The Sacrifice

Arriving in a new city was nerve racking. I flew into the airport with only two bags. The rest of my belongings would not arrive until next week. Looking around I watched people scurry to and fro. It was almost as if their life would end if they did not arrive on time. I, on the other hand, had plenty of time. I made my way to the luggage claim to collect my bags. Heading toward the exit of the airport terminal, I felt as if someone were watching me. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Looking around and seeing no one I just decided I was over tired.1

Hailing a cab, I climbed in, laying back to relax as we rolled away from the curb into traffic. I closed my eyes resting them. The humming the cab made, drew me further into slumber. I awoke to the cabbie shaking me, trying to get me out of his cab. I apologized to him and paid him a little extra for the inconvenience. Still he bitched as he pulled away. God, sometimes I felt like there was no making some people happy and I was tired of trying.2

Looking up at the apartment building, I pulled out my keys. Catching a glimpse of a shadow, I stared intently at the window on the third floor. Whoever had been looking at me quickly drew away as if the gaze of my eyes scorched them. Shaking my head I grabbed my luggage, making my way up the stairs. It smelt musty in the hallway. A little air freshener should take care of that I assured myself. My apartment was in the attic, a kind of loft the super had informed me. Climbing the stairs with laundry or groceries was going to be hell, but I wanted the privacy. Having moved away from nosy people and glaring eyes, I knew I needed a fresh start. Losing my job and fiancé all in the same month was just too much to bare. So here I was, in a new town. How much more of a new start could you get? 3

Opening my door, a warm musty smell gushed pass me. Whew! Was it hot up here. I picked up my bags and headed in to open a window. After a little pushing it opened and cool air came in. The apartment was dim and scantily furnished, but it would do for now. I went into the bedroom and threw my bags on the bed. Pulling out the clothes I folded them putting them into the dresser. I went into the living room and looked out the window. Thinking to myself, this was my new beginning. I was strong and would be just fine. 4

Lying down on the bed I fell right asleep. I awoke the next morning to the sun coming in through the window. 5

Getting up I showered and dressed. I needed a few groceries and to find a job. I had some money with me, but it would last no longer then a month. The sooner I found a job, the better off I would be. I was going down the stairs when one of my neighbors poked their head out.6

“Hello, I’m Justin” he said to me. Looking me up and down.7

“Hello, I’m Cecelia” returning the greeting.8

“Well it is nice to meet you. Hope to see you around.” Justin responded just as he shut the door. 9

Well that was nice I thought as I continued down the stairs. It was a beautiful morning, not to cold or hot. The bus stop was right outside the apartment, so I sat and waited for the bus. The bus headed toward what must be town, I watched out the window as it rolled down the road. We were passing a little corner when I noticed a help wanted side in a diner window. I rang for the bus to stop and got off. Crossing the street, I walked inside. It was nice and cozy looking. The girl at the counter asked if she could help me and I told her I was here for the job.10

“Just one second, please” she said. “I’ll get the manager.”11

“Thank you” I told her as she walked into the kitchen.12

An older looking lady came out of the kitchen and motioned for me to follow her. “So you’re here for the job?” she asked me.13

“Yes ma am” I responded. “I am new in town and need a job.”14

“Do you have any experience?” she asked. 15

“No, I’m sorry I don’t, but I am a hard worker and I get along great with people” I replied with a pleading look in my eye.16

“Well, usually I don’t do this, but I’ll give you a trial period. If you do well you have the job, ok?” she said sternly and then smiled.17

“Oh, thank you so much” I replied “You have no idea how much this means to me.”18

“Good, then it’s settled. Can you start tomorrow evening at six?” she asked.19

“I will be here. Thank you again” I said before heading out the door.20

The rest of my day went really well. My first day in town and I had already found a job and met a new neighbor. Things were going to be just fine. 21

I picked up a few groceries and headed back home. I still had to get a phone hooked up and some miscellaneous items for the apartment, but I would do that tomorrow. For now I wanted to relax and dust around here a little. You could tell this apartment hadn’t been used in awhile. I started cleaning and found a vacuum in the closet. I moved a few rugs around to vacuum when I came across a huge red stain hidden under the carpet. What the hell was that? I vacuumed, and then put the carpets back in place. My mind was going a mile a minute, what had happened here? Maybe I would ask Justin if I ran into him later on.22

It was getting late. The day had flown by and I was tired, so I went to bed early. Sometime during the night I woke up. It felt like itching on my feet. Pulling back the cover my feet were covered with all these red welts and they hurt. I got up ,went into the bathroom ,cleaned them with calamine lotion to stop the itching. I then wrapped them with ace bandages and went back to bed. They weren’t like that earlier I thought to myself. I sat there for awhile, and then feel back asleep.23

I awoke the next morning. My feet were aching and swollen. I climbed into the bathtub to soak them hoping they would feel better, it did help a little. Thinking maybe I had an allergic reaction to something on the carpets since I had been walking barefoot on them. I spent the day finishing the cleaning, then got ready for work.24

My first night on the job went really well with the exception my feet were killing me. I made some great tips and the owner seemed to be very pleased with my performance. Feeling a little light headed I decided to take the bus home instead of walking. Heading up the stairs, Justin popped his head out again.25

