Digital Hearts- Late Night Ambitions

by Eden Redd

  The player never looked back as he pushed the door open and made his way down the stairs. Making his way, he reached the lower level and skimmed along the shelves, alphabetical by author. Thoughts swirled as he wondered if he would be that awkward with everyone he met. Unlike combat situations where objectives created a clear line in the player’s head, affairs of the heart were a minefield of the unknown. The woman he bumped into was beautiful, but her cold gaze put him off.

  Morgan questioned if he should have kept talking or maybe even sat by her. She had great taste in the classics so why didn’t he just stay? Wasn’t the whole purpose to find love? Why was romance so damn confusing? Why was he looking for a strange book when he should be reading up on the laws of romance?

  Morgan stopped, his finger resting on a dark green book spine. Golden letters shined as he pulled out the book he was looking for and opened it. Yellowish pages turned as the player made his way to the center aisle and bumped into a small table with two chairs. Falling into his routine whenever he began reading, the outside virtual world turned into a faraway fog. The words poured into his mind as eyes moved from left to right. Pulling from the comfortable reading, he glanced at his watch to see he had about two hours before the party.

  “Plenty of time to get in some reading,” the player whispered as he turned the page.

  A sharp feeling touched Morgan’s senses as he looked up from the book. Scanning the lower level, he saw that he was alone. A nagging thought clawed at him, tingling and saying he was being watched. The player turned his head, taking in dark corners. Nothing moved, not even the air.

  Senses dialed back as the tingling feelings fell away. Morgan stuck his nose back in the book, the back of his mind wondering if his nerves were on edge or if he was being followed.

  ***

  The cab drove off as the sun set to the west. Morgan stood in front of his home, gaze cast downward before he started walking. Stepping inside, he put a small bag down by the door. Closing the door, he looked around to see the house dark and still. Turning on lights, he made his way to his bedroom. Nikki was curled in his bed, fast asleep. The cat woman was about a little over five feet tall but the player couldn’t figure out how she curled into herself, becoming smaller. She was like a ball, knees to her chest, arms around her knees and face turned to her knees. Tail encircling her body, she breathed peacefully without a care in the world.

  The player decided not to wake her and stepped back to the living room. Looking out the window, he saw that David’s home glowed and the sound of music could be heard across the street. Morgan wondered if Richard was still alive, would he have called the sheriff already.

  Not wanting to be late, Morgan moved to the small bag, picked it up and left his home. Walking across the street, the sun disappeared behind the horizon and stars began to shine. Morgan thought back to the book at the Library. It was interesting, so interesting he had Barbara send him a copy to his email. The elderly librarian seemed to perk up a little more when he saw her again and was happy to help.

  He pondered on the five chapters he read while he was there. The book was a patchwork of legends, myths and stories told by one man. Luke Aras seemed to chronical down his fever dreams, telling of hulking wild monsters and the constant need to hunt. Morgan lost track of time as he was engrossed in Luke’s tales of hunting, killing and in graphic detail, eating his kills. He often talked about how the only true way to achieve a higher self was to follow the laws of the hunt and never waver. It was tantalizing reading and when Morgan came out of his book trance, he only had twenty minutes before sun down.

  Morgan let Barbara know he wanted the E-book and raced out to a store to buy a house warming gift. When he was finished, the player jumped in a cab and headed home. Now, he was walking across the street to a party and maybe a good time.

  Reaching David’s door with his finger out, he pressed the doorbell. Music thumped from windows and closed curtains. The door opened and a flood of vibrations washed over the player. Morgan grinned as David smiled, large hand falling on the player’s shoulder and guiding him inside.

  “Everyone! This is Morgan,” David shouted.

  The large home was packed with bodies as music played. Cups rose up and smiles bloomed as the crowd closest to the main door cheered. Morgan’s shoulders relaxed as the welcoming warmth coiled around him. Stepping in further, a cup was pushed into his hand.

  Morgan turned to see Mina’s drunken bright smile. Black and orange colored witch clothes almost covered her from head to toe. Gulping down her drink, she wrapped her arms around Morgan’s neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek. David pumped his fist as he drank and the crowd grew louder.

