Sean startled awake at a sudden noise. Heavy fist-falls shook the door on its hinges.
“Housekeeping!” The shout brought him to his senses.
“Occupied!” He shouted while rubbing the sleep from his eyes. A few moments later, the sound of his neighbor's door being bashed on leaked through the walls.
He rushed to the bathroom and splashed some chilly water onto his face. The dream of the previous night was fresh in his mind. Every little detail and moment of his life was replaying through his mind.
“Was that Imani’s past?” He spoke aloud in disbelief. “No, that doesn’t-.”
He dried himself off and tried to make sense of the strangeness.
‘My mind is just putting a history to someone I don’t know too well.’ He walked over to the bed and flopped down onto the sagging cushion.
“I haven't ever had dreams this weird.”
The night before, he had dreamt of a stay in prison and life of crime and now he gave his coworker an entire backstory with a sad childhood to boot. His foot tapped against the floor repeatedly.
“Should…should I fish for some details?”
He didn’t see any other way of cracking the code to the strange and new development. He looked at the clock and saw it was just after twelve. There was time to kill and a few hundred bucks to spend.
“I guess I’m getting a shitty phone.” He stood up and grabbed his belongings to start his day.
He went straight for a random electronics store where he picked out the cheapest prepaid smart phone he could and loitered around, refamiliarizing himself with the device in the meantime. Time passed him by as he waited for the club’s opening to grow closer.
He made his way over and pushed his way through the velvet doors. The familiar scene from the day before welcomed him in.
Imani was sweeping everything into one large pile of trash as he approached.
“Hey man, can we talk for a minute.” The question caused the other man’s eyebrow to raise in confusion.
“Sure, but sweep while we do it.”
Sean followed his lead and got to work, before deciding to jump right into his concerns.
“I was just kind of curious about something. I really can’t remember what caused my power to trigger and I was wondering if you did.”
He heard the other broom stop in place for a moment before starting up again. A clear sign of hesitation. Maybe he had intruded on something he shouldn't have.
“Sorry, you don’t have to say anything if you’re touchy about it. I get it.” Sean choked out an apology in hopes of saving the awkward situation.
“No, it's fine. Just a little sad ya know? Usually why I don't tell people.” The conversation lapsed for a moment before Imani spoke again.
“I was a teenager, and my dad got a little drunk and started throwing shit around. We got into an argument, and we ended up outside the house... Stupid shit, really.”
He turned to the man as he began to choke up.
“Some cops saw the scuffle and started shooting for some reason. I ended up hit in my leg, but I still managed to run home. A few sips of some brandy to dull the pain and it healed right up. The rest is history.”
Sean froze halfway through the story. He almost refused to believe it.
“Hey, keep sweeping.” He apologized while his mind went to work trying to make sense of the situation.
‘It isn’t too far-fetched that I could piece that together. I mean, how many people get shot at by police?... None unless it happened fifteen years ago, before they were abolished.’
He glanced over at his coworker. The short African man looked to be about ten years older than him and far more grizzled than the average bouncer. A sign of his experience in the trade.
‘It wasn't identical to my dream. There wasn't a fight. Just a drunk chase. ’
“What about your dad?”
“Dead. He was killed instantly. I think. That’s the real sad part.”
They pushed the trash out of the side door and the conversation ended.
‘That would explain the pit in his stomach after that man died, but no one really likes seeing that kind of thing.’
He tried to convince himself despite everything he heard.
“Shit.”
Imani looked over at him.
“I know, right. It’s all in the past though. Might as well make the best out of life. I moved cities and ended up here. Haven’t looked back since.”
It was all but certain. He could deny it as much as he wanted but he knew the truth. He had seen Imani’s past.
'The previous night must have been that other powered’s life as well. That was the only thing that made sense regardless of how absurd the whole situation was.'
Sean could do nothing about the revelation without knowing what his power truly was. If he made it through one more night as a bouncer, he would finally have answers.
