Preface

I was thrown back several feet at least, skidding across the ground. I was completely dazed, could barely see, and had no idea what was going on. I knew my knack for zoning out would get me into serious trouble one day. Now I'm neck deep in that trouble.

An icy cold hand wrapped around my throat with an iron grip; all but completely cutting off my air flow. I futilely clawed at the hand, gasping for the air that refused to fill my lungs.

There was only one problem with this trouble I got myself hip deep into...

"Oh don't worry... you're not going to die yet. I'm not finished with you."

It all came from one person. A brutally sadistic woman with the strength I would never have imagined. I was violently slammed against solid concrete. My train of thought effectively ended as I saw spots across my field of vision. I was going to die and, as far as I knew, I hadn't done anything. My hands fell limp to my sides as my vision narrowed.

"Come on. Stay with me. I want you to be awake for this."

She lightly slapped my cheek and her death grip on my neck lessened. My body eagerly filled itself with oxygen. My eye lids started drooping, but my vision came back. Wait... I'm getting ahead of myself. I should probably tell you how I got myself into this mess first.

Monotony

The plane ride seemed like it took forever but with 12 hours of jet lag and no sleep; I was happy to be walking again. It took forever to get through customs. Now all I need to do is find a hotel and sleep. I definitely need sleep.

"TAXI!!" I yelled raising my hand. He pulls up, stops in front of me and helps me load my bag.

"Where to?" He asks in a slightly annoyed tone.

Probably at his job but who was I to judge.

"The nearest affordable hotel," I reply and relax for the first time in almost 24 hours.

The time zones I crossed probably had some effect on the time but I was too tired to figure out what effect. The ride took a little longer than I want. When the cab finally pulls to a stop in front of the hotel, I get out a little eager to fall on a bed.

"Your bag, lady." The cabbie is standing next to me with my bag already unloaded.

"Oh, thank you."

I turn to look at the big sign above the entrance after I pay him. 'The Marshall'. The interior is nice. This may have been a good sign or a bad one depending on how you look at it. On the one hand, they probably had nice service and whatnot, however, on the other hand, they were also probably more expensive than I would like.

Standing at the entrance, there is a marble fountain in the center of the very spacious lobby. Off to the left, several feet, is the check-in counter. The counter is a dark purple marble with gold outlines. The woman attending the counter has a matching uniform. Her name tag is gold covered. I approach the counter. I can read her name tag.

Micha

"What kind of room would you like, ma'am?" I turn my attention to the clerk and her question.

"A single please."

"How long will you be staying with us?"

"Probably no more than a day or two."

"Okay, I have you set up for one day. Your payment is due at noon tomorrow. If you would like more time you will have to buy it then. Your room number is 215. Here's your key. Enjoy your stay with us, ma'am!"

She said the last part with a smile, probably trying to be friendly. I take the key and return the smile out of courtesy. The elevator is a ways back, up a couple stairs. The bellboy in the elevator asks for my room number. It is a short trip to get to the floor. I try to ignore that annoying elevator music. The only thing I can think of is going to sleep. Now that I am in the room the exhaustion sets in. I park my bag in a corner, away from the door, out of the way.

The room had a bathroom at least. I flopped on the bed, which was surprisingly soft. I was barely able to stay awake long enough to crawl under the sheets.

When I woke I felt groggy and just as tired as when I went to sleep. Man, I hated jet lag! Oh well, what could you do? I got out of bed attempting to find my way to the bathroom from foggy memory and Braille. I cursed as I stubbed my toe on a corner. Damn that hurt! Finally finding the bathroom, I flipped on the light. It stung my eyes. Should have expected that. I forced my eyes open trying to force adjustment. It took a while. I started a shower figuring out which one was hot and which one was cold quickly.

I sighed. That felt good. I grabbed my bag, laying it on the floor. I started shifting through it looking for something decent to wear. I gave up and decided on a black T-shirt with a black skirt that went half-way down my thighs. I wasn't anywhere near 'Goth'. I just loved black.

