Strobe lights beat down on Maisie's face as her body ragged back and forth to the bass that filled the student bar. Boots clung to the sticky floor. The air think with the stench of cheap aftershave and IPAs. Her hand intertwined into her bestfriend's, Darcy, who followed her moves perfectly. Together they worked in unision, and the dance floor was theirs, they weren't dancing for anyone else. Just them. Celebrating hard. Darcy leaned close to Maisie's, tucking a long deep blue lock behind her ear for her, "Can you believe we've already finished second year!" she beamed pulling away and jumping up and down as if a excited school girl, a sqeal escaped her lips. "No more deadlines, not another exam until next year!" Darcy yelled her hands flying up in the air, releief coursing through her. A smile spread across Maisie's lips but her eyes did not sparkle in response. Darcy however did not notice this in the strobes and darkness of the club. ime was fleeting, falling through their hands like sand, and it was nothing to celebrate. Maisie had no idea what to do after university. She'd blink, and it would be her last deadline. She was sure of it. Whatever was to come, however fast the clock ticked round, she promised herself never return home. Althoug, even finding a Summer job at Costa or Pret in this forsaken city of lost souls was difficult, still something she needed to figure out if she wanted to extend the lease on the student accomindation for another few months over to pry that to-do list away, Maisie swayed her hips facing the bar "I'm gonna get a drink. Another Vodka Red Bull?" their hands remained interlinked.

Darcy glared at her perfectly contoured face and prescise pink winged liner in the mini mirror she always kept in her bag. Maisie coudln't help but envy Darcy at times - Tall, slender and had perfect orbs of crystal blue that always glistened with wonder and pure confidence. Pounting her pink lips out and fixed her lipliner with her thumb Darcy allowed her face to drop into a fierce model-like scowl, she flipped her blonde sleek ponytail behind her shoulder. Despite Maisie's envy, she knew Darcy was just as selfconcious as herself, hence the mirror always at hand to fix a stray hair, pop out her collarbones and check she was as perfect, as perfect could be. "You look amazing" Maisie reassured with a kind smile loosing her balance as a man shoved infront of her to get to the bar causing the smile to instantly drop. "Dickhead" Maisie mumbled then turned to Darcy shaking her head ready for the pure unrelenting fight to come from her bestfriend, as it usually did. Somebody just had to look at Darcy for a moment too long and she was all over them with bitter words and hands flinging about. But Maisie's soft pleading eyes did not stop her, they never did. "Hey!" Darcy shoot quick "Oi" but he did not turn around, "Oi Fuck-face" Darcy continued but recieved a soft touch on the shoulder from Maisue "Leave it Darcy" she pleaded. "No you don't just get to push in like you're nothing, like you're invisiable. You're not invisable" but before Darcy could rev up her attitude a large hand reached past both women to the man that had shoved his way through. Like a puppet he was shoved to the side and pulled back as if his body were made of wool and loose stiches.

"These women were in front of you, mate," a voice boomed behind them—commanding, clear even over the blaring man who'd shoved past was pulled back like a ragdoll, loose and pathetic.

Maisie turned. Big brown eyes met with the mans soft grey ones

He stood tall—platinum hair catching the lights, wide shoulders straining against his shirt. And when he smiled, his canines flashed, startlingly white.

