Northern Exposure: Episode One

Jacob then turned his back and walked to his apartment.

  “As for the rest of you please relocate to your premises turn on your computers or televisions and stay there until we get instructions and information.”

  ”Being out here is only further risking your own safety and that of your families.”

  “For now I ask you all to make sure you are not directly standing or sitting underneath anything that could fall onto you, no fans, cabinets etcetera and in the event of another tremor take cover under something sturdy like a table or door frame, thank you and please everybody be safe.”

  The crowd dispersed at the orders of Smith and not a single tenant disobeyed him, soon the passageway was empty and eerily quiet. I was astounded how quickly the place cleared out and in the creepy utter silence only this women and myself remained. I picked myself off the cold clammy concrete, realising only then how numb my bottom was, we had been seated on the hard surface for quite some time. I then helped the girl up, there was still a slight shake in her hands, and her fear had not completely subsided yet. We started walking, she began gaining some composure but was still glued to my side, and she gripped my hand tightly. Our shoulders rubbed as we walked down the passage. Not before long she looked down only than realising she was holding a complete strangers hand. Immediately I could sense the situation getting very awkward very quickly. However I never panicked and just played it off smoothly as if nothing was weird about the whole ordeal.

  We both acted as if it was the norm and carried on walking down the passage, she stopped at B22.

  ”This is me,” She said then she slowly and reluctantly let go of my hand.

 

  As our hands separated I felt lost, knowing I would most probably never spend another intimate moment like this one with her almost drove me to tears. I could not understand why I had such strong feelings for this woman? Why was I so caught up by her?

  ”Hope you feel much better now, I’m sure all the commotion has subsided, things should be quite chilled from here on out.”

  ”But if there’s anything you need please don’t hesitate to come give me a buzz.”

  ”I’m actually just one floor above at flat A61.”She smiled again and opened her door

  “Thanks ...”

  “Cairo, my name is Cairo”

  ”Like the city?”She laughed,

  “Yes like the city,” I replied.

  She waited for me to respond. But I stood there wide eyed, caught in the moment not saying a thing. Not knowing what to do, bottle up by a concoction of infatuation, fear and many more emotions. She took control of the situation realising I was had no intention of doing so

  ”Well Cairo, the hero, who just strolls around saving maidens in distress are you going to be a real hero and make sure I’m okay in here?” “Or are you going to leave me here all by myself?”

  Her flirtatious manner overwhelmed me, I wasn’t ready for this. All I was expecting was a thank you at most a hug then both of us going our separate ways. So once again I found myself staring at her with no words, nothing but a lump in my throat I tried my hardest to string the slightest of sentences together, but what came out sounded like the moans of a cat being castrated! She knew I was nervous and she knew I was not going to make a move, from there on she knew I would do exactly whatever she wanted me to.

  She had me caught, hook, line and sinker.

  “Oh and by the way my name’s Layla.’’