The Neighbors

I sat there taking in the sounds and smells around me. Most of them were familiar to me while some were unpleasant and certainly unwelcomed. It was freezing out and the hoodie and beanie I choose for my morning escape were not doing the job. But despite the smells and the chill of the morning, I was in heaven. Do you hear that? Silence. Absolute silence.

About two months I got new upstairs neighbors. There were 4 of them, all adults, along with 2 massive dogs. Two of the adults’ work for the management team in my apartment complex and that is what complicates matters. You see, every night their precious little hounds from hell fight and run and bark. At first, I thought maybe the adults were recreating moments from a popular movie where people fight each other but they don’t talk about it. The second thought was that perhaps the 4 adults divided into two teams and decided to go bowling right there in their master bedroom. But about a month ago I heard scratching and barking, and I knew that my previous theories were incorrect.

I had complained to management, but they wouldn’t do anything about it because its their coworkers. Management treats me like I make things up. I even began to believe it BUT I have seen the hounds from hell and the dogs do exist. And they only make noise when I am taking a nap or when it is bedtime. I wish they would just disappear. Is it normal to wish harm upon other living things? Maybe not harm but maybe the neighbors would just move, or the employees could get fired. NO. NO. NO. I can’t think that way.

It is day 7 without sleep. What happens to your body when you haven’t slept in days? So, I found this park two blocks away. And I sit here with my eyes closed. Do you hear that? Silence. Every so often a car will rush by or a cute little quiet squirrel. I sit here in the quiet and dream of ways to get rid of the dogs. I feel peace and anger. Peace in the quiet and weird smells but anger that those dogs have kicked me out of my amazing apartment.

My master bedroom has a sitting chair. I have a king bed. I have a fantastic master bathroom with a shower to die for. I purchased one of those benches where I can sit down and wash my legs and feet with ease. Sometimes I just sit in the shower on my bench and I just sit. I have a small TV so I can keep up on my shows, mostly horror and fantasy. Maybe management will reimburse me for the nights lost in my apartment. The sleepless nights…

Why haven’t I talked to my neighbors? A quick little knock and I will ask to borrow sugar and then tell them to quiet their dogs. That should be easy. NO. NO. I can’t because they control the plumbing and the heat and the maintenance. Confronting them means I will lose more than sleep. So many thoughts in my head right now.

Wait what was that? I look over and there is a woman approaching me. She is maybe 5’2” and has a little shuffle. She is getting closer. Her hands are gloved, and she has on a hat with jewels on it. Hello sir, I have noticed you have been sitting here quietly for several days. This is hardly the place to enjoy peace. Look around for yourself, she said. I looked around. There was a small pond, 2 trees and lots of brown grass and other dead plants. I responded that I was looking for quiet. Before I knew what was happening, I had told her all about my dog problems.

Oh wow, look at the time. I must get going. That was a strange interaction! I feel as though I may now have to find a new silent and peaceful location given this one has been compromised.

Speaking of silence why are there police cars at our apartment complex? Is that a fire truck? What is going on?

Brian looked on in horror and in satisfaction as his neighbors screamed and cried out for their animals. There they lay on the ground, not moving. Out the corner of his eye he saw the strange old woman disappear into the crowd.