"How rude," he said calmly. He didn't need to fight. His presence did the work for him. He moved his body forward as if to attack but he didn't, it was merely a warning for rude man who quickly scampered to the back of the queue at the other end, tail between his legs. He turned back to the two women his eyes locked on Maisie's as he smiled again a dimple on his right cheek revelaed. His fingers ran his hands through his effortlessly styled hair, just as bright as his teeth. "Sorry I hate rude people, it's just not needed to push in. Not that I'm much of a fighter, i'd probably miss " he smiled sheepishly. "Thank you so much" Darcy quickly beamed "I could of dealt with it but Maisie here hates confrontation" she squeezed her friend's shoulders leaning her head down on her head. "It's just not needed. Thanks though" Maisie sheepishly replied turning towards the bar, only one more person ahead of them, she wasn't about to stop Darcy's inenvitable chatting, she could speak to anyone, make the most mundane conversations exciting. Also, Darcy was determined to "Have one final night of freedom before going back home" or as she had been calling it despite Maisie's destain for the saying "The virgin lands". And Maisie wouldn't get in the way of a possible one-night fling for her bestfriend. It was good, finally getting under someone new instead of the same three toxic situationships that pained out over the last couple years. On and off. Up and down like a rollercoaster. Plus, In Darcy's defence she would be retunring home for the summer sharing a bedroom with her two younger twin sister's as her mother, against her prior knowledge or will had turned her childhood bedroom into a personal 'Mummy Getaway' for random crafts, reading and scrolling facebook. So this last night of sexual freedom until October was warented.

"What are you drinking then Maisie" the blonde puppeter drew her back lightly tapping her shoulder to gain her attention, her name rolling of his tongue like it belonged between his lips "Oh- no it's okay, thank you, I-" but before she could plead her case he interupted. "Please. Darcy here wants a vodka Red Ball, double of course, i'm getting a Vodka Lime-Soda and you?" he smiled another toothy grin and Maisie's tummy instnatly flipped. She was riding down the tallest and most exhilrating helterskelter. He was attractive, but easily a good few years older than her. "Vodka Lime and Soda, do you hate yourself or something?" Maisie spoke before she could think and instantly bit her lip looking away from him shyly. Why must she be so quick at badgering others? She didn't mean to be rude, it was just what came naturally to her. A quip here, sarscam there. "I like to taste my alchohol rather than cover it up with fruit juice. Let me guess you're a malibu and pineapple girly? Disarano and Cranberry? No wait, a Cherry Vodka and Coke girl" he rebutted his smile dropped slightly into a thin pair of lips as he tilted his head. watching her carefully. Maisie met her match and couldn't help but smile at his quick whit "Touche" she tucked a loose blue curl behind her ear timidly "Cherry vodka and Diet Coke actually but I don't take drinks from strangers" she bluntly stated.

She knew better than that. She'd been spiked once before, first week of freshers. Luckily she'd already become good friends with Darcy. The pair clicked instantly when they first met in the university accomedation. Both quickly finding out they were on the same course. Instantly Darcy revealed she was a fantastic friend, an amazing person, genuinely kind and caring. She held Maisie's hair as she vomitted hard all over her bathroom sink, then shower, then finally toilet, her stomach retching up whatever drug had been put in her. Darcy stroked her hair until Maisie fell asleep just as the sun rose over London and despite how embarssed Maisie was the next morning, Darcy was more concerned that she was okay, if she needed a doctor or a fry up. Made her drink a pint of water and gave her strong painkillers. After that, the pair were inseprable. "I'm Lee, I'm a post grad, I'm Twenty- Seven, I am a leo. I'm researching transportation in low income rural areas, dull I know but I love trains. I actually like the extra- hot nandos sauce, I'm from Manchester, the rough part. Oh, and my national insurance number is-" he went on but was swiftly stopped by Maisie "Okay - Okay" she looked behind him to Darcy who was smiling and nodding like an idiot, her grin from one ear to the other "Do it" she mouthed quickly returning back to a normal smile as Lee turned to her. "Fine" she dropped her smile "But just the one, Lee" his name didn't come out her mouth as naturally as she'd hoped. Not how her name has dripped from his.

