Chapter V: Long Day, Long Night

Her feet splashed against the ground. She spared a glance over her shoulder, noting the bouncing lights still close behind.

"Fuck fuck fuck.." she kept thinking. The site was supposed to be empty!

Juliet tossed herself into an open dumpster, pressing herself against the inner wall of it. The splashing footsteps of her chasers pounding past her.

This was her first time almost being caught, and she was scared out of her mind. She laid still, daring not to do much more than breathe for the fear of being heard. So she stayed. She stayed until the Sun began to peak through the top. She climbed out, eyes roaming for any onlookers.

She dragged herself to the dirty safehouse, throwing on her ratty ass sweatshirt and walked out the door, snaking her way back home.

She could barely move by the time she got home, practically dragging herself into the shower, the water hitting the tile lulling her into near sleep. She got out, dried off, and sleepily put on a shirt. Juliet then crawled into her bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Her phone began to ring two hours later, prompting her to roll over.

"Hello?"

"Damn girl! You sound like you just woke up, are you coming in?"

"Shit," Juliet began, running a hand over her face. "How late am I?"

"It's lunch hun, are you okay?" She felt like banging her head on the table.

"Not really, I'm so sorry. I just crashed and-"

"No worries, you never do this. Don't make it a habit. Feel better JJ, see you Thursday." Lance hung up, and Juliet rolled over, falling back asleep.

"It was a trap! I could have gotten killed!" Juliet exclaimed, causing to Mr. Doche grimace.

"I wish I could guarantee it won't happen again but it will and I hope you will be better prepared."

Juliet huffed, running a hand through her hair, "I'm going to ask that our partnership comes to a halt for a while, this was a close call and I'd like to have some time to myself." Mr. Doche's face grimmed but nodded.

"I understand."

She turned, walking out the door, letting out a breath of relief. She forced her mind to shift to her need for groceries, and she made her way to a corner store.

Spotting a two litre of grape soda, she let out a sigh of relief. Her go to comfort drink. She sent a small smile to the cashier as he rung her up.

"Thanks, have a good day."

Soft jazz flowed through Juliet's apartment, as she sat down with a cup of grape soda in her hand. She took a deep breath and immersed herself in Etta James and Billie Holiday. It was slow, and that's what she needed at the moment, in contrast with her fast paced and terrifying night in the dumpster. Running a hand over her face, she sighed. She could do with a nice month of just sleep.

Juliet had learned very well early in her 20s that alcohol would not solve or even help her manage her problems, it could lead down a dark road very fast, and she wasn't willing to take that risk. Yet, she found herself wanting to return to that club, just for a breath of normality. How strange.

Taking a small swig from the litre, she put the cap back on, and stood up. She was gonna have a night out.

She changed into a pair of jean shorts with white stitching and flowers, corresponding colorful wedges, and a black top. She wobbled for a second as she stood, it had been a while since she wore something other than flat shoes.

She repeated the routine from a month prior, catching a taxi, watching the sky, overthinking, paying the cabbie.

The line was longer, the last weekend before studying for finals took up all free time was spent with drinks and dancing. One of the girls in front of her had already been drinking evidently, as she stumbled slightly, forcing Juliet to throw an arm out impulsively and catch her.

"Thanks honey, oh my God I love your shoes!" Juliet blushed.

"Thank you, are you okay?" "I'm amazing!" Juliet nodded, turning back in line. It was probably about a half-hour before she finally got in, and she headed straight for the bar.

"Well, well. I thought this wasn't your scene? What can I get ya?" A laugh escaped her lips.

"It's not, but maybe for tonight it can be. I'll take a Brooklyn, please." Desmond nodded, pulling out the vermouth.

"I don't get many of these," he admitted, continuing to mix the drink. The drink looked intoxicating already.

"I'm a big girl, I can handle it." His lips slightly curved upwards as he slid her the glass.

"I don't doubt it."

"I'd kill for them to play Ra Ra Rasputin, no other song gets me on the floor like that one does." Desmond chuckled, he could see the eye rolling of the other patrons if they did play it, even though the song was a great one.

"If you keep dropping by, I might convince him to play it." Damn, that was smooth, and she had to smile at that.

"Maybe I will. Thanks for this." She raised her drink up as she moved to the floor, sipping on it.

Hips were bumped, drinks were spilled, and obnoxious laughter were all around Juliet, and although there were pieces of her who wanted to get out of such a crowded space, something made her stay. Another cocktail, another dance, and then the paranoia. It crept in as the Abstergo logo stared at her from the bottom of her glass for the third time that night. How were you supposed to escape the truth once it was realized? Juliet stumbled slightly back over to the bar. Desmond watched closely, fixing her up a glass of water as he moved to take the order of another patron.

The water was cold, and the ice bumped the roof of her mouth. Clarity hit, just for a moment, immediately followed by the overwhelming desire to go home.

Desmond doubled back to Juliet, whose eyes were darting back and forth. He leaned in close to her.

"Are you alright, do you need me to call you a cab?" She nodded her head meekly, breathing out what sounded like a please. He left, and to Juliet, it seemed like forever before he returned. When he came back, he offered her his arm, which she gladly took.

"Yo, chief!" Desmond called, and a large bouncer came over. "Keep an eye on her, she seems a little out of it." Chief nodded. "There is a cab on its way here," Desmond turned towards Juliet, her breathing beginning to steady, but still shallow. "You'll be alright, Shirley Temple. Just breathe." He guided her to the wall.

Juliet didn't remember much after that, just the bouncer guiding her into a car where she mumbled out her address and then arriving home.