[LANCASTER] Freddie was not an idle man, as he was learning about himself. Slowly but surely he was finding his feet, and despite his situation he was not lacking in confidence. There was a list of things he knew he had to achieve. If he could not remember who he was or where he had come from, if in not knowing who he was he could not know whether he had somewhere to live or money to pay rent, he would find ways to make money. As much as he didn’t think Hannah minded having a vampire on hand, he could not stay in her spare room forever -- he could not hide from her neighbours forever.
It was while he was searching the internet (with his ******* mind, of all things) for jobs that it happened. A connection that fizzed and sparked and then came to life -- a movie started to play in the darkness behind his eyes, bright as if he were living it himself. There was a voice speaking that was not his own -- a woman’s voice -- and she was laughing, cajoling. She was in an empty pub, cleaning glasses behind a bar.
And then the second thing happened -- he realised that this person was a living person. Because when he asked the question who are you? the person dropped the glass she was cleaning, yelping as it shattered at her feet. Whoever she was, she recognised his voice; she started cursing at him. So ******* FUNNY, Lancaster. Where the **** are you anyway?
Freddie was, of course, confused. A short and harried conversation later (as the woman walked into an office) and he learned that her name was Roxette. She was his ‘thrall’. He could see through her eyes and speak directly to her mind. You can speak to anyone’s mind, you dipshit. What’s got into you? You lost your wits?
Apparently his name was Lancaster. Apparently Roxette had to do whatever he told her to. Elliot Lancaster. It was a start. And then the sun peeked over the horizon and the vampire was out like a light, dead to the world, darkness taking him under. When he woke up again he recalled the events of the morning but, as hard as he tried, he couldn’t reconnect. The power was a fickle one. Or maybe his brain was blocking him on purpose. There were too many questions but he at least had a couple of answers.
The power he tried next, he tried on Hannah. He had to see if this Roxette was right.
Hannah. Can you hear me?
He had focused on the woman, sending the message out into the ether to see if she would pick up on it, telepathically. He was still in the spare bedroom, laying flat on his back only in a pair of boxers, staring at the ceiling. He did not know whether Hannah was at work or whether she’d be out in the other room. He did not know whether she could answer him. But it was worth a try.
[HANNAH] Hannah had been scheduled to do a ten hour shift, but when she got into work, Adam told her there was no way she was staying past three p.m. Apparently, Hannah was bordering seventy hours that week, so they were trying to cut back on her inevitable overtime. Seventy seemed to be the 'magical' number, one she knew very well. Realistically, it probably had to little to do with the fact that she might be tired, and more with the fact that when people were tired, sometimes things happened. And that meant lawsuits and no one wanted those in a hospital. Sometimes, they were inevitable, but if they could prevent them, they would.
So, when Hannah clocked out at 2:59 p.m. She had free time. Freddie wouldn't be awake for a while, and even though he said he slept like the dead, Hannah didn't want to accidentally wake him up either. So, after she sat in the driver's seat of her Ford Flex, Hannah turned on the engine and headed to the mall. Freddie was busy learning things about himself, which was fine, but maybe she should too. Anything she found out in the form of books could be shared with him; tried and tested. Hannah didn't believe everything and anything written by authors about vampires and other supernatural things were true necessarily, but it could be a good starting point? Middle point-as he already knew some things about himself.
And while she was at the mall, she could pick up a few other things...Then she should go to the grocery store, because Hannah knew if she didn't, that she would be in trouble for next week, as the new work week started in less than a handful of days. There was a big grocery store chain on the way back from the mall, and to the apartment, so it made sense on two logical fronts to hit the store last. The first, being it was on the way back, and the second was cold things needed to remain cold for as long as possible.
She spent more time at the mall than she intended. By the time Hannah had found some books at the bookstore, and spending almost one hundred dollars on different 'vampire' books, it was nearly five p.m. Not realizing the time, or the emptiness her stomach felt while browsing the books, Hannah decided to eat something before heading to the next store-which was the store that sold her favorite shampoo, conditioner and lip gloss. Essentially, anything and everything a woman needed in the bathroom.
Hannah headed to the food court to grab dinner-something Chinese and probably not good for her-or anyone, but the selections were pizza, burgers, pretzels and or cookies, or tacos, if not Chinese. She placed an order for some beef with broccoli, then moved to the counter besides it that sold the pretzels and cookies, because it also had smoothies. She placed an order for a mango and pineapple one, then went back to get her order of food. She grabbed a spot at a small table near the smoothie place, set everything down and went to grab that too.
While she ate, the brunette checked her emails, deleted the junk and spam, kept the important emails sent by Adam in the last two days, then went on Facebook to see what her younger sister was up to. Hannah sent her a quick message, then returned her phone to her purse as she finished eating her dinner. Taking the smoothie with her, Hannah headed towards the second floor of the mall, to her last stop. On her way up the escalator, she glanced down at the silver watch on her wrist and looked at the time. It was nearly six, which meant her roommate still wouldn't be up.
Hannah pitched the remainder of her drink in a garbage bin, then headed inside the store to grab a few items, which didn't take her very long. A few bottles of her shampoo, two of her conditioner, and then two lip glosses, and Hannah was out the door. With both bags in tow, Hannah headed out of the main entrance of the mall and to her car. Both bags were nestled in the back seat of her car, before she got in and grabbed her phone to see if her sister had responded to her message yet. It was only quarter to nine in the morning, but it might be possible. She did have a few early classes at uni, but Hannah couldn't remember what days those were. Not seeing a reply, Hannah tucked the phone away once again, and headed to the grocery store.
By the time she found a parking spot at the grocery store, it was almost seven p.m. The shopping shouldn't take too long, because in theory, Hannah didn't eat a lot at home and anything that she bought was pretty much frozen. Unless it was juice, milk, or butter. Hannah didn't really have a lot of time to cook, plus cooking for one and having heaps of left-overs was sort of silly in her mind. She didn't mind left-overs, but the brunette didn't want to eat them for three or four days either. So, after grabbing a container of milk, two juices, yougurt and a four pack of butter, Hannah headed to the frozen food aisle and started piling stuff in the cart. There was a mix of t.v. Dinners, quick and easy microwavable breakfast items and a few fruit based popsicles. On her way to the checkout, Hannah stopped at the fruit and produce section and grabbed a bag of mixed lettuce, and a bag of apples for good measure.
By the time she was checked out, it was just after eight p.m. Hannah packed everything up in the back of her SUV, returned the cart, and bypassed checking her Facebook messages. If her younger sister hadn't read the message before, chances were she hadn't read it yet. Misao wasn't like Hannah in the sense that she got up early to do things-she waited until the last minute, then ran out the door to get to her classes before she was late. Besides, Hannah hadn't asked her anything too important anyways, so any reply could wait.
Hannah had pulled into her parking lot just a little after 8:30 p.m. She grabbed as many bags as she could of the cold and frozen stuff, then headed into the apartment complex. The brunette gave a familiar, but unknown face a small smile as they held the door for her; followed by a 'thank you.' She moved to the elevator, pressed the button and got in. The elevator slowly ascended, and as it made the climb to the sixth floor, there was a thought that ran through her mind. More like a question. Hannah frowned, looked around, then shook her head. That was weird. She thought to herself, also thinking...That sounded like Freddie... Which was...well, crazy. Either Hannah was more tired than she gave herself credit for, or she was thinking about her roommate way too much.
With another shake of her head, Hannah glanced at the numbers as they lit up, indicating the floor it was on. It had just passed the third floor, when the elevator came to an abrupt and unexpected stop. Hannah expected the door to open, but it didn't. Upon further inspection, Hannah realized that the third floor button, nor the fourth floor button was lit up. She pressed the number 6 once, then twice, and finally a third time, but nothing happened.
“Ahhh, helloooo?” Hannah said as she moved to be closer to the door, knocking on it softly. Then a little harder, before she backed up and looked around the length and width of the elevator. Her eyes fell upon the emergency button, so she gave it one quick push. And then a few seconds later, a longer push. Great. She thought silently to herself, as she held the button down, positive someone would hear the annoying ring at some point.
[LANCASTER] There was no reply. Lancaster continued to stare at the ceiling, slowly starting to pick apart different shadows cast from the little lights that blinked from the laptop. The only light in the room. He swung his legs from the bed and stretched, though he didn’t really need to, rolling his head on his shoulders. With his palms flat against the bed and his head bowed he focused on Hannah again -- the only person he really knew. He focused on the apartment outside, listening for her, for movement beyond the ticking of clocks and the hum of the fridge. Where he had stretched his arms only seconds previously, now he stretched his mind -- an untapped source of power, how now realised. He was capable of far more than he had given himself credit for.
With that preternatural hearing of his he caught the sound of the elevator moving in the shaft outside. If Hannah wasn’t home, he had a feeling she was on her way. He had a lot that he wanted to tell her, things that he wanted to discuss. A way through the murky future. A name that sounded so much better than ‘Freddie’. A name that rolled from his tongue like it had rolled from his tongue a million times before. He hadn’t dreamed it. Couldn’t have. It just sounded so right.
The elevator stopped before it reached their floor, and he reasoned that he was wrong. It was someone else in the building who’d come home, not Hannah. Hannah could still be at work, unable to reach her phone. Unable to tell him that she had heard him, or ask what the ****?
That, though… that was her voice. It echoed up the shaft and through the cracks between the doors, through the floorboards, even. Were there even floorboards? The vampire’s toes curled into the ground as if that could answer a completely irrelevant question. The vampire reached out again, telepathic fingers seeking Hannah out -- knowing where she was, this time, made it easier to lock on to her.
Hannah, where are you?
The question was louder this time. More insistent. The vampire tried to hold on to the tether, tried to keep it open as he stood up and sought out a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. At least his clothing options had expanded, recently…
[HANNAH] Hannah stopped pressing the emergency call button to call out another elongated “Heelllllllloooo.” Still hopeful that someone would come along. There were a lot of floors and the elevator was sort of useful to everyone in the building. Sure, some people used the stairs, but more opted for the elevator. She pressed the button again, this time putting the groceries on the floor. As if doing this would give her more 'oomph' to pressing the button and making it louder.
She looked down for her phone, and then groaned. She realized she left her phone in her purse, in her locked SUV downstairs. The one time, she thought to herself, before resuming the pushing of the emergency button. And through it all, there was that question again. There was no denying that it was Freddie's voice and that he was the one asking her where she was. Hannah hadn't even been thinking about him when it came through a second time. “Freddie?” Hannah asked, this time slapping the cool metal with one hand, while the other still firmly pressed the button.
“Freddie?!” Hannah asked again, this time answering the question back-as crazy as that sounded. “I'm in the elevator.” She said, pretty sure that while she was hopeful he would hear her, part of her suspected her couldn't hear her. Not two and a half floors away.
