Outlast
04|| A Clean Break
The car ride back home was uneventful for the most part, with Sarah and I making idle conversation to drown out the awkward silence until I dropped her off at the apartment complex in which she resided in. Needless to say that even though I still lived in a shady part of New York, Sarah was worse off.
I watched Sarah walk into the building, unbothered before shifting my car into gear and skyrocketing out of the there. New York City was famously known around the world as the city that never slept; this proved to be true on my way home from work every morning- traffic was just as horrid, if not worse, than in the middle of the day.
As I sighed in frustration due to the bumper to bumper traffic, parts of my conversation with Sarah replayed in my mind. The meeting that Evelyn held earlier was about picking up some extra hours at Forsaken for some private function. Of course all if not most of the girls agreed, wanting to make some extra cash. The remainder of us, however, were going to be a bit short on our paychecks because whoever was hosting the event bought out the club for a night.
Only the women that Evelyn specified would be able to work that night; normally I would be upset about this, but I had made an overwhelming amount of tips from stripping and waiting tables tonight so it should even back out. Previously I had been looking forward to having a bit more spending money than usual, but sometimes you just couldn't get ahead like migrant workers during The Great Depression.
When I finally make it to my apartment building, I silently rejoice. It was more than safe to say that I was beyond tired and ready to sleep. After I take the elevator up to the second floor and enter my apartment I kick of my shoes, not caring where they ended up. I don't bother closing my bedroom as I strip down to my underwear and throw on a black t-shirt. As much as my tired muscles were begging me to finally retire for the night, I knew that I had to do one more thing before that was a possiblity.
My footsteps were heavy with purpose as I walked down the hallway and peaked into Reign's room to make sure she was safely sleeping the night away. Once I had proof that she was fast asleep in her room, I made my way to my bedroom ready to do the same thing.
No later than when my head hit the pillow, I was fast asleep, dreaming of good fortune to come my way and for Reign to be blessed with unfaltering knowledge.
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Surprisingly enough the next day I awoke to the sound of glass breaking followed by a string of profanities. Due to my slight groggy state, it take me some time to wipe the sleep out of my eyes and grab a robe before sautering out of my bedroom Hoax barking behind me. Surely enough Reign was down on her hands and knees picking up large shards of glass from the ground. In an attempt to help her efforts I shoo Hoax back into my bedroom and shut the door, sucessfully trapping him.
Knowing Hoax he would have walked ontop of the glass and injuried his paw. Quickly I grab the broom before sweeping the remaining glass into a dust pan, "what happened?"
As I wait for a response from her, I dump the dust pan into the garbage can.
"I was trying to get down a bowl to make cereral in but it slipped out from my grip," Reign responds. Her attutide seems to be long gone, along with her venomous tone. It was refreshing to say in the least.
"I can make you pancakes," I offer. As an afterthought I add, "if you'd like."
Reign seems to mull over my offer for a while, before shaking her head in a negative reply. "I'm going out with some friends, so I'll just catch a bite with them."
I nod, because there was nothing left for me to say. Before I could go out into the bathroom to take a shower, and start preparing for the rest of my day Reign's voice stops me in my tracks.
"But can we still go dress shopping later on? The dance is coming up pretty soon," Reign states.
Without my approval, my lips quirk up into a half smile as I reply, "of course; just let me know when. I might be going out with a friend of mine today." As the words slipped past my lips I realized that I hadn't texted Niall yet.
"Ok then..." Reign trailed off. "I'll see you later on."
With that she grabbed her key ring from the counter before I heard the faint sound of a door slamming closed behind her. Now that Reign was gone for the next couple of hours, I had time to myself to kill. The first thing I did was shoot Niall a quick text asking if he was busy this evening; I was hoping we could fetch an early dinner after I completed my shopping obligations with Reign.
Then I brushed my teeth and took a bubble bath, letting my tense muscles relax underneath the unforgiveningly hot water. By the time I stepped out of the tub, my body and hair were dripping wet. Grabbing two towels I wrap one around my head and use the other to dry my body with.
Once I competed these tasks I return to my room to pick out an outfit for the day. Reign had been wearing a pair of shorts when she left, so I decide to do the same shuffling into a pair of high waisted teal shorts from Forever 21. Then I throw on a bra and black crop top that showcased a good amount of my stomach.
As for my hair, I dried the remainder of my locks with a blow drier before grabbing the straightener. Just when I was about to do my makeup, my phone lit up notifying me of a new text message. It was Niall.
To: Carmina
Sorry cant hang out today
Busy
Next time 4 sure
I was disappointed that Niall couldn't hang out with me today, but I wasn't mad. After all I still could binge watch That 70's Show with Hoax. Quickly I type out a response, sending several texts at once as Niall had.
To: Niall
its all good
c u at Forsaken
On that note I grab my liquid eyeliner and begin to apply it around the perimeter of my eyes. Then I added water proof mascara and a nude colored lipstick as to not draw extra attention to myself.
Grabbing Hoax's leash, I attach it to his collar. Now was as good as a time as any to take him on a walk, although I had to cautious. The owner of ths building had a strict no pets policy, but I still bought my bull dog anyways. If he would have provided better security, then I wouldn't need a dog to guard my rightful property.
When we finally hit the streets on New York, there was sunny weather. Hoax seemed happy enough soaking up the sunlight as we bumped into numerous strangers on the sidewalks. The sidewalks were just as bad, if not worse than the streets themselves.
I slip on a pair of cheap sunglasses I had purchased from a gas station and continue walking Hoax. We walked for a good thirty to four five minutes before my dog started showing signs of getting tired. On the way back to the apartment I bought a philly cheese steak from a food cart vender and took a seat on a nearby benching giving Hoax some time to catch his breath.
"Good boy," I praise caressing my fingers though his fine fur. Hoax melted into my touch, licking my hand in appreciation.
After about fifteen minutes of watching Hoax regain his previous composure I deemed it time to go, as I still had to go grocery shopping before the moon replaced the sun in the sky. I was about two or three blocks away from my apartment complex when the car closest to me rolled down the tinted window before calling out to me.
"Carmina Cambridge, we need you to come with us. Orders of Lucus Gage."
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Here is the second update for today. As I'm writing each of the chapters I see ways to improve the plot plus I see if I like how specific scenes play out. If you are on the fence about if you should particpate in Camp NaNoWriMo or not, my advice to you would be to give it a chance. The next chapter should be out tomorrow but if not I will try and update double on Monday. Happy Easter (Eve) to all those who celebrate tomorrow.
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outlast ➵ h.s.
FanfictionEighteen year old Carmina Cambridge has lost enough close relatives to last her a lifetime. All of which have been viciously murdered by The Shadows, an infamous street gang located in south side New York. When Carmina's youngest sister, and only li...