I had been up for probably an hour or so. I looked out the window. It was still dark out. I figured I should try to find the time. There wasn't a clock in the room. Too bad. I put the slippers in the bathroom on and started for the elevator grabbing my watch out of my bag as I went. Might as well set it while I was down there.

My watch was a cute little thing. The chain that went around my wrist looked like somebody had spliced silver and gold together and flecked it with black. It was analog with deep red hands, a solid black background, and stark white roman numerals. I loved it and had held onto it through thick and thin for several years. It always managed to find its way back to me.

The elevator opened up on to the lobby. A guy had replaced the receptionist at the desk. I didn't even have to step out of the elevator. There is a huge clock above the entrance. OOPS! It was 2:34 in the morning. I hit the 5th floor button on the elevator and set my watch to occupy my mind instead of listening to that elevator music. Don't they ever shut that stuff off? Apparently not.

I stepped back inside my room shutting the door quietly. I turned around and for the first time actually looked at my room. The bathroom was on my left in a short hallway that opened up to the rest of the room. The contents of my bag were still sprawled all over the floor. There was a light mounted on the wall above the bed and a nightstand on the right side of the bed. The nightstand had one drawer and a phone.

I quickly pick up all my clothes folding them up and reorganizing them back in my bag. I suppose I should go back to bed or something but I am not tired anymore. Not after that shower. I open one of the side pockets on my bag and pull out my book. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It had gotten a bunch of good reviews in England so I decided to buy a copy before getting on the plane. I needed something to do for 12 hours. So far, I had barely been able to put the book down to get off the plane. I had totally forgotten about it until now.

When I read I usually lost all track of time. Especially, when it was a book this good. I didn't know how much I read when I finally put the book down. I found my watch and check the time again. 4:15. Thank you, jet lag! Might as well try to get some more sleep. I crawled back into bed and am surprised by how fast I fall asleep.

I didn't know how long I had been asleep but it was light out, so I figured it must have been long enough. I jumped out of bed. There were plenty of things to do today. I had to find a job, an apartment, possibly a college. I would like to go to college but you never know. I pulled on socks and shoes before checking my watch again. 9:06. At least it wasn't too late in the morning. I fought the thing onto my wrist.

The same bellboy from yesterday was back at the elevator. I told him to take me to the lobby. I decided to pay for my room now. It was a little more affordable than I was expecting. 90 per night. I was hoping I wouldn't have to stay another night. I asked the clerk about apartments and places looking to hire. She wrote down a couple addresses. I didn't know where I wanted to work. It's not like I had any special talents. I got good grades in school but I wasn't overly intelligent.

I get to the first address on the sheet. A bookstore. I shrug. Why not? I liked books so this may be a good thing. The 'Now Hiring' sign was in the window. I walked inside and the cashier looked up. She smiled.

"Anything I can help you with, ma'am?"

"Yes, actually. I am looking for a job."

"One second, please."

She got up and went through a door that had an "Employees Only" sign above it. Probably to get the manager. I started walking around. Trying to burn time. A couple minutes later, a man walked out of that same door.

"Hi, I'm Caleb, the store manager." He offered his hand.

"I'm Danica." I took his hand, shaking it a little.

"Do you have any special talents that might be helpful?" Caleb inquired.

"I am neat and organized but other than that nothing really." I replied with a non-caring shrug.

"That's good. When can you start?"

"As soon as possible. Thank you."

"Alright, come in tomorrow and we will set you up." He smiled.

"One last thing, what's the salary?"

"Accounting for what you say you can do. You will probably start at" He paused for a minute, thinking before continuing, "9.50 per hour."

"Awesome, thank you." I smiled and left.

Okay, now I had to find an apartment. There were a couple addresses, so not very many options. With a nine dollar salary, no kids, and living by myself. I was probably just being optimistic but things were probably going to work out pretty well. I checked my watch. 10:00. I was making pretty good time. I realized that I hadn't eaten since before the flight two days ago. I was starving! I started walking down the street again.

