I've taken a long break from writing, but I've again found my inspiration! Hope to update other stories soon!
The elevator doors open again to reveal the lobby. At this point, my heart is in my throat. That couldn't have been one of my creator's lackeys! I must be too focused on those horrific experiences, and have to be seeing things!
I get to the door. As I'm opening it, in walks a lady with jet black hair. Her name is Jeanette Vatello and she lives one floor beneath me and Brad. In one hand, she carries a brown paper shopping bag. In the other, she's cradling her baby daughter, Tanya She smiles warmly.
"Good morning, Rocky!" she says. I smile back. She's one of the few people in this building that don't give Brad and me weird looks and actually talks to us. I never understood why people stare at us, Brad never explained it, but I have a strong feeling whatever it is, it's the reason he never holds my hand or kisses me in public.
"Hi…M-Mrs. Vate…llo!" I say slowly, stuttering a little. When I'm talking to Brad, it just seems so much easier to say things. Around others, it's a different story. I look down at her baby. "Tanya!" She looks up at me, her little eyes wide open, and then babbles something in baby-language. Her mother takes hold of her tiny hand and gently makes her wave at me.
"Say 'hi' to Rocky!" she coos. The baby begins to smile at what's happening. Jeanette then lets go of her hand and looks at me. "Brad's at work?"
"Yes."
"Well when he comes home, let him know that Liam and I were wondering if you both would like to join us for dinner this weekend!" I smile a little more. I envy her and her husband. They lead normal lives. No one stares at them as they walk down the street.
I love Brad the way he is, but I sometimes want to be able to be like the Vatellos. Normal people in a normal relationship with a kid who will probably be normal.
She glances at her watch before she turns to make her way towards the elevators. "I have to get going!" she calls over her shoulder hurriedly. "Take care!"
"Bye!" I say a little too loudly. Some other people glance in my direction and I feel my face get a little hot with embarrassment. I catch sight of Kenny, the guy behind the desk. He scowls at me before busying himself with work. Same as he always does. I shrug it off. I've learned over the past year, it's best to not draw much attention to yourself. That's why I usually try to cover up my muscles with baggy jeans and long sleeve sweaters. It doesn't always work that well, but Brad and I like to pretend it does.
I watch the elevator door close and Mrs. Vatello disappears from my sight. I continue to leave the building and out into the chilly air.
The wind is still howling like it was the night before. Sinister looking clouds loomed overhead, threatening more rain at any moment. As I walk, the leafs are blowing around me. They're starting to turn orange.
Just like the day we moved in!
That day was just like this- chilly and windy. The streets were covered with orange leaves.
We had just pulled up to the building in a taxi. I had never seen anything like the city before and it was so cool to see all the tall buildings. Every time I turned around, there'd be something new to look at!
Brad got our suitcases from the trunk of the cab. There wasn't much he took with him. He had explained that we'd start fresh- whatever that meant!
Opening the doors to the building, I looked around. The lobby was small; it had a couple of overstuffed chairs and a small table with magazines. A faded fake plant sat in the corner. Most noticeably, there was a front desk, with a man sitting behind it. He looked to be about Brad's age.
Brad walked up to him. "Um…I'm Brad Majors. I believe we spoke over the phone."
The man held out his hand, which Brad shook. "Nice to meet you, Brad! I'm Kenny! Welcome!" He glanced over at me. I took a step back, clutching the handle of my suitcase. Kenny raised his eyebrows at me, before turning back to Brad, his face had a different expression now, one of not knowing what to do. "Um…we have the place all cleaned up and ready for you…two…to move in!" He reached behind the desk and pulled out a set of keys and placed them on the desk. "Eighth floor…number eight-fifteen!"
Brad sighed and took the keys. He fake-smiled, obviously knowing what was in this man's head. "Thank you very much!" He waved for me to follow him.
After riding in the elevator, we made our way down the long hallway to our new apartment. Brad fumbled with the keys before unlocking the door.
The place was bare, save for the adjoining kitchen that already had a sink, stove and countertop. At the far end was the bathroom, and off to the side was the bedroom. I looked at him, unsure of what to make of it. He gave me a reassuring smile.
"Guess we should get settled in!" He began to walk to the bedroom to put away our clothes. I followed. Brad did most of the work, mumbling about how he'd like to decorate the place.
Not too much later, we heard a knock at the door. I jumped and began shaking. Brad put his hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay, Rocky. It just means someone's visiting!" He walked over and opened it. There stood a lady with jet black hair and a warm smile. Her stomach jutted out slightly from under her lavender dress.
