“It’s perfect,” Cayden King said as he stepped into the apartment, a smile forming on his face as the giddiness of finally being on his own truly began to sink in. He couldn’t believe how long he had waited for this moment, the moment when he would finally take that first step into his new life as an adult. He was no longer a child, it was time for him to set aside childish things.

Cayden King was now a man, a man on his own. He didn’t have to answer to anyone. He could come and go as he pleased, and he could do it all while walking around the place in his underwear. The best part was that no one would be there to tell him what to do, least of all his parents.

“Cayden, you’re not living here,” Victoria King said as she entered the apartment where her son would be living. “This building is a pig sty, the elevator smells like urine and I think I saw one of those crack head people downstairs, you know, the ones we see on the news all the time.” Shaking her head, Victoria glanced around the apartment. “No, this just won’t do,” she declared resolutely.

“Mom,” Cayden groaned as he turned to his mother, “we talked about this already. You said that if I could find a place in a decent price range, in a decent neighborhood, you’d let me stay there.” Glancing around the apartment, Cayden waved around. “Here it is,” he said with a smile. “It’s within the price range that you gave me, actually, it’s almost a hundred dollars less. It’s close to the school and it’s already furnished,” he explained.

“And what about the drug addict that I saw?” Victoria questioned. “You saw that Dateline interview with those kids who fell in with the wrong crowd and started using drugs. I don’t want to leave you here all by yourself.”

“Mom,” Cayden said as he walked up to her and put his arms around her, “it’s great that you want to protect me, but I’m eighteen and I’m starting college and I think you know that I’m not one of those stupid kids from Dateline. I’m not going to start doing drugs,” he said as he shook his head. Glancing at the doorway as his father entered lugging two suitcases behind him, Cayden turned toward him.

“Dad, tell her that I’m not going to do drugs,” he begged.

Setting down the suitcases, Patrick King turned to his wife and shook his head. “Sweetheart, our son is not going to do drugs,” he repeated.

“Oh Patrick,” Victoria said with a roll of her eyes. “I’m just scared that something will happen to him. This is the first time that he's going to be on his own . . . without us.”

“I honestly think he doesn’t have a problem with that. In fact, I think he’s secretly enjoying that idea,” Patrick responded as he winked at his son.

“Stop!” Victoria pouted. “I’m being serious here. Our son is leaving us and moving to New York, no less!”

“Mom,” Cayden said, “I was all for living at the dorm, but you said you didn’t like that idea because of all of the partying and drinking that go on at college campuses. You were the one that suggested an apartment, and I was against it, but then you convinced me that it was a better idea.”

“I was wrong,” Victoria admitted as she glanced around the apartment. “I mean, look at this place, it’s horrible.” A scampering in the corner of the living room caught Victoria’s eye and she screamed, jumping into her husband’s arms.

“What was that?” She exclaimed.

“Relax Mom,” Cayden said as he glanced at the corner of the room. “It’s just a mouse.” Patrick King chuckled slightly and Victoria swatted him on the arm.

“That’s no mouse,” she corrected, “that’s a rat. Did you see that thing? It was huge! Now I’m sure that this apartment was a bad idea. You can’t share an apartment with rats,” Victoria explained.

“So I’ll get a cat,” Cayden responded.

“Why? So they can eat it?”

“Mom,” Cayden groaned.

“I have an idea,” Patrick interjected as he smiled at Cayden and reached over and grabbed his wife’s hand. “Let’s give Cayden some alone time with his new place, and you and I can go have lunch at one of those fancy restaurants that New York is so famous for.”

“Fine,” Victoria relented, “but don’t think that I don’t know what the two of you are trying to do,” she commented. “You’re trying to get the crazy old lady out of the way, but I’m hungry so I’ll let it slide,” she added as she stepped over to Cayden and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

Pulling away, Victoria glanced at Patrick, then turned back to Cayden. “I’m coming back with a cat,” she said as she left.

With a smile on his face, Cayden King jumped into his new bed and rolled around playfully. Turning onto his back, he stared at the swirling paint patterns on the ceiling, tracking each wave to its eventual conclusion. Sitting up, Cayden was suddenly struck by the realization that he was in total silence. The smile on his face widened. He was finally alone.

