I coughed as an explosion of dust came showering down from the wall above me

I coughed as an explosion of dust came showering down from the wall above me. Reeling back, I almost fell off the stepladder but caught the edge of the window just in time. Fanning the air with one hand, I looked at the hole I’d just made with the drill, wondering if it was good enough. Considering the accident it almost caused, it better be.

Hopping back down to the ground, I grabbed the metal rod that held the single curtain. This whole process had taken me much longer than it should have, so I hoped it had all come down to being finished and functional.

As I put the rod through the hooks I’d just drilled into the wall, I heard a pair of footsteps coming from the open front door. Glancing over my shoulder, I realized it wasn’t just a neighbor on their way to their apartment. Patrick was haltingly backing into the doorway holding the end of a very worn couch. At the other side, Cecil struggled up the last few steps still wearing sunglasses.

“Here, we’ll just put it here for now,” Patrick said, walking towards the far wall. He carefully lowered his side first, and then Cecil let his go with a loud bang. He straightened and pushed his sunglasses onto his head, surveying the mostly bare space around him.

“Not all that bad,” he commented.

“I plan on covering up most of the concrete with—stuff,” I said as I folded up the small ladder.

“Stuff?” Patrick repeated as he plopped down on the couch.

“I recommend lots of rugs and artwork,” Cecil said. “Or at least a coat of paint in a very bright color.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied as I went to the closet, which was oddly located beside the small kitchen space. I put the ladder in there with the small pile of empty boxes. Hopefully that pile would get bigger throughout the day, or at least the week.

I surveyed the apartment when I stepped out, noting that it was pretty grey now. It wouldn’t be for long though. I was determined to get it as homey as possible, and soon. Patrick was a little slower with the process, but I made sure he put the bed together earlier. At least we wouldn’t be sleeping on the floor.

“Well, I’m going to get back to my place. I guess some of the guys are coming over later,” Cecil said as he made his way towards the door. “Caprice wants to entertain, I suppose. You’re invited.”

“Okay, if we get all the stuff up here in time we’ll go,” I said, looking pointedly at Patrick.

“Please come.” Cecil made a pathetic face and put his hands together at his chest. “Most of them are taking planes back to LA tomorrow, so it’s worthwhile.”

“Then we’ll go,” Patrick replied, “and I will get the rest of the stuff up here in time.”

I smiled innocently as Cecil left, closing the door behind him. I joined Patrick on the couch as he sighed, looking at all the boxes still left to be unpacked.

“This is going to take forever,” he commented.

“Most of it’s mine, so don’t worry,” I replied.

He scoffed, “Yeah, you have a lot of crap. I wasn’t aware you’d become such a packrat.”

I elbowed his side as I stood, heading for the bedroom where I still had clothes to unload. “Can you get the dresser up here on your own?”

“Yeah, it’s not heavy,” he replied as he stood.

“Are you sure? Want any blood before you start?” I asked before he could get out the door.

I saw him roll his eyes as he sighed, looking at me. “Yes, I’m sure. And no, I don’t need any blood. I’m not completely fragile.”

I didn’t blame him for his slight annoyance. Since he’d healed from the heart wound he had to drink more blood than usual to keep him energized. Since his heart now pumped differently, he needed more than what he was used to. I’d guess I’d taken the thought with too much worry, and I had been constantly asking him if he needed blood.

“Sorry,” I said, shrugging. “I’ll try to stop asking.”

He walked over and stood in front of me, lightly holding my hips. “Thank you.” He kissed my forehead and pulled me after him towards the door. “Now come and help me get the rest of the stuff.”

As we rushed down the stairs, I smiled as we passed another one of the sulking neighbors. The apartment may have not been the greatest thing ever, but sharing it with Patrick made it all the better. Most of the other Ancient Ones lived here or nearby, either in apartments or in the cemetery down the street, a different one than where they had been before. Relocation was completely necessary, and Patrick and I went with them, having proclaimed ourselves as Ancient Ones, too.

This was the best possible life I could imagine right now. Any worries had almost been pushed out of my mind, for the most part. William and Arthur were out to shut down the club, and they were successful so far. None of the New Agers associated with Vince seemed to be around anymore. This put Vince out of my mind on good days, though sometimes I wondered where he was going to pop up next. Hopefully never. I never wanted to have to see him or deal with him again. And who knew what he’d want the next time around?

I shook my head slightly as I stepped out onto the stoop. This wasn’t the time to be thinking about it.

“Sky?”

I looked up at Patrick, realized I’d just sort of been standing there. “Yeah? Sorry, zoning out.”

He picked up one of the last boxes and handed it to me, grinning before he kissed me. I felt my fangs knock against his for a second, and I pulled away laughing. Sometimes I forgot what I had become, but I didn’t mind it in these instances.

“Go on, I’ll meet you up there,” Patrick said, going back down the steps for the dresser. I nodded and turned back into the doorway. I took the steps two at a time when I heard Patrick coming up the stairs behind me. I suddenly felt better, like I’d left my anxieties on the sidewalk outside. Here I was rewriting another part of my life. I had done it a few times before but this time I was determined to get it right. And at the moment, I was confident I would accomplish it this time around. Most definitely.

THE END

Ah, such a refreshing, almost sad feeling in completing this. It’s twice as long as the first installment, which I’m really happy about! So far I’m very happy with it—I’m already in the process of super-editing.

This is one of those long journeys that keeps you going until you get to that final sentence, and once again I find myself not disconnecting with the people. (Sounds crazy, as if I think Patrick and Skyla are real—hahaha!) Anyway, that announcement I mentioned, yeah . . . it’s definitely concrete now :)

Crazy as it may sound, there will be a Third installment of the series!! I’ve already taken so many notes on it and even begun the first chapter, though I’ve now decided to add a prologue. Titles are very tentative, but look out for “Blasphemy” (as it is called for now). I’m REALLY excited for this one, and I hope those of you that have read this far will check it out! By the way, I love you all for sticking with me through the whole thing—your feedback means the world!!

Anyway, yeah look out for the first few chapters of “Blasphemy” soon! Sorry I don’t have a little snippet of it to put up here, but it’s still not quite ready!

“City Morgue” has been an awesome time for me, and I really hope you liked it just as much! THANK YOU!!