January 2, 2024.
The city that never sleeps. They say it's New York, but I have also found it to be true in LA. It is a town immersed in the finer things of life, where the rich waste their money on the materialistic world. Many have worked their asses off to gain success, some were just lucky, others are just barely striving to make it here. One of those people is me. My name is Sydney Miller. I am a writer and have been a freelance artist in LA for over ten years now. Things were good, for awhile, until I left my husband 2 months ago. There were reasons, valid reasons, but now it seems like I've lost everything. I am alone, most of the time. Yet it feels better this way, at least without Owen. He didn't believe in my dreams, physiologically and emotionally abusive to the point where I didn't know myself anymore. But there was the another big issue, my sexuality.
I never considered the possibility that I may also be attracted to women, or maybe I just pushed it down for so many years. To make it big in the city you needed a good job, get married to a partner with an even better job, typically a man if you were a woman. A good number of people secretly looked down on you otherwise. Image is everything here in LA, everyone judging everyone and what you physically have to show for your life. Being perfect, rich and on the straight and narrow seemed to be the perfect image of success here. But I was far from being perfect, rich, and possibly even straight.
Times have drastically changed however. People are far more accepting of being gay especially in states like California. But still...I can't grasp the concept that I have a deeper attraction to the same sex, especially being originally from the south. It is a completely different vibe from the city I live in now.
I have lived in Los Angeles since I started college. Ever since I was a teenager in I wanted to go to one of the most famous creative art schools in the country, California Institute of the Arts. But although art was more of the obvious choice set for me, fictional writing was what I became the most passionate about, minoring in creative writing.
I am also a woman of weird interests. In recent years I've written a few supernatural novels that made some noticeable profit. They were mainly about one supernatural force...vampires. Something about them had always drawn me in, dark, dangerous, sexy immortal beings that thrive on blood in the night.
Another thing about LA is the popularity of its night life, especially in the last ten years. This is a booming business alone: Restaurants, entertainment, and especially the club and bar scene. It intrigued me when I actually went out to experience it. There was something exhilarating about the night time, something that you don't typically experience any other time of day. Even lately when I had my home therapy sessions two times a week in the evenings, it felt like I could open up far more than I ever had during the day. After 2 months of therapy and court dates my divorce was finalized just last week. And that...people...was my last date night...
I'll occasionally go out with my best friend Mia. But she has her own successful life, her successful marriage. She loves me sure, but once I lost my marriage I thought we weren't on the same playing field anymore. And now that my short season of fame has ended, unlike Mia many editors have disapproved of my focal points in writing.
"This is too..strange...people want real romance...not this supernatural crap."
"Look you had your moment of fame. But you have to be serious with yourself here... this will never make readers lists...it's too unrealistic."
"I thought I was...being real. Who are they talking? Most people in Los Angeles are centered around being fake. For fucks sake."
One person in this city that I have a genuine friendship with is Mia. She is real as they come, yet successful as a writer and magazine columnist. Her husband is also the whole package, an owner of a big business firm yet not cocky in his success. They have always been kind to me, offering to house me for awhile after my divorce and a few weeks back after getting a tip from my mom about my financial struggles. Yet I insisted they didn't need to. I don't want to be the person that leeches off of her friends. I am an adult. I have handled my divorce, so I think I can handle a little set back in my career. In the mean time Ive been trying to write about other topics. Cooking, fitness, ethics, psychology, you name it. But none feel like a good fit, not like me at all.
"Your time is coming Syd...you're too good of a writer for publishers to pass up. How about comedy writing? You're pretty damn funny." Mia talks on the other line of the phone as I am at my work table with a blank paper in front of me and pencil in hand.
"Making fun of myself doesn't count." I say matter of factly as a begin to draw the figure of a woman.
Stand up is a thing you know. Comedians make fun of themselves all the time. By the way how are your art sales going?" I pause for a moment, thinking of what to say.
"I mean it's...yeah...it's great...I've gotten a good number of sales so far..." I lie.
"3 sales Sydney...you've only gotten 3 this week. You're lucky you were given money after the divorce...dammit..."
My dishonesty is obvious to Mia who immediately responds.
"Syd...are you sure I can't do anything at all? I've been where you are...and it's okay to ask for help... Eric and I are more than happy to..." Before my best friend can finish I cut in.
"Mia...Mia...I appreciate the thought. I do...but I'm doing fine. I promise you don't need to worry about me."
There's a sigh on the other end.
"You know if you ever need anything...anything at all."
"I know Mi. You've always been amazing you know that?"
"That's what makes me the perfect best friend...and wing man...which is why we're going out Saturday night. You must be craving some male action after being with that pompous dead beat for so long." My anxiety starts to build.
"What do I say? Shit Sydney don't be weird about this..."
"I...haven't really thought about it..."
"Listen...Syd...you cant avoid dating forever. You need to get yourself out there again. It's been what almost three months now? Even a one night stand wouldn't be such a bad idea!