Jumping off of the bed, he tore at his shirt, pulling it off and tossing it on the floor. Hooking his thumbs in the waist of his pants, he paused and glanced around. Reminding himself that he was alone, Cayden grinned devilishly and dropped his pants.

Standing in his bedroom in nothing but his underwear, Cayden reveled in his own glory. With a scream of excitement, Cayden did a cartwheel and crashed into the wall. Laughing, he picked himself up off the floor and slid into the living room “Risky Business” style and screamed.

The door to his apartment was wide open and a woman was standing there. She stared at him for a moment before speaking. “Who the hell are you?” She questioned matter-of-factly, as if she had every right to stand in his apartment and ask him questions like that.

“Oh, um . .. Cayden,” he responded rather nervously.

“Well, oh um Cayden, what the hell are you doing here?” She questioned. “Half naked and wearing Superman underwear,” she added with a glance downward.

“Oh!” Cayden shrieked as he reached down to cover his private parts. “I just moved in,” he added with a smile.

“Oh hell no!” The woman said as she shook her head. “Get your shit, you’re moving out,” she said as she motioned to his bags beside the door.

“Excuse me?” Cayden questioned, a look of confusion appearing on his face.

“You are NOT moving in here,” the woman repeated, “so get your shit and get out.”

“But I signed a lease . . .” Cayden responded, even more confused by what was going on.

“Look,” the woman said, “I have no idea who you are or what the hell you’re doing here or why they let you move in here, but you have to go,” she said as she stepped forward and grabbed him by the arm, leading him to the door.

“But wait,” Cayden protested as he was ushered out into the hall and his door was pulled closed. “I don’t understand. Am I being evicted?” He questioned, thoroughly perplexed by what was going on.

The woman simply rolled her eyes and walked to the door across the hall. “Just get the hell out of here,” she said as she stepped into her apartment and shut the door behind her.

Standing in the hall alone, Cayden realized that he was only wearing his underwear. He rushed to his door but found that it was locked. “No. No. Please,” he said as he tried to turn the doorknob. “Great,” he muttered under his breath, “just great.”

Sitting in the hallway outside of his apartment, Cayden King stared across the hall at his neighbor’s door. Working up the courage to walk over to it, he reached out and knocked softly.

“Excuse me,” he said, “You locked me out of my apartment,” he said. When there was no response, he knocked again. “Hello,” He said a little more loudly.

The door was pulled open and his neighbor stared at him with an angry expression. “What the hell do you want?” She questioned.

“I’m sorry,” Cayden apologized, “but you locked me out of my apartment.”

“I already told you that you’re not moving in,” she responded.

“But I need my clothes,” Cayden explained.

“That’s not my problem,” she said as she began to close her door. “And don’t knock on my door again,” she added before she slammed it shut.

Standing in front of her door, Cayden felt a sense of dread overcome him. “But what am I supposed to do?” He questioned.

Down the hall, he heard the elevator doors open and jumped back to his door, trying to hide himself from view. A man stumbled out of the elevator, laughing as he tried to steady himself. He stumbled against the wall and began laughing uncontrollably.

As he shuffled down the corridor, Cayden watched in silence, wondering if perhaps his mother was right. Maybe this was one of the crack heads. Doing his best to appear invisible, Cayden held his breath as the man approached.

Stopping in the middle of the hall when he caught sight of Cayden, Gage Matthews paused and stared at him awkwardly. Without warning, the man began to laugh hysterically as he pointed at Cayden.

“Dude, you don’t have any clothes on,” he noted as he stumbled toward Cayden.

With a groan, Cayden let his head drop and sighed. “I got locked out of my apartment,” he explained.

“How did you manage to do that?” Gage questioned as he leaned against the wall in an effort to keep himself steady.

“I met my new neighbor,” he said as he pointed across the hall.

Gage glanced at the apartment that Cayden was pointing to and went into another fit of insane laughter. “Devon!” He said as he shuffled toward her door and knocked on it. “Devon!”

