Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  “Whatever,” I said as we stopped back by the bar.

  “Hey,” said Brian, handing Susan her martini. “You forgot this. I saved it for you.”

  “Thanks,” she replied, winking at him.

  “We should go up to the V.I.P. now,” I said. “Before it gets too late. I really don’t want to stay here too long. I have a lot of studying to do tomorrow.”

  “Sure, but let me finish this first,” she said, stirring the martini.

  “I take it those Cosmopolitans are pretty strong?” I said, noticing how shiny her eyes were getting.

  Susan grinned. “They are, but they go down smooth.” She held out the glass. “Try some? Just a sip?”

  Not wanting her totally wasted by the time we met the band, I extended my hand. “Sure, I’ll help you.”

  She handed the glass to me. “They are so... yummy,” she said. Susan lowered her voice and gave me a lopsided grin. “Kind of like the bartender.”

  Chuckling, I gulped down most of the drink and then shivered. It was really strong.

  “Hey,” she pouted as I handed her the glass. “You hardly left me any.”

  “Sorry,” I replied, feeling my stomach get warm. I smiled as the heat spread to my cheeks. “I see what you mean. Those are damn good.”

  “Would either of you like another one?” asked Brian, handing an older guy next to us a bottle of beer.

  “No,” I said, grabbing my purse from the bar. “I think we’re going upstairs.”

  “But, we’ll be back,” said Susan, smiling at him flirtatiously.

  “Hey,” I asked, leaning toward Brian. “Just curious... you mentioned that you were working last night?”

  “Sure was. In fact, I’m here most nights until close.”

  Feeling more comfortable with him, especially now that the booze had loosened my tongue, I lowered my voice. “Did you see a blonde around my age here last night? About as tall as Susan with long hair and big blue eyes?”

  “Yeah, and even bigger boobs,” said Susan.

  Brian burst out laughing. “Sounds like half the girls who were here last night.”

  And tonight, I thought, looking around again.

  “What’s her name?” he asked, wiping the top of the black-marbled bar with a towel. “Maybe it will ring a bell.”

  “Melody Williams,” I said.

  His forehead wrinkled. “Hmm... Melody.... blonde hair and stacked, huh? Can’t say that I recognize the name, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t here. Last night was jam-packed.”

  “Oh, she was definitely here,” I replied. “Her friends, Veronica and Taylor, verified that.”

  He swung the towel over his shoulder and gave me a curious look. “So, why exactly are you looking for this chick?”

  “She’s my cousin and now she’s missing. She supposedly took off with some guy last night and hasn’t made it home yet.”

  Brian shrugged. “Maybe she’s still with the dude and just forgot about checking in.”

  Susan grinned wickedly. “Exactly. Maybe she’s just too busy gettin’ busy to think about anyone else right now.”

  He chuckled. “Exactly. Once they come up for air, you’ll hear from her, I’ll bet.”

  “I hope so,” I replied, still not too sure myself. No phone calls from Melody, well that was one thing, but the texting thing disturbed me. She was addicted to her keypad and should have texted somebody by now.

  Just then, my own cell phone began to vibrate. I pulled it out of my purse. “It’s my mom,” I said to Susan, staring down at the text. I sighed. “They still haven’t heard from Melody.”

  “Crap,” said Susan. “I was hoping that you were getting some good news.”

  “Me too. She says she’s staying with my aunt overnight,” I said as I began typing a message back, telling her that I was still out with Susan and would be home later.

  “Is your dad staying, too?” she asked. “Or is he going to start badgering the police to start looking for her?”

  I shoved my phone back into my purse and zipped it up. “I’m sure they’re going to file a Missing Person’s Report. It’s been almost twenty-four hours since Melody’s friends saw her.”

  She bit her lower lip. “I know what Brian said and all,” she said as we stepped away from the bar. “But what if something seriously bad has happened to her?”

  “That’s why we’re here,” I said. “To see if anyone remembers seeing her, or the guy she left with. Melody kind of stands out in the crowd, you know? I would think someone would remember her.”

