald opened his eyes looking at her. 'No,' he relaxed again. 'I don't even have a therapist,' Gerald laughed. 'She told me I'm the only one who can save them.'
'Save who, honey?'
'The children.'
'What do you suppose that means?'
'No idea.' Gerald put his hand down over hers, stopping her. He rolled onto his side, kissing her again. She smiled and put her leg over his, their naked bodies pressing together.
'I know what it means,' she said.
'Oh really?' Gerald kissed her again. 'Can you please tell me?'
She smiled and nestled her head into his neck, her mouth near his ear. 'You're so strong,' she rubbed his arms.
'No, tell me about this weird shit. Please.'
'You can see things that haven't happened yet,' she kissed his neck. 'You can outrun any bully.' Gerald felt her tongue lick his collarbone, and he heard her giggle.'You're the only one that can save them.' She pulled away, looking into his eyes. 'Don't let it get you down, honey. You're very special.'
Gerald leant in to kiss her, but she pulled back.
'Time's up kid.'
'Already?'
'Yeah, you've got a busy day ahead of you.' She leant forward, her lips close to Gerald's ear. 'After all, you're the only one who can save them.' She kissed his forehead. 'Time's up honey. Time to wake up.'
'Yeah. I know.'

More weird stuff

Here's a bit more of the "Gerald" story.

Gerald found it hard to sleep that night, his thoughts drifted back to the man in the grey jumper. Why would he vanish like that? Once Gerald managed to sleep, he had another dream. He found himself walking along a street near his house that he knew well. Something told him to stop walking and he did. Looking around Gerald saw a house that he had walked past many times. The old red bricks were faded and moss grew around the base of the house.
A strange sensation flew through Gerald, telling him to go into the house. Although he had walked past it many times, he never knew who lived there. He never found himself paying any attention to any of the houses on his walks.
As he walked up onto the front porch Gerald saw the curtains flutter. The little motion sparked his curiosity and he stepped over to the window. Despite the curtains being heavy and drawn, Gerald leant against the window, trying to see into the house. His hands never made contact with the glass, instead he lurched forward and fell into the living room.
'Gerald? What are you doing here?' Sally said. She sat on a large couch surrounded by piles of books, a notepad in her lap.
'I don't know,' Gerald answered still sprawled out on the floor where he had landed.
'Come here,' Sally tapped the cushion next to her curled up legs. 'I want you to see this.'
Gerald picked himself up from the floor and sat down on the couch next to her. She had a large hard-cover graphic novel open on the floor. Gerald saw the image of a masked hero perched on a menacing gargoyle. His eyes moved to Sally's notepad. She had replicated the image with incredible accuracy.
'I thought you were supposed to be writing an essay on this stuff?' Gerald stretched out and put his arm around her shoulder.
'I know,' she sighed and leant into him. 'I'd rather make it than write about it, you know?'
'I know.' Gerald stroked her hair.
'You hungry?' Sally looked up at him.
'Hmm?'
'I said, are you hungry?' She laughed and patted his stomach.
'Sure Sal.' Gerald watched as she placed her pad down on one of the piles surrounding her, his hand stroking her back as she did.
She got up and walked over to the kitchen, 'Come on. Let's see what we can find.'
Gerald stood and followed her into the kitchen. He sat down at the table next to his mother who was staring out of the window, a cold piece of toast sitting on a plate in front of her.
'Is she always like that?' Sally asked as she dug through the refrigerator.
'Yeah,' Gerald said, picking up his mother's toast and taking a bite. 'I wish I knew what she was thinking.'
'Just ask her, Ger.' Sally found a birthday cake in the fridge and cut two slices.
'Yeah,' Gerald chewed the cold toast. 'Maybe next time.'

The next morning Gerald found a scribbled note resting on his chest. Red ink ran up his arm, the paper was scratched and torn as if he had tried to write on it while holding it in the air. After turning on the lights Gerald flattened the note out on his desk and tried to decipher what it read.
“Sal's got a (something) happy birth... ask Mum.”
Gerald wondered who Sal was. His birthday was a few days ago, maybe he dreamt about that. He had no idea what he was supposed to ask his mother about, or how he was supposed to do that. Gerald eventually gave up and threw the note into his waste basket.
Chewing a piece of toast at the kitchen table, Gerald stared out of the window. The orange leaves fluttered around the trees, but no men appeared this time. After breakfast Gerald grabbed his jacket and walked out the front door.
He wandered aimlessly around the streets until he spotted a familiar looking red brick house. Gerald made his way up to the front door and rang the bell. After about ten minutes, Gerald rang the bell again. The door opened a fraction and Gerald saw a familiar face peek out at him.
'Hello?'
He had trouble remembering where he had met her before. 'Hi,' he said.
She opened the door wide and a confused look crossed her face, 'Hey.'
Gerald smiled, he didn't know what else to do.
'The guy from uni, right?' She said, her hand resting on the doorknob.
'Yeah, medicine,' Gerald smiled.
'What's up?' She looked bothered.
'Can I come in?'
Her eyebrows pulled together and she tilted her head slightly. 'How did you know where I lived?'
Gerald wondered the same thing. 'I didn't,' he answered truthfully.
She pulled the door closer to herself, and stepped back a fraction into the house. 'You didn't?'
'Is this a bad time?' Gerald asked. 'I could come back later.'
'Why would you come back?'
'Can we talk?'
'I guess so,' she held onto the door. 'What's up?'
Gerald realised he looked like an idiot. He didn't know how he found this house. He had no idea who this girl was, except she studied at the university. 'I'm sorry, this is going to sound weird.'
'Go on,' she said.
'A guy disappeared the other day. I don't know who he was.'
She smirked. 'Yeah, guys around here will do that.'
'No, I mean he was just gone.'
'Happens all the time,' she frowned. 'You need to find yourself a nice guy who won't run off on you, okay honey?'
Gerald didn't understand.
'I hope that helps,' she said and closed the door.
Gerald made his way home, his head spinning.