[LANCASTER] Although Freddie was pretty sure the same rules applied as the first night Hannah had brought him home -- he wasn’t supposed to be living there with her, try not to make it obvious -- that didn’t stop him from meandering outside the apartment door, still looking dishevelled and straight-from bed. His bare feet scuffed against the hallway carpets as he wandered over to the elevator, cool long fingers gripping the edges of the elevator door frame, staring at the door as if he could see straight through it and down the shaft and into the car that, he had to assume, was stuck. Otherwise it would be here by now.
Are you having a nap in the elevator? He asked, voice again sent slinging through space. He was calm as a cucumber, and if he weren’t a vampire who was wide awake as soon as his eyes opened every night he’d probably still be half asleep. It was a habit leftover from humanity, maybe -- that need to be lazy and slouchy that first half hour after waking.
See this cool thing I can do? Freaking you out yet? He asked. To anyone passing by, he probably didn’t look half asleep -- he probably looked half insane, grinning at the door like that door was an old friend and they’d just shared an inside joke. Now that he was aware of this neat little trick of his, would Hannah be able to take it from him? Would she be capable of it, too, without actually realising it? How much of what he could do, could she do, too? So many questions.
Don’t know how elevators work though. Can probably go get someone for you… he said, stepping back only to tentatively press the button by the elevator door, the one to call the elevator up to their floor. Worth a try, right?
[HANNAH] There was prolonged silence, which had Hannah second guessing herself. Had Freddie even...said? Thought? Something to her? Or had it been some shred of hope laced with exhaustion that made Hannah think he had said something to her?
Thoughts outside of Freddie and if he had ‘talked’ to her started creeping in. How long would she be stuck in here? Ten minutes? An hour? What if she had to go to the bathroom? What if it was more than an hour? Everything she had was frozen, meaning it was virtually inedible until she popped it in the microwave or the oven. Would she get out in time for work tomorrow? It would be just her ‘luck’ that Hannah had to start at seven tomorrow morning and not eight or nine. Could she be stuck that long?
The ‘sound’ of Freddie’s voice came at her again, and Hannah laughed wryly. A nap. It seemed Freddie had quite the sense of humor tied to him. Something she could appreciate-if the scenario was a little different. Then he asked two questions back to back, and Hannah replied, “I wasn’t until you asked me that.” She chuckled softly, before sighing. “Just so I don’t think I’m insane, can you actually talk to me?” Hannah thought herself to be a pretty sane person on most days-all, really, but this was something she hadn’t experienced before and wasn’t sure it was really happening.
[LANCASTER] The elevator did absolutely nothing as Elliot mashed the button. Something was wrong somewhere in the shaft, wiring got crossed or frizzled out or something. Could he go all James Bond and get a crow bar, wrench the door open and climb down the shaft? Should he? He could encourage Hannah to climb onto his back and he could carry her out, like a hero rescuing a kitten from a crawl space. He blinked away the scenario and shook his head. Better not to further break what was already broken.
Peeling away from the door, the vampire wandered back down the hall and into the apartment where he found a mobile phone -- not his, obviously, but an old one lent to him by Hannah -- and came back again, talking to Hannah all the while. It astounded him that he could hear her from this distance, but it was almost like an echo, anyway. Like the conversation they were having wasn’t one completely spoken out loud, but between minds. A connection had been wrought, and now they could speak as if the telephones were built into their minds. Really ******* cool, if you asking him.
Nah mate, I’m just figment of your imagination, he said, and paused long enough to have her wondering whether he really was. He peered at the cork board on the wall, the paper peeling away at the edges where the thumb tacks barely held it. A number for body corporate. This is who he should call, right? Or… maybe afterwards. Fire brigade? His finger hovered over the numbers on the phone.
No seriously. I’m talking to you with my mind. It’s pretty great. We can celebrate when you’re out. Should I call body corp or fire brigade…?
[HANNAH] Even though Freddie had gone quiet, the word ‘mate’ was a dead tip off that Hannah wasn’t thinking to herself...or having a ‘breakdown’ of some description. Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest and waited for Freddie to do….something.
Only, something didn’t happen. Nothing happened. Not for a minute or two, when Freddie asked about calling a fire brigade or corporate. Did he really just leave me here?! Hannah fumed, not at herself, but at Freddie. Do NOT call the fire department. I’m not hurt and there’s no fire. I’m fine. Just...stuck. Well, if he could think at her, why couldn’t she think at him? In theory, Hannah should be able to do all the things Freddie could do. The thought of calling corporate wasn’t ideal either, only because she was supposed to be living solo, but there really was no other option. Hannah laughed, threw her hands in the air and then shrugged her shoulders. Hellooooo, if you can hear me-if this thing is working...then please call Corporate. His name is Mike Greene. Oh, and sorry for shouting that last part at you. You know, if it worked. Is this working? Hannah slid down the cool metal of the side and took a sitting position, knees tucked to her chest while she waited patiently for Freddie to answer her, or for someone-anyone, to figure out how to get her out.
[LANCASTER] There was a mild arch of the brow as Hannah accused Freddie of leaving her there. What else was he supposed to do? Hang out uselessly by the elevator door that did not work, to keep pressing a button that was doing nothing to absolve the situation? He was being proactive. Vaguely he wondered whether Hannah suffered claustrophobia -- this irritable side of her was new.
Yes, Hannah. It’s working. I’m calling Mike now. Don’t panic. he said, his tone soothing and quiet and the slightest bit sarcastic. Yes, he was teasing Hannah, poking at buttons he shouldn’t. For while Hannah was stuck and might not be at all amused, Freddie was amused.
He lifted the phone to his ear and waited while it rang, wondering how he would break it to Hannah if it went through to message bank. But it didn’t. Sounding somewhat flustered, as if he didn’t particularly want to answer his phone, Mike finally picked up.
“Hey, Mike. Yeah, I’m a friend of Hannah Woods, apartment six-oh-seven. She’s stuck in the elevator…” he paused while the man on the other end of the line said something.
“No yeah, it’s not moving. It’s stopped working. If you could get someone in to fix it… yeah, thanks Mike. See you soon,” he said, and hung up the phone. Back by the elevator door, Freddie knocked on the metal as if Hannah were only just on the other side and not a couple of floors down.
Mike’s getting someone to come fix it. Shouldn’t be long. I’m going to go put some shoes on and brush my hair… he informed her. Best not to look like he’d been sleeping there, if Mike was the guy she paid rent to, if Freddie was not supposed to be there.
[HANNAH] So apparently Hannah -could- think back at Freddie. That amused her a little and changed her focus a little. Could she think to anyone and everyone? Or was that just something people like Freddie could do, and her, because she fed off him? Could she think into her sister’s mind, all the way to Kobe? Not that Hannah wanted to try that now, but the thought had entered her mind.
Don’t panic. Says the vampire who doesn’t need air to live, or food either. Or have to go to the bathroom. Hannah laughed, then shook her head. She couldn’t remember if Freddie used the bathroom-other than to shower in it. In her defense, Hannah was usually in ‘go’ mode until she crashed for a few hours to get some sleep, just to ‘go’ again the next day. Sorry. It’s kind of funny, though.’ Hannah thought in her defense before she glanced at the silver watch on her wrist. It was a little after nine, traffic shouldn’t be too bad. Hopefully Mike would be here in half an hour or so.
You’re coming back, though. Right? Hannah actually didn’t mind being in small spaces, and chances were, if she was stuck with someone in the elevator, her disposition would be a lot different, but she was alone. Stuck in an elevator for who knew how long? And really, why was she stuck? Was the elevator potentially unsafe? In the last few months, dying had crossed her mind, but never dying by some elevator mishap. She tipped her head back and caught glimpse of the operator opening, and groaned. If only Hannah were a little taller. She was willing to be the next floor up was right above the cart she was in.
[LANCASTER] I was never really with you. To come back. He said as he pulled on a pair of shoes and wandered into the bathroom to brush his hair. He didn’t think Mike should have any reason to come into the apartment, but the vampire didn’t require much. He certainly didn’t need a glass to drink out of. And what did it matter, anyway? Sure, there were contracts in place to say that Hannah couldn’t have someone else living with her, permanently. But surely she was allowed to have guests, right? Visitors coming to make use of her spare bedroom while on holiday. If there were rules against visitors, Freddie had to wonder what kind of establishment this was.
Pee in the corner. Mark your territory he said, smiling to himself. It was the kind of suggestion that might earn him a slapped arm, but as Hannah was not beside him (and a slapped arm was harmless) he suggested it anyway. If she were panicking, it was his job to calm her down, to make her laugh. To make her think of anything but the fact that she was trapped.
You want me to go wait for Mike in the lobby or should I come stand vigil by the elevator door? he asked, mildly. Mike sounded like an okay guy. Surely he’d be smart enough to know where the elevator was that needed fixing, and Freddie knew as much as Mike did. He’d really be no help to the guy.
[HANNAH] That's a comfort. Hannah thought as she stood back up, then jumped. While she was mid-air, a hand reached for the small square area that was protruded above the majority of the 'top' and missed it. By a lot. She jumped again, with the same result. Hannah knew better than to try it again, because she just wasn't tall enough. But, in hindsight at least the elevator didn't crash to the bottom and she was still very much alive! Obviously, it wasn't a huge emergency-even if she wanted to get out sooner than later.
Pee in a corner?? Serious? There was no way Freddie couldn't have 'heard' the disgust in her thoughts over that suggestion. I'll mark something alright. She growled as her eyes narrowed, Hannah glaring at the metal wall that faced her.
What will you do? Grab the elevator if I happen to fall to my death? Hannah joked, but then wondered if it was possible. Vampires were a lot stronger than humans, and even blood thieves, was it possible? Don't you have any vampire powers that can, I don't know...do something cool? Hannah asked, trying to figure out if she knew anything from any powers she ever encountered. Nothing that could help someone in a trapped elevator. How many people are trapped in an elevator every day? Not many, she suspected. I'm fine...maybe you should go wait for Mike? I think I'm stuck between the third and fourth floor. If that helps? Hannah offered, looking towards a corner in the elevator and then shaking her head. Not in a million years.
[LANCASTER] I thought holding up a conversation with my mind was pretty great. Doesn’t help you get out, but I can keep you entertained? he said. Truth was, he wasn’t sure if there was anything else he could do. Like what? Summon her out of the elevator, body and groceries and all? As if.
His footsteps echoed in the stairway as he loped his way downward, the phone in his pocket in case Mike had any reason to call back. Despite the thick brick wall that divided the staircase from the elevator shaft, when he passed by the floors that Hannah mentioned, he could hear her. He stopped and pressed his ear up against the cool brick and, yup, he could hear her jumping around. As if jumping would do her any favours.
