I woke up to the high-pitched sound of my alarm going off. The sun was illuminating through the window. Groaning and shifting on the couch, my hand reached out to silence it, but it only made it fall off the small table. Feeling both irritation and tiredness from my lack of sleep, I sat up and reached down for it. After clicking the button, I took a moment to read the hour hand.
8:30. It took a few seconds before panic settled into my head. My eyes widened. I was an hour away from being late. I got off the couch quickly, almost tripping over. I opened my bag that was lying on the couch beside me. My hand fished inside for my favourite jacket.
Yanking it out of the bag, I swiftly slipped my arms in. Zipping it up, I went to the kitchen. The water was dripping from the tap, soon multiplying when I turned it on and bent over.
While I focused on washing my face, suddenly, I felt a chill down my spine. I immediately stood up straight and gazed behind me. Nothing. I shook my head slightly and turned off the tap.
Going back to the living room, I noticed a small mirror hanging on the wall. Barely able to see myself, I used my jacket sleeve to wipe the dust off.
I stared at myself for a second before my eyes caught a movement behind me through the mirror. It was just the curtains moving in the wind. What is up with this house? I frowned and started to tie my hair.
That's when the telephone beside my alarm started to ring, getting my attention. I turned around and hesitated. Who was calling? Before the last ring, I picked it up and heard a familiar voice.
The person in charge of the place I was going to work at. I contacted him when I saw a job offering poster at a cheap restaurant that I went to on a date. Not exactly a date since it resulted in a heated argument and a few plates getting knocked down and breaking because of him. I had to pay for that in the end.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when he started to give me the address and details about the building and the surroundings. His tone sounded rushed and I knew he had something else important to do. I told him I understood and hung up the call.
I hurried down the hallway and was out the door in minutes. I took out the spare key from my pocket and locked the door before I jogged down the stairs.
By the time I got into my car, my breath grew a little heavy. My hand gripped the steering wheel while the other plugged in the car key and started the engine. The sun was rising brighter each minute as I drove to the main road.
Traffic was already making a huge fuss in the streets. Cars honking all around me when I started to feel dizzy. Trying to block out the sounds, my hand reached to open the radio. When I clicked the button it didn't work, instead I heard static. Great. I turned it off and hoped I wouldn't pass out.
After what seemed like hours, my car entered the street's number. I parked on the side and got off, not sure where the building was located. My gaze scanned each of the buildings as I walked down the path. This was the street number he talked about, right? I started to question myself.
A black cat suddenly walked up to me. Forgetting what I was stressing about just now, I tilted my head to the side a little and it mimicked my move. I chuckled and knelt to pet it, but it started to run away from me.
My smile dropped. However, not giving up, I decided to follow it just for a few seconds. But seconds turned into minutes until I stumbled upon an apartment. It was the last building in the row of buildings.
It even looked different compared to the others. With a sign on top that read; Central Residence. Sounds serious but it was the name the guy gave. But why was it back here? I glance around before I step in.
Strangely, there was no one to be found in the lobby. I could hear my heartbeat in the pin-drop silence. I looked around one last time and thought maybe I entered the wrong apartment. Just as I was about to leave, an arrow that was pointing to a staff room lit up.
My eyebrows pinched together in confusion. Who lit that up? That was the first thing that came to my mind. Hesitating, I slowly stepped closer to the staff room and reached out for the doorknob. I twisted it open, peeking in first.
The room smelled like old paper and was very gloomy. The slight brightness from the old computer screen made it just enough to see a tape next to it.
Was this supposed to happen? I walked in and kept looking around to see if someone was hiding in the darkness this room held.
I thought twice before my hand reached out, picking the tape up and putting it into the computer hole. It swallowed the tape as my gaze fixed on the screen but still alert to my surroundings.
Static grey and black numbers appeared on the screen. It started to countdown 3...2...1. My head whipped around to see if anyone had entered. Feeling my heart skip a beat, not sure about what I would do if someone were there.
To my relief, there was no one. Instead, a tutorial started to play on the screen. A breath of relief gushed past my lips. I rested both of my clenched hands against the table, leaning closer to read the words.
It went on to explain that I was the new doorman and was working under a department called G.D.D. The full name flashed on the screen. "Ghost detective department," I muttered it out. I almost laughed at it. It was an easy job.
The whole room was lit up by a light above my head when the tutorial explained the structure of my office. The security window in front. Folders on the right. A checklist is on the table. The hatch under the window to receive documents. The buttons to press for emergency purposes.
My breath caught in my throat when I read the last sentence.
"If you were careless, it can cause serious trouble upon you and your neighbours."
So they're my neighbours now? I don't even live here. Shaking my head a little, I took out the tape when the window ahead of me suddenly opened.
Flinching hard, I felt my heart drop and looked up. My mind already racing with thoughts of a person holding a knife and about to kill me in this abandoned-looking building.
When I did look, instead of a psychopath, a male figure wearing a black raincoat with the G.D.D. logo on the right side of it. His face unknown behind a black mask.
Not even minding to say sorry after scaring the hell out of me. They seem like a guy. I cleared my throat trying not to sound nervous, while also hoping he was not a ghost or my imagination.
'Hello...do you work-" he cut in. "Make sure to do a good job." Having no words, I just nodded with raised eyebrows. Before I could question, the guy left as quickly as he appeared. Even though I didn't believe in such things.
I wiped my nervous, sweaty palms against my jeans. That was a lot to take in one day. Sure, I'll get the hang of it in two or three days. I prepared myself and glanced around the office. It was simple yet filled with important files. I started my shift once the first person walked up to the window.
