The next morning, I awoke on the couch. The spot next to me was warm but empty. My eyes flew open. Where was she? A small piece of paper was left on the table. I picked it up.

"Hey, I had to go to work today. I'll be back around 5 tonight. -Serena".

Work? She has a job? I guess that explains how she could afford all that stuff... Hmm. Maybe I should invest in a job? No. That's foolish. I am here to leech off of her, not earn my keep.

I discovered a plate of cold breakfast on the counter and ate it.

Eggs taste better warm, for the record.

I decided while she was gone I would explore the apartment a bit more. Down the hall were two doors, one of which I didn't notice the first time I had arrived here. I opened it and discovered it was a bathroom. Shower, toilet, all the amenities.

I sniffed myself. It wasn't the greatest smell. I had no idea how to work a shower though. This wasn't like the ones at the beaches where it takes a coin and automatically dispenses water.

There was a handle below the shower head. I leaned in and turned it slowly to the left. I could hear water running through the tubes in the walls and then I felt it splash over me. It was freezing and I quickly turned the handle back.

"What the... how does this work?", I asked the empty bathroom.

I turned the handle slowly again and listened. Water spewed from the shower head and I ducked my head out of the way this time. I felt the water with my hand. Freezing still. I turned the handle more and it started to heat up, slowly.

Once I reached a favorable temperature, I stripped down and climbed in. There was a shelf on the wall with multiple plastic bottles.

"Shampoo... Conditioner... Body wash?", I read out.

Body wash sounded like what I was looking for. I scrubbed my body until I was coated in bubbles. I dipped into the stream of water and watched the bubbles disappear down the drain. This was oddly satisfying to see. I wasn't sure what to use for my hair however. I don't think body wash would cover it.

"I guess we'll try shampoo...?"

The shampoo had a picture of someone running their hands through their hair. This must be it! It smelled sweet, almost like fruit? I scrubbed my head and rinsed, like with the body wash. After I was finished, I turned the water off. I hadn't thought of a way to dry off... Shit. I knew I was forgetting something.

I could see a towel looking thing hanging off the door. I reached over and nearly fell as I snatched it off the door.

It was a coat... but made out of a towel? Who would wear this? You'd look insane. I was alone though, so I guess it would be okay. I put it on and realized it was a bit small on me. I desperately hoped no one else could see me. I dried off quickly, desperate to get out of this ridiculous outfit.

I found my clothes in the shopping bag in the living room and quickly put on something decent. At least more decent than the towel coat.

I turned back down the hallway. Now that I smelled like an Angel, I could investigate the last room. And that was Serena's room.

I cracked the door open and peered inside. I could see a big bed and a couple dressers. I slipped inside and closed the door. It was time to investigate.

I picked through the dressers and all I discovered was a bunch of clothing. There was nothing interesting about the bed itself, but when I lifted the mattress I hit the jackpot. A wallet full of big bills and checks. This must've been her private savings.

I debated taking it but out ruled it simply because she'd know it was me. I exited and closed the door behind me. I went back to the living room.

It was 2 right now. 3 hours before Serena would return. I wondered where she worked. She had never mentioned it. Although I guess I could've just assumed seeing as she had money to spend.

I turned on the TV and found a channel with a puzzle game show. Wheel of Riches it was called. It was a game show where you spin a wheel and try to guess a hidden phrase by guessing letters.

Like hangman in Hell, but without the hanging corpse. It was entertaining to watch. I could tell what the answers were within the first two letters. I was astounded that these so-called "smart" humans couldn't figure it out.

"I could win this game easy", I said as I called out the answer to the next puzzle.

It was 4 when the show finally ended. Another puzzle game show was coming on but I turned the TV off. I had one measly hour left before she got home. What to do now... That was the question. I wasn't sure.

I retrieved my jacket from the bathroom floor and picked up my other trashy clothes. I threw them in the trash. I had new clothes now.

I set out for a walk, locking the door behind me. Didn't need anyone getting any ideas. I set off down the road, my eyes wandering aimlessly. It was cool out and still bright enough to see.

The sun was just about to set and darkness about to swoop down on the city. There were cars zooming down the streets, anxious to arrive home from working all day. People walked the streets with friends in search of cheap thrills and fun in the night.

I still didn't have an objective to being out right now except to just watch everyone else live their lives. I had done so passively for so many years and it came naturally. Of course I watched from a distance, not from within.

The sun began to set and I decided to make my way back home. Serena was probably about to return anyways and I didn't want to worry her. I made excellent time back and arrived just in time to greet Serena at the door.

"Hey there! How was your day?", she asked with a smile.

I returned the smile. "It was good", I replied.

She seemed happy as we entered the apartment.

"I brought home dinner", she called out as I heard the familiar clink of her keys into the bowl by the door.

"What'd you bring?", I asked, licking my lips. I was starving.

She dropped a paper bag on the table and reached inside. She brought out a plastic container of rice with meat and vegetables in it.

"It's pork fried rice. Have you ever had it?", she asked me.

I hadn't. I didn't even know something like this existed. I opened the lid and scooped some into a plastic spoon, also from the bag, and ate it. The flavor was amazing. It was like an explosion in my mouth. She smiled as she watched me shovel more into my mouth.

"I'm glad you like it", she said as she made her way down the hall. "I'm just gonna shower and get changed, okay?"

I nodded my head as I ate more. This was the best thing I had ever tasted. I didn't know how I had never heard of it before. She returned in a pair of sweatpants and another baggy t-shirt.

"I guess you were hungry", she said as she laughed.

My plate was empty. I chuckled as she threw the container out.

"So where do you work?", I asked her.

She seemed to brighten up at my sudden interest in her.

"There's a little restaurant down the road and I waitress there", she answered.

I contemplated some things before I spoke.

"Do you think I could work there as well?", I asked cautiously.

She smiled brightly. "I might be able to pull some strings", she said.

I had done it. I had secured a job. A way to receive income. Eventually when she was used up, I would have at least some stability. She sat on the couch and turned on the TV. She seemed tired after a long day of work.

"You should come with me tomorrow to my job so you can meet the manager", she called to me.

Meet the... manager? Was that like their ruler?

"He's the one you'll want to talk to about a job", she continued.

This "manager" was definitely the ruler. I would inquire about a job tomorrow then. I would make a fine addition to the staff. I was sure of it.