I found a little café on a corner a block away. The bell above the door jingled a little when I walked in. A waitress walked out as I sat down and handed me a menu.

"Hi, I'm Roslyn. Would you like a drink? Water? Coffee? Tea?"

"Just water, thank you." I smiled and opened the menu.

"Alright, I will be back in a minute once you've decided." She walked away, back to the kitchen.

I quickly looked over the menu. I was ravenous but I doubted I would eat that much. I settled on some waffles and bacon. I didn't have to wait that long before Roslyn came back.

"Are you ready to order?" She set my water down on the table.

"Waffles and Bacon please."

"Okay, it will be just a couple minutes." She, again, returned to the kitchen.

I started to drink my water and realized how thirsty I was as well. I had drained the entire glass by the time Roslyn came back. She smiled, set down my plates and took my cup. It smelled absolutely delicious; which made me even hungrier. I didn't notice when my cup suddenly appeared on the table in front of me. Either that or I just didn't care enough to commit it to memory. I figured it was the latter. It didn't take long to finish the three waffles and 3 strips of bacon. Regardless, it did fill me up. It tasted better than it smelled. Buttermilk was really good. Shortly after, Roslyn brought me the check. Six dollars was pretty cheap. Cool! I left the money and five as a tip.

Now it was time to check out the apartments on the list. One was just down the street from "The Faded Curtain". Sounded like a poetry café or something but who was I to judge. Anyway, it didn't take long to get to the apartment complex. They looked pretty nice from the outside. They had a sort of tan, maybe green wall. I was colorblind so I didn't usually bother with colors. Usually I tried to guess and usually I got it wrong. It annoyed the crap out of me a lot of the time. Oh well, what could you do?

Roses and various other bushes surrounded the central building or 'office'. I didn't usually go all goo-goo eyed or whatever over roses, like most girls probably would have done after receiving one from someone they liked, but these ones were exceptionally pretty. I stopped and bent down to smell one. It had that usual 'rose' smell. I don't know how you would describe it. Sort of a musty smell I guess. I don't know. I always have problems putting my thoughts into words. That annoyed me too. I shrugged. The doorframe and handle were that standard shiny, metal.

I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. The handle was cold to the touch. You could probably attribute that to the slightly chilly but not all too uncomfortable April air. The inside was nice and warm though. I shook the cold off at the door.

There was a small hallway inside the door with pillars turning wide entrances on either side into several smaller ones. The floor looked like amber marble mixed with white and gray flecks, set out in tiles. They were probably fake marble. The lobby on the left had carpet instead of tiles. There were three rectangular windows on the opposite wall, relative to where I was, close to the ceiling. A fireplace was on the right wall from the pillars. A table was directly on my left with papers scattered across it. There were potted plants arrayed all around. Behind me, on the other side of the hallway, were two desks made of wood with transparent plastic overlays so as to protect, but not to hide the grain of the wood. I was standing in front of one and the other was positioned at a perpendicular angle to the first. They both had computer monitors on them although I couldn't see the towers. Both had phones and papers strewn all over like the table. I resisted the urge to organize it, telling myself that it wasn't my prerogative. A lady came out of an office that I hadn't seen when I walked in. The door – to that office – was to the left of the main door.

"Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?" She asked with what sounded like feigned interest.

"Yes, do you have any apartments available?" I asked with half genuine and half feigned interest.

"I don't know off the top of my head. I can check. One minute, please." I followed even though she didn't invite me.

It took her a couple minutes to look up. She periodically asked normal questions like: "How many occupants will there be?" and "Are you unemployed?" followed by "How much do you make?" so on and so forth. I didn't like the tedium of it all but that was life. I gave a mental shrug.

"We have two available that fit what you are looking for. They are both for 700 per month. Would you like to take a look at them or is that all?"

"Not right now. I might be back later but until then, thank you." I got up and left.

