The world is full of crisp edges and muted sound. Sunlight reflects off of every surface, blindingly. My footsteps make little crunching sounds and my breath leaves little wispy clouds in the air that quickly fade away. A still figure with a lopsided hat and a wide button grin waves at me as I pass. Tiny streams of smoke leak out of chimneys. The world smells like warm chocolate and peppermints and spiced apples. A cold wind cuts through to my bones as I make my way toward my own cozy fireplace, a new book tucked under my arm to enjoy with a steaming mug of hot cocoa.

“The official story is you’ve got a rat problem.”

“That’s your plan?!”

“Hey, at least I’ve got a plan!”

A knock sounded at the door, “Kai, dear, is everything all right?”

I tugged a hand through my hair, “Yes, Mrs. Veezat, everything’s fine.” I called out to the old landlady.

“Are you sure? I heard an awful lot of ruckus coming from up here-“

“It’s fine Mrs. Veezat. I just… knocked over a shelf.” Tek snorted a laugh and rolled his eyes at me. I shushed him.

“Oh my, you aren’t hurt are you? Perhaps I should come in and help-“

“No, Mrs Veezat, that’s won’t be necessary. I assure you I am not hurt and I’ve got it handled. But thank you.”

I could still hear the woman muttering as she finally walked away from the door to my apartment. I heaved out a sigh of relief. I was sure the nosy old woman meant well, but at times she could be a little overbearing. I turned to glare at Tek, “This is all your fault, you know.” Tek shrugged and sprawled across the sofa. “No! Don’t lay there, it’s still covered in blood, you idiot!”

Tek sat up and stared at me for a minute. “You aren’t actually going to try to clean this up, are you?”

“Oh, and I suppose you think I should just live in a bloodied body-filled apartment?”

“Actually I think you should grab whatever belongings you care about and get out of town. They won’t stop coming for you after this.”

“And who exactly are ‘they’, Tek? And why are they after me?”

“What makes you think I would know?”

“Maybe the fact that you showed up just in time to save me? And wreck my apartment.” I kicked half-heartedly at a pile of books.

“I have no idea what any of this is about.”

“Then why were you here?”

“To see you. I thought that would have been obvious. It is your apartment, after all.”

“Ok, you have a point, I guess. But why now? Your timing was…”

“Eh, it could have been better. If I had gotten here a bit earlier I could have taken care of them outside and then you would’ve had more salvageable stuff.” Tek shoved half-heartedly at a lifeless arm draped over the couch next to him.

“Seriously?”

Tek just blinked at me like I was the one being ridiculous and he was making total sense. “Do you have anything here that you want to take?” he finally asked.

“I-“ A wet thunk interrupted me as the body that had been stuck to the ceiling finally came crashing to the floor. Tek and I both stared at it for a solid minute. “No,” I finally spoke, my voice hoarse, “I think I’m good.” I lifted my bag that I had dropped by the door and backed my way out of the apartment, not looking away from the body until Tek closed the door behind him.

“Then, let’s go,” he offered me his arm. I ignored it and strode down the hallway.

“You’re coming with me?”

“Of course. Where should we go?”

I stared at him.

“Hmm, anywhere would work, I suppose. Any preferences?” I shook my head. “Well, perhaps a coin flip then. Heads we go towards the mountains, tails, the sea.”