Pyke

Camila

The NIGHT STALKER CLUB is grandiloquent in red neon bold letters—it’s blindingly bright as to obscure my vision.

The club is best known for elites and celebrities, but my cousin has the luck to work as one of the bartenders. I’m glad to hear the news of re-opening after the last month’s incident. It means my cousin is back in his work.

Bianca presents our ID to one of the bouncers who looks huge and intimidating. He gives me a second look after glancing back to our ID on his hand. I may look younger than my age but I’m already twenty one and I just got my college degree.

The bass frequencies from the huge sound systems reverberate through my chest cavity. My eyes widen in amazement to see the virtual music playing on the 3D walls. Laser lights flash patterns to the dance floor, and it simultaneously changes colors to the beat of the music. Pretty awesome, I must say.

The DJ plays one of the most popular hit songs on the chart. People yell in excitement, hands raising in the air as they move like in slow motion.

Bianca and Megan drag me to the crowded dance floor. The smell of sweat, perfumes, and booze don’t stop me from swaying my hips as I watch my friends are also dancing with me.

I grin and close my eyes. It feels good to get lost in the music thumping through the speakers. The beat of the music starts pulsating my body as I follow the rhythm.

We dance for I don’t know how long until I am sweaty and slick. My breathing catches and my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

Bianca says something that I can’t make out any words.

“What?” I yell.

We bark into laughter when we clearly can’t understand one another. We get ourselves out of the dance floor, even so, the music is still loud for us to start chatting.

“I need a drink!” Megan yells to my ear.

I nod in agreement, yelling back, “I need a restroom!”

She leans her face closer, pointing to the empty table at the left corner of the bar. “We’ll be there.”

I see the line of women waiting outside the ladies room is longer than customers

as I walk away until a strong hand grabs me on my arm. I yelp in surprise,

His fake blond hair is jelled up to look like a Mohawk.

are you doing in here,

go to the nightclubs,

coming?” he asks, though he knows already the answer. His pierced brows meet,

a brother to me. I don’t want an hour of his lecture on why I come tonight though, that’s why I did not tell him.

will allow

too loud and crowded for you,” he says as if I haven’t noticed.

do have eyes, and the last time I checked my auditory

later he sighs in defeat.

too late for him to do anything. We’re already here, and he

“They found a table.”

long line of women. “Do you need a restroom?”

“Yup.”

with me.” He grabbed my wrist. Kyland is a perfect cousin though he’s overprotective and

fishes out the keys from his pocket as we stop in front of the door with

back to your friends once you’re done and lock the door after you, okay?” He inspects me from

berate me for what I wear tonight. I’ll think about what to answer later, or I might shut

thank you. This is a hundred times cleaner than the public restroom

at myself in the mirror. I re-coat my lips with the red lipstick I have on my purse and run my fingers through my wavy chocolate

me with a

of a woman makes me to a standstill.

My brow rises.

God,

single word gives me shiver, and something in me awakens

the narrow hallway—a dark wooden door is just a

more! Harder!” the woman yells in between pants. “Make