He forced his fear to subside, and his mind on other topics but no matter how hard he tried, it weighed on him.
It was dangerous feeling, something he couldn’t comprehend. It’s the fear of unknown that frightens me, he thought and stared at where the inhuman woman was last seen before reluctantly moving to the door, surprised by the presence of his unexpected guest.
*
Fear gripped Noel-Len. A feeling, he couldn’t accept, as it readily gnawed within.
Even after, his family visit. It lurked in the shadows of his mind. None of their embraces or smiling faces could quell, the trepidation that ground his bones. Their glee at the sight of him, couldn’t be adopted. It failed to remove her face from his thoughts.
He was on edge, yet aware of change in the air and the dangers he felt knotting his nerves. He had no idea what it was or if he was just too anxious because of the recent incidents.
Sadly, the sight of his father and the image of his mother’s smiling face resurfaced in his mind. They were distant memories. He hadn’t seen his father smile like that in a long time but with his recent marriage, that contentment drew closer to reality.
A thought, that swathed nerves harshly.
Even the reckless, of his speeding motorbike was meagre in comparison. Providing no distraction from the array of fearsome emotions and memories that flashed across his mind.
When he pulled into his driveway, he was relieved but still cradled that fear.
If she could find a way into his home, then there was no stopping her on what else she could do, especially if she wanted to find him again. A thought he struggled to swallow.
The sight of his untouched front lawn and driveway were mildly reassuring.
That is; until his eyes, caught the subtle movement of a mulberry curtain of the adjacent house. The curtain hid the shadowy figure that enthused behind the curtain until it vanished, as if it were never there.
A reoccurring event that originally had freaked him out. That is until he installed cameras and reviewed them regularly, enough so every time he’d leave or return home. That presence would appear than disappear before it was too obvious.
Noel-Len steered his murky motorcycle into the garage, without a glance back. “What a nosy old lady.” His fear now replaced with frustration.
Both emotions, promptly neglected, at the calming pressure of his Rottweiler, around his legs excited to see him “hey Mike” he’d greet. Then, parked the bike beside his black Toyota Corolla. Black, colours he’d feel more comfortable in than anyone ever understood.
“Were you good?” he asked the dog who barked enthusiastically in response. Vigorously, he ruffed the short fur of his companion, equally excited to see his friend. Without much thought, he knelt and hugged the dog and stroked him, grateful for the comfort.
The dog hadn’t moved nor barked until Noel-Len climbed to his feet to unlock the door and head inside. Mike’s nails ground against the vinyl floor, chasing after Noel-Len.
Boxes were piled the centre of the dining room and Noel-Len exasperated at the sight, tired of the amount of work expected for the next week and a bit. He often wouldn’t care about the amount of work, but he suddenly felt as if he’d been hit by a train.
He had only returned a few weeks ago, after being posted briefly in Brisbane. The dog whined in response to his sudden lack of energy. “I know it has to be done,” Noel-Len muttered, running his fingers through his dark hair.
It happened suddenly, Mike no longer aided in removing the images of that prisoner from his mind, the echo of his pistol or the amount of blood he remembered to fine detail but could never remember what Mark had asked him. Frustrated, with the memories and the images, he cursed.
He couldn’t think, he needed a drink and hoped it wouldn’t become a habit. Touching his throat, all day he felt it throb.
His fingers couldn’t remove the lingering sensation of her grip around his throat. Something else to add to his tortured mind.
He to the bathroom and he removed his black shirt and blue jeans. Feeling his muscles relax. He wasn’t expected to work today, not after what happened and stared at the faint bruises in the mirror. Mike silently sat at his feet staring up at his owner concern enticing his brown eyes.
Turning on the shower, he waited for the scolding water to fill the bathroom with equally warm steam. He couldn’t remember how long he had been in the shower nor did care. He felt like he had some control. Fixing his hair and a dash of cologne, Noel-Len called a taxi and waited.
He patted Mike who he knew worried over him and teased him with his keys before leaving the dog inside.
