Tattoo Days (Pt 6)

“of course It's only proper” he replied with a smile “plus I want to make sure you're safe.”

“Most men usually just send me on my way, so this is…awesome.” Seele took his hand again, smiling as she pulled him along toward her apartment. They had to wait on the sidewalk as an ambulance raced by on the road, sirens screaming and lights flashing.

Lyle smiled as she took his hand “those men were idiots not to spend as much time as possible with you.”

“Oh, you,” Seele giggled with a genuine smile.

Lyle smiled as he walked alongside her.

At her apartment complex, Seele used her key to unlock the front door. Stepping in, she let Lyle walk in and made sure the door closed. The only thing letting them know it was closed was the clicking of the lock. “The building locks itself, but if there’s a fire or anything, everything unlocks when the doorknobs are twisted from inside.” She explained and started for the stairs.

There was an “Out of Service” sign on the elevator doors, which were partially open and one was even at an angle to prove that out of service reality.

“Sorry about having to walk up the stairs. The elevator has been broken for years.” Seele explained. “It was broken even before I moved in.”

“It’s fine. It just means I get more time with you,” he chuckled. "Let me know if you’re tired and I can carry you.”

“I don’t ever get tired with these steps. No one in this building is overweight due to that elevator being broken.” Seele replied with a smirk and kept climbing the stairs like it was nothing.

Lyle smirked as he followed behind her enjoying the view.

“Don’t give me reason to punch you, handsome.” Seele teased as they finally reached her floor and went into the hallway. It was…eerily dark and quiet. “Odd…”

“Something wrong?” Lyle asked hands slowly reaching for his holster.

“Yeah, the place is never this quiet.” Seele whispered and looked at Lyle. Pulling out her phone, she turned on its flashlight and looked down the hall. One of the doors was open and they could see a red smear along the floor leading to it.

Lyle stepped in front of her pulling his gun out “we need to get out of here” he whispered.

“But that's Cassandra’s apartment. I have to make sure she's okay!” Seele snapped. This was her home and these were her people. She wasn't going to abandon them.

“Fine but we need to be careful” Lyle replied pulling out a backup pistol and handing it to her.

Seele shoved it away and pulled out her revolver. “Don’t give me that little pea shooter.” She snorted and headed for the room.

Lyle smirked before opening the door for them.

Keeping her gun ready, Seele used the flashlight on her phone to follow the blood trail. It followed the short hallway into the living room of the apartment where they would see a large hump backed monstrosity biting into flesh of what was once Cassandra…