by J. L. Sutton
"How can you have the most interesting job at the table, and nothing to show for it?" Jennifer quipped.
“Yeah mate, all this work and never any play. When did you become so boring?”
"The most interesting? With all the gossip you always seem to have Jen, I highly doubt that's true,” I countered before turning to Eric, "and not everyone has the luxury of ‘working’ for daddy dearest. The rest of us mere mortals reside within the confines of the real world.”
“He’s got you there.” Jennifer laughed.
Eric shook his head sadly. “You know what your problem is?”
“You need to get laid,” Jennifer and I both said in unison before rolling our eyes. When in doubt, deny everything. Never wake up before ten. Eric’s solution to just about any problem usually came in the form of these five word quips.
“I still say you’re no fun lately. At least I could count on you as a wingman when you were still in uniform,” Eric persisted.
If I didn’t do something to prove him wrong, and quickly, we could be stuck on this topic all night, so I settled for something flashier than usual.
“Okay,” I said, slipping on my best poker face. “See the blond by the bar, the one you were staring at earlier? A hundred says I can get her number without saying one word to her.”
“I wouldn’t make that bet if I were you,” Jennifer warned him.
Eric looked over at her for a moment before turning back to me and smiled. “I’ll pay a hundred just to see him do it. You’re on.”
Winking at Jennifer I got up from the table and walked up to the bar, hanging on the edge of a crowd ordering drinks as I waited for my opening. A few minutes later I got my chance when the blond stood up and headed in the direction of the bathroom. Wasting no time I slipped into the gap beside the friend she arrived with.
“Excuse me, miss?”
“Err, hi,” the tall brunette said warily, no doubt expecting me to start hitting on her.
“I’m really sorry to bother you with this, but I’m trying to prove a point,” I said as politely as I could, turning to face the table where Jennifer and Eric were watching intently. “See, my girlfriend over there doesn’t believe people are friendly anymore. If it’s not too much trouble, could I please borrow your phone for a moment to call her number and prove her wrong?”
I chose my lines carefully, making it difficult for her to deny my request without feeling like she was the bad guy. She bit her lip for a moment before she nodded. “Sure.”
“Thank you so much.” I smiled as she handed me her phone. “By the way, your friend looks very familiar. Any chance she went to UMass?”
“She did,” the brunette replied. “How do you know Amy?”
I didn’t—but I did recognize the emblem on the scarf she was wearing. “We had some classes together.”
“She will be back in a minute or two, I’m sure she would love to catch up.”
While we continued to chat about her friend who I didn’t know I kept my hand under the counter and opened the contacts list on her phone, scrolling down to Amy. When I was sure I had the number memorized I called Jennifer. Afterwards I thanked the girl for letting me use her phone before heading back to the table, just in time to see Amy leaving the bathroom. Ignoring my friends’ skeptical looks I slipped my phone out of my pocket and pointed in Amy’s direction as I dialed the number.
“No bloody way,” Eric groaned as she opened her handbag and answered the phone.
We spent the next two hours eating greasy bar food that I made Eric pay for, chatting non-stop as we caught up on each other’s lives. The music turned up a little later, signaling the opening of the small dance floor in the middle of the room. The tables around us began to empty, and a riot of color flashed around the bar as people began to twirl under the shifting lights. Eric was the first of us to head out for the night, eager to meet up with an old flame that was back in town for the week. He was barely out the door when Jennifer pounced.
"Why do I get the feeling this will be trouble?"
"No doubt, but Eric seems to be enjoying himself. Let him have his fun," I said, waving her off as her glare turned to daggers.
She sighed theatrically. "It's usually you I have to worry about. I'm starting to feel like the parent of the two of you."
"Oh I'm sure you're just buckling under the pressure." I chuckled. "Please Jen, like you’d have it any other way."
"Okay, true," she agreed, beaming for a moment before her expression turned somber. "How's Lisa?"
"She’s about the same really.” I sighed, pushing around my empty plate. Jennifer was the only one besides me who still visited my sister. “I’m heading over there tomorrow.”