As he climbed into the taxi, he reminded himself to sign Mike up to ‘dog care’ hoping that his only housemate wouldn’t be so lonely when he was busy.
The driver remained silent during the twenty-minute journey and Noel-Len silently speculated what to expect in town, he didn’t really want to interact with anyone. He knew what some were like, others were not as terrible but didn’t mean he’d trusted them. He’d learned the hard way. It was something they had to earn. Nothing worth having is free anymore—or is it?
Before he knew it Noel-Len arrived at McKillus Street, a street lined with pubs and clubs. Paying his fare, he exited the taxi and sauntered down the road, purposely avoiding eye contact with everyone he recognised. He really didn’t want to talk to anyone but he a strange feeling he couldn’t avoid it for long.
He passed a few homeless men and women. As per usual, they asked for money, feeling generous. Noel-Len pulled out money and handed it to one man. “Buy some food.” The stranger thanked him, attempting to start a conversation with him but Noel-Len knew better and left, not because he didn’t want but because his mood couldn’t handle the small talk.
It was strange others would say not to hand out money, but he didn’t seem to care. It wasn’t really his anyway it was something he’d earn before it disappeared on bills. He sighed at the thought.
He forced his thoughts aside and made his way to the pub Lust-us then checked the time, it was late it. Right now, it was more of a club than a pub.
Bouncers waited impatiently for his ID. Approving of his license, Noel-Len entered and scanned the many faces who watched him in return.
Their looks weren’t one of spite but rather interest, on the male part for some. Others not too much. For the females it was sexual and uncomfortable. Noel-Len knew he’d be criticised by the others for avoiding these women, but he knew it couldn’t be helped. He feared, he may be closer to that trap tonight, than he had ever been in his entire life.
When he entered, he observed his surroundings, a habit on his part. This time instead of danger he’d search for an old friend. Michael Reagan.
Noel-Len smelt the cold air blowing on him from the air-conditioner above and heard the echoing laughter of intoxicated men and women. Not forgetting the loud beat of the music at his ears and feeling the tempo beneath his feet.
Recognising his friend who silently acknowledged him before heading over to the bar. A woman, with shoulder-Noel-Length brown hair, waited for his order. “Jack Daniels and cola.”
With his drink was in hand, Noel-Len moved over to Michael and a friend he’d saw yesterday at his front door. A striking blond-haired woman with a light also nativity to her gaze.
Slipping past the woman, Noel-Len wrapped his arm around Michael’s shoulders and tensed, waiting for his friend to elbow him.
Noel-Len laughed at his friend’s reaction and shift enough to avoid most of the impact and Michael’s dark eyes, narrowed on Noel-Len. “Don’t scare me like that. Don’t muck around in a pub,” Michael growled, with a mischievous smile.
“Technically, right now it’s a club.” Noel-Len remarked not caring how the lights made Michael’s face light up in anger at Noel-Len’s comment.
Michael’s short black crew-cut hair could not be tinted beneath the splash of colours that rained throughout the club as Michael’s equally brown eyes landed on Noel-Len.
>
“Don’t get cheeky.” Michael warned.
“Sorry, what can I say? You let your guard down.” Noel-Len replied laughing as he released his friend.
Michael ignored his comment.
Noel-Len, after a moment, regarded the woman beside Michael. Her bale blue eyes were streaks of colours dancing throughout the room.
Regardless of their appearance beneath the neon lights, he’d recognise those pale eyes anywhere. “Caprice. Thank you for the personal invitation yesterday but you could have just called.”
She executed a perfect yet daring smile. “Noel-Len Ignatius. I’m glad you made it and besides where’s the fun in just a call.” she greeted, holding out her slender hand to him.
“You’d be surprised what a phone call can do.” His thick warm callous hand held, Caprice’s smaller and softer hand. Lightly, his lips grazed over her knuckles, lingering a little longer before breaking eye contact.
Michael cleared his throat and Caprice pried her hand from Noel-Len’s, her face slightly flushed.
