Short Story

“Excuse me, “ the man interrupts. “I was talking to her.” The man says, staring directly at Greene. “Do I know you?” “I don’t believe so.” Greene responds. “You look familiar,” the man says, maintaining his eye contact. A small sliver of nerves start to form within Cander, he takes a silent and deep composing breath. “I don’t think we have ever met. I’m sure of it actually.” Greene responds firmly. “Ah, you’re right. You just remind me of someone. But hey, since you’re going to be joining us, it would be nice to get to know you,” he says with a smile. “Actually, let me take a guess,” Talking fast, he barely gives them a chance to respond. He studies her face, tilting his head from side to side. Trying not to show any emotion, Greene …show more content…

“When I was young, He would tell us this story about a beach that we were going to move to. Live in a house right up on the shore, away from all the noise and traffic that a crowded city can bring. The day’s warm weather will balance out with a cool breeze at nighttime. Each night would be a home cooked meal with the food from our own garden, it would be just us living there; as a happy family,” Cander briefly smiles at the man. “He died repairing a rundown building in the pines. And we never got to live on that beach. You want to know who we are and why we are here, we want to get rid of the constraints of this city. We want to finally make it to that beach.” The man crosses his arms, his face inscrutable, and his reaction ambiguous. “I know who you are,” the recruiter says solemnly. Cander looks at him inquisitively. “Welcome to the Argonauts!” He blurts out cheerfully, extending his arms to the side in a welcoming manner. A moment later, men dressed in the familiar black suits come storming in from the exit door behind him. The recruiter’s cheerful expression does not change, even as he is forced to the ground, his hands pushed behind his back. Cander and Greene exit through the entrance they arrived, the restaurant has been cleared out, a line no longer waits anxiously to get in. Walking up from the back room, two men escort the recruiter into another white car. He smiles at Greene as he is led into the back seat. A few