Dark Side of the Dream

Tim dragged his suitcase across the platform of Silverton’s train station, squinting as the sun reflected off the glass skyscrapers. His light blond hair fell into his eyes, and his blue eyes sparkled with a mix of exhaustion and hope. His t-shirt clung to his broad shoulders—years of high school football had left their mark. He glanced at Anna and couldn’t hold back a smile. Even after hours on the road, with no makeup, she drew every eye around her: long chestnut hair tied into a messy ponytail, green eyes with a defiant squint, sharp cheekbones. Her jeans and white cropped top hugged her athletic figure—a flat stomach, toned hips. Passersby stared, but Anna’s gaze was fixed on Tim as he adjusted his backpack.

“Alright, we’re here,” Tim said, nudging her with his elbow. “Uncle Conor says the auto shop always needs hands. A couple of years, and we’ll have our own place.”

“No way I’m going back home!” Anna smirked. She hated losing—at running, at arguments, at anything. The lights and noise of Silverton intimidated her, but backing down wasn’t her style.

Mark sat in his apartment at his computer, the screen flickering with explicit pornographic photos—his latest gig for some website. His fingers flew across the keyboard, editing a frame, when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen: Anna, room. Mark grinned, picturing the young couple about to move in.

“Hey, it’s Anna,” came a voice through the phone. “My boyfriend and I are in town. Can we come by to see the room, if that’s okay?”

“Cool, Anna,” Mark replied, his voice warm but his eyes glinting. “Yeah, I’m waiting. Come on over, I’m home.”

He hung up, closed his laptop, and stood. In the corner sat a plush teddy bear with cloudy glass eyes—a gift from an old client. Mark smirked, grabbed the bear, and carried it to the room where Tim and Anna would be staying. He placed it on the dresser, adjusting it so its eyes faced the bed.“Welcome to Silverton,” he muttered with a grin, then returned to his computer.

Tim and Anna reached Mark’s building—an old structure with peeling paint, squeezed between glass towers.

Tim pressed the intercom button, and a low voice crackled through after a moment.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Tim. And Anna. About the room,” Tim said, clearing his throat.

The door buzzed open. The elevator hummed as it carried them to the fifth floor. Anna watched the floor numbers tick by, while Tim frowned.

“So, what do we even know about this Mark guy?” he asked, scratching the back of his neck.

“Not much,” Anna shrugged. “Photographer, rents out a room. Point is, it’s cheap and close to your work. We’re broke, remember?”

Tim nodded. The elevator doors opened, and they walked to apartment 5B. Anna knocked, and the door swung wide

.Mark stood in the doorway—around fifty, tall, with neatly combed gray hair and strong arms visible beneath the rolled-up sleeves of his shirt. His dark eyes slid over Anna, lingering on her lips, her chest, her waist, his mouth curling into a smile—friendly, but with an edge. Tim noticed and sighed. Guys always looked at Anna like that. Some stole glances; others stared outright. Mark was definitely the latter, though maybe it was just a photographer’s gaze.

“Tim, Anna, welcome,” Mark said, stepping back. “I’m Mark. Roommate, landlord, call me whatever you like. Come in, don’t just stand there.”

The apartment smelled of coffee and something sweet, like vanilla. The walls were lined with black-and-white photographs: female silhouettes, shadows, lace—stunning, but provocative enough to make Anna’s cheeks flush. Not porn, but close. Cameras and tripods cluttered the table, and a laptop sat in the corner, its locked screen blinking.

“Are these your works?” Anna asked, nodding at a photo of a woman in dim light, her back arched like a dancer’s.Mark stepped closer, his shoulder nearly brushing hers. He grinned, meeting her gaze. “Yeah. It’s my job, you know—capturing beautiful moments.” He paused, his eyes dropping to her legs. “You’ve got the look for it, by the way. I’d love to work with you. Want to give it a try?”

Anna scoffed, but her green eyes sparkled. Tim, rummaging through his backpack, missed the lingering look Mark gave her hips.

“Come on, I’ll show you the room,” Mark said, nodding toward the hallway.

The room was cramped: a bed, a dresser, a window overlooking Silverton’s neon glow. A plush teddy bear with cloudy glass eyes sat on the dresser, staring at the bed. That was about it. For the price Mark was asking, expecting more would’ve been absurd.

“Kitchen and bathroom are shared,” Mark said, handing over the key.

“I’m often in my studio, so don’t freak out if you hear footsteps.” He looked at Anna, his smile widening. “If you need anything, just knock.”

When Mark left, Tim flopped onto the bed, rubbing his neck.

“I’m hitting the shower—long trip,” he said, stretching. “Unpack, okay?”

“Sure,” Anna replied. “Hurry up, though—I want a shower too. It’s hot in here. But first, I’ll call my sister.

”She pulled out her phone and dialed Sara. Her sister picked up after three rings, her voice groggy.

“Anna? You made it to Silverton? Everything okay?”

“Yeah! Finally got out of that dump!” Anna said. “We’re good, settled in… just, you know, this Mark guy—the landlord—I thought he’d be older.”

“What? Staring at you already?” Sara giggled. “Be glad it’s a Mark and not some Martha drooling over Tim. But seriously, take care. This isn’t our little town where everyone knows each other. People here… they’re different. Stick together, and call me if anything happens. Oh, and we need to meet up. Okay?”

“Definitely. Talk soon.”

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