the sound of your name could silence my demons

Gerard staggered back inside and to the dressing room. The room was, thankfully, empty, and he quickly changed back into his street clothes, skinny jeans that fit like baggies, because he was so thin, and a long sleeved top with a faded picture of Queen on the front.
Once he'd tied his converse, he pulled on his jacket and looked, begrudgingly, at the envelope from his.. dad. He didn't want to accept anything from that monster, but he had to admit that $200 would be very helpful. With that, he could pay for his shitty little apartment for the next month, and pay off a bit of his debt. Maybe that would keep Charlie off his back for a while.
Sighing, Gerard pocketed the envelope and his cigarettes, then left the room, walking down the corridor toward the front of house "Night Ry.." He blew a kiss to the other dancer as he headed to the front door ".. Night Tony." He nodded to the bouncer as he stepped out into the cold, dark street.
"Night kid.." Tony replied ".. Take care."
Gerard nodded, pulling his coat tighter around himself as a bitter November wind whipped around him.
It wasn't a particularly long walk back to his apartment, but it was cold and dark, and definitely not the safest part of town.
Wrapping his arms around his middle, Gerard kept his head down and walked quickly along the sidewalk. He could hear laughter and footsteps somewhere behind him, but when he turned his head, there was no one there.
Quickening his pace, Gerard almost ran the last block and a half to his building, fishing his keys out along the way.
The old brownstone looked like it should've been condemned a long time ago, but you know what they say about judging books by their cover?.. Well, in this case, you'd be right to.
Gerard let himself quickly into the front door, shutting it behind him, and peering out the grubby window to see if anyone was really following him, or if it was just his imagination. He saw the shadows of two men lurking in an alleyway across the street, and shuddered. Were they the footsteps he'd heard? Were they there for him?
Brushing off the disturbing thoughts, Gerard turned and walked over to apartment number 1, his landlord's place, and the best kept place in the building, and knocked twice. After a minute, he heard grumbling from within, followed by the rattling of a chain "Wha' d'ya want?" Mr. Casper barked through the cracked open door.
Gerard kept his head down. The man had always given him the creeps. It was the way he stared at Gerard's crotch instead of his face whenever they talked. Gerard got enough of that at work "I err.. I got rent.." The door opened quickly and Mr. Casper's eyes raked over Gerard's thin body, his tongue darting out to lick his cracked lips. Gerard shivered, uncomfortably ".. I got a month's worth."
"$120?.. Where'd you get scratch like that?" The old man asked, suspiciously.
"Extra shift!.." Gerard lied, counting the money into Mr. Casper's greedy hand ".. Can I have a receipt please?"
Mr. Casper huffed, but nodded and pulled his receipt pad and pen from the pocket of his ratty robe. Scribbling on the front page, he grumbled the whole time, then tore it off and handed it over with a grunt "Ya know, if ya ever wan' a break from payin', I'm sure we could come to an understandin'!" He leered, reaching his hand up to touch Gerard's pale cheek.
Gerard stepped back, his mouth going suddenly dry "I.. I think I'll be ok to pay.. Thanks though." He turned and hurried away to the stairs.
"Offer's always open, pretty boy." Mr. Casper cackled behind him as Gerard took the stairs two at a time.
Three flights of stairs later, Gerard was panting as he slid his key into the lock of his private front door. The key turned surprisingly easy, and Gerard stumbled inside, closing it quickly behind him.
He sighed in relief at being home. He had thought of going to see Charlie tonight, but after being followed home, then his run-in with creepy Mr. Casper, he really didn't want to leave the relative safety of his apartment again before sun up.
Taking off his coat and shoes, he flopped down onto his moth eaten sofa, feeling what little energy he had left, draining away.
Within just a few short minutes, Gerard's eyes had closed, and he'd drifted off to sleep.

(Time lapse-three hours later- 4:25am)

Gerard was woken by the loud, and terrifying sound of his front door being kicked in.
He screamed as the two dark figures descended upon him, a hand clamping over his mouth, and a switchblade glinting in the small amount of light coming in from the hallway "Have you been avoiding me Gerard?.." A low voice growled in his ear ".. You know.. That's not very nice!".....

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. GeesCLUELESSgirl here again..

Sorry you had to wait for me, but I wrote it in the end!.. Hope you enjoy?..

Anyway.. Please comment, stay safe, and peace out babies!
<3 Love ya!