by Alex Dafney
She keeps her arrow trained on me as she steps backwards into the dark. “You never saw me. You never saw any of this.” She spins quickly, running toward the end of the alley. I jog behind her, reaching the brick wall and spinning toward the only exit to find it empty.
I grip my head in both hands, turning back toward the way we came. I’m losing my damn mind. That Emily girl had to have put something in my drink. I walk past the back door of the club, straight for the street to hail a cab.
I slowly blink my eyes open the next morning, letting them adjust to my dark bedroom. Glancing over at the alarm clock on my nightstand I find it to be just after five AM. Memories of the previous night hit me as I sit up in my bed, placing both of my hands to my face. “What the hell?” I mumble as I drop my hands, and stand.
I try to forget the vivid scene that plays in my mind as I go about my usual Saturday. After changing into workout clothes, I make my way out of the bedroom, snatching my keys and wallet from the kitchen counter as I go. I jog down the four flights of stairs to my apartment, forgoing the elevator as per my usual, and hit the sidewalk. Next door to my apartment complex is a state of the art, twenty-four seven gym. One of the reasons I rented my place.
With my work schedule I was never able to make it to my old gym during operating hours. Stepping inside I make my way to the lockers, tossing my keys and wallet in before walking straight for the treadmills. I spot one of my neighbors, Susie, on the far treadmill. She gives me a bright smile and a wave as I step onto a treadmill a good distance from hers and place my earbuds in.
When I first moved in the building, she dropped hints about us getting together outside of the gym, and I’ll admit, I considered it. Until we bumped into to each other at the coffee shop around the corner one Sunday morning. We sat together at a small table for what felt like an eternity while she rambled on and on about the reality TV shows she’s obsessed with.
I mentioned the book I was currently reading and watched her face draw up in disgust. “Why would you waste your time like that? Don’t you have a TV?” We both quickly realized we were polar opposites on most everything that morning. She’s a nice girl, and I’m not looking for a woman who shares all my interests, but a few things in common isn’t too much to ask, right?
The image of the girl from last night springs to mind. The way her corset pushed her breasts upward, the curve of her hips, and those sexy, thigh high boots. Not to mention her intoxicating, green eyes. I shake my head, dispelling the thought. She could be any man’s dream girl, because that’s exactly what she is. A figment of my imagination while I was sleeping.
People’s eyes don’t glow, and they don’t shoot arrows into strangers’ chests making them dissipate into thin air. For a dream though, the whole thing did seem so real.
Chapter Two
Monday morning rolls around just like usual. I had spent Sunday obsessing over the crazy dream I had Friday night as I tackled my chores for the coming week. I walk through the lobby at work, coffee in hand and wait for the elevator. “Hey, dude. How was the rest of your weekend?” I turn to find Cam walking up beside me.
I give him a nod as the elevator doors open. “It was good.” He pushes the button for our floor, leaning back against the wall. “What happened with that girl from the bar? The red head.” I shake my head as the door opens. I had thought that was all part of the bizarre dream I had. “Uh, fine. We talked for a while, then I left.” I sit my coffee cup next to my computer in my cubicle, reaching to turn it on as I sit in my desk chair.
I look up to see Ron leaning over the partition, a shit eating grin on his face. “I saw you two leaving the bar together.” He waggles his eyebrows as I stare at him, trying to decipher what was real that night. “Yeah. We, um, we were going to get something to eat, but she changed her mind.” What the hell happened after we left the club? I had a lot to drink, but not enough to black out.
“They left through the back door.” Cam’s eyes widen as his mouth forms a little o. “Well! I didn’t think you would be into random hookups in an alleyway.” I give a simple shrug as they both laugh. It’s not like I can tell them what I remember of that night. Or what I don’t. What the hell happened?
“See y’all at lunch.” I give a wave as I stare at my emails on my computer. One in particular standing out. It’s from the president of the company asking to see me first thing this morning. I read it over and over, trying to process what it could possibly be about.
