Afterlife Saga: Afterlife Part 9

The cla.s.s finally drew to an end and I realized that I had missed most of it due to my daydreaming. I would have to pay more attention in future or I would definitely be caught out in the firing line. I was already an easy target in this man's mind.

I got up grabbing my books and as I was putting them in my bag I noticed a pair of doll like eyes examining me. I met them with a curious look of my own.

"You have lovely hair, why do you wear it back?" Her question had thrown me off guard and I started to stammer my answer out.

"Umm well...it...it gets in the way. But thanks." I couldn't believe that this enchanting looking creature was complementing me when her hair looked like it had been styled ready for a photo shoot for Vogue.

We both walked down following the ma.s.s of numbed students trying to escape before another word leaked from Reed's mouth, when something caught my eye. Reed was talking with a student and they were both looking our way, but it was Reed's expression that held my interest. He looked as though he was in shock. It was as if something the boy had told him was about one of us. No not one of us, it was about Sophia. He was staring but he looked utterly terrified.

I shuddered as we walked out of sight and I realised Sophia was still smiling at me. I kind of felt as though she was studying me more than just looking curiously. Was there was something more behind the smile? She didn't seem to catch the same horror in Reed's eyes that I had or if she did, she didn't hold much consequence to them.

"Thanks again for bailing me out back there, he's a real piece of work right?" She followed, never taking her eyes of me and people were staring at us in a curious manner.

"Yeah, he's a bit scary but I think we handled it ok, but I bet next time we will get bombarded with questions." She laughed at this and held out her hand ready to receive mine.

"It was nice to meet you, Keira." I placed my hand in hers and the warmth I found from her soft skin was comforting. She seemed to read my thoughts and smiled once more before she left. My hand tingled slightly then went very cold along with the rest of my body...Strange.

"Who was that?" RJ's voice interrupted my strange mood and pulled me back to reality.

"No one...how was cla.s.s?"

RJ went on about her day and I happily listened, not really wanting to tell her about my little run in with Dictator Reed. And I didn't really know why I didn't tell her about Sophia. I guess I just felt a weird connection with her at the end of cla.s.s. I couldn't explain it but I'm pretty sure she felt something as well, like some sisterly love. Maybe that's why I had felt so compelled to defend her to Reed. In the same way when RJ asked me about her. I wanted to keep her friends.h.i.+p to myself in some selfish way and protect her from RJ's personal prying.

We were nearly home when RJ's word by word account of her day had finished and my mind hadn't retained any of it but luckily she hadn't noticed.

"So what you up to tonight, 'cause a couple of us are going to Afterlife, there's this great group playing and....." I stopped her mid-sentence before I forgot what she'd asked and we were nearly at my house.

"I can't but I will see you there anyway 'cause I'm working. Maybe I can join you if I get off early."

"Oh my G.o.d you are so lucky you work there, I would have to keep sneaking a peek upstairs." She giggled at the vision. If only it was that easy I thought bitterly.

"Yeah right, have you seen the security they have, those guys give new meaning to steroid abuse... breakfast, lunch and dinner." I said this last part getting out of the car turning to add "See you later."

Chapter 11- VIP.

I grabbed my usual black top and jeans only this time swapping long sleeves for short ones as it got quite hot in the club especially with lots of enthusiastic Goths swarming the bar. Of course I would wear gloves to match. I wore my hair in its usual knot, tied up by its usual clip. There was nothing to suggest that this wouldn't be just like any other night at the club but I had a strange feeling that was gnawing at my stomach. Maybe it was just after the weird effect meeting Sophia had on me or maybe I was just hoping something might happen, either way I just couldn't shake off the feeling.

The club was quiet when I first walked in and the band had only just arrived. They were setting up ready for their set. I recognised the drummer to be the same guy RJ had given her number to on my first night here. No wonder she was coming again tonight. What was their name again...Acid umm...Acid Criminals. They actually weren't half bad.

Mike and Hannah were both working tonight and another girl I hadn't seen before, but I knew her to be Ca.s.sie Jones. Hannah hadn't kept it a secret of her dislike towards the girl and I now stood next to her hearing even more gossip about her antics.