They waited for the clock to reach six with Devon joining them from the back rooms. They trio pushed the doors open and watched the first group of patrons flood the club.
The line ended up much shorter than either of the other days, with more powered being thrown out than the previous nights combined.
“Hey, Imani. Why are there so many today?” He turned to the man lounging at the entrance.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Not many people with jobs want to be out late on a Sunday. A lot of them make money in untraditional ways.” He glared at a patron who looked offended by the statement.
“Makes sense I guess.”
Time flew by fast as they waited for the crowds to die down and the line dwindled to only a few people. Small groups came and went with unsavory looking characters dominating the crowd.
“Looks like they are finally getting the message. Le Gros doesn’t welcome violent outbursts.” The neon sign above their heads flickered slightly.
“You don’t believe in jinxes?” Sean turned to the older man who merely shook his head.
With only a few hours left before closing, more people were leaving than they were arriving, and it looked like they would be shutting down early thanks to a lack of business rather than a spark of violence.
Devon sent Sean inside to check out the occupancy. Less than half the normal amount of people were drinking, partying, and doing drugs. He immediately caught sight of the boss wading through the crowd and heading straight for the door. His imposing figure cutting a silhouette against the flashing lights.
Louis was thumbing through a wad of money like a fidget toy while glancing around at every person he passed. Sean could immediately tell something was up.
As the big man got closer, he turned to Sean and waved him in.
“Hey boss, what’s up?”
“Listen, I need you to keep an eye on things inside for a few minutes. I’ll be out front with Devon. We are closing for the night. Start sending people out. Do it quietly.” He pushed a smaller bundle of bills into his hand and forced his way through the doors.
Sean walked over to the few remaining tables and asked them to leave. The people were mostly just too drunk to realize the party was over and just needed a reminder that they need to change locations.
The employees got to wiping the tables down and cleaning the drinks that littered the entire club. He looked at his new phone and saw that it was already two o’clock.
‘I might actually wake up at a semi-normal time.’
The blaring music that normally filled the air finally cut off. The clink of glass and footsteps were all that remained He rolled his shoulders as he made his way out of the building. Neither of the bouncers or the boss were anywhere to be seen
“Huh.” He checked the money in his pocket and counted each dollar out.
Five hundred in cash plus another three hundred stashed in his room.
He had savings! It was a strange feeling for someone like him to have money burning a hole in his pocket. Thankfully, he knew what he needed to do.
First thing in the morning he was going straight towards Parkland Avenue to get his power tested. The underground market, overseen by a coalition of powered, had existed for decades and now he actually had a reason to go to it beyond idle curiosity.
He could feel a sense of hope welling up within his chest. His future had never looked so good.
“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?”
The voice knocked the happiness from his body. He turned around and blanched at the horrid sight. Hot Pink Hannah took slow, measured steps towards him, looking him up and down.
He steeled himself. It wasn’t going to be the same as before. He refused to give in to her predatory gaze. After the last time, he was sure she didn’t recognize him, and it emboldened him ever so slightly to stand his ground.
Regardless of his new bravado, she still felt like a giant before him despite her only reaching his nose in height. He looked her in the eyes as she focused on him.
They went from ice cold to half lidded and seductive. He nearly cracked as she tilted her head up and to the side.
“You gonna answer or do I need to make you? Where... are... you... going? It’s pretty late after all.”
His mind raced for the right answer. Certainly not the most truthful one, but something she would be satisfied with enough to leave him alone.
“I am, um, you know.”
“No, I don't” She cut off his stammering and pushed forward.
He took his first step back as her hand pushed into his chest.
“Well, I…”
“What?” She pressured him, refusing to allow him any time to think.
He took another step back.
“I’m going…”
“Home.” She answered for him.
“Exactly.”
Her lips quirked up into a smile.
“Hmmm, you’re kinda italic doing that. You’re coming to my home, with me, for the night.”
He went to speak but felt his tongue halt, unable to form words as his back slammed against the building's brick facade.
