I finally hopped of the bus. It had been a ridiculously long drive from Detroit to the Big Apple. Around 900 minutes to be exact. But I pull my backpack straps closer to my body, and leave the bus stop.

I walk around looking at every flashing light. I've seen lights before but it's definitely not like this in Detroit. My usual smile makes it way to my face. I truly am happy! I'm finally on my own in a big city! This is awesome!

Sight seeing, and getting to know my surroundings is what I do most of the day. Then I walk to an apartment building and ask for my room. It's a simple one - story home on the 6th floor. Walk to door 605 then turn left and walk to 603. Simple directions for me to follow. It's pretty barren but I can spiff it up later. I put my small amount of belongings into the bedroom drawers, and hang up a few posters. I put a picture frame of me and family on my dresser right next to one of my best friends. I throw my sketch book back into my backpack, along with a hoodie in case it got cold. I still need a job. Renting this apartment is expensive for someone without any money. I throw my bag over my back and walk out the door.

It has to be around 7:30 because it's light out but darker than earlier. I grab a newspaper and look for a job the old fashion way. I find a small coffee shop nearby and take a seat near the door.

"What can I get for ya?" A young lady with green eyes and brown hairs comes to my table.

I smile, "I'm new here what's good?"

She tilts her head to the side in though. "Well I like the donut with cherry filling. Those are really good." She answers.

"Ok then I'll take 2 of those." She nods and writes it down on her notepad. I turn my attention back to the newspaper and look for a job. There are multiple near my apartment, Sweet!

The nice waitress comes back to my table with 2 donuts on a plate. She sets them down and gives me another smile before walking away.

"Barista? I could do that. How about a retail worker? Ehh doesn't sound fun. Tattoo artist? Now that I can do!" I think to myself. Looks like I found myself a job. The description said to come in tomorrow around 9am. I can do that. I pull out my sketch book to pass the time. I took a bite of my donut and was surprised at how good they were. I've had some good donuts in Michigan, but Dang. Note to self: Come back to this place more often!

I pull out my pencils and doodle in my book. All I can draw are landscapes and small designs. I couldn't draw a human to save my life. Unless stick people count. I can definitely do those. I do that for awhile, before finishing the delicious donuts and walking out of the shop.

It's pretty dark out, but all the bill boards and lights shined bright. Cars and taxis fly by on the street as busily as they did in the morning. That's what they say New York never sleeps. I walk down a well lit sidewalk when I bump into a man.

"I'm sorry." I say turning back towards him to make sure he's alright. He stumbled a bit but looks alright. He looked at me then scanned the rest of my body. It was a little creepy but I guess he was making sure I was alright too.

"It's alright." He smiles at me his New Yorker accent strong. "Wow aren't you a fine looking man. A beautiful thing to add to anyone's collection."

"Umm Thank you." I guess it was a compliment. He looked over my body one more time before straightening himself and shaking my hand.

"Have a nice night." He said before walking away. "What a strange man." I think to myself. I don't pay it much mind though. New York is different from Detroit. Maybe that was common and I just didn't know. I shrugged my shoulders and continued to walk to my apartment. But something about that man made me feel off. Like he was still watching me. His words, 'a beautiful thing to add to anyone's collection . . ." Did he mean like a boyfriend or a girlfriend? His words were all I could think about as I continued to walk home.

Once I was on my floor I basically sprinted to room 603. The man's words still ringing in my ears. I feel like I'm being watched, violated. I don't why I'm so paranoid, but I just can't shake the feeling. I lock my door a couple of times for extra precaution. Then just to be safe I move a chair to block the door. That'll do it. I set down my backpack and grab a pair of pajamas. I take a quick shower and flop into bed. I had to wake up around 7 tomorrow so I should probably head to bed. I climb up to my pillow and pull my covers over my shoulders. I fall into a restless sleep. Anxiety flooding within me. 

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" My alarm wakes me up the next morning. I had gotten a good enough sleep. Enough for me to run to that coffee shop and then go to that job interview.