He handed both women their drinks and to their suprise a shot, Maisie eyed it "Sambucca?" he asked offering her the small glass "God you really do hate youself" Maisie took the drink from him nonetheless and the trio shot them down. Both women scowered at the burning aniseed aftertaste, Lee's face stoic. "Thank you" both women said in unison, the pair bonded by some cosmic Power, true soul mates. Darcy said they were bonded by the universe, that in every lifetime they'd find eachother and it was just a miriacle it took so long in this lifetime. Often she'd point at randoms pairs, ducks, two pencils lined togther, crossing tube stations on the underground and beam "Look. Us". They'd become earily similar in the last couple years despite their vast differences. Maisie the moon, Darcy the sun. A sunset and sunrise. Introvert and extrovert. "So Lee you obviosuly like my friend here. How's about we continue this little introduction in smokers?" Darcy asked pulling out a pack of sovergin duals. "Sure" he allowed Maisie to walk ahead "This one doesn't smoke so she is forced to stand outside with me on every night out bless her. Say's she likes the freshair, doubt the airs fresh in the smoking area. She's a singer, really fucking good. Voice like an angel, should be disney princess or something you know. Although it's mostly sad songs she sings, bit depressing but so talented." Darcy recieved a light squeeze from Maisie "Just saying. Sorry I am talking way too much, I'm a bit drunk" Darcy grinned "You know what loves, I've gotta pee, you know once the floodgates open I am a goner, pissing all night so i'll meet you out there?" Darcy handed Maisie her drink and rushed off recieving a cold glare from Maisie. A plea for her to not leave her alone so socialise. "Sorry about her" Maisie rolled her eyes "She's great just doesn't really have a filter espically when she's drunk" truth was the pair were a little more than drunk. Darcy had defiently left to have a quick line of her share of colombian powder to keep the fierce confidence going. "It's cool. She's funny, it's good to have people like that" Lee remarked his hand lightly on the small of Maisie's back as they led upstiars and outside to smokers. "She's the best" Maisie smiled "She wants me to get out my comfort zone" she rolled her eyes "She's all about meeting as many people as you can and manifesting cosmic good or what not". "And whats out of your comfort zone?" Lee asked offering the seat infront of the pair first, Maisie wasn't used to such a gentleman, granted though, at this university the bar was on the floor. In hell infact for chivalry.

"Well I don't usually let men who I don't know buy me drinks" she remakred "Oh but obviosuly you're no longer a stranger because you were going to give me your national insurance number. Who rememebers that shit from the top of their head?" she took a seat directly under a lamp heater, the warmth raidated down to her. His blue eyes didn't leave her, he didn't eat her up like an animal, it was as if he was taking her in, like he didn't want to miss a single detail from her. Lee's eyes didn't devour her—they studied her. Noticed the details.

"Exactly we're practically family now, you almost got to know my national insurance number, I got you number" she said, a cheeky grin dancing over his lips. "Honestly, my brain's full of useless information like that. Ask me what I had for dinner? Not a fucking clue. Ask me the max load-bearing weight of a train bridge? or the last three digets of my exes mum's number? I'm your guy" Lee smirked, that smile sent butterflies through her tummy again, they softly landed. So you're a singer?" he asked his leg drapping over the other as he leaned back causally his eyes still taking her all in. Her cascading Lapis locks, her big brown eyes and thick black lashes, the circular round scars that created constilationd on her shoulders, only noticiable through some areas of her black mesh shirt if you really glared hard. "Not professionally or anything. I do a couple open bar nights it's just some extra cash so I can stay in accom' over summer" she quickly regretted her honestly but he didn't pry further. Instead he simply replied "Yeah going home after finally moving out is certainly humbling" Maisie let out a breathy laugh "Yeah, you get it" she looked away from him blinking rapidly checking her phone for any sign of Darcy. Maisie stared at her half-empty glass. Words floated in her mind but never landed. She hated this part—the dead space between topics, the pressure to fill the silence. Darcy would know what to say. Darcy always knew what to say, she did at every social event, every seminar they shared. Words floated out her friends mouth effortless, and they always landed correcelty, no stuttering or uncertainty. She even knew what to say when she was wrong or unsure. She was so fearless. The silence was broken by Lee, "Let me guess you're a Scorpio?"

