Chapter 6: So, Uh… Is This Apartment Haunted?

Chapter 6: So, Uh… Is This Apartment Haunted?

Bright didn't trust free things.

Life had taught him that nothing came without a price. If someone gave you food, they probably wanted something. If someone offered kindness, there was always a catch.

And if a stranger handed you a key to an apartment for no reason?

Yeah. That was suspicious as hell.

But Bright was also tired, homeless, and had zero other options, so against all logic, he went to check it out.

The key had no address. No instructions. Nothing. Just a plain metal key with no markings.

Which meant Emily either expected him to figure it out himself, or she just enjoyed messing with him.

Bright was betting on the second one.

Still, he had a vague idea of where to start. Emily didn't look like she lived in the bad parts of town, and she didn't act like she was from the kind of place that threw people out over pocket change.

So Bright started walking.

And after about an hour of wandering (and looking extremely out of place in a neighborhood way too fancy for him), he found it.

A small but expensive-looking apartment complex.

Not high-rise, not flashy. Just clean, well-maintained, and definitely out of his budget.

He eyed the building, then the key.

"…No way this works."

But it did.

The lock turned smoothly, and the door clicked open without resistance.

Bright stood there for a second, half-expecting an alarm to go off.

Nothing.

Hesitantly, he stepped inside.

And immediately wondered if he'd just walked into someone else's place by mistake.

Because this wasn't some barely-used extra apartment.

It was lived-in.

The air smelled clean but not stale. The furniture wasn't covered in dust. The fridge had actual food in it.

Bright frowned. Had Emily been staying here?

He glanced around, taking it in.

It wasn't big, but it was nice. A couch, a small kitchen, a bedroom he didn't dare step into yet. A window with a balcony view that overlooked the city.

And the best part?

A real bed.

Bright felt his legs give out before he even made a conscious decision to sit.

The couch was soft. The air was warm.

For the first time in forever, he didn't feel like he had to sleep with one eye open.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there. Could've been minutes. Could've been an hour.

But eventually, his hunger won over his exhaustion.

So he got up, made his way to the kitchen, and opened the fridge.

Inside?

Food.

Not just random condiments and expired milk. Actual, edible food.

Leftover takeout. Instant noodles. A half-full carton of eggs.

Bright swallowed. His stomach twisted—not from hunger, but from something he couldn't quite name.

This felt too… easy.

Too good to be real.

But it was real.

And until the universe decided to take it away, he was going to take full advantage of it.

So he grabbed some leftovers, sat at the counter, and ate like someone who hadn't seen a proper meal in weeks.

He wasn't sure when he fell asleep.

Just that for the first time in a long time… he didn't dream.

---

Bright woke up to the distinct feeling of being watched.

It wasn't loud. No sudden noises. No movement.

Just… a presence.

He cracked one eye open.

And immediately sat up.

Emily was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with an amused look.

"You're alive," she said. "Good to know."

Bright blinked the sleep out of his eyes. What time was it? How long had he slept?

"…You knew I'd come here?"

Emily shrugged. "Figured you'd be desperate enough."

Bright rubbed his face, trying to shake off the grogginess. "You could've at least told me where it was instead of making me wander around like an idiot."

Emily smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

Bright scowled. She was enjoying this.

"…Is this actually your place?" he asked after a moment.

Emily walked past him, opening the fridge and pulling out a drink. "One of them."

Bright narrowed his eyes. "And you're just giving it to me?"

"For now." She leaned against the counter, sipping from the bottle. "Unless you burn it down or something."

Bright exhaled, leaning back against the couch. This was too much.

The job? Gone.

The street life? Getting worse.

And now some rich girl with a gun and a weird sense of humor had basically handed him a free apartment.

It didn't make sense.

Nothing in his life had ever come this easy.

"…Why?" he finally asked. "Why are you helping me?"

Emily tilted her head. "You don't trust free things, huh?"

"No one gives something for nothing."

She studied him for a second. Then, to his surprise, she actually answered.

"You remind me of someone."

Bright frowned. "Who?"

Emily didn't answer.

Instead, she pushed off the counter and stretched.

"You can stay here," she said casually. "But don't get too comfortable. You'll have to pull your weight eventually."

Bright squinted at her. "You giving me a job or something?"

Emily smirked. "Something like that."

Then she grabbed her jacket and headed for the door.

"Wait," Bright said before he could stop himself.

Emily paused, glancing back.

"…Thanks," he muttered, looking anywhere but at her.

A long silence.

Then—a quiet chuckle.

"Don't mention it," she said. "Seriously. Don't."

And with that, she was gone.

Bright sat there for a long time after she left.

Thinking.

Wondering what exactly he'd just gotten himself into.

But no matter what it was…

It had to be better than starving on the streets.

For now, that was enough.

---