Playing with Fire

Playing with Fire (ch.5)

Chapter 5

Small Simple Things

Leo.

At about six o’clock in the morning I get ready for what today will bring me; you always learn something, whether it’s something smart or stupid. I throw on the first thing I see on the big heap of clothing in the middle of the room; a red and blue plaid shirt. I quickly put the shirt on then throw on a pair of skinny jeans, and some socks.

Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror I notice that I was starting to get stubble. Ah, I’ll shave later. I do have forever to do that don’t I? I laugh at the pathetic pun I made then walk out of my room. I live in an apartment building, so nothing special. I enter the small kitchen and smile. Although the apartment was tiny and cost more than it’s worth, there was something I liked about it. Maybe it was the balcony that I sat on when I watched the trains go by, or maybe it was the fact that there weren’t many windows, so I could have enough privacy?

As I think about this I open my mini fridge and grab a water bottle. The water bottle isn’t filled with water though; it’s filled with blood. I like my lips in anticipation as I unscrew the top off and take a huge chug out of it. I sigh contently and check the time. 7:00 am, wow… I take a long time to do such small and simple things.

This would be about the same time Phoebe wakes up to go to school. I picture her beautiful oval shaped blue eyes that had a layer of long, full lashes on the top and bottom. Next I think of her soft brown hair, how it turned golden in the sun, but in the shade it looked like dark chocolate. Finally I think of just her; everything to do with her. I stare guiltily down at the water bottle. She would understand when I told her why I had to drink human blood. Right? The only reason why I drink it is because I have to- the blood keeps me immortal so if I didn’t drink it I would turn into a pile of bones, considering the fact that I’m more than a century old.

I slip into my running shoes and grab my keys. I shut the door behind me, lock it, and then walk down the long hallway; leading to the main hall. The carpet was black with small wavy red lines on it. The walls were gold with red and black chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The apartment building wasn’t weird or anything like that, if anything all the red and black was normal because this apartment was specifically made for the “fictional” creatures like vampires, warlocks, werewolves and fairies- but Angels could stay if they liked to.

I waved at the young woman at the front desk. I always forget her name, but I’m pretty sure she was a hypnotized human. She blushes a bright rosy color and waves back. I tune into her thoughts.

I wonder how old he is. I shake my head suppressing a laugh till I get through the front doors. I click the unlock button on my car keys and hear the familiar beep beep sound. I own a black nineteen sixty-nine fastback mustang. A few werewolf teen jocks were staring sadly at my car. I put my hand at my heart and put this thought in all of their heads.

You lay one finger on her, and you will all die in less than a few seconds. The teenagers look away scared and I laugh as I hop into the front leather seat.

*

At exactly 8:00 am my park is idling in front of Phoebe’s house and I’m walking up the stairs to her house. I know it’s not necessarily a smart idea since her mom might remember me, but if she answers the door, I’ll erase her memory.

I knock at the door and wait. As I wait I look at the beautiful garden her mother made. There were colorful flowers and long, thick green plants spread all along the rich brown soil.

I hear the bolt from the door snap and then the door swings open to reveal Phoebe in a pair of blue sweats and a purple hoodie. Her long flowing hair was tied up in a messy knot near the top of her head and she looked extremely pale- well until she saw me. She flushed a vibrant pink and gestured for me to walk in.