"Hi, there! I'm Jeanette Vatello! I live in seven-twenty-two just downstairs! Heard you guys were moving in- just wanted to say hello and welcome!"
Brad smiled back. "Hi! I'm Brad Majors!" He stuck his hand out and she shook it. She then caught sight of me.
"So, who's this?"
Brad's smile suddenly dropped and his cheeks went pink. "Uh…this is Rocky…he's…um…he's…"
She chuckled. "Hey, don't be embarrassed! I really don't care about who dates who! It's 1975- we ought to be past mindless prejudices!"
Brad got even darker pink. "But…but he's not…I mean, he is, but I'm not…I…mean…"
"Brad, don't worry! It's fine! Listen, my husband, Liam, and I have sort become the unofficial welcoming committee around here. Would you two care to come to dinner sometime this week?" Maybe friday night at six thirty?"
"Uh…yes! We'd be delighted!"
"Spectacular! On that note, I'll let you boys get settled in! Nice to meet you, Brad!" She looked at me. "You too, Rocky!"
I stop at the intersection and wait for the light to change. There are so many cars driving in all directions. The farmer's market is just another block away.
The city is busy and loud. As people pass by, I can make out fragments of conversation, but not enough to truly know what they're saying. I keep my eyes cast downward, just listening to what they're saying, when I'm not looking at the crossing sign. Finally, when I look up next, the light changes. I make my way across the street, down the block, and duck into the market.
What am I forgetting?
I just know I'm forgetting SOMETHING. I read the paper in my hand over for the umpteenth time. Even though I have everything on my list, I feel something important is missing. Brad has told me it's a common thought to have when shopping. With that in mind, I shrug and make my way to checkout.
As I'm watching the young guy at the end of the register put my groceries in bags, a flash of light from the windows behind him gets my attention. Oh great! It's storming again! Only this time, I'm out in public!
Thunder rumbles and I try to suppress a petrified groan. The bag boy glances my way; I'm not being quiet enough!
"…sir? Sir!" the grouchy cashier's voice registers in my mind. I spin around to look at her, an elderly woman with a saggy face and saggy lips permanently set in a frown to match.
"Huh?"
"I said, that'll be twenty-three dollars even!"
I nod, embarrassed at how I lost focus. I fumble for my money, place it on the counter and quickly grab my bags.
My pace quickens as I get closer to the door. My heart races, knowing what was coming as I open the door.
Outside the storm raged on. Rain is pouring, making it harder to see. People hurry by on the sidewalks, some with umbrellas, others holding drenched newspapers over their heads in a fruitless attempt at staying dry.
Come on, Rocky Horror! You can do this!
I take a deep breath and then dash outside into the rain.
Streets fly by as I run home and I try to keep my pace steady. Lightening makes me jump and thunder makes me want to stop in my tracks and go find a place to hide, but I refuse to let the weather win before I've gotten home!
Two more blocks…need to make it two more blocks…
The sky lights up again, this time with a more blinding light. But it doesn't fade immediately like it's supposed to. I blink several times, but my vision doesn't return to normal. If anything, it darkens slightly. I stop walking. I don't feel I can walk anymore. Now all I can see is white. I suddenly am overcome by this feeling of disorientation. I feel like I've just been yanked out of a deep slumber. I take a clumsy step to try to find my bearings. I feel very unbalanced. But that's not all- I suddenly become aware of cloth in front of my face.
That's when it hits me.
No…
The cloth is yanked from my face. Now all I can see is one of my creator's lackeys in front of me; the balding, hunched back one. He has a smirk on his face.
My world spins. How is this possible? I was just walking down the street a moment ago! What was happening?
"Oh! Rocky!"
The voice had come from behind me. But as I snap my head around to look at the source, the horrible vision quickly fades and is replaced by the street in front of me. I'm suddenly aware of a pain in my hand- I'm gripping my shopping bag so tightly my knuckles are turning white.
Shaking my head to try to clear it of bad thoughts, and slowly realizing how soaked I am, I begin to move my drenched feet once more. I wasn't terribly far from home, but the streets seemed to stretch out longer with each step I take.
Gotta get home. Gotta get home!
But the face of my creator's lackey burns in my mind. His memory won't leave me. My pace quickens, as if it'll help me outrun the memory. My breathing staggers and it becomes harder to feel like my lungs are getting enough air. My chest begins to hurt and I'm overcome with feelings of pure panic.
It isn't until I reach the building and am inside the lobby that I'm able to catch my breath somewhat.
Kenny, still at his post, looks up from the paperwork he was hunched over to scowl at me as usual. But now, I don't care. I speed walk to the elevator and slam on the button.
