Soundless Sky

Chapter 1: Eli's Apartment

Eli opened her eyes from the sudden noise, she was usually a deep sleeper. Her eyes curiously looked around the room all of a sudden wide awake. Was it just a gloomy morning?

Was it the fact that she was permanently released from work hours ago? She was a temporary worker and had only been employed at the juice factory for three months. Was this the reason to her insomnia?

Her eyes roamed the ceiling, taking note of the little creases, suddenly wondering how they would feel under her feet. Her only means of transportation was either by foot or an old bike that was donated to her. Was this the reason to her insomnia?

She wiggled her toes against the blanket over her feet. Huh, it was soft, she thought as she pleasantly smiled. With a deep breath she closed her eyes.

She knew she would need to find a new place of employment, she thought, as her mind drifted to the rising and falling of her chest. The same small smile remained pasted on her lips as her toes continued to slightly caress the blanket. With a hand lazily lying on her chest, she glanced up at the white ceiling.

Once more her eyes rested on the texturized ceiling that looked a thousand miles away. How would one walk on a ceiling? Her lips tightened and her eyes squinted before she snuggled against the bed.

Why worry about tomorrow's problems, she drowsily thought, as her eyes became heavy and drifted close. Seconds later her eyes widen forcing her to blink a few times into focus. Something was off.

What was it, she thought, turning to her side. Her home was leased by the government so she would lose it if she couldn't find a job. It was night time so why worry about finding a job? Tomorrow's problem is for tomorrow. Yes, she loudly sighed, for tomorrow.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow, tomorrow, she thought as her eyes drifted close.

What sounded like a metal trash can lid toppling over forced Eli to sit up. She glanced toward the window before looking at the wall in front of her. Silence.

Unfortunately, the location of her apartment was a few blocks from two bars so it was almost always busy and loud on the weekends. Fortunately for her she was working the graveyard shift and was usually gone during busy hours.  During the week the noise was manageable and she had little trouble falling asleep since she usually was a deep sleeper.

With a deep sigh she laid down and pulled the blanket over her head before curling into a ball. She caressed her body and face into the bed with a smile naturally attached to her lips. Bed, it was the best thing ever or was it sleep, she wondered.

Right before her eyes drifted to sleep she heard what sounded like a loud scream.  Breathlessly Eli remained silent in bed wide eyed. She peeked at the night-stand where the clock read twelve o' one am.

Silence. Was someone hammered on a weekday? Or was it a stray cat looking for scrapes in the ally? Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a woman babbling outside. She frowned in confusion as she heard no one else; was this woman alone? Was she safe?

This is a today question, Eli, thought as she pulled the sheets and blankets away and sat up. Through the thin curtains she could make out a woman who appeared intoxicated. Eli raised her head as she moved the curtains for a better view.

It was then she noticed three men in suits. One of the men had another woman who was unconscious over his shoulder. Both women were dressed provocatively.

Were they friends, Eli questioned as she observed them? If they weren't, would she be able to take on all three men? The neighbor kids, whom she frequently played with, wouldn't. Should she call for help?