"You watch she will be all over Mike like flies on s.h.i.+t. Not calling Mike s.h.i.+t of course but you know what I'm getting at. She will hang around him all night like a lost kitten digging her claws in ready for the attack! That girl is poison." She said as if purifying me with a heads up. Of course she hadn't been the first to warn me about her. RJ, the "town crier", had filled me in, knowing everyone in the town. Of course she had told me every little sordid detail. Was there anyone in this town she didn't know? Well I immediately thought of one and couldn't help looking up.

RJ had used some choice words when describing Ca.s.sie, which had surprised me seeing as they were both Goths. But there was no comparison RJ informed me. Ca.s.sie wasn't a real Goth. She was now just the flavour of the month being EMO. She was one of those that just changed with whatever was "in" at the time. Apparently the number of alternative looking people increased this time of year due to the new arrivals, most hoping to get noticed and make their way in to the VIP area. Ca.s.sie was no exception and she wanted it bad. Her father knew some important people in high places and had wrangled her the job here. Of course she was still only seventeen and couldn't serve behind the bar, so she collected bottles as I had done on my first night here.

RJ had said the difference between herself and Ca.s.sie was that unlike most, RJ was a Goth with style and didn't dress that way just to have an excuse to look like a s.l.u.t like Ca.s.sie. At this point, Lanie had also jumped on the bandwagon adding her own story that included an older married man who also happened to be one of her teachers. This was a lethal c.o.c.ktail destined for trouble. Luckily no one seemed to find out about the sordid little affair but the whole town still knew about it, which I found a little confusing. I really didn't understand how that worked, but Lanie carried on telling me more about the little h.e.l.lcat.

I now stood talking to Hannah at the other end of the bar watching as Ca.s.sie did everything but fling herself into the Mike's arms. She flicked his hair and bent across him trying to show him more than just her cleavage. He clearly wasn't interested, trying everything but smack the hormonal girl to one side. He s.h.i.+fted awkwardly trying to avoid her advances when he saw me. He winked and walked over leaving her mid-sentence, which had her almost shaking with anger. She saw me and looked like a bulldog chewing wasps.

"Hey Kaz, how's college? You had the dreaded Reed yet?" Mike had kindly forewarned me about Reed but to be honest I thought he was exaggerating with his description of him. Of course now I knew that if anything he hadn't said enough.

"Yeah it's going ok and wow you weren't kiddin', he really does put the Grimm Reaper to shame doesn't he?" He let out a hearty laugh that reminded me a bit like a pirate. Hannah had left us to talk about college with a smug smile on her face as she was enjoying the evil glares I was receiving from Ca.s.sie. She finally strutted her way over to us on impractical looking heels, her face like thunder.

"Who's your friend Mikey?" He cringed at the sound of his name. He mouthed the word "sorry" before turning to face her.

"This is Keira, Keira this is Ca.s.sie." He clearly wasn't enjoying the introductions.

"Hey," was all her two brain cells could muster and I just nodded in response. She was clearly happy with herself that plain old me wasn't any compet.i.tion. She turned her back to me rudely and carried on.

"So Mikey, do you think you could sneak me up there tonight?" She asked as she flicked her bleached hair and pointed to the VIP area. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips and she shot round giving me daggers.

"YES... is something funny?" She had her hands on her hips like the spoilt teenager she was and it made it harder for me to keep a straight face.

"Nope," was all I said before turning to help Hannah with the cleaning. I felt sorry for the girl. I mean the very idea of her trying to sneak upstairs and getting mowed down by the ma.s.sive security guys was almost too funny. h.e.l.l, it almost made me want to encourage her but that would have been cruel, after all she was clearly mental!

The night got busy and I wasn't surprised that both Jerry and Gary were managing the club tonight. Luckily Gary was manning his station from somewhere else and Jerry was behind the bar with us. Although the bar was busy, we kept on top of it and it reminded me of old times. Jerry kept coming up to me and telling me what a good job I was doing and how impressed he was that I had picked it up so quickly. I reminded him that I had worked in a bar for years and that's why I could juggle customers and remember large orders. After that he just kept coming out with comments like "Keep it up kid" and "She's a trooper this one" which was sweet and endearing.