That wasn't too bad. I mean it's not like I knew what the average price for an apartment was in America but it sounded reasonable. Anyway, I had one more apartment complex to check out before making a decision. I probably should have asked for directions somewhere. I was too stubborn. I was walking around for what seemed like forever. It was 2:35 when I finally found it. Yeah, I was definitely stubborn but I didn't care very much. Regardless, I found it.

I chuckled, listening to myself go on and on about the most trivial topics. The plants and other 'garden' related items were arranged in much the same fashion as the other complex. Except, instead of rose bushes, they used a combination of tulips and lilies. Between the two; they were arranged in a veritable rainbow of colors. It was absolutely beautiful. I had to pry myself away from it to go inside.

The door was the same but was gold painted instead of that common silver. The inside warmth was nice. I didn't mind the cold. If I could avoid it then I did, otherwise it didn't matter. The inside wasn't quite as elegant as the other place but who cared? A guy got up from one of the desks and came over to me.

"Hi, I'm Clayton. Is there something I can help you with?" He offered his hand.

"Danica. Do you have any apartments available?" I took his hand firmly but gently.

"Well, lets go over here," he gestured to his desk, "and have a look shall we?" He smiled.

I followed him. He was very nice and looked around my age... - wait! What was I thinking? I didn't have the time to date! I still had to get settled down. Still... No, stop it, Danica! You don't need a boyfriend yet.

He asked the same questions the other lady did.

"Sorry, we don't have anything available. There is one available one category up but judging from what you said; you probably couldn't afford it."

"That's alright, thank you for you time though." I smiled and he returned the smile.

I turned to leave. Don't you dare start again, Danica. You don't have the time. I continued berating myself until I noticed I was outside. I hate it when I do that. I'll be thinking about something then find myself somewhere else with no recollection of how I got there or how long I had been there. I never got used to it.

What else did I have left to do? I had to go back to that other complex and have a look at those apartments. My watch said it was 3:00. I swear I hadn't spent that long in there... See what I mean by not knowing "how long I had been there". Although, I couldn't have been there too long because nobody had asked me what I was doing yet. Speaking of which, I had better get moving before somebody does ask me and I have to explain myself. That would be an unnecessary and unwanted hassle.

It didn't take me that long to get back to the other complex now that I knew the way. My biggest fear was spontaneously forgetting the way. I did that sometimes. I would just forget something. Poof! Like it was never there. That little unwanted 'ability' – I didn't know what else to call it – got me into a lot of unwanted situations.

Anyway, back to my present life. See, going on and on about the most trivial topics. Stop, concentrate. I walked back through those same silver doors. The same lady met me when I walked in.

"I take it you want to look at those apartments now?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes, thank you." I smiled back.

She went into what I think is her office and punched a few keys on the keyboard before gesturing for me to follow. I did without a word. She led me to one of the buildings behind the complex, up a flight of stairs, and to the end of the hall.

"Here we are." She said as she unlocked and opened the door.

"Thank you."

I stepped into possibly the very place I would be living for the next several years. Unless something amazing happened. Like I found some rich, handsome guy that was interested in me. Like that would ever happen. I silently laughed at myself. Then quickly stopped. It would be extremely awkward if she heard me. Does that make me 'paranoid'?

Anyway, before my mind drags me off again to contemplate some trivial topic like that, I wrenched myself from my own thoughts to look at my possible new living space. It was spacious but then again places usually looked like that before you got furniture in them. Furniture! That's what I still need. How much money did I have left? A bank account! That is another thing I still need. Damn it, Danica, concentrate. How much money did I have left? Probably somewhere around 5,000 dollars. That's what I brought over from England anyway. Okay, back to the task at hand.

"Excuse me, ma'am? Are you alright?"

She was standing in front of me waving her hand in front of my face. See what I mean by 'lost in thought'? Speaking of which, it would be fun to get one of those shirts that said something like 'Lost in thought. If not back in five minutes, please send search party'. Danica! Pay attention!

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I zone out occasionally." I smiled.

