Chapter 2
momentarily it reflects the past
Never before had I been more grateful for having only one available route to work than tonight. The road and trees seemed to blur together as I sped back to the apartment I had in Shreveport. It wasn't that my sanity was depleting; it was because of the tears welling up in my eyes. But I had traveled this sole road so many times in the three years I had worked at Merlotte's that I wasn't afraid of missing a turn and causing an accident. And the lack of worry meant I had more time to try and sort through the feelings that were causing the water in my eyes.
I knew I was angry. But I couldn't figure out what the other feeling was. Joy was out without putting up an argument. Jealousy didn't fit either. Fear might have made sense but I had long forgotten what it felt like to go a day without it. There was no logical reason for me to be depressed and yet that was the only thing that seemed to fit. My boss of three years, one of the few people I had grown to enjoy being around, had demanded I take a vacation.
I felt betrayed.
His words wouldn't stop echoing in my head and I couldn't seem to find a way to force them out. 'I'm not suggesting I'm telling.' Yea, well, I'm telling you to quit butting in Sam. Even Sookie took the hint! Frustrated and at my limit I let out a scream and slammed my hands on the steering wheel. I always went above and beyond at Merlotte's. I learned how to cook so I could take over if Lafayette had to miss work because I knew how stressed Terri could get. I had spent a week devising a plan of action for dealing with the entire bar on my own just in case something happened. I checked the security once a week and made sure things were up to date. I gave everything I could to keeping Merlotte's a one of a kind bar.
"I fucked up a few times in a row. It's the first time it's happened in a year. But instead of understanding what does Sam do? Oh, right. Forces me on a vacation. Because having an unending amount of time to think and remember is a really good idea."
The last few minutes of the drive home was spent swearing and ranting to the open road. Once the parking lot in front of my apartment came into view I fell silent. Without needing much thought I parked the mini coop in my reserved slot but I didn't get out right away. There was something that made me sit and wait. I stayed in the driver's seat until the motor had cooled off along with my anger. When the only thing I could feel was exhaustion I opened the door and headed for my home.
Paranoia had been the driving force for me seeking an apartment on the first floor.
I took a quick look around before I thrust the door open; causing the hinges to creak in protest to the abuse. Once I was inside I swiftly shut it behind me before proceeding to lock the three separate locks I had installed (in addition to the one on the door itself).
Door safely locked, I turned my back to it and slid to the floor. I knew I probably should have felt terrified and worried but I was oddly calm instead. For the first time that night I felt as though I had some control over my life. Then again, that might have been due to my exhaustion.
My body finally relaxed, and the tears gone, I pulled the rubber band out of my blonde hair. After a much-needed shake I allowed myself the small pleasure of running a hand through it. It was ratted and a mess even though I had kept it in a ponytail all morning. But a twelve-hour shift tended to have that affect.
I let myself stay on the floor for a few minutes before hauling my worn-out body to the bathroom. I desperately needed a shower. But when I made it into the bathroom and saw my own reflection I wasn't met with blue eyes and an exhausted look. Quickly I rubbed my eyes and tried again: I was met with sorrow-filled brown eyes framed by dirt and grime.
As much as I wanted to take a shower, clearing my mind was a more pressing issue. In a flash I darted back into my bedroom to grab my work out clothes. I ran a brush through my hair and put it into a ponytail for the second time that day; this time I made sure it was tight and wouldn't fall out. Although I had yet to take a shower I felt a touch cleaner.
Done with my preparations I quickly headed for the door.
Out in the open air I took off on a familiar trail. It was one I had taken over a year ago when I had first started these nightly runs. It was one I had tried to avoid ever having to take again but there was something inside me that was awakening; it was dying to be set free and demanded I do something out of the norm.
Nothing I did seemed able to go against that urge.
It was only a half hour before the sounds of the club and neon lights assaulted my senses. Fangtasia. Vampire owned and operated it was the only club dedicated to the living dead in the area. More importantly it was the only club remotely close to my home. But, even if the distance was farther than a few blocks, it didn't stop them from waking me up in the middle of the night. I didn't care what kind of music they played but when it was loud enough to echo in my apartment... there was a problem. Even though I had no problem with vampires I still tried my best to avoid them for it was impossible to live simply with them around. Which was why Fangtasia was the only place I had sworn to never come near again. Too bad my subconscious didn't seem to have gotten that memo.
I hadn't a clue what had made me come to such a dangerous place but whatever it was it refused to let me walk away. As if in a dream the mob of protestors came into view and I slowed down. Not once in my life had I carried any curiosity for vampires but when I tried to turn around and leave my legs felt as though they were part of the cement; they wouldn't budge. The chanting from the mob mixed with the bass from the music in the club and I felt the desire to leave slip away. Sam said take a vacation… and I cannot give myself time alone to think. What better way to do both of those than deafening music and alcohol? The paranoia of being murdered might help too.