Once I'm inside and the door slides shut, I look around to try to focus on what's around me. A large mirror lines the walls of the elevator, and I catch sight of myself. My platinum hair is soaked and dripping. My clothes are dark with the rain. The shopping bags and the contents inside are no better. In fact, not an inch of me is dry. This includes my eyes. I notice they were red and watery. I must've been crying as I raced home, only to have the tears be lost in the rain.
I inwardly curse myself; I can't shake the horrible memories of my first night of life. None of it mattered anymore, I had Brad and we were making a life for ourselves!
So why did this all keep coming back to haunt me?
The elevator dings as it reaches our floor. The doors open and I quickly walk out, needing to get to our apartment as soon as possible.
After I get the door open and walk inside, the phone rings. I put the bags down on the kitchen counter as I make my way to answer it.
"Hello?" I hear a relieved sigh on the other end.
"Rocky! You finally pick up! Are you alright? I've been trying to call you several times!" Brad says. He's calling from work and I realize he's making his mid-day call to check in on me.
"Sorry! W-was at the market!" I tell him.
"I'm guessing you lost track of time?" When he says this, I throw a glance at the clock on the wall. I'm not perfect with telling time just yet, but I know the numbers enough to say he calls at twelve, or half past twelve. I've always been sure to be at home for his call. It's now three quarters past one. I could swear I left the apartment at about nine. It doesn't take that long to get to the market and do the shopping…
How long was I having that vision for?
"Y-y-yeah…time…g-go fast…"
"That it does, Rocky. That it does. Listen, I'm glad you finally answered! I was ready to ask to leave early!" That wouldn't have been good- Brad's boss is already hard on him for having to form a schedule around his second job. "I'll be home in a few hours. Just try to stay in the apartment until then, okay?"
"Okay Brad!"
"I'll see you tonight." There's a pause before he speaks in a quiet voice. "Love you!"
I grimace. He's still afraid to publicly show his affection for me. "Love you too!"
After I hang up the phone, I put away the groceries and drag myself to the couch. I fall onto it and stare at the off-white ceiling. It's been one of those days and I feel that maybe trying to relax will help. I realize that that TV show I like should be on by now. But as I reach for the remote, lightning flashes again and as it fades, the power goes with it.
The apartment is now in near complete darkness, save for the slight daylight struggling to break through the ominous clouds outside. I scramble from the couch and to the kitchen drawers, where we have our flashlight stored. I open the first one and begin to search After a moment of feeling around, I come up empty handed. It's no where to be found!
I throw open another drawer and search that one. I don't find the flashlight, but I instead find a small box of candles with matches inside.
Candles. Like the ones that horrible lackey burned me with as I slept after my creator…a-hem, had his fun with me.
My heart skipped a beat. The panic feeling was creeping up on me as if it were the dark of night slowly covering the world in blackness for the night.
"No!" I cry out to no one. I can't let this get to me again! Before I lose my nerve, I light the candle. There's not much improvement in light, but it's better than nothing.
Even though the heat from candle heats up my hand, a shiver goes down my spine. In darkness outside my candle light, and the silence so thick I could reach out and grab it, I'm suddenly feeling as if I'm not alone.
"Who…" I swallow. "Who's there?" No response is heard. "Who's there?" I say louder, my voice quivering.
I walk in a circle, trying to catch a glimpse of anything- or anyone- lurking around. All I can see is the dark outline of what the apartment usually looks like. I see the stove top, the kitchen counter, the fridge, the couch, the television, the open door to the bedroom-
Wait. The bedroom! What if the someone is in there?
My feet feeling as heavy as led with every step I take, I walk to the bedroom. I hold out the candle in front of me.
I scan the room, my heart pounding. It stops for a second when I notice something tall in the corner.
Whoever it is realizes I've noticed them and they start moving towards me. They stop a few feet from me, still too far for me to fully see their face. They exhale heavily and my candle goes out.
My only defense against the horrible darkness is gone. The world spins again. Though my throat is dry as a bone, I manage to gasp, "What you want?"
A grin made of pearly white teeth splits the darkness. As the figure nears, I can smell a familiar scent. It's a perfume that I haven't smelled at all this past year in any shops or on any woman I've walked by. It's a perfume not of this earth!
The scent makes me sick to my stomach.
Then the figure speaks in a thick, undefinable accent.
"It's not vhat I vant…but vhat the one you've been running from vants…"
The accent is slowly replaced by a roaring in my ears. It quickly gets louder and louder. The next thing I know, the ground rushes up to meet my head and any thought I have stops.
Oh shit!
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Til next time, everyone!