Page 14 of Pucking Vamps

I’m in my ripped shorts and the faded dark blue tee with the holes, but I mean, it’s not like I was expecting anyone, so whoever is disturbing my very unproductive evening will have to deal with my hobo sense of fashion.

I unlock the chain and yank the door open. “Look, I’m not interested in whatever promotion you have. Mr. Grizby shouldn’t have let you up to begin with…” I trail off, gaping at the three very intimidating suited gentlemen who are staring at me with obvious impatience. “Uh, can I help you with something? I think you might have the wrong door…”

The one with the half-shaved head and the black wife beater crosses his massive arms over his chest. I’m not a small guy, but he’s a fucking giant. “Simon is looking for Gary. Tell him he needs to pay up.”

Gary? I blanch for a few heartbeats, my brain working overtime to comprehend what the fuck they want. Gary is my landlord. Okay. I guess they have business with him.

“Um, I don’t know who Simon is, but Gary doesn’t live here. I’m a tenant… Have you tried calling him?”

The scowl I get gives me the creeps. “He’s not picking up.”

Ye, well, I wouldn’t either if I had three scary men looking for me. But since I’m nothing if not helpful, I fish out my mobile and give my landlord a call, so I can get these douchebags as far away from me as possible. Color me surprised when he doesn’t pick up and I get the voicemail for disconnected service. Oh boy, this can’t get any better.

“Um, it seems like his phone might be off. But I’m sure that if you went to his place, he’ll be more than happy to get this thing with Simon resolved.”

They don’t like my answer. The half-shaved giant brushes past me into my apartment, his two companions following.

“Um, excuse me, you can’t just barge in like this…”

They look around the run-down interior, mouths curling in distaste.

“This should cover half his debt. Call Simon and tell him I’ll need some more time to track the thieving bastard down,” the giant grumbles, plopping into the old couch. It creaks like it’s dying under his bulk, making me cringe, and then I cringe again when the guy shifts his attention to me. “Get your stuff and scram.”

I want to argue. Punch him, too. But the moment I take a step toward him, the two other goons are onto me, shoving me out of the apartment. I crash into the peeling wall with a grunt, barely ducking out of the way as my first suitcase comes flying at me. The second follows, then my duffle bag, and then they close the door to my apartment right in my face.

I stare at it, panting and wide-eyed. Did I just get thrown out of my own place in the middle of the night?

I gawk at the door a bit more, my mind reeling.

What the actual fuck?

Once the shock passes, I call Nick. I’m sitting outside the building on the graffiti-infested bench. I’m not getting paid for another two weeks, so I can’t exactly afford a hotel.

“Shit. What the fuck, dude? Are you okay? I can’t believe someone just barged in and threw you out of your own apartment…” he says, sounding like he can’t believe what I’ve just told him.

Yes, I can’t believe it, too. But I’ve had enough time to analyze our short encounter, and I am glad that getting thrown out was all that happened. I’m pretty sure they were carrying guns. I considered calling the police, but I know better than to get dragged into gang business, as the officers are probably already bribed.

“Can I come over? I need somewhere to crash tonight, maybe for a few days until I figure something out,” I say, hating to ask. Nick is my friend, but this is embarrassing all the same. He knows my circumstances are shit and that money is really tight, but after my latest scuffle with Park, I guess I’m particularly sensitive to that.

I hear my friend groan on the other end. “Fuck, dude. I’m out of town! I was going to call you tomorrow. My grandpa finally kicked the bucket, so I’m flying to New York. The funeral is in two days.”

You gotta be shitting me. “I… Sorry for your loss.”

He snorts. “Bastard had it coming for a long time. I think everyone is relieved they won’t have to deal with his racist shit anymore.” Oh yeah, Nick’s mentioned it once or twice. I haven’t met his family, but I’ve spoken to his dad and got the impression he wasn’t particularly heartbroken that the old man got diagnosed with cancer. “Shit, though. My flight is in an hour. I don’t think you can make it on time to the airport, so I can give you the key.”

Yeah, that sounds impossible. “It’s fine, I’ll figure something out.”

I hear an announcer’s voice in the background. “Shit, they changed the Gate. Gotta go. Listen, give me a call in like four hours. If you haven’t found anything, I’ll make a few calls. One of the guys is bound to have a spare couch.”

I’d rather not. I’m not so close with the rest as I am with Nick. These are dire circumstances, yes, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out. I always do. “Okay, catch you later. Have a pleasant flight.”

An hour later, it turns out figuring something out is harder than I thought. It’s late and I don’t exactly have cash lying around for a hotel. Most of the affordable ones are either too far away or fully booked, which leaves me with no options. Even the shadier places are packed, and besides, I’m running out of battery.

Seeing as I’m not going to find a place anywhere, I head for the college library. Fortunately, it’s open 24/7 during the semester. It has everything I need, including showers and a lounge area where I can crash with a textbook over my face, so it doesn’t look like I’m actually crashing.

There aren’t many people around when I make it at just after 1:30 am. The security guard gives my luggage a look, but I pretend I don’t see it, beelining straight for the elevators. The least crowded lounge is on the underground level, and I’m pretty sure the showers are too, though I’ve never had a reason to look for them until now.

Turns out this section of the library is under construction, so the relaxation area has been shut off. I click my tongue. Not ideal. The one on the second floor is busier, but I don’t exactly have much choice. Since I’m here already, I decide to shower first and follow the signs through the cables and machinery-infested maze of corridors.

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