haunted

1. Keys

"No, I am back. In fact I just arrived two hours or so ago… Well, it was a good break…yes I am standing outside my door now…I am on leave on tomorrow as well…wait a moment," he switched the phone over to the other hand as he fished for his keys. "Sorry, I was opening my door. Please go on…"

"Uh huh…uh huh…" he acknowledged as he stopped to remove his shoes, bending down to arrange them neatly. "I understand. I will come by tomorrow then…"

Entering with his luggage, he reached out to switch on the light. "No, it's not a problem at all. Don't worry…"

He placed the luggage to the side. "Yes, see you tomorrow at the office then."

Hanging up, he saw that bunch of keys on the table.

2. Name

"I am so glad we clinched it," the boss laughed heartily and patted him on the back. "It's all thanks to you. You came back in the nick of time…like the cavalry to the rescue."

"It's nothing," he said.

"Come, let's drink up. We have very good reasons to. To our success and to our new family member," the boss stood up, raising his mug, for a toast.

"You are quite a lucky charm. First week at work, and the company has clinched such a big deal," another colleague nudged the newcomer.

The newcomer said nervously, "But I almost botched it. Thankfully, we managed to salvage it." He turned to him, "Thanks for your help."

He smiled.

A phone suddenly rang, interrupting the dinner. The newcomer sheepishly took out his phone.

"Who is it?" the boss asked with a hint of disapproval.

"It's Karin," he excused himself.

Karin.

"Who's Karin?" he asked casually.

"Oh, you don't really know about him, since he came when you went on holiday…Karin is his wife. Just married, that guy."

3. Voice

Love Project

by Karin Stecci

The sign that had caught his attention read. He hesitated a while, before stepping in.

It was a small room with white walls, on which large photographs were displayed. Photographs to do with the photographer's notion of love.

He stood in the center of the room, turning to take in all the photographs. Photographs that have nothing to do with him. Not even a single trace. Everything was new, like the whitewashed walls.

He heard a man's voice. Then hers.

He turned and stepped out of the room quickly.

4. Song

Driving along the expressway, the radio was playing that song. That song from long ago.

He very much wanted to switch it off.

But he couldn't.