The Crooked Man

The Apartment

"Whew! Finally, things look tidy in here!" I said as I wiped my forehead, shiny from all the sweat. My friends, Marion and Paul, and I had been cleaning for hours! It was about time we got done! I sighed and sat down on the couch, admiring it's beautiful green color. I looked around the apartment, feeling pretty proud of my work. Though the apartment was still in a bad condition, it still looked way better than when I first went in. "That should be that!" Marion said, looking pretty proud of herself as well. A big smile was plastered across her face. "Is there anything else you need help with Paul?" She asked me as she tilted her head slightly, causing her silky black hair to shift to the side as well. I shook my head and smiled at her. "Nah, I'm fine. Sorry for making you guys help me move..." I said as I looked down and scratched the back of my head. "Oh, and thanks for showing me the place, Paul! I'll have to pay you back sometime!" A smirk grew across Paul's face. Knowing him, he would make me treat them to dinner or something like that. "Ooh nice! The three of us could go out drinking!" Paul said happily. I knew it. Well, at least I wasn't going to spend a TON of money. Marion chimed in as well and clapped her hands together happily. "I look forward to it already!" She said as she turned to me and giggled. That was never a good sign. "Well, we better get going." She said as she gathered her things. "Got it, be careful you two!" I said as I watched the two walk out the door to my apartment. When I heard the door close, it became unusually quiet. I looked around for a second before noticing Paul's license on the coffee table. I walked over and picked up the license. "Geez, Paul forgot his license..I'd better return it to him." I then headed out towards the door...until I herd something. It sounded like voices...two voices...it must be Paul and Marion! Just as I was about to open the door, I heard my name in the conversation. Why was I in the conversation? I decided to eavesdrop on the two's conversation. "What's with that place, seriously...? It's filthy! It's practically falling apart! What were you thinking!?" Said Marion, I could tell it was her voice because she always had this weird accent...more importantly, why in the hell were they talking about my apartment? It's not my fault...plus, I tried to clean the place up as best as I could! At least I tried! "He wanted to move for a change of pace, and that will NOT help him, you hear?" She stated, sounding quite irritated. "Look, what can I do? He's not the richest guy y'know...can't even afford much furniture..." That was Paul's voice. Ouch...That was quite offensive. "...besides, you told me to look for the place, right!? Don't come complaining to me now!" Paul replied back to Marion. He sounded irritated as well. I heard a sigh, though I couldn't tell who was the one who sighed. "...You're right...I'm sorry...I just wanted to help David out..." I heard Marion say. Now she sounded plain out guilty. "I know. Look, I should be sorry. We will visit some other time..." Paul said, sounding more calm than before. The talking then got distant. "The license can wait...I guess I gotta go to bed..." I said to myself. As I walked to the bed, getting ready to go to sleep, the phone suddenly rang. Ugh...reluctantly, I picked up the phone. "Hello?" I said in quite a monotone voice. After a moment of silence, I spoke up again. "Who is this?" I asked. After a moment, someone finally answered. It was Shirley. Right when I was about to say something, she hung up. What the actual fuck? I just sighed. "Well, I'll just call it a day...I should take it easy for my first day in the new place." I said to myself. I then climbed into bed, not even bothering to change into my pajamas. After about a half an hour, I fell asleep.
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