“Wait, how did you recognize me then? He asked trying to get a look at the man’s eyes but could only see the large toothy smile etched on his face from his vantage point. Todd barked twice at the man the hair on his backing standing straight up.
“It’s ok Toddy. Here catch!” The man tossed a treat high up in the air and Todd caught it and laid down wagging his tail as he chewed the treat.
The man giggled as he noticed the expression on PT’s face.
“How do you think I recognized you?”
“Wait, have you been following me?” PT asked and looked around.
“Nope, think harder.” The man said and giggled once more this time at a higher pitch. The man was short around 5’8 and slender. It was hard to tell what age he was. He wore an old timey varsity jacket, blue jeans, and worn tore up boots. He had a slight hunch and his teeth were slightly yellow. PT guessed he was approaching 40 or maybe 60. He could have been the same age as PT.
“Oh, my voice.” PT said softly
“Bingo. Here Toddy have another treat. The man threw up another treat this time it was much larger.
“Did you give me that package on purpose then?” PT asked.
“You mean the one you stole from box 915?” The man said smiling
“How did you know I stole that?”
“Well you told me just now?” The man said.
“Hmm. Did you intend for me to get that key?”
“Now that is an interesting question. But I have no plan. I do not intend for anything. I simply place the mail in the correct box”
“But the package for the key had no address.”
The man giggled. “Hmm I wonder how it got in your box then?”
“Wait did you want me to open up the box 915?”
“I told you. I don’t want anything.”
PT was growing frustrated. “Well who’s the owner of that box?”
“I am not at liberty to say my friend.” The man giggled and tossed Todd another treat.
“What did those photos mean? What is in the blue box?” Pt asked louder this time.
“Shhhh. You don’t want to wake the neighbors my dear friend.”
“Trevor owns the box doesn’t he?”
“Hmm interesting thought. Maybe Trevor does own the box maybe he doesn’t.”
“Do I know Trevor?” PT asked.
The man howled with laughter. “Why are you asking me. Shouldn’t you know the answer to that question.”
“Well, you’re no help at all. Even though it seems you know something.” PT said.
“Hmm Well maybe Trevor knows something too.”
“So you know Trevor!”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not. Ooo I do know something I can help you with?”
The man pulled a purple package out from inside his coat. PT’s name was written on the front. This is for you I believe.
The package suddenly appeared in PT’s hands. He blinked twice but couldn’t remember the man giving it to him. He opened the package up and felt inside. It was a book of some sort. He opened it up and flipped through the pages. There was text and images, hand drawn images on the pages. The book appeared to be unpublished and handmade. His hands started to burn as he touched the book
“What was that.” He said his voice in slow motion. Everything around him was getting fuzzy and the man appeared to have 7 different faces all at once.
“Goodbye now friend. It’s time for me to go. You better go after Toddy there. Looks like he got away.”
PT looked up and saw Todd prancing away down the street. The man howled in laughter, hunched over, and hobbled away. PT stood up holding his package but he couldn’t move then everything turned to black.
PT opened his eyes. He was back home in his bed. He felt terrible like awaking from a hangover. He looked at his hand and noticed burn marks index on his index finger and thumb from where he had touched the booklet. It didn’t look nearly as bad as it felt. He suddenly he remembered the PO box man from last night and recounted the strange discussion they had and Todd. Todd! He jumped out of bed and called out for Todd, but there was no response. He ran around his apartment but Cassie’s slender tall white dog was nowhere in sight. He pictured the man from last night laughing inside his head. “I wonder how it got in your box then?” he heard the voice say again. He looked around the apartment for the package he had received and found it lying on the couch underneath his jacket. At least he hadn’t lost that.
Suddenly he heard a knock at the door. He walked over and opened it. It was the woman from next door. The single mother with that cute little boy that always played in the park nearby. She had something for him. Not another package he thought. It wasn’t a package but a large fancy Gucci duffel bag. She told him his friend had left it at her place while he was out. He accepted the bag but had no idea who she was referring to. He thanked her said goodbye and closed the door. He didn’t even have time to think about what was inside the bag as the thought of Todd out and about without him made him scared to death. What would Cassie think. The horrible dog attack was enough. But now Todd was lost! He tossed the Gucci bag onto his couch, put on his jacket and set out to find the dog.