I glance over my shoulder to find Cam leaning down, reading the email as well. “Looks like you’re moving on up.” I sit back in my desk chair, nerves coursing through my body. “Or I’m hitting the unemployment line.” He makes a psh noise as he folds his arms over his chest. “I’d bet my job, that’s not the case.” I pick the new manuscript up from my desk, rolling my eyes as I read the title page. “The Witty, Wanting Witch. This one should be a page turner.”
Cam chuckles as he turns to walk out of my cubicle. “See you at lunch, bro. Enjoy your reading.” I sit back in my chair, flipping the manuscript to my desk. I take a deep breath as I stand, readying myself to find out what my boss needs with me.
I step off the elevator on the top floor of the building. I haven’t been up to this floor since my first day working here almost two years ago. Making my way to the round desk that sits in the middle of the floor I try to dispel my nerves. A gray-haired woman, with wire rimmed glasses looks up at me, holding up one finger as she holds her desk phone between her shoulder and her ear.
I drum my fingers against my thigh as I look around. This is where all the senior editor’s offices are. Where I could potentially be. I shake my head slightly, ridding myself of the thought. No need to get my hopes up. “Mr. Warren?” I look over to the woman behind the desk who wears a kind smile. “Mr. Hendricks will see you now.” She gestures her hand behind her, and I give her a nod as I stride toward his office.
I stand in front of his office door, blowing out a long breath before lifting my hand to knock. “Come in.” He calls from behind the door. I push the handle down, peeking my head around the door. “You wanted to see me, sir?” He gestures his hand to the chair that sits in front of his large, executor desk without looking up from his computer. “Have a seat. I’ll be with you shortly.”
I step in his office, closing the door softly behind me and making my way to the chair, sitting on the edge of the seat as I clasp my hands in front of me. I scan his picture frames along the bookcase on the wall to my side as I wait for him to tell me why I’m here. “Alright.” I look over to Mr. Hendricks as he slides his chair away from the desk, folding his hands and resting them behind his head in a casual manor.
“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.” I force myself to sit back in the chair, at least appearing to be relaxed. “Of course, Mr. Hendricks.” He pulls his hand from behind his head, giving a wave of his hand toward me. “Call me James.” I nod at him as he sits forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
“As you know, Bill will be retiring soon and there’ll be an opening for a senior editor.” My heart beats more quickly at his words. “Of course, Shelia thinks her son, Bobby, should take his place.” I let out a low sigh, clenching my hands together tightly. James gives me a quizzical look as I force myself to relax my tight muscles. “Of course. I suppose I’ll need to tell him congratulations.”
I keep my voice even, although I’m absolutely seething inside. If anyone deserves this promotion, I do. Not that lazy ass. James grabs a folder from the corner of his desk, sliding it in front of him and flipping it open. He grabs a pair of glasses, slipping them on as he squints at the papers before him. “Do you realize you have a ninety-seven percent publishing rate for the books that you send up?”
I simply nod in response as he looks at me over the top of his glasses. He drops his eyes back to the page. “You’ve never taken a vacation day?” I raise one eyebrow as I shake my head. “You’ve only called in sick one day in almost two years?” I nod slowly, eve
n though he doesn’t look up to me. “Are you happy in your current position with the company?”
He leans back in his chair, looking me head on. I open my mouth to assure him that I am, but it feels like a trick question. I snap my mouth shut, clearing my throat as I sit up in the chair, squaring my shoulders back. “I came to this agency to work my way up. I am happy with my current position, but I’ll always continue to strive to become a senior editor.”
The corner of his lip twitches with a grin. “Good answer, son.” He turns his gaze to his computer, moving the mouse around quickly. “Bill is going to be retiring six months from today. I’ll need you working side by side if you’re going to take over his position.” My heart slams in my chest as a smile forms on my face. “You’re offering me the position?”
He glances over at me briefly, shaking his head with a small chuckle. “You’re the best junior editor I have. I’d be a damned fool not to.” He looks over to me, a true smile on his face. “And momma didn’t raise no fool.” I laugh lightly as I relax my shoulders. “Bill is in the fantasy and paranormal genre. You’ll mostly work with the young adult books that come through.”
