by Grant Hunter
‘Look…’ began Justin in an enthusiastic tone. ‘It tells a story. These pictures, I cut out from different comic books, are all from the same publisher. There is a hidden story in it though. They put the code only in odd numbers, their special editions. This is how criminals communicate with each other, did you know that? You just have to decipher it, and I’m on the trail!’
‘Well...’ I stared at the floor.
‘Look. Closer.’ He pointed again. ‘It’s a pattern. This is almost finished. Don’t you see it? The secret code? It’s a story in a story.’
‘OK then.’
Justin shook his head.
‘What did you say? It’s certainly not OK! Ask me what I’ve discovered…’
I felt Goosebumps form on my arms as I looked at him. Slowly I turned to the door.
‘Justin,’ I said, and my hand was reaching for the doorknob. ‘You know? I have to go. My headache is killing me.’
He looked at me as if he had been struck by lightning.
‘What? No. I mean, I am conducting an important investigation. You are my witness…’
‘Maybe another time?’
‘What the fuck are you talking about? Headaches? I’ve shown you a shocking discovery. Don’t start about another time or headaches. Can’t you see the importance?’
He seemed angry and I just wanted to leave quickly, but when I opened the door he grabbed my arm.
‘I know why you are here, Naomi. You want me.’
An electric sensation travelled from your neck down to my spine. ‘No. Not at all. I don’t know how you got that idea.’
‘Don’t deny it! It’s foretold in this comic book. Look, it’s about a student house and the main character...’
I pushed him as I tried desperately to free my arm. I wriggled loose and hurried from his room without saying another word.
6
As I stepped into the nightclub, Jen greeted me with open arms. I hugged her and she kissed me on the left cheek. She shouted in my ear, so loud, that she nearly drowned out the sound of the heavy bass music. ‘Bloody hell, your look like crap. Your mouth… What happened, Naomi?’
I shook my shoulders.
Josh came up to me and gave me a playful wink. The Swedish body-guard look-alike didn't seem to fit in at this dark, loud nightclub. He had big puppy-dog eyes and a great smile. He was a friendly giant, our personal bodyguard! With Josh around, I always felt safe.
‘It’s a bit overcrowded in here!’ I screamed into Jen’s ear.
She nodded and beckoned me to follow her. When Josh went in front of us, he was like a bulldozer. Josh strode through the crowd, creating a path for us. At the back of Crowd’s Cove it was even darker, but a lot busier, especially at the tables. Josh stood still in front of a table where three young guys sat. He folded his arms, stared at the boys and waved them away. They jumped up and made themselves scarce. I gave Josh a thumb’s up and giggled as we took their place.
‘We need some, drinks don’t we Naomi?’ shouted Jenny.
I smiled at her and shook my head.
‘Joshy, will you get us two gin and tonics?’
He nodded and disappeared in the crowd. Above the stage, the red, green and blue light strobed off and on. Exotically dressed figures were dancing rhythmically to the music. They looked like drag queens. Somewhere beneath the stage was a mass of dancers grinding to the heavy beat. I watched fascinated.
‘This is the place to be!’ screamed Jen, as she leant towards me. ‘A celebrity hotspot. Do you see him?’
‘Him?’
She pointed to a man who I vaguely recognised.
‘Micky Arrow. Every Friday night on TV. He’s in that police series.’
‘Oh yes.’
‘And she...’Jenny pointed out her finger again. ‘… she is a good friend of my father.’
‘My God. Is that...?’
‘Yes, Miss B. We can say hello if you want?’
I was bursting with excitement. Jen appeared to know everyone here. She smiled and waved at people. Suddenly I felt lost, like I didn’t belong here. Not at this table, with swollen lips. I broke out in a cold sweat, because everyone was watching me, as if I was an intruder. Luckily Josh came back. He put three drinks on the sticky table. Jen almost emptied her glass at one swallow. I had intended not to drink as much as yesterday, but now that thought seemed to be a pointless resolution. I was so nervous I needed some Dutch courage. So I picked up the cold glass and took a great mouthful.
‘Yuck,’ I said as I put it down. ‘I like vine better.’
