CONTORTED

Chapter two

Our instincts mask our future; sometimes, a flaw reveals it. Premonitions are admonitions in disguise.

-CONTORTED

                                    CHAPTER 2: THE PARANOIA

Jordan Kandler was totally unwilling to attend the meeting. He was hardly prepared before he flew to his destination, and landed in a twenty story hotel, where his accommodation was booked.

"Why do they have to call us HERE? Can't they just put us up in a conference hall, and tell us what has to be told?" He complained to Navin, his colleague.

"Beats me Jod. Maybe our boss wants to tell us something important, after all. What bothers you now? Don't you feel comfy here? I love this place. It feels better than home. I feel secure here!"

"Why?"- asked Jordan blandly.

"Nagging-free, noise-free, tension-free, and free from that annoying neighbor screaming her head off at her children,"-Navin listed,  counting with his fingers. "I always needed a day off from that asylum.Now that I'm a country away, those monsters can't bother me!"

"I second that. But I I live all alone. No annoying neighbors. My only woe is my recurring headache. And that pretty much makes up for all your whammies. They just seem to suck the life out of me every time I get them."

"Headaches?? Man I would be glad to endure just headaches, and live in a quiet place in solitude , like you!"

"Bite your tongue Navin. You may want to take back what you just said. It comes once in a fortnight, and leaves me scarred for almost a week, and then the cycle recurs. Once. Only once, and lasts for a few seconds, maybe a minute. Gives me those chills, you know? I cant raise an eyebrow, or move a finger. Everything around me darkens and I feel like I'm falling into abyss. It feels claustrophobic, and leaves me gasping for breath...And -

"And the background music rises to a crescendo, and you wake up screaming "Ahhhhhhhhh" and it was all a nightmare?"

"I would be glad if it ends that way. But that's not the case"

Navin chewed his lower lip. "Man, I guess a doc might be able to fix you up. Maybe a migraine. A strong one. Maybe. Or as you said it might be a premonition. Some omen is warning you of an upcoming nervous breakdown. I feel so."

"A migraine can't do that to you!"

Navin shrugged.

"Jod. Maybe we can go to a psychiatrist.Hey, why don't we go to a fortune teller who puts your hand on a plump crystal ball and foresees your future in it? Maybe he can interpret something useful. Do you believe in soothsayers??"

"DO YOU?!! Atleast have you heard of any??" Thundered Jordan.

"Nope."

"Then I request you to  cut it out, shut up, and go to bed!!" 

"Alright.. Alright! That did not sound a request.. Okay. Anyway,  chill man. Stress ain't healthy for you. Goodnight!" Navin was stumped.

"I know and I'm sorry for that. Goodnight!"

Jordan felt a wave of paranoia and desperation sweep over him. He felt helpless, and everyone who heard this ended up ridiculing him like Navin. He glanced at the melatonin capsules on the dresser, and was about to drift of to sleep while he heard a loud thudding noise from the ceiling, and jumped awake.

"Someone just fell from their bed Jod..." mumbled Navin and curled back to sleep.

Jordan sat on his bed, wide awake, and took in a few deep breaths to soothe his nerves.

The intercom rang out loud.

Like a siren.

Jordan knew something was wrong, and reached out for the intercom with his cold sweaty palm.