You’re seriously that desperate to get out? You want me to try pry the doors open, get the service escape open? I’m not sure if I could catch the elevator if it falls but I’m up for the challenge… he said. He was up for the whole thing, honestly. He’d dismissed the notion before, the whole movie-esque scene of climbing into the elevator shaft but he was almost hoping Hannah would say yes. He’d never seen the inside of an elevator shaft before -- he didn’t think -- so it could be a whole new adventure. The fact that he’d discovered his own name, that he had the ability to enthrall someone, whatever that meant, and that her name was Roxette -- it was all forgotten, briefly. He had grown accustomed to being Freddie, the vampire who didn’t know who he was. And he kind of liked it.
[HANNAH] Deep down, Hannah knew Freddie was trying to be helpful. It wasn’t her fault he was stuck and really, it wasn’t his job to ‘save’ her either. Expecting such a thing seemed unrealistic and illogical. What could he do, really? I know. I’m sorry. Hannah admitted as she found the floor, and crossed her legs. There was no way she was getting out before Mike and whoever else came.
Was she that desperate to get out? Maybe. It really depended on how long she was ‘stuck’ in the elevator. When there was the mention of the elevator falling, Hannah shook her head. No! I mean, it’s fine. I’m fine. Everything will be fine. I’m sure not many people die in elevators. It’s unlikely that today will be my lucky day. Hannah thought after she moved her groceries to the side wall with a gentle push.
What did you do today? Did you find anything new out online? Hannah started to initiate a conversation back-a different one, but at least she was starting to focus on something else, other than her escape, or potential death.
[LANCASTER] Rather than wander further down and into the lobby, Freddie exited the staircase on the fourth floor and instead slid down to sit by the elevator, his back against the metal doors. His knees were raised, and his forearms rested upon them, wrists hanging limp in front of him. He gazed at the knob of his right wrist, at the black hairs that crawled up his arm, the calluses on his palms and fingers that must have been there prior to his turning. The question circled his mind and he shrugged, even though Hannah couldn’t see him.
Today? Today I slept. This morning, though, I was searching the web. With my mind. That’s a thing I can do. And I kind of… connected to someone else’s mind. I could see through her eyes. Like I was in her head. Her name was Roxette. She called herself my thrall. She said my name was Elliot Lancaster, he said. It all came out in a rush, like if he deliberated too long he wouldn’t tell her anything.
I lost the connection when the sun came up. I passed out. I haven’t been able to reconnect. A name is helpful though, right? he said. He turned his gaze to the ceiling. He’d been excited, when it had happened. But there was a deep-rooted dread, now. There was a voice telling him to stop. Don’t go looking. How was he going to explain that to Hannah? He could barely explain it to himself.
[HANNAH] While Freddie hung out on the fourth floor, down on the main floor Mike and the elevator guy named ‘Chuck,’ entered the building. There was a small gathering of people-an older lady with her small dog, and some early thirties something who would rather wait it out by playing a game on his phone, then take the stairs to whatever floor he needed. As soon as he saw Mike, he lazily lifted his right pointer finger and aimed it to the elevator. “It’s stuck again.” He said it as if it happened all the time-which it didn’t. The last time it happened, in his memory was back in 2013. The tennant just liked to complain and try to get money off his rent any way he could.
Wait. You can go online with your mind? Really? Wow. Hannah was impressed. The mind was a pretty amazing thing without adding in any vampire flair to it, but this really knocked it out of the ballpark, in Hannah’s mind. The amazed and somewhat excited thought drifted away with a low ‘hmmm,’ that he probably wouldn’t hear as Freddie talked about ‘connecting’ to someone’s mind. Was that what they were doing right now? The name of the woman didn’t sound familiar, neither did the term ‘thrall.’ When Freddie gave Hannah the name the woman knew him by-his actual name, the woman found her stomach, and propped up on her elbows. Her chin was secured in both her hands as she thought about the name. Really, he could be anyone-any name. Who would know?
Yeah. Definitely. A name is very helpful. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name before, but it’s a good place to start. Hannah agreed with him, blue eyes on the steel door in front of her. Maybe we could look it up online. Get a phone number, or even an address? Find out where you belong? She thought, a soft, but amused laugh following after that thought. It almost sounded as if she had found a stray dog and had been looking after it for a few weeks, only to be able to reunite it with the owners; the way she phrased that last thought. Should I call you Elliot Lancaster, then? Hannah glanced towards her grocery bags that were propped up against the side wall, then frowned. Hannah knew that at some point, this day--or night, would come. So, now what?
[LANCASTER] There was radio silence for about a minute as Freddie considered the question. Something squirmed inside of him as the words were said aloud. Well, aloud inside of his head by a voice that was not his own. There were more bodies in the building, now -- movement downstairs. How the vampire could know that, he couldn’t decipher. But at least work would be getting done on the elevator. They did not need him to meet them, to tell them anything. They got the gist, they just needed to work.
One of the building’s occupants came out of their apartment nearby, their keys jangling as they locked the door behind them. They stopped in their tracks as they noticed the man sitting on the ground in front of the elevator. The elevator they wanted to use.
“Elevator’s broken. You’ll have to use the stairs…” he said. The woman sighed and rolled her eyes, thanked Freddie, and opened disappeared into the stairwell.
It’s hard to explain. And it sounds kind of crazy. But I feel like there’s someone or something else in my head, watching everything I do and … orchestrating. And every time I get too close to who I used to be, they throw up walls. You know I can’t go into Redwood? And parts of Wickbridge. The… fear and dread I feel is just too much, like there’s… I don’t know. Long story short, I feel like I was given just enough. Just enough to get ahead and… I don’t want to know anything else. I belong here now. I’m Freddie… he said. It was easier this way. Easier to tell Hannah these things without facing her.
[HANNAH] I’m in your head...do you mean like that? Maybe there’s another vampire? Someone trying to reach out to you? Hannah suggested, thinking how it might be possible. Then another thought crossed her mind. ”You said something about some girl named Roxette. How you could see through her eyes. Is it possible you’re someone’s ‘thrall?’ What does that even mean? Hannah asked as she shifted her positioning so that Hannah was more comfortable and her elbows weren’t digging into the ground beneath them. Don’t take this the wrong way, I don’t mind having you as a roommate, Freddie...but...someone made you a vampire. What if they’re looking for you? I mean, you are a vampire and they are a vampire...don’t you think life might be different? Better? Hannah asked, because they hadn’t really talked about this before. He was welcome, and in return Freddie gave her his blood-but all good things came to an end at some point.
[LANCASTER] No, no. It feels more like… I don’t know how to explain it. It doesn’t feel external, it feels internal. Like it doesn’t matter if someone’s looking for me, I don’t want to be found, he said, slowly. But he was a thinking, reasoning adult male who had been sleeping on someone’s ‘couch’ for too long. Eventually he’d have to face his responsibilities, or get some responsibilities of his own. A job, money. A way to get himself out from under Hannah’s feet.
He wasn’t taking it the wrong way, and nor was he upset by the suggestions Hannah offered. He was more level-headed than that -- or, perhaps, he’d had time to learn to control the emotions that so easily got out of control. Or maybe there was nothing to get emotional about. He could move out of Hannah’s apartment and it didn’t mean they would stop being friends. If ‘move out’ was the proper term for it. He didn’t have any stuff to move.
Better, I think, is a material thing. I have a name. I can go to the bank. Maybe I have some money… he said. It was a start.
[HANNAH] Was it that easier to disappear? Hannah found herself slightly 'envious' of Freddie's situation, until she remembered that the guy basically remembered nothing about his life and virtually owned nothing either. Not that the brunette was overly materialistic. There were a few items she was fond of, but if things didn't bring her any sense of strong feeling, most objects, items or gifts given to Hannah never remained with her past year two. Something her step mother taught her; an ideology in Japan.
Why wouldn't you want to be found? That was a different train of thought. In fact, Hannah couldn't help but wonder why someone wouldn't want to be found? Had he done something? That was a possibility. Why the name Freddie, again?
Then again, he hadn't displayed any psychotic activities, so the fleeting thought vanished as quickly as it came. So if he wasn't a psycho...did something happen to him? Something tragic maybe? Hannah remembered thinking about how he had a head injury before. When they first met in the sewers. Maybe he hadn't hurt his head, but he was experience some sort of PTSD, or something similar. Hannah wasn't a doctor or a shrink, but if he didn't want to remember something, and there were lapses in his memory...something pretty traumatic must have happened to Freddie.
Money would get you more things, I guess. Maybe your own apartment. House. A car. If money is your thing...we could go to the bank some night? No hurry or anything. I've got money. Hannah rolled over on her back to look up at the elevator ceiling. It's not as if you've been a nuisance or anything. You're the perfect roommate. You don't steal my food...half the battle right there.
[LANCASTER] Freddie offered a shrug that Hannah could not see. Why wouldn’t he want to be found? It was a damned good question and one that he avoided, most of the time. If there was a reason, something inside of him thought it was a good reason. Which meant he wouldn’t go looking for an answer. He couldn’t. There was something inside of him telling him to stop, you’re not ready.
In the grand scheme of things, what had happened to Freddie might not be as traumatic as one might think, but it was all pieces adding up to a whole. One day it might all come to a head, but if he could track down his ‘thrall’ so easily, then it shouldn’t be too hard for people to find him, if they wanted to. Right? Surely. And if he went to the bank and withdrew money… he’s been meandering these streets for a couple of weeks now. If the people he knew lived in this city, then surely…
No! I’m even a big boy who can go get my own blood, he said with a chuckle, which could be heard in the tone of his voice. Blood. It all seemed so easy, these tricks he could do were interesting rather than a curse. He had nothing to complain about in this existence. It felt like a holiday, and maybe it shouldn’t.
I can find a bank. You don’t have to come with me, if you don’t want to. It would be nice to at least help you with your rent, he said. No sooner had he finished than the whole building was plunged into darkness, the power having been cut. Freddie glanced up at the ceiling, keeping an ear out for movement in the elevator. He hoped it had something to do with the process of fixing it, rather than the building itself falling apart.
[HANNAH] She laughed, because how could Hannah not laugh at what Freddie said. She nodded, even if Hannah was nodding for no one other than herself. She believed Freddie to be capable enough to find a bank...there were tons of them in the city, usually not too far from a train station. When he mentioned rent, Hannah found her right side and propped an elbow.
Money isn't that tight...yet. I work a lot. Not that you've noticed, because you're mostly sleeping, when I'm at work. I've not been there a year yet, so I don't have a lot of vacation days, or personal time. Not as much as I will in a few months. Hannah had already used some personal time back in October and early November-when she signed on to be 'team Gino,' and had been able to keep her job. More than likely. Gino had something to do with that.
