Timeless

1 - Three in a Flat

"Nate, what have you done?"
"You have to hide me, please! Now!"
"...Get in."
She grabbed the cloaked figure in the doorway and dragged him into the dark apartment as footsteps thundered louder, drawing closer. The boy was shoved into a cupboard and locked in.
"Asshole." hissed the girl.

Seconds later, there was a knock at the door.
"Good evening." she murmured, her head bowed as she answered.
"And to you, Ma'am." said one of the tall figures in the doorway, "Now where is he? The boy?"
"Sir, I don't know who you mean." she said, remaining still. Two of the figures let themselves in, while another two kept their eyes locked on the girl. The first two poked around the narrow apartment, then asked for access through the locked door by the entrance.
"You may, Sirs." said the girl, "As soon as you show me your warrant."
They growled softly, then swiftly left. She closed the door, and locked it.
"Nate! What was that for?" she snapped, heaving the boy out of the cupboard by the scruff of his neck.
"Aw, that was awesome!" he laughed, "'Soon as you show me your warrant', that was perfect. Thanks so much."
"Shut it! I don't want to hear it. Why did you lead them here? How thick are you?" she growled, tucking a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear as she glared at him with steely eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry. If I'd known I was gonna get caught I would have been more careful."
"Caught doing what, Nate?"
Nate shook his head, smiling. "Don't worry 'bout it, Karma."
"Just wait until Elspeth hears about this one..."
Nate's bottom lip trembled as Karma crossed the room to light the gas lamp on the windowsill. The only other furniture was two bunk beds and a small linoleum cabinet beneath the windowsill that held their worldly possessions. Karma struck a match and lit the steady flow of gas, and the darkness was split by what felt like a thousand searing kisses of light on her face. She turned it down. Gas wasn't cheap, and it was safer to remain unnoticed.

Soon afterwards, the door opened, and a young lady let herself in. Nate and Karma smiled at her, and at the food she carried.
"Cheers, Elsie." grinned Nate, as she handed him a steaming tinfoil dish and plastic fork.
Karma thanked her as she received the same.
"And how are we all?" asked Elspeth as she untied her stiff bonnet, allowing her golden hair to tumble down past her shoulders. Nate watched in awe. It was like spun sugar, lighting up the room.
"Nate's been pick pocketing again." said Karma coldly.
"Oh!" said Elspeth, fluttering her lashes above her gemstone green eyes, "You know you really shouldn't, Nate... But did you get anything interesting?"
"A few coins, pocket watch and a set of earphones." he scoffed through a mouthful of noodles.
"I see... This really must stop, you know."
"Yeah, I know." sighed Nate, "But we need to eat!"
"Haven't we established that I can take care of that?"
Nate fumbled with his hands, grumbling at the notion of charity. "Elsie, I know we're best mates, and you've got the funds and all, but you can't feed us for the rest of your life."
"Of course not, I'm sure," Elspeth smiled, "But I'll do what I can until I help you get your own, legal flat, and real jobs for you both!"
"Els-!"
"Are you staying here tonight, Elspeth?" asked Karma.
"Yes... yes I think I will be." she said, taking a thick mobile phone from the pocket of her frock and handing it to Karma, "Will you text my father and let him know?"

As night crept over the city of New Sydney, the three teenagers began to settle down. Karma sat brushing her waist-length dark hair in her pyjamas on one of the top bunks, while Nate sat below her, watching intently as Elspeth removed her petticoat, her frock, and then her corset, and changed into her father's old, greyish night clothes which were kept under Nate's pillow. Elspeth danced as the friends exchanged the tales of the day, Karma of her dangers on the street, and Elspeth of her ballet lessons and encounters with the esteemed guests her father was entertaining. She smiled as she spun and leapt in great sweeping movements, as though gravity had no effect on her.
"I've got another story to tell you, too," she said, "I've really been meaning to talk about this one. You see, I've got a secret!" she sang, grasping the bunk bed's metal ladder and beginning to climb. She seized up, and fell like a toppled plank to the floor, shaking the apartment. The two looked - her face was devoid of colour, movement, and life.