The Last Crusader

14

Valencia had a break in her shift. There weren't many options open late at night but the club, The Crown, was up until 3 am. A block away with some of Valencia's favorite dishes. Valencia ordered ahead to avoid overstaying her welcome. Though, she enjoyed the food it wasn't the most reputable building in Exigo.

Valencia waited by the bar for her order to come from the back. She felt two firm hands on her hips, and a whisper in her ear.

"Hey, sweet thing, how are you?" a man brushed his lips against her earlobe.

Valencia reached into her purse, reaching for her mace and instead finding the Scarlet mask. She squeezed the mask as if finding power from it. Giving the man a flattering smile as she got her food. Politely excusing herself and aiming for the door.

"Hey, baby. Come on, we were connecting." The man continued pursuing Valencia, drunkenly back to the clinic.

Once he was inside, Valencia hid herself, expecting him to leave so she could eat in peace. Instead he pursued her, loosening his belt for when he finally cornered her.

Valencia found an anesthetic. Stepping into the hallway and inviting him to follow. As he entered the room, Scarlet pulled on the mask. Distracting him with a kiss then covering his face with the mask. Knocking him out cold.

Valencia felt a strange sensation rush over her. She had been the predator now. Staring down upon the man. Valencia had no idea what happened to the man.

It was a rather strange occurrence every other week. A man would hit on her while she attempted to pick up her food. Normally Valencia would sit by the security guard and eyeball him whenever a man tried to hit on her. Instead, she began welcoming the attention as a new personality came over her. She had never partied much or went clubbing. For the brief moment she spent there, she found the club scene infectious.

Men asked her to dance. Men asked to buy her drinks. And men disappeared.

One night, Valencia had a rough day at work. Feeling ornary as she came for her food. Not wanting to fight or flirt. Sitting by the guard to be left alone. But as this man approached, the guard gulped and walked away.

"How are we doing, sweet love?" The man greeted kneeling before Valencia, "Mayor Vernon Hearns. And you are?"

"Tired. I am tired." Valencia glares at him not wanting to be bothered.

"Ha, you have a sense of humor. Hopefully we can get to know one another more intimately?"

Valencia had no recollection but the recesses of her mind. Scarlet played out the scenes of what she would do to this man. Valencia brushed him off, not wanting to be bothered. But Scarlet studied him like preparing for a test.

"Where?"

"Here's my address, sweet love." The mayor lifts her chin, kissing her lips.

Scarlet held his hand, accepting the note, feeling his wedding ring against her face. Smiling as she gives him a wink, "I'll come see you tonight, okay?"

The mayor smiled, heading back to his group. And Valencia gathered her food.

Valencia sat at her desk. Feeling restless as she tried eating her chicken wings. She was nibbling her broccoli rabe and veal sandwich, her legs bouncing, eating over the mayor's address. Valencia felt her eyes keep concentrating on it though she wasn't interested in him. She studied the address until it was memorized.

After her meal, Valencia felt a bit sleepy. Typically, the bell sounded whenever anyone entered the door. Loud enough to wake her up if needed. Valencia was snoring the night away.