"NOOOO!" Bella woke abruptly, dripping with cold sweat. She looked around. It was dark and everything felt unfamiliar. She pressed her hand against her heart, feeling it pound against her hand as though it wanted to break through her rib cage. "Dammit," she swore under her breath. She swiped angrily at her tears and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. She stared at her eyes in the mirror. They were a cloudy, grey colour tonight. Torment. Why were these damn nightmares back? she thought. Who's to say that she wouldn't start sleepwalking again, or worse. It was a sign. A red flag. She returned to the bedroom and pulled her prescription bottle out of her suitcase. She'd been pacing herself so she wouldn't run out, but now she only had about three more. New York wasn't as it cut out to be. Work was great, Bella was enrolled in a few classes at a local veterinarian school, and even Belie had secured a job for herself, but the rest of it... They couldn't rent the apartment in Brooklyn because they both lacked the proper US legal papers, so they were stuck in a hotel, which wasn't just expensive but lacked that personal touch. It made Bella feel like a stranger in a strange land. Part of her wanted to just jump onto a plane and fly back to England. At least she had a flat there. There had to be something she had to do to get this apartment. She paced up and down in her bedroom before grabbing her phone. She quickly typed a text: Hey Nathan, I know it's late. I hope this text doesn't wake you but... Do you know anything about work Visas? She sent the text and sat down heavily in bed. If she couldn't get a more permanent place to live, she'd have to leave. And soon.
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Bella turned up her nose. All around her, there was a damp stench. The landlady, however, seemed to have lost her sense of scent. She walked through the tiny apartment as though there was nothing unusual. As though the carpet didn't appear to be rotting. As though the walls didn't seem to be oozing some strange substance. Belie clasped her hand over her nose and mouth, refusing to inhale. "Okay, we've seen enough here. Thank you, ma'am," Bella said after a while. The lady gave her a questionable look. "Don't you want to see--" "No thank you. It reeks in here." "Bella!" Belie exclaimed. She took her hands away just to nudge her. Bella sighed and apologised. "It's... not what we're looking for. Too small. Together we have four pets." She was making up an excuse, but it worked. As they left the stuffy apartment, Bella took a deep breath. "Kobe, I didn't think I'd be so happy to inhale New York City air. Anything is better than that stinky apartment." She shuddered and took another breath. Belie withdrew a paper from her pocket and handed it to Bella. There was another apartment available not too far from her. The agency that Nathan suggested had actually recommended that one. It was a longer walk to downtown Brooklyn, but at last they found their destination. From the time they got to the front of the apartment building, Bella was rather impressed. That definitely was worth looking into. They entered the apartment, and a man sat behind a desk. "Here to visit someone or see an apartment?" he called out to them. Typical New Yorker accent. Bella would have to get used to that.
"To see an apartment," she answered, walking up to the desk. The man picked up the phone to call someone, and soon a woman arrived downstairs. "Hi, I'm Selena," said the woman, shaking each of their hands. "Follow me. The vacant apartment here is on the eights floor, so I hope neither of you are afraid of heights." "That's not a problem," said Bella, following the woman towards the elevators. Belie looked around. The floors were clean and the walls didn't seem to be oozing any toxic substances. So far, so good. "So here at the Gold Street Apartments, we have a bike room, garage parking, a gym, a swimming pool, and additional storage available. We also have a laundry room. Some apartments have terraces, I'll show you one with the terrace and one without." As the elevator opened, they followed Selena out and down the hallways towards one of the rooms. At first glance, Bella immediately loved the apartment. The dark hardwood floors, the clean white walls... Soon she was able to admire the stainless steel in the kitchen, the white porcelain in the bathroom. The terrace gave a wonderful overview of Downtown Brooklyn. It wasn't London or Nottingham but it was still a pretty impressive view. It was perfect... a little too perfect. "We couldn't see the rental fees online," said Bella. "How much does this apartment cost?" "$8,600," said Selena. "Holy crap," said Bella. "Well there's another apartment that is very similar. It has only 2 bedrooms and one and a half bath, and unfortunately no terrace." Bella pouted internally, but it was more that she'd expected anyway. "There is, however, a roof deck that anyone has access to," Selena added. Bella could've sworn he caught a worrisome glance from Belie, but she quickly shook it off. They followed Selena down the hallway to another apartment. It was smaller but had the same dark hardwood and sterile walls. Not to mention it was less expensive. Belie and Bella exchanged looks. They liked it. They'd still have to get furniture and other necessities of course, but it was a superb start. "Where do we sign?" asked Bella. Monday had come at last. It was a big day—a day for new beginnings. Bella stared at herself in the hotel bathroom mirror. Today was her chance to make a brand new impression in a brand new country. Her chance to meet new people and improve her trade. She could practically invent a new her. If only… She sighed as she wrestled her unruly curls into a messy bun and glanced down at her bottle of prescription pills. She didn’t have many left and only the powers above knew what would happen if she ran out. Yet she didn’t feel like visiting a new shrink. She wanted to leave all of that psycho stuff behind.
