EMLYN | 18+

Chapter Five

The cab ride lasted about fifteen minutes. I could tell that the area we were coming from was one much better than where we were headed, though I had no reason to complain. Without her, so far, the only place I was headed was on the streets.

The cab stopped in front of an apartment building with the paint chipping off and the smell of cigarettes potent in the air. The smell was not something I liked, especially after being forced to smoke the cancer stick.

I had no problem with others smoking, it was each person's individual choice but good ole Sammy had to make sure I loved them just as much as he did and that made me hate it more.

She handed the driver some money before exiting and holding the door open for me. I looked around, trying to see all possible exit spots in case I needed it and it seemed to be a lot. From the ladder that extended to the ground, and the alleyway that led to the back of the building, I was pretty confident I could escape if needed be.

I followed Tessa into the building and to the door marked stairs. There was no one in the lobby, except for an old lady in her nightgown with a cat on a leash. My eyebrows furrowed at the sight. I didn't even know people put cats on leashes, was that a regular thing in New York? Or was I just the one out the loop?

She pushed the door open gesturing for me to go in, "elevator hasn't been working this week but it should be fixed soon. Hopefully," she sighed and we started our ascent up the stairs. On the second floor, she pushed the door open and walked out into the dimly lit hallway.

She hurried to the door marked two-zero-two, and pushed the key in, fiddling a bit to get it to pop open. We both walked inside and she flicked the lights on, illuminating the space.

Inside was a warm beige color with cream furnitures and blue curtains covering the windows. She slipped off her coat and shoes dropping them by the door while I stood a bit confused on what to do.

I think she realized I wasn't following her because before turning the corner she paused and looked back at me, "you coming?"

I nodded and quickly slipped off my shoes that were a bit dirty from the snow but I decided to keep everything else on. It made no sense to get comfortable when I'd be leaving soon anyways. I followed her into her home, my eyes taking in the small but cozy apartment.

I looked at the pictures she had hung everywhere, many of a woman I could only guess was her mother though they looked nothing alike. She had wild curly red hair and deep brown eyes, a contrast to Tessa's bright blue. I followed her into a bedroom - her bedroom - and stood at the doorway as she disappeared behind another door.

I looked around some more, a small smile grazing my lips. It seemed like she lived on her own, there was no indication of someone else living with her and I wondered if that was the reason she was helping me.

Was she just lonely and wanted some company for the night? I was brought out of my thoughts when she returned, a red bag in her hand. "So, I've had this first aid kit for a while but I think these things are meant to last long right?"

She looked to me for confirmation by all I could do was shrug. I hadn't purchased a first aid kit in ages. I barely knew what to expect to be inside nevertheless the expiration of the products. She moved and sat on the bed that was unmade on one side. She definitely slept alone.

She found her remote and turned the tv on before parting the spot beside her. I took a seat and watched the entertainment news women laugh and talk about whatever they deemed important to know.

I tuned them out a bit, my attention on Tessa as she started cutting the old bandages from my hand. The bloodied cloth slipped away and we both stared at the jagged scar that rang along the inside of my hand. There were a few stitches and I could see the area from where the blood was seeping through.