‘You should pronounce it wine,’ Jen corrected me.
‘Well, Duh! That’s what I said.’
Josh laughed and Jen shook her head.
‘I just want to get you to lose that accent. Crazy Dutch Girl.’
I hated it when Jenny called me “The Crazy Dutch girl” it was always as though she were saying I was crass. As much as I tried to do my best to keep up with her; she always made me feel worthless.
‘Come on, Naomi. I’m sorry! Forget it.’
I reached for my glass and tried to drink slowly, with small sips. When I put the empty glass down I realized the room began to spin.
‘Did they put something in the drink?’
Jen leaned forward and stared deep into my eyes. ‘Do you want something? I’ll arrange that for you.’
‘What? No.’
‘Don’t be a bore, Naomi.’
I mumbled, shook my head and immediately regretted it. Realising how extremely stupid it was to drink without having eaten first.
‘Come on, Naomi!’ Jen stood up, grabbed my hand and pulled me with her. I didn’t feel like moving at all, especially when I noticed the dizzy spells.
‘Hey. Are you OK?’
‘No. Just let me sit. I will join you in a minute, OK?’
‘Silly girl.’ She smiled sweetly and grabbed Josh, who walked behind her, like a lap dog, to the dance floor. All at once I felt terribly alone, at this table full of bottles and glasses. I picked up Josh’s drink and swallowed what was left. Just as I drank the last sip, someone sat down beside me on the leather couch.
‘Have we met before?’ he laughed.
‘Bad pickup line.’
‘No, No. You’re the ball girl.’
‘Ball girl? Congratulations! That is the worst pickup line ever.’
‘You’re still angry at me...’
I took a deep breath, crossed my arms and slumped down in the couch.
‘M-maybe.’
He pointed to my empty glass. ‘Can I get you something to drink? To put it right?’
Well, I suppose I was glad there was someone sitting next to me. I looked less abandoned and felt like a drink.
‘Cola Zero,’ I said.
He laughed sheepishly, nodded, stood up and made himself a path to the bar. The music changed to a fast beat. I saw Jen swaying back and forth in her short lilac dress, near Missy B. Her hair was waving rhythmically with the music. Josh barely moved. The huge man and the short wild woman, made the weirdest couple. It made me laugh.
‘Here...’ A glass was put in front of me.
‘You’re fast.’
He winked. ‘Not always. But let’s stop talking about me. What about you? I don’t even know your name.’
‘It’s Naomi.’
‘Of course. How could I forget? I’m Gabriel. Gabe to my friends, remember?’
He held out his hand and I smiled as I shook it. He smiled back and took a sip of his beer. I felt uncomfortable. Although I liked it that someone was keeping me company. Nevertheless I hoped Josh and Jen would come back soon.
‘So you come here often?’
‘No.’
‘Nor do I.’
Jen turned to me. I waved at her, but she didn’t respond.
‘Your girlfriend looks busy.’
I nodded and sipped my glass.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘Is there alcohol in my Coke?’
‘Of
course. Cuba Libre, right?’
I sighed, but said nothing about it.
‘So, Naomi... I have my special dance shoes on... Will we show those two something?’
‘Oh well, why not.’
Gabe stood up and I followed him into the heaving mass of people. From the moment we hit the dancefloor, time seemed to accelerate. The rhythm took over my body and I lost all control in the flashing lights.
7
‘Naomi?’
I opened my eyes and couldn’t understand where I was. A worried face leant over me. I recognized him even though my vision was blurry and I felt dizzy. What was Gabe doing here? In my room? On my bed? For God’s sake…
‘W-what...’
Suddenly I heard another voice in the room. It sounded like Josh, but I couldn’t recognise his face because the room turned upside down.
‘Hey, welcome back. Are you sure you don’t need a Doctor?’
I kept my eyes tightly shut, even though it didn’t really help. ‘What? No, why?’
‘Bloody Hell, Naomi.’ Jen leant over me and kissed my forehead. ‘I was so scared.’
