Two Ghosts [h.s]

3

Knocking. Really loud knocking on my apartment door echos through the room waking me up from my sleeping state.

"Ugh."

No matter how much I dislike sleep I am not a morning person. Kind of controversial.

I sit myself up from the floor I passed out on last night. Dry tears left crusted on my face and my throat feels scratchy from crying.

"Violet, wake up!" the voice booms and continues to knock on my door.

"I'm coming, give me a second," I mumble annoyed from the floor.

Putting my hands in front of me to balance myself, I stand up from. Slowly, once my two feet are on the ground, the room spins and my head throbs. Placing both hands on my head to ground myself, I tumble towards the front door.

Gripping the knob the door creaks open, and a very much awake Abby stands in front of me.

"Took you long enough." Stating with a roll of her eyes she invites herself in.

Last year I moved into a cheap apartment, luckily just a ten minute bus ride from my high school.

When I finally decided to leave my parent's home I saw a flyer on a crosswalk post for cheap rental apartments. I thought it was too good to be true and It clearly was.

Logging the address in on google maps, I immediately grew anxious. It was located just a little downtown. Murders, strip clubs, drugs and kidnappings were most popular on this side of Florida.

Just my luck right?

Its fun!

But it did not bother me how it should. In a heartbeat, I would put up with all the variables in order to escape the house I was living in.

When I went to meet with the landlord to show me around he greeted me with a first bump.  He was so welcoming and the gesture took some of my nerves away.

He was around twenty-eight, eyes bloodshot and reeked of weed. I liked him a lot.

There was clear water and wall damage. Mice were running around like it was their home. I quickly stood back in case I had to run off. I almost jumped into his arms for sanctuary but I consoled myself.

Taking more of a look at the house, I questioned if there was running water. Jack, my landlord avoided the question and continued giving me the world tour.

Later on I realized there was not. The water came out brown... yeah.

The apartment was small, rundown and at first, I was convinced it was haunted. The floorboards creaked and whisper noises filled my senses during the quietest times.

Haunted.

It took a while for me to have enough money to spend on furniture but when I finally did have enough I splurged. I wanted to make my new home feel as much like a home as it could. Not just a temporary escape or a bad decision.

For the first couple months, my belongings included a pillow, toothbrush, blanket, teddy bear and enough clothes my suitcase could carry.

Once I picked up more shifts at the club I work at, I saved enough for a single bed. I tracked down the perfect one, on sale.

Things were starting to work themselves out.

Lots of sleepless nights spent working so I would not have to worry about eating or paying rent but I am happy how far I have come.

I have heard the journey is the most important part and I still beg that it is true.

I was nervous about signing the contract and Jack could tell. It was not about the apartment but the event where I would have to get here.