Chapter Three

The following morning, with the young lovers of at work, I canfinally enjoy the emptiness of my home. I start getting ready for a long night of bar tending I pop a CD into the CD player, crank the volume, and jam out to my own compilation album consisting of everything from "Pink" to "Disturbed" to"ICP" and a little of just about everything in between. As I get showered and dressed I sing along to every song. See, despite my nicotine addiction, I still have a pretty good voice, or so I'm told. I have won the bars karaoke contest several times over. I pull on a pair of skinny jeans and a black tank top. I polish off my look with spiked earrings and a "Bite Me" necklace (I'm feeling a little goth today). A quick cup of coffee and I head out for "Salem's".

A few regulars let out subtle cheers as I approach the bar to punch in. Friendly, that's what they call me. Well, I suppose I am though, a friend to all who know me. I set the bar up with another round and begin cleaning up before the rush.

"Right on time Jake!" I holler. Jake is our regular DJ and knows all of my faves. I love it when I am scheduled to work on DJ night!

"When have you known me to be anything but punctual?" he jokes back

"Hey, no teeny bopper shit tonight k?" I request "I need some angry tunes tonight."

"Anything you say Lyla!" Jake acknowledges and before i know it "You + your hand" by Pink fills the room.

After a couple hours, as Seether and Amy Lee pound from the speakers, I am busy doing a quick liquor inventory and singing along completely unaware that most of the bar is straining to hear me over the music. I finish up and turn back to reminisce with Steve, a regular and good friend. Turning to the tap to refill his draft I catch a glimpse of my visitors from the other morning. I am immediately filled with irritation at the sound of their familiar voices. I return Steve's beer to the bar and turn to where the two were trying to remain hidden by the crowd even though they know I have seen them. Rolling my eyes I stalk down to where they were seated.

"What are you doing here?" I demand

"Oh...hey, how are you? Do you work here?" Elliot asks

"Cut the crap! Why are you following me?" I insist "I knew I wasn't nuts, you have been close by since yesterday and I demand to know why!"

"Well...we know we came off as kinda suspicious yesterday and wanted to apologize." Dom explains "We didn't mean to frighten you."

"You didn't frighten me!" I lie "You just pissed me off!"

"Regardless, we are sorry. My friend saw you yesterday and thought you were attractive so I persuaded him to go in and talk to you" Dom continues "Unfortunately, he choked, just froze right up." Dom chuckles as he elbows Elliot

I'm not buying any off it, sounds like a load of bull to me.

"Sure, okay, whatever you say..." I don't have time for bullshit, not with a full bar.

"No really!" Elliot shouts to my back as I return to my work. I turn back to face them so I could issue them a little warning.

"You guys picked a bad time for your little story hour! I'm working and I don't have time for horned up losers wasting my time!" I lecture "Now, if you don't need a drink then leave me alone!"

"Fine ,fine, a double Jack and coke and a Struab Dark for him." Dom orders

I retrieve their order and place it them in front of Dom , which I had overheard, is short for Dominic. "That'll be $10.50.. Dominic." I request and for a second I thought I saw a faint smile in his eyes and then it was gone.

The crowd slowly dies out and I say goodnight to the last stragglers. Somehow I had totally forgotten about Dominic and Elliot at the other end of the bar. I drag my feet back to far side where they were seated.

"Last call guys. Need anything else?" I ask

Knowing time was running out for staling Dom tried his best attempt at conversation.

"No, we're fine thanks." He begins "So, busy night. Is it always that crowded in here?"

"Always." I answer "Do you always follow around girls you don't know, or is this a new hobby?" I ask with heavy sarcarsm

"We don't typically follow anyone we don't know.""Just on occasion we follow ones we do." Elliot said in what sounds like code talk to me

"Ok thats enough!" I exaggerat "What the hell does that mean?"I've had enough of the games and want answers.

"The truth is we didn't come here to apologize." Elliot finally admitts "Actually we have been watching you for quite a while now."

Now I amgetting freaked out.

"Why?" I hesitate to ask

"You wouldn't believe us if we told you." Dom states "It's a little hard to explain."

"I think I can keep up!" I insist "The unbelievable kind of has a way of coming into my life as of late."

Dom just nods in recognition "Ok finish your work first this could take a while."

For the first time in a long time, I half-ass closing up. After locking up the doors and killing the main lights I look over at the two men who are anxiously waiting for me. Dominic gestures to a nearby table and I go to join them.

My previous fears are now replaced with apprehension and wonder. Maybe now I could get some real answers.

"I just want to say again that this is going to sound a little out there, but it's true, I stake my life on it." Dom insists

"Fine, lets hear it." I say with obvious hesitation in my voice

"We were sent here to bring you back with us." Elliot begins

"Back where? Like a hostage?" I panic. No one istaking me anywhere.

"No no no, more like bringing you home...just let us continue." Dom recovers

I settle back into my seat to listen patiently.

"You are the last descendant of a very old world know only to those who live within it." "Twenty Years ago you were found by the police wandering the woods. You didn't remember your name or where you came from." Dom continues "After weeks of searching for your family, you were placed in foster care."

How does he know all of this? I wonder.

Dominic proceeded on."It may seem harsh but what we refer to as the "Highest" knew you would be safe. They had to ensure your safety and our future."

"You were born about two hundred mile from here into a very secret society. You could say that our families were old friends, that we are old friends." I could tell Elliot was searching my eyes for some sort of recognition.

"Hold up a minute. What do you mean were "old friends"?" I question

"I dont know either of you, never saw you before in my life!"

"Thats not true!" Elliot states in what seemed to me like a hurt tone.

"Our appearance has changed a bit over the years, we're not kids anymore, but I promise in time you'll remember." "We grew up together. We were inseparable ..we were best friend the three of us." He continues desperate for me to remember.

"Best friends? How can you expect me to believe that?" I beg "I dont have time for this, I have to go!" I get up from my chair and begin to leave when I hear something that truly is unbelievable.

"You have visions Lyla!" Dom announces "You have dreams of a life you never think you lived."

I stand there shocked and for some reason hurt.

"There not dreams Lyla, they are resurfacing memories." Dominic had put it out there now. The one secret I never told anyone. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I remain standing with my back to them. "How can they know that? Could it be true? Could that strange feeling thats been pulling me all these years really be more than a child's imagination?"

I have so many questions flooding my mind.

I finally turn back to them and meet Dominic's deep sympathetic brown gaze just as a single tear falls from my eyes.

I dont want to hear anymore.

"No!" I yell

"Why are you doing this to me?"

I walk over to the door and open it wide indicating it was time for them to leave.

"Lyla, wait..." Dom begs

I only hold the door wider looking down to show i'm anything but interested.

"Ok, I understand. We'll give you some time." Elliot says shamefully as they leave the bar. "Please, just think about what we told you."

I merely nod in recognition as I pull the doors closed and lock them, further distancing myself from my dark informants and inevitably the truth.