Of Blood and Downfall

Chapter 3.

Heading to the airport, my dad drives, and Sam follows along. I hold my dad a little longer and kiss Sam goodbye. Soon enough, I am listening to music and up in the air going to a new country I never thought I'd go to.

    A personal chauffeur held a sign with my last name on it. He asks if I am Mavis with a very thick Norwegian accent and I nod my head. I am extremely hungry and exhausted with jet lag.

    It's a bit of a drive out of the main city from the international airport. Staring outside the window, the country is absolutely breathtaking. The city lays out below beautiful mountains and rich blue water.

    Arriving at a rental, the hostess is an older woman who lives in the main house. Where I am staying is in a small apartment attached to the side of the house. She hands me the key and welcomes me with fresh baked cookies. I thank her for the hospitality and enter the apartment.

    It's beautiful and clean. I leave my bags and luggage in the kitchen as I make my way through the bedroom and bathroom. Outside views the mountains and some local housing. Pedestrians are walking among the streets and towards the local market.

    Peeking through the refrigerator, I see that the hostess stocked up on basic essential needs. I mentally thank her and reach out my phone. Norway is 6 hours ahead of New York, so I don't bother calling my dad to inform him that I have arrived.

    I text him and leave Sam unread.

    I find myself laying on the couch and falling into oblivion.

                        ~*~

    I wake up to the sun setting. Stretching on the couch, I check my phone and see numerous of messages. It's 7:38 PM.

    Dragging my feet towards the bathroom, I strip out of my traveling clothes and take a long, warm shower. After eating a bowl of cereal and scrolling through social media, I find some close by bars I can go to.

    Opening my luggage, I pull out a long sleeve body-con dress and booties. I know Norway gets cold in August, so I slip on nude stockings to keep me warm. When I touch up my face and curl my hair a little, I call a taxi.

    I've done this often in the city—go to bars alone I mean. Sometimes I get bored going with friends and Sam, so I go to the local bars and have a few rounds. Have men pay for some of my drinks then walk home. It's a given for living in the city.

    When I arrive at the bar, it's busy with people in their twenties and older. A bouncer lets me in without checking my ID which I find surprising. Yet, every other country I've been to, the IDs weren't a problem. The music is foreign and so are the voices.

    It's odd to find myself here—alone at a bar in Norway but it's sweet. I enjoy it. Approaching the bar, I shout for a vodka soda over the music. It's dark and hot inside. I glance around and look at foreign faces. Beautiful people actually.

    The bartender rings me up and I give him my visa card to make easier instead of counting Norwegian Krone. He gives me a genuine smile and I take a sip of the drink and find it strong. In need of something to spark my body, I take a few gulps, so it stirs warmly in my stomach and push the jitters to the side.

    Although my body is a little exhausted from the traveling, my legs take me to the dance floor.

                    ~*~

Karden' s POV:

    I don't want to be here. The sweaty bodies, the loud overplayed music that I've heard numerous times and the cheap liquor. But if it's for the pleasure of my girlfriend, siblings and friends—I'll join. Yet, as time ticks and decades pass, I've become bored.