New chains same shackles
It was already dark outside. I was sitting in the back of a taxi with my luggage in New York, looking out at the neon-lit streets. I was on my way to my cousin's place, ready to start a new chapter in my life. I had lived in Detroit with my family, but I had always dreamed of becoming an artist. I had created a few pieces, but I had never tried to sell them...I was simply too afraid. But now, since I am in New York I don't want to be the same as I used to be.
When we arrived in front of my cousin's apartment, I grabbed my purse and luggage and got out of the car. "Thank you," I said to the taxi driver, handing him the money.
I stood in front of the slightly shattered building for a moment, taking a deep breath as my new life began. I went to the reception and saw a guy behind the counter.
"Hello, how can I help you?" he said, a wide smile on his face. It creeped me out slightly, but I assumed he was just trying to be nice.
"Hello, I am trying to find Sam Reed," I said, forcing an effortless smile. I think he could see how tired I was.
"Oh, you're Adeline...Adeline Reed, right?" He paused. "Sam was talking about you moving in with him." His smile widened even more.
I looked at him, slightly confused. "I am Sam's friend, Thomas," he added, looking into my eyes with a smaller smile.
"Oh...yeah," I said impatiently, though my smile was widening. I didn't want to seem rude. plus I just wanted him to tell me my cousin's apartment number. Meanwhile he leafed the papers I looked around the lobby of the building. The whole building as I said looked a bit... shatted but it's good for a start.
"He lives in apartment...104," he finally said. "Thank you," I replied, still smiling. I immediately stopped smiling as I walked toward the elevator with my luggage. I waited for it to arrive, glancing around me again. The building felt really empty. There weren't any people around, which creeped me out slightly. It brought back memories from my childhood. I actually didn't remember much from my childhood. I had refused to, I always get small flashbacks but nothing more. Just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine.
Back to reality. The elevator finally arrived. Gosh, I was so exhausted. I stepped inside and noticed an old man next to me. I could see him looking at me through his eyelashes. His eyes roamed my body. What did I expect? I was in the Bronx. I tried not to pay attention and stepped slightly away from him. I just wanted to get safely into my cousin's apartment.
When I stepped out of the elevator, I could still feel the man's eyes on my back. I walked faster to finally reach my cousin's apartment. I scanned the numbers on the doors...finally, I found Sam's apartment.
As I went through the door, I immediately shut it behind me.
"Adie," I heard from behind me.
"Sam!" I exclaimed, giving him a hug. Sam was the only acceptable member of my family. Whenever he was in Detroit with his family when we were kids, we were inseparable. I could always talk to him about anything, even though I didn't remember much from my childhood, I remembered every memory with him.
"All good on the way he—" he started, but I interrupted him.
"I am really exhausted, Sam. Can we talk tomorrow?" I asked. He looked at me for a second and then smiled.
"Sure. Here is your bedroom," he said, leading me into a small room with only a few things. Actually, there wasn't much at all, only a bed, a wardrobe, a small window and...and that was it. It reminded me of my room back in Detroit. My room had plain walls, plain bedsheets, almost everything was plain white. The only thing colorful was a plant on my night table.
"Thank you," I mumbled, an effortless smile on my face. I closed the door.
"Finally," I exhaled, closing my eyes just for a moment. My new life had begun, and for the first time in years, I felt both hope and the weight of everything I had left behind.
