Rising Light

Chapter 14: Horror Movie

The Far Reaches was the only tavern for miles, surrounded by woodlands that made it feel like something out of a fantasy. The neon sign was dirty, the little light it produced dimmed to almost non-existence by grime. Music played lowly, chatter all but drowned it out. All of it, however, came to a crescendo as the door flew open, punctuating the late night with noise and light that it might otherwise have forgotten.

Jackers stormed out into the open air, cursing under his breath as he tucked in his shirt. Once again Reggie had ruined everything. There were times when he wondered why they were even still friends with him. Why they always kept trying to rein him in.

A hand on his shoulder made Jackers pause momentarily. He turned, only to see Artie. His friend had a small smile on his face, understanding written behind it, as he used his other hand to push his glasses up his nose.

But Jackers wasn't in the mood for comfort. He pulled away angrily, looking out towards the woodland that protected them from civilization. 'Why me! Why's it always me?'

'It's not,' Artie said reasonably, only adding to Jackers' foul mood. 'He does it to all of us.'

Jackers rounded on his friend, absently patting down his pockets as he spoke. 'Really, Artie? I don't remember him pantsing you in a crowded bar and... Dammit, where the hell are my keys?' He paused, attention focused solely on Artie. 'He took my keys, didn't he?'

Jackers barely heard the door opening again, but he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. Becca hurried towards them, Vania sauntering behind her, attention lost on her reflection.

'Come on Jackers, don't let him ruin your night. It's your birthday,' Becca said, correctly reading the tone of the evening already. Had she been trying to get Reggie to make amends inside? 'We could all drive to my place.'

'I can't,' said Jackers through gritted teeth, still patting his pockets down. 'He took my damn keys... And my wallet! Where the hell's my wallet?'

'Do you want me to check your pants again, Jackers?' purred Vania, but he didn't even look up. 'I was planning to frisk you as part of your birthday present anyway.'

Artie snickered, but Jackers was barely paying attention.

'It's all so juvenile,' he complained. 'He's like an inbred monkey. We're not in school anymore. When's it going to end?'

'Maybe it's time we called the cops,' suggested Becca, finally causing Jackers to look up. There was a serious expression on her face, something almost musing about it. 'That was robbery and assault, sort of. We'll back you up.'

Jackers opened his mouth, but before he could say anything the door to the tavern burst open. Reggie stumbled out, his expression completely blank except for the small smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth. Not that Jackers was paying that much attention. His gaze had quickly found his keys dangling from Reggie's raised middle finger.

'Where's the birthday boy?!' he bellowed, much louder than the still night required. 'Drinks were on you. I maxed out your card, dude. Let's go for a ride.'

'Give him his keys, Reggie,' said Artie, taking a step towards the imposing figure of their drunken friend, trying to pacify things. 'It's his birthday, man.'

'What's the matter, Artie? You feeling left out?'

Artie turned to the others, backing down from another unnecessary fight between the two of them. But for once, it had been the wrong thing to do. There was too much alcohol in Reggie's system for him to let this one lie. Before anyone could do anything, he pulled Artie in for a painful looking headlock.