  “You guys started without me,” Morgan teased.

  Mina gave him a drunken sly look, “We checked your home, but a cat-woman answered. She said you stepped out and told us her name was Nikki. We started to pregame to help calm down David’s nerves and…well…drank a little too much.”

  “Then everyone began showing up early,” David chimed in over the noise. “I…like…invited the entire town.”

  Mina pulled away and sauntered into the main room. Hips moving to a beat, she began to dance with several more people in the living room. David shouted as he grabbed two more drinks and began to guzzle them at the same time. Morgan laughed, seeing his friends act like someone in those old fraternity movies they used to watch on movie nights.

  Scratching his head, Morgan took a sip as he mingled into the party. Time swirled on as the drinks continued. Morgan’s focus shifted as the alcohol took hold and didn’t let go. Scenes turned into flashes as he moved through the party, lips moving to small talk and taking in the house full of strangers. The party was fun but Morgan enjoyed his quiet time as well.

  Somehow through the party, Morgan retrieved his bag and pulled out a potted plant. Handing it to David, the giant purple mutant gave a toothy smile and hugged his smaller friend. Air was forced from his lungs as he patted the big drunken brute. David showed it to everyone before setting it by window.

  Morgan smiled, trying to keep his mood light. He watched as a clown moved through the crowd. A woman who looked like an alien sauntered through. Her eyes were wide ovals and black as pitch, but her demeanor was pleasant. She had no hair, but she did have two slits for a nose, a slit for a mouth and long lithe limbs. She wore a tight silver skirt and top, her breasts defying gravity as they bobbed to her movements. Other townsfolk filtered into Morgan’s gaze. Some had horns, others tails. Hair color was across the spectrum, but some people looked quite normal, like from a Rockwell painting. A noise interrupted the people watching, Morgan looking to the side as Mina pushed at a clown.

  “I said leave me the fuck alone!” Mina yelled.

  The clown laughed as Morgan and David dived through the crowd.

  “I just want you to touch my squeaky toy,” the clown laughed.

  “Mitch, fuck you and your squeaky toy!” Mina yelled louder.

  Morgan and David’s hands grabbed the clown by the shoulders and pulled him toward the front door. A party goer opened the door as the two friends heaved and threw the clown out. Morgan and David stepped out, eyes hard on the clown dressed in yellow and red as he stood up.

  “Come on guys, everyone loves a clown,” Mitch laughed.

  “Walk away,” David growled.

  The clown laughed as he stepped backwards. “She’ll come around. Bitches love to laugh.”

  Morgan studied the clown as he dipped and spun, moving farther away. When the clown was nearly out of sight, David put a big hand on Morgan’s shoulder and guided him back into the house. The crowd cheered as the two men entered and closed the door. The alien woman clapped as she moved closer, black gaze on David’s big form. Mina stepped closer and the two friends moved to her sides.

  “Are you okay?” Morgan asked.

  “I’m fine. I could have handled him,” Mina nearly spit.

  David sighed. “We know you could have, but I don’t know how hard is i
t to get clown’s blood out of the rug.”

  “Not very,” Morgan said in a low tone, his voice lost to the loud music.

  Mina spoke, “Mitch keeps getting pushy with me, wanting me to come over to his place so we can play with his toys.”

  “Was he the same clown that bothered you before?” Morgan asked.

  The witch nodded. “Yea. He kept telling me he was a neighborhood over, but he brought some toys with him so we could play in the woods. Fucking asshole.”

  Morgan filed it away as drinks were pushed into their respective hands. The alien woman stepped to David, blinking her oval eyes. The purple mutant gave her a confident smirk. Long hands took hold of his big arm and pulled him away. Morgan and Mina watched as their friend seemed to have found himself a new friend.

  “She’s been watching him all evening,” Mina smiled.

