Poisonous

Chapter Three

               I can't say how long has passed before I finally get all of the chowder off of me. I take a deep breath and make my way back to the table, quickly noticing that Monica is no longer seated there. "I hope you guys enjoyed your meal, is there anything else I can get you?", I politely ask. "Just the check and a few boxes", Cain replies. I nod and make my way to the register to ring their order up. On my way back to the table I grab a couple boxes. I begin clearing the table as Cain pulls out his wallet. "You didn't charge us for the other chowder", Cain points out. "I know", I state, "I'm currently wearing the first bowl". "But", he begins. I interrupt, "No buts, just pay. I'm sure you have your hands full with other things". He chuckles and pulls a handful of bills out of his wallet, "Then take this at least", he says as he places three one-hundred-dollar bills in my hand, "For having to put up with us for the night". I chuckle and nod, "Have a good night Mr. Knox". He smiles, "You too Miss Nikki". He and his men leave as I carry the empty plates to the kitchen.

               The rest of my shift blurs and soon enough I'm standing outside the restaurant. "You going home?", Jeremy asks. "No, I'm still pretty pissed from earlier", I reply, "I'm going to head over to Alex's gym and let out some of my frustration". He chuckles and we part ways. The drive is quick and before I know it I've changed out of my work uniform and I'm tying my shoelaces. I start off slow on the treadmill and eventually turn to the punching bag hanging in the corner of the room. Once again I start off slow and eventually every ounce of rage from earlier hits me and I begin punching harder and faster. Soon every feeling from the past six months hits me and I fly into a rage, my fists blurring as my emotions cloud my mind until I eventually find myself on the floor crying. Damn it! I thought I was past this. I pull myself off the floor and decide it's time to go home. The wind nips at me as I lock the gym door and make my way to my car. I stop as soon as I hear footsteps. "So much rage in such a beautiful woman", his voice cuts through the empty space. "So much curiosity in an annoying man", I sneer. He chuckles. "What do you want, Cain?", I snap. "Damn how'd you know it was me?", he chuckles dryly. "You forget I was your waitress tonight?", I reply, "I know your voice". "Well damn, if I can't fool you then how can I fool others", he remarks. I chuckle, "You could always kill them, I've heard you're good at that". "You've heard? So you do know who I am?", he questions. "I do", I reply dryly. "And", he presses. "And I don't care", I retort. "You should, most people are afraid of me", he replies. "Well I'm not", I snark. "So where are you going?", he asks. "Home", I sharply reply. "Need a ride?", he asks. "Nope, I have a perfectly running car", I reply, "Besides I don't need you knowing where I live". "I could always find out", he chuckles. I sigh, "You do that then, in the meantime I'm tired and I'm going home". I unlock my car and start it up, slowly pulling away from Cain as he watches me leave. I heave a sigh of relief as I close the door behind me. What a day. Hopefully I never see them again.

~~~

               It's been days since my encounter with Cain, I haven't seen any of them since that day. I sit on my couch watching tv as Wes naps in my lap. The doorbell rings throughout my house and Wes stirs in my lap. "Come in", I shout and listen as the door opens. Kallie, Jeremy, and Ivan all pile into my living room with huge grins on their faces. I raise an eyebrow, "Why are you guys smiling?". "Get up and get ready", Ivan commands. "Why?", I question, suspicion apparent on my face. "Because it's your birthday and we're going out", Kallie announces. Before I have the chance to protest Wes is taken from my lap and I am pulled up from the couch. Jeremy sighs, "It wasn't an option, go get ready". I sigh and shuffle to my room. I make my way to my closet and slip into the outfit Destiny had set aside a year ago for my birthday. I give myself a quick look over in the mirror and make my way out to my friends. "You look amazing, let's go", Kallie says excitedly. I glance around and notice Wes has already been put in his cage and fed. I nod and instantly get dragged out of my house. In the blink of an eye I find myself walking through the doors of Mystique, a famous club for rich people. "How the hell are we getting in right now?", I shout over the music. Ivan chuckles, "You forget I work here, I pulled a few strings. Our booth is over there in the VIP section". I gasp as my friends lead me to our booth. As I get closer I notice that the booth is filled with presents and a birthday sash is laying across the table. I shake my head, "I'm not putting that on". Kallie nods, "Oh yes you are". I bicker with her as she slides the sash over my head, leaving it to rest on my shoulder and drape across my chest.

~~~

                Shots after shots are downed before a slow song comes on and I find Ivan pulling me to the dance floor. "Ivan I don't think this is a good idea", I plead, "You know I don't dance". "Well tonight you do, just follow my lead", he replies. Ivan pulls me close and guides me along to the music. He holds me close, so close that I can feel each breath that escapes his lips. We continue to hold each other and move along to the music, neither one of us says anything. It's been a while since Ivan and I have had a moment to ourselves. Of course we were never romantic. He was my first friend and we've both been through a lot in the past couple years. We laugh as the song ends and slowly make our way back to the booth. The hours blur by and I can't even tell what time it is. By this point we're all wasted and we decide it's time to leave. I grab my gift bags and we all help each other to the exit. The wind whips at us as we wait for our taxis, one by one each of my friends leave. "You sure you don't want to just share this one?", Ivan slurs as he props himself up on the taxi door. "I'll be fine", I reassure, "I'll catch another one, you just go home". He nods and disappears inside the taxi. I watch as it pulls away from the sidewalk. I take a deep breath and look around at the empty street, listening as the music from inside the club echoes outside. I pull out my phone and search for the number for a taxi, stopping as soon as my vision starts to blur and I become light headed. I slowly sit myself down on the sidewalk and take a few breaths, waiting for my vision to clear. The minutes tick by as my vision slowly clears and I begin to feel fine again. "I think I had too much to drink tonight", I chuckle. "Nikki?", a man's voice sounds nearby. I turn my head towards the voice and am met with the silhouette of a tall man. He reaches a hand down to me and I reluctantly take it. He carefully lifts me up and as soon as I am back on my feet I realize who this man is, "Cain?". Before anything else is said everything goes dark.

~~~

               Waking up I am met with a pounding in my head. I groan and sit myself up in bed, giving myself a look over and check my surroundings. I'm in my bed, still in my clothes from last night with my sash still draped over my shoulder. I push myself out of bed and lift the sash over my head. I toss it onto my bed and make my way to the bathroom in search of some aspirin. Once I have it in my hand, I shuffle my way to the kitchen for some water. As soon as I round the corner the bags on the counter catch my attention. They're from last night, that much I do remember. I sift through the bags, smiling at each gift that I received from my friends. My attention then shifts to a note laying on the counter, I pick it up and slowly read it:

Had to make sure you got home safely. Happy Birthday. -Kennith, Nolan & Cain

               So, they're the ones who brought me home? How'd they know where I live? I quickly push the thought out of my head and pop the aspirin in my mouth before I make my way to the bathroom for a well needed shower.