The River Speaks

Chapter Two: Wrong Number

Chapter Two: Wrong Number

Lilliana

My eyes glare at the ceiling as I listen to my upstairs neighbors stomp around.

What, are they wearing cleats?!

I pinch the bridge of my nose, thinking about all the ways I can be as annoying as possible.

I eye my closet with cleaning supplies in it and grin.

I know exactly what I'll do.

I push myself off the couch and walk over to the closet, glancing at the clock.

10:29PM.

Excited to get the message across, I grab the vacuum from the closet.

Every single night they're loud and no matter how many times I tell the office or go up there and politely ask them to keep it down, the same thing happens.

I plug the vacuum into the wall, and it's not one of those baby ones that's like a shark or something, it's one of those big ones you used in the early two thousands that smell like carpet when they're used.

You know, the one with the bag.

I put it on the floor setting instead of hose and stand up on the couch, lifting the vacuum up while it's on and putting it right on the fricken ceiling. It's heavy but it's not too bad.

I hold it there for a few minutes and then I put it on the ground, shutting it off. I can hear their feet stomping to the door and then it slams.

Get ready for them to show up here.

I smile to myself.

Maybe I finally got the message across.

I hear footsteps thundering around somewhere upstairs before they disappear, and then I hear loud knocking on my door.

I flick my brown hair over my shoulder and walk to the door, pulling it open.

The very angry guy from upstairs is standing there.

"Yes?" I ask innocently.

"Why in gods name are you vacuuming the ceiling?!" He roars.

I feign innocence.

"Because there's dust up there."

"Well stop it! Use a fucking duster!"

"Stop walking around like you have lead fucking feet!" I snap back at him. "Who are you? The fucking hulk?"

"Who are you? A spawn of Satan?" He snaps back.

"Yes bitch, I'm Satan's daughter! He made me with Bloody Mary!"

He looks pissed but I couldn't care less. "That feeling you have right now? I've been feeling that since I moved here two years ago so will you please stop walking so fucking loudly?"

"If you don't want to hear us walking around, move out!"

"Satan's daughter moves for nobody!"

"If you're Satan's daughter, I'm hitlers son!"

"Good for you, you think I give a shit? Hitler was my Uncle!"

My phone ringing in the apartment catches my attention.

"Goodbye cousin, next time I hear you walking around, I'm going to buy a chainsaw and hold it up inches from the ceiling." I slam the door in his face.