The large orders were mainly from the groups that occupied the many booths surrounding the club. Jack had come up to the bar with such an order. He had wanted to get someone else to serve him so not to bombard me with remembering eight drinks but I had impressed him with my multi-tasking skills. Of course the barracuda Ca.s.sie had helped him take the drinks to his table. Jack would be her next target but I could understand why. Excluding the VIP area, he was the most attractive person in the room and it didn't go unnoticed.

The bar area quietened down for a brief moment and I made my move to the ladies but when I returned I found Jerry stood waiting for me with a crate in his hands looking impatient. I popped a look in to find bottles of green liquid with old foreign labels on them. He didn't look his usual calm self.

This was when my night started to get very weird...

"I need you to do me a favour, you need to take these up to the other bar." Umm other bar? I looked blankly at him, feeling like an idiot.

"You know.... up there." He motioned with his head to the balcony and my mind went into panic mode. Was this a joke or a test? The one rule I was told by, h.e.l.l the whole town knew, and now after less than two weeks of working here he was asking me to break it. Was this man insane?

"Why me?" I said this last part out loud and then repeated it when he stared blankly back at me.

"Why me, why not someone else...maybe someone who's been here longer, I know Ca.s.sie would want to..." What was I saying, was I really going to give up my one chance to finally go up there, especially to the Goth Barbie herself! I was torn as the Mr Hyde in me was screaming YES! YES! But the reserved Dr Jekyll was terrified at what a bad c.o.c.ktail of events this could turn out to be!

"That's why it has to be you, you're the only one who doesn't go on about it..." No I just fantasise about Draven everywhere I go and dream about him almost kissing me in my bedroom every night, oh no, that wasn't worse, I thought sarcastically.

"I need someone that won't do anything stupid and will be quick, in and out without umm... getting noticed." He said this last part as if it had offended me but it had been the truth. I was the only one who didn't stand out. I played my last card in the hopes he would fold.

"What about you or Gary, I could watch the bar and..." He cut me off, no doubt already antic.i.p.ating that was what I was going to say.

"I can't leave the bar unsupervised and Gary starts to wig out whenever you mention the VIP so that's a no go."

He thrust the crate in to my hands and left, taking my silence for a yes. I stood motionless for a moment contemplating what to do.

At first I had wanted to call him back and tell him no but I chickened out. I also thought about just dropping the box and making a run for it but that wasn't a practical solution either. I liked this job and didn't want to lose it. I started towards the staircase wondering how I was actually going to make my feet move up each step. I was nearly there when Gary came out from nowhere making me nearly lose my skin from fright.

"Not those stairs, there is a door around the other side of the stage, that's what they use." He said this like they were some alien life force that didn't belong here.

"O...k!" I said dragging out the letters as if I wasn't freaked out enough. He looked as nervous as I was. What the h.e.l.l did he have to be nervous about? I was the one who was being thrown to the b.l.o.o.d.y wolves.

I walked in the direction he had nodded to, when his hand reached out and grabbed my arm. His grip tightened as his face went whiter.

"Be as quick as you can for your own sake!" Oh great! What was this, some cheesy TV show where you get humiliated? I half expected Ashton Kutcher to pop out with a filming crew for MTV (apart from the little fact that I wasn't famous). This just seemed too weird, and trust me, I knew weird.

I carried on towards the stage and I could see the doors he had been talking about. No wonder I had never seen them before, they were well hidden. As expected there were two huge guys, one on either side and they didn't look happy. My nerves doubled. I walked up keeping my eyes away from theirs and tried to think of what I could say, half hoping they wouldn't let me up. But of course they just opened the door for me without saying a word. I walked through jumping as the door slammed behind me, sealing my fate.

There was no going back.

Once inside I took a moment to try and calm myself, as pretty soon I'd be hyperventilating. I began by trying to concentrate on my surroundings, a handy technique I had learned from my therapist. This worked as I started to take it all in. It was like something you would have found in a castle. The staircase was huge! So big you could have pushed a grand piano up it and still have room either side. It was all made out of the same stone as the rest of the building only instead of blocks it looked as though carved from one big piece. It was incredible.

