Beauty in the Ashes

I wondered where he was.

I hoped he was gone, but coming back.

A part of me worried that maybe he’d overdosed and was lying dead in his apartment and no one knew about it. I knew he was an alcoholic and drug addict. Seeing his apartment had confirmed that. But there were other signs too. Like the way he was always so jittery, and how sometimes his eyes would shift irregularly.

If he was dead, which I hated to even consider, I knew I should find a way to check on him. I couldn’t exactly break into his apartment though. That would be embarrassing to explain if he turned up alive.

“Meow.”

I looked down at the quickly growing Brutus. He tilted his head, his strange greenish eyes watching me closely. I lowered, lifting him into my arms and tucking him under my neck. His warmth comforted me and something about rubbing his soft body instantly filled me with a feeling of calm.

With Brutus in my arms I stared out the window.

I had always liked to watch people—I found human behavior so interest

ing. I liked to imagine what the people below me were doing or saying.

I jolted in surprise when I saw a white car pull up the curb a little ways down the street and Caelan got out of the passenger side. He leaned back in, saying something to the driver. They seemed to be having some kind of argument. Caelan slammed the car door closed, shaking the whole vehicle with the force. I couldn’t see the driver’s face, but it was obviously a guy about my age, maybe a little older, and he shook his head in disgust. He pulled away quickly, the exhaust from his car filling the air with a hazy fog.

I jumped in surprise when I heard the door to Caelan’s apartment slam closed.

I looked at Brutus in my arms and muttered, “Someone’s grumpy.”

“Meow.”

Kissing Brutus’ head, I set him gently on the floor.

I itched to provoke Caelan, but something told me not to. Now wasn’t the time to push his buttons.

Tapping my fingers along the countertop, I tried to act like I wasn’t listening to what was going on across the hall.

Things were definitely being thrown and it sounded like a piece of furniture crashed against the wall. I ducked, even though nothing was flying at me.

I wanted to check on Caelan, and based on what I heard I had the perfect excuse to investigate.

I bit down on my lip, pacing the length of my apartment.

Should I?

Or shouldn’t I?

My mind warred with itself. I wasn’t sure what would be the best move. He was clearly angry and I didn’t want to be on the receiving end of that, but if I could calm him—

“Oh, screw it!” I exclaimed to no one.

I marched out of my apartment and across the hall. I was determined not to appear frightened.

Banging on the door, he didn’t answer and the destructive noises didn’t lessen.

I took the doorknob in my hand and I was surprised when it turned easily.

“Caelan!” I called out.

Crash.

“Caelan! Are you okay?” I tiptoed inside, afraid to anger the beast further.

He stormed past me from his bedroom area, his eyes flicked quickly over me, and then back to the task at hand—which turned out to be smashing his heavy boot into the glass tabletop of his coffee table. The sound of glass shattering made me wince, but I refused to back down.