Chapter 2

I knew what to expect at parts, but to live it firsthand like this… makes me remind how, no matter how good internet and television came to be, nothing compares with being there and experiencing yourself.

Because a blue screen could not pass the cold breeze howling outside chilling my skin and reddening my nose, nor pass the white thick fog that grips into a primal fear when it completely blocks our eyesight, making all drivers slow down, nor how my pupils dilated when, like a theater curtain slowly being pulled, the fog opens up to reveal the insides of the city.

My first visit to a Foggy City, the known gothic city with high pointy towers, gargoyles, stained glasses, and vampires all around, the well known New Stormhold.

And yet not on my wildest imagination could I've phantom such a unique place.

I expected the architecture to be gothic, and yet knowing beforehand did not take my awe away at the intricate details the housings have here, elaborated windows fighting for attention, from twisting carved iron designs to frame glass windows, almost forming an image, to even some stained glass with beautiful colorful images shaped on them.

Not only that, but the always on streets lights alongside the road illuminated the ever so present fog, adding to the atmosphere but not bringing enough modernity to the place as to break the spell, especially when most lamps were rested inside metal hanging lanterns constraints of the old, the glass around it a little yellow from use, probably being the same since, well, forever.

Not even the cobblestones that paved the entire place could take my attention away as they bumped the car up and down, for is almost as if I'm back on time in 16th century Europe.

However I could tell some differences from it beyond the modernization of the electric lights and all, well, mostly because one had been a complete human city in the past while this one does not hide its mystical upcoming, on the contrary, it shows off all around and I can see it as we pass a few shops on our way with intricate coffins displayed on the streets, however not for morbid reasons but actually for bedding, some gothic long dresses and top hats on another, and even the pharmacy had an announcement at the front like this: "Kind humans, don't get sick! Don't forget your vitamin D! We secure that you will be delighted with the taste test…"

And by the image of a vampire on the ad I can guess what they mean with those final words… And I was not prepared to be so openly treated as a meal all around like that.

Though I should have expected as much, such fetish from a place full not only with vampires, but with humans whilling to be their prey coming from all around the world.

I start fiddling around in the back seat as we get closer to our final destination, knowing that today I still have the rest of the day free but that, tomorrow, I'll be starting a new career, and I could not help but feel as anxious as excited about it.

And as if not odd enough, my past memories clash with this place, a sense of familiarity and yet some… detachment, almost as if recognizing is past a filter, as if remembering a favorite movie of old, but not quite that.

"We arrived mister. Sure you haven't changed your mind?"

"No…" I simply answer, my gaze still drifting.

And for some reason I've never been so sure of something in my entire life.

I pay the driver and get my things out from the back, and as the carry-on is easy to handle the problem rest actually in the two full of books boxes that I've to rest on top of wheeled baggage to move it around.

And only those who have moved a lot of books about know just how heavy they can get, stacked up like this, and how two boxes full of them can easily make the wheels from my carry-on screech.

However I barely manage to put them over my luggage when the taxi driver books it and leaves me to stare at his fleeing back.

Guess he really does not like this place very much, but money has to be made.

I sigh, looking up at those long sharp buildings, frowning when I see real bats flying around among the doves, but shrug it off as it is definitely not the oddest thing I saw so far.

And I had a feeling it would not be the oddest that I'm still about to discover from this city.

I look back at the small apartment I've rented with furniture and all, no parking place as its front glass door actually opens directly on the streets, and like most it has an interesting architecture, not as detailed, but with small long windows with patterns around them, and some gargoyles here and there too.

Of course already at the entrance there are two small steps that make me battle my carryon over as the books weigh it down.

Grunting I sigh in relief when I finally pass the front doors, going straight to the front desk only to discover that this is actually one of those buildings that have no one at the front, less safe but cheaper in the end, so instead I go to the mailboxes at the side and find out that the one for my apartment is not locked, and a key and a letter rest inside.

Double that not very safe part now.

I glance over the letter, wondering who nowadays still does that, but when I see the textured yellow paper and the well writing note, I wonder if it is some sort of costume of this place, would be very fitting yet not very practical.

"Welcome to New Stormhold. Here is the key to your apartment, please refrain from making parties or troubling the neighbors.

Other than that I hope you enjoy your stay!"

Short and objective as we already have talked about the details by email, which at least settles my mind a little for knowing that they have at least computers and internet around here.

Just because I like the style and feel at ease in this city does not mean that I really want to go back to the past thank you very much, I love the easiness technology brings to my everyday life for sure.

I smile at the idea, but that smile vanishes from my face when I get to the end of the hall only to see that the elevator is broken right now, and that I would have to use the stairs.

And is on the freaking fifth floor!

I look at my bag and boxes beside me, and not even the chandeliers above my head could light up my mood at that moment.

Broken elevator on the day I move in… seriously??