Besides, if you're going to start paying rent, then you should technically be on the lease too. That's sort of how that works. Hannah suggested right before the lights in the elevator went off and were replaced with two tiny, but bright lights inside the elevator flicking on. The brunette held her breath, waiting for something else to happen. The light to turn back on would be the preferable option, over the possibility of a sharp descent down the elevator shaft. So, this is fun. Hannah thought as nothing seemed to happen, other than a few noises from somewhere between the two floors she was stuck on. What's your favorite color? Talking-or in this case, thinking, seemed to make things easier.
[LANCASTER] Freddie laughed, welcoming the darkness. Can’t stay in your spare room forever, Han. Not as a freeloader, anyway he said. That’s not how the world worked. He might have lost most his memory but he hadn’t lost his common decency. Or his sense of self. His masculinity? Independence, maybe. He couldn’t think of the word.
Was that an invitation to join you on the lease? What do they do when they add a person to a lease? History checks? Could be… tetchy, he said. He didn’t even know his own history to know whether it was a clean record. Or whether he had a record at all.
I don’t know! Actually. What is my favourite colour? Do I have one? he asked. It would be an experiment saved for a later date -- he could go shopping. See what colours he gravitated toward in clothes, in furniture. In… whatever else it was people bought.
Overhead there was a hum that ran through the whole building, a bass thrum as if the walls were coming back to life again. The lights flared back on, and Freddie shifted to look at the elevator door, as if he could see straight through to the elevator’s shaft, as if he could detect whether the electronics were going to play ball. Is that what they just did? Turned it off and on again?
Did that work? he asked, hand on the cold metal as he waited to see if the elevator, too, was going to come back to life.
[HANNAH] Probably not. She thought in agreement, before adding on. Sooner or later, someone will notice the very tall guy that never leaves for very long. She smiled, eyes falling on her bag of frozen goods that were probably too thawed out by now to try and salvage. Along with the gallon of milk in her car.
Had she just invited Freddie to sign in on her lease? Hannah thought back to what she had thought, and realized that maybe she had. It hadn’t been intentional, just a statement of fact. If he was going to live here, then at some point the company would want to hold him as accountable as her, should they damage something (which seemed unlikely-but that was how they worked). Probably. Yes. That’s what they do. She rolled over on her stomach once again and sighed. If he did join the lease, he couldn’t sign it as Freddie whoever. The guy didn’t really exist. And who knew what they might find out about Elliot, what’s his face? Maybe not a good idea.
She laughed when he asked if he had one to her. Everyone has one, I think? Or at least a top two, Freddie. She pressed her lips together to stop laughing as the sounds grew louder and then, the lights came back on. Something is happening! She said with excitement, before there was a buzzing sound from where the buttons were located and then the elevator moved up to the fourth floor. Once there, the doors slid open with a ‘ping,’ and she was greeted with the wall across the hall. Not wasting any time, Hannah grabbed her bags and nearly sprung out of the elevator. “Yes.” She said, as her eyes landed on him. “Most guys like black, blue, green...Occasionally red. For future reference. But, a color, is just a color. You know?” Hannah didn’t think much into the belief pink was for girls, blue for boys. “Also, you say mate a lot.” She concluded with a laugh, before looking towards the stairs. “I should go throw these things away…”Hannah said as she inched towards the stairs.
[LANCASTER] As soon as he heard the elevator rumble and slide up to its proper position Freddie pushed himself up from his position on the floor and stood. Very tall, indeed. He was there to greet Hannah once she all but bounded out of her temporary cage. He wondered what it would look like from a stranger’s perspective, watching as this woman exited the elevator and started talking to this man like they were just carrying on a conversation they’d already started. Which is exactly what they were doing, but without phones -- it would look quite strange.
Freddie took a single step forward and collected the bags from Hannah before she could even make it to the stairs. A hidden gentleman. “Really? What did you buy?” he asked, clearing his throat as he finally used his proper voice. He hadn’t done so yet tonight. “Surely it’s not all wasted…” he said. If there were frozen things, would they have been given time to get to room temperature? Hannah would know best, he supposed. How long had he been a vampire? He didn’t know. So he couldn’t say he was an expert about what to do and what not to do with food.
“Also -- what if my favourite colour is purple? Would you judge me for it?” he asked, grinning. He liked that the subject had changed. He didn’t want to talk about who he was or wasn’t. He liked the ease of joking about his favourite colour. He quickly overtook Hannah and pushed open the door to the stairwell with his back, gesturing with a nod of his head that she should pass him by.
[HANNAH] “Thank you. And maybe not all of it. Some though.” She concluded with a shrug of her shoulders. Theoretically, anything in the middle should be fine, since it was ‘protected’ by the things on the outside. “And no, as long as you don’t judge me for liking what most would think of a ‘boy color.” She laughed, before heading past him. “You didn’t have to take them all, you know. Or any, since it’s not for you.” She glanced down to the bags in his hands, then stopped at the base of the stairs. “My favorite is green. I’m a real rebel.” Hannah said with a small smirk, before she slowly took a step up on the stairs.
“I think the bank in Bullwood is open later...I go there a lot since it’s near the hospital. For future reference.” She shared, before circling back to the question of what she bought. With a quick hand, the hair to the right of her face was tucked behind her ear. “In those bags are a bunch of food I may not even get around to eating for a month or two.” She said with a laugh and shrug of her shoulders. “I mostly eat at the hospital or on the way back. I don’t get a lot of time when I’m not at work, so the quicker-or more instant something is, isn’t better, but it works. If that makes sense.” Another few stairs and they would be on the fifth floor. “Thanks for keeping me company. I now have a bigger appreciation for stairs.” Hannah concluded as they bypassed the fifth floor door.
[LANCASTER] Freddie grinned as Hannah mentioned her eating habits. “Or you eat when you get home but it’s just not the conventional,” he said, his longer legs taking the stairs two at a time, able to overtake Hannah for a second time, spinning on the fifth floor landing to flash her a wink before heading up to the sixth. The stairs may as well have been flat ground for the vampire, who could have gone up and down the entire set twenty times before he even started to get tired. Up on the sixth floor landing he had to wait -- his hands were full, and the door opened inwards. This time, he would have to wait for Hannah to open it for the both of them.
“I prefer stairs to hills,” he said with a shrug, gazing down at the woman as she approached. He was thinking about her habits, and about what she’d said earlier. She worked a lot, and he might not notice because he was sleeping. Which might have been the case. But did she ever have time off?
“It’s a noble job, you have. But even noble people deserve time off every now and again. And they deserve time to take care of themselves. Are you taking care of yourself, Hannah?” he asked, and the teasing lilt had diminished, a deeper tone of genuine care creeping in. The vampire had been preoccupied trying to learn things about himself, he hadn’t been paying enough attention to the woman he was sharing an apartment with.
[HANNAH] “Well, I mean...I can cook-not well, but enough to get by. Usually recipes make enough for two, but usually four. And left overs are only appealing for so long.” She said with another shrug before opening the door to their floor. Hannah thought about what Freddie said and asked, before answering. “I must? I’ve not had to take a sick day this year.” She confessed, before adding on to the thought with, “Though, maybe drinking vampire blood helps with that?” She laughed a little, before getting the key to her apartment out from the keyring Hannah pulled from her coat pocket.
“I get enough sleep and I do make time to eat. And, actually...next month is my one year work anniversary. I get more time off, and I plan on using it. I’m actually going camping at the end of May.” She said as the key slid into the lock, turned it and opened it. “So, if you’re still here, you’ll have the place all to yourself.” Hannah confessed, as she stepped inside the apartment. “Which, you could be. I’m not kicking you out or anything.” The brunette said quietly, before moving to try and take a bag or two from him. “I’ll see what I can salvage.” She looked up at him with an appreciative smile, before moving into the kitchen.
[LANCASTER] Freddie gave the groceries up, handing the bags over to Hannah but following her through to the kitchen after the door closed behind them. He slid onto one of the stools, watching as Hannah tried to salvage what was salvageable.
“Camping, yes. That sounds good,” he said with a smile. He didn’t say anything for a few seconds before he cleared his throat. “You know… the time I spent in the sewers, it’s a bit of a blur. I can’t remember much, until you came along. And I remember it, the way you… attacked me. You can’t help yourself, sometimes, and it doesn’t seem…” he stopped and sighed. Far be it for him to try to tell Hannah how she should live her life. That wasn’t his place. Still, he would say what he had to say.
“It can be dangerous. Is all. You’ve done fine this long without me and I’m not going to belittle you by… I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Just be careful, okay? And if you’re struggling with anything you’re allowed to admit it. Not that I think you’re struggling with anything just… I don’t know,” he said, laughing as he shook his head. “How are you at the moment? With the… craving?” he asked, his palms flat against the counter-top, though he’d be willing to flip an arm over and offer a vein as soon as Hannah showed the slightest hint of wanting it.
[HANNAH] Hannah had grabbed the groceries quickly and walked away just as quick to try and avoid the inevitable, but before she had entered the kitchen, there was the weight of her fangs that made themselves known. Hannah did her best to ‘keep busy’ and avoid looking at Freddie as he followed her in, and made himself comfortable on a chair.
“Hmm?” She said from the freezer door, still not looking at him. “Oh. Well, I...know.” She admitted, knowing how dangerous being a blood thief could be. Was. “I might not look like much, but I can handle myself.” Hannah confessed as she closed the freezer door and grabbed another bag. She felt it were true-she had a couple years of training under her belt, thanks to the Serpents. Or not so much thanks, but a needed essential. Prerequisite, basically.
Finally, Hannah looked at him when Freddie asked about the cravings, her palms on the counter too. “It’s...okay.” She said, then gave Freddie a small smile, revealing her fangs, which might contradict ‘okay.’ “I’m trying not to...You’re my roommate now and a person. A vampire person, but still a person. I’m trying to not treat you like a chew toy.” She said while Hannah pushed off the counter and grabbed another bag to busy herself again.
[LANCASTER] Freddie narrowed his eyes at the baby fangs that glinted in the kitchen lights before they were gone again, Hannah trying to pretend like it was fine, trying to be the honorable person. And maybe this was a good thing. Between them, each night, somehow his constant proximity could help Hannah to control it, the way her teeth immediately sharpened just thinking about it.
If he were human his skin would have stuck, clammy, to the counter tops. But he was not human, and he did not sweat. When he leaned back and his hands slid from the counter, they made no sound at all.
“You’ve given me a place to stay and have offered me a constant source of blood -- bringing it home, keeping it here for me. You say money isn’t an issue, you’ve brought me clothes, say I don’t have to pay rent. If you bite me every now and again, I’m hardly going to think you consider me a chew toy. I honestly don’t mind. I’m happy to be of service,” he said with a grin. He wanted to get up and walk around and into the kitchen and take Hannah by the shoulders, force her to face him. As if by doing so it would force her to take what she needed. Instead, he stayed where he was -- seated on a stool so he’d be at the right height, if she decided to come and partake of the ‘meal’ he was offering to her.