A moment later the door was pulled open and Devon James stared a Gage incredulously. “What the hell do you want?” She questioned.

“Did you lock this guy out of his apartment?” He questioned, a smile forming on his face.

“It’s not his apartment,” Devon James responded as she glanced at Cayden. “He’s moving out.”

“I’m not moving out,” Cayden added softly.

“Devon . . .” Gage said, his words slightly slurring, “you need to relax. Julia doesn’t live there anymore,” he explained.

“Go to hell,” Devon said, “and sober up while you’re at it,” Slamming her door, Devon left Gage and Cayden alone in the hall.

“Dude,” Gage said as he waved to Cayden, “come with me.” He stumbled across the hall to the door to his apartment and fumbled with his keys. “I’ll let you call maintenance. They have extra keys.”

Throwing the door open, Gage stood back and motioned for Cayden to enter. Glancing at Gage, then glancing into Gage’s apartment, Cayden wondered if he should enter. Reluctantly, he stepped forward and entered Gage Matthew’s apartment.

Setting the phone down, Gage turned to Cayden. “They didn’t answer,” he said. “The maintenance guy’s a drunk. Sometimes he passes out,” Gage commented as he threw himself down on his couch.

“You smoke?” He questioned.

“No, I don’t like the taste of cigarettes,” Cayden responded rather awkwardly as he stood in Gage’s apartment wearing nothing but his Superman underwear.

Gage giggled, “I don’t mean cigarettes,” he explained as he reached forward and opening a box on the table in front of him. Reaching in he pulled out a rolled joint.

Cayden’s eyes widened. “Marijuana?!” He exclaimed as he jumped back slightly, causing Gage to go into another fit of uncontrollable laughter.

“I like to smoke when I’m drunk,” Gage explained as he placed the joint between his lips and lifted a lighter to it. He took a hit and held the joint out to Cayden. “Try it,” he said.

Cayden’s eyes widened. “Um . . . no thanks,” he said, “I don’t do drugs.”

“Marijuana isn’t a drug, it’s an herb,” Gage informed him as he held the joint out for Cayden to take. “Fine,” Gage said when it became evident that Cayden didn’t want any, “more for me.”

“Can we try calling the maintenance guy again?” Cayden questioned.

“Nah, you’re better off trying to get in through the fire escape,” Gage informed him. “That maintenance guy’s probably passed out in a pool of his own piss,” Gage added, laughing uncontrollably at the image his response to Cayden presented in his head.

“I’m Gage, by the way,” he said, “and you’re . . . Superman!” Shaking his head, Gage laughed and choked on the smoke.

“I wish I were Superman,” Cayden responded, “but I’m not. I’m Cayden.”

“Cool,” Gage said with a nod once he was done coughing. “Cayden, you should probably go see Kathryn. Her fire escape connects with yours. You can probably get into your apartment that way.”

“Okay,” Cayden said, glad to have an excuse to leave Gage’s apartment. The smell of Marijuana was started to make him feel giddy. “Where do I find her?”

“Two doors down,” Gage responded. “Just after your apartment.”

“Great,” Cayden said as he walked over to the door and pulled it open. “Thanks,” he said as he slipped into the hall, closing the door behind him and breathing a sigh of relief.

Sitting in the lotus position in the middle of her living room, Kathryn Hayes closed her eyes and began to meditate, but a knock on the door distracted her and she was up in a flash crossing over to the door. Pulling it open, she stared at the half-naked young man that stood before her.

“I didn’t order anything,” Kathryn explained, a smile on her face.

“I’m sorry,” Cayden said, slightly embarrassed. This was the third person to see him in his Superman underwear. “I got locked out of my apartment and Gage from down the hall said to ask if I could use your fire escape to try and get back in.”

“Was that the noise I heard in the hall?” Kathryn questioned. “It was Devon, wasn’t it? She locked you out. She’s crazy, she tries to run everyone out of this building. I think maybe she needs medication or something. My cousin is on medication and it works. She used to be all psychotic and stuff, but now she’s kind of mellow and relaxed. Of course, she does drool a lot now. They say that’s the side effect of the medication though. Hi! I’m Kathryn. What’s your name?”

