The phone beeped as she hung it up and collected her change. She had just finished talking to Mia, her adoptive mother. Listening to her voice made Anastasia feel relaxed again, made her feel as if she was back in the cozy friendly village. However it also made her remember how lonely she was here and how much she missed what she knew of life. She never realised how busy the city could be or how unfamiliar it was even though she had been here for a few weeks now. With a deep breath she slowly stepped outside of the red phone box, closing the door quietly behind herself.
The stars filled the sky now and the gentle breeze swept up the litter from the pavements. There were less stars here and the ones that were in the night sky were dull and blurry, their beauty ripped from them. There were no camp fires or gentle singing like there was in her home village, here there was just the occasional shouts and screams or howls. The streets were silent with little movement, most of the curtains were pulled and everyone kept themselves to themselves.
Anastasia pulled her coat around her tightly, folding her arms underneath her chest. There was still a deathly chill in the air from the past winter days. Slowly she began to head down the dark path to her apartment, listening to the clip clop of her heels on the wet pavement. She watched shyly as a few drunks got chucked out of the pubs on the other side of the street. Nerves ran through her as she back away slightly into the darker spots, slipping up an alleyway to escape the fear that was surrounding her.
Grey clouds full of sorrow huddled together and with a mighty crack the rain began to plummet to the dry ground. The rain drummed on the concrete floor, the wind smashing into the stubborn walls. Flashes of furious light tormented the darkness on the earth followed by the painful sound of the thunder. This wasn't just a normal storm; this storm understood the destruction it was causing.
Anastasia's golden brown hair clung to her now apparently almost see threw white shirt. She glanced around trying to identify were she was, right in front of her was a sign 'Watling Street' then to her left was 'VACANCY' in capitals. Anastasia's eyes lit up at that. 'Shared house, own room, bed and covers provided, meals cooked for you. Only $20 a week, club next door, just down the road from here.' Well it sounded good, but where was 'just down the road from here'. Quickly carried on walking in the direction she was walking, praying to come across this house.
The sound of music began to fill the air soon followed by cheering and whistles. "Well that sounds like a club" she mumbled to herself and her pace quickened even more. There the lights filled the air and people danced in the aggressively heavy rain. A small smile drew to Anastasia's lip as she carried on walking memorised by the energy of the place. A bright red door was next to the entrance of the club and this also had 'VACANCY' stamped across it, Anastasia raised her hand to knock just as the door opened, yet there was no one on the other side.
Wryly she walked inside dragging her soaked suitcase behind her. The floor boards creaked as she stepped on them and the lights flickered on and off. This was creepy. "Hello?" Anastasia whispered quietly, yet there was no reply. With a deep breath Anastasia spoke louder, a lot louder, "Hello, is anyone here? I saw the vacancy sign." A few laughs filled the air as she walked further down the hallway. Names were engraved on all the old doors, there at the end light was shining through the doorway and on that door Anastasia's name was engraved. This was very creepy.
"We have been expecting you." A croaky old voice spoke from inside the room just as Anastacsia peered in. The old lady whose owned the voice sat, stone faced in a small wooden chair. A unwelcoming smirk on her face as she also peered down her beak like nose.
"We?" Anastasia questioned the old lady only to recieve a cracking laugh as an answer. and like that the old lady was gone, leaving a empty chair and a painful atmosphere behind. Anastasia stood for a moment before glancing around the room. It looked almost the same as her old room with Mia. The walls were a delightful shade of crimson with dream catchers hanging from the corners. There was the four post bed with the simple white sheets and black blanket that had elegant swirly patterns sitched onto the material in a pale golden colour.
This was just like home. Only this place was creepy. Very creepy.