“Perfect.” She grabbed his hand and led him off like an obedient dog. “I am sure we’ll have lots of fun.”
Her giggles filled the street as they left Le Gros in the dust.
-
He woke up with a start. The silk sheets and unbelievably soft cushions tempted him back into their comfort. He fought against it with everything in his being as he forced himself off the bed and onto the heated floors.
The events of last night were a rollercoaster of emotion. He felt like a deer in headlights under her guiding embrace.
Every motion and command were enacted perfectly, and her words soothed all of his concerns. He was putty in her hands.
“I got used.”
The words meant more to him than he was expecting. He hadn’t felt in control of his life for many years, and he had just gotten a semblance of what that meant back only for her to crash into him like a wrecking ball.
“I need to get the fuck out of here.”
He stood up and looked around the room. It was pure decadence in every form.
“How is this the home of a government employee?” Everything was immaculate from the carpets to the chandeliers.
“Is this what my life could look like if things go well?”
The soft rug under his feet molded to every crease. It drew him into its comforting cradle only for him to snap out of it in the last moment of control. He rushed around to find his clothes and put them on while tiptoeing to the bathroom.
His nose was drawn to the shirt, smelling strongly of her perfume. Delicate rose scents and sweet vanilla undertones. His mind warred with the good feelings that it brought to him.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a large picture hanging at the end of a hall. It was a pastel portrait of Hannah in an elegant gown.
‘That’s nice…I guess.’
He turned down another hall only to be met with another portrait in a completely different style. The pattern repeated itself over and over again. He finally found the entrance after the tenth rendition of his fling.
The large room was filled with art and sculptures that looked like they had just left a museum’s collection. Detail pervaded every piece like it had been done by a master. They just also happened to be in her likeness.
The marble looked immaculate in every way. The details from her hair to her perfect nails were like looking at the real thing.
‘How self-absorbed can one person be. Well, she is pretty great.’
He physically shook his head to rid himself of the thought.
‘Don’t trick yourself Sean. She’s like an infection in your mind. A sexy temptress of an infection’
He ran down the stairs and nearly had a heart attack as someone spoke to him from the side.
“Mister Sean. I hope your stay was very pleasant. The Madam sends her regards and is saddened she couldn’t be here to bid you farewell.”
He stiffly turned to the source as he digested the message.
“Ah… thanks, I did. I think I'm going to be heading out now.”
An older woman stood to the side of the door in a full Victorian maid outfit. There was a foreign twang to every word she spoke that Sean struggled to place.
“I have the driver waiting for you out front. He will take you wherever you need to go.”
She opened the door and watched him stumble out in confusion.
“Thank you. Um, bye?”
He didn’t know what to say as he took a few uncertain steps out of the entrance. The maid merely nodded before closing the door.
He walked over to the expensive-looking car and jumped as the door opened by itself. The seats were a beautiful brown leather and molded to his figure as he dropped himself inside. The partition separating the driver and the passenger rolled down and a pair of eyes looked back at him from the driver's seat.
“Where to sir?”
He stumbled with his words before finally spitting the hotel’s address out. The man stared for a few seconds longer than Sean was comfortable with before the partition rolled back up.
‘Was the driver judging him? The guy who just slept with the hero italic?’
He nearly spoke up before spiraling back into his own thoughts.
‘Oh god, I really did it. I slept with her. I literally watched her kill two people only a few days prior and now I am doing the walk of shame from her house.’
He looked out the window towards the rapidly disappearing greenery.
‘Not the worst walk of shame possible.’
His mind went back to the spray of head chunks on his face only a few days prior.
‘Maybe it is.’
He warred with himself the entire drive back. The door clicked before it swung open entirely unaided. The partition slowly lowered so just the driver’s eyes were visible once more.
“We are at the destination, sir. Have a good day at this…establishment.”
Sean went to speak as the gap slowly closed before he could throw out a rebuttal.
“God damn it.”