Lucky Number Seventeen

Chapter Three

The stairs reminded the pair more of their usual haunted places, the wallpaper had been slightly ripped off and there was dust on the hand railing. Sam placed his hand on the metal, a film of dirt sticking to his skin. They continued the climb, deciding to start at the top floor, the two out of breath as they reached their destination. 

"Man, we are out of shape," Sam joked, the two boys laughing into the emptiness of the hallway. The hallway stretched down about thirty feet, the walls painted a mint green and lined with white molding. It would have been beautiful in the 1900's, the two boys thought to themselves as Colby ran his hand against the cool wall. 

"This looks straight out of the shining," Colby chuckled nervously, Sam pointing the camera as the light shined down the empty hall, the building creaking ever so slightly. The pair went down the hall cautiously, peering out the window as they looked down at the street, a car or two speeding by. 

"Let's go into here." Sam took out the master key they were given by the owner, the door having a sign that read 40. The wooden door creaked open loudly, a chill running down Colby's spine. The apartment was tiny, yet quite large for it's size. Walking into the room you were greeted with a living room, remnants of a kitchen still in place as Sam ran over to the sink, attempting to turn it on. 

This caused a groan in the building, Sam quickly turning the handle back to its original position. "Let's not try that again, it might damage the pipes." Sam shook his head, handing Colby the camera to film Sam. 

"Is this the bedroom?" Colby asked, opening another door and allowing Sam to walk in first. This room was much smaller, and was connected to a tiny bathroom. Nothing in the apartment remained except for an old mirror hanging in the bathroom, rust infecting what used to be a beautiful gold lining. 

"I wish there was still furniture here, that would make the apartments feel so much more real. Right now they just feel like empty spaces." Sam sighed as Colby nodded his head in agreement, tilting the camera to look into the mirror, a shadow moving quickly behind him as he jumped. 

"What was that?" He spun around, Sam looking at him like he was crazy, the two of them peeking their head outside the door. They looked at each other, laughing slightly as Colby's heart began to beat loudly. "Let's get out of here, see if we can find an apartment that is still furnished?" Colby asked, his voice cracking slightly. 

"Seems like someone's scared." Sam teased, taking the camera from Colby as the pair exited the apartment. "Lead the way, captain." Colby rolled his eyes, visiting each apartment in the building and having no luck. That was until they reached the second floor, walking into apartment seventeen.