"Yeah-" she looked him up and down with a raised brow "How'd you guess that?" the butterflies returned this time heavier ragging their wings wildely "Loyal, like to keep things how they are, some would use control freak but you just know what you like, bit mysterous" Lee replied cooly as if he was reading it from wikipedia "Honest, disciplined at time, intelligent. All things I like" he added and again the butterflies in Maisie's tummy crashed around, their wings bashing against one another and urging to be free. Subconciously she tucked a loose strand behind her ear again and Lee noticed this smiling. That smile. It was like nothing she'd seen before. It sent her heart rattling, her blood crashing like waves through her. He was stunning. "You do that often?" he leaned in untucking the hair "Nervous?" he asked with flat lips. She felt seen. Usually she hated being seen, it was the worst part about singing live, all the eyes boring into you, it's why she mostly sang in pubs, everyone was too busy drinking and socialising. But this was different, his eyes were on her, taking her in. He noticed her. Her eyes met his, as he glared at the ringlet at the end of her coblat hair "A bit" she admitted honestly leaning back and taking a long swig of her drink hoping to loosen her up.

Ping…

Darcy: Joyce is here. Just having a quick chat.

Maisie knew this meant makeout sesh.

Might go back to hers later. Fuck it!

If you don't give me all the dirty details regarding Mr. Blonde Train Man i'll be so pissed…He was like staring at you. Hearts in eyes I saw. But also low key wouldn't take them off you. 3 I'll be back soon just having a quick catch up.

Maisie knew she wouldn't be returning. She'd get lost kissing Joyce, fixing the scars the pair had given eachother with plasters despite the hurt still bleeding out.

Instsantly Maisie shook her head and scoffed. "Everything good?" Lee asked tilting his head "Yeah. I think Darcy may have ditched me" she bit her lip "Somehow she always ends up in the same club, pub or bloody bowling alley as her situationship which is a cowinkydink considering you know, how massive London is" she took a long swig of her drink. "Good for her?" Lee questioned "or not good?"

"Lets just say this perticular situationship is a bit of a nasty piece of work sometimes" she sighed "I just worry about her, would never judge her, just don't want her getting hurt. Again." Lee nodded agreeing. "You're a good friend. Most people aren't lucky enough to have somebody like you. Guess she knows she had you regardless of what happens. Plus we all do silly things when we're a bit tipsy, we break rules a bit."

There was a long pause between them again. Lee lit a ciagrette, the smell caused Maisie to blink rapidly. He noticed this too "I can put it out if the smoke like affects your throat? You're singing" He offered genuinely, but Maisie shook her head. "No, no it's cool. Besides i'm always in smokers with Darcy. Remember," she smiled weakly.

Again silence prevailed between them. It was sharp and sliced through the thick chemical air.

"So Transport? A train guy yeah?" Maisie plucked the courage to talk. Instantly feeling like it was a silly statement.

"I started in military strategy," Lee said, flicking ash from his cigarette. "Didn't stick. Switched to transport logistics—less war, more spreadsheets."

Maisie laughed. "Sounds… exciting" she didn't want to come across rude, but Lee didn't appear take it as that he laughed lightly too.

"It's all about how to get people or things from one place to another… quickly, quietly, usually without being seen. You know let the infrastructute blend in with the enviroment it's in. Blah, blah, blah" Lee explained with a crooked smile "Exciting stuff I know. What about you? Psychology"

Maisie raised a brow "How'd you know?" she shook her head, certain she hadn't told him. Darcy probably drunkly told him at the bar. She played with it however, "Is the vibe? Really that obvious, the no sleep, probably no job prospects vibe?" she snorted instanly feeling ebarassed but Lee joined her in her silly smile.

"I guess" Lee smiled "Also I bet you've got a career ahead of you" he looked at her seriously in the eyes "Smart, compassionate, understanding" his eyes dropped to the scars on her shoulders then quickly flicked back up to her, just fast enough for her to not notice that he noticed the marks.