I hate it when I do that. The carpet wasn't the most appealing shade of brown but I would live. The walls were a nice dark blue. No wallpaper. That was good; I didn't like wallpaper. Except on a computer background. Danica! There was a small kitchen off through a doorway in the living room. It had a microwave, oven, and dishwasher. Awesome! I turned around and returned to the living room going down the second hallway to the bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom was on the right side of the hallway with the bathroom right across the hall.

I turned into the bedroom first. From the looks of it, that same carpet and wall color went through the entire apartment. What did I expect? It had a bed frame but no mattress. At least one less thing I have to buy. No dresser and no T.V. or anything else for that matter. Too bad. I went across the hall to the bathroom. The floor turned into white linoleum with black diamonds in the center of the tiles. The bathroom was complete thankfully. It had a sink with a vanity and mirror on the wall in front. If I had to estimate I would say it was about three feet tall by two and a half feet wide. A toilet was next to the vanity and sink with a small shower in front. Door and shower head included. There was one more door at the end of the hall. I walked over and opened it. There was a washing machine and dryer inside.

"I assume those" I pointed to the washer and dryer. "work?"

"Yes, they do." She replied, sweetly.

Sweet, looks like all I had to buy was furniture and a mattress. Did a mattress qualify as furniture? Like I said furniture and all of those other miscellaneous items required for living. I shouldn't go into a list; lest I get distracted.

"When is the soonest I can move in?" I was eager to get this over with so I could leave and get on with other important things.

"Whenever you like. There is just some paperwork you need to fill out so we can take it off our 'available list'. If you'll follow me." She turned and started walking towards the door. I promptly followed.

Shortly after we were back in the office and I was filling out paperwork. I don't know how long I spent doing that. I am just elated now that I am done. I thanked the lady and left. Don't worry I would be back. What was left now? Or more accurately, what is left that I have time for? 5:15. Man, it had been a long day. I stretched, especially stretching my neck and back. They hurt the worst along with my wrist. Did I mention I hate handwriting?

I started quickly walking back toward that little café I ate breakfast at. What was it called? Something to do with faded drapery or something or other. Oh yeah! "The Faded Curtain". I still think it sounds like a poetry café or something. Something more than just a normal, run-of-the-mill café. How many times have said "something" in the past minute. Not to mention, "café"... Am I 'weird'? In whatever connotation of the word people choose to use?

I arrived at the café – there I go again – shortly after deliberating with myself some more. I walked in hearing that familiar jingle from the bell above the door. Such a pleasant sound. I walked to a table as Rosalyn, the same waitress from before, walked out.

"Back for more, honey?" She smiled and set a glass of ice water down on the table.

I hadn't realized how thirsty I was. After not drinking anything all day what did I expect? I tended to ignore my body when I was busy with a long list of various things to do. I drained the entire glass in front of her in minutes.

"Thank you–"

I was cut off when the brain freeze set in. I stopped speaking and clenched my jaw against the sting. It felt like somebody was taking a knife and digging out my temples. Roslyn took the cup and walked off cracking up. I could hear her laughing all the way back in the kitchen. It took me a minute or two to shake off the brain freeze. Roslyn returned shortly with a menu and another glass; she was still chuckling over what I had just done.

"Are you gonna do that again? Cause I got some Advil or Tylenol around here somewhere if you are." She was barely able to get that out between laughs.

"I don't think so but you never know. I am not exactly known for doing the smartest things." I winced at the memory.

She laughed again before snickering, "I can see that." She handed me a menu." I will be back in a little to take your order." She walked back to the kitchen still snickering.

I looked over the menu again, refreshing my memory. I settled on a steak with mash potatoes and corn. I wasn't typically a 'meat' person but I was in the mood for something... different. Roslyn came back shortly and took what I wanted as well as the menu. The wait was a little longer than this morning. Probably due to the complexity of this meal compared to the one this morning. It didn't bother

me regardless.

Roslyn returned eventually with the plate amused over what I just pulled. She set the plate down

in front me cheerily saying, "Enjoy!" before leaving me with my food.

