18

English Society Writing Contest Winner:

“The Roommate’

by Laura Weisgerber

The filtered light from the streetlamp outside pressed through his
curtain, casting a deep orange haze on the walls. Zachary lay awake in
bed, listening to the silent shadows. In the surreal night of his room he
thought about Cheryl. In the quiet, he could clearly imagine her smoky
voice. His fingers curled around the blanket on his bed as he thought
about the clothes she wore, about touching them. Touching her.

The image shattered at the distinct slam of the front door.

He propped himself up on his elbows and listened to the clunk of the
deadbolt and the clamour of keys dropped on the floor. The newcomer
grunted, as though carrying something heavy. The sound of footsteps
grew louder in the hall. Light- faint light under the door. Probably the
new tenant, doing something in the kitchen, trying to be quiet but fail-
ing miserably. None of his other roommates would ever be up so early.
Besides, he’d heard them go upstairs hours ago. Sammy had told him
there’d be someone new moving into the house, but he hadn’t realized
it would be so soon. Whoever it was must have arrived over the week-
end while he was camping with Cheryl]. The room next to his had been
empty for so long he had become accustomed to the silence, and now...
He picked up his cell from the floor. The display read 2 am.

He texted Cheryl his idea for a Halloween costume.

go
2.
sleep

He snorted. Cheryl and her helpful advice. Why was she awake anyway?
He lay back down and adjusted the covers to a comfortable level on his
chest, listening to the drawers open and shut. Paper rustling. Water
running. The footsteps traveled behind his wall into the other room.
Zachary’s hand had clenched over the phone without his realizing. He
took a deep breath and focused on relaxing. He had to sleep if he had
any hope of functioning later. He closed his eyes. It was then he heard
The Voice from the new tenant’s room. He listened as it muttered softly
through the wall, confident that no one was awake to hear it.

“When you look at a crowd you just see a blur. You see a crowd, no one
more distinct than the other, no one the force behind the congregation.
If there is movement, the crowd moves as one. If there is stillness, then
no one breaks it.

“I could pick you out of a crowd the size of Russia.

“Look at you; God, you're beautiful. You know what I thought when |
saw you? Potential. You, you beautiful thing, you have my full attention
with this luminescent skin of yours. That smell, aah, I’ve smelled noth-
ing like it. You...you and me, dear, we're meant for each other. I knew it
as soon as I saw you. You didn’t belong with all of them.

“Tn fact, I don’t think you’ve belonged to anyone before, have you? Me?
Well, I’ve belonged to corporations too, who hasn’t? But I mean really
belonging. Baring everything to another. No secrets. Knowing someone
in and out.

“T haven't recently, no. I hope to... soon.

“But, back to what I was saying—hang on, you've got some dirt right
there. Right—hold still. There. See? I’m here for you. I’m going to take
care of you, don’t worry. Isn’t this nice? We can just sit here you and me,
enjoying the night and each other’s company.

“You look cold over there. I’ll come sit with you. Wow, oh just look at
you. Beautiful. Your shape is completely mind-blowing.

“You don’t clean up very much do you? “No, not an insult. I just noticed...

there. Dirt. Haha, no darling, I love being dirty. “But, dirty things have to
stay on newspaper. I’m not joking. Do you think I want

your filth all over my couch, my floor? Just look what you've done to my
clothes. “Sweetheart, now don’t look so shocked. I know you- like | said,
I can pick you

out of a crowd like that! “Because we’re made for each other. “Sit still.
SIT STILL. Don’t move. Stop! Oh. You fell. Look, look your skin’s
bruised. That’s your own fault- I tried to keep you still. But you have to
be quiet so you have to stay still. DON’T MAKE a sound.

“Sit quietly there. You’ll wait quietly. I know you will. I know what you
are. | know your kind.

“This? Oh, I know it isn’t very soft—definitely not as soft as your skin—
so smooth—stop! trying to get away. I think touching this skin is why I
do this... So... so much potential.

“IT just want to clean you up. There’s dirt on your body. It’s disgusting.
NO, no, I love you- this dirt though, it doesn’t show you off very well. I...
I want you to glow for me. Mmm. There- can you smell yourself? Can
you smell this wretched washcloth? It scrapes it off. Did it hurt? I just
wanted you clean. Don’t worry, I’m done. I tried to be quick about it. I
always tried to be quick before.

“You know you aren't going to leave. “I would never let you go- at least,
not without making you up first. “It’s a washable marker, in case you're
wondering. Is purple alright? It’s the

easiest to clean off. Blue always bleeds a little. Well, we want you to look
your best. Oh, you’re beautiful already, but- oh and just being this close
to- you're intoxicating. “STOP. Moving away from me. Hold still. I’ll hold
you still. It’s not very

attractive you know when you try- when I have you down here and I’m
trying to keep you still so I can make you up nice- and you keep trying
to slip away from me. Rolling on the floor. Like an animal. In filth. Hold
still. You’ll- ’ll make you stay still.

“You don’t understand. I have to do this. If you stay still it will only be
easier. Easier for both of us.

“How should we make you look? Here. That’s it, turn a bit. This colour
looks really nice. It compliments your skin tone. I’m almost done. Now
for your mouth... there. There. That should do it. Let me just wash that
smear- I'll be gentle, I promise. I promise? There. There, you sat so
nicely for me. You’re so good. No one will be able to ignore you now.
“T’ve been waiting for today all year. Well, every year. Every year I can’t
wait to go out and find someone like you. And it’s always so thrilling
when I find you- when you're untouched, waiting for me, and I can
touch you and smell you and taste-

“Heh heh, I’m getting ahead of myself. Getting ahead of you. “But you
always taste so delicious. “I hope you like it here. Do you? The window
has a nice view of the street. You'll

see that soon enough.

“Tm so glad you’re here. I’ve been feeling so lonely. Like I can’t breathe.
Like the air is meant for everyone else. I feel so disconnected... Well,
you always help me reconnect, even if the method is simple. You under-
stand? You’re meant for this time— this place—me—at this time of the
year. You shine your brightest.

“That's how I found you. And I'll make you shine brighter. “Right. “Right,
it’s getting late. Or, early. I work later today. “Come here.

“Come right here. And I’m just going to put back this hair... Now, I don’t
want to get this wrong. You have to be really still, so, here, I’ll hold you.
You've been so good. Just a bit longer. I have to hold you really tight so
you don't move, alright? See? Like that, yes... Look at you... I’m so happy,
so lucky that I have you here tonight with me. Now I get to see you- I’m
going to know you so well now- you'll be all mine.

“Ah! Aah! Ughhh... Uh, mmmm- yeah... Yeah. That was so quick. So

easy- you didn’t even notice that- look at you. Sitting so still for me.

I’ve got my knife through your skull now. I’m going to reveal you. I’ll
know you- Everyone will know. No one is going to take you for granted
anymore. I’m going to make the world notice. Mmm, ugh, it’s always so
hard, these first few cuts. I had a really good feeling that today would
be the day, the night, I’d get to be with you. This knife is new—it’s re-
ally sharp—way better than what I had. It makes the cuts so clean. And
fast. Before | would just hack my way through- oh, you would all get so
messy. I like you clean- like this, like this.

“Mmmm, that smell. I’m going to get to see your insides. Feel you-mmm,