Chapter 2 - New City (2/2)

”I'm actually working tonight,” She replied nonchalantly, leaning her back against the balcony rails, shoving her hands in her coat pocket as she stared back at him. It wasn't a complete lie, she wanted to go job hunting, and from the number of places seeking help, Esme was confident she would find something by the end of the day.

”I'll give them a key, so you don't need to worry about being here,” He paused and looked at the anxious expression on her face and continued, ”if you are happy with that arrangement?”

Esme took her time in replying. She didn't know how she felt about others entering the place, but looking for another apartment was out of the question now; the landlords might ask her for more details before renting to her. At least with Lenny, Esme could pay him 'cash in hand', no details required. As long as she paid him, he didn't need anything more.

”That's fine,” She finally replied. ”Oh, here.” She pulled out some cash and handed it to him, ”Four grand- the security deposit and first months' rent.”

Before arriving, she had the money ready in her coat. She didn't want Lenny or anyone else seeing where she kept her cash. There wasn't much, but it was a lot more than most carried with them. If that money went missing, then it would make things even harder for her.

”Cheers,” Lenny thanked her and placed the money on the inside of his suit jacket. ”Here, your keys.”

Esme grabbed her keys from the palm of his hand and followed him to the front door. Lenny nodded his head once as a farewell and walked away. She liked him; he didn't ask questions even though there was curiosity in his eyes. Esme closed the door and looked back at her bare apartment.

”Well, this is depressing,” Isana murmured, ”Could we at least paint the walls..”

”Waste of money. You know that,” Esme replied before running the bath. It was a new experience taking a bath in the kitchen, but maybe that was a story worth sharing one day. She chuckled darkly at her own foolishness as she stripped and climbed into the bath.

Who would she tell?

After scrubbing up and changing into black jeans and a black long-sleeved blouse, she threw on some boots and her coat before leaving with her backpack to check out the vacancies. It took her twenty-five minutes until she arrived at the city centre. There were buses that could take her, but she preferred walking; it helped the restlessness bubbling up inside of her. If she didn't train, go running or shift into her wolf form much, her moods plummeted, and her wolf became aggressive.

It had been a week since she last shifted, and although her little run to the train station helped, it wasn't enough. At some point, she would need to find the safest place she could run freely without the fear of being found out. There was a reason why cities were not full of werewolves; they couldn't shift freely and would become restless. But this was the price she paid for a little extra protection, not that the vampires would ever help her, but the pack would not search for her here.

”Let's look tonight, please!” Isana pleaded with her, pulling at her heartstrings. Esme nodded in agreement; it would help settle her nerves.

For the rest of the day, Esme became increasingly frustrated from the job vacancies. Each place seemed ecstatic at hiring her, but there was one issue, unlike the little villages and towns she stayed at before with little café jobs with cash in hand. The shops and restaurants here went through protocols to make sure she had no criminal record, she paid tax etc. What a bunch of bull. This was why it was more challenging living life as a rogue on the run.

Esme sat in a coffee shop by the evening, slumped forward, staring outside the window, and people watched. The only distraction from watching the bustling city was when her phone chimed. At first, she almost freaked out because nobody messaged her, but then she remembered the latest contact on her phone was her new landlord.

[ 6:30pm Message from Lenny ]

[ 6:30pm: It's done.]

Blunt and brief, as expected.

Esme closed her phone and wondered if there were any places in the city that would take her on and pay cash in hand. This experience made her realise just how isolated she had been from the outside world two years ago. Yet even now, being on her own, she was still learning. Esme knew it was basic knowledge, but her upbringing was not exactly normal.

She felt frustrated, though. How could she not know that things would be different in a city such as Chester?

”Hey sweetie, we are closing in ten minutes.” Esme nodded her head with a smile at the old lady who had been sweet enough to give her a free cake with her coffee.

Esme stood up, scraped her chair away and brought her cup and now empty plate to the counter. ”Oh, you didn't have to do that, honey,” The old lady waved at her before continuing to dry some washed up plates. Esme liked the cute café that seemed to be odd in such an extravagant street. It was a little rundown but had this homey feel to it.

”Nonsense,” Esme replied and leaned her elbows on the wooden counter. ”By any chance, are you hiring?”

”I'm sorry, but we aren't.” The lady smiled sadly, and Esme could tell that she really was apologetic. For some reason, this lady brought out her softer side, like she could really be nice without faking it.

”No problem. Thought I'd ask! Thanks for the cake!” She turned around and left the café, the door's bell dinging as she stepped out into the cool night air. Checking her phone, she didn't realise how long she'd stayed in there. Her thoughts must have made her lose track of time; it was now 8:30pm.

With a sigh, Esme turned down the street, her steps slow as she took in the sights of the city. She made sure not to look like a complete tourist, though, not that anyone could mug her, but it was just a hassle. She pulled her hood back up over her head, keeping her head warm from the chilled evening, but her hands dropped to her side, and she stopped while passing the alleyway next to the coffee shop.

The smell of blood caught her attention, and she looked down the dark alleyway. Don't get involved, Esme; this doesn't involve you. But although she split between leaving the area and checking it out, her decision landed on the latter. With a groan, she made her way down the alley, keeping her footsteps quiet as she stepped over puddles and merged herself with the shadows of night.

The smell of blood grew stronger as Esme got closer to another alley on her right. She stopped and leaned herself up against the wall. Down the path, Esme watched as a man suddenly collapsed behind two green wheelie bins, clutching his bloodied chest and cursing.

From here, she could see the man's brown eyes ringed in red. He was a vampire. Esme glanced in the direction he seemed to have come from, and standing there with smug smiles on their faces were humans holding bloodied stakes and crossbows.

They were hunters.

”Fuck.”