Insider X by Dave Buschi Page A

the door.  Na went to the peephole.  Through it she could see a girl distorted by the fisheye lens.  The girl was alone.
    Na opened the door.  Standing in the corridor was a girl about Na’s age, which was to say twenty or so.  She had a short bob for a haircut that was very stylish.  She was dressed in a matching outfit: a pleated blue and white skirt and a white tunic with blue piping around the collar.  She wasn’t tall, but the open-toe strappy shoes she had on gave her another three inches of height.
    “Hello, Na.  My name is Huiliang.”  The girl spoke in Na’s native language; a local Chengdu-Chongqing dialect.  The girl bowed her head slightly.  She had a crimson colored shopping bag in her hand.
    Na stepped aside.  This was so weird, Na thought.  “Welcome, Huiliang.  Please, come in.”
    Huiliang stepped inside.  Na closed the door behind her.  The two of them walked into the living room.
    Huiliang offered the bag to Na.  “For you.”
    Na looked at it with a quizzical expression.
    Huiliang smiled.  “A housewarming gift.  Don’t worry, it’s not a clock.”
    Na took the bag.  “Thank you… Huiliang.”  She went to set it down next to the couch.
    “Oh please… open it now,” Huiliang said.
    “Now?”
    Huiliang nodded.  “Mm hmm.”
    Na went on the couch and Huiliang joined her.  Na looked in the bag.  There were three items inside: a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a small box with a gift bow.  Na pulled out the loaf of bread first.
    “May you never go hungry,” Huiliang said.
    “Looks yummy.”  Na set it on her lap.  She pulled out the wine.
    “May your life be sweet,” Huiliang said.  “I find being drunk helps with that.”  She giggled.
    Na pulled out the last item, the red gift box with the gold bow.
    “Very pretty,” Na said.  She took the lid off that held the bow.  Inside the box was a container of gourmet sea salt.
    “And, of course, you must have spice in your life,” Huiliang said.
    “Thank you, Huiliang.  I don’t know what to say,” Na said.  “I’ve never received such nice gifts.”
    “You’re very welcome,” Huiliang said.  “So tell me, how do you like your place?”
    “This… this is really mine?” Na said.
    Huiliang nodded.  “Mm hmm.”
    “Not a joke?” Na said.
    “Nope!” Huiliang said and laughed.  “Isn’t it something?”
    Na wanted to shake her head and pinch herself.  “I’m not sure I understand?”
    “Don’t worry,” Huiliang said, “you will.”
    “And my clothes?” Na said.  “Who brought them here?  Was it you?”
    Huiliang shook her head.  “No, I just put some of your clothes away and folded them.  They usually just dump them all.  But I didn’t want it to be all messy for you when you arrived.”
    “Some things I couldn’t find,” Na said.  “Like my iPhone and laptop.”
    Huiliang bowed her head.  “Yes, they would have taken those.  No phones or laptops allowed.  But don’t worry, you won’t need them here.”
    “You said ‘they’?” Na said.
    Huiliang nodded.  “You probably have lots of questions.  I did too.  But don’t worry, I’m here to help you.  First: let’s get you ready.”
    “Ready for what?” Na said.
    “Your party, silly,” Huiliang said.  “Everyone gets one when they first arrive.  Come.  Let’s put something pretty on.  I liked some of your outfits.  Too bad we’re not the same size.  I tried your shoes on too.  No luck, though.  You have bigger feet.”
    “They’re not that big.”
    “So sorry… didn’t mean it that way.  I have tiny feet.  See!”  Huiliang lifted a foot.  Her cute nails were painted red.
    “Nice pedicure,” Na said.
    “You like?  We’ll get you one too.”  Huiliang stood and walked towards the bedroom.  “You’re one of the first to get a place here,” Huiliang said.  “They just finished this building.  They’re moving me in next week.  I asked if I could be on this floor, but