“You’ve got control issues and you’re lucky enough to be living with a vampire who doesn’t lust after your blood in return. We can help each other out, here…”
It was while he was searching the internet (with his ******* mind, of all things) for jobs that it happened. A connection that fizzed and sparked and then came to life -- a movie started to play in the darkness behind his eyes, bright as if he were living it himself. There was a voice speaking that was not his own -- a woman’s voice -- and she was laughing, cajoling. She was in an empty pub, cleaning glasses behind a bar.
And then the second thing happened -- he realised that this person was a living person. Because when he asked the question who are you? the person dropped the glass she was cleaning, yelping as it shattered at her feet. Whoever she was, she recognised his voice; she started cursing at him. So ******* FUNNY, Lancaster. Where the **** are you anyway?
Freddie was, of course, confused. A short and harried conversation later (as the woman walked into an office) and he learned that her name was Roxette. She was his ‘thrall’. He could see through her eyes and speak directly to her mind. You can speak to anyone’s mind, you dipshit. What’s got into you? You lost your wits?
Apparently his name was Lancaster. Apparently Roxette had to do whatever he told her to. Elliot Lancaster. It was a start. And then the sun peeked over the horizon and the vampire was out like a light, dead to the world, darkness taking him under. When he woke up again he recalled the events of the morning but, as hard as he tried, he couldn’t reconnect. The power was a fickle one. Or maybe his brain was blocking him on purpose. There were too many questions but he at least had a couple of answers.
The power he tried next, he tried on Hannah. He had to see if this Roxette was right.
Hannah. Can you hear me?
He had focused on the woman, sending the message out into the ether to see if she would pick up on it, telepathically. He was still in the spare bedroom, laying flat on his back only in a pair of boxers, staring at the ceiling. He did not know whether Hannah was at work or whether she’d be out in the other room. He did not know whether she could answer him. But it was worth a try.
[HANNAH] Hannah had been scheduled to do a ten hour shift, but when she got into work, Adam told her there was no way she was staying past three p.m. Apparently, Hannah was bordering seventy hours that week, so they were trying to cut back on her inevitable overtime. Seventy seemed to be the 'magical' number, one she knew very well. Realistically, it probably had to little to do with the fact that she might be tired, and more with the fact that when people were tired, sometimes things happened. And that meant lawsuits and no one wanted those in a hospital. Sometimes, they were inevitable, but if they could prevent them, they would.
So, when Hannah clocked out at 2:59 p.m. She had free time. Freddie wouldn't be awake for a while, and even though he said he slept like the dead, Hannah didn't want to accidentally wake him up either. So, after she sat in the driver's seat of her Ford Flex, Hannah turned on the engine and headed to the mall. Freddie was busy learning things about himself, which was fine, but maybe she should too. Anything she found out in the form of books could be shared with him; tried and tested. Hannah didn't believe everything and anything written by authors about vampires and other supernatural things were true necessarily, but it could be a good starting point? Middle point-as he already knew some things about himself.
And while she was at the mall, she could pick up a few other things...Then she should go to the grocery store, because Hannah knew if she didn't, that she would be in trouble for next week, as the new work week started in less than a handful of days. There was a big grocery store chain on the way back from the mall, and to the apartment, so it made sense on two logical fronts to hit the store last. The first, being it was on the way back, and the second was cold things needed to remain cold for as long as possible.
She spent more time at the mall than she intended. By the time Hannah had found some books at the bookstore, and spending almost one hundred dollars on different 'vampire' books, it was nearly five p.m. Not realizing the time, or the emptiness her stomach felt while browsing the books, Hannah decided to eat something before heading to the next store-which was the store that sold her favorite shampoo, conditioner and lip gloss. Essentially, anything and everything a woman needed in the bathroom.
Hannah headed to the food court to grab dinner-something Chinese and probably not good for her-or anyone, but the selections were pizza, burgers, pretzels and or cookies, or tacos, if not Chinese. She placed an order for some beef with broccoli, then moved to the counter besides it that sold the pretzels and cookies, because it also had smoothies. She placed an order for a mango and pineapple one, then went back to get her order of food. She grabbed a spot at a small table near the smoothie place, set everything down and went to grab that too.
While she ate, the brunette checked her emails, deleted the junk and spam, kept the important emails sent by Adam in the last two days, then went on Facebook to see what her younger sister was up to. Hannah sent her a quick message, then returned her phone to her purse as she finished eating her dinner. Taking the smoothie with her, Hannah headed towards the second floor of the mall, to her last stop. On her way up the escalator, she glanced down at the silver watch on her wrist and looked at the time. It was nearly six, which meant her roommate still wouldn't be up.
Hannah pitched the remainder of her drink in a garbage bin, then headed inside the store to grab a few items, which didn't take her very long. A few bottles of her shampoo, two of her conditioner, and then two lip glosses, and Hannah was out the door. With both bags in tow, Hannah headed out of the main entrance of the mall and to her car. Both bags were nestled in the back seat of her car, before she got in and grabbed her phone to see if her sister had responded to her message yet. It was only quarter to nine in the morning, but it might be possible. She did have a few early classes at uni, but Hannah couldn't remember what days those were. Not seeing a reply, Hannah tucked the phone away once again, and headed to the grocery store.
By the time she found a parking spot at the grocery store, it was almost seven p.m. The shopping shouldn't take too long, because in theory, Hannah didn't eat a lot at home and anything that she bought was pretty much frozen. Unless it was juice, milk, or butter. Hannah didn't really have a lot of time to cook, plus cooking for one and having heaps of left-overs was sort of silly in her mind. She didn't mind left-overs, but the brunette didn't want to eat them for three or four days either. So, after grabbing a container of milk, two juices, yougurt and a four pack of butter, Hannah headed to the frozen food aisle and started piling stuff in the cart. There was a mix of t.v. Dinners, quick and easy microwavable breakfast items and a few fruit based popsicles. On her way to the checkout, Hannah stopped at the fruit and produce section and grabbed a bag of mixed lettuce, and a bag of apples for good measure.
By the time she was checked out, it was just after eight p.m. Hannah packed everything up in the back of her SUV, returned the cart, and bypassed checking her Facebook messages. If her younger sister hadn't read the message before, chances were she hadn't read it yet. Misao wasn't like Hannah in the sense that she got up early to do things-she waited until the last minute, then ran out the door to get to her classes before she was late. Besides, Hannah hadn't asked her anything too important anyways, so any reply could wait.
Hannah had pulled into her parking lot just a little after 8:30 p.m. She grabbed as many bags as she could of the cold and frozen stuff, then headed into the apartment complex. The brunette gave a familiar, but unknown face a small smile as they held the door for her; followed by a 'thank you.' She moved to the elevator, pressed the button and got in. The elevator slowly ascended, and as it made the climb to the sixth floor, there was a thought that ran through her mind. More like a question. Hannah frowned, looked around, then shook her head. That was weird. She thought to herself, also thinking...That sounded like Freddie... Which was...well, crazy. Either Hannah was more tired than she gave herself credit for, or she was thinking about her roommate way too much.
With another shake of her head, Hannah glanced at the numbers as they lit up, indicating the floor it was on. It had just passed the third floor, when the elevator came to an abrupt and unexpected stop. Hannah expected the door to open, but it didn't. Upon further inspection, Hannah realized that the third floor button, nor the fourth floor button was lit up. She pressed the number 6 once, then twice, and finally a third time, but nothing happened.
“Ahhh, helloooo?” Hannah said as she moved to be closer to the door, knocking on it softly. Then a little harder, before she backed up and looked around the length and width of the elevator. Her eyes fell upon the emergency button, so she gave it one quick push. And then a few seconds later, a longer push. Great. She thought silently to herself, as she held the button down, positive someone would hear the annoying ring at some point.
[LANCASTER] There was no reply. Lancaster continued to stare at the ceiling, slowly starting to pick apart different shadows cast from the little lights that blinked from the laptop. The only light in the room. He swung his legs from the bed and stretched, though he didn’t really need to, rolling his head on his shoulders. With his palms flat against the bed and his head bowed he focused on Hannah again -- the only person he really knew. He focused on the apartment outside, listening for her, for movement beyond the ticking of clocks and the hum of the fridge. Where he had stretched his arms only seconds previously, now he stretched his mind -- an untapped source of power, how now realised. He was capable of far more than he had given himself credit for.
With that preternatural hearing of his he caught the sound of the elevator moving in the shaft outside. If Hannah wasn’t home, he had a feeling she was on her way. He had a lot that he wanted to tell her, things that he wanted to discuss. A way through the murky future. A name that sounded so much better than ‘Freddie’. A name that rolled from his tongue like it had rolled from his tongue a million times before. He hadn’t dreamed it. Couldn’t have. It just sounded so right.
The elevator stopped before it reached their floor, and he reasoned that he was wrong. It was someone else in the building who’d come home, not Hannah. Hannah could still be at work, unable to reach her phone. Unable to tell him that she had heard him, or ask what the ****?
That, though… that was her voice. It echoed up the shaft and through the cracks between the doors, through the floorboards, even. Were there even floorboards? The vampire’s toes curled into the ground as if that could answer a completely irrelevant question. The vampire reached out again, telepathic fingers seeking Hannah out -- knowing where she was, this time, made it easier to lock on to her.
Hannah, where are you?
The question was louder this time. More insistent. The vampire tried to hold on to the tether, tried to keep it open as he stood up and sought out a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. At least his clothing options had expanded, recently…
[HANNAH] Hannah stopped pressing the emergency call button to call out another elongated “Heelllllllloooo.” Still hopeful that someone would come along. There were a lot of floors and the elevator was sort of useful to everyone in the building. Sure, some people used the stairs, but more opted for the elevator. She pressed the button again, this time putting the groceries on the floor. As if doing this would give her more 'oomph' to pressing the button and making it louder.
She looked down for her phone, and then groaned. She realized she left her phone in her purse, in her locked SUV downstairs. The one time, she thought to herself, before resuming the pushing of the emergency button. And through it all, there was that question again. There was no denying that it was Freddie's voice and that he was the one asking her where she was. Hannah hadn't even been thinking about him when it came through a second time. “Freddie?” Hannah asked, this time slapping the cool metal with one hand, while the other still firmly pressed the button.
“Freddie?!” Hannah asked again, this time answering the question back-as crazy as that sounded. “I'm in the elevator.” She said, pretty sure that while she was hopeful he would hear her, part of her suspected her couldn't hear her. Not two and a half floors away.