Standing in the hall in front of Kathryn, Cayden stared at her, his mouth slightly open and an expression of bewilderment on his face. She talked so fast that the words she was saying seemed to make no sense to him.

“Cayden King,” he responded.

Kathryn reached out and shook his hand. “Well hello neighbor. Come on in,” she said as she motioned for Cayden to enter her apartment. “I don’t usually get visitors, so the place might be a little messy,” she said as she shut the door. “Do you want something to drink? I just made beet juice. Mmmm, it’s yummy.”

“No thanks,” Cayden responded as he glanced around the sparsely decorated apartment. If there was a mess, it was an invisible mess. He remembered seeing a movie where the main character was obsessive-compulsive and kept cleaning his house over and over. Kathryn’s apartment reminded Cayden of that movie.

“Can I use your fire escape?” Cayden questioned.

“Oh, sure,” Kathryn responded. “I use it all the time, it’s great. I stand out there at night something and just look at the stars. Of course, you have to be careful or you’ll fall over. Do you like looking at the stars?” She questioned and she lifted her window.

“They’re cool, I guess,” Cayden responded.

“You can watch them with me if you want,” Kathryn offered. “I haven’t been able to watch them for a while because I’ve been doing a show. I’m a dancer,” she explained. “On Broadway. I’ve done a few shows. Have you seen any Broadway shows?”

“I just moved to New York,” Cayden explained.

“From where?” Kathryn questioned.

“New Hampshire,” he responded.

“I’m from New Orleans,” Kathryn admitted. “My family’s from there. But they’re all living in California now, you know, Hurricane Katrina and all. Bad news. Our home was destroyed, but it’s cool because now we have a home in California, but I don’t get out there much. Have you ever been to California?

“I’ve never been outside of New Hampshire . . . until now,” Cayden admitted.

“Sheltered life?” Kathryn questioned. “It’s cool, you’re going to love New York, it’s a great city. It can be a little loud if you’re not used to it. So here’s the fire escape,” she said as she motioned to the window.

“Great,” Cayden said as he climbed out of the window and onto the fire escape.

“Just don’t look down,” Kathryn explained and when she said it, Cayden instantly looked down and saw the ground, nine stories below him. He freaked and pulled close to the building.

“Relax,” Kathryn said, “you won’t fall unless you go over the railing. Stay close to the building and walk over to your window.”

With a nod, Cayden inched closer to his window and found that it was open.

“You okay?” Kathryn called out.

“I’m fine,” Cayden responded. “The window is open. Thank you.”

“No problem,” Kathryn responded.

Climbing into his apartment, Cayden breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall. After a moment, he headed to his bedroom to get his clothes back on, just in case Devon got any more ideas about locking him out again.

After pulling his pants on, Cayden stepped out of his bedroom and paused when he saw a man standing in front of him.

“Oh my God!” Cayden said as he took a step back. “What’s the deal with this place?” He questioned. “Who are you?”

“You moving in?” The man questioned softly as he glanced at the ground.

“Yeah,” Cayden responded, taking a step back.

“Oh,” the man said as he stepped over to the couch and sat down.

“Who are you?” Cayden questioned once again.

“Jesse,” the man responded as he pointed to the ceiling. “I live upstairs.”

“Well, I’m Cayden . . . and you’re in my apartment. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. It’s been a really crazy day for me . . .”

“My girlfriend used to live here,” Jesse interrupted. “Julia Taylor. She bought this couch,” Jesse said, motioning to the couch that he was sitting on. “She got it from a thrift store. She got a great deal on it too.”

“That’s great,” Cayden responded, “but I really have things that I need to do, so if you could . . .”

“She died,” Jesse said abruptly.

“What?” Cayden questioned.

“Julia,” Jesse said as he glanced over at Cayden. “She died.”

“I’m sorry,” Cayden responded. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Kind of,” Jesse said softly. “I had a dream. I was in my apartment painting a picture of her – that’s what I do, I’m a painter – and I couldn't capture her eyes,” he said as he motioned to the air in front of him, as if he were painting.