  “She definitely thrives on attention. So, um... are you going to ask the band if they know anything?”

  “Well, I’m going to try,” I replied as we took the stairs. “I mean I didn’t exactly come here to ‘ooh’ and ‘ah” over these guys. I’m here for answers.”

  “Ditto. Hey, maybe we should have asked Ethan? I didn’t even think about that.”

  “I did, but not until after he left. Unfortunately, it’s too late now.”

  “Shit,” she said, looking back toward the entrance. “We should have asked the coat-check girl. I didn’t even think about that!”

  “If it’s even the same one from last night.”

  “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”

  “We’ll do it on the way out.”

  “Good thinking. Hopefully Slade will remember something about her, too. I’m sure Melody made her way to the front of the stage to get his attention.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me,” I replied, picturing her making goo-goo eyes at him. After seeing and listening to him tonight, however, I couldn’t exactly blame her.

  When we reached the top, there were three rooms marked “V.I.P.” We stepped toward the one with two security guards.

  “Yeah, um... I think we’re supposed to give you this,” I said, holding up the card from Ethan.

  The taller of the two, Bill, a guy with a blond ponytail and goatee, took the card. “You say Ethan gave you this?”

  I nodded.

  “Yeah,” said Susan, her eyes big. “Don’t worry, we’re not going to stay long. Just want to meet the band and maybe get an autograph or two.”

  The other security guard, Mason, a dark-skinned man with soft brown eyes and a friendlier face, leaned over and looked at the card. He read it and then smiled at us. “Huh... well, I guess it’s your lucky night.”

  “It appears that way,” I replied, as Bill handed me back the card.

  “Or maybe not,” said Bill under his breath with a smirk.

  “What was that?” I asked, looking up at him. With his thick lips and beady eyes, he was far from attractive.

  Mason laughed. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous.”

  “Screw that,” said Bill. “I’m not jealous of those guys. I get all the chicks I want. I don’t need to be in a rock band for that.”

  “Whatever. I’ll escort you two inside,” said Mason, turning back to us. “There might be some crazy shit going on in the V.I.P.” He smiled wickedly. “And you lovely ladies might just need some protection from the animals in there.”

  I looked at Susan nervously, wondering what we’d gotten ourselves into. There were a lot of rumors about the club. Creepy ones.

  Mason looked at my face and burst out laughing. “Hey, I’m just messing with you. You look like you’re about ready to take off running.”

  I forced a smile. “No. I’m fine. I knew you were joking.”

  He tilted his head. “You still look a little apprehensive. Don’t be. Nothing bad will happen to you,” he grinned wickedly, “unless you want it to.”

  I glanced at Susan, who was also smiling.

  “Come on,” he said, stepping back so we could enter the lounge. “I’ll introduce you to Venom. I have a feeling they’re going to be happy when you two walk through the door.”

  “Really?” asked Susan.

  “Hell yeah. They love meeting their fans.”

  “We’re kind of new fans,” I said, hoping that nob
ody would ask me about the music or which song was my favorite.

  “That’s even better,” said Mason, walking us down the hallway. “The band just loves fresh meat.”

  I sighed. “Great.”

  * * *

  Chapter Ten

  Chelsey

  ––––––––

  When we stepped into the lounge, I had to admit, it was very classy.

  “Wow, now this is what I call a night club,” said Susan, beaming. “I just can’t believe it’s hidden away in a small town like Shore Lake. The owner must have spent a small fortune on this place.”

  “Only the best for Faye. She wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Mason.

  I thought the club below was impressive, but it was dull compared to the décor in this room.

  Obviously, I thought, looking around, if this was where they catered to the rich and famous, then it would have to be pretty extravagant.

  “Swanky, huh?” asked Susan, elbowing me.

  “Yeah, it’s nice,” I replied, raising my voice as another song began to play in the club.

  The lounge was extravagant and obviously catered to a higher-class customer. The room itself was dimly lit with a purplish hue. Curved leather sofas and black marbled tables lined the sides of the room, most of them already filled with hipsters, drinking and talking loudly over the music. In the back was a large crystal bar with two bartenders serving top-shelf liquor while scantily dressed servers, dressed in purple and black uniforms, walked around with plates of appetizers and drinks.

