Aurora (#1)

o n e

I stood at the steps of what was to become my new home with just a small suitcase and a rucksack holding my meagre valuables. I rang the buzzer to alert the landlord. I wasn't expecting much, after all I had chosen to stay in one of the more dangerous parts of New York City; the only place that I could afford.

I shivered in the cool September breeze, my thin jacket doing nothing to shield me from the weather. I rang the buzzer again as my patience withered; while I took in my surroundings.

Finally the door opened to reveal tall, overweight man with a cigarette between his fingers. "What d'ya want girly?" I cringed at this sight in front of me. His voice was gravelly and hoarse from the years of heavy smoking.

"I'm Rori, I called earlier to rent an apartment." I explained politely, wincing as he gave me a once over

"This way." He ordered, opening the door wider to allow me to enter. The interior was just as bad as the exterior. The wood from the front desk was breaking away, the yellowing paint on the walls was chipping and the lone red couch did nothing to complement the room. The man, who I assumed to be the landlord, walked behind the desk to search for papers.

"Sign 'ere." He grunted as he pulled a chewed up pen and a crumpled contract. I scanned over the agreements and signed my name quickly before sliding the paper back to him, which he just dumped on his desk where there were already masses of paperwork to be sorted. I sighed internally. He slid the key off the rack and, "Follow me." He said, gruffly.

I picked up my suitcase and followed the man up a creaky flight of stairs. When we reached the top he was already panting slightly, all those hamburgers were taking a toll on his body. "Your apartment number is twenty four on the fourth floor. If anything happens then tell me. I'll get whatever it is fixed. I collect the rent on the first of the month. There's running water and electricity. Word of warning. Be careful." He told me.

"Thanks." I muttered, taking the keys from his grubby hands. He turned away from me before I had taken a step towards the next flight of stairs. I sighed and trudged my way up to my apartment. On my floor there were five other apartments all with similar faded green doors and rusted door knobs. My apartment was the furthest away from the stairs for which I was glad, as it provided some privacy in this place.

I inserted the key into the lock and twisted it till I heard a click. The room was a mess. Empty beer cans and grease filled pizza boxes were littered across the threadbare carpet. Blood stained parts of the carpet and I could only imagine what had gone down here. I knew what I was getting myself into when I was looking for apartments, so I couldn't complain to much. It was a roof over my head and I was thankful for that.

The door opened up to a small living room with a lumpy, faded blue couch and a coffee table. There was a small cable television, which I doubted worked, and table lamp beside the couch. Behind the couch was a dusty dining table, which sat up to four people and a small kitchen countertop beside it. The refrigerator made loud, guttural noises that didn't seem healthy.

I winced at the sight of the moulded cheese and past the expiry date milk as well as half a slice of cheese pizza topped with ants. I even found a slice of green bread and a jar of mayonnaise. Clearly whoever lived here before me was either too high to notice the mess or too lazy to clean.

The cupboard above held a set of mismatched plates and two and a half cups. There was a half broken cup which the previous tenants hadn't bothered throwing out. There were five glasses, all various shapes and sizes. The drawers beneath the countertop held the usual cutlery and few unique serving spoons. I turned the tap afraid of what I would find. The water spat out before a steady stream of clean water came out. At least I knew I had clean water. I also had the luxury of a kettle and a toaster as well as a microwave oven. I didn't expect to have a gas hob either.