“I just couldn’t capture her eyes . . . and it was so frustrating. Everything else was perfect, but there was just one little problem. Her eyes. They were lifeless. So I went into the kitchen, and I got a knife and I went back to the painting and I was going to slash it, you know. But when I leaned forward, the painting came to life and she grabbed my hand.”

“That’s pretty weird,” Cayden admitted, wondering how much longer this man would remain sitting on his couch.

“The really weird part is what happened next,” Jesse admitted. “She told me that someone was coming, someone that would help me,” he explained. “Someone who would find her murderer.”

“Murderer?” Cayden questioned. “She was murdered?”

“Yeah,” Jesse said with a nod. “About a month ago. But in my dream she told me that you would help me find her killer,” Jesse explained.

“Me?” Cayden questioned, his eyes nearly bulging out of his sockets. “Wait a second, I have no idea who killed your girlfriend, I just moved to New York.”

“In my dream, she said that you wouldn’t know it yet, but you’d be the one to find her killer.”

“This is crazy,” Cayden noted. “I have no idea what is wrong with you people in this building and I seriously hope that you all get the professional help that you need, but I am not a detective and I don’t have time to help you solve your girlfriend’s murder,” he explained. “So can you just leave? All I want to do is sit in my apartment alone, without any crazy wacky neighbors bothering me.”

“I should go,” Jesse said.

“Ya think?” Cayden responded.

Jesse walked over toward the window and climbed out onto the fire escape. “You have a connection to her,” Jesse informed him.

“And what is that?” Cayden questioned.

“She was killed in your bathtub,” Jesse said as he climbed the ladder up to his apartment. Standing in the center of his apartment, Cayden’s eyes widened with horror.

“Sweetheart,” Victoria King said as she unlocked the door and entered her son’s apartment. Behind her, Patrick King followed, holding a box.

“Mom!” Cayden said as he darted out of the bedroom. “Hey, how’s it going? How was the restaurant?”

“It was great,” she responded as she leaned over and gave her son a kiss on the cheek. “Your father managed to convince me that letting you live here is a good idea,” she admitted. “So I’ve decided to stop harassing you about it.”

“No,” Cayden responded, “I was thinking that maybe you were right,” he said rather eagerly. “Maybe moving in here is a bad idea,” he said. “I should move into the dorm.”

“Cayden, it’s too late for that,” Victoria informed him. “I mean we already signed the lease and we paid for the first month, last month and security deposit already. I know you’re just trying to make things easier for me, but you don’t have to give up your apartment to do it,” Victoria informed him.

“Cayden, you got what you wanted. Your mother’s backing off. Just keep quiet,” Patrick said with a smirk. “You know how hard it is for her to change her mind once she’s set in her ways.”

“Oh shut up,” Victoria said as she swatted her husband on the arm.

“I won’t let you give up this apartment,” she said, “it’s what you want and you should have it. I won’t let you back out of it just to please me,” she declared.

Cayden glanced at his mother, pleading at her with his eyes. He didn’t want to stay in an apartment where some girl was murdered. Every time he took a bath he’d think about her body lying in the tub. The very idea of it sent shivers up his spine, but the truth was that his mother was right. Quietly, he nodded his head.

“Oh, Patrick, show him!” Victoria said with a smile.

Stepping forward, Patrick King held up a box. “Here you go,” he said as he handed it to his son. Cayden awkwardly accepted the box and felt the weight in the box shift to the right. Startled, he glanced at his father.

“Open it,” Patrick said.

Setting the box down on the table beside the couch, Cayden open the topped and peered inside. “Oh wow,” he said as he reached into the box and lifted out a white cat. “You didn’t have to do this,” he said as he held the cat in his arms and glanced at his mother.

“Are you serious?” Victoria questioned. “You have rats!”

“But he’s such a cute cat,” Cayden said as he glanced down at him, “look at him. He’s not going to scare a big old rat. He’s so fluffy.”

“So name him killer. Maybe that will scare the rats,” Victoria said.

With a laugh, Cayden glanced down at the cat. “I don’t like the name Killer,” he said, remembering that an actual killer had murdered someone in his bathtub. “I think I’m going to name him Mr. Rocky Balboa. Yeah,” he said with a smile, “Mr. Rocky Balboa.”

