I called my assistant and told him to set up a video conference for the meeting. I said everything I needed to say and they all agreed. I booked my flight out and decided to go investigate the lake. Carefully of course I wouldn't step on it. It clearly was unsafe. I left the place in a hurry. I needed to find answers. When I reached the lake, I froze just at the edge. I looked around for anything abnormal. I had been coming here all this time and nothing like this had ever happened. I needed to know just what was going on here. I bent down and tapped on the ice. Solid as a rock. I walked around the entire thing, multiple times, and yet nothing. Just what was so special about this lake? Was it the water and why was I reliving my death over and over, it was horrible.


I left and came back with a hammer. I knocked on the ice without actually being on the Ice it was sturdy as a rock. Somehow it kept cracking the way it did. No matter how hard I hit it, it wouldn't break. I was confused, to say the least. Nothing can compare to the eerie feeling of the unknown. I threw the hammer down and stomped off. I needed to get away and start fresh. I returned home and I packed feverishly. I rushed onto the closest flight out. I couldn't wait any longer to leave. This place was making me lose my sanity. Nothing can compare to one losing all sense of who they are. I was going to use this vacation to my advantage. Live while I still could. Calling my assistant from the airport and having him send someone to take care of all my business affairs in Burlington was a relief. I could not focus on Vermont business right now and didn't need anyone to see my crazy.


The second he landed he found the best hotel to stay in. Hoping he could get some privacy inside his room. It only lasted so long. As soon as he got in he got a call from his assistant. He was telling him how the guy who was supposed to cover him got delayed on his flight. He would need to take care of business after all. He told his assistant to call them and apologize for his tardiness. He would be on his way shortly and take care of everything. To tell the guy who was supposed to cover him he was free of charge. He grabbed a quick drink from the minibar and changed into more suitable attire. Then he headed out.


He was solemn he didn't have the energy to fake a smile for all his fans and the paparazzi. Some woman came up to him to ask for an autograph. He nearly brushed her off before remembering his manners and signing his John Hancock. Climbing into the car he took some deep breaths. What if this was a warning that he had an ultimely demise coming? The thought scared him. He took another drink. He kept trying to rationalize what had happened and why it had happened. His thoughts were driving him mad. He wasn't sure just how many drinks he had taken before he finally got to his stop. He hadn't really paid much attention or counted. He wanted to take the edge off and settle down. He was calm when he stepped out. He walked into the building like he had been there before. As if it wasn't the first time. Somehow he managed to get through all of it. A few people gave him odd looks but he ignored it. He was on his way down in the elevator. It stopped a few flights before his floor.


The doors opened and his mouth nearly dropped to the floor. She walked in with her brown curly hair cascading down stopping just below the shoulders. She smiled at him and stood opposite in the elevator in front of him. Silent but beautiful. His heart was racing. He wanted to talk to her but it was like he couldn't speak. She lifted her phone from her pocket. She typed furiously at it. She seemed busy or perhaps she was pretending to be. "Hey, you got the time?" He finally uttered. It was stupid and he was sure he slurred a bit. He didn't seem to care. He needed to know her name. She looked at him and stared back. "Why don't you check your watch." She pointed to his wrist. He laughed and pretended to look at it. "Oh well, would you look at that? I forgot I was wearing it." He lied. "Yeah well maybe hit the whiskey a little less and then maybe you can remember things." She smirked. She was sassy and he liked it.


There was something about her that he couldn't place. He felt drawn to her and all prior thoughts and worries vanished. "You're right. I'm not usually like this. I've had an off day excuse my foul appearance but I just had to know your name, which is?" He asked thinking he made a bit of a smooth transition to finding it out. She studied him for a minute and he felt self-conscious under her gaze for a moment.