  “This way,” said Mason, leading us toward an area that overlooked the dance floor below. As we drew closer, I recognized the group playing cards around a table that looked like it had been sculpted out of amethyst. As we approached, the guys looked up from their game, eyeing us curiously. Everyone in the band appeared to be there, except Slade.

  “Mason, what’s up?” asked a guy, who I recognized as the drummer. He had shoulder-length blond hair and twinkling blue eyes.

  “Ethan sent them up. Fans of yours,” he replied and then turned to us. “I’m going to hand you off to these fellows now. Have fun, ladies.”

  “Uh, thanks,” I replied, feeling totally sober and awkward now that we were standing in front of the band.

  “Sounds good to me,” replied another guy at the table. He had brown eyes and dimples so deep that I couldn’t help but return his smile.

  “I’m Liam,” said the blonde guy, who reminded me a lot of Thor, which I knew Susan must have found thrilling. “So... you girls into poker?”

  “I’ve played before,” replied Susan, grinning stupidly at him. Obviously, my observation had been dead on.

  Liam, who towered over both of us, stood up and pulled over a couple of purple leather club chairs. “Here, sit down and we’ll deal you in. We aren’t playing for money or anything.”

  “That’s because you still owe me from last weekend,” said the guy with the dimples. “Cheap-ass.”

  “I don’t owe you shit,” replied Liam. “You’re dreaming.”

  “If I was dreaming, you’d have paid me,” he replied as Susan and I sat down.

  “Keep dreaming and maybe you’ll get your money,” chuckled Liam, taking a swig of his beer.

  Dimples laughed. “You’re such a dickhead.”

  Liam ignored him and turned back to us. “So, don’t be shy. What are your names?”

  “I’m Susan and that’s Chelsey,” she said, smiling nervously. Obviously she was a little star-struck. I myself was pleasantly surprised that these guys were so easy going.

  “What about you?” I asked, trying to relax.

  “We’re the guys your momma warned you about,” said Liam.

  We all laughed this time.

  “Seriously, though,” I said. “What are your names?”

  “Thought you were fans,” said Liam, shuffling the cards. He grinned. “Or are you just Slade fans?”

  “No. Actually, although we do enjoy your music, we came up here for something totally different,” I replied.

  “To play poker?” joked Liam, staring at me with amusement. “Please tell me your favorite is ‘Strip’. I always pay up for that.”

  “No,” I replied, blushing. “Actually, we wanted to find out if any of you have seen my cousin. She’s missing.”

  There was a long silence and then the guy with the dimples leaned forward. “Missing? When did she go missing?”

  “Last night. I guess she came here to see your band in concert and then left with a guy. Nobody has seen or heard from her since.”

  “And you find that odd?” laughed Liam.

  “Exactly. She’s probably just pulling an all-nighter,” said another guy. He had short red hair and a goatee. Like the others, he was also very handsome. “I’m Sean, by the way. That’s Jimmy,” he pointed to the dimpled guy. “And that’s Bradan,” he said, nodding to a fourth guy who was texting someone on his cell phone.

  Bradan looked up and smiled. “Sorry, lass, I’m listening to you. Truly I am. Keep going.”

  I licked my lips. “Well, like I said, she’s missing, but I don’t think she’s pulling an ‘all-nighter’. She hasn’t contacted anyone, not even her friends, and Melody can’t live without texting.”

  Bradan held up his phone. “Like I said, sorry about this. I’m not normally this bad. It’s me ma. She won’t stop asking me to come home for the holidays.”

  I smiled at his accent. “So, are you the only one from Ireland?”

  “We all are,” said Liam, although he didn’t have an accent. “Except for Slade. He’s originally from Romania. He lost his accent eons ago.”

  I laughed. “So, I take it you’ve been in the U.S. for a while then?”

