II

~~~

Amaya

I opened the doors to my workplace and walked to the counter. I work at my local library and this morning I was in charge of opening it. I love working at the library. The number one rule there is to stay silent so I'm working in silence all day long. It is very peaceful and it never gets old.

Even though I love this job, the pay isn't very good. I was thinking of quitting soon to find a more suitable job to support me better financially.

I made my way through the whole library to open all of the lights. I then grabbed a rack and pushed it through the rows in order to place the missing books.

After a few minutes, my coworker walked in. His name is Josh and we've become close friends because our shifts were all in sync. Even though he's five years younger than me, his height surpasses mine big time.

"Good morning," he said cheerfully.

"Hey, what's gotten you so cheerful?" I asked.

"Cassidy is pregnant!" He squealed. Cassidy is his girlfriend since high school. I've met her multiple times and she's a sweetheart. I'm really happy for them.

"That's great Josh!" I squealed with him. They've been trying for a baby for the longest while so I'm very happy for them.

"Less chitchatting and more working please," our boss grumbled out. I don't know why but ever since I started working with Josh all the time, her liking for me seemed to diminish. Especially this morning she sounded extra moody for a reason that I ignore.

I went back to placing books on the shelves. I was about to place the last one when a shadow caught my attention. The shadow was outside leaning against a tree seeming to have his eyes in my direction.

When he noticed that I've spotted him, he immediately retrieved and walked in the opposite direction.

Weird.

I stayed still for a little longer trying to figure out who that could've been.

***

At the end of my shift, I said my goodbyes to Josh and my boss even though she always ignores me when I talk to her. Maybe she's just a little shy. But of course, her shyness completely gets thrown out of the window once it's for scolding me.

I arrived home eager to be in the comfort of my bed. My parents weren't there. I think they went furniture shopping again. They're both house decorating freaks.

I changed myself into my pajamas to add to my comfort. I was ready to be overrun by a nice deep sleep but I guess not everyone gets what they want.

The ringing of my phone sounded through my room. The caller ID indicated that Destiny was calling.

"Hey," I said when I answered the phone.

"Yo, you down to go to the club tonight?" Going out tonight would hurt. I haven't been partying in ages. I almost forgot how it felt like.

"Sure I wouldn't mind."

"Okay great, and you're driving so don't drink." I frowned

"Why don't we just get an Uber?"

"Jesus Amaya, you know what happened last time. No way I'm going back on a Uber." Right, I almost forgot. The last time we went out, we got drunk so neither of us was in a state to drive. So we called an Uber. The next thing we know we wake up in New York City the next morning and the fact that we live in Toronto made us freak out. I don't even want to know how he got us through the border without having our passports. Luckily we managed to escape but they did detain us for a while because we were in the country without a passport.

"Fine, I'll drive. See ya later." As soon as I hang up I heard the front door opening and hushed voices were heard. My parents were home.

It's only then that I remembered the book that mom left on my bed. I snatched the little object from the shelf and made my way down the stairs.

"Amaya, did you go in the garage? I told you not to since we're doing renovations," my dad scolded me as I made my way to the kitchen.

"No I didn't go in there," I responded while grabbing a drink from the fridge.

"Well, who did then?"

"Not me," me and my mom both said in sync. Dad looked at both of us skeptically but ending up letting this matter go.

"Oh and mom, I think you left this in my room the other day." I showed her the book but she didn't show any sign of recognition.

"I think you're mistaken, I don't own this book. Especially as old as this one." That's strange.

"Well, dad is it yours?" He shook his head. If it belonged to neither of us, how did it end up on my bed?

Whatever the reason is, I'm definitely too tired to try and solve this mystery. I also have a party to attend.

***

After two hours of getting ready, I finally felt satisfied with my attire. The red silky dress I was wearing hugged my body in the right places. My makeup was also on point for the first time in my life.

I texted Destiny that I was leaving my house then informed my parents of my departure.

It was kinda late so the roads were dark. I don't really like driving at night. It's scary. Especially when you're alone on the road. You never know when I serial killer could just come and hijack your car and kill you right after.

Destiny's house is about twenty minutes away from my house. When I parked she was already running towards my car seeming to be a little tipsy. I guess she's planning on being totally wasted tonight.

I sighed. This isn't the best news for me since I was the one driving her back home.

"What took you so long jeez," she said while harshly opening the passenger door. She then sloppily sat down.

"I didn't even take that much time," I retorted while leaving my parking spot.

"And why did you drink before even getting to the club?" I asked her.

"A party is ten times better when you start it a little drunk. You should've done it too."

"I'm driving remember," I grunted.

"Oh right," she said while laughing. The rest of the ride was made in silence. She was on her phone and I was focusing on the road.

Soon we saw the vibrant building. Neon lights were shining everywhere. The music was blasting through the concrete walls. People were seen in whichever direction you looked at. You could actually feel the ground shaking from the number of people jumping at the same time.

Destiny and I made our way to the entrance. It was only there that we noticed the ridiculously long lineup to get in. I started losing hope of having the best time of our lives until Destiny started to walk towards the bouncer.

I watched her with curiosity as she whispered something into his ear making him nod and open the door for her. She then turned towards me waving for me to come.

"What did you tell the bouncer for him to let us in?" I asked as we made our way through the club in direction of the bar. We had to squeeze ourselves through the crowd because the dance floor was packed.

"Nothing much really." I glanced at her with a raised brow but she just winked at me.

We arrived at the bar and Destiny ordered her drink. I of course took something non-alcoholic.

It only took a matter of minutes before Destiny was completely wasted and making out with some stranger. I sighed while watching her and finally came to the conclusion to enjoy myself a little too. It's not like a crazy Uber driver would kidnap us again. Of course, that could happen but I rather think otherwise at that moment.

I ordered a bunch of alcoholic drinks and in no time I was drunk as well. I could just call my mom to come to pick us up after because I really felt like enjoying this moment.

I started swaying my hips side to side as the song Friday was blasting through the speakers.

I then felt someone close to me from behind. Maybe a little too close for my comfort but I didn't pay much mind to it. There were a lot of people on the dance floor.

I let myself get carried away with the music and my drunken state as if I had zero problems in life.

Then suddenly eerie screams were heard. I stopped dancing and immediately turned around to see what was happening. However, I stood frozen in my tracks as I saw the same shadow whose face I could clearly see right next to me. He was holding a spear intending to stab me.

I shut my eyes closed waiting for the sharp object to enter my body. I didn't know what else I could do. I wasn't thinking right. Mostly because I was still inevitably drunk.

It all happened so fast. I was about to get stabbed but in a swift movement, strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me against a hard chest. The next thing I knew I was flying in the air.

~~~