I hum a song playing through my radio speakers as I pull into my designated parking spot of the Apartments, my spirits high. Today was an awesome day, and it was something I desperately needed after a week of night terrors.
Stretching as I go, I climb out of the car and make my way to my apartment. I wince as I make it to the paved walkway that leads to the stairs, a sharp pain spiking up my back. I’m totally sore from hauling bags of dog food.I take the stairs slowly, feeling the strain of the day on my muscles. I don’t mind it, though. It feels good to just feel; even if it is because I’m sore. It lets me know I’ve had a productive day. Even if all I did was lift dog food all day, it makes me happy. Helping the dogs gives my life special meaning.
I take in a deep breath, still clinging to that happy feeling, but at the same time I feel a sadness trying to creep in. A sadness that is trying to remind me of what my life could be. I hate it.
I reach the door of my apartment and try to push that unwelcome feeling away, taking out my keys. I’m about to unlock the door when I look up to see the mailman coming my way with a small box in his hand, along with an electronic signature pad in the other.
I furrow my brow as he approaches, wondering what’s in the box. I’m absolutely certain that I haven’t ordered anything in the past few days.
I take both and quickly scribble my name and hand it back over to him.
He smiles at me again as he hands me the box. “Thank you Miss , have a wonderful day.”
“Thank you,” I reply absently, my eyes still on the box in my hands. “You, too.”With the box tucked under my arm, I open the door and kick it shut behind me. I turn it in my hands, the keys jingling as I toss them onto the kitchen table and look for the address label. There’s no return address listed, but I recognize the sender's name. Kiara. A smile graces my lips as I plop down into my seat. She’s such a freaking sweetheart. She knows this past week has been rough, and it’s not unusual that we give each other a little gift here and there when we’re going through something hard.
I instinctively look past my kitchen and into the cozy living room at the wooden owl on the bottom of my end table. It was a gift from Kiara. She knows I love crows. I think it’s a door stopper, but it looks just right where I put it.
My place is a nice, one-bedroom apartment with a spacious, open floor plan. It’s not cheap, but it’s not too expensive either, considering it’s in the city. The kitchen and living room join seamlessly with one another. There’s a large sliding glass door at the end of the living room that leads to a small patio. There are two windows with sheer curtains on either side of the couch. I always keep the curtains open because I like the sunlight. It helps keep the darkness away. I went a long time without sunshine, and I’ll never take such a simple thing for granted again.
I filled this place with warm pink that seem to pop out at you. I use pink because I’ve always heard that it helps with depression. Just seeing the color stimulates endorphins that make you happy. And I want to be happy. More than anything; it’s all I want.
My eyes stray back to the box and I wonder again what it is. Deep down, I know this is something different. Something… special.
There’s only one way to find out.
I walk over to the cabinet and retrieve a letter opener and then come back to the box. My heart racing in my chest, I pry it open.
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Ficción GeneralIt's been so long since I've wanted something so intensely; she's devouring my every waking moment. Allison, my little kitty. Even when I close my eyes, she's there. I'm practically obsessed. And now I have her. My heart pounds with a...