I nod in agreement, even if it’s not my preferred genre, it’s a step in the right direction. “Of course, sir. I can read anything.” He gives a laugh. “According to your statistics, you absolutely can.” He pushes back from his desk, standing from his chair as I do the same. He offers me his hand over the desk, shaking mine tightly. “Welcome aboard, Ashley. I look forward to seeing what you have to offer the team.”
We drop hands and I stand grinning at him like a damn idiot. “You’re off the rest of the week. Go and get your life in order. Bill and I will meet with you first thing next Monday.” My smile fades, my brows drawing together. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll just go back to my cubicle until you two are ready to move forward.”
He shakes his head as he sits in his chair. “That’s not a request. It’s a command. The first year in this job is grueling. Take a breather this week and come back refreshed next Monday.” I stay in the same spot, placing my hands on my hips in silent protest. He lets out a sigh, arching one brow at me. “Go and visit your family. Go to the beach. Hell, sit in your home and binge watch reruns of your favorite TV show. I don’t care, just stay out of the office this week.”
He looks up to me with a half smile. “I promise, you need this time before diving headfirst into this kind of workload.” I hesitantly nod my head in agreement. “Very well. I’ll see you bright and early Monday.” I turn to walk out of his office, placing my hand on the doorknob. “Ashley.” I look at him over my shoulder as he stands from his desk. “I’d appreciate if we kept this meeting quiet until I make an official announcement next week.”
I nod my head. “Of course, sir. I’ll see you next Monday.” With that I walk out of the door, a smile pulling onto my lips as I make my way toward the elevator. As the doors close in front of me, I pump my fist in the air, doing a little happy dance as I descend to the third floor. All the extra hours I’ve put in, all the hard work, has finally paid off.
As the doors begin to slide open, I compose myself. Walking through the maze of cubicles back to my desk. Although it’s hard to contain the smile on my face. I sit in my chair, facing my computer as I shut it down. “What happened?” I glance over to the partition, finding Cam peeking over with a worried look on his face.
I open the top desk drawer, grabbing my keys and my wallet as I stand. He steps into the tiny cubicle, his eyes wide. “Where are you going? Holy shit! Did you get fired?” I shake my head as I slide my phone and wallet in my back pockets. “No. He ordered me to take the rest of the week off. Apparently, I have too much unused vacation time.” I give a causal shrug as he lets out a relieved breath.
“Thank God. If the golden boy was to get canned there’d be no hope for the rest of us.” I slap my hand on his shoulder as I chuckle. “Have a good week. I’ll be back Monday.” I make my way back to the elevator, stepping inside and hitting the button for the main lobby. I let out a content sigh as I travel down. I can’t believe I’m going to be training as a senior editor in a few short days.
The doors open and I step out, walking briskly across the marble lobby floor as I wonder what the hell I’m going to do with my time off.
I spend the day cleaning my tiny apartment, finishing the book I’ve been reading, and eventually end up on the couch watching a show on TV that everyone has been raving about. As the third episode of the show ends, I pick up my phone that sits next to me on the couch. Flipping it over to find it’s only seven P.M.
Groaning, I toss it back to the couch. I stand up, walking into the kitchen in search of something to eat. Or maybe a beer. I’m not really sure what to do with myself during this time off from work. Opening the door of the refrigerator I quickly realize I need to go shopping.
Snatching my keys and wallet from the counter I stuff them in my pockets and stride for the door. I jog down the stairs, hitting the sidewalk and turning to the left to head toward the local corner market. The sun has recently set, and the sky glows a pinkish orange.
I whistle lowly as I walk down the sidewalk. Appreciating the leaves on the trees starting to change colors, the beautiful sky, and the cool, fall breeze that blows against my face. The doors to the market slowly slide open as I step up to them. I walk in, grabbing a small basket and walking up and down each aisle casually.
