Open Heart: Second Year {On Halt}

Chapter 9- We'll cross it in time

Ethan's apartment almost blended with the dark night sky, separated only due to the lights illuminated on different condos. I have always loved being on this part of the city because not only it was quite, but also was stark beautiful than the area me and my roomies have taken refuge. I grimly remembered the first few days when I had arrived at Boston from New York.

My aunt's residence was every bit luxurious as it could be considering she was already a reputed oncologist in the States. But after I was accepted at Edenbrook and flown to the city, the then price of overhanging loans and other bills forced me to check for a residence on the web. And Mia had found a good one—according to her, of course. The reality wasn't very pleasant compared to what they showed you through photoshopped counterfeit bogus. 

And when I actually reached at my pre-paid housing, it turned out to be a cabinet inside a large room. The bedroom was basically a iron frame. Bed and kitchen in the same place. A pathetic excuse for the toilet forced me to use the nearby supermarket and it was so crammy that my luggage simply wouldn't fit. Dripping of water from broken pipelines, hissing of gas lines behind the walls and, the crawling and creaking of rodents lurking behind my bed forced me to endure sleepless nights. I was sure that if I wouldn't die of exhaustion and lack of sleep, I surely would die from some infestation which was breeding nearby. Thankfully, rest of the friends were having similar issues and we collectively decided to rent a nice and clean flat—the current housing I was living.

I refused to acknowledge Landry again.

Never. He's as good as dead.

This was the richer district. Well styled housings and manicured lawns which spanned across both the sides of the road. The subway from the hospital straight led to the terminal here and from there, I had to walk a couple of blocks. It was cold today, amusingly the winter was trying to make its cameo after global warming had stolen its show. Faded and dead leaves covered the road and lifeless trees hung with their forked like naked branches waiting for the spring to come and rejuvenate the bleakness. Wintry flowers bloomed in the lawns-- the irises and Casa Blanca lilies along with batches of Gerbera daisies and few others richy-rich types which I didn't recognize. Away from the bustling city, and the middle district, this was what a million dollar would buy you in Boston.  

I reached his apartment and found two of his cars parked, and the third one absent. He wasn't home yet. Shrugging, I headed for the staircase.

And then remembered that he lived thirty-floors above.

I hung my head in despair.

Great. Just great. Because by the time I would have walked to his flat, my legs would be seeking another body already.

I stood there, debating upon waiting for Ethan to arrive or to search for a guard who would at least walk with me in the elevator. I forced myself to chose the second option since killing someone other than me was...well not fortified.

I remembered two guards at the entrance and began walking in their direction.

Suddenly something banged behind me.

"What---" I jumped, heart leaping to my mouth and turned back. I scanned the lot carefully and nothing amiss turned out. Then again, something sounded like a thud but it was distant. All the posh cars rested comfortably as if nothing happened. But I surely knew something had made that sound earlier.

Great. Double great. Now I was being haunted in my boyfriend's parking lot. Wow.

Without thinking more, I dashed near the guards who stood up seeing my alarmed look.

"Miss?" one of them said, "Are you alright?"

"I think I heard something from the back of the parking lot." I informed, "I was about to come here."