  Morgan simply smiled as the party fell into full swing once again. The evening fell into true night and the party was just as vibrant as ever. The player made his rounds again, socializing and drinking. When he was back to the living room, he spotted Mina talking to an extremely handsome man with black horns. The witch looked to him, talking as he silently nodded to everything she was saying. The look in her eyes spoke volumes and Morgan nodded, seeing his friend connecting with someone.

  “Hi,” said a voice from behind.

  Morgan turned around to see a beautiful woman staring at him. Her eyes glowed an amber yellow and her smile was infectious, causing the player to smile automatically. The intensity of the glow faded a hair as Morgan saw the rest of her features. Long brown hair framed her smooth face. Perfect eyebrows stood against her slightly tanned skin. Glancing down, she was wearing a knee-length black dress. It hugged her body and the player immediately noticed well-toned muscles along her lithe form. Her cleavage gave off a warmth Morgan could barely deny. She looked extremely fit, but the smile gave off a down to earth charm.

  “Hi,” Morgan returned.

  “I saw what happened before. Is your friend okay?” the woman gestured to Mina.

  Morgan grinned. “Yea, she’s fine. We had to throw that clown out before she beat him to death.”

  “You must be good friends,” the woman smiled brightly.

  “We are,” Morgan said loudly over the music. “Sorry, I’m being rude, I’m Morgan.”

  The woman held out her hand, “Anya.”

  Morgan took it and gave it a small shake, “Glad to meet you.”

  Anya nodded, “It’s pretty loud in here. Want to go out back?”

  “Sure,” Morgan said, his voice lost to the music.

  Through a drunken haze, the player followed Anya. The two made their way through the thick crowds in each room until they emerged from the back door and into the backyard. The sounds of the party dimmed as the song of crickets filled the night. Stars twinkled high above and Morgan found himself taking a long, cleansing breath.

  “My ears are a little sensitive and the music was getting to me,” Anya sighed.

  “To be honest, it was getting to me too,” Morgan said.

  Anya stretched out her arms and then let them drop to her sides. “How do you like it here in Driftwood Cove?”

  Morgan sipped his drink before answering. “It’s a pretty nice place. I’m just starting to know my way around. I assume in a few days I should know it like the back of my hand.”

  Anya nodded. Morgan tapped at his cup, unsure what to say. He could do normal small talk, but the beauty standing beside him under the stars caused his mind to freeze up. He was at a party and doubted very much she wanted to listen to him talking about normal everyday life stuff. Trying to think of something to fill the quiet moment, he wondered why he was having such a hard time. Thoughts flowed to Mina, trying to gain inspiration, but the two didn’t compare. Mina was a friend and he was comfortable around her. Why couldn’t he take how he felt toward Mina and apply it to Anya, who seemed interested enough to pull him outside.

  Inspiration touched his mind and he went with it. “How do you like Driftwood Cove?”

  Anya’s eyes brightened. “I love it here. To be so close to nature and meeting so many new people. It’s amazing.”

  You gained +1 to Attractiveness!

  The alert crossed Morgan’s vision and he finally understood some of the mechanics. He had to keep their interest. Allow others to talk and share. It was so simple, he wanted to kick himself for not thinking of it sooner.

  “When I saw the invite, I thought this was the best time to meet new people,” Anya said with a shy grin.

  “Me too,” Morgan said after another sip. “I have a hard time with just walking up to people and I was looking forward to the party. David is much easier with meeting people.”

  “David seems like a nice mutant,” Anya said.

  “He is…just don’t call him Hulk,” Morgan smirked.

  Anya’s smiled dimmed slightly. Morgan thought quickly on his feet to recover.

  “What do you like to do for fun?”

  Anya’s smile returned. “I like to work out. I run every day and try to hit the gym as much as I can. When I’m not working out or running, I like drinks and people watching.”

  Morgan nodded, his heart beating a little faster. He loved to work out and internally berated himself for not getting into his normal routine. People watching was another favorite past time. Nerves fired as he grew more and more intrigued.

  Anya stepped out into a grassy backyard and looked up to the night sky. “There should be a Hunter’s moon soon when the season changes from summer to autumn. Those are always my favorites.”

