FIRE | H.S.

Chapter 8

   The music is loud. It shakes the walls and the floor. The whole establishment is dimly lit. I think the owner wanted to give off a sensual vibe, but it's more creepy than anything. The walls are blood red and black, the floor is black, and the couches are a mixture of red, black, and grey worn-out leather.

   I walk through the dim hallway and manage to hold on to the wall when my foot slips. I know this place isn't well kept, but can't they at least keep the floors dry? There's always some sort of liquid substance spilled everywhere.

   "Fucking shit," I curse under my breath. I hate it here.

   A drunk man in a suit bumps into me, spilling some of his drink on me. Great.

   "Shit, sorry, sweetheart," he slurs, smirking. He steps closer to me, until my back touches the cold wall, then places his hands on either side of my head. "How 'bout y'let me take you home and give you the best night of your life." He runs his nose along my jaw, his breath makes me gag.

   "Fuck off," I mutter and push him off, and start walking away.

   "Fucking bitch," he growls, and he takes a fistful of my hair, pulling me back to him and pressing me against the wall. The wall is rough against my cheek and he pushes my head into it as if he wanted my face and the wall to become one.

   Panic sets in and I try to push him off again but he's leaning his full weight on me and I can't move him at all. He tightens his grip on my hair and wraps his other hand around my neck, squeezing hard, not letting me breathe.

   "Who the fuck do you think you are? How fucking dare you reject me, you fucking whore!" He gnarls in my ear. He lets go of my neck and begins sliding his hand down my body, palming my breasts. I press my palms on the wall, trying and failing once again to free myself. "I'm gonna show you how to fucking respect me, you cunt!" his hand leaves my hair and he roughly turns me around, pushing me back against the wall. He takes my wrists in one of his hands and pins them above my head, while his other hand slides up my skirt...

   My eyes shoot open at the sound of my phone. I take a deep breath, my heart is beating erratically. It was just another nightmare.

   I reach for my phone and slide my thumb across the screen. "Hello?" I say, pressing the phone to my ear.

   "Ava, hey, I'm sorry for waking you up. I know it's early."

   "Hey, Harry. It's alright. Everything okay?" I ask, sitting up. The clock reads 6:45.

"Well, I was wondering if you could watch Leilani today? I'm sorry, I know it's your day off work and it's very early but-"

   "Yeah, of course. At what time?" I cut him off. I don't need him to explain. I'm more than happy to watch Leilani.

"Erm... now? She's sleeping, but I'm going to wake her up and bring her to your place." He says.

   "No, don't wake her up. Carry her here, we can lay her on the sofa." I get out of bed and put on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, then throw my hair into a bun.

  "Alright, I'll be there soon."

   "Okay, see you."

   I hang up and rush to fix my bed and brush my teeth. I hear the doorbell and rush out of my bedroom and down the stairs to open the door for Harry.

   "Good morning," I say with a smile as I let Harry inside.

   "Good morning, I'm so sorry for waking you up."