We Were Gods: Oleander: Book One

Moist

I closed my eyes and imagined I was back with Colby and Daniel. I could hear my heart beat as I thought of her smile and his lack of one. I imagined resting on their weathered couch in the cramped house the smell of vanilla and sandalwood fresh in my nose.

"Jesus H. Christ!" My eyes spring open as I let out a gasp.

"I did it!" I beam. Daniel, who I now realize is sitting next to me, is scrambling to get off the couch but gets caught up in the blanket.

"Daniel what in th-" Colby stops in the doorway, eyes wide as she watches Daniel crawl away from me while I wave at her.

"How the hell did you get in here?!" Daniel barks once he's on his feet.

"I just thought of your place and it happened!" I can't help but smile. I was actually able to teleport!

"Why?! Don't you have a home?"

"Daniel." Colby warns, her eyes narrowing. "Oleander, what is this about? And next time use the door, please."

"I figured out our next step." I bounce up from the couch. "We're heading to New York!"

"No. Absolutely not. There is no way you are taking us to America." Daniel crosses his arms and shakes his head.

"Fine. You can stay here then." I shrug my shoulders. "But you'll go, won't you Colby?"

Daniel shoots her a look and I know he's telling her to stay with his eyes.

"Of course." Colby grins and Daniel lets out a groan.

"Well have fun. I'm not going." Colby and Daniel stare at each other for a moment before he lets out a loud and obnoxious sigh. "Fine. But we're not paying for the flight. We're not paying for any of it."

"No need!" I'm practically bouncing with excitement as I grab the two of them and close my eyes. I think of New York and the word Moist. I think of Asase Ya and our conversation. I think and my heart listens.

"How the hell?!" Daniel yells when we are suddenly in a dark alleyway. The pavement is slick with rain.

"I don't feel too good." Colby groans, leaning against a wall as she clutches her stomach.

"Oh shoot. I forgot to mention that it's best to close your eyes when teleporting or else it can make you motion sick... at least I think I read that somewhere?" I shrug and start off down the ally towards the street. We're actually somewhere in the heart of New York, or at least that's my guess because the buildings are tall and the air stinks. It's noisy and honestly wonderful.

"This must be it!" I exclaim, pointing to a line of people. Above them is a sign that says the word 'Moist' in obnoxious pink lights. The lights flicker every now and then but the steady line of people don't seem to mind. Even over the loud hustle and bustle of the city I can still hear the music playing from the hole in the wall club.

I race towards the front of the line, Cole and Daniel far behind me. I realize now that the group of people in front of the club isn't a line so much as it is a gaggle.

"Where do you think you're going?" A toad of a man stops me. I can't help but shutter at his shirt that states 'I AM MOIST.' "No entry until you've had a drink. It's club policy that no one go drink-less." The bouncer states. "Taffy'd kill me if I let you guys in without at least a shot." He waves his hands over the little stand in front of him and "magically" produces three shots. "Bottoms up, friends!"

Once we down the shots we are in the club. I can't hide my enthusiasm at not being carded. "This place is great!" I shout over the music. The club is larger than it looks on the outside. Most of it is covered in a glass floor with neon flickering lights beneath it. There are coloured lights on the ceilings along with laser lights. A fog machine almost makes it hard to see but no one seems to care as they dance. There's also a few cages in the front of the club next to a stage.

Suddenly the lights go down and everything is focused on the stage.

The stage is covered in a hazy fog as the lights go crazy; everyone in the club starts to scream and clap. A woman is raised on a platform from beneath the stage; her pink hair nearly matches the 'MOIST' sign outside. Her skin is the colour of mocha and clashes perfectly with the wild dress she is wearing. The thing that catches me off guard the most is her neon yellow rain boots though.

"Bros and hos how y'all doing tonight?" She shouts, a wide smile from full lips as the crowd goes wild. "To those of you that haven't been here yet welcome to Moist! Drinks on me for the next half hour! Lets make it crazy up in this bitch! Let's make some mistakes and drink enough to forget them!" She laughs wildly before the music swallows her voice and the lights go crazy once more.

Everyone is jumping and screaming and it's impossible to think.

"Oleander, what exactly are we looking for?" Colby shouts as she tugs on my shirt.

"I'm not sure to be honest." I admit. "But maybe another drink would help?" Colby frowns at me but her and Daniel still follow me to the bar. The music is a touch quieter by the bar, though not by much. The bartenders are too busy to notice someone leaning over the counter of the bar, her round butt in the air as she helps herself to something. I can't help but stare at her and feel some guilt for thinking how perfect her bottom is.

"What's your poison?" She asks when she pulls herself from over the counter and settles back onto her stool. I was so focused on her other assets that I didn't even notice the rain boots. She winks at me before taking a swig straight from the UV Blue bottle.

"Oh! I didn't realize you're a bartender. I thought maybe you owned the place or something." I clear my throat.

"Oh yeah, I do it all. But the thing I'm best at is getting in trouble." She laughs and offers the bottle to me. "So what're you in here for, Oleander?" She rests her chin on her hand. My mouth falls open in shock. "What? You thought I wouldn't recognize you?" She winks and laughs again; it's one of the most infectious laughs I have ever heard. "I know why you're here but I don't know how much I can help you. I'm not much into picking sides." She hops down from her stool and gives us a "come-hither' motion with her fingers.

We follow her behind the bar and through some doors until we reach a quiet room. The room is white but the walls are decorated in vines and trees. There's a lace antique feel to the whole room and it is very clear that someone took their precious time decorating it.

"This is my safe place." She explains, nodding to a large sofa for us to sit at. "My name's Tefnut but you may call me Taffy."