Studio 42

A Sketchy Neighborhood

"Uh... Katya, there is one problem." Trixie finally voiced out after a while. "I don't think I have a place to cra-"

But as Trixie turned to face Katya, taking a bit more courage than she had, she realized that the woman was gone.

Trixie groaned, feeling stupid. She looked down once more at the card that she held, searching for some kind of anchor to tell her that it was all real.

Her eyes lingered at the brown piece of cardboard, fearing that it might disappear once she takes her eyes off of it... Just like Katya.

Letting out a heavy breath, she brought herself to stand up and try to look for a place to spend the night. After almost 3 days of not being able to sleep properly, she doesn't trust herself to be able to perform or even interact with people.

As the sun started to set in the horizon, behind the illusive palm trees that could be seen in postcards and billboards, Trixie's eyes slowly drooped.

Treading aimlessly, her vision slowly faded out. Black spots filled her view, contrasting the bright lights that West Hollywood welcomed her with.

Just then, she spots a sign above the countless buildings that littered through the streets.

'For Rent'

Quivering knees made its way to the quaint looking building. Below the apartment was a run-down looking diner that provided as a distraction for her before she remembered the task at hand.

Not many people seemed to have been entering the building. In fact, the gate leading upstairs was chained up with a huge padlock holding it together.

Trixie gave a hopeless tug at the huge chains, a whimper as the sun became obscured behind the night sky.

She heard a jingle of keys from beside her, followed by the popping of gum. "Hey. You lookin' for Mrs. V?"

"Wh-who's that?"

The girl who appeared beside her hummed, "Why're you here?"

"Well, I noticed the 'For Rent' sign above. I was hoping to get a place?"

She chuckled, "Alright. A month is $1720 and you need to pay a one-month deposit and $500 for a security deposit. I'll give you your keys after the transaction and-- careful of the pipes up there."

Trixie let the girl lead her into the store as she continued to explain the rules. "There's a bathroom and you get to buy your own furniture. Which, I mean, yay right?"

"Yeah." Trixie nodded, eyes wandering to the tables beside her. The floor was clean, but stained, the once blue tiles now looking green.

"Mrs. V!" the girl yelled out. "By the way, 'm Adore... Noriega. You know, commission fees and all that."

"I'm Trixie."

An old woman came down the stairs that sat beside the counter, "What's it? Children these days don't know when t'go to bed!"

A strong country twang rang out as she started to scold Adore. "Mrs. V, calm down. I got you a new client."

Mrs. V looked at her up and down, scanning every features of her new tenant. With a glare, she turned back around. "No."

"What?"

"Oh!" Adore exclaimed, worried. "But, Mrs. V. This is a paying customer, we--"

"I said no, missy." she waved them off, starting to climb back up the stairs.

"It's Adore." she stated, a mildly pissed look on her face. Trixie tapped Adore's shoulder, but the girl was long gone.

"You let in druggies, deadbeats and whoever the fuck knocks. Do you think this became a holy house all of the sudden--"

"Fine," Mrs. V finally said, "But I'm telling you, girl. You better go back to wherever you came from. Your family would be grateful to see you."

"I bet." Trixie whispered out. "Thank you, Mrs. V, really."

But the woman was hearing none of it, immediately shutting the door with force. Trixie sighed as the place became desolate once more, "Sorry, Adore. I should've said something. It wasn't your problem to be dealing with anyways."

"It's fine, Trix." Adore offered her a light smile as she led her behind the counter. "Anyways, you need help settling in or you think you can handle it?"

Trixie shook her head, "You've done more than enough. I can take care of it. Thank you."

Adore finally handed her the key along with her receipt, "Third floor, third room to the right."

-

The apartment was old and dusty, not to mention remnants of glass still littering the place. "They must've had some crazy party in here, huh?"

The bathroom looked like it could've been a crime scene as the stains on the walls and the ceramics certainly didn't look all that friendly. Trixie waived her plans of washing herself off and instead hoped that the morning sun will make it look a little bit better.

Setting her suitcase off to the side, she prepared for bed. She laid down a warm blanket on the dirt-ridden floor, hoping to salvage whatever sleep she can.

Before heading off to sleep, Trixie looked at the card again.

'Katya McCook
(661)-453-1693
8338, Mulholland Dr.
Los Angeles, CA'

That's where she needed to be tomorrow. It was nerve-wracking to say the least, almost so that Trixie couldn't fall asleep as if she'd just drank a gallon of coffee.

But as soon as her head hit the pillow, metaphorically that is, she was out cold with the card clutched close to her.

-

*knock* *knock* *knock*

Trixie's eyes fluttered open, taking in her surroundings. A slow knocking by the wall woke her up.

Moonlight still shone from the windows, leaving Trixie uncertain of the time.

The knocks returned, three more sounding. It was clear that it was coming from the other rooms beside her. She sat up in fear, adjusting her eyes to the dark space.

It was moving, whatever was knocking on the wood, continuing the pattern. It moved towards the hallway, the pauses getting shorter and shorter every knock.

Trixie held her breath, a hand resting on her guitar. It was a fruitless attempt but Trixie knew it was better than nothing.

As it reached the end of the room, it paused.

Trixie's eyes glanced slowly to the windows. She was on the second floor and the stairs were locked. She can't get out.

Just as the silence gave Trixie the courage to stand up, a loud bang came from her own door. She jumped at the sound. The door was holding its place yet Trixie could hear the wood crunch, fearing that it might give in soon.

"C'mon, Barbie." a low voice whispered out, another strong rap at the wood accompanying it. A chill ran down her spine as she recognized the voice.

She covered her mouth with a shaky hand as whimpers clawed their way out of her mouth.

"Let's play."

[A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger, babes. I didn't mean to-- or did I? Lmao- starting to introduce new characters so be on the look out for some more others!]