Before long, my basket is full of junk food. I glance down at it in my hands, twisting my lip to the side. I walk back to the front of the store, grabbing a cart and making my way along the aisles once more to replace all the junk food with something of substance. If I’m going to be home for the rest of the week, I can’t have that much trash food around.
By the time I step out of the store with my bags in hand the stars are shining overhead, and the streetlights are on. I make my way back toward my apartment in no hurry at all. When I turn the corner to the street my apartment is on, I see a young girl crouched down on the sidewalk, her head down and her hands placed on her face.
I narrow my eyebrows together as I quicken my pace. This area isn’t known for homeless people or runaways. Something must be wrong. She looks up when I’m a few feet from her, seeming to have sensed my presence. Her cheeks are stained with tears, her eyes sad.
I slow to a stop, bending down to place my bags on the sidewalk. I stand back straight, looking her full on. “Are you alright?” She shakes her head quickly side to side, tears streaming down her face. I gingerly start toward her, looking her up and down for any signs of injury. She can’t be more than twelve or thirteen years old.
I stop just in front of her, lowering to one knee, looking at her with concern. “I’m Ashley. Do you need me to call your parents? Or the police?” She cranes her neck to look up at me, shaking her head as she wipes her nose with the back of her hand. “My kitty ran in there.” She points down the alleyway next to us.
I tilt my head upwards, letting out a relieved sigh. My initial thought was someone had hurt this child. I’m relieved that it’s a simple missing cat situation. I lower my head, giving her a kind smile. “What’s your cat’s name?” She sniffles, wiping the tears from her face. “Fluffy.” I nod as I walk toward the alley, calling the cat’s name and making clicking sounds with my tongue as I venture farther into the dark.
I see movement behind a dumpster, making my way toward it. The whole while calling Fluffy’s name. “I found the cat.” I turn toward the young girl who wears a wicked smile on her face. I start to open my mouth, but the movement behind the dumpster draws my attention. Three large men step out from behind it, making their way to stand next to the young girl.
Glancing behind me, I realize instantly that I’m trapped, and this was nothing more than a setup. I reach in my back pocket, sliding my wallet out and tossing it across the alley toward them as I hold my hands up. “Take my wallet.” The young girl steps toward me, a mirthless chuckle coming from her. “I don’t want you
r money. I want your soul.”
My eyes widen as she takes a knife from her pocket, walking toward me slowly as she holds it to her wrist. Out of instinct I start for her, not wanting her to harm herself. She pushes the knife into her wrist, blood oozing down her arm as she lifts it. I glance at the three large men behind her as she stalks toward me, lifting her arm and putting her mouth over the gaping wound on her wrist.
I stop in my tracks, watching as she lowers her arm. A creepy smile pulls up on her lips as she bares her blood-stained teeth at me. She lowers her arm to her side, the blood dripping to the pavement and sizzling with each drop. I watch the small smoke rings coming from the pavement as I step backwards, my back hitting the brick wall behind me.
She steps up to me, blood unnaturally pooling from her wrist and dropping to the ground. Tilting her head to the side she looks up to me, a sardonic smile on her face. “You already have my wallet. Just leave me alone.” Two of the men come up behind her, stepping around her and gripping my arms as they pin me against the wall.
I don’t even bother to struggle against them. They both outweigh me by at least a hundred pounds, and I’m damn sure outnumbered in this fight. The young girl steps into me, her chest against my stomach. She reaches her hand up, cupping my cheek with her bloody palm. I wince, trying to turn my head away from her touch. “There, there, chosen one. Just take my blood and it will all make sense.”
I try to jerk my arms away from the large men as she draws closer to me, her face inching toward my own. Suddenly, the man on my right loosens his grip. I take the opportunity to swing on the guy on my left, jerking my hand away as I stumble backward. I hear a whooshing noise and watch as an arrow pierces through the young girl’s chest from behind. The tip of the arrow pushing through her shirt, blood pooling around the wound as she stares down at it.