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.”

the line of women

until a strong hand grabs me on my arm. I yelp in surprise, hand flies over my chest.

at me. His fake blond

are you doing in here, Cam?” my cousin, Kyland asks.

“Why do people go to the nightclubs,

you tell me you’re coming?” he asks, though he knows already the answer. His pierced brows meet, clearly not happy to see

me. I don’t want an hour of

if you will allow

for you,” he

eyes, and the last time I checked my auditory

he

anything. We’re already here,

a table.”

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

“Yup.”

is a perfect cousin though he’s overprotective and annoying

him, then he fishes out the keys from his pocket as we stop in front of the door with ‘for employees use only’ sign at an eye level.

to go back to work. Get back to your friends once you’re done and lock the door after you, okay?” He inspects me from head to toe, shaking his head, then walks away without a single word.

about what to answer later, or I might shut my mouth up for the rest of his

hundred times cleaner than the public restroom that

myself in the mirror. I re-coat my lips

a sigh of

voice of a woman makes me to a standstill.

brow rises.

“Oh God, faster!”

A rich masculine voice with a hint of roughness grunts. His single word gives me

narrow hallway—a dark wooden door is just a few steps

Harder!” the woman yells