Chasing Shadows Read Online Free Page A

experience, I'd
say I don't know enough yet to be able to pass judgment on you...
Not for smoking up anyway."
    "You smoke?"
    "Nah. My brain's already damaged, so who knows
what drugs would do?"
    "Seriously." Shelving Fairy looks at me dumb
founded.
    I nod. "Yup seriously."
    "Huh." Shelving Fairy slurps up the last of her
diet coke through her straw. "Well you have to let me dye your hair
then. You're roots are killing me."
    That caught me by surprise. I laugh loudly,
charmed. "Sure, whatever. What color?'
    Shelving Fairy shrugs. "I'll think about it,
but we're doing it this week for sure."
    "I work all week."
    "Yeah for eight hours a night. Oooo, where will
you find the time?" She says sarcastically.
    I sigh. "I have to sleep."
    "Well what time do you wake up every
day?"
    "Sixish."
    Shelving Fairy's eyes bug out a little. "That
leaves like, five freaking hours every day. Plenty of time,
trust me. Here," Shelving Fairy hands me her phone. "Put you're
cell number in there. I'll call you and we'll work it
out."
    I obey but say. "I don't always answer my phone
though, especially if I don't know the number."
    Shelving Fairy shakes her head. "Why not?
Ducking bill collectors you don't have? It's a 312 number. You'll
answer. You'll think its work calling."
    "Ha!" I say. "There's no area code I'm less likely to pick up for."
    "Fine. Hand me your goddam phone, and put some
money on the table so we can get out of here, before I start eating
the napkins."
    I smile, handing over my phone and Shelving
Fairy smiles back. I'm totally gonna get her name now. When
Shelving Fairy hands it back I bring up the phone book to look for
the new number. I don't have to look far. There it is. The first
entry is now a 312 number listed as 'answer the fucking phone'
which is too long for the space so it ticks by like stock numbers.
"Cute." I say.
    "I thought so." Shelving Fairy replies. "Look
I'll see you at work tomorrow. I'm gonna go home K?"
    "Yeah sure. Hope you're friend's
okay."
    "Huh?"
    "The Hungarian, pot head, video
major."
    Shelving Fairy nods. "Ohhh Froilan... yeah I
forgot." Shelving Fairy giggles. "Later!"
    I exhale heavily as Shelving Fairy hops up and
takes off. I finish the rest of my omelet, and the waitress brings
the check. When I see the check I sigh again. Shelving Fairy didn't
leave enough money. Shelving Fairy only left three dollars. Crazy,
pot head Shelving Fairy. Good thing I brought enough money. I pay
for the meal and leave Shelving Fairy's three dollars for the tip.
Ashley would have never done that... but fuck Ashley,
honestly.
    ***
    I watch as the sunrise turns all the windows
amber-gold. Soft light like this makes the city seem clean and
wholesome. All the junkies have crawled back to their corners and
are sleeping it off. All the teenage gangsters have filed back to
their mother's houses. The day walkers are alert but quiet at 8 AM.
I am standing on the Randolph platform just north of downtown. It's
the one closest to Golden Waffle, naturally. It's crowded up here
with hundreds of men and women in suits every shade of gray, the
charcoal universe. The South bound train arrives and ninety-seven
percent of the commuters cram their wool and linen covered bodies
into it. I stay put. As they pull out, a brisk breeze stings my
cheeks. I take a deep breath of it, filling my lungs with
exhaust-a-la-pancakes. There's another diner below me. I'm headed
north, home, home at last. It's been a weird night. I rub my hand
over my face. It comes back oily. I wipe it on my jeans. I wonder
what I look like to all those healthy, busy, day people. This has
got to be the one time of day I actually appreciate them. They're
off to make the world safe for democracy and all that, to stave off
Armageddon another day. If a nuclear holocaust ever comes on
America, it'll come by day I think. Maybe I'll sleep through it.
Ah, here comes my train.
     

Chapter Two
     
    I am standing quietly in the elevator. I am
currently sharing it with four customers