[LANCASTER] Although Freddie was pretty sure the same rules applied as the first night Hannah had brought him home -- he wasn’t supposed to be living there with her, try not to make it obvious -- that didn’t stop him from meandering outside the apartment door, still looking dishevelled and straight-from bed. His bare feet scuffed against the hallway carpets as he wandered over to the elevator, cool long fingers gripping the edges of the elevator door frame, staring at the door as if he could see straight through it and down the shaft and into the car that, he had to assume, was stuck. Otherwise it would be here by now.
Are you having a nap in the elevator? He asked, voice again sent slinging through space. He was calm as a cucumber, and if he weren’t a vampire who was wide awake as soon as his eyes opened every night he’d probably still be half asleep. It was a habit leftover from humanity, maybe -- that need to be lazy and slouchy that first half hour after waking.
See this cool thing I can do? Freaking you out yet? He asked. To anyone passing by, he probably didn’t look half asleep -- he probably looked half insane, grinning at the door like that door was an old friend and they’d just shared an inside joke. Now that he was aware of this neat little trick of his, would Hannah be able to take it from him? Would she be capable of it, too, without actually realising it? How much of what he could do, could she do, too? So many questions.
Don’t know how elevators work though. Can probably go get someone for you… he said, stepping back only to tentatively press the button by the elevator door, the one to call the elevator up to their floor. Worth a try, right?
[HANNAH] There was prolonged silence, which had Hannah second guessing herself. Had Freddie even...said? Thought? Something to her? Or had it been some shred of hope laced with exhaustion that made Hannah think he had said something to her?
Thoughts outside of Freddie and if he had ‘talked’ to her started creeping in. How long would she be stuck in here? Ten minutes? An hour? What if she had to go to the bathroom? What if it was more than an hour? Everything she had was frozen, meaning it was virtually inedible until she popped it in the microwave or the oven. Would she get out in time for work tomorrow? It would be just her ‘luck’ that Hannah had to start at seven tomorrow morning and not eight or nine. Could she be stuck that long?
The ‘sound’ of Freddie’s voice came at her again, and Hannah laughed wryly. A nap. It seemed Freddie had quite the sense of humor tied to him. Something she could appreciate-if the scenario was a little different. Then he asked two questions back to back, and Hannah replied, “I wasn’t until you asked me that.” She chuckled softly, before sighing. “Just so I don’t think I’m insane, can you actually talk to me?” Hannah thought herself to be a pretty sane person on most days-all, really, but this was something she hadn’t experienced before and wasn’t sure it was really happening.
[LANCASTER] The elevator did absolutely nothing as Elliot mashed the button. Something was wrong somewhere in the shaft, wiring got crossed or frizzled out or something. Could he go all James Bond and get a crow bar, wrench the door open and climb down the shaft? Should he? He could encourage Hannah to climb onto his back and he could carry her out, like a hero rescuing a kitten from a crawl space. He blinked away the scenario and shook his head. Better not to further break what was already broken.
Peeling away from the door, the vampire wandered back down the hall and into the apartment where he found a mobile phone -- not his, obviously, but an old one lent to him by Hannah -- and came back again, talking to Hannah all the while. It astounded him that he could hear her from this distance, but it was almost like an echo, anyway. Like the conversation they were having wasn’t one completely spoken out loud, but between minds. A connection had been wrought, and now they could speak as if the telephones were built into their minds. Really ******* cool, if you asking him.
Nah mate, I’m just figment of your imagination, he said, and paused long enough to have her wondering whether he really was. He peered at the cork board on the wall, the paper peeling away at the edges where the thumb tacks barely held it. A number for body corporate. This is who he should call, right? Or… maybe afterwards. Fire brigade? His finger hovered over the numbers on the phone.
No seriously. I’m talking to you with my mind. It’s pretty great. We can celebrate when you’re out. Should I call body corp or fire brigade…?
[HANNAH] Even though Freddie had gone quiet, the word ‘mate’ was a dead tip off that Hannah wasn’t thinking to herself...or having a ‘breakdown’ of some description. Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest and waited for Freddie to do….something.
Only, something didn’t happen. Nothing happened. Not for a minute or two, when Freddie asked about calling a fire brigade or corporate. Did he really just leave me here?! Hannah fumed, not at herself, but at Freddie. Do NOT call the fire department. I’m not hurt and there’s no fire. I’m fine. Just...stuck. Well, if he could think at her, why couldn’t she think at him? In theory, Hannah should be able to do all the things Freddie could do. The thought of calling corporate wasn’t ideal either, only because she was supposed to be living solo, but there really was no other option. Hannah laughed, threw her hands in the air and then shrugged her shoulders. Hellooooo, if you can hear me-if this thing is working...then please call Corporate. His name is Mike Greene. Oh, and sorry for shouting that last part at you. You know, if it worked. Is this working? Hannah slid down the cool metal of the side and took a sitting position, knees tucked to her chest while she waited patiently for Freddie to answer her, or for someone-anyone, to figure out how to get her out.
[LANCASTER] There was a mild arch of the brow as Hannah accused Freddie of leaving her there. What else was he supposed to do? Hang out uselessly by the elevator door that did not work, to keep pressing a button that was doing nothing to absolve the situation? He was being proactive. Vaguely he wondered whether Hannah suffered claustrophobia -- this irritable side of her was new.
Yes, Hannah. It’s working. I’m calling Mike now. Don’t panic. he said, his tone soothing and quiet and the slightest bit sarcastic. Yes, he was teasing Hannah, poking at buttons he shouldn’t. For while Hannah was stuck and might not be at all amused, Freddie was amused.
He lifted the phone to his ear and waited while it rang, wondering how he would break it to Hannah if it went through to message bank. But it didn’t. Sounding somewhat flustered, as if he didn’t particularly want to answer his phone, Mike finally picked up.
“Hey, Mike. Yeah, I’m a friend of Hannah Woods, apartment six-oh-seven. She’s stuck in the elevator…” he paused while the man on the other end of the line said something.
“No yeah, it’s not moving. It’s stopped working. If you could get someone in to fix it… yeah, thanks Mike. See you soon,” he said, and hung up the phone. Back by the elevator door, Freddie knocked on the metal as if Hannah were only just on the other side and not a couple of floors down.
Mike’s getting someone to come fix it. Shouldn’t be long. I’m going to go put some shoes on and brush my hair… he informed her. Best not to look like he’d been sleeping there, if Mike was the guy she paid rent to, if Freddie was not supposed to be there.
[HANNAH] So apparently Hannah -could- think back at Freddie. That amused her a little and changed her focus a little. Could she think to anyone and everyone? Or was that just something people like Freddie could do, and her, because she fed off him? Could she think into her sister’s mind, all the way to Kobe? Not that Hannah wanted to try that now, but the thought had entered her mind.
Don’t panic. Says the vampire who doesn’t need air to live, or food either. Or have to go to the bathroom. Hannah laughed, then shook her head. She couldn’t remember if Freddie used the bathroom-other than to shower in it. In her defense, Hannah was usually in ‘go’ mode until she crashed for a few hours to get some sleep, just to ‘go’ again the next day. Sorry. It’s kind of funny, though.’ Hannah thought in her defense before she glanced at the silver watch on her wrist. It was a little after nine, traffic shouldn’t be too bad. Hopefully Mike would be here in half an hour or so.
You’re coming back, though. Right? Hannah actually didn’t mind being in small spaces, and chances were, if she was stuck with someone in the elevator, her disposition would be a lot different, but she was alone. Stuck in an elevator for who knew how long? And really, why was she stuck? Was the elevator potentially unsafe? In the last few months, dying had crossed her mind, but never dying by some elevator mishap. She tipped her head back and caught glimpse of the operator opening, and groaned. If only Hannah were a little taller. She was willing to be the next floor up was right above the cart she was in.
[LANCASTER] I was never really with you. To come back. He said as he pulled on a pair of shoes and wandered into the bathroom to brush his hair. He didn’t think Mike should have any reason to come into the apartment, but the vampire didn’t require much. He certainly didn’t need a glass to drink out of. And what did it matter, anyway? Sure, there were contracts in place to say that Hannah couldn’t have someone else living with her, permanently. But surely she was allowed to have guests, right? Visitors coming to make use of her spare bedroom while on holiday. If there were rules against visitors, Freddie had to wonder what kind of establishment this was.
Pee in the corner. Mark your territory he said, smiling to himself. It was the kind of suggestion that might earn him a slapped arm, but as Hannah was not beside him (and a slapped arm was harmless) he suggested it anyway. If she were panicking, it was his job to calm her down, to make her laugh. To make her think of anything but the fact that she was trapped.
You want me to go wait for Mike in the lobby or should I come stand vigil by the elevator door? he asked, mildly. Mike sounded like an okay guy. Surely he’d be smart enough to know where the elevator was that needed fixing, and Freddie knew as much as Mike did. He’d really be no help to the guy.
[HANNAH] That's a comfort. Hannah thought as she stood back up, then jumped. While she was mid-air, a hand reached for the small square area that was protruded above the majority of the 'top' and missed it. By a lot. She jumped again, with the same result. Hannah knew better than to try it again, because she just wasn't tall enough. But, in hindsight at least the elevator didn't crash to the bottom and she was still very much alive! Obviously, it wasn't a huge emergency-even if she wanted to get out sooner than later.
Pee in a corner?? Serious? There was no way Freddie couldn't have 'heard' the disgust in her thoughts over that suggestion. I'll mark something alright. She growled as her eyes narrowed, Hannah glaring at the metal wall that faced her.
What will you do? Grab the elevator if I happen to fall to my death? Hannah joked, but then wondered if it was possible. Vampires were a lot stronger than humans, and even blood thieves, was it possible? Don't you have any vampire powers that can, I don't know...do something cool? Hannah asked, trying to figure out if she knew anything from any powers she ever encountered. Nothing that could help someone in a trapped elevator. How many people are trapped in an elevator every day? Not many, she suspected. I'm fine...maybe you should go wait for Mike? I think I'm stuck between the third and fourth floor. If that helps? Hannah offered, looking towards a corner in the elevator and then shaking her head. Not in a million years.
[LANCASTER] I thought holding up a conversation with my mind was pretty great. Doesn’t help you get out, but I can keep you entertained? he said. Truth was, he wasn’t sure if there was anything else he could do. Like what? Summon her out of the elevator, body and groceries and all? As if.
His footsteps echoed in the stairway as he loped his way downward, the phone in his pocket in case Mike had any reason to call back. Despite the thick brick wall that divided the staircase from the elevator shaft, when he passed by the floors that Hannah mentioned, he could hear her. He stopped and pressed his ear up against the cool brick and, yup, he could hear her jumping around. As if jumping would do her any favours.