Noel-Len couldn’t help but feel a little smug at her reaction. “How long have you been here?” he asked her.
“A little bit but Michael’s been here longer,” she proclaimed vexingly by convoyed her rather clandestine gaze, as she glanced at Michael. When a woman walked past, and she winked at him.
Caprice raised a brow, at Michael false innocence. “It wasn’t that long, but you saw that, too right?” Michael glanced at Noel-Len, attempting to distract his old friend but he wasn’t buying it.
“Right...” Noel-Len replied, ignoring Michael’s glare. “We saw.”
Caprice clicked her tongue in annoyance and rolled her eyes, muttering “typical” beneath her breath. Noel-Len couldn’t help but smile as she scanned the bar.
“What... I’ve only been here since seven,” Michael attempted but to both Caprice and Noel-Len his tone was a dead giveaway. The falseness of his voice could not have been more pronounced than in that moment.
Michael glanced at Caprice who returned her gaze back at him, quipped with a raised brow. “What?” he questioned, feigning innocence.
“Nothing.” Both, Noel-Len and Caprice replied.
Noel-Len eyed his friend, with a Noel-Lengthy gaze before glancing at his phone he had pulled out and checked the time. Michael’s relaxed and happy mien had shifted to frustration the moment he asked, “Are you driving home?”
Michael fell silent for a moment pondering his next word, “No.”
“Why are you lying?” Noel-Len replied, indifferent.
“Sorry mister policeman,” Michael sarcastically remarked. However, Noel-Len ignored his tone. “I just want to have a good time tonight.” Noel-Len’s jaw twitched at the thought as his dark eyes narrowed on his friend. Caprice felt the sudden dangerous tension, shifting uncomfortably between them. Readily, declaring she’d drive Michael home.
Noel-Len asked if she had any alcohol tonight, how much and how long ago a habit he had instilled him. He mentally slapped himself, he had no reason to interrogate his friends. Understanding, the expression crossing Noel-Len’s face, she answered honestly declaring she had roughly two about an hour ago.
He wanted to ask why she had very little and all she did was gesture to Michael hitting on her. “There. Happy?” Michael asked, nodding to Caprice. “I’m all set.”
“Hmm.” Noel-Len responded and devoured the last of his drink. Refusing to acknowledge the arrogant look on his friend’s face.
“How are you getting home?” Michael asked, changing the topic.
“Taxi.”
Michael devilishly smiled, “You’re such a boy scout.”
Caprice laughed at Noel-Len’s expression. “I think he’s always been like that.”
“Shut up.” Noel-Len growled and moving to the bar.
If he hadn’t found what they said to be slightly amusing he’d find reasons to not return to the table. However, Caprice’s eyes observed him from the table as Michael spoke before his eyes fell on Noel-Len’s back, she just like Michael knew he’d meant not offence by his words. Michael sighed in gloom, before glancing at the woman who had winked at him earlier.
While Noel-Len, waited for the bartender the club filled with more people. Then his eyes drifted to the entrance.
He recognised another stunning woman who entered with two equally thick men on either side of her. Her body guards, he thought.
It was in that moment; the woman’s dark eyes fell on his as her light brown hair lined her light features. Her green eyes loitered over his for a moment longer before drifting around the room.
Speaking to the men, she nodded to the bar then both men moved over to a table while she went to get her drink.
Noel-Len pulled his attention from the woman and to the bartender asked what he wanted. “Jack Daniels and cola,” he replied, a drink he’d usually get. Once he received his drink, he turned around and stopped.
The woman, he saw moments before, walked passed him with a drink in hand, her eyes assessing his and he couldn’t help but smile at her interest in him. A small smile curled at her red lips and he watched as she moved to the table where the men sat. Her eyes drifted to his once more before they fell on her male counterparts, a little disinterested in her presence.
An action that caught the attention of one of her friends.
Noel-Len moved from the bar and over to his friends. The later it got, the more people began to fill the club. Modern music permeated the air and intoxicated people flooded the dance floor before the DJ booth. Noel-Len watched the people dance, he conversed with his friends as much as he could and enjoyed himself. It wasn’t until midnight he noticed Caprice watching him. “What?” he asked.