He led the conversation, neither needed another drink. And somehow the talking became easy for Maisie. She wasn't talking to a stranger, rather somebody she'd known for a few weeks now, comfortable. Surfance level stuff but she slowly became more herself. And she, had become somebody he had known her for years. Maybe it was the line of white powder she snorted in the toilet just before meeting him, maybe it was how good of a conversationlist he was. He listened to her, asked her questions, appeared genueily interested in her. She didn't let him any deeper than the superficial stuff but could tell he could read her in these tiny flickers of honesty. Figured out why she didn't want to go home. His eyes moved around her face, the freckles that made dotted up and down her pointy nose, the nose ring that sat on the wonk everso slightly and the irredcent eyeshadow she'd messily speared across her lids with her ring finger. She continued opening up to the surface revealing her tattoo on her rib 'If it's harmed me, it's harmed me. It'll harm me, i'll let it in' her favourite song, the moth shin and little moon on her finger that matched Darcy's sun, same as their matching necklaces. How her "most traumatising" day was her dog, Simba being hit by a car when she was eight. How she wanted to work with children, or maybe if her dreams weren't too silly release an EP, not make it massive but enough to have a cosy little cottage somewhere with wild flowers and a few chicken. She told him how much she hated sweetcorn and how much she was addicted infact to Pepsi Max. He did the same, discussing his PHD thesis, plans after university, how he's nan had Altzheimers but was doing well, he saw her every fortnight for tea. That he had wanted a tattoo, but needles, they were scary little things, who knows what in them, how deep they can go.

Before she knew it the overhead lights beamed blinding the party. "Well" Maisie stood up, "I should go" she held out her hand to shake goodbye, Lee isntantly taken back by this but he took it nonetheless "Irish goodbye it is then. Wouldn't want you breaking anymore of your rules" he said confidently with a smirk. She shook her head softly, her curls swaying from side to side "i've already broken one of my rules I am afraid" she smiled "I know how I like things, maybe a control freak?" she tilted her head to the side and spun on her heels taking several strides away her boots echoed against the steel grates. "Hopefully I see you around Maisie" he smiled ackowledging her boundaries, appearing to not want to cross them. That alone attractive. Again, the bar was in hell.

Butterflies urged for her to be pulled back. Lee's eyes had not dropped as he watched her leave. She could feel them on her, they bored into her running across ice across her warm skin.

Just walk away. You don't do this. You've never done this. And why would you trust a stranger?

Her brain battled itself, one side urging her to turn around, run back to him. Kiss him, make out with him. Just get his number at least, anything. It couldn't be goodbye. It was a pleasant evening. Unexpected, in the best way. The otherside told her to put him behind her. It was the end of the year anyway, she had too much to focus on, like finding a job. Not some summer fling. She wasn't that type of woman. She didn't date. She didn't see the point. It just led to hearbreak, she'd seen it from Darcy. Her thoughts thrashed against eachother in a power struggle.

Then she realised, she'd been stood still for a moment too long.

Her chest rose and fell, heart racing around. For a second, she stood still, fist clenched, then she spun back around. Courage compelled her. "Fuck it" she mumbled rushing back to him tiptoeing as their lips crashed together. It was longer than most kisses she'd had, soft, full of passion. He took the back of her head, careasing it softly and stroking her curls without knotting his fingers into them. His other hand moved to her waist pulling her up a little more, her leg kicked up. Heat pulsed through her. "Any other rules you want to break?" he asked, his thumb trailing over her bottom lip. Her chest rose and fell heavy as her mind ragged against itself again. Finally it landed on a "Maybe one" she pulled away from him, her hand lightly locked in his as they walked out of the club. Maybe it was more than one rule, if she was going to sleep with a random man she'd met, it was always at hers, but if Darcy had taken Joyce back, then the noises would be off putting at best. It would either be hard, rough, loud sex against paperthin walls or hard, rough, loud aruging that echoed through the halls. Perhaps both on and off. Neither she wanted to hear. Honestly, Maisie didn't really want to go back alone let alone with this man who made her tummy feel like it was twisting and turning in all the right ways.