  Morgan stepped out and moved to her side, “I just like the night, when the world is quiet and you can hear your thoughts.”

  Anya looked over, eyes bright.

  You gained +1 to Attractiveness!

  The alerts only told Morgan he was on the right track. Letting out a little piece of himself seemed to affect her in a positive light. The player was about to continue when he and Anya heard a strange moan. Heads turning, they looked back to the house. Shadows moved against curtains, but a side room had a light on and the window was open a crack. Another moan whispered out as Morgan and Anya looked to each other and smiled.

  Anya stepped first, moving to the window. Morgan a second later followed. They approached the window side by side. Silently they straightened their backs and peeked in the open window, the curtain already slightly pulled aside. Moans flowed out like an intimate breeze but as the pair gazed in, what was happening in the room was far from private.

  Six couples were moving to primal urges, bodies caught in compromising positions. The door was closed to the room and the light dim, but not dim enough to obscure their gaze. From the slightly open window, gasps fell from some open mouths while others moaned as men with half closed eyes watched them. Groans sang and hands caressed. Some hugged their partners, unwilling or un-wanting to break free. On a large couch, two women kissed, tongues slipping past lips as behind each one, men held their hips and pushed into the women gently, enjoying the show and sensations. One woman with horns was on her knees, tongue out as her partner stroked himself. With a low groan, white seed burst from his throbbing head and sprayed across her face and splashed against her breasts. Hands running down her wet breasts, she hungrily sucked on the end, come dripping down from the side of her mouth. Another woman moaned her delight as she bounced with power on her lover. Heat spilled out of the partially open window, causing Morgan to give a small smile.

  The player wanted to laugh, but the show was too much to look away. Gaze moving from one couple to next, Morgan noticed David on a comfortable seat, the alien woman on him. A thick wet member appeared and disappeared as the alien woman took it with vigorous fervor. The purple cock was snug as the alien woman pushed her breasts into David’s semi-serious expression. The giant mutant held the alien woman by her waist, helping her along as she held onto his shoulders. The tempo was steady as long strokes caused the alien to gasp and shudder. Wetnes
s flowed and David gave a confident grin as he upped the tempo. A moment later, the alien wailed as white come dripped out from between her spread legs, her body not slowing down.

  “Your friend seems very healthy,” Anya whispered.

  Morgan covered his mouth, afraid his laughter would break the good time being had. Turning his attention to Anya, he instantly noticed she didn’t look away from the intimate party. Her eyes were wide, drinking in the scene, almost studying it in every fine detail. It was enough to turn the player on, seeing her so free with enjoying the moment. Not wanting to linger too long, the player touched Anya’s hand. Anya turned her gaze and let her fingers slid into his hand. Pulling her along, the two walked far enough away and began to laugh.

  “I had no idea it would turn into that kind of party,” Morgan chuckled.

  “I hear rumors that sex parties are common here in Driftwood Cove. That was my first time witnessing one. I wonder what other parties are happening in the neighborhoods?”

  Morgan let the laughter fall away. “I’m not sure, but if it’s anything like that, we may stumble into them.”

  A faint memory cut through the pleasant haze, reminding Morgan he had work to do. “Anya, it was very nice to meet you. I don’t want to cut the time short, but I have to go soon.”

  Anya gave Morgan a small cheerful smile. “Can I give you my number? I think I want to see you again.”

  You gained +1 to Style!

  Morgan noticed the alert and wondered if by him saying he had to leave made him more mysterious. “Sure, I would love your number.”

  Morgan fished out his cell phone and Anya snatched it from his hand. The player watched as she input her number and handed it back.

  “I live not too far from here, on Star street. Give me a call if you want to do something,” Anya said with a wide smile.

  “I will,” Morgan smiled in return.

  The two eyed each other before Morgan turned to leave. Reaching the back door, he turned around to see Anya staring up at the night sky, her demeanor relaxed. Stepping in, the player made his way through the party. With David indisposed, he searched out Mina. Seeing her still talking to the demonic stranger, he decided it was best to simply leave.