I put the crate down and straightened my arms and fingers. There were red marks and deep impressions across each finger. They then made cracking noises as I moved them in and out of a fist. My thin puny arms weren't up for the task as they ached and I had only made my way across the room. There was a door the same as the one I had walked through, opposite to where I stood. I was tempted to try it but the fear of being caught was greater than my curiosity.

My feet moved up the ancient looking steps as if they had a mind of their own. It was as if they knew I couldn't do it so they wanted to help me out. The walls were bare but for the wrought iron candle holders, only this time they didn't hold flickering light bulbs for effect. The light from the flames didn't seem as if it would be enough but there was an ample amount of light. I couldn't understand where it all came from. There was also a matching banister with twisted iron making its way up the staircase alongside me. There were two doors at the top of a small landing, mirroring the downstairs. I knew which door it would be but still had the same urge to try the other one as before.

I could hear the hum of the Acid Criminals getting louder but my heartbeat was matching the ba.s.s. If anything it sounded louder. I stopped behind the carved wooden door and wondered what next? Should I knock or just walk in? I decided to just walk in. After all would anyone hear a knock? I held my breath, put down the crate and turned the ornate handle.

It was as though I had walked into the dressing room for some Gothic production and everyone's eyes were on me. I pretended not to notice, happy that the lighting was an ambient glow which hid my bright red face nicely. I could see the bar clearly on the other side of the room and a path through the chairs and tables full of the strangest people I had ever seen in my life.

I looked around taking in as much as I could before getting out of here as quickly as humanly possible. The room was breath-taking.

It was like something from a different era. Maybe more like something you would have found in a stately home hundreds of years ago. But there were also new, modern aspects to the place. The mix of old and new worked well together. There were the same twisted wrought iron fixtures that ran throughout the entire club but they were lit by candles instead of electricity. I doubted that this was to do with the electricity bill and more to do with the authentic setting.

The furniture all looked antique with huge carved chairs, modern metal tables and lush fabrics that covered them in luxury. There were dark red rugs that were scattered on the floor over black slate tiles. The walls held nothing but light fixtures and twisted iron artwork. These were beautiful pieces, all entwined metal, flowing in and out of each other. Some held metal roses attached to vines. Others were in the shape of the moon and the sun but were being attacked with metal claws. It was by far the strangest room I had ever seen.

But stranger still wasn't the room itself, it was the groups of people occupying it. I tried to keep my head down but that proved difficult. Like taking a child to Disneyland and asking them not to look the entire time. I was that engrossed, I momentarily forgot what it was I was doing here. I stepped around the pathway that led to the bar on the other side, trying not to meet all the eyes that stared at me. Some were kind looking, others harsh and nasty. Some were made more intimidating by the blood red contact lenses they wore. The kinder one's seemed to be wearing contacts also, but ones to make their eyes look almost like crystals, bright and water blue. They would smile as I went past as if they knew of my fears and wanted to help.

Their attire was something else entirely. Some wore normal everyday clothes but others were dressed very differently. One group all wore what looked like eighteenth century costumes that seemed as though they had just stepped out of a period drama cla.s.sic. Another group looked as though they could have been Vampires with long black coats and long black hair to match. Eyes like red pools of hate and lips curved into s.a.d.i.s.tic grins. I s.h.i.+vered as I walked past. I would say my mind was playing tricks on me and my imagination to match but there was so much fuel in here for my over active brain that I couldn't tell what was real and what was in my head. I could have sworn that on one table I pa.s.sed, they all snarled at me.

I was coming to the middle now walking in front, nearest to the balcony. I could see quite clearly all the people below which all seemed so normal in comparison. They were all dancing and busy socialising, completely unaware of the horror's that resided up here. It was weird to think that when we couldn't see anything that went on up here they were all looking down on us and could see everything. I could now understand why no one else was allowed up here. People would be terrified!

It had me wondering what type of business this was. What could warrant all these different kinds of people to meet like this? It was like some Horror film convention and they were all dressed up as their favourite characters. I had expected business suits and fancy looking models hanging over them like paid pleasure.

