Night

This is another part of my book.

The flat was dark. The rooms smelled of coffee and firesides. A few expensive paintings by a 1960 cartoon artist and a renowned painter that was still alive, hung in different parts. Small bits of sting lights hung from odd places about, the fire was crackling and sitting on a dark leather couch was a small figure, alone on Christmas Eve. She had long hair, thin waist and arms. Her outfit black and comfortable. Shoes neatly on a bench by the door, the windows closed and barred shut.
   The kitchen clean and simplistic. Two of nothing and the dish washer empty. Counters clean; everything had a place in the cupboards. The flat had a very modern clean style. Doors from the kitchen went straight to the den, which was opened into the living room. The living room was converted into a library, towers of books, classics mostly. Papers with gothic handwriting scattered the small table in the center.
   On the stove a kettle sat, empty. The girl was holding a plain black mug between her feet. Her arms stretched as if holding some dear. Her eyes straight ahead. The flat had central heating which had been repaired twice in the last six months from so much use. It had been a very wet winter. The girl was referred as a reptile at times, she was drawn towards heat. Her father (Court Zealand) always complained that she'd send him and her mother to the poor house. If it wasn't for her they'd still be living in one.
   Last Christmas she'd given them more then her share of her own fortune made with one small, but very sucessful novel. They now lived in the country, outside of Phoenix, Arizona. For someone who loved London, England, the girl was very American and was just born stubborn that way, as her publisher said. Nevertheless, she liked to imitate the accent as best as could be expected.
    When Shafer Salt Zealand opened her eyes, she noticed the central heating had finally switched on. She sipped her chai tea and relaxed, moving her arm from off the back of the couch. She no longer had anyone to protect or cuddle.

   (BEEP) "Hey, babe, it's mom! I just wanted to call you and wish you a Merry Christmas and check in. How do you like your flat? Is it warm enough now? Sorry for the central heating, (Court: "Don't apologize! For heavens sake!") Hush! Anyway sweet heart we miss you and you'd be welcome to join us tomorrow, you'd probably have a hard time getting a flight. Anyway see you soon I hope, love you, mom." (BEEP)
  
   Shafer set the empty mug aside and stared at the flames. A miserable feeling seemed to be prying it's way into her ribs and lungs. Little sneak. After a few minute she got up took the mug with her and made coffee. The smell growing throughout the flat.

   (BEEP) "Merry Christmas Shafer, It's your best friend, Tyler. I wanted to remind you of your meeting with your publisher tomorrow afternoon. She wanted to meet at Cafe Belle, it's a few blocks from the publishing house, rather sucluded. Talk to you later then, enjoy the Holidays." (BEEP)

   Shafer leaned on the opened counter overlooking the den. The mug half filled with coffee the other half creamer. In a basket by the fire were scented pine cones you got in cheap super markets. The smell soon over rode the coffee and reminded the room that it was very late and it so happened to be the eve of Christmas.
   The flat had large tinted windows. Lights could be seen from all over the city. Her companion loved to sit on the table in the living room and watch the bright lights. A lonely feeling finally crept inside and started prying at the closed ribs and lungs. Life slowly over whelmed and stole the night. Shafer finished her coffee walked back to the couch and lay awake listening.

Author's Note

I have a lot to think about. I thankfully got some much needed reviews and am taking them very seriously. Funnily enough I wasn't hurt by what people pointed out, I was just out raged at myself. What the hell, I'm a perfectionist my mind happens. I will be making a lot of changes.

I wanted to address one or two thing though. Firstly Shafer isn't a boy. She's a girl which I think explains my first chapter a bit. I didn't add the part that mentioned that, sorry. Secondly I wanted to address that her 'Companion' is suppose to remain nameless. And thirdly Shafer is very fond of her. She loves her. Enough said.

Please ignore grammar and I hope to add a rewritten version soon.