You’re seriously that desperate to get out? You want me to try pry the doors open, get the service escape open? I’m not sure if I could catch the elevator if it falls but I’m up for the challenge… he said. He was up for the whole thing, honestly. He’d dismissed the notion before, the whole movie-esque scene of climbing into the elevator shaft but he was almost hoping Hannah would say yes. He’d never seen the inside of an elevator shaft before -- he didn’t think -- so it could be a whole new adventure. The fact that he’d discovered his own name, that he had the ability to enthrall someone, whatever that meant, and that her name was Roxette -- it was all forgotten, briefly. He had grown accustomed to being Freddie, the vampire who didn’t know who he was. And he kind of liked it.
[HANNAH] Deep down, Hannah knew Freddie was trying to be helpful. It wasn’t her fault he was stuck and really, it wasn’t his job to ‘save’ her either. Expecting such a thing seemed unrealistic and illogical. What could he do, really? I know. I’m sorry. Hannah admitted as she found the floor, and crossed her legs. There was no way she was getting out before Mike and whoever else came.
Was she that desperate to get out? Maybe. It really depended on how long she was ‘stuck’ in the elevator. When there was the mention of the elevator falling, Hannah shook her head. No! I mean, it’s fine. I’m fine. Everything will be fine. I’m sure not many people die in elevators. It’s unlikely that today will be my lucky day. Hannah thought after she moved her groceries to the side wall with a gentle push.
What did you do today? Did you find anything new out online? Hannah started to initiate a conversation back-a different one, but at least she was starting to focus on something else, other than her escape, or potential death.
[LANCASTER] Rather than wander further down and into the lobby, Freddie exited the staircase on the fourth floor and instead slid down to sit by the elevator, his back against the metal doors. His knees were raised, and his forearms rested upon them, wrists hanging limp in front of him. He gazed at the knob of his right wrist, at the black hairs that crawled up his arm, the calluses on his palms and fingers that must have been there prior to his turning. The question circled his mind and he shrugged, even though Hannah couldn’t see him.
Today? Today I slept. This morning, though, I was searching the web. With my mind. That’s a thing I can do. And I kind of… connected to someone else’s mind. I could see through her eyes. Like I was in her head. Her name was Roxette. She called herself my thrall. She said my name was Elliot Lancaster, he said. It all came out in a rush, like if he deliberated too long he wouldn’t tell her anything.
I lost the connection when the sun came up. I passed out. I haven’t been able to reconnect. A name is helpful though, right? he said. He turned his gaze to the ceiling. He’d been excited, when it had happened. But there was a deep-rooted dread, now. There was a voice telling him to stop. Don’t go looking. How was he going to explain that to Hannah? He could barely explain it to himself.
[HANNAH] While Freddie hung out on the fourth floor, down on the main floor Mike and the elevator guy named ‘Chuck,’ entered the building. There was a small gathering of people-an older lady with her small dog, and some early thirties something who would rather wait it out by playing a game on his phone, then take the stairs to whatever floor he needed. As soon as he saw Mike, he lazily lifted his right pointer finger and aimed it to the elevator. “It’s stuck again.” He said it as if it happened all the time-which it didn’t. The last time it happened, in his memory was back in 2013. The tennant just liked to complain and try to get money off his rent any way he could.
Wait. You can go online with your mind? Really? Wow. Hannah was impressed. The mind was a pretty amazing thing without adding in any vampire flair to it, but this really knocked it out of the ballpark, in Hannah’s mind. The amazed and somewhat excited thought drifted away with a low ‘hmmm,’ that he probably wouldn’t hear as Freddie talked about ‘connecting’ to someone’s mind. Was that what they were doing right now? The name of the woman didn’t sound familiar, neither did the term ‘thrall.’ When Freddie gave Hannah the name the woman knew him by-his actual name, the woman found her stomach, and propped up on her elbows. Her chin was secured in both her hands as she thought about the name. Really, he could be anyone-any name. Who would know?
Yeah. Definitely. A name is very helpful. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name before, but it’s a good place to start. Hannah agreed with him, blue eyes on the steel door in front of her. Maybe we could look it up online. Get a phone number, or even an address? Find out where you belong? She thought, a soft, but amused laugh following after that thought. It almost sounded as if she had found a stray dog and had been looking after it for a few weeks, only to be able to reunite it with the owners; the way she phrased that last thought. Should I call you Elliot Lancaster, then? Hannah glanced towards her grocery bags that were propped up against the side wall, then frowned. Hannah knew that at some point, this day--or night, would come. So, now what?
[LANCASTER] There was radio silence for about a minute as Freddie considered the question. Something squirmed inside of him as the words were said aloud. Well, aloud inside of his head by a voice that was not his own. There were more bodies in the building, now -- movement downstairs. How the vampire could know that, he couldn’t decipher. But at least work would be getting done on the elevator. They did not need him to meet them, to tell them anything. They got the gist, they just needed to work.
One of the building’s occupants came out of their apartment nearby, their keys jangling as they locked the door behind them. They stopped in their tracks as they noticed the man sitting on the ground in front of the elevator. The elevator they wanted to use.
“Elevator’s broken. You’ll have to use the stairs…” he said. The woman sighed and rolled her eyes, thanked Freddie, and opened disappeared into the stairwell.
It’s hard to explain. And it sounds kind of crazy. But I feel like there’s someone or something else in my head, watching everything I do and … orchestrating. And every time I get too close to who I used to be, they throw up walls. You know I can’t go into Redwood? And parts of Wickbridge. The… fear and dread I feel is just too much, like there’s… I don’t know. Long story short, I feel like I was given just enough. Just enough to get ahead and… I don’t want to know anything else. I belong here now. I’m Freddie… he said. It was easier this way. Easier to tell Hannah these things without facing her.
[HANNAH] I’m in your head...do you mean like that? Maybe there’s another vampire? Someone trying to reach out to you? Hannah suggested, thinking how it might be possible. Then another thought crossed her mind. ”You said something about some girl named Roxette. How you could see through her eyes. Is it possible you’re someone’s ‘thrall?’ What does that even mean? Hannah asked as she shifted her positioning so that Hannah was more comfortable and her elbows weren’t digging into the ground beneath them. Don’t take this the wrong way, I don’t mind having you as a roommate, Freddie...but...someone made you a vampire. What if they’re looking for you? I mean, you are a vampire and they are a vampire...don’t you think life might be different? Better? Hannah asked, because they hadn’t really talked about this before. He was welcome, and in return Freddie gave her his blood-but all good things came to an end at some point.
[LANCASTER] No, no. It feels more like… I don’t know how to explain it. It doesn’t feel external, it feels internal. Like it doesn’t matter if someone’s looking for me, I don’t want to be found, he said, slowly. But he was a thinking, reasoning adult male who had been sleeping on someone’s ‘couch’ for too long. Eventually he’d have to face his responsibilities, or get some responsibilities of his own. A job, money. A way to get himself out from under Hannah’s feet.
He wasn’t taking it the wrong way, and nor was he upset by the suggestions Hannah offered. He was more level-headed than that -- or, perhaps, he’d had time to learn to control the emotions that so easily got out of control. Or maybe there was nothing to get emotional about. He could move out of Hannah’s apartment and it didn’t mean they would stop being friends. If ‘move out’ was the proper term for it. He didn’t have any stuff to move.
Better, I think, is a material thing. I have a name. I can go to the bank. Maybe I have some money… he said. It was a start.
[HANNAH] Was it that easier to disappear? Hannah found herself slightly 'envious' of Freddie's situation, until she remembered that the guy basically remembered nothing about his life and virtually owned nothing either. Not that the brunette was overly materialistic. There were a few items she was fond of, but if things didn't bring her any sense of strong feeling, most objects, items or gifts given to Hannah never remained with her past year two. Something her step mother taught her; an ideology in Japan.
Why wouldn't you want to be found? That was a different train of thought. In fact, Hannah couldn't help but wonder why someone wouldn't want to be found? Had he done something? That was a possibility. Why the name Freddie, again?
Then again, he hadn't displayed any psychotic activities, so the fleeting thought vanished as quickly as it came. So if he wasn't a psycho...did something happen to him? Something tragic maybe? Hannah remembered thinking about how he had a head injury before. When they first met in the sewers. Maybe he hadn't hurt his head, but he was experience some sort of PTSD, or something similar. Hannah wasn't a doctor or a shrink, but if he didn't want to remember something, and there were lapses in his memory...something pretty traumatic must have happened to Freddie.
Money would get you more things, I guess. Maybe your own apartment. House. A car. If money is your thing...we could go to the bank some night? No hurry or anything. I've got money. Hannah rolled over on her back to look up at the elevator ceiling. It's not as if you've been a nuisance or anything. You're the perfect roommate. You don't steal my food...half the battle right there.
[LANCASTER] Freddie offered a shrug that Hannah could not see. Why wouldn’t he want to be found? It was a damned good question and one that he avoided, most of the time. If there was a reason, something inside of him thought it was a good reason. Which meant he wouldn’t go looking for an answer. He couldn’t. There was something inside of him telling him to stop, you’re not ready.
In the grand scheme of things, what had happened to Freddie might not be as traumatic as one might think, but it was all pieces adding up to a whole. One day it might all come to a head, but if he could track down his ‘thrall’ so easily, then it shouldn’t be too hard for people to find him, if they wanted to. Right? Surely. And if he went to the bank and withdrew money… he’s been meandering these streets for a couple of weeks now. If the people he knew lived in this city, then surely…
No! I’m even a big boy who can go get my own blood, he said with a chuckle, which could be heard in the tone of his voice. Blood. It all seemed so easy, these tricks he could do were interesting rather than a curse. He had nothing to complain about in this existence. It felt like a holiday, and maybe it shouldn’t.
I can find a bank. You don’t have to come with me, if you don’t want to. It would be nice to at least help you with your rent, he said. No sooner had he finished than the whole building was plunged into darkness, the power having been cut. Freddie glanced up at the ceiling, keeping an ear out for movement in the elevator. He hoped it had something to do with the process of fixing it, rather than the building itself falling apart.
[HANNAH] She laughed, because how could Hannah not laugh at what Freddie said. She nodded, even if Hannah was nodding for no one other than herself. She believed Freddie to be capable enough to find a bank...there were tons of them in the city, usually not too far from a train station. When he mentioned rent, Hannah found her right side and propped an elbow.
Money isn't that tight...yet. I work a lot. Not that you've noticed, because you're mostly sleeping, when I'm at work. I've not been there a year yet, so I don't have a lot of vacation days, or personal time. Not as much as I will in a few months. Hannah had already used some personal time back in October and early November-when she signed on to be 'team Gino,' and had been able to keep her job. More than likely. Gino had something to do with that.
Besides, if you're going to start paying rent, then you should technically be on the lease too. That's sort of how that works. Hannah suggested right before the lights in the elevator went off and were replaced with two tiny, but bright lights inside the elevator flicking on. The brunette held her breath, waiting for something else to happen. The light to turn back on would be the preferable option, over the possibility of a sharp descent down the elevator shaft. So, this is fun. Hannah thought as nothing seemed to happen, other than a few noises from somewhere between the two floors she was stuck on. What's your favorite color? Talking-or in this case, thinking, seemed to make things easier.