I tried to concentrate on the job at hand and shake off the creepy vibe that licked at my skin. I was directly in the middle where the balcony widened into a semi-circle and jutted out from the rest. I turned, half expecting why this part was bigger than the rest, knowing that this was the best view, showing the entire floor below. I was surprised as nowhere was hidden.

I tried so hard not to look but it was as if I was going against nature by not turning my head. My eyes burned as I was fighting a losing battle. I knew he was there, I could feel him. It felt weird, like the sensation when I dreamt he was there, I would seem to be awake but also not. I couldn't really explain any of it, not into words that would make sense anyway.

I turned to see a large oval table that mirrored the shape of the balcony. It was on a raised dais so anyone on the table could look down at everyone else. This showed the importance of the people that sat round it. As if this was necessary. It was clearly evident enough without all the theatrics. The table was the biggest one in the room with everyone sat on a high backed wrought iron chair. However, there were no chairs at the front of the table to obstruct the view from the head of the group. The head of the table being of course where Dominic Draven himself sat.

He was the most remarkable person in this marvellous room. He seemed higher than everyone else and the chair he sat upon looked more like a throne. For starters, it was twice the size and even more amazing with him sat upon it. The back twisted up in wood like the spindles you would find on a balcony. They met at the top in an arch, which was intertwined with iron. The middle had the same crest carved into it that I had noticed on the entrance door. There was a section covered in purple velvet and I guessed this was also the same on the seat. The armrests were made from what looked like stone, granite or marble maybe. But these small factors of where he sat were unimportant compared to the living masterpiece that was positioned there.

He didn't seem to notice me, so my eyes didn't move from his perfect face. I was so enthralled that I didn't even take in the other people around the table. He was the only one my eyes could see. I followed his body up from the waist as I had done the first time in the forest clearing, in my dreams of course, but still I had remembered every detail correctly. He wore a black pin-stripe suit with waistcoat and a black s.h.i.+rt and black tie. My eyes followed the material as it widened for his powerful looking shoulders until I paused at the neck. My heart fluttered and my stomach ached in knots, knowing I had reached my favourite part. His face. But I chickened out. I couldn't bear to look into his eyes, scared to see what I might find there. After all... I was breaking all the rules.

I was quickly pulled back to reality and walked with my head down towards the bar. It wasn't far from the central table so I didn't have much further to go. The bar was a match to the one down stairs only on a slightly smaller scale. It was the only thing in the room that reminded me I was in the same club and not some European castle. There was one man behind the bar and now I was suddenly nervous for a new reason.... Confrontation.

I walk up to it placing the crate down on the bar's counter, when the man turned towards me. Having had my entire mind concentrated on everything in the room, it had made me forget the aching pain in my arms and hands. They were now burning. I straightened them out again as I had done before but now the imprints the crate had made wouldn't go away.

"Are you alright?" My mind was everywhere and yet nowhere. A smooth voice had asked me something and I looked up to see a man smiling sweetly at me. He looked as though from Moroccan decent with a soft dark tint to his skin, deep dark eyes and long black hair past his shoulders. His eyes were kind and comforting which was a relief among the wave of scrutinising looks I was getting.

"Sorry?" I said feeling stupid, as the first person to talk to me up here must think me a simpleton.

"I was just asking if you were alright, you must have carried that a long way and no offence, but you don't look built for hard labour." He chuckled to himself at this last part.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks, I was told you needed that crate and so they sent me...well Jerry sent me...I mean not sent me... asked me." I needed to stop talking, I was babbling on like a lost child. He couldn't keep the smile from his face, as he must have known my reasons for being nervous.

"Ok, well thank you very much, we did need it quite badly as we were down to our last and we are extremely short staffed ...due to umm...well let's just say compromising circ.u.mstances."

I didn't really understand this last part and couldn't understand anyone using the term "Compromising circ.u.mstances" as a way of saying someone rather quit or got sacked!

"I'm Karmun, and you are?" He held his hand out for me to shake and I leaned over to offer mine in return when someone shouted my name.

