In Search of You

Chapter 1

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STORY CO-AUTHORED BY @STRANGEGROUNDS

CHAPTER 1

Astrid cursed as she barely reached the shelter of the high-rise she lived, almost getting drenched by the sudden torrent that poured from the dark clouds above. She was on her way home, walking aimlessly down the street while blasting Arctic Monkeys in both ears, wanting to shut out the world. She’d missed her morning coffee, sat through possibly the most boring Philosophy lecture she’s been in, had a meeting with her bullheaded thesis group, and listened to Sarah complain about her boyfriend. The rain and the gloom that came along with it was an exclamation point to end a taxing day, her only consolation being the fact that she didn’t get drenched in it. She turned around and looked at the rain fall, pulling out her earphones and listening to the sounds the drops made as they hit the pavement. All she could think about was settling in her unmade bed, and the chance that maybe sleep will recharge her for tomorrow.  Maybe a beer would also help. An audible sigh escaped her lips as the weight of the world pressed down on her shoulders.

She went inside of the condominium and was greeted by the doorman, a thin man wearing an ill-fitting uniform and an even more ill-fitting set of teeth that wasn’t exactly a great sight for sore eyes.  His nametag read Stephen. “Good afternoon, Miss Astrid” he said with the trained cheerfulness of someone who spent all faking enthusiasm for visitors and tenants alike.  Not exactly, she thought as she managed only the feeblest of smiles and the slightest of nods as a reply to the young man. She hoped she didn’t come across rude.

Astrid got to the elevator at the back of the spacious lobby. She put her earphones back on and pressed the elevator button, looking down and examining the condition of her shin high leather boots. Convinced she hadn’t ruined those yet, she adjusted her red denim shorts and then took off her jacket and noticed her slightly crumpled white shirt that she threw on today. It was only then she noticed that it was her lucky shirt that she pulled out of her drawer this morning. So much for being lucky, she thought bitterly. The elevator doors opened with a ding and she stepped inside.

Astrid pressed the number 28 and looked at herself in the huge mirror that was opposite the elevator doors. Despite the arduous day, she actually looked more decent than usual. Her long, black hair had a tousled look that struck the perfect balance between carefully made and just-climbed-out-of-bed-hair. If it wasn’t for her sour mood, one could say she positively glowed. Astrid even got a compliment from one of her crushes.

“You look nice today, Astrid,” Anna said as they passed each other by during lunch time. Astrid wondered if Anna had seen her blush from the kind words. She smirked to herself inside the elevator, a little bit of the weight in her heart being lifted. And then she felt the elevator stop.

The elevator doors opened into the dark hallway of the second floor. She didn’t remember pressing the second floor button. Her heart jumped to her throat as she remembered the time one of her best friends, Carlo, had pulled this prank on her, on their way up to their own flats. The unexpected appearance of a pitch black hallway that was supposedly used for maintenance had caused her to scream in the elevator while Carlo held back tears from laughing so hard. She relaxed a little bit when the man beside her put on his leather jacket and stepped outside the elevator.

Wait, didn’t I get in alone? Astrid thought to herself. She held on to the railings to the side and gripped it tight, thinking back to a while ago, but she realized she had been too distracted. Maybe she just didn’t notice him until the elevator stopped, or maybe he got in before she did? She stared wide eyed at the back of the man disappearing into the darkness, his long, determined stride lengthening the distance between him and her. Oddly enough, the doors didn’t close. The number 28 was still lit up, but the elevator showed no signs of getting on with its job.