Now I felt the gorge in my throat. Nausea. Acid. I heaved in shock waves and just in time Gabe passed me a bucket, so that the dreadful stream of vomit didn’t land on the floor. I heard Jenny gag. She turned away from me and opened the window. Gabriel put the bucket down and slapped Josh on the shoulder.
‘This guy made sure you got home. A real hero. He has been looking after you the whole time, even when we were thrown out of the taxi. Unfortunately, I couldn’t walk straight either!’
‘Huh?’
Jenny bent over me again. ‘The taxi ride. Don’t you remember anything?’
‘A-no.’
‘Give her have a break.’ Gabriel murmured, ‘Let her sleep. She is OK now.’
‘You were totally out of it,’ Josh said.
‘For a long time, really long,’ explained Jen. ‘We couldn’t wake you up in Crowd’s Cove after you collapsed on the dance floor.’
‘Oh, shit.’
Gabriel smiled. ‘Don’t get worked up, Naomi. You have a massive hangover. Have some rest. You have good friends, but I really need to go home. Goodnight and maybe see you soon?’
I raised my left hand as he walked away.
‘Cool guy,’ Josh said.
‘Sure is. He was very worried about you, as if it were his entire fault,’ said Jen.
I started to throw up again. Just in time someone pressed a glass of water in my hand.
‘Drink slowly, little sips,’ said Josh.
I felt the room spinning so badly that I had to close my eyes.
‘Let her sleep, Josh,’ I heard Jenny whispering. Then the lights went out. I heard Jenny shut the door behind her. Even though it was quiet, I still felt a presence in the room.
‘H-hello?’ It didn’t sound like my voice at all.
I felt a gust of wind pass over me. It’s nothing. Jen has opened the window. There is no one here. None the less, I pulled the sheets right over my head. I felt a heat seep through them.
‘Go away,’ I muttered.
A hand ran over the sheet. I drew myself into the foetal position and wrapped my hands around my head to protect me but the sheet was slowly pulled off me. I shouted and immediately a hand grabbed my throat, it squeezed tightly until I could only make a weird suffocated sound.
‘Calm down, and I shall save you from The Dark,’ whispered a man’s familiar voice.
I couldn’t understand what he was talking about. In my head I shouted at him: ‘Leave me! Let me go!’ But no words left my mouth. I wanted to throw him off, but something stopped me. I wanted to kick, but my legs were pinned and I was held waiting for death to grab me until I blacked out.
A breeze woke me up. I coughed and had to swallow so as not to wretch again. My head felt heavy and fogged, and the sunlight shining through the window made the pulsating migraine worse.
‘Stupid nightmares!’ I moaned and stood up. Somehow I managed to close the window. Shuffling on bare feet I walked to the sink, let some ice cold water flow over my hands and rinsed my face with it.
Someone knocked on my door.
‘Come in...’ My voice sounded hoarse.
As I turned my head to the door, I had to grab the sink so as to not fall over. Looking in the sink mirror I saw that an envelope had been pushed under my door. Slowly I shuffled and pulled the door open. No one there, so I closed the door, grabbed the envelope off the floor, tore it open and read the handwritten note.
Naomi,
Yesterday I kicked a football into your face and then the drinks I gave you made you ill. Maybe you will give me another chance to apologise? How about bowling? or pizza? Or of course anything else you would like to do. I only know where you live, but I don’t have your number, so I’ll give you mine: 07911 123456000. If you feel like doing something, please call me.
Gabriel
Bowling? Pizza? Yuk. I didn’t want to think about it. But I would call Gabe to thank him for his help. I folded the letter up and slid it back into the envelope. Then I crawled back in my bed and pulled the sheet over me.
8
‘Shit!’ I said, looking at the alarm clock. It was already half past eleven in the evening. I jumped out of my bed and searched the floor for clothes. My shift started at nine o’clock. ‘Jesus Christ, Rooney will be mad at me…’ I ran to the mirror and pulled my long hair into a ponytail. I didn’t bother to brush my teeth. The gnawing hunger reminded me that I needed food. From the drawer of my bedside table I grabbed a packet of biscuits and shoved a handful in my mouth as I ran downstairs.
