My problem was after taking a bus here, I had no where to live, I was staying at a seedy hotel downtown and trying to find an apartment. Not an easy thing to do, it seemed apartments were hard to come by and were usually rented before I could get a paper and call about them.

However I had a stroke of luck I ran into a girl on the bus that told me there was an apartment available in her building. The land lord had not put an ad in the paper yet.

I found the adress, it was not the best neighbourhood. When I walked up two people were quarreling out front. I was puzzled, it was the middle of the day no adults were even on the street unless they were mothers with children.

They looked like they were about to slug it out. Then I saw the man I was looking for Victor Walters. I don't know how I knew it was him but I did. The girl had only said older man with a hat and vest.

"Mr. Walters, I am interested in the apartment," I said, trying to be bold but not pushy.

"How did you know I had an apartment?" he asked suspiciously.

"I used a Crystal Ball," I joked feeling it would make no difference.

"Crystal has a big mouth," he muttered, "Rent is 400 a month, first and last," he said.

"Oh its unlocked, someone is looking at it now though, so wait till she comes down then you can look at it." he said, "I am not sure she will take it."

I stood there, I could not afford the hotel much longer, I would be eating into my rent money and deposit.

It had taken me two years to save up to do this. I did not want to go back home defeated.

"The apartment is darling, oh and there is a 200 dollar deposit as well go wait in the hall, I will be in my office when your done looking if the other girls don't take it." the man said.

"Darling?" I said, that seemed like a strange thing for an old man to say. If I didn't get this place even with my job I would be broke in two months, and no college. So I needed this apartment I could afford this easily even in college. I could save back this summer as I planned. I said a little prayer and went inside.

Written on the wall by the red pay phone were the words "The Devil Calls At Midnight" and I shuddered slightly.

"I am a good girl! This place is HELL!" a young woman sobbed running past me.

I shuddered not because of Devil or Hell, I was Native and did not believe in any white mans devil or hell. I thought the red paint looked like blood, but it was probably a joke.

"See what it says, I would get out while you can!" She cried.

I went up to the apartment, thinking it was my lucky day I had planned on six hundred in rent and plunking down my whole two grand twelve was a steal.

Despite the dreary hall, and the graffitti the apartment was not bad at all.

It smelled clean, and fresh, but not bleach or soap clean, I reminded myself to clense it spiritually before I moved in. I heard some rumbling, pipes or something, but I wondered if it would keep me awake. The hotel was noisy people coming and going.

"I will take it," I said.

"But you only have the first months rent," he said.

I looked startled, not because I didn't because he thought that, I was dressed in my best work outfit. I thought I looked good I had gotten the job with this outfit.

It's all right as long as you have cash," he said, and I thought great I can save more money, and nodded.

"Just so you know, I collect rent on the first, and if you do not have said rent, out the door you go," he said.

"Of course." I said, thinking this was my lucky day all right.

"Good I will write you a rent reciept and give you your key," he said and grumbled something about the younger generation.

I paid the rent and took my reciept. I felt like a real adult now my first real place, tonight I would call my mother and give her the adress.

I went back to the motel and got my boxes and cases and moved in.

Maybe I would get some new clothes after I got my first pay check, I sure didn't have much to wear. I was so glad I had gotten a new stereo for an early birthday present from my mother and stepfather.

Later as I had cereal and milk for supper I decided I would live as simply as possible and eat well but simply put my self on a budget and keep as much as my money as I could.

I was so pleased that I had gotten all my books I loved to read, and the next thing I wanted to do after work was to go get a library card.

I sat reading, on my comfy couch, thinking how nice and quiet the apartment was. Suddenly I realized out of all the books I had chosen the horror novel I had been reading before the last of school.

The apartment had a balcony and a glass door I got up and locked it. I had to go to work in the morning, earlier I had called some relative of my step fathers who was supposed to give me a ride. I didn't really want to car pool but it would be cheaper and quicker then the bus.

I went to bed trying not to listen to the gurgle of the pipes.

I slept well about midnight the phone in the hall downstairs woke me up I could barely hear it ring in my bed sitter, but I knew it was that red phone I looked at my clock it was 12 midnight and at first I thought that was odd. The phone kept ringing.

Finally someone must have picked it up a womans voice.

Later I heard crying it sounded like it was coming from my bathroom. I wondered about it but I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 2

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