Sanctuary

Prologue

At night the streets were dark, darker than you would imagine. As street lights were in short supply in the small town Alcarta, Venice the only guide through the strangely savage city is the moonlight which would frequently bounce off the murky waters of the river.

Walking around unaccompanied after dark was not recommended but is sometimes impossible to avoid. Townspeople often became wary of the cobblestone sidewalks which reached dangerously close to the river edge, making it very easy to fall in.

The river itself had a reputation of its own. Although untainted and clean, the river always seemed to have a dark almost black tinge to it. Its depths were unknown. Unlike other locations in the city of love, the river seemed different to that of towns futher down the nile. It was once said that the river was commonly known for the amount of tourists who wished to sail in the waters, however a boat had not been seen in Alcarta for many years. It was as if events had taken place that stopped the once beautiful water from being used, as if a presence altered it somehow.

...

Julia wrapped her jacket around her midsection in hopes of shielding herself from the evening chill. Work that night had been long and demanding, she was glad of the escape. Stepping out into the quiet streets of Alcarta she let out a sigh, one she had been holding in for the past several hours. Julia didnt like her job, despised it even, but what was she to do? She was already months behind on her rent payments, she couldnt quit now. As much as she hated her job it was the only means of support she had ever since her mother had passed last year.

She was alone, but she wasnt scared. From being a young girl her father had always tought her to be brave and strong, had told her she'd never know when she would need those qualities. It was becoming more and more evident just how right her father was and just how much she missed him and her mother.

Julia's income was substantial but luxuries were something she couldnt afford, she had to sell her car just to ensure she had a roof over her head. With the little amount of money her serving job paid she was barely able to survive. She had been dodging her landlord for the past 3 months, but it was only a matter of time before he caught up to her demanding payment, payment that she couldnt give.

Many people feared the streets, Julia was not one of them, she found something peaceful in how the sky was always void of stars and the alleyways always seemed to collect mist no matter what the weather. The town of Alcarta was built around superstition, none of which Julia believed. She enjoyed the silence, maybe a little more than she should.

The walk to Julia's home did not take long, before she knew it she was standing outside The Alfarezio apartmemt complex. She suddenly felt cautious, Enriquo her landlord would most likely be waiting at her door for his cash. Taking a deep breath she pushed her way through the door, greeting Sanchez the doorman as she departed for the elevator. The mechanical metal doors slid open inviting Julia inside with the smell of grease and the music that nobody liked but had to listen to until they reached their desired floor.

The elevator stopped once it reached floor 13, the doors opened with a displeasing screech. Julia exited the elevator and checked her surroundings, the floor was relatively deserted bar a man who was slouched beside a door which she could of only assumed was his place.

Floor 13 was probably the worst floor in the entire complex. It was well known for the alcoholics and drug abusers that it accommodated. Julia was neither of those things, she just lacked the funds to reside in a nicer place. She wished for a better life, but she was used to bitter dissapointment now

Julia's apartment was small but it would suffice for her everyday needs. The red brick walls and grey linoleum floors did nothing to brighten her mood when she stood inside the space that often made her feel chlostraphobic. Julia travelled light, no pictures or paintings hung on the walls. A small 2 seated fabric sofa was positioned in the centre of the extremely little lounge. The kitchen consisted of a heated plate, mini fridge and counter top. Her shower was disfunctional and the taps in her bathroom rattled. Its safe to say that Julia lived in hell.