"Keira, is that you?" The same familiar voice that had sang her 'Thank you's' today in history was now speaking my name behind me. I removed my hand from Karmun's and turned to face her. Only a combination of surprise and fear that the girl had followed me up here not knowing the rules had my body rebelling against my orders. I lost my footing and fell sideways into someone. It wasn't Sophia as I had hoped as she was opposite me now grinning. The person I fell into was still holding me upright and I was about to turn to face them with a chorus of apologies, when Sophia giggled and spoke a name with, which I was only too familiar.

"Nice catch! Keira, I would like to introduce you to Dominic Draven." I lifted my head and saw his perfect face staring down at my scarlet skinned cheeks and I hung my head in shame. I straightened myself up and instinctively stepped away from him. I was still warm and tingly from his touch on my skin. His eyes followed mine and I managed to say a quiet 'Sorry' that anyone would barely hear. He looked me up and down with hard unimpressed eyes and my knees weren't up to the task of keeping me up straight. I tried to regain some control to prevent any further embarra.s.sment.

I couldn't understand how Sophia knew him and then it hit me. Maybe she was his girlfriend. She certainly fit the bill. She was beyond beauty and perfection. She was the very meaning of desire. The reason artists and writers had a muse, their inspiration to pick up a brush or pen. I suddenly felt a sickening feeling in my stomach. I would never in a million life times be good enough. Not for a man like this.

But then she said something that answered my unspoken thoughts and it all made sense.

"Brother, this is Keira, the girl I was telling you about."

Chapter 12 Offer I can't refuse.

Brother! Brother... of course, it all made sense now. Even down to why RJ was calling me lucky before cla.s.s. She had known what cla.s.ses Sophia was taking and that history was one of them. I would have to start paying more attention to people and less time daydreaming. I could see the resemblance in them both. They had a way about them that drew you in, had you captivated as though under some secret spell. I could imagine that her effect had worked on guys as well as her brother's had worked on me. It was verging on obsession.

I stood silent as she was recreating the events of this afternoon but her brother looked more than unimpressed, he looked bored and most of all rude. He stared at me as though I was an intruder, an outsider that needed to be eliminated. Maybe the s.h.i.+t on his shoe would be the right explanation! His eyes were the only thing different than the way he was in my dreams but they had just the same, if not more, of an impact. They were dangerous and lethal, screaming with an endless amount of authority. He didn't even look away when my eyes met his. He just kept on with the evil glare as though his sister's words had meant nothing.

"I didn't realise you worked here, what a small world," Sophia smiled. At this she received a harsh look from her brother as though someone had clicked their fingers to get his attention away from me, which she ignored and carried on.

"Actually we don't usually have people from around here working up in the VIP, you can understand we don't like the gossip that a small town generates but seeing that you haven't been here long then maybe you could help us out."

"WHAT!" Were the first words from Draven's lips and for once they weren't worth waiting for.

"That's not a good idea Sophia." He paused to look down at me, which wasn't hard giving his immense height difference and then continued, "She does NOT belong here." It was like being punched with a battering ram. I squeezed my fingers into fists until they hurt just to stop the pain in my head and my heart. I couldn't believe how different he was from my dreams. There he remained soft and kind but here was a different matter, he was unnecessarily cruel.

"I don't agree, we need staff up here and I think she deserves a chance or don't you trust my judgement?" She was fearless as she now stood facing him looking up into his deep black eyes. He didn't look at me again but only ended the discussion by adding his own dark thoughts on the idea.

"Sophia you know my thoughts on the matter so let it be on your head when this goes wrong. Do not forget our ways sister!" He said with a terrifying glint in his eyes and a deadly flex in his strong jaw line before leaving me and Sophia alone. I watched as he walked away not taking my eyes off his impressive figure. I knew Sophia was watching me but I couldn't help it. I still couldn't believe that he was just speaking about me as though I wasn't here.

I wanted to hate him! I mean what was the worst that could happen? I would break a gla.s.s or get an order wrong. It wasn't astrophysics! I was just serving drinks. And yes it was a little bit different, mainly down to the weirdo people that I would be serving. But come on, what did he think I was a b.l.o.o.d.y mental patient? Did he think I was going to throw their orders at them, hoping they'll wear them instead of drinking them?