Resident Evil Dark Files: Raccoon's Shadow

Unexpected Help

hey everyone! So glad to see you all again. I know it has been a while, but I have another chapter out for you! hurrah! Now that school is done for the semester (and I'm under lockdown for two weeks =/) I'm going to use the time to write! I'm already in the middle of the third chapter for this story so hopefully today or tomorrow I'll have it posted. as usual, stay fab and enjoy!

The apartment building was far nicer than I imagined it would be. Though the bricks on the outside were weather-worn and chipped in places, and the steps could use some repairs, the building looked sturdy and clean. The inside remains a different matter, but not that bad. Sure the wallpaper was a little torn here and there in some places. The murmured blaring of other tenants' t.vs echoed through the long hall and the thin walls as my footsteps creaked over the wooden floorboards. A few spiderwebs clumped together in the tight corners, but that was usual for any place.

Joseph did pretty good--shocking, considering how well he consistently kept his room. "Organized," he would say.

It is organized...for a monkey enclosure.

The puff of air from my snort caught in my mouth as I examined the door numbered twenty-two. My feet paused in front of it while I eyed the paper in my hand once more to make sure I got the right number before knocking. My knuckles rattled against the dingy door.

Loud banging followed by curses came from the other side. Chains rattled and scratched at the door before the thing flew open. Joseph's smile faltered as he laid eyes on me. "I'm not answering any questions, (F.N)."

The response didn't hurt--I was expecting it. Raising my hands in mock defence, I gave him my biggest smile. "I'm unarmed and just here to see your new place. I promise."

His eyebrows drew, and his body froze; his beady eyes swept over my face and down to my empty hands. Seemingly satisfied that I didn't have my notebook in hand or sight, he jerked his head, opened the door wider and turned around.

That was as close to a verbal invitation as I was going to get out of him. With a shrug, I stepped over the threshold and didn't bother trying to conceal my amused smile from him as he turned around.

"You want something to drink?" He muttered.

"Coke?"

"Yep. Picked up a case today." He made a B-line for what I assumed was the kitchen while I continued to his living room.

No curtains hung up over the bay windows, allowing the late morning sun to blaze through and shine across the barren, white walls. It was hard to stare at without wanting to screen my eyes. The cardboard boxes he made me drag home from the grocery store were piled almost to the ceiling with all his stuff, and of course, he didn't bother naming anything on the side to help in organizing.

The armchair used to sit in our living room was now smack dead in the middle of the room facing his tv and his gaming system, covered in his work clothes.

Glad to see moving out hasn't matured him. I don't think it ever will.

My eyes wandered down to the PS1 set up already by his computer, and the controller neatly tucked away. "I see you unpacked the t.v and your video game system."

Joseph appeared in the archway and stomped over, extending his hand out and offered me a coke. "Don't start. I got held up with work and haven't had time to touch any of the boxes. I'm off this weekend. I'll do it then."

The fizz from the soda tickled my throat as I guzzled it down and continued my inspection of his place. The two-bedroom apartment was a decent size, and the price was reasonably good considering the location. Car horns honked outside and the hush of traffic flying by accompanied the sound of a whining dog somewhere in the building.