Draft [Not a final product, expect errors.]
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Apartment nine just received new tenants after two months of vacancy. Nestled on the edge of the upper floor with a corner view and only one neighbor. Each apartment is budgeted but suitable for families as well which is what has just arrived. I have lived here for a year after running from my hometown which means I can't judge people. But the last tenants had a story to tell every day and night till they moved out. The old couple that run this little apartment housing doesn't get involved in what happens around here due to age and health. From what I could gather this was a charity project her husband wanted to do because of struggling people needing a home. Somehow I became a manager of sorts and the resident mechanic for all appliances.
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Ever since the neighbors moved in last night it's been oddly quiet. The only sound I hear is a baby every so often but it doesn't cry for long. From the little kitchen to the small bathroom it doesn't take long to get ready for the day ahead of me. Like every day before I can step outside into the world, a mirror offers a warning of something important that I nearly forget every time, the velvet lining half mask. Accommodating the mouth perfectly as it wraps around the neck and rises to cover the cheeks perfectly, latching at the back with velcro. Hiding the broken smile I can't seem to fake anymore and the scar responsible for tearing it down. The first task was the neighbors so they have a key to the laundry room and my work number for any damaged appliances or maintenance. This was not the way to start a day but it's my side job that helps pay half my rent. With a few light knocks hoping I'm heard since I didn't wanna disturb the little one inside.
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"Hello, can I help you?"
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The woman has medium-dark brown hair which compliments her skin well. Highlighting how perfect her skin tone is which lets her green eyes shine in their way.
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"Ello, I'm called J and I live next door. This is the key to the laundry room and my number in case of any maintenance needed."
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Her eyes couldn't help but latch onto the half mask, which is normal, but I can feel her looking into my eyes too. Perhaps that's a reach of mine but it's clear she was distant, so I reached out to tap her shoulder.
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"Miss?"
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"Yes, sorry yes umm that's good... My name is Teri."
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Her outstretched hand was strange but it's a formal greeting of sorts. So I take her hand giving her a handshake before excusing myself for my other tasks. Even as I walked away she was staring at me like what happened earlier. Not something I mind but she was a little stranger than other people here.
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The rest of my daily tasks were simple enough to finish before eleven-thirty hits. Collecting and dropping off the mail for the other elderly people here and newspapers. Checking the laundry room for supplies making sure we still had the full stock. One of the kids in the bottom apartments popped his bike chain which I planned to have fixed for him today. Then heading to the home mart store about two miles out on foot for most people. Since I don't have much of a social life this routine is easy to keep so nothing falls out of balance. This two-mile walk helps me exercise as well which helps me keep a figure of some kind. One of our oldest residents often has me pick up food and condiments from our local market.
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While the market is a distance away other things are still thriving nearby. But this part of town is quiet and nearly everyone knows everyone around here. With everything done for the day it was time to retire for the day and get ready for tomorrow, a simple quiet life mostly. Once inside my home, it didn't take long to switch my clothing around to shorts and a tank top. Turning on the tv for some background noise while looking for food to cook which is often microwave ready. Before I could look in the freezer a knock stirs me from my thoughts of food. While this attire isn't the most appropriate I'm extremely lazy to change again, so I just slip the mask on once more.
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" Ello, Teri right?."
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" Yes umm sorry to disturb you, but I can't seem to get the hot water in the bathroom on."
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It may have been a little rude but I couldn't help the small chuckle that came up. Her face was distressed and the chuckle seem to increase her worry further.
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" Sorry about that but your face was rather cute like that. Come in if you like while I grab some tools."
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While it's against my policy to let someone inside my safe space, this felt natural. Which was strange but not something I dwelled on since I needed to find the tool case.
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" This carving is beautiful. Do they sell these around here?"
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" Ah, that's just a hobby to pass time honestly. Something that shabby wouldn't sell either way."
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I couldn't stop those words from flying out freely even though they were not mine. I once thought the carvings were beautiful but now they feel shabby.
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" I honestly believe they are beautiful though, you seem to care about them a lot."
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" Got the tool case so we can head over now... Also, If you think it's beautiful you can take it with you."
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Her face didn't change but her eyes became clear and lightly brighter. She was caught between accepting and rejecting though so I made sure she accepted. With that settled we headed over to her place so I could look at the hot water knobs. Hopefully, this is a simple problem so I don't have to go into the basement.
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She hovers near the doorway watching me take things apart and fiddle. Luckily the problem was simple enough to find and fix after looking for the common culprits. The knob cracked which made it spin endlessly.
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" The knob seems to have cracked so ill have to get you a new one. But if you are trying to take a shower-"
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Before I could finish speaking I was scrambling to turn the hot water off again. The shower head was aiming outside the tub and now I'm drenched. Teri helps herself to a fit of laughter at my expense but I can't blame her. Once more after fixing the showerhead to face inside the hot water comes on followed by the cold.
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" well thanks for the free shower but I fixed the-"
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When I stood up to address her nothing registered till I realized her eyes had gone south. Once more she's distant yet captivated by the show of headlights. While I don't mind her obvious staring the cold was setting in so I grabbed her attention with a cough.
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" Yes"
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The way she jumped clearly caught staring was impossibly cute. It's obvious she's never looked at another woman's body like this before. Teasing her seemed the most appropriate revenge for earlier.
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" Are you looking to purchase a set of headlights or just one?. They are best in pairs"
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" What?..."