Taking one of the pills, she swallowed it down with tap water and then left the bathroom. How was one to dress for a day working with animals? Perhaps she should pack an extra bag. Yes... an extra bag sounded sensible. She headed back into the bedroom and tossed some clothes into a duffel bag before getting dressed. There were still a few hours left until her very first shift at the kennel started, so she figured she’d have some breakfast. In fact was that scrambled eggs she smelled? She walked out of the bedroom and immediately spotted Belie in the kitchenette. Of course… “Good morning,” said Belie. “I figured you’d be awake early on your first day.” Bella smirked. The girl knew her way too well. “Make sure you’re… nice,” Belie told her. Bella’s jaw dropped. “I am nice!” Belie giggled. Bella lowered her eyebrows at Belie but eventually she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fine… I’ll be nice.” “And smile at people. Don’t give them funny looks—and don’t you say that you don’t give funny looks. You’re giving me one right now.” Bella immediately changed her expression. She rubbed her hand over her face. “I can’t be responsible for what my face does,” she said. She grinned again and stood to get some plates as the toaster oven popped up a few slices of toast. She placed two slices on each plate and moved them closer so Belie could spoon on the eggs. Following dinner, Bella handed Belie a small piece of paper. “This is the number for the agency that Nathan used to find his apartment. If you get the chance today, give them a call, yeah?” She grabbed her coat and slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. “Make sure you text me if you decide to go off adventuring on your own. I need to know where you are if anything were to happen. I don’t want to have to answer to your father and siblings.” “Nothing will—” “This is New York,” Bella interrupted. “Just be careful out there. This is no little village.” Belie nodded. “Stay out of trouble,” she added as she slipped her shoes on and got to the door. Belie nodded again and wished her a good day. Bella wished her the same and headed out, catching a bus to the park that was right across from the kennel. As she arrived at the building, she stood outside of the entrance and took a deep breath. This was it… But as she pulled on the door, she realized it was locked. She pulled out her cell phone and called Nathan but received a busy signal. Strange. She hugged herself, wishing she had a car to find warmth in, but then a black pick-up truck pulled up in front of the animal center. "Isabella!" Nathan called. He pushed the passenger side door opened and gestured for her to get in. As Bella climbed in, she realized he was on the phone. "Just don't force her out, alright,” he was saying. “I'll be there in fifteen minutes." He placed the phone back to his inner pocket and greeted Bella, smiling at her. "First day,” he said. “Let's start it with action." Bella took a long drag on her cigarette before exhaling slowly. She could clearly hear Belie’s voice in her head saying “you really should quit”. She rolled her eyes at the mental reminder of her terrible habit, but now wasn’t the time to quit. How else would she remain calm? She gazed out the window at beautiful blue Grecian waters, so serene yet the worry failed to leave Bella’s mind. Once this quest was over, they had to return to New York anyway, but what if she still couldn’t get a hold of Adam? Taking another pull on her cigarette, she tried to reroute her thoughts. Things weren’t that bad, were they? While in New York, she’d met two new friends: Ada and Nathaniel. Both very kind, unexpected people that had crossed her path. Not only that, but she’d acquired a job in the process—one that would help her in the long run. She was excited to start working at the kennel in New York next week, learn more about animal care… But where the hell was Adam? She wanted to share the good news with him. Show him that she had found her path… perhaps.
