Page 4 of Dark Room Junkie

“No, can’t do, sorry.”

Alex stared into his almost empty glass and pondered. He took a tad too long for my liking. Additionally, he slightly pressed his beautiful lips together, weighing all the pros and cons of being with me. He then downed the beer in one swig, set the glass on the counter, and nodded.

“All right then, let’s go. Now.”

Surprised, I widened my eyes. “Now?”

“Yeah, otherwise, I might reconsider.”

“Okay, I’ll just grab my stuff real quick. Won’t take long.”

“I’ll wait here.”

He seemed so serious and determined—and older than I had previously estimated him to be. But only briefly. Before leaving him alone, that uncertainty resurfaced, and I was sure he couldn’t possibly be older than me. Twenty-three at most.

I retrieved the bass and cable from the stage, returned to the dressing room with them, and packed both into the case. I tied the black shirt around my hips and slipped into my denim jacket. I slung the bass over one shoulder and my backpack over the other. A quick glance in the mirror told me that not only was a shower overdue but also a shave.

Guess he’s into edgy guys.

When I returned to the bar, Alex was putting away his wallet and gave me a smile.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.”

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous. It had been a while since I'd tried something new with someone I'd just met. But Alex definitely seemed like the better choice compared to Steffan. And if I played my cards right, I might even gain a new place to stay for the winter; after all, anything was better than what I begrudgingly called home.

Without saying goodbye to the architects, we left the bar, took the elevator down the five floors, and stepped out into the night in Zurich. It was bustling at this hour. Moviegoers streamed out of the side entrances of the building, and people stood in front of the bars on the streets, sipping their drinks and chatting. It was a balmy night, and the partygoers were making the most of the last warm autumn evening.

“I live right around the corner here,” Alex said, pointing the way.

We crossed the street and headed to the other side of the Hard Bridge. People were lining up in front of Exil to get in, and there was also a lot going on in front of Schiffbau, an entertainment venue with a theater, club, and restaurant. We reached Turbinenplatz, and Alex headed for Puls 5. I looked skeptically at the huge building. The restaurants were already closed, and the building was deserted.

“Where do you live?” I dared to ask.

“Well, here,” he replied and led me inside the double doors and toward an elevator.

“Here?”

Whoever lives here must be rich. Can a photographer earn enough money to afford an apartment in Zurich’s industrial district?

I followed him hesitantly into the elevator and watched as he selected the top floor. We stood facing each other in silence, and I forced a smile.

What have I gotten myself into?

2

–––––

Noé

I left my shoes and bass in the entrance area and followed Alex through the corridor into the spacious living room. The furnished apartment perfectly aligned with my expectations of an expensive and luxurious place in Zurich. Dark parquet flooring, exposed concrete, dimmed atmospheric lighting, and a few plants added to the loft-style ambiance. The furniture was upholstered in dark fabrics, and the white curtains were drawn open, showcasing a magnificent view of the downtown skyline over the rooftops.

Although it wasn’t the first time I’d been in such a place, no home I’d visited before had been as tidy—not even Steffan’s, and he had a compulsion disorder when it came to cleanliness. Alex must have a cleaning lady, for sure.

I entered the living room with hesitation. A few books on photography lay on the low coffee table, and above the sofa area hung three huge black-and-white pictures of two half-naked men and a woman, none of them looking directly at the camera.

“Are you hungry?”

---