As Caprice studied Noel-Len, for a moment longer; he noticed the humoured curiosity behind her eyes but didn’t comment as he waited for her response. “Are you drunk?” she questioned with a raised brow.
It took a moment longer than expected for Noel-Len to respond but when he did, he said, “Maybe.”
“No. You are.” Caprice laughed and shook her head. “I’ve never actually seen you drunk. It’s refreshing.” Noel-Len chuckled at the comment than bit back the retort “surely I’m not that boring sober”. However, Noel-Len thoughts were distracted Michael’s unsettling attitude.
Noel-Len moved from his seat and around the table, “I’m going to dance.” Moving to the dance floor, he searched for that woman who walked into the club a few hours prior.
She sat a few tables from him and his friends with a perfect view of the dance floor. As he walked through the crowd, he felt hands brush his back and chest. Immediately, he regretted, walking into the crowd.
Several women made passes at him, but he ignored them and focused on dancing by himself, but when he turned around, he was surprised to see that woman he saw before.
Noel-Len was surprised but he could tell there was something almost vindictive in her gaze. He felt his body stiffen in fear at her presence even as alcohol clouded his mind. He took in the sounds around him, then became numb to the sensation as she swept through the crowd and over to him.
His body was unable to respond until she touched his arm. The buzz of electricity shot through him, ignited by her touch and allowing control over his body once more. Yet, he felt a puppet.
“Hi, want to dance?” she asked, and he felt compelled to say ‘yes’. A dangerous smile graced her lips, a smile that attracted the attention from everyone around her. His gaze slid over to Caprice, easily he read the anger and hurt cross her face she worked to hide, before his attention befell the woman in front of him.
“Isn’t that why I’m here?” He returned with a smile, not sure why he was acting out of character. He was unable to pull away from her. What drew him to her, he never understood but he recognised it was something both dangerous and alluring.
As he danced with her, he noticed a crowd moving down the stairs off to the side of the room, it thralled with people moving from the upper level. Over
the woman’s shoulder, he noticed the sight of the woman who scared him, it wasn’t that she appeared to harm him but rather her resemblance to him—terrified him.
The other woman moved from the crowd and over to him. Her eyes narrowed on the back of the woman in front of Noel-Len. There was a distant calculation to her eyes, hooded in mystery and hostility. She approached cautiously, like a lioness stalking its prey, it was when her eyes fell on to Noel-Len, she paused.
Her brown painted lips parted.
She stared at Noel-Len, her mind whirled at his presence. Between them, a woman as beautiful as Gothalia frowned than within in moments, an equally malicious smile replaced any trace. “Oh, is this a friend of yours?” the woman asked Noel-Len. Her hand glided over his shoulders. She pressed her chest against his, but her eyes never met his, it remained trained on the other woman.
“No.” he replied, slowly. Yet, even though his clouded mind, his eyes twinkled with curiosity. “But I feel like I know her”, he wanted to say but never did.
“In that case.” she added and pushed Noel-Len away, “Let’s get a drink.” Noel-Len allowed the woman to drag him away as he glanced back at the other woman until she disappeared into the throng of moving people.
He had no idea why but the image of that other woman, remained on his mind. He noticed Caprice and Michael enjoying each other’s company. However, he felt trapped almost like his body wasn’t his own.
5
MUSIC AND ALCOHOL BUZZED.
An unfamiliar phenomenon, washed over Gothalia as she progressed cautiously throughout the pulsing club, feeling the vibration of each beat beneath her heels and the uncomfortable brush of people boxing her in. It can’t be helped I guess, she gritted her teeth and pushed through.
She needed a drink. “Good thing it’s a pub,” she muttered under her breath. She never had alcohol in a club before, she only had a glass or two at dinner time after a long day of training or missions. Something she used to wind her down enough, so she could sleep without difficulty.
Midnight Eclipse Page 5