[LANCASTER] Freddie laughed, welcoming the darkness. Can’t stay in your spare room forever, Han. Not as a freeloader, anyway he said. That’s not how the world worked. He might have lost most his memory but he hadn’t lost his common decency. Or his sense of self. His masculinity? Independence, maybe. He couldn’t think of the word.
Was that an invitation to join you on the lease? What do they do when they add a person to a lease? History checks? Could be… tetchy, he said. He didn’t even know his own history to know whether it was a clean record. Or whether he had a record at all.
I don’t know! Actually. What is my favourite colour? Do I have one? he asked. It would be an experiment saved for a later date -- he could go shopping. See what colours he gravitated toward in clothes, in furniture. In… whatever else it was people bought.
Overhead there was a hum that ran through the whole building, a bass thrum as if the walls were coming back to life again. The lights flared back on, and Freddie shifted to look at the elevator door, as if he could see straight through to the elevator’s shaft, as if he could detect whether the electronics were going to play ball. Is that what they just did? Turned it off and on again?
Did that work? he asked, hand on the cold metal as he waited to see if the elevator, too, was going to come back to life.
[HANNAH] Probably not. She thought in agreement, before adding on. Sooner or later, someone will notice the very tall guy that never leaves for very long. She smiled, eyes falling on her bag of frozen goods that were probably too thawed out by now to try and salvage. Along with the gallon of milk in her car.
Had she just invited Freddie to sign in on her lease? Hannah thought back to what she had thought, and realized that maybe she had. It hadn’t been intentional, just a statement of fact. If he was going to live here, then at some point the company would want to hold him as accountable as her, should they damage something (which seemed unlikely-but that was how they worked). Probably. Yes. That’s what they do. She rolled over on her stomach once again and sighed. If he did join the lease, he couldn’t sign it as Freddie whoever. The guy didn’t really exist. And who knew what they might find out about Elliot, what’s his face? Maybe not a good idea.
She laughed when he asked if he had one to her. Everyone has one, I think? Or at least a top two, Freddie. She pressed her lips together to stop laughing as the sounds grew louder and then, the lights came back on. Something is happening! She said with excitement, before there was a buzzing sound from where the buttons were located and then the elevator moved up to the fourth floor. Once there, the doors slid open with a ‘ping,’ and she was greeted with the wall across the hall. Not wasting any time, Hannah grabbed her bags and nearly sprung out of the elevator. “Yes.” She said, as her eyes landed on him. “Most guys like black, blue, green...Occasionally red. For future reference. But, a color, is just a color. You know?” Hannah didn’t think much into the belief pink was for girls, blue for boys. “Also, you say mate a lot.” She concluded with a laugh, before looking towards the stairs. “I should go throw these things away…”Hannah said as she inched towards the stairs.
[LANCASTER] As soon as he heard the elevator rumble and slide up to its proper position Freddie pushed himself up from his position on the floor and stood. Very tall, indeed. He was there to greet Hannah once she all but bounded out of her temporary cage. He wondered what it would look like from a stranger’s perspective, watching as this woman exited the elevator and started talking to this man like they were just carrying on a conversation they’d already started. Which is exactly what they were doing, but without phones -- it would look quite strange.
Freddie took a single step forward and collected the bags from Hannah before she could even make it to the stairs. A hidden gentleman. “Really? What did you buy?” he asked, clearing his throat as he finally used his proper voice. He hadn’t done so yet tonight. “Surely it’s not all wasted…” he said. If there were frozen things, would they have been given time to get to room temperature? Hannah would know best, he supposed. How long had he been a vampire? He didn’t know. So he couldn’t say he was an expert about what to do and what not to do with food.
“Also -- what if my favourite colour is purple? Would you judge me for it?” he asked, grinning. He liked that the subject had changed. He didn’t want to talk about who he was or wasn’t. He liked the ease of joking about his favourite colour. He quickly overtook Hannah and pushed open the door to the stairwell with his back, gesturing with a nod of his head that she should pass him by.
[HANNAH] “Thank you. And maybe not all of it. Some though.” She concluded with a shrug of her shoulders. Theoretically, anything in the middle should be fine, since it was ‘protected’ by the things on the outside. “And no, as long as you don’t judge me for liking what most would think of a ‘boy color.” She laughed, before heading past him. “You didn’t have to take them all, you know. Or any, since it’s not for you.” She glanced down to the bags in his hands, then stopped at the base of the stairs. “My favorite is green. I’m a real rebel.” Hannah said with a small smirk, before she slowly took a step up on the stairs.
“I think the bank in Bullwood is open later...I go there a lot since it’s near the hospital. For future reference.” She shared, before circling back to the question of what she bought. With a quick hand, the hair to the right of her face was tucked behind her ear. “In those bags are a bunch of food I may not even get around to eating for a month or two.” She said with a laugh and shrug of her shoulders. “I mostly eat at the hospital or on the way back. I don’t get a lot of time when I’m not at work, so the quicker-or more instant something is, isn’t better, but it works. If that makes sense.” Another few stairs and they would be on the fifth floor. “Thanks for keeping me company. I now have a bigger appreciation for stairs.” Hannah concluded as they bypassed the fifth floor door.
[LANCASTER] Freddie grinned as Hannah mentioned her eating habits. “Or you eat when you get home but it’s just not the conventional,” he said, his longer legs taking the stairs two at a time, able to overtake Hannah for a second time, spinning on the fifth floor landing to flash her a wink before heading up to the sixth. The stairs may as well have been flat ground for the vampire, who could have gone up and down the entire set twenty times before he even started to get tired. Up on the sixth floor landing he had to wait -- his hands were full, and the door opened inwards. This time, he would have to wait for Hannah to open it for the both of them.
“I prefer stairs to hills,” he said with a shrug, gazing down at the woman as she approached. He was thinking about her habits, and about what she’d said earlier. She worked a lot, and he might not notice because he was sleeping. Which might have been the case. But did she ever have time off?
“It’s a noble job, you have. But even noble people deserve time off every now and again. And they deserve time to take care of themselves. Are you taking care of yourself, Hannah?” he asked, and the teasing lilt had diminished, a deeper tone of genuine care creeping in. The vampire had been preoccupied trying to learn things about himself, he hadn’t been paying enough attention to the woman he was sharing an apartment with.
[HANNAH] “Well, I mean...I can cook-not well, but enough to get by. Usually recipes make enough for two, but usually four. And left overs are only appealing for so long.” She said with another shrug before opening the door to their floor. Hannah thought about what Freddie said and asked, before answering. “I must? I’ve not had to take a sick day this year.” She confessed, before adding on to the thought with, “Though, maybe drinking vampire blood helps with that?” She laughed a little, before getting the key to her apartment out from the keyring Hannah pulled from her coat pocket.
“I get enough sleep and I do make time to eat. And, actually...next month is my one year work anniversary. I get more time off, and I plan on using it. I’m actually going camping at the end of May.” She said as the key slid into the lock, turned it and opened it. “So, if you’re still here, you’ll have the place all to yourself.” Hannah confessed, as she stepped inside the apartment. “Which, you could be. I’m not kicking you out or anything.” The brunette said quietly, before moving to try and take a bag or two from him. “I’ll see what I can salvage.” She looked up at him with an appreciative smile, before moving into the kitchen.
[LANCASTER] Freddie gave the groceries up, handing the bags over to Hannah but following her through to the kitchen after the door closed behind them. He slid onto one of the stools, watching as Hannah tried to salvage what was salvageable.
“Camping, yes. That sounds good,” he said with a smile. He didn’t say anything for a few seconds before he cleared his throat. “You know… the time I spent in the sewers, it’s a bit of a blur. I can’t remember much, until you came along. And I remember it, the way you… attacked me. You can’t help yourself, sometimes, and it doesn’t seem…” he stopped and sighed. Far be it for him to try to tell Hannah how she should live her life. That wasn’t his place. Still, he would say what he had to say.
“It can be dangerous. Is all. You’ve done fine this long without me and I’m not going to belittle you by… I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Just be careful, okay? And if you’re struggling with anything you’re allowed to admit it. Not that I think you’re struggling with anything just… I don’t know,” he said, laughing as he shook his head. “How are you at the moment? With the… craving?” he asked, his palms flat against the counter-top, though he’d be willing to flip an arm over and offer a vein as soon as Hannah showed the slightest hint of wanting it.
[HANNAH] Hannah had grabbed the groceries quickly and walked away just as quick to try and avoid the inevitable, but before she had entered the kitchen, there was the weight of her fangs that made themselves known. Hannah did her best to ‘keep busy’ and avoid looking at Freddie as he followed her in, and made himself comfortable on a chair.
“Hmm?” She said from the freezer door, still not looking at him. “Oh. Well, I...know.” She admitted, knowing how dangerous being a blood thief could be. Was. “I might not look like much, but I can handle myself.” Hannah confessed as she closed the freezer door and grabbed another bag. She felt it were true-she had a couple years of training under her belt, thanks to the Serpents. Or not so much thanks, but a needed essential. Prerequisite, basically.
Finally, Hannah looked at him when Freddie asked about the cravings, her palms on the counter too. “It’s...okay.” She said, then gave Freddie a small smile, revealing her fangs, which might contradict ‘okay.’ “I’m trying not to...You’re my roommate now and a person. A vampire person, but still a person. I’m trying to not treat you like a chew toy.” She said while Hannah pushed off the counter and grabbed another bag to busy herself again.
[LANCASTER] Freddie narrowed his eyes at the baby fangs that glinted in the kitchen lights before they were gone again, Hannah trying to pretend like it was fine, trying to be the honorable person. And maybe this was a good thing. Between them, each night, somehow his constant proximity could help Hannah to control it, the way her teeth immediately sharpened just thinking about it.
If he were human his skin would have stuck, clammy, to the counter tops. But he was not human, and he did not sweat. When he leaned back and his hands slid from the counter, they made no sound at all.
“You’ve given me a place to stay and have offered me a constant source of blood -- bringing it home, keeping it here for me. You say money isn’t an issue, you’ve brought me clothes, say I don’t have to pay rent. If you bite me every now and again, I’m hardly going to think you consider me a chew toy. I honestly don’t mind. I’m happy to be of service,” he said with a grin. He wanted to get up and walk around and into the kitchen and take Hannah by the shoulders, force her to face him. As if by doing so it would force her to take what she needed. Instead, he stayed where he was -- seated on a stool so he’d be at the right height, if she decided to come and partake of the ‘meal’ he was offering to her.
“You’ve got control issues and you’re lucky enough to be living with a vampire who doesn’t lust after your blood in return. We can help each other out, here…”
