Bound by Shadows

Chapter two.

I woke up to the harsh rays of sunlight slicing through the curtains, a throbbing headache immediately making itself known. My eyelids felt like lead, and as I cracked them open, the world came rushing back in a wave of blurry memories and flashes of the night before.

I was sprawled across my bed, one arm dangling off the side, and the other buried under a pile of clothes that had somehow ended up there. My mouth felt dry, coated with the taste of cheap cocktails and late-night laughter. The room was a mess, a chaotic reminder of my spontaneous decision to go out.

"Ugh, never again," I muttered, sitting up slowly and pressing my palms to my temples. I could hear the faint thump of music from a nearby club, echoing like a cruel reminder of the night's indulgences.

After a few moments of gathering my thoughts, I forced myself to stand, the world swaying slightly as I made my way to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, the shock invigorating enough to wake me up a little more. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror—disheveled hair, smeared eyeliner, and a faint flush from the night out.

"Next time, I'll remember to take off my makeup," I sighed, grabbing a washcloth to clean up the remnants of last night.

As I brushed my teeth, memories began to resurface: the loud music, the dancing, and the feeling of exhilaration that had coursed through me. But intertwined with those memories was an unsettling sense of being watched. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought. I was being paranoid; after all, it was just a night out with friends.

Once I was presentable, I shuffled to the kitchen, craving caffeine and something to settle my stomach. I opened the fridge and found a half-empty bottle of orange juice. That would have to do. As I poured a glass, I noticed my phone lighting up on the counter.

I picked it up to find a slew of texts from Mia.

Venus: Are you alive?!

Venus: You should see the pics from last night!

Venus: We need to talk about that guy you were staring at!

I smiled at the last message, my mind wandering back to the tall figure with dark hair who had caught my eye. There was something intriguing about him, but the details were a haze. All I remembered was the way he seemed to watch me, as if he could see right through me.

Elora: I'm alive but definitely hungover. What guy?

Venus: The one in the VIP section. He kept staring at you." 

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a small grin. "Of course, I would be noticed by the one guy I can barely remember," I said to myself, pouring another glass of juice.

I took a seat at the small kitchen table, my phone buzzing again.

Venus: We need to go back tonight!

Elora: You're insane. I need a recovery day.

Venus: Ezra invited us and you need some dick. 

The thought sent a thrill through me. What if he was there? But the idea of facing another night in that chaotic club made my stomach churn. "Maybe next week," I texted back, trying to sound firm.

I finished my juice, feeling slightly better but still a bit queasy. I needed food. I rummaged through the cupboards, settling on some cereal, pouring it into a bowl and adding milk. As I chewed slowly, I contemplated the chaos of the night before.

The club, the laughter, the dancing... It had felt liberating, a brief escape from the monotonous routine that had become my life. But now, it also felt like a blur, overshadowed by the headache and hazy memories.

Just as I was about to drown my thoughts in another bite, my phone buzzed again.

Venus: Whatever you say smh. Look at the pics though. 

With a resigned sigh, I opened my photo app. The first few pictures were of Mia, mid-laugh with drinks in hand, her energy contagious even through the screen. I swiped through more, catching snippets of our night: us dancing, the vibrant lights of the club, and then... there he was.

The tall man from the VIP section, standing in the background of one photo, his gaze locked on me. My heart raced as I zoomed in on the image. He looked enigmatic, a half-smirk on his lips, and my stomach flipped at the realization that I had been caught in his gaze.

"What the hell?" I muttered, staring at the photo as if it were a puzzle piece I couldn't quite place.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, breaking my reverie. I glanced at the clock—it was too early for any visitors. I hesitated but finally shuffled over to the door, peeking through the peephole.

To my surprise, it was my neighbor, an older woman named Mrs. Delaney. She had a knack for popping by unannounced, always armed with freshly baked treats or some unsolicited advice. I opened the door slightly, her cheerful demeanor brightening the dim hallway.

"Good morning, dear! I found this outside your door and didn't want them to go to waste!" she said, holding out a small basket.

"Thanks, Mrs. Delaney. You didn't happen to see who dropped them off" I replied, trying to sound grateful despite my hangover.

"Oh, nonsense! I didn't see anyone" Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "New boyfriend?"

I laughed awkwardly, taking the basket from her. "I wish.  Thanks again!"

She nodded, her gaze drifting to my disheveled appearance. "You look a bit rough, dear. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay?"

"Will do," I promised, closing the door and leaning against it, unease creeping up in my stomach. I opened the basket to find a single rose along with a picture of me from last night. 

Picking up the picture, I stared deeply taking myself in. My tan skin and curly hair was the only thing that was noticeable as I was looking at my friend beside me. The unease only increased. I quickly ripped it up, throwing it away along with the rose. 

The rest of the day blurred together in a haze of recovery. I curled up on the couch with a blanket and watching mindless TV. But my thoughts kept drifting back to the club, the energy of the night, that man with the dark gaze, and that picture. 

I knew I should have forgotten about him, but a part of me felt strangely drawn to the mystery he represented. The allure of danger mingled with the thrill of curiosity, and as the sun began to set, I felt a familiar tug at my heart.

"Maybe one more night out wouldn't hurt," I mused aloud, half to myself and half to the lingering memories of last night's adventure. Little did I know, the shadows I had flirted with were about to creep back into my life, and this time, I wouldn't be so oblivious.