#need practice

The apartment block you called home was pitch black inside, no doubt all inhabitants inside were dead asleep. Or busy doing...other things. Lucy came to mind quickly. Didn’t even text you, so no doubt she had some form of company with her. You dread the night ahead.

You entered the sterile corridor to head to your own place, freezing solid when a figure emerged from one of the rooms and moved away from you. Your heart pounds against your ribs at the bulky form now in the way, fear seizing your throat as you worried who it could be in the darkness. Nonetheless, as an adult, you had to ask. Plus, you didn’t want them to think YOU were a robber, if they were someone from the building. “M-Mr Williams?” you squeak out, feeling somewhat embarrassed by your fear. But that’s the only one you know who could look so colossal.

As your eyes finally adjust to the shadows that surround you, the figure turned to look at you over their shoulder slowly, revealing a familiar sharp faced figure with an unamused expression seemingly permanently etched into his face.

“...Where you been, kid?” he grumbled, so low and so quiet it seemed to vibrate from deep within his chest. Under his irked gaze, you practically shrunk. Something in his voice made you feel like he was pissed off. Something about…him in general just made you so small. He was an imposing figure. Intimidation embodied.

Your tongue felt like stone in your jaw as you gulped harshly. “J-Just got caught u-u-up with somethin-n-ng...” You managed to spit out, your voice stuttering and spluttering as your legs felt like jelly. The tension between the two of you, with his unchanging gaze burning deep into your own, made you want to hide in your room like you used to as a child.

You debated if he would even accept the vague response to his question, your distress not helped by the silence now filling the void as he continued to scan you. You couldn’t even twitch, for worry of what may happen.

Your landlord; the figure who had given you lots of leeway when Lucy screwed up, the man who helped you when your fever was so strong you were seeing things while bedridden, the guy who helped drive off a robber who broke into your place...was also the only one you seemed to fear. Something about him made you want to curl up and cry.

Finally, mercy is granted upon you. His eyes fell down, away from you, as his head turned back to his intended direction. “Lucy’s been up and worried. Don’t do it again.” He grunted in a commanding tone as he went on his way. He only spoke once more, to shoot you a small “Have a good night, kid” in a softer tone that removed the edge from the air. Still, you were stuck in place, your body’s screams to run being ignored and piling up until you heard a door in the empty space around you shut. The invisible nails in your feet came undone and you almost slammed down the door to your apartment, shutting and locking it behind you. Taking a few gulps of air, gasping as you did, you slumped against the door and slid down to the floor.

You’re home, safe and sound. Yet so nervous, trembling like a leaf in winter’s wind, that somehow home didn’t fill you with safety a home should. You replayed the scene in your head and thought about punching yourself in the jaw as you cringed. What a way to make your landlord think you were pathetic. You knew him for, what, a good while now? Sure he made you go on guard when he was around, but tonight you were basically whimpering at him.

A noise hit your ears in the quiet dark, breaking your thought process as you recognized Lucy’s soft snores, along with another, deeper, snore. You found yourself frowning. So concerned for you, yet she didn’t text or, you know, stay up? Great friend right there. He said she was up and worried, but she sounded she was deep asleep. She didn’t even seem to react when you slammed the front door. Maybe she had taken something. Your mind goes back to self pitying, however as it mocking repeats what had happened like a broken record in your head, the frown of disappointment at your roommate deepened to one of deep confusion.

Where was Don heading off to? Didn’t he come out of his place? He had left his apartment?