Out of the Box

Chapter 1, A New Way of Life

Well, this is it, room 13b. I took a deep breath before grasping the tarnished door knob and turning it. The door didn’t even budge in the slightest, instead it just let out a small creak. I grabbed the handle and pushed on the door, this time bringing my shoulder into outer frame. Once again the stupid door did not move.

“What a great start…” I mumbled sarcastically.

I placed the cardboard box that had once been in my hands onto the dirty, and torn carpet in the hallway. Taking yet another deep breath, I rammed into the door once more. Once again, the door did not even move. I rubbed my now sore shoulder and glared at the chipped, wooden door in hatred. It was staring at me, mockingly.

I let out a small growl before adjusting my glasses. I backed up all the way to the door across from mine and glanced back at the devilish piece of wood that separated me from my ‘new’ apartment. Getting a running start, I crashed right into the door. Hard.

Dizzy, I looked up and rubbed my temples in a circular motion while leaning against the wretched piece of trash.

“What is this made of? Concrete?” I mumbled under my breath along with a few curse words.

“Nope, just oak wood,”

I spun around to where the voice came from, and there stood a girl. She looked around 18, with sepia colored hair that was tied back into a long, high ponytail. Her eyes were a dark olive green which really popped because her skin was so light. She extended a hand to me.

“Are you okay? I never seen anyone have that much trouble with a door,” she chuckled.

I was going to reach out and grab it, but after that last remark I changed my mind not to mention I have no idea where her hand had been. Grabbing ahold of the wall, I eventually got up.

“The name’s Elizabeth,” She gestured her hand forwards once more, and I did except it this time, unwillingly, with my black hoodie covering my hand.

“Marcus,” I replied bluntly.

She just nodded and looked back at my door and started bursting into fits of laughter.

“What’s so funny?” I asked her getting very annoyed very quickly.

She wiped away tears from her eyes before responding, “It might be easier to unlock your door before trying to bust it down.”

This surprised me, but I didn’t let it show, at least I don’t think I did. I huffed and looked down at the rusted key in my hands before inserting it into the door. Click. Lightly tapping on the door was enough to send it flying open. I just stood there in annoyance from Elizabeth’s stupid laugh and all the trouble I had went through just to get this door open.

I bent down and grabbed the moving box from the ground before walking inside. It looked like your typical Boston apartment, only ten times worse. The walls were cracked and the paint was peeling. The kitchen had no utensils whatsoever and the bathroom had been torn up. Master bedroom wasn’t too bad, a few blemishes here and there, but nothing a little spackle won’t fix. Needless to say, the apartment was pretty big, bigger than I had expected for the little price I had payed. With some work this place could actually look decent. Though I have no money to fix this place.

I placed the box on the floor, only 26 more to carry up. Looking at the bed I noticed there was no mattress, just an empty frame and spring.

“Good thing I packed my sleeping bag,” I grumbled.

“Hey Marcus are you in he- OH MY GOSH IT IS FREEZING!” There stood Elizabeth in the doorway hugging the sleeves of her sweater.

“Why are you in here?” I questioned walking past her.