  “Yes,” said Jimmy with a glint in his eye. “Centuries, in fact. Interesting place.”

  “Wow, you sure age well,” teased Susan. “Let me guess... you’re really vampires and drink blood to stay young and virile?”

  The table went quiet.

  “Ha ha...” said Susan, shaking her head.

  “Ah... you Americans and your infatuation with vampires,” chuckled Liam. “It’s quite amusing.”

  “Almost as amusing as our infatuation with zombies,” replied Susan. “Last week there was a ‘Zombie Bar Crawl’ in town.” She grimaced. “They all showed up at Ruth’s afterwards – drunk, hungry, and... creepy. I know they do it for fun, but zombies just freak me out, you know?”

  I agreed.

  “What is a ‘Zombie Bar Crawl’?” asked Liam.

  “People dress up as zombies and basically bar-hop all night long,” she replied. “They’ll do it again on Halloween.”

  “That actually sounds like a lot of fun,” said Jimmy. “Hell, we could join them and have a regular night without obsessed fans. I wouldn’t mind getting all gored up for that.”

  “I agree,” said Liam. “Don’t get me wrong... I’m grateful we’re getting more popular, but it definitely has its drawbacks.”

  “I’m sure you’ve lost a lot of privacy,” I replied.

  He nodded. “You have no idea.”

  “So, um, where is Slade?” asked Susan.

  Liam looked over my head. “What do you know? Ask and you shall receive.”

  When I turned around and saw Slade this close, my mouth went dry. He had to have been the hottest guy I’d ever seen. Dark hair, broad shoulders, a strong jaw, and eyes as green as the grass after a rainfall.

  “What’s going on?” he asked, staring down at us, his face dark and brooding.

  “Fans,” replied Liam. “Ethan sent them up.”

  Slade stopped next to me and I lowered my trembling hands to my lap. Although he was clearly irritated that we’d joined the table, I felt like there was a static connection between us.

  “Is that right?” he smirked. “You two are fans of Venom?”

  “Uh, yeah,” I replied, smiling up at him weakly.

  His eyes darted down to my chest and then back up to my lips, so q
uickly that I’d almost missed it.

  “Don’t mind Slade,” said Liam. “He doesn’t like to mingle with fans the way we do. Not usually. Tonight might be an exception, though.” He winked at me and then looked back up at Slade. “Is this the one from earlier?”

  Slade ignored him and continued staring, to the point of making me uncomfortable.

  Liam laughed. “That’s what I thought. I think you actually got under his skin tonight, honey. That’s a miracle in itself.”

  “Liam,” said Slade, his voice even. “Why don’t you go find yourself a jar of peanut butter and a girl to occupy yourself for the rest of the evening?”

  The other band members laughed, but I was confused about the peanut butter.

  “Do you like peanut butter, sweetheart?” asked Liam with a gleam in his eyes as he turned to Susan.

  “Doesn’t everybody?” she asked, smiling, but also looking confused.

  Slade laughed and then I felt his eyes upon me again. Although I was secretly thrilled that he was checking me out, it was also very irritating. I wasn’t naïve and knew that he’d probably already pegged me as an easy lay.

  “So, you two are fans but neither of you were at the show last night,” he said softly.

  Stunned, I looked back up at him. “And how do you know that?”

  His smile was dazzling and made my stomach quiver. “I just do.”

  “He just does,” mimicked Liam. “Slade thinks he knows everything, but the truth is, he’s just full of shit.”

  “And that’s coming from someone who talks circles around people, just to confuse the hell out of them,” countered Slade, piercing him with a hard stare.

  “It isn’t hard,” said Liam. He smiled. “And I cannot tell a lie, it amuses the hell out of me.”

  “You mean the look of being pissed off?” chuckled Sean.

  “That too,” replied Liam, raising his beer.

  Slade pulled up another chair and sat down next to me. Our knees touched briefly and I flinched.

  “Sorry,” he said, moving his leg closer.

  “It’s okay,” I replied in a light, breathy voice. Yes, there was definitely a charge emanating from his body and it was making it difficult for me to breathe.