Neon Encounter

2. Neon Dream

First, it was a low hum. Like bees in a flowery garden on a hot summer day. But the warm heat turned stingy, and the comforting sounds transformed into an annoying beeping. His body felt heavy, exhausted, and he had trouble opening his eyes.

The room did smell familiar, but not like home. It smelled like a hospital - a place he frequented way too often. On the second try, he was able to pry his eyes open. Still, he couldn't see anything. He had to blink a few times to adapt to the bright hospital light.

It all came back to him at that moment. The neon light. The photographer. The panic attack. He sat up slowly and looked around. The room was empty. While the light was glaringly bright, the room was decorated in comforting pastel colours.

He lied back down and closed his stingy eyes again. And again, a dream-like world drove its claws into his body and pulled him down to a dark place.

He wasn't completely sure whether he was asleep, awake, or trapped in a memory, but the darkness that had consumed him moments before disappeared. It was replaced by loud techno music. He was standing next to the bar counter and slowly sipping on a alcohol free drink.

He remembered he had chosen this place last night to hide away from his worries and fears. Here, no one cared about who he was or where he came from. It had been so hard to find a place that was not frequented by his students. That was the hard life of a young research assistant at university.

Everywhere you went, there was a high probability of encountering a familiar face. And he could not enjoy a free evening in constant danger of being recognized by fellow staff or students or recognising someone himself - it was so awkward for either side.

He had found this place two towns away, farely well connected to public transports considering it was small, remote, and but an absolute jem with old charisma. It didn't even have any recommendations or reviews on the internet. This was how secluded it was. He loved it since finally he had found the one place being safe from awkward encounters AND enjoyed the set-up of the place: the Neon Bar & Club.

He liked to keep his private and professional life as detached from each other as possible. So, finding this place was a match made in heaven, he was sure. He felt it in his gut.

"Linus? Linus Hawke, is that you?"

He flinched... he had jinxed it. His freedom was over. He turned around and looked into familiar amber eyes. Even though this person looked taller and leaner than he remembered him, it was definitely Carter. Carter Rose. He hadn't seen him in ages.

"It really is you, old friend! What are you doing here back in the region? I thought you wanted to explore the world?"Carter said, confirming that he as well had confirmed his assumption.

"Carter, hi. Wow, it has been ages. How are you?"

"I'm all good. Just returned from a shooting in Malaysia for a new series I'm starring in. It's a supporting role," Carter said with a charming smile on his face. He remembered those smiles. Many years ago, his smiles had been scarce and earned. Secret smiles only people close to him received. But times had changed. Carter had grown up, and his smiles had turned from secret to charming - both have been and will always be nothing less than enarmouring.

"Congratulations!" Linus said, honestly meaning it.

"Thanks! It's always been the dream, hasn't it. What about you? Are you happy where you are currently?"

"Very deep questions on such an energetic evening. Let's go grab a drink in the future to discuss this, and let's enjoy the amazing beat." Linus steered the talk away by pulling Carter towards the dancing crowd. He remembered that Carter loved dancing. Once, long ago, they had connected over their passion for dancing.

"Still the dancer, I see," Carter replied with a smile, saying more than a thousand words. Carter let let Linus drag him to the dancefloor.

Carter was indeed still a great dancer. His body was fluid, moving as if he was the beat of the music. He looked relaxed, confident, and at ease. Carter was magnificent, truly glorious.

Linus still couldn't believe it. He hadn't seen Carter in ages. This man in front of him has been one of the few people whose company he had truly enjoyed during his time at school. Carter had been creative, confident, and alternative. They had bonded about dancing AND wanting to leave this place. While Carter had made it, Linus himself had stayed. Only one of them had stayed true to their promise a long time ago.

But those were stories for another day.

He looked around to figure out what was going on - was he dreaming, or was this reality?

He had the vague impression of a déjà-vu. He suspected memories were slowly resurfacing after the blackout he had woken up to mere minutes earlier.

Yes, these were the hours before the panic attack that had landed him in this hospital room. Neon green light flickered in front of his eyes, and his eyes started to close again.

What had happened in those few hours?