"You'll say hi for me?"
"I always do."
"I'm just glad to get you out, whenever I call you’re working." She paused for a moment, her voice dripping with concern. “It’s been a while since I asked, but how are you, really?”
I kept my gaze level with hers, trying my best to convey that I didn't need to be coddled. "I'm good Jen, really."
"Alright. I'll get the next round,” she said hesitantly before stalking off to the bar, knowing me well enough to see I wasn’t in the mood for where the conversation was heading.
The last thing I wanted to do tonight was to think about Claire, but now thanks to Jen she was at the forefront of my mind. I knew it wasn’t really Jennifer’s fault though, like any good friend she was just trying to be there for me. The truth was it was almost three years since Claire died, and I still hadn’t gone a day without thinking about her. It was inevitable, inescapable. Not that I wanted to forget—my obsession with the circumstances of her death bordered on the fanatical, but sometimes I wished after all this time I wouldn’t remember everything so damn vividly. I was eternally grateful for Jennifer and my sister for getting me through the first weeks and months, helping to ease the pain and curbing my anger before I came to a healthier place in my mind. We grew a lot closer as a result of our shared grief, but as time marched on Jennifer became far too protective of me. Though I was glad that never stopped her from chewing me out whenever I needed it.
"I can't believe they call this music," Jen said as she returned a moment later with a drink in each hand, her earlier concern filed away.
I grinned as my glass clinked against hers. "I couldn't agree more."
"You're still coming to Eric’s party next weekend right?" Jennifer asked as I walked her out.
"Wouldn’t dream of missing it," I promised. When we got to her car I handed her one of the sodas I bought for the drive home.
"I take it you won't be bringing a date?"
I laughed dryly. "Not that I'm aware of."
"Not to sound like a hypocrite, but you really should."
"Sure. Anything's possible, though I wouldn't hold my breath."
"I won’t, I know you too well. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Of course,” I answered, hugging her tightly. “Drive safe."
I waved to Jennifer as she backed out of the lot, smiling at how cautious she was behind the wheel. I fished around my inside pocket for my keys on the way to my car, and when I looked up my entire body stiffened as I realized my mistake.
3. Blood
The figures slithered from the shadows behind me, their heavy footfalls echoing across the empty parking lot. I slowly turned, cursing under my breath as I assessed the situation. Three men stood in a loose grouping. The closest was stocky and heavily tanned, undoubtedly the one in charge. On the right was a tall and wiry man, younger than the others and sporting an expression of absolute boredom. Larger than the other two, the third man could only be described as a slab of unshaped muscle—and they were all here for me. I had no idea what trouble I just walked myself into, but whatever it was I didn't like the odds.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered why I even bothered getting a permit to carry my .357 when it never left the safe in my bedroom. The threat of a loaded gun would’ve quick
ly dissolved any ill intentions. They wore open smirks, letting the silence settle in before the stocky man stepped out in front of the others.
"We have a message from Hyde."
Dammit. I should’ve guessed that slimy philanderer wouldn’t take no for an answer. Unfortunately for me, he also seemed to have more money than sense.
"Message received, you can leave now," I said slowly, trying to stall for more time as I rattled my brain for a way out of this mess. There was little chance I could make it into my car, not easily enough, and no way to get around the wall of flesh. Then the thought of running all but evaporated as my hand brushed over the outside of my jacket pocket. They inched closer, trying to corner me between the parked cars. I wasn’t about to give them the opportunity.
I wrenched the unopened soda can free from my pocket and whipped it at the closest man’s head. Not pausing to see if my improvised projectile landed I slipped through the gap their surprise created, lunging at the spindly man on my right. Reacting just in time he threw his hands up defensively and I diverted low, ramming his legs out from under him. I tried to right myself as he fell, but I couldn’t recover quickly enough. A solid blow caught me between my ribs and I cringed in pain, desperately ducking the wild swing that followed it. I kicked down hard at the man on the floor as I backed away, trying to put distance between me and the thickset man beside me.