I groan then roll out of bed. My curly brown hair a complete mess. My dark brown eyes dull and filled with sleep. I go into the bathroom, shower and brush my teeth. Then throw on some comfortable, yet mature clothes. I attempt to tame my wild hair, but it's utterly useless. I walk into the kitchen, head still not fully awake. I grab an instant oatmeal packet and heat up some water. I wait for it to boil before pouring into the oatmeal and adding a dash of milk. I sit down and eat it with a glass of orange juice. 10 minutes later I walk back into my room to grab my sketch book and pencils and throw them back into my backpack. I fling that back over my shoulder and walk out the door.

It's 8:30 am and I have time to kill. So I stop at that coffee shop with the amazing donuts and take a seat. The waitress, who was named Alex, came up to me again.

"Glad to see your back. Liked that Cherry Donut didn't ya?" She comments.

"Yah, It was really good." I smile. "I'll take another one of those and a French Vanilla Cappuccino." Alex nods and goes back to the kitchen. I watch the cars zoom by as I wait for my food. After a couple of minutes Alex returns, my donut in one hand, the coffee in the other.

"So what's your name I've never seen you before?" Alex questions me.

"Yah I'm Kenny. I'm from Detroit just moved here." I stick out my hand for her to shake. She gladly takes it.

"Well you look about my age, 18. So here's my phone number maybe we can hang out sometime." She left a piece of paper on the table which had her number written in it. I slap it into my phone before standing up and walking to the door. It's was 8:45. I only needed 10 minutes to get to the tattoo parlor. So I sat and waited on the bench just besides the door of the parlor. Waiting for them to open.

5 minutes pass and I walk through the doors. The parlor has what looks like over a thousand pictures hanging up on their wall. It's clean and tidy and has around 10 booths for customers to sit in. A man with Dark Hair and Dark eyes welcomes me and tells me to go to the back room for the interview. I nod and make my way there.

A tall man who looked to be in his 40s sat in a big rolley chair. He looked to be having fun spinning in a circle when I walked in. He abruptly stopped when he saw me a slight blush on his face.

"Hello I'm James. You must be here for the job." The man, now known as James, says kindly.

"Yes sir." James gestures for me to take a seat.

"So Tell me about yourself son."

I nod, "My name is Kenny Rogers. I'm 18. I'm from Detroit. Only got here yesterday actually. I like to draw so a job as a tattoo artist would be ideal." I say with a smile."

The older man only nods. "You said you draw? Did you bring any of your drawing here for me to look at?"

I nod again. "I have my sketchbook. Never leave home without it." I grab my bag and unzip it. I pull my book out and let him look through it.

After a couple of minutes, James had flipped through all the pages. He looks up and then
smiled again.

"Wow kid you got some real talent. Some of my guys in there can't even draw that good!" I thank him for the compliment.

"So you want the job kid."

"Yes sir."

"Well come back tomorrow at 8am. I'm gonna show you how to use all the machines. But other than that. The job is yours kid." James smiles. My signature smile makes its way to my face. Joy flowing through my veins. I thank the man several times before walking out the door. Kenny stops me though, I turn back and listen to what he has to say.

"Be carful out there kid. I don't know how things are in Detroit, but here watch your back. There are some crazy people. You could fall asleep in your room, and wake up in some warehouse. Just stay safe okay?" ( Note: I'm not trying to say New York is a bad place. I love New York. I'm just saying it for the story ) I reply with an ok to James's warning. I still had an off feeling about that man from yesterday. But I put it behind me and walk out.

Since it's only lunch time I go to the more food filled part of the city. There looks to be a restaurant about every other building so I just stop in the first one. I order a hamburger, some fries, and a sprite. I gulp that down within a few minutes. Then I go to a park. I just walk around by the water and few trees. I eventually sit down on a bench and start to draw. It was dark once I stood up again.

I began to walk out of the park when I heard footsteps that weren't my own. I turn around to see who was left in the park, no one was my answer. A feeling of unease spreads through me. But I push it aside and keep walking. I make it to the gate before feeling a presence behind me. I quickly turn around for it to be the same guy I bumped into yesterday.

He stabbed me in the neck with some liquid. My eyes pop before drooping. My head gets fuzzy and my limbs become numb. I feel him sling me over his shoulder, before finally giving into the darkness.

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