Who Are You? (On Hold)

Apartment 19

It was December when I finally got away from him. Alexander. I got my new apartment, paid in cash and dragged my suitcase across the linoleum floors of the lobby, looking down at my feet. "Ouch." A voice says as I bump into his chest. "I-I am s-so sorry." I don't look up, as I still have bruises from Alexander. "It's alright, do you need some help?" He asks, taking the handle of the suitcase from me. "Thank you, but no, I don't think I do." I look up, but away from him, standing lightly on my toes as I wait for him to hand me back my suitcase. "Why won't you look at me?"

"I j-just can't." I stutter nervously as I feel his hand rest on my shoulder, making me jump away from him. "Could I just have my suitcase please?" He takes a step away from me, setting the handle back in my hand. "At least let me walk you to your apartment, it's freezing out there, I wouldn't want you getting hurt."

I laugh lightly at his comment "I've been hurt enough, I don't think anything else could harm me." I say this as I'm walking away, shaking slightly. He falls in step beside me, and I can feel his eyes on me. "Are you sure I can't see your face? I'm sure you are a beautiful lady." He says politely as he holds open the lobby door for me, heading toward the elevator. "No. I'm sorry. Some other time." I get on the elevator, quietly standing in the corner; "What floor?" I hold up three fingers. "Hey, me too. What apartment?" He says, giving me space and standing on the opposite side of the cramped elevator.

"Nineteen." I look up as the door dings, my hair falling away from my face, and I hear him take a sharp breath, but he doesn't comment. "I live in Twenty, I could help you unpack." He puts his arm out so the elevator door stays open as I step through, walking quickly to my new apartment. "Here, let me." He gently lift the key from my hand, as I am shaking too much to unlock the door. He smoothly slides the key into the lock and swings open my door. "Thank you. But I can take it from here." I grab my key back and step inside, looking at the floor as I shut my door. "I'm right next door if you need anything."

I slowly sit down on my bed, my ribs now a dull ache, my head pounding, and it hurts to breathe in. "Why Alexander?" I say to no one in particular. I sigh, standing up and kneeling down to unzip my suitcase, my knee banging into my rib and making me cry out in pain, louder than I intended. "Hello? Are you alright?" I hear him at the door, his voice sounding worried. "Yeah, I'm alright! I.. Uh.. I just tripped!"

I walk to the bathroom, pulling my long dark hair into a high ponytail and tracing the edges of my bruises lightly. I gingerly tug my shirt over my head, breathing shallowly to lessen the pain in my ribs. I hiss through my teeth as I stretch the messy stitches across my stomach. 'Should have gone to the hospital.' I think to myself, then remember I'm supposed to stay off the grid.