At the same time he began charging towards me I flung my body to the side, and as he slipped past I added my weight to his momentum and pushed him into the wall. A sharp pain flashed up my leg where the stocky man kicked out, and it buckled. Scrambling as I dropped, my hands latched onto the front of a nearby car to break my fall, and I struggled to right myself in time to face the meaty fist connecting squarely against my jaw.
And then they were on me.
Blows began to rain down over my body wherever they found purchase. I was forced against the hood of a car, keeping my hands up as best I could in an effort to protect my head. My limbs became sluggish and unresponsive as my strength started to wane, and I could taste warm blood sloshing around my mouth. Throughout the punishment an image of my lil’ sis flooded into my mind. The only thing keeping me conscious was my concern for what would happen to her if I was gone. I was about to let the only person in the world who needed me down.
My vision had just begun to blur when an awful tearing sound behind the men caught their attention, loud enough that it all but halted the systematic beating. Uncounted heartbeats passed as the men stood unmoving, and then to my disbelief the stocky man caught the other’s collar and they broke away running.
Unable to keep my eyes open a moment longer I sagged against the car. I wasn’t sure how much time passed as I lay unmoving, listening to the sweet sound of their retreating footsteps. Blood pounded behind my ears as I drew a ragged breath, then my adrenaline level reached new heights as the sound of lighter footsteps floated towards me and I realized I wasn’t alone.
"Are you alright?" a sweet, near-panicked feminine voice asked over me, so wildly out of place that at first I thought I imagined it.
Something brushed over me, and the ache pulsing across my body became a light tickle compared to the new burning stab of torment that lashed out across my right shoulder— by far the most painful thing I endured in living memory. My skull rattled as I bit back a howl. Then a second passed and the agonizing flash dimmed to a throbbing ache as quickly as it appeared. I panted heavily, cringing for a long moment before I managed to ease my eyes open.
"What—" I began, but the woman that filled my field of vision was so stunning the question died in my throat. She stood over me, arms crossed and motionless, her long raven black hair flowing loosely across her shoulders hiding the alabaster skin of her slender neck. The moonlight and my throbbing head worked in tandem to mask her features, though she seemed to be frowning.
"You can relax now," she answered mechanically, her aloof expression not shifting an inch. I slowly pushed myself upright, my body protesting with effort.
"What happened?" I asked, still shaken. Just to be sure we were alone I craned my neck around the parking lot, searching for any sign of my attackers. It seemed all that remained of them was the prone form of the spindly man lying next to my car.
"I saw them run off," she replied stiffly, turning towards the man on the floor. "This one is just injured."
"Thank you," I said. That was all my brain could manage as she turned back to me. Far from imposing, her lovely, lithe frame barely made it to my shoulder, but though I couldn't fathom why, somehow I just knew she had something to do with the men's sudden disappearance.
"There is nothing to thank me for." She scowled, her steely expression marred by the trace of doubt I heard in her voice. Wow, that hit a nerve. Closing her eyes she took a deep, drawn out breath. I watched her shoulders rise and fall, so graceful it left me dazed again.
"Sorry, I thought you . . . never mind,” I mumbled, rising slowly to my feet. As I brushed my hand along the shiny surface of the car I was forced on, I was surprised to see it remained largely unscathed. I only wish that I could say the same about my bloodstained shirt.
Her voice was calmer when she spoke, eyeing me cautiously. "You should get to a hospital."
"I'll live."
Eyes tightening, she nodded distractedly. My fingers cramped awkwardly as I struggled with the zip on my jacket pocket for my phone. Carefully, one tiny motion at a time, I slowly scrolled through my contacts.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m calling the police.”
“Stop, please.”
My head jerked up in confusion at her pleading tone, only then realizing she was standing right beside me. Close enough for the first time to see her eyes clearly, an audible gasp escaped my lips. Her irises were a brilliant midnight black, no distinction between them and her pupils. My body froze reflexively, unable to break my gaze from her unfathomable expression. After a moment I shook my head, unsure if it was a trick of the light or just my imagination.