I didn't wish to change my mind so I dug my ID out of my back pocket, thankful I never left home without it, and glided to the front door. I pretended not to hear the threats and insults the protestors screeched at my back and I ignored the weird looks thrown my way in response to my clothes. Letting them roll off my back I handed the blonde female in stiletto heels my ID and waited to be allowed inside.
"This isn't a gym."
"Is that your way of telling a willing and paying customer to take a hike?" She wasn't the only one who could use sarcasm.
"Feisty. I like that." The slight curve of her lips didn't do anything to lessen the urge to hit her.
Thankfully I had better self-control than that. Well, when it came to vampires anyhow.
She handed my ID back and I took it without a word. I didn't care what the Goth queen thought of my sports bra and altered yoga pants. I just wanted to see what was so appealing about this club. I was growing sick and tired of hearing about it from drunks stumbling along the street and I was getting fed up with waking up to their music.
I took approximately four steps inside before I couldn't resist the urge to toss a retort. "Too bad the feeling isn't mutual." Content, I continued into the club.
It was pure chaos.
Humans and vampires were grinding on the dance floor, flirting at the bar, and just being sexual in general. The only bright side was that no one was actually having sex. In the public section of the bar that is; I wasn't about to go check the bathrooms. The farther I got into the club the more out of my element I felt. I knew I should be afraid but I couldn't seem to find it in me to fear for my life. It was the weirdest feeling I had ever felt: to be in the dead center of danger and yet feel no fear. As if under a spell I made my way through the crowd and, subconsciously, to the bar.
"What'll it be?"
Surprised I twisted around and just stared at the man waiting for my answer. Realizing he was indeed waiting and would most likely stay that way until I ordered something I shook off my shock and motioned to the bottle in his hand. "Shot of whiskey."
He raised an eyebrow at my request but said not a word. His hand reached under the counter and he soon placed my order before me. Once his job was done he moved on to the next person, leaving me to stare at the drink I wasn't sure I wanted. It was hard to keep the things I didn't want to remember in a secure and impenetrable safe when I was drunk. When has one drink ever hurt? I knew that was the dumbest reasoning on the planet but I needed something to calm myself down for I was starting to feel as though something horrible was about to happen.
I didn't give it another thought. I picked it up and threw it back.
Although I was enjoying acting on impulse I wasn't stupid enough to throw caution to the wind. I waited a few minutes to be sure the alcohol wasn't going to wreck havoc on my mind before I bothered to scan the dance floor. Curse whatever impulse brought me here. I have no idea what to do now. Just because I'm twenty-one doesn't mean I've had my crazy phase. This is the first time I've been to a club let alone a vampire run one.
I was just about to get up and leave, my impulse to journey inside vanishing at an alarming rate, when a brunette male approached. I took one look at the color of his hair and felt a bittersweet feeling rush over me. He noticed and offered a small grin. I felt every muscle in my body stiffen automatically.
"What is such an attractive woman doing here in work out clothes?" Something in his tone seemed to hint at it being joke but I didn't take it as such.
"I don't really see how that's any of your business." I meant it to be both a hint to go away and a subtle threat but it didn't have either of those affects. Rather than making him go away he laughed and held out a hand.
"You're interesting. And I rather like interesting. Care to dance?"
It was the first time in a long time I felt like a typical girl. What am I supposed to say? Time ticked by as I racked my brain to try and think of a logical and safe option to take: at least until I felt something sneaking its way into my mind and start to tug at the controls. Just as with Sam, I acted on instinct. My hand flew from my side and I struck the brunette.
The feeling vanished and I fearlessly kept his gaze. "You will not try to glamour me."
I made a mental note to thank Sookie for telling me about vampires' ability to glamour humans and to find a way to show Bill my appreciation for letting her. But that would have to wait a little longer.
My brunette admirer wasn't pleased with being turned down.
In the millisecond it took me to blink I had been moved from my spot on the barstool to lying flat on my back on one of the few tables in the bar. The gasp that left my mouth wasn't because of my change in location. It was because of the two sharp fangs sitting just inside his mouth.
"Stupid girl. You could have lived if you had just said yes."
I heard something akin to a cat's hiss before he lunged for my throat.
Author's Note (super important this time): The first three chapters were posted so close together because I am really unsure if I should continue this or not. I wanted readers to get a feel for the story so they could decide if it was something they were interested in or not. But I am unsure if I should keep it going. I am not holding the next chapter hostage in exchange for reviews. I only need to know if anyone would be interested in this story's continuation. Once I know there are people willing to go on this journey with me (even one person is great) I promise to find a good (and constant) release schedule and keep it up; it won't be a chapter a day. Please tell me what you think and help me decide!
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