The Outlier (fiction)

The Outlier stood there watching me from across the room. I was at a corner table by the window, waiting on Jane to hurry the eff up before the outlier got here. Jane knew what to say, but I had what he wanted.

It will be alright, it will be alright, it will be alright, it will…

I opened our newspaper and pretended to read. Glancing up and down and to the side, where Jane should be coming from any second.

He had gotten closer. Fucking weirdo.

“Hey, you good?”

I jumped in my seat.

It was Jane. Her hair was a mess.

From across the room, just a couple of tables back, I see The Outlier is turning, quickly, away from me like Jane is the anecdote.

I swallow hard and look at her.

“He’s here, I saw him,” I say

“Oh shit.”

Jane quickly opens her notebook and starts writing.

“When? Where?”

She’s on the edge of her seat.

“While you were in the bathroom.”

Jane flushes and flattens her hair.

“He was walking up to me. I thought he was gonna take a seat or something.”

“Did he?”

“No, of course not.”

Jane turns around in her seat, cranking her neck and cracking her back at the same time.

“He’s gone.” I say.

“No.” Jane shakes her head. “He’s still here. I can feel it.”

“What was he wearing?” She asks.

“Burgundy, I think. He was wearing a tie.”

“A tie? We’re at Chilis.”

The waitress approaches with the chocolate molten lava cake. A crackling candle is stuck in the center.

“Anything else ladies?”

We murmur no, grab our spoons, and dig in.

The lights start flashing, and a siren blares. The overhead speakers erupt in song and so does the entire establishment. “Happy happy birthday, from the chili’s crew! We wish it was our birthday so we could party too!”

Confetti rains from the ceiling. Jane and I look at eachother. She says...

“Is this for us?”

Everyone settles down and normalcy resumes.

“The Outlier, Jane!” I say.

Her mouth is stuffed with cake. “What are you talking about?”

“The Outlier. He knows it’s your birthday. He knows everything… Jane, I didn't order this cake.”

Jane spits her food into a napkin. “Oh my gosh, it's poison!" and chugs her water glass.

She gets up from her seat. She’s practically standing on top of the table.

“See. I told you he’s still here.”

My heart starts to race. I don’t need Jane to ruin this for us. If the Outlier can just give us a little more information on Sam Broker then our newspaper might actually survive. The first paper to report on the first woman to lay an egg.

“Jane, please sit down.”

She crawls back into her seat.

We stare at each other. Uncertain.

“Who knows, maybe the Outlier’s a joke.”

I shrug and poke the cake around with my fork. She and I both split the bill and agree that we’ll reconvene tomorrow at the warehouse. The warehouse that we share with multiple different offices, meaning Surge will most likely be there, meaning I’ll have to pretend I have plans in case he asks me to lunch. Jane just ignores him and pretends she can’t hear him through her wired earbuds from 2010 which definitely aren't noise canceling.

We’re in the parking lot hugging each other goodbye. Jane gets a call and answers it immediately. We start to walk our separate ways and as I unlock my car, I can hear a faint whistle in the distance. I look around and catch a tall figure in a dark suit and yellow tie hop on a motorcycle.

It’s The Outlier. I quickly hop in my car and watch him through a pair of cold metal binoculars. He starts his engine and slowly maneuvers his way out of the parking lot and into the abyss.

I scribble my findings down with a time stamp. I could either go home and finish the season finale of Young Royals or I could follow this strange man, raging for justice for Sam.

“Damn it, Damn it, Damn it” I don’t think I have a choice.

I throw my notebook down and let the metal binoculars hang around my neck. I start my car, blast the heater and immediately shut off the stereo. I love you Miley, but I have to focus. I weave out of the lot, turn the corner and follow The Outlier into that good night.