Liminal space

Chapter 3

I Stumbled into my apartment throwing my shoes off. I peel my work clothes of my body and replace them with an over sized shirt. I remove my makeup from my face and brush my teeth before wrapping my blonde curls in a bun. My legs stagger out of the bathroom and I slam my tired body into my  bedroom. I swaddle my body in a cocoon of blankets, and I drift off to sleep.
I've never been much of a sleeper and lately I've been evading sleep as much as possible, because when I fall sleep my nightmares are always waiting to ambush me.
It's always the same dream... I'm stuck in an upside down car and Theres blood dripping down my face. I feel an unbearable pain coming from my torso and I look down to see that my seatbelt has cut into my rib... I scream, and I cry out for help, but nobody ever hears me and then I wake up.
I gasp for air, my body jolted into a sitting position. I lift my shirt up and run my hands over the rough scar covering my ribs. I let out a sigh of relief, it was only a dream
My phone vibrates from off of my floor. I reach down to get it and notice a new message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER
Good morning Eros, it's Judas I'm sorry for texting you so early in the morning but I just wanted check on you, to make sure you got home safe"

I checked the top of my screen to that it is 6:30 in the morning. I've been sleeping for 11 hours I guess that alcohol really took me out.

Eros
Wow Judas, I never pictured you as such a gentleman. But, I got home Safe and sound. I'm glad you texted me because I was beginning to think you forgot about me <3

Judas
Who could forget about such a pretty face. unfortunately I'm at work right now ,can I text you later :/

Eros
Yea sure no problem.

I shut my phone off and walk to the bathroom to brush my fangs. My stomach releases a deafening growl that reminds me how starving I am . In the kitchen I make myself a hearty meal and devour it in seconds, before crawling back in bed to resume my position in my cocoon of blankets . I could definitely stay here forever, I drift back of into a deep sleep when-
My phone rings again
"Ugh! I'm trying to sleep who's calling me?!" I yell into my phone before checking the caller
" Don't yell at me I was just checking to make sure you weren't dead in some ditch!"
I rack my brain for the owner of the voice when it hits me
" ohhhhh, sorry Hi Jean " I say in an apologetic tone.
Jean and I have been friends since we were kids, and since she lives in my hometown I haven't seen her in like a year and a half
" Eros I have great news!" She squeals into the phone
I wait for her to keep talking but she doesn't.
" ... I'm guessing you want me to ask what the great news is" I smile into the phone
" stop sounding so tire and ask me what my news is" she lets out an irritated sigh
" okay, what is this exciting news" I ask
"I GOT A MODELING GIG IN YOUR CITY AND IM GONNA TAKE IT SO NOW WE CAN BE TOGETHER!" She yells into the phone
I pull the phone away from my ear
" That's great Jean, when are coming to town?"
" Well... I'm actually in front of my new building, downtown... and I kinda need your help moving in." She rushes out her request

"I'm- I mean- I'm sleeping" I whine out
" you know what, I guess I can sleep later. I'll be there in an hour" I say while scratching my forehead
" no actually let me pick you up, I didn't park the moving truck yet so I can just drive down there now" she offers
" um... my neighborhood is kinda... sketchy. So you probably don't want to come down here." I insist
" I'm sure it's not that bad, just send me your address. Ok bye, love ya" she says before hanging up

I throw on an oversized hoodie and a pair of shorts. I grab my phone and keysand exit my building. I wait along the side of my building for Jean to come pick me up. While leaning my back against a brick wall I look up and down my street when I recognize a man sitting on the floor near the convenient store at the end of my street.
I walk over to him and squat down next to him
" Hey Carl " I say while my eyes are focused on watching the incoming traffic
" Hey kid, hows it hanging?" He asks while lazily reaching over to grab one of his many water bottles located by his flimsy backpack
" mmm- nothing much I'm just gonna go help a friend move in, how are you doing?... it's been pretty cold out here lately, are you keeping warm?" A give him a concern look
" Don't worry kid I'm doing just fine, I've been staying at the shelter down the road so I've been keeping warm-"
SKREEETCH! a moving truck comes to a halting truck right in front of us
Jean rolls down her window
" Eros get in now!" Her eyes fiercely drift between me and Carl
Before she can make a scene I stand up and reach into my wallet and pull out a 20 dollar bill I hand it to Carl before he can refuse and I get in the car
" stay warm old man!" I yell out before climbing into the car
"Thanks kid!" he yells out as Jean stomps on the gas
" what the Hell is wrong with you?!" She looks at me like I'm crazy
" What are you talking about? Carl is harmless" I try to defuse the situation
" And why would you send me this address, you don't live here do you?!" She gives a face of disgust and she looks at the run down gas stations that we pass
"...yes I do live here"
"Why would you as a single defenseless woman live here knowing you can afford a nice apartment somewhere safer?"
" chill out Jean I'm fine it's not a big deal" I shrug
" yes it is, I have an apartment here in the city know so come live with me, yea?" She tries to convince me
" Jean, I'm fine. Everyone in my neighborhood is sweet, and no one has attacked me yet... sadly" I whisper the last part
" you need to stop being so depressed and weird, your dad would be so disappointed to see you living like this" she comments
"Watch your mouth" I glare at her
" I'm sorry... I didn't think you were still touchy on the subject" she mumbles under her breath
I decided to let her comment slide, I close my eyes and try to drown out her nonstop talking.

She eventually drives downtown and into an expensive apartment complex
" wowwww" I gasp breaking my silence
" how can you afford this?!" I question her.
She pulls into the lot and puts the car in park.

" This is what being an influencer will get you" She pulls out her phone and shows me her 943k followers on Instagram.
We get out of the car and I move to open the back of the moving van when she stops me
" what are you doing? The moving people are gonna put everything up" she says while pointing at the group of people walking towards our van
" if you have movers why did you need to go get me?" I ask rubbing my head
" for moral support, duhh"

I step away from the van and follower her into the building and up to her apartment. We rode the elevator up to the top floor, She pulled out her keys to open the door
" welcome to my pent house" she says while ushering me inside
"This is so nice" my eyes are captured by the tall white walls and black marble floors
" Im glad you like it, you are welcome to stay anytime you want"she flashes a bright smile

" you don't know how much I've missed you" She pulls me into a tight hug.
"I missed you too" I whisper holding her tighter

-I've decided to make Carl a character, he is a homeless veteran who is very kind. I introduced him so that we could see the kindness that is hidden behind all of Eros rough exterior -
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