She sighed deeply and pinched her eyes closed. Why was she worried anyway? He could always take care of himself. He was invincible. After all, he had moments of disappearing didn’t he? And he always returned. Always… She held this thought in her mind, consoling herself. He was fine. She was fine. She had to focus. Focus… Standing up, she rubbed the stiffness out of her leg. Perhaps she just needed a long bath, a hot meal, and to get back to finishing the quest with Belie. She just had to focus. “Hey Adam. It’s me again. No point in saying what I've said already in my past messages. So... call or text me back. Bye.” Bella sighed and tossed her phone onto the hotel couch. She walked towards the window, gazing out at the New York City lights. He mind wandered to the previous week.
“I mean it, Bella. Stay out of this one,” Adam had told her. He had been giving her that look. That overprotective, this-is-one-too-big-for-you look. Bella had rolled her eyes. She’d thought of responding to him but fired a few more punches in his direction instead. She was slower than before. Less light on her feet. She’d sighed and dropped her arms. “Not like I’d be able to do any good anyway,” she’d said. “I’d have my ass totally destroyed. Damn leg…” She rubbed at her thigh. The cold certainly didn’t help the pain. “I think I’m definitely retiring from the fighting. Maybe it’s time I took some responsibility, anyway. I’m supposed to be a ‘good example’ to my younger siblings and all that crap.” She’d sighed and tossed on a T-shirt over her sports bra. Adam had given her another look. What was that? Pity? Doubt? “You hungry?” he’d asked her. “How about we just grab some lunch and chill out for the rest of the day.” “Deal,” she’d said. There’d been no point in trying to feign annoyance as the corner of her lips twitched upright. She’d grabbed her phone to text Belie (“you may want to visit Niels and Amanda. Or Rico and Ceci. Heading back with Adam”). They’d headed out, grabbing some burgers and fries before going back to Bella’s hotel room. As expected, Belie had already been gone. It had been ages since Bella and Adam hung out together. And she’d really enjoyed herself although he’d woken her up early the next morning, telling her he had to go. That was over a week ago. Bella sighed and pulled the curtains closed. “Belie?” she called. “Up for an adventure? I was thinking we drive upstate.” She could use a change of scenery. Some nights just felt so strange. As though she didn’t quite fit into her own skin. As though the darkness had blotted out the sun too soon. On this particular night, Bella found herself pacing around her bedroom. Her leg was feeling better today, which wasn’t necessarily good as it gave her an excuse not to go to bed.
She drew back her curtains and stared through the window. The moon was full tonight. Was it true what they said? That the full moon was responsible for bizarre behavior. Lunatics? She left her bedroom and quietly walked across the living room, being careful not to wake Belie. Perhaps it was time to get a 2-bedroom apartment rather than have Belie sleep on the sofa bed every night. She stared idly at her apprentice before continuing to the balcony. She gently placed her hands around the cold surface. She had flashes of standing there, thinking she could fly, thinking she was invincible. Lunacy at its finest. What was she thinking? She sighed and looked over the railing. It was a miracle that she’d survived the fall… or well, the jump. But why? For what? It wasn’t like she was making a difference in the world? Why had the powers above granted her a second chance? Everything felt so empty most of the time. She longed for someone or something to fill the void. She wondered where her friends had gone--didn't she ever have friends? Where were they now? Why was she saved when no one seemed to care? She sighed and pressed her cheek against the cold bannister. Why these thoughts...? Why now? |
Isabella Kaylee DwyerWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2017
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