“Name him whatever you want, just hope that he gets rid of the rats,” Victoria commented. “Listen, sweetheart, your father and I have to go now. He has a meeting tomorrow morning and we need to get back home. Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes,” Cayden responded.

“You have the credit card and the cell phone?”

“Yes,” Cayden answered.

“Did you bring the cell phone charger?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“He’s fine, Victoria,” Patrick said as he stepped forward and gave his son a hug.

“Oh, I know he is,” Victoria responded as she embraced the both of them. Cayden watched his parents head for the door and he wanted to scream. He wanted to tell them to stop and take him with them. He didn’t want to stay in this apartment where a girl had been murdered. He wanted to go back home and forget about all of the crazy people that lived in this building and the body that had been found in his bathtub.

“I’ll call you later,” Cayden promised as his parents stepped out of the apartment and closed the door. Staring down at Mr. Rocky Balboa, Cayden sighed. “Looks like it’s just you and me champ,” he whispered.

Cayden watched Mr. Rocky Balboa sipping milk in the corner of the kitchen for a moment and smiled. Maybe he was crazy, so what if someone had been murdered in his apartment. That had nothing to do with him. He was starting college and he had his own apartment. He should have been happy, not obsessing about something that happened that didn’t even involve him.

Sighing, he realized that he was more like his mother than he cared to admit. “You’re crazy,” he told himself. “This is supposed to be the time of your life. It’s perfect,” he thought to himself as he walked around the apartment. “It’s perfect . . . but it could be better,” he said as he glanced at the furniture arrangement.

“I know what I’ll do,” he said to himself, “I’ll rearrange the furniture. I’ll make it MY apartment.” Heading over to the couch, he began to push it but realized that it was a little heavier than it looked.

A knock at the door startled him and he paused. When he heard the knock again, he headed toward the door. “Who is it?” He questioned.

“It’s Gage,” a voice responded. “From down the hall. Just thought I’d check to see how Superman is doing.”

Cayden opened the door and glanced at the man. “I’m good,” he responded. “Thanks for checking on me, and thanks for helping me get back in,” he added.

“It’s cool,” Gage responded. “So what’s up? What are you doing?” he questioned.

“I don’t know,” Cayden answered, “I just thought I’d rearrange some things.”

“I can help,” Gage said with a shrug, “If you want.”

With a nod, Cayden stepped aside to allow Gage into the apartment. “This couch is kind of heavy,” he explained. I was thinking of moving it against that wall over there.”

“Cool, I’ll get this end,” Gage said as he walked over to the right side of the couch. Cayden moved to the other side and they began to lift the couch. With the added help, the couch seemed lighter and Cayden was able to move it against the wall with Gage’s assistance.

“Gross,” Gage said as he glanced at the floor where the couch had once been. A rotten banana peel was lying on the ground.

“Eew,” Cayden agreed. “That’s disgusting.” He walked over to the banana peel and bent over to pick it up, but stumbled when the floorboard underneath his foot shifted and caused him to fall.

“You okay?” Gage questioned, chuckling at the sight.

“I’m fine,” Cayden answered. “It’s this floorboard, it came loose,” he said as he glanced back. “Hey, what is this?” He questioned as he leaned forward and peered underneath the floorboards. Reaching in, he pulled out a small black book and a bunch of letters wrapped in a rubberband.

“Sweet, buried treasure,” Gage exclaimed.

“It hasn’t been buried for a long time,” Cayden explained. “There’s not a lot of dust on it,” he noted. Flipping open the book, Cayden glanced at the pages. “Whoa,” Cayden said with surprise.

“What is it?” Gage questioned.

“The guy from upstairs was here earlier and he told me this crazy story about his girlfriend being murdered.”

“That was Jesse,” Gage explained. “Julia was murdered right in this apartment. Devon was her best friend. That’s probably why she flipped out when she saw that you moved in. She and Jesse took it hard. They never found the killer.”

“This is her stuff,” Cayden said as he glanced up at Gage. “It’s Julia’s diary.”