It didn't take me very long to finish. Roslyn brought the check a couple minutes after I finished. Leaving the check and taking the plate and cup – which was now empty. The steak was a tad more expensive than the waffles. 8.00. Not too bad. I left the eight and five more for Roslyn. It was 6:00 by the time I left and getting dark. I had to hurry to get back to the hotel before dark. I bought the room for another night. I had to get furniture then move in tomorrow. Not to mention work.

I got into my room and undressed to take a shower, throwing my clothes on the floor in the corner behind the door. Force of habit. That's where I always threw them when I was at home. I would have to get used to calling this place 'home'. Where ever "this place" ended up being.

The shower felt very good. It relaxed all the tension from the day away. I flopped on my bed and just lied there for a minute letting the relaxation take me. That was a bad idea. My mind went a hundred different directions at once. If I didn't have headache from that glass of ice water. I had a headache now. It felt like somebody took a dozen different hooks and tried to pull my brain apart. I sat up quickly, which probably wasn't the best idea either, and started putting as much pressure as I could against my temples, trying in vain to 'hold' my mind together.

After what seemed like several minutes, my mind quelled and I relaxed my aching arms from the sustained pressure. I could say one thing for certain. I wasn't doing that again. I started to rummage through my bag, looking for something suitable to wear. I glanced at my wrist, reading the time. 7:30. I continued going through the bag and pulled out a set of cotton pajamas. I didn't usually wear pajamas but I didn't want to dirty out any of my few remaining clean clothes. That's another thing I need. Clothes!

It didn't seem like a good idea to me. I mean it's not like I was going to go crazy and spend a fortune like some teenage girls do. It's just I had more – and I use that term lightly – important things to buy with the money I have. I would like to save at least some of what I have left for college. I was definitely going to college. Maybe not this year but I was going to college.

I crawled into bed after dressing and grabbed Twilight from the nightstand next to me. I opened it to the page I left off at, which was a little over halfway through. I wasn't the fastest of readers but I was fast enough for my tastes. I didn't spend a fortune on books anyway. I lost track of time again as I read through Stephenie's masterpiece of a book. The characters were absolutely addicting. I couldn't stay away nor pry myself away.

When I finally stopped long enough to check the time it was 9:30, roughly, I didn't have the patience to figure exact time. A crowbar would have been nice although I don't think it would have helped too much in prying myself away from the book. I had read a fair deal. I closed the book and my mind dragged me away from reality to it's own little world that I had no control over.

Edward Cullen was standing in front of me. How I wished that he were actually there. I so desperately wanted some extremely handsome, sophisticated, rich guy to come and whisk me away from this nearly meaningless and almost pitiful existence. I nearly physically wrenched myself from that world. What was I thinking? Like that would ever actually happen? Get a hold of yourself, Danica! You have to concentrate and remain in the 'here and now'! No matter what you wish or fantasize about!

I scoffed. Listen to me. I am berating myself because my mind wants to have a mind of its own away from the rest of the consciousness and reality. Wait, did that even make sense? I know it did to me but would it to anybody else? Yeah, right! Like I would tell anybody else what went on inside my head. Not just "no". Hell no!

I mentally slapped myself. Listen to yourself go on and on about this. Stop it! Was I going to start developing another personality soon? I swear I heard a voice in my head snap, "Too late! I am already here." I instinctively clamped a hand over my mouth. I did not just hear that. I needed sleep before I went anymore insane that I already was. I glanced at my watch. 10:30. How long had I been sitting here on this bed yelling at myself? I didn't give myself a chance to answer. I shut out all thoughts, or at least tried to, and crawled under the sheets. I was out before I realized it.

A/N: This is only the first chapter. I have not decided on a title yet. I will continue to post new chapters regardless of what people think of this one. Who knows? Maybe people who didn't like this one will like future chapters? I welcome any and all ideas anybody has to offer. Just get it to me somehow. The only thing I can't guarantee is whether or not I will use it. I will also try to give credit to the person who sent me the idea. If I use it. I write off and on sporadically, so there is no telling when the next chapter will be up. Hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter and future ones as much as I enjoyed writing!