"Mia!" I interject over the line. I know Mia is just trying to help, her being on the dating scene for over a decade with multiple partners, men and women. She has only been married for two years now and already has the ideal life. Yet still she badgers me like this. It's not like I really had any other dating experience than with Owen. He was my college sweetheart. And yes, I was a late bloomer, in every way you can think of.
I know Mia just doesn't want to see me as the celibate 40 year old cat lady in three years. Some days I wouldn't have minded this reality. But I know in my heart that I don't want that. No offense to my cat Franko, but I am often wanting more affection than an animal or a simple vibrator could give. I didn't know if even a man could do that for me anymore. Not that Mia knew that I was questioning my sexuality...other than my therapist no one did. It has been something brand new to me, something extremely personal and confusing. These feelings I have been having...they're strong feelings, actually bothersome with how much I've been thinking about it the last couple weeks. I could have told Mia...but I don't even fully understand what I'm feeling yet.
"Cmon Itll be fun, pick a place and we'll find you an amazing guy. Deal? If we don't I pinky promise I wont bring it up to you ever again...k?" With Mia's convincing I just sigh with a smile.
"Okay deal, but you owe me a drink, or two, three depending on how the night goes." Mia just laughs.
"Oh you know I always got you on that one. See you soon okay?"
"See you soon." With this the line clicks, putting down my pencil. I look down to view the body I've drawn, the four others around it being completely identical. My fingers begin to mindlessly trace the lines of the silhouette before stopping, getting up to check my email on my laptop.
"Maybe someone has contacted me on my last story entry...let's fucking hope..."
What appears in my email makes me pause at my desk, a message titled "You Have Been Chosen...Sydney Miller." My thought is this is could only be a scam message, but I cant fight the urge to open it.
"What an odd way to start an email..."
I open the message in my inbox, intently reading its contents.
Miss Miller, I have been learning about you for some time. You have been struggling for awhile now. You feel alone, out of place. Yet you, Sydney, are special, unique, one of great value. I also know you have a deep curiosity of the supernatural. If this is something you want to further explore, I can be of assistance. That is...if your heart so desires. If I've peeked your interest, I'd like extend to you an invitation tonight to this address. This is not a scam, a threat, but simply an opportunity to get what you just may have been seeking all along.
Nocturne Night Bar
140 Terrance Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
I anticipate your arrival in earnest. - NK
Ps: Come Alone. This Letter And It's Contents Are For Your Eyes Only.
"For my eyes only? Nocturne? Is this letter some kind of joke? Yet...how does this person know so much about me...very personal things. NK...Who could this be? A male stalker?"
I thought of deleting the message, to ignore it and go on with my night. But I just couldn't. I thought maybe it was Owen trying to keep tabs on me, but there was no way he would stoop to learning or even talking about fantasy. He hates this stuff, too immature for one of his age and reputation, hence partially why we didn't work out.
"But my love for the supernatural, what does this have to do with anything? What kind of bar is this?"
I thought maybe they're just a bunch of cosplayers, sounds common for supernatural nerds in the city. I couldn't say that it didn't at all peek my interest.
"Guess I'm a nerd too..."
I sit at my desk for a few moments, listing reasons why I should delete the message and never think about it again. But there is apart of me that wants to find out who NK is and why they know so much about me.
"It wouldn't hurt to just check out the address...I'll just bring my pepper spray in case. Worked that one night I needed it."
With this my mind is settled, tonight I am going to Nocturne.
3 Hours Later
I look down at the mysterious email on my phone, in front of the address the letter had led me to. It ia down the stairs of what appears to be an abandoned business building in central LA. As I now look up, a tall muscular gentleman is standing in front of me. I reach behind to my back pant pocket, ready to take out my pepper spray if the man tries anything. Yet he simply just stands there, staring back at me.
"Are you lost madam?" A deep voice bellows out. I just stand there for a moment awkwardly, nervous about being in such an odd place with this even odder stranger.
"Umm...I'm Sydney Miller...I received a...
I didn't need to do or say anything else, for the man turns to enter a pass key on his cellular phone to open a hidden door in front of us. Revealed to me is a dark entrance way, "Nocturne", appearing in an intricate crimson lettering on the side of the entrance wall. The man in front of me doesn't speak again, waiting for me to enter inside as loud club music can be heard from within.
As I enter the club main room people are dancing everywhere, a sensual ambiance of flashing lights and EDM music blaring. This is environment although looking familiar feels completely different than any club or bar I have ever been in.
"Where would this NK be? How will I even find him with all of these people here?"
I look around to see a man and woman sitting at the bar watching me intently. The pair have a dark yet sexy elegance, easily standing out from the rest of the partygoers around them. The one that captured me immediately was a woman. She appears around my age, stunning long brown hair and piercing hazel eyes. She had a glint in them, one of intensity, a seduction that had me caught in her stare. I see that there is a seat open on each side of both her and her male companion, not sure whether to move any closer. Yet something compels me to continue walking forward.
With this I go to take a seat at the bar. I consciously choose to sit next to the male, avoiding to look at pair who continue to watch me.
"Hello...don't think I've seen you here before." The male speaks. I look up meet his eyes. He is extremely handsome, I would even say so much as it was haunting.
