The Wings of Immortality

1.

I am in the forest. It's dark. The cold covers me from every side. I feel someone approaching me. The trees rustle. It's as if the whole nature is bowing down. I hear someone walking straight towards me from behind, and I turn around to see who it is. There's no one. What's happening?



"Help me!"
"Help me!"
"Get me out of here."

****



I wake up drenched in sweat. I realize that the voice pleading for help has returned again. Not only can't I sleep at night because of my work, but I can't even rest a little before work. I don't even understand why all of this is happening, but I don't care. I want it to stop.

I won't have another chance to sleep, so I might as well get up. I don't know what time it is because I can't find my phone. I hope I'm not late for work. I step barefoot on the cold floor and make my way to the small bathroom. It would be nice to take a hot shower. I reach out my hand for the light switch. No power. No electricity means no hot water.

Again.

The cold showers are supposed to be beneficial. I'll keep telling myself that until I get sick. It has been like this for a week. The water goes off, then the power. When will they fix it? No idea. I'll take a quick shower and pray not to get sick because medication is an expense I can't afford.

I come out of the freezing bathroom and try to dry myself as quickly as possible. I dress in the fastest way possible and start looking for my phone. When I find it, I see that I'm running late for work, which I don't particularly like. I shouldn't take advantage of Zara's kindness. Even though she's my only friend, I don't want her to think I'm not serious about the job she offered me. The bar is thirty minutes away from here. Twenty if I run. I see that it's almost dark. My shift is from 8 PM to 5 AM. Tonight, we'll make it half an hour shorter.



****

I enter the bar through the back entrance, which is labeled in capital letters for employees only. I quickly leave my things in the locker and head to my familiar bar where I've been making drinks for a year. The bartender's salary is decent, but I try to do more. I help with the cleaning after everyone leaves and receive bonuses. It's good that I can make ends meet somehow. It's good that Zara puts up with me because otherwise, I would have been homeless without any money to sustain myself.

I take my place behind the bar and notice how many people are already inside. The atmosphere is still suffocating, and there are various smells competing with each other. I look around to see if Zara is around, but I don't see her. That means she's in her office, which also means she hasn't noticed my absence. I plug in my phone to charge it. I'm glad there's an available outlet here. As it starts charging, I see three missed calls from Zara and one message. So, she noticed.

Zara:
Aureen, are you okay? I see you're running late for your shift. If you're not feeling well, stay at home. I'll find a substitute.

I read the message and smile. My boss, who is also my best friend, always worries a lot about me. But I have to work, otherwise I won't be able to handle my difficult life. It would be good to respond to her. I pick up my phone, point the camera at myself, and take a selfie while holding a bottle of vodka and grinning. I send it and set the phone aside. It's time to work.



****



Three hours have passed since my shift started. I've made so many vodka cocktails, it's unbelievable. Do people really like vodka that much? And on top of that, I have to deal with spoiled idiots who come here every evening and drink as if it's their last day. Sometimes I wish I could shout at them about the countless negative consequences of consuming excessive alcohol every day. But that's their life. They chose to do it, and I have no choice but to serve them. I see Zara coming out of the corridor on the second floor, heading towards the bar, looking straight at me with a smile. She waves at me and heads for the stairs on the left.

I've never seen her look bad. Even at thirty-four, she looks much younger. I admire her. She looks so alive. She is taller than me, with curly hair that reaches her shoulders. Her eyes are deep green and captivating. You could get lost in them. Her face is delicate with gentle features. She always dresses in such vibrant clothes that accentuate her great figure. I hope I look good at her age. Despite the significant age and social differences between us, Zara has always shown me what a good person she is. Everyone who sees her thinks she's conceited and superficial, but she's so kind and fun. I'm glad she's part of my life. She's getting close to the bar now and takes a seat on one of those high chairs. She places her hands on the counter and looks at me with concern. I gaze back at her, puzzled.

"Darling, I'm waiting for you to tell me," she prompts me. What should I tell her?

"What?" I ask, completely confused, while taking another customer's order. Once I'm done, I hand it over to the person sitting two stools away from Zara. Then I turn to her, patiently waiting.

"Don't think I don't know what's going on. You've been coming here sleep-deprived for a week now. You have huge dark circles under your beautiful eyes. I heard there's a problem with electricity and water in your area. Also, that jerk was here looking for you yesterday after he helped Kayla. Talk before things get messy on their own."

"Alright, alright. I've been without electricity and water for some time now. I'm struggling, really. There was some kind of malfunction that won't be fixed for the next month. I talked to the repairman, but he's as unhelpful as always, brushing me off. That jerk was just a way to satisfy my needs, but I found out he already has a girlfriend. I have my moral boundaries, as you know. I'll find someone new. As for these," I pointed to the dark circles under my eyes with the knife I was using to slice a lemon, "the nightmares I told you about from when I was fourteen have returned. This time, though, I didn't see anyone, and that damn voice, may it disappear, begged me for help." I turned around to grab the mint from the shelf above me. I'd be happy if I were at least ten centimeters taller. I reach for the bottle and turn back to Zara. "I have rent to pay, water and electricity that I don't have. They've raised the prices so much. I think I need help."

Zara laughs at my joke, and I join in. No matter how difficult the situation, I'll manage. I turn to the other side of the counter to take the other customers' orders. Zara is still sitting next to me, chatting with the others. They all compliment how great the atmosphere is here. And it's true. It doesn't look like the typical places where most people go to drink cheap alcohol. This place looks luxurious, and my favorite part is the ceiling, made of colorful glass in the middle, allowing you to dance and look at the sky. Well thought out. The music is also well-selected. The good thing is that I don't have to listen to it too loudly. It's quieter around the bar. That way, I can converse with people without straining.

I start moving lightly to the rhythm while making cocktails. I turn to Zara to ask if she wants something to drink. That's when I notice the three men sitting around her, staring straight at me.