The Conduits: Frostwalker

Frostwalker: Part 2

Chapter 5

Meanwhile in the heart of the city, amongst the towering buildings with their windows reflecting the grey sky dotted with raindrops that raced down the glass to the ground, the city roads were dotted with cars whose wipers constantly waved back the rain that pattered against the windscreens. The streets were dim, lit up faintly by the lights emanating from within the floors of the various buildings. Folk scuttled about the puddle ridden pavement with their umbrellas held tightly over their heads as they hurried along in the whistling wind that brought rain down at an angle, forcing them to adjust the angle at which the held the umbrellas. Wedged between the others stood an apartment building with 17 floors, with a fire escape staircase running alongside the windows to the side of the building.

"Home sweet home." Kaladin said as he opened the door to Apartment 147 and stepped inside before turning back to close the door behind him.

"You can come out now, its just us." He said to Vexx, who promptly flew out from his t-shirt and took in the scene before him.

The white door with silver numbers gave way to open kitchen on the left, furnished with a small black and white marble topped table with four bar stool chairs surrounding it and built in drawers. The counter lining the L-shaped arrangement of cupboards had the same marble finish and white cupboard with black handles, with matching cupboards overhead on the wall. There was a sink on the front wall next to a single door fridge and oven built into the countertop.

The kitchen opened up to a lounge on the right that had a single grey two-seater couch with a 42-inch TV hanging on the white wall. Between the kitchen and lounge was a step spanning across the floor, dividing the two rooms. A small black DVD rack stood in the corner of the lounge.

"I thought it would be bigger." Vexx said, unimpressed.

"It's not much... but its home I guess." Kaladin replied. "You're the first guest I've had since... Michaela."

"Well you better be one hell of a host." Vexx said with a toothy smile.

"I can make you all the fish you want." Kaladin offered with a shrug.

"Yay!" Vexx exclaimed, excited at the prospect of more food.

Kaladin tossed his backpack into the corner of the door and walked into the lounge, his wet sneakers squeaking with every step. He opened a door that lead to a small bedroom fitted with a ceiling high closet, bedside cupboard and white sheeted single bed. The window on the right lead to the fire escape stair case. A door on the right lead to a small shower and toilet with a small ceramic sink
.
Kaladin took off his clothes and tossed them in a pile on the bathroom floor and got changed into dryer apparel. He donned a black tracksuit pants and black hoodie over a white t-shirt. He put on a pair of grey socks and flipflops and headed to the kitchen. A cup stood on the counter; it was plain white with the word "Queen" written in cursive.

"How long has that been there?" Vexx asked, curious about the cup that seemed starkly out of place.

Kaladin sighed, his shoulders dropping an inch. "About a year." He said softly. "I could never bring myself to move it."

"I see..." Vexx responded, feeling the gravity of the sadness that emanated from his owner, that resonated in his own being.

Kaladin made himself coffee in a similar cup with "King" written in cursive on the side and warmed Vexx a treat in the microwave and headed into his room and plonked onto the bed.