Before Maisie could make a decision, Lee had already hailed a taxi and opened the door for her. She tilted her head in a small, graceful thank you—but paused just before getting in."I don't usually do this kind of thing," she admitted, lingering half in - half out of the taxi. "You know... going to a stranger's place. I just—" she flattened, eyes flickering, voice tightening. "I just—"

Lee tilted his head, patient and understanding. "It's okay. If you don't want to, I can take your number? Maybe we meet up another time? But also, We don't have to, you know..." He smiled gently, pulling out his phone. "I just really enjoyed chatting with you. I don't want that to end yet. But I'll pay for your ride home, if you'd rather. I think you're really cool, Maisie." His words jumbled and eratic. She blinked rapidly, heart pounding. "No, I want to. I just—I've not really..." She sighed, cheeks flushed. "It scares me." She braced herself for the rejection, for the shift. But instead, he smiled.

"It's okay. I've got a PlayStation, Simpsons Hit and Run, and I make a banging hot chocolate. You can see the sunrise from the roof if you like, and then we can part ways. Exchnage number. Theres no pressure. Promoise" He bit his lip, dimple flashing again. "I just... I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye just yet."

Maisie exhaled in relief. She looked at him with soft, amazed eyes. He was perfect.

"Hot chocolate sounds lush," she said. "And I love a good sunrise."

She got into the taxi, shuffling over so he could sit beside her. His hand draped gently over hers, loose and casual. His warmth felt different now. Stiffer. Like something had shifted. She moved a little closer, warmth spreading in her chest. A smile braced on her lips, the butterflies returned. It was unreal. He was unreal. She'd never felt like before. It felt scary, exciting and-

Then she felt it.

A sting.

Sharp. Cold.

Her eyes dropped to his hand, still resting on hers—only now, between his fingers, he twiddled a needle.

It had already pierced her soft skin.

A milky fluid pumped into her bicep chilling her body instantly.

Her body lurched away instinctively, but he yanked her back with terrifying ease. Her jagged fingernails slashed red down aginst his grip as she kicked and flailed, an animal scream tearing from her throat. But he barely budged, dragging her back onto the cab seat like she weighed nothing.

"It's okay, Maisie," he muttered—but his tone was wrong. Flat. Dead.

Not Lee's voice.

A different one.

Dark. Empty.

His eyes had lost their softness; they were dull, grey, and bottomless.

She shrieked again and launched at his face. Her nails clawed from his left brow down his cheek, ripping skin, leaving light blood and flesh under her fingertips.

She squirmed, broke free, hurled herself toward the perspex panel separating them from the cab driver.

"HELP!" she screamed, banging her fists desperately. Her voice cracked with terror, tears clouding her vision. Blackness entering her perthirial. "PLEASE!"

But the cab didn't stop.

Didn't even slow down.

"Ah, no banging on the glass, please," came a voice from the driver's seat—light, sing-song, unmistakably Irish.

Maisie froze, confusion crashed over her then harrowed into horror. Pure unfiltered terror.

Before she could fight again, before she could scream or plead, the world split in two—then into four, then eight. Her limbs turned to lead. Her thoughts fractured and scattered. Her hands reached for the car door but she felt herself pulled back again. Skin softly stroked, soothed as though a defensless animal.

The two men's voices blurred into background noise.

Just before the dark took her, she heard the driver chuckle.

"You really know how to get the ladies don't you, Sebastian? What a fighter."

"It is one of my many talents, sir," Sebastian Moran replied, smug. He held Maisie against his chest like she was something precious, not broken. One hand stroked her hair, the other pressed firm to her waist.

He hushed her gently, mockingly.

"Don't worry, little thing," he whispered into her ear. "That fight'll be gone soon."