“Why?”
“It is hardly necessary,” she answered coldly, taking a measured step back that finally broke my trance. Strange—why wouldn’t I call them? It’s not like any of this was my fault. Perhaps she knew them? Glancing over my shoulder to the man on the ground that just attacked me I pushed aside all the thoughts bouncing wildly around my head, focusing my priorities.
“I don’t have a choice.” The words tumbled through my gritted teeth, harsher than I intended.
When no reply came I turned back to the woman who no longer occupied the empty space behind me. Panning my head across the parking lot I saw no sign of her. How did she—
“—Police Department.” I almost jumped, the calm voice at the other end of the line reminding me that I already dialed the number.
I slowly let out a breath. “I need to report an assault.”
The lone police car crept into Mandy’s parking lot ten minutes later, thankfully without sirens on, and a familiar frowning face greeted me as he climbed out of the car. “Hadley.”
“Evening Parker,” I said, nodding casually to the approaching policeman and immediately regretted the movement. The muscles in my neck had begun to tighten up in the cold air. “Keeping tabs on me?”
“Closest unit,” Oliver shrugged, motioning to his partner. “This fresh blood here is Officer Kelly.”
“So what do we have here?” Kelly asked gruffly, shining his torch over the now conscious man firmly pinned under my boot.
I spent the next thirty minutes hammering out the details of the night’s events in as much detail as I could recall, mostly to Parker while his partner secured and Mirandized the spindly man. The only time my version of the events came into question was when I mentioned the other two making a run for it. Parker’s eyebrow rose skeptically after I finished my story.
“You know, if anyone else told me this, I’d probably have them in handcuffs right now.”
“Is that profes
sional courtesy, or trust I hear?”
“Let’s say a little of both. Know why they took off?” he asked, his puzzled expression confirming I wasn’t the only one who found it odd.
“Maybe they knew her,” I offered my earlier thought, the only plausible theory I had come up with so far.
“Maybe,” Parker allowed, nodding absently. “When we get this one talking, we’ll be sure to ask him.”
“What about Hyde? I wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble if he is just going to walk away from this.”
“We’ll talk to him in the morning, assuming your story holds up.”
Good, if nothing else at least I’d make Hyde sweat. “You need anything else from me?”
“You know the drill, can’t tell you anything else until we’ve interviewed him,” he answered, nodding over to the man being loaded into the car before lowering his voice. “Between you and me, it looks like you put up quite a fight.”
I laughed humorlessly. “Feels like I got far more than I gave.”
“True, you’re a mess. I’ll take you home.” The look on Parker’s face brooked no argument, but after the adrenaline wore off and my injuries made themselves known it didn’t sound like a bad idea.
It was only after I was back in my apartment that I realized the flaw in accepting a ride home. With Eric working every Sunday, the only person I could call for a lift back to my car was Jennifer. When she found out about this she would go nuclear. I planned on taking a shower when I got home, but the flights of stairs up to my floor had taxed the last of my strength and I barely made it to the couch before my leg seized up. I took a moment to catch my breath, having to drag the useless limb onto the couch with both hands. My body felt like a churning war zone. Everything around me was murky, like I was peering through dirty water. With some effort I closed my swollen right eye, and the last thing I remembered was trying to concentrate on slowing my breathing to take my mind off the pain.
I woke after eleven, still fully clothed, not having moved an inch from the spot on the couch I fell asleep on. I usually slept restlessly, flinging the sheets around as I tossed and turned. Last night flew by so quickly that I struggled to recall the finer details. Wishing dearly that I didn’t have to leave the couch I got up slowly and hobbled to the bathroom, trying to keep the weight off my throbbing leg. Undressing was a daunting prospect, but hot water would help to soothe my stiff muscles. Dirt and dried blood washed away as I worked a sponge lightly across every inch of my body.