Neon Encounter

1. Neon Light

The neon sign flickered like eratic breaths in the darkness of the night. The greenish light of the emergency exit sign was reflected in the puddle right outside the back entrance of the club. It was freezing, but the man sitting on the top stair next to the door couldn't feel the coldness anymore.

Dark gloves were supposed to protect Linus numb fingers from the cold heat. He was staring unmovingly at the puddle while his body was shaking.

On-off. On-off. On-off.

The neon light mirrored his irregular breaths. Linus tried to regain his calm by focusing on the puddle, but he could barely control both his frenzy thoughts and racing heart. His breaths sped up again.

A blazing light flashed, illuminated the alley, and then blindsided him. A second later, it was dark again. He was so stunned, he forgot everything in that second.

Linus turned his head away from the puddle towards the source of the light. With blinking eyes, he identified a camera, a professional one. And dishevelled brown hair peaking from behind it. The camera was still positioned, ready to capture another shot.

He stood up like a deer caught in headlights. He felt anger bubbling up inside him, erupting like the hot lava of a volcano.

"Why did you do that?" He exclaimed angrily.

The man across from him lowered the camera and unblocked the view of his face. In the darkness and shallow light of the neon sign, he recognized dark eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips.

"It captured a perfect moment," replied the unfamiliar voice.

Linus could feel the panic rise up in him again. He had to sit down. He didn't have the strength to fight anyone else today. Even if it was just a verbal fight.

"Are you ok?" Asked the same voice.

Linus didn't reply and concentrated on his breathing.

In - out. In - out. In and out.

After around thirty of these controlled breaths, Linus looked up again. The man was still there, and the camera remained lowered.

"Can I come closer and sit down?" The man addressed him a second time.

"You should have asked before taking the picture. Delete it." Linus said instead.

"I can't." The man replied and sat down next to him, putting a good amount of space between them.

"For what it's worth, I am sorry for surprising you," the stranger stated.

"Delete the picture." Linus replied with a firm voice, regaining his strength.

"I can't." The man repeated.

"Why?"

"This image will never be captured again. A perfect moment would be lost forever. "

"I was vulnerable, and you took a picture of me in my weakest state without my consent. That is illegal, and more than that, it's disgusting."

"It's authentic. It's the blanc, hard truth."

The man stood up and, without another word, left the ally. Linus heart beat spiked up again, his breathing lost any rhythm he had carefully regained, and his vision turned dark.

Linus passed out right as the neon emergency sign shut down.