Ellie found herself outside the apartment building gazing up at all the windows. For a moment she felt frozen – wondering if she could do this – if the city was for her. She swallowed hard, “I don’t know if I’m ready for this, Skully.”

“You’ll be fine, well… unless your roommates turn out to be serial killers. Fudge, I didn’t think about that until now,” Skully grumbled in Ellie’s arms. 

Ellie giggled, “You’re so silly. I’m sure they’re not serial killers. You’re right though, I’m sure it will be fine.” She forced her legs forward and hesitantly pushed the large building doors open. 

She spun around as she wandered inside, the arches and geometrical patterns of the entrance all appeared quite grand to her. Gold linings, white and black walls. Ellie rarely saw anything like this, one of the two elevators made a loud ding as it came down, opening up to reveal its marble-like interior. 

“This place seems luxurious,” Ellie remarked to Skully. 

“Whatever, are we gonna go up or are you gonna keep gawking around?” Skully grunted, annoyed as usual. 

Ellie smiled, “You’re right, let’s go up. I’m hungry and tired from the day anyway.” She swiftly slipped into the already open elevator and pressed floor number nine. 

“It was nine, right? Or was it eight? What if I remembered it wrongly?” Ellie asked Skully, half panicking.

“It was nine. Apartment number thirteen. You got this,” Skully muttered. 

“At least I can always count on you,” Ellie sighed. Her fingers wrapped around the skull, holding him tighter. He was her safety, without him she would not have done a lot of things. Truthfully, Ellie was terrified of people— talking to anyone she didn’t know made her feel like curling up into a ball and roll away. 

The elevator dinged again as they reached their floor. She felt her legs tremble as she walked towards door number thirteen. Her hand clenched into a fist as she faintly knocked the door, she was so nervous that she didn’t even notice the doorbell right beside her. 

Skully chuckled, “I don’t think they would have even heard that knock. It was as if a mouse knocked the door.”

Ellie felt her face turn bright red, “You’re right, I better knock again.” 

As she lifted her hand to knock a second time the door abruptly opened, “Hi, you must be the roommate. You are the roommate, right?” A woman with striking red hair and warm brown skin smiled at Ellie. 

“Uh- Y-yes. I- Ellie,” she stuttered, words not forming like they should.

“Very smooth,” Skully mumbled.

“I’m Artemis, we spoke on the phone a few times. Come in, your boxes all arrived earlier today,” Artemis beamed and opened the door wide for Ellie. 

“T-thanks. I’m sorry, I-I get nervous.” Ellie kept stuttering, but managed to move herself into the apartment. 

“Aww, I think it’s adorable. What’s that you’re carrying there?” Artemis glanced down at Skully.

“Um- It’s a decoration… I love spooky stuff,” Ellie said nervously, and held onto Skully even more tightly. 

“Are you hungry? I can get my brother, Luke, to make you something. He’s hiding out in his room, which is where he usually is if he’s home,” Artemis smiled, she was all too happy to have a roommate again.

“Y-yes, I’m very hungry actually,” Ellie replied. Her face flustered as she tried to find the words. 

Artemis shouted, “Luke, the new roommate is here.” 

Ellie took a moment to take a deep breath, her eyes shifted around the apartment. It appeared so tidy and clean to her. The walls were some kind of light gray and it was all so open; the kitchen and living room were one large room. Ellie took another deep breath when she noticed someone she assumed to be Luke emerged from one of the rooms – he had red hair like Artemis – but was much paler. 

“He looks like he hasn’t slept for a year,” Skully grumbled. 

“Hello, and welcome. I’m Luke, Artemis’ brother,” Luke mumbled monotonously as he stared at Ellie with an intense gaze. 

“I- Ellie.” Was all she could manage to say. Her cheeks turned bright red as she glanced at Luke and Artemis; to her they were exactly how she had imagined people in Dawn to be like.

“What is that you’re carrying? A vampire skull?” Luke raised an eyebrow and stared down at Skully. 

“Uh- It’s decoration. Spooky… like…” Ellie stuttered, her lips quivered as she tried to find her words again. 

“Hmm… How strange…” Luke mumbled as he kept his eyes on Skully, “Can I look at it?” he asked Ellie. 

“This guy gives me the fudging creeps, don’t let him look at me, Ellie,” Skully hissed. 

“M-maybe later,” Ellie stuttered. She needed Skully to remain brave. 

“She’s hungry, Luke. Make her something, don’t bother her so much,” Artemis pulled Luke away towards the kitchen. 

“Why are you disturbing the poor girl so much?” Artemis whispered to Luke once they reached the kitchen. 

Luke clicked his tongue and opened the fridge, “There is something weird about that skull, it’s too lifelike.” 

Artemis giggled softly, “You know vampires don’t leave skulls, right? They become dust when they die.” 

“Exactly,” Luke whispered before he started cutting a long baguette. 

Artemis sighed and jolted back to Ellie, sometimes she wasn’t sure what her brother was thinking. Luke was often in his own world, with his own ideas about things. 

“I’ll show you to your room while we wait for Luke to make food,” Artemis said enthusiastically and pulled Ellie along.