On the way I waved at Joy, who looked at me in surprise, with her mouth open as if she wanted to say something. I didn’t give her the chance. In the hallway I pulled my bike helmet off the shelf and slipped my reflective rainproof jacket on. I opened the door and flew down the three steps.
The heat of summer still hung in the air. My bike stood in front of the house, hidden in the bushes, so that passers-by did not notice the wreck. Although I had found that cycling in London was life-threatening, it didn’t stop me from haring through traffic. I had already been hit by a car in my first week. Luckily it was a Smart and the elderly car owner drove slowly. I only ended up with one scar on my right knee. Jen was still angry that I continued to use the thing. But the bike gave me a sense of freedom that I didn’t want to give up. And also something even more important: it reminded me of home.
I jumped on the rusty thing, breathed the hot air deep into my lungs and cycled out of the Van Burgh Park with its stately mansions. On the way I passed a red bus and followed the road to the right at the Chinese on the corner. The pedals of my biked span like they were possessed.
I breathed in deeply when I arrived at Blue, the bar where I worked, and ripped off my bike helmet. Sweat ran down my forehead. From the outside I noticed it was pretty crowded inside. It was a local trendy bar, just outside the city centre. It didn’t attract the tourists, more the neighbourhood youngsters. As soon as I set foot over the threshold, a man flew at me. His grumpy look said enough. He pointed outside and obediently I followed him.
‘Where the fuck have you been?’ The veins in his neck stood out.
Maybe I could still escape. Jump on my bike and ride like crazy. But didn’t do it because I needed this job. How would I be able to eat and go out?
‘I, err, I overslept.’
‘Overslept? Do you know what time it is?
I shrugged my shoulders.
‘Well Missy, from now on you can sleep as much as you want. You’re fired. I can’t put up with unreliable staff.’
‘Bu-but… Rooney…’
He held up his hand and didn’t let me say any more. ‘No, I have had enough of it. My staff timetable is always a mess because of you. Look inside. That’s called chaos.’
I shifted my eyes to avoid his furious gaze.
‘I’m sorry, Mr. Rooney. Really, it won’t happen again.’
&
nbsp; ‘You’re fired!’
‘Dave, come on. Give me one more chance. I’m really sorry. I need this job!’
‘And I need someone who comes to work on time.’
‘Please,’ I begged. ‘Give me just one last chance. The very last. I promise you that I will never ever be late again.’
Rooney rolled his eyes. Even though he was smaller than me, I was afraid of him when he got so angry.
‘No, Naomi. You begged me last week --- and the week before that! I have given you enough chances. I’m done.’
I wanted to burst into tears and shout at him hysterically to make him change his mind ----but I didn’t.
‘You got fired? Bloody hell. Now what?’ Jen asked.
I tried to keep my tears in, but I couldn’t. Jenny shook her head. She sat so closely to me, that I wanted to slide even further into the corner of the couch. The TV was on, loudly. In the kitchen, Joy messed about in the cabinets. She was probably preparing breakfast for Robin, who was sitting outside in the garden reading the newspaper. Occasionally looking up, so I quickly acted as if I was watching TV. Sweat still ran down my back from jogging. I needed to jog to get clear my head after I had got sacked last night.
‘No idea what to do now. Maybe I should tell Joy?’
‘Are you crazy?’ she whispered. ‘Since that affair with Robin, she is just looking for reasons to throw you out. She is fucking jealous!’
‘Ridiculous.’ I wiped the sweat from my forehead.
‘Be smart, Naomi. Joy is not stupid. She would do anything for him...’ Jen pointed to the kitchen where Joy was cutting oranges in half.
‘I just need to find a new job. Quickly, very quickly. Can you lend me some money in the meantime? Then I can at least pay the rent.’
Jen threw me a black look. ‘You owe Josh money as well. Yesterday he paid everything for you, the taxi, the drinks. Sorry, but I think you should pay him back first. I can’t keep helping you.’
I nodded. Of course she was right. I felt ashamed that I had even asked her.
‘All right. I’ll tell Joy the truth.’
‘No, Naomi. Don’t say anything.’