The woman next to him says nothing, not taking her gaze off of me yet I immediately look down after catching her piercing hazel eyes.
"Hi." I just smile awkwardly and turn away as the bartender approaches.
"May I take a drink order Miss?" He asks me.
"A martini dry please."
"On my tab for the lady, Harris." The male next to me interjects. I just look to him shocked...
"This must be NK...fuck...
"Oh no...you don't have to." Yet the male doesn't let me finish.
"I insist. I'd like to get to know you better...you are?" He says with a cool finesse.
"Sydney...Sydney Miller..."
"Sydney...what a nice name for such a beautiful lady. Isn't it sister?" The male now turns to the woman next to him.
"Indeed." the female speaks finally, looking to me as she spoke. Her voice sounded like the finest silk, the woman making me melt just sitting there. Yet I desperately try to ignore her presence as the male continues to talk to me.
"So what brings you here, Sydney? You were obviously invited. Surprisingly it wasn't me who sent it to you." My heart sinks.
"If this isn't NK...then who the hell is it..."
Doesn't seem like the v...lucky man is here tonight. Shame." The man then puts his hand over mine, caressing my fingers with his. They were freezing, trying to pull my hand away yet he grabs it firmly as he looks to me with a sinister smirk. I struggle to take my hand away, beginning to wince in pain as the man chuckles darkly.
"What's the rush pet? We just met after all. Maybe I could entertain you for the evening...maybe you could entertain me while you're at it..."
I immediately pull my hand hard away from his, escaping his grip to get from the bar out of my stool. I rapidly reach into my back pocket, spraying the hostile man with my pepper spray. The club is getting rowdy as the scene is unfolding. The man is on the floor but in moments his head snaps up. He growls angrily, not phased by what was sprayed onto his face. In a flash he appears upright on the floor, rapidly taking my spray from me and throwing it across the room. As I start stepping back cautiously the man stalks forward. All the while his female companion remains seated, intently watching the whole scene unfold with those around us. I turn to run but the man appears right in front of me. I look around me, crimson eyes are everywhere. I am terrified now, wanting to get out of this situation as fast as I could.
"You don't know where you are, or who I am...do you..." The male speaks again as he continues to stalk forward with a malicious grin. I simply shake my head moving backward. The male simply laughs, grabbing my arm forcefully to pull me to him. "Then it is my honor to show you." I now try to push him off.
"What...no...get off of me! My eyes widen as the male's eyes suddenly turn a crimson red, a face that screamed hunger.
"Brother." A female voice booms out yet the male vampire just smirks...speaking close to my face as he touches my cheek.
"Don't fret sweetheart. I promise I'll make your first time here something to remember..." As he speaks I see sharp fangs emerge in his mouth.
"No...this is not happening right now. Crimson eyes, fangs. He's... a vampire?!"
As the male moves in close his lips inch towards my skin, shivering as I am scared shitless. I hear laughter, the crowd getting excited for what was about to take place. As the man presses his fangs onto my neck I suddenly hear him yelp in pain. As I look up, the room is completely still and silent. The vampire's female companion now has him by the hair, rapidly yanking him back. The tall woman is towering over him, her lips hovering just above his ear as her eyes too glow a dangerous crimson.
"I invited her here Matteus, so I think it's time you go find another unfortunate woman to toy with. I also suggest you apologize to this kind lady for your indecent behavior. Are we clear? " The wincing gentleman subtly nods to his companion without another word. The woman then releases him, the man immediately bowing to me as he speaks again.
"My apologies...Miss Miller. I'll be going now." With this the man walks away into the silent wave of party goers, everyone watching him as he wafts through the crowd. I turn to look back to the mysterious female. This woman is strong, dangerous...getting an intense feeling I should run.
"This is my anonymous stalker? No way...she can't be."
You..you are NK?" I look confused to the woman again, her eyes back to their original brown as she looks at me.
"I apologize for my brother's rudeness. I am indeed the one who wrote to you. My name is Natalia. Natalia King." I look to the woman and those around us, hundred of crimson eyes still stealing glances in my direction.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to take this somewhere a little more private." Natalia speaks. I do not respond for a moment, a million thoughts running through my mind.
"Is this a trap? Is she...like her brother? Is she going to...this cannot be real."
"This is indeed real, Miss Miller. Please don't be frightened, I promise not to do anything you do not consent to. You have my word. There is a lot you don't know... a lot to discuss. If you will allow me I will explain further, but not here...come with me."
"How...did she just read my thoughts?"
Natalia extends her hand out to me, reluctantly taking it. As I took her hand, a sudden chill consumes me. But it wasn't only due to fear or her shocking cold temperature, but it was a familiar feeling, one of immediate attraction. I just stare at the woman, now having a strong feeling like I know her somehow. A small smirk appears on the corner of her lips as she catches my glances before looking away. With this she begins to lead me to the upper floor of the dark club. What made me trust her, to take that leap of the unknown, I do not know. Was I frightened? Absolutely. But am I drawn to this woman, more than I could have ever admitted aloud. This is going to be a long night with this woman of immense mystery. Natalia King, who really are you?