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Her mind was running wild trying to understand and then her eyes drifted once more. Her eyes shot up to mine with a clear recognition of what I had said. Her face was obviously becoming heated quickly as she stumbled over words
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"Sorry I don't know... I mean-"
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" Calm down I'm fine with it but I couldn't resist the revenge. You did laugh so I guess now we are even right?"
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" oh God, I'm so sorry."
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She was embarrassed and I was nearly freezing so I took that as my exit. We said our goodbyes and within seconds of entering my place, food was cooking and I was showering. Today has been strange but different then the normal stuff that happens. My face feels a little more relaxed now which I didn't expect to happen, she even made me laugh a little. With the day going down and night rising it was time for a hobby. Some time has passed since I last touched this wood for carving, but she seemed to like the last one I finished some years ago. My hands moved and my mind raced with what I wanted to carve, a clear image of Teri. But my hands have a mind of their own and seem to move with an image they decided on. All I cared about was that I could once more carve something possibly beautiful.
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With only the face carved out a noise startled me from my thoughts. At first I wanted to ignore it but the sound came again, raised voices. It's not my business who she's arguing with but at the same time I feel curious, maybe even a little worried. Once more I try to distract myself with this hobby but my body becomes tense, ever sensitive to nearby hostilities. Removing myself from the little workstation in my room I decide to head over to check on her. Repeating that this isn't my business yet I feel so compelled to act. With every knock being louder then the last it goes ignored which was expected. Just as I decide to leave I heard something break or fall so i let one of my bad habits kick in.
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In nearly every pair of pants I carry a set of lock picks just in case of emergencies, but that's not the truth. With deft hands the lock gives way within a few seconds of tinkering, this was not my brightest idea.
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"Hey"
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Just as the door opened I let my voice call out over both of them. I don't know who the guy is but I can see the apartment is in chaos and Teri is holding her child. This whole situation is terrible and not sure why I got involved either.
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"Last I checked only one person and a child lived here, so if your done causing a scene, you can leave... Now"
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His eyes was purely seeing red right now but he didn't scare me. This type of person was something I was used to dealing with, even my body growing more tense and anxious. After staring me down for what felt like ages he stormed passed me and left. A breath I didn't know I was holding could finally be released.
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"I'm sorry about this... I didn't think he was drunk when I let him in. He's normally not-"
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"Stop, it's not your place to defend another person's actions. Are you okay?"
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While I got the door shut Teri hastily tried calming the poor child subjected to this mess. Slowly I walked around her house picking up everything knocked over or broken. Even though I know what these situations are like, I'm still surprised I got involved. Yet I'm glad I did.
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"How's the little one doing?"
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"She's calming down, I'll be right back gonna lay her down again."
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Teri wasn't rattled which means this happens often for her I'm sure. Hopefully, she can pull through this and it doesn't change her. With everything cleaned up I decided to lean against the wall waiting for her to finish up.
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"Hey, J you want something to drink or a snack?"
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"Sure ill take whatever you have, if its not to much trouble."
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As she exited her bedroom and moved towards the kitchen her eyes fell on me. At first I wasn't sure why she wasn't going into the kitchen, then her hand placed on my cheek. I didn't look at the mirror for the reminder and she can see that scar. My body instinctively flinches at her touch purely afraid.
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"Sorry I shouldn't have... So is that why you wear the mask?"
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"Yeah, I'm sorry it seems I forgotten it. I should go and let you get some sleep."
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As she apologized and I began to retreat her hand fell from my cheek, leaving a warm imprint behind. Leaving me conflicted between running away and staying, it's clear she could use a friend right now.
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"But if you want company for a little and you don't mind, I can hang out."
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Just a little hopeful at not being turned away was all I had to grab onto. Her smile was warm and inviting which settled that even if I felt a little uncomfortable. While she moved around the kitchen my eyes found pictures and books around her place.
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" You mind if I ask about that scar?"
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" What's to ask about it... I made a mistake, made someone angry. In the end it's just one more reminder."
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" Was this person someone close to you?... A friend or boyfriend?"
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She was a curious creature and I wasn't guarded enough against something so genuine. Besides most people are strangers around here so keeping a distance is easy.
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" Girlfriend, actually. We had a disagreement and ultimately couldn't give her what she wanted. Our fights simply escalated over time because I was trying too hard."
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" Oh... Uh sorry I didn't know, guess I shouldn't have assumed."
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" It's fine I don't have any effort to hide much, but I'm also not going to be the one to talk about the past first either. How about you and the drunk?"
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" Duncan, and he is Fay's father. Tonight he was supposed to watch her but apparently took a detour. I'm trying to let him be in her life but nothings easy in this kind of situation."
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When she came into the living like room she had a cup of ice tea for me. It was a little awkward but we decided to talk a little longer, she seemed curious at least.
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" So what is J short for?"
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" Jordan, but it's been a while since someone used it. Not to mention J is shorter so it works well."
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" What's can I do in this small town for fun?"
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" We have a bar and a club not far from here. There's a woman's group that gathers every Friday I think. Otherwise not a whole lot around here unless you like camping in the mountains."
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" Camping sounds fun, is it dangerous?"
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" Just small creatures mostly but I haven't gone in a couple of months. How about we go to the club tomorrow night, may find something their mention."
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" What about Fay, can't take her to a club."
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" Theirs a resident here who babysits for the other residents here. I can talk to her tomorrow if you want."
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She was reluctant to agree but gave in ultimately after thinking about the offer. I'm sure after what happened she doesn't wanna have him watch the kid. When she involuntarily let out a yawn I knew it was time to call it. So with a good night it was also time for me to sleep, tomorrow was gonna be hectic.
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