The streets are dark and the rain pelts me insistently. I walk through the darkness with my head down not making eye contact with any of the bums or prostitutes that roam my neighborhood. My mind is set on one track; an address running over and over in my head. For miles I walk until I see the building finally loom before me. It’s a ritzier apartment building than most; one that requires an access code to get through. My friend hadn’t informed me of this obstacle.
I puzzle over it for a second and study the huge building. Surely there is another entrance other than for tenants. I wander around the parking lot until I find a door marked “Employees Only” that also demands an access code. Above the door a large window shows another opportunity for entrance. Normally I am hesitant to literally “break” in due to all the high-tech alarms they have these days. I knew the job wasn’t going to be easy, but I wasn’t the kind of person to leave a messy scene like some of my so called “associates”. If I take this chance and there IS an alarm, it would give me 5- 8 minutes tops till police arrive. Not enough time for the fun I was planning.
Realizing I have no other choice, I grumble weakly to myself and shoot one more glance around to assure I was alone. I pull my hoody tighter over my head and bring my fist back for the blow. The glass breaks easily, and I chuckle quietly to myself. If only the residents knew how easy it was…
The hallway was brightly lit and I hear laughter coming from a nearby staircase. I hurry to take off my gloves and black hoody and toss them in the trash just as a couple appears in front of me. I throw on a wonderful smile and glide by wishing them a good night. Just before I disappear up the stairs I hear them comment on what a good “neighbor” they have. I can’t help but smirk.
Taking the steps two at a time, I reach the fifth floor then lean against the rail. I close my eyes and listen to the thumping of my heart. Its rhythmic at first; soothing my nerves. Then the adrenaline starts to flow through my blood. The feeling, something between the deep hunger of a predator and the raw fear of the victim, confuses me and thrills me at the same time. Then eagerness takes over and I enter the hallway, taking my time as I cross the floor feeling the lush carpet beneath my shoes.
Halfway to my destination I start my calming exercises.
“Cool, calm, collected…cool, calm, collected…” I repeat to myself, my own personal mantra. I was also the type of person who had to count to ten when angry to assure nothing utterly stupid would come pouring out my mouth. My disposition and personality was far from professional, I tended to act before thinking in most cases, but I got the damn job done.
A door at the end of the hall bursts open snapping me from my reverie. Instantly I’m on end as two billowing figures dressed in black stand only 30 feet from me. I mentally berate myself for not composing myself earlier therefore my complete shock of our encounter is oh-so evident on my face. Luckily, they seem just as shocked to see a young lady so late at night roaming the halls. As they look at each other somehow communicating with raised eyebrows alone, I take a deep breath and experience takes over.
My trained eyes are quick to take in the scene. They’ve just exited from the very room I was heading for. Dressed in black. Dark fluid on left guys boot. Their eyes… not cold, but empty. Dangerous eyes I see every time I look in the mirror.
Instinctively, I take a step back, not in fear but from the disgust of seeing myself in them. They read the move wrong though, and I realize what I look like in their eyes. I embrace it, seeing a way out of this situation. Taking another step back, I feel the coolness of the wall against my back and squish my body against it as if somehow trying to escape through the wall itself. My eyes go wide and I play the “scared young girl” role. I feel ridiculous but they fall for it shoving past me and entering a waiting elevator. As the door closes, I see one of the guys mouth some threats at me “if I call the police”. The second the doors meet I let out a dramatic sigh and slide to the floor.
“Well,” I speak aloud. “There was an elevator all along and I took the damn stairs. That’s just GREAT!!!”
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