Undying Rage Nightclub

  Castleton

  Several young women hustle past the bar, jostling a young woman drinking alone at one end. The solitary woman glances over her left shoulder as two of the women offer a weak apology. She nods affirmatively but remains quiet. To speak now would be to let a dam of tears flow unbridled. Downing the liquid in her glass, the solemn woman taps the rim with a fingernail.

  "Hit me again, Rachel!" the woman says in a low voice clogged with sadness.

  On the other end of the bar, the female bartender uses a beige towel to wipe the inside of a clean glass. She sets the glass upside down on a strip of parchment paper which covers most of the far counter. The bartender crosses to where the sad young woman is seated, staring down at her with genuine concern.

  "Don't you think you've had enough, Evelyn?" Rachel insists. "You're already drunk."

  "Yeah, I'm drunk. That's what usually happens in a bar. Now, pour me another drink."

  "No," Rachel says, shaking her head. "I'm gonna call Lenny. He can give you a ride home."

  "Like hell, Rachel," Evelyn slurs. "I want another drink. Now, are you going to give it to me? Or do I need to walk down the street to your competition? Either way...I'm getting that drink."

  One song ends and another song begins--a slower song. A love song. Evelyn peers up at the ceiling, swaying drunkenly to the words blasting from the speakers. She hugs her middle, shutting both eyes. Rachel quietly watches Evelyn from her spot behind the bar. What has happened to her friend?

  "Evelyn, what's going on?" Rachel ventures to say in a soft voice. "I've only seen you like this when...Is that what's happened? Did you two break up again? You really need to tell..."

  "As if you have to ask," Evelyn hisses. "Why else would I be this upset? We've been going together for six years...Six years, Rachel. Sure we've had our ups and downs. But all it takes is some little floozy and I get kicked to the curb. Men. Errrr. Sometimes, I just want to end it all."

  "Stop it! Stop talking like that, Evelyn. It's not cool. Maybe you should talk to someone?" Rachel whispers loud enough for only Evelyn to hear.

  "I am talking to someone," Evelyn says, opening her eyes and tapping her glass a second time. "I'm talking to my pal, Rachel. And my good ole buddies, Gin and Tonic. Hahaha."

  "That's not funny, Evelyn," Rachel snaps, tossing a wavy black curl out of her face with one hand. "You know what I mean. I mean, someone who can help you. I don't like seeing you like this, Evelyn."

  "So what?" Evelyn retorts, her grayish-blue eyes flashing. "You're my bartender...Not my life coach. Just leave me the hell alone!" Evelyn roars, climbing down from her chair at the bar. "I'm just gonna head over to The Staten. Maybe Harry will give me another drink?"

  "Evelyn, no!" Rachel protests.

  Evelyn shoots Rachel the bird and halfway stumbles away from the bar. Rachel glances down at her cellphone underneath the bar. Maybe she should call someone. But then again, Evelyn is a grown woman. Whatever decisions she makes tonight, she will have to live with them. The same as anyone else.

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  Fifteen minutes later

  A dark alley behind the Staten bar

  Evelyn presses a slender hand against the brick wall and vomits. She rests her other hand against one knee, struggling to remain erect. Dizziness causes the young woman to sway on her feet. She is definitely close to--or above--the approved blood alcohol limit.

  Rustling to Evelyn's left causes her head to shoot upward. She wipes at her mouth with the back of her hand which was previously resting on her knee. A tall man in a dark trenchcoat slowly approaches, his face shrouded in deep shadow. Evelyn straightens up as best she can, adjusting her clothes. The last thing she wants to be is vulnerable. Act normal.

  The man stops walking when he is less than ten feet from Evelyn. He raises one hand in a friendly gesture, humor evident in his voice.

  "Hey. Sorry. I didn't mean to scare ya," the man says. "My apartment is on the other end of this alley. I live above The Staten. They have a couple of studio apartments up there. I'm just passing through, Miss."

  "Oh. Uh...Okay," Evelyn says. "Don't worry. It's been a really rough day. You didn't frighten me."

  "Oh. That's good. I would hate to think I had. I sometimes have that effect on people. It's because of my height. I promise, I'm really not a scary guy."

  "Haha. No, you're fine," Evelyn laughs.

  The man steps a bit closer and Evelyn is able to make out more details of his face. And a very handsome face at that. With a rugged chin, sharp nose, and lips a woman might just want to kiss.

  "I've had a rough day too," the gorgeous man says. "I just lost my job. Again. I have no idea how I'm gonna make my rent next month. I'm already paying way too damn much for what amounts to a very large broom closet. Hell, I might as well move into a broom closet. Find me a cozy little place and become a squatter. I could live rent free virtually forever."

  Evelyn chuckles at the tall man's joke, placing a hand on her hip. She continues to study him from head to toe. Liking what she sees.

  "That's not a bad idea," Evelyn says.

  "You think so?" the man in the dark trenchcoat asks, taking a step closer.

  "I do," Evelyn responds.

  Before Evelyn knows it, the man is directly in front of her. He stares down into her face, offering her a faint smile. Evelyn finds herself smiling back.

  "Maybe...Two strangers...Who've had a rough day...Can talk?" the man says. "You tell me all about your day..."

  The handsome man boldly places three fingers under Evelyn's chin, tilting her head back. Bending forward, he kisses her tenderly. Evelyn blinks as he separates from her, admiring the contours of the tall man's face. The smell of his cologne is almost intoxicating, but in a good way. Not at all like the numerous unfortunate occasions when she happened to be behind a fella in line--who smelled like old cabbage and a gallon of Old Spice.

  "...And I'll tell you all about mine," the man continues.

  "Sure," Evelyn says, angling her head and encouraging the handsome stranger to kiss her again. "Why not? I'm looking for a little company tonight."

  "Then, I'm your man," the handsome stranger says.

  Kissing Evelyn more forcefully, the tall man wraps a strong arm around her middle. While their lips are entangled, he backs her toward the opposite wall. Once there, he presses Evelyn firmly against it, placing the palm of his free hand on the brick. Evelyn drapes an arm around her lover's shoulders, enjoying the pressure of their bodies molding together. Maybe this won't be such a bad night after all.

  "We can go back to my place," Evelyn sighs, in the brief moment when their lips are no longer joined.

  "Sure," the man in the dark coat says. "Your place is probably better."

  "Okay."

  The man releases Evelyn and backs away from the wall. Evelyn straightens her clothes a second time and tries to walk as if she is anything but drunk. She takes an incorrect step and her right ankle twists to one side. Evelyn's male suitor keeps her from falling over, grasping both her right elbow and waist. Evelyn giggles drunkenly.

  "I'm fine," Evelyn says.

  "I know. Let me help you."

  Together, Evelyn and trenchcoat man walk back the way he came. In the direction of her home. They reach the end of the dark alley and turn right. A long dark blue van is parked at the far street corner. Evelyn thinks nothing of it, strolling casually by. Until the side door slides opens. Rough hands seize the shocked woman and pull her into the van. Gloved hands cover Evelyn's mouth as she kicks and tries to scream. Trenchcoat man doesn't even break stride.

  "Come on, man. Come on. Let's go," a voice inside the van hisses.

  Trenchcoat man calmly climbs into the van and the door is pulled shut behind him.