Glitched: An OC Character Story

Chapter 5: Edith

I walked down the street, making my way home. A sharp left, a round right turn underneath the bridge, and I was home at my apartment building. My feet signaled the sensors at the top of the doors. They swished open creakily, and I accidentally hit my shoulder on one side.

"Jeez-" I mumbled, rubbing it.

"Oh hello, Edith." An old voice croaked. Huh? I looked up. Mrs. Evans? Speaking... to me?

Mrs. Evans was standing there, holding her signature feather duster. Her soggy cheeks were pulled up in a half smile. The gray hair that would dangle past her bottom was pulled up into a tight, slick bun. How did she keep it so neat? I walked up to the desk slowly, dusting off my jacket.

"Hello.. Mrs. Evans." I spoke cautiously. Mrs. Evans didn't talk to me at all. Accidentally letting the dogs I was walking for my previous dog walking business into the lobby was the last straw for her. I still can't get the smell of piss out of my nose. Not to mention the time I climbed up on the roof and messed with the antennas... or the time I smeared really greasy fries juice all over the wall. It was an accident, okay? I was just eating fries and happily dragging my fingers along the wallpaper. And I was six, so calm your horses.

So there were a lot of reasons Mrs. Evans might not want to talk to me. Why was she talking to me now? And why was she trying to smile? Right on cue, her smile faded.

"Sweetie, it's your um.." She stated. She bit her crusty lip. I frowned, starting to get worried

"My what?" I said softly. What was happening? Mrs. Evans took a deep breath, extending the suspense.

"It's your aunt, dear." She finally managed to say. My heart stopped. What the hell happened to....

There was no time to waste. I darted for the elevator. My fingers frantically slammed the buttons, trying to get it to come to the lobby floor.

"Come on, COME ON!" I shouted. The elevator wasn't coming, it was too damn slow. My fist slammed the metal doors, hard. I hissed, clutching my hand. Wait, the stairs! I shoved the door open, scrambling and stumbling up the steps. There were many times I nearly fell flat on my face.

Right then, Tel popped out of the bag.

*Edi, what's going on?* I heard him say.

"Not.. now Tel!" I managed to say between breaths. "Aunt... Helen... something..wrong." After what seemed like forever, I made it to my floor. I sprinted and skidded to a stop once I reached apartment 59. I fumbled around in my pocket, searching for the key. With shaky hands, I unlocked the door.

"You're late, Edith." Aunt Helen drawled. I looked up. What the-

Her slowly graying hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her thin frame was swallowed up by a huge sweatshirt and sweatpants. She was holding a very fancy glass with an overflowing cup of wine. My head snapped towards the china glass case. It was open...nearly all of the plates and glasses were shattered on the floor. I glanced over at the kitchen table. Bottles of wine and whisky sat on the table, smelly and still.

"Aunt Helen, what did you do?" I cried out. Oh my god, what the hell? Why was she drinking so much?!

"I just......just needed to wash...away..." Aunt Helen dragged again. She took a long drink from her glass, swaying on her feet. Wine spilled all over her sweatshirt, turning the pale pink color blood red. I clutched my head in my hands.

*Oh no Edi..* Tel mumbled. He jumped up on my shoulder, just in time to see Aunt Helen collapse on the floor, drunker than she ever had been. There was an ear piercing crack as the expensive glass shattered on the floor. I gasped, my head spinning more than it already was. A terrible part of me felt like it was ripped open, like the sound triggered a memory I didn't want to remember.