Blackout Part 12

“Im always hungry." Vas said. “I don't know if stealing strays is a thing.” He added giving the room a once over. Cat wasn't much on cleaning the place, no shock. “So no one lives here? I mean, a place is a place right?”

“Just Trashcat,” Serena assured him. “An’ sometimes me part time, on account of full time I live with Cyd and Mathias, but sometimes I need my own space an’ the closet doesn’t always cut it.”

“Whos Mathias a Cyd? Parents?” Vas guess check out the cupboards, all were pretty much empty except one with some dry foot and canned cat food. Well … that made sense.

Serena scoffed. “No, I mean, sometimes they try an’ act like they are. They’re my brother an’ sister. Mathias needs new boots. His are mostly duct tape at this point.”

“What if my boot didn't fit him?” Vas challenged with a wry grin. “Then you stole someone's boot for no reason.”

“This is the sprawl,” she reminded him. “If they are too big you stuff the toes with paper. Too small, just curl your toes under.”

“That sounds horrifically uncomfortable.” Vas said, scrunching his nose. “Cheap shoes a that fit are better than nice shoes that don't."

“It’s okay. I get mostly Cyd’s an’ she’s got a bigger foot n’ me. I’d introduce you, but…” She let the sentence hang. “I think we got protein paste in the cupboard. I’ll go bring you some.”

“Sure …” He said turing around to look at the bare bones apartment. He doubted even industrial cleaner would make the situation better.

Trashcat meowed claiming the mattress on the floor.

“Clearly we are not sharing the bed.” Vas snorted at the cat.

“Be right back. Both of you be good,” she warned.

Vas looked at the supposed cat and the cat look at him with equal disdain. “Remember if you claw me. I am armed.” He warned the cat.

Serena changed quickly, she’d worry about the blue blood on Cyd’s shirt later, and rummaged through the near bare fridge, finding two half full tubes of protein paste and some mostly not stale bread to make sandwiches before returning to the abandoned apartment. “It’s not a lot,” she apologized, “but it should fill your belly, ‘least for the night.”

Vas looked at the meager supplies and nodded. “Sure, I can ration it. Stretch it, what about you?”

“Oh, I’m good, Cyd made sure I had somethin’ to eat before the rave.” Serena explained. ‘Sides, once the market closes, I can go an’ grab a few more things.”

Vas blinked at her. “Dont you usually get stuff while the market is open.” He asked slightly confused.

“It’s a lot harder that way.” Serena explained.

“How? Generally when a place is closed … it's hard to buy things when the doors are locked.” Vas pointed out the obvious.

Serena gave him the same look she’d give Trashcat if he was trying to open a can of tuna himself. “Don’t worry yourself about it,” she said, rocking on her heels. “You just tell me what you need.”

“Too late, I'm worried.” Vas said dryly crossing his arms. “Maybe I should go with you …”