“Hey there, what’s up?” he asked.26

“Not to much” I replied “Just getting back from work.”27

"Justin, do you know anything about a bug infestation in the apartment?" I asked him.28

"No, I have lived here three years and never had a problem" he answered back. A little too abruptly for my liking, I was confused.29

"Why?" he asked.30

"Oh, its nothing I was just curious" I responded back. I wasn't going to elaborate for him. The abrupt way he had answered my question had left me a little skeptical. I would just ask the super the next time I saw him.31

"Well I should get upstairs" I told him as I proceeded to climb up to my floor. 32

“Cool, let’s get together and do something one of these days ok?” he asked yelling up behind me.33

“Sounds good to me” I replied heading upstairs. I was exhausted.34

Opening the door I headed right to my bed, barely undressing myself. Waking again in the middle of the night my feet and legs hurt. Turning on the light I saw something scatter. Good God, we must have roaches, I thought out loud. I went to get up and undress when I noticed my legs and feet were dripping with blood. What the fuck? I examined my legs and there were bites everywhere. They were all swollen and hurt like hell. Standing on my legs they were very weak. I barely made it to the bathroom. I took some pain medication and cleaned myself off as best as I could.35

I would have to call the super, something had to be done. I was not living in a roach infested apartment. Now I couldn’t sleep with those creepy crawly thoughts going through my mind. I looked out the window and saw Justin outside, so I put on a robe and headed outside to chat since I couldn’t sleep. Heading down the stair was a friggin chore and my legs really ached, damn bugs. Even though I felt he was a little strange he was the only person I knew in this town and I was lonely.36

Justin was sitting outside on a bench in front of the apartment. Coming up behind him, I tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped a little, turned around and smiled at me. 37

“What are you doing up?” he asked.38

“I could ask you the same thing.” I said laughing.39

“I have problems sleeping at night” he said and then looked down at the ground.40

“Well I had some little visitors tonight that decided to make me their snack” I told him, laughing a little in a tense way.41

“Really!" he said in amazement. "That's why you asked me that earlier" he continued.42

I sat down beside him breathing in the cool air and relaxed. I finally got a good look at him. He had brown hair and brown eyes, medium build and wasn’t bad looking. The only thing weird about him is he was really pale, almost ill looking. He looked at me and smiled.43

“How do you like it here, so far?” he asked.44

“Pretty good, I found a job.” I responded.45

“Wow, already. That is great!” he said. "Have you made any friend's?" he asked.46

"No, not yet, except you of course." I answered him.47

After about an hour of small talk I headed back upstairs to get some sleep. Crawling into bed, I dozed right off. 48

Awaking to the morning sun, I was confused. I had shut the curtains before I had gone to bed last night. Or hadn't I? I brushed the confusion off and made my way to the kitchen. Brewing the coffee, I sat down to make a list of the things I would need over the next few weeks. My belongings should be arriving today. I would wait for them and then head out. They arrived around one in the afternoon ,thank God they carried them up the stairs for me. After paying them I closed the door, spending the rest of the day putting things in there place. 49

Around five in the evening I got ready for work, then headed out to walk to work. My legs were feeling much better. 50

This routine continued for the next five months. Having met more people I started to have a little social life and was settleing in nicely. The super had the apartment building sprayed a few months ago and I had seen hide nor hair of any bugs. My thoughts of my fiance and job loss had become distant memories. Being happy for the first time in months I decided I was going to ask Justin over for dinner that night. I went down to his apartment and knocked on the door. 51

"Justin, are you in there?" I yelled through the door when he hadn't answered.52

"Just a sec" a tired sounding voice responded. I stood there waiting for him to open the door.53

"Hey" he said looking like he just crawled out of bed.54

"I thought you might want to join me for dinner tonight" kind of asking him the question.55

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"Oh, I'm sorry" he said "I have been sick all day can we do a rain check?" he asked.59

"Sure" I said although I was a little disappointed. He closed the door and I headed back upstairs to my apartment. He looked horrible I thought to myself. Spending the evening doing a little reading, I realized it was late and headed to bed. It felt like someone was watching me as I opened my eyes. Justin was standing over me with this weird smile on his face. 60

“What the hell are you doing in my apartment?” I demanded. "I thought you weren't feeling well?" I continued61

"I'm hungry" he said. "I'm also watching them feed” he replied.62

“Watching who? What?” I was confused and half asleep.63

He was looking at my legs and I looked down. The covers were moving and I jerked them back. I let out a scream that would have woken the dead. My whole body from the waist down was covered with scarab beetles and they were literally eating me alive. I tried fighting and kicking them off, but there were too many. All I could do was sit there in horror watching as they devoured me. I started screaming, the pain was excruciating. 64

“Justin, please help me.” I pleaded with him.65

“I can’t, they need to feed.” He said as this horrific cackling came out of his throat. 66

The pain was so bad I was beginning to loose consciousness. I tried getting away, but couldn’t move. Oh my God, I thought to myself. I was going to die right here and no one would ever know. Just as the room was getting darker, I glanced at Justin pleading one more time for help. Right before my eyes he completely burst into a massive pile of bugs. I was helpless as the room grew dimmer. 67

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