Parting ways from the group was easy since my phone alerted me to a reported short circuit in the main branch of Sightex. The resulting loss was significant, but luckily no one suspected my involvement in starting the fire.
Although the fire was being controlled, the cause remained uncertain. A mere assumption, it seemed.
I proceeded towards the staff area of the bar, which was segregated into two sections - male and female employees. Such division was necessary as all staff were required to abide by a strict set of rules and don unique uniforms.
These uniforms were anything but ordinary. Men were dressed in classic suits, while women donned a striking ensemble consisting of a white shirt, black tie, and a black frock. It was a true work of art, especially when worn by someone as stunning as the bartender.
Disregarding the men's quarters, I strode towards the female section while following the displayed map.
It was conspicuous that the female staff area was desolate. Very few women opted to work in a bar due to the high level of insecurity associated with the job.
Moreover, those who desired to work in these esteemed establishments faced stringent recruitment criteria and were seldom selected.
As I approached the changing room, a piercing scream reverberated from within. It was the same woman bartender whom I had conversed with earlier.
The blaring music from outside and the well-insulated walls rendered the scream inaudible to others. However, my heightened senses made me an exception.
I strode through the pristine, white-tiled corridor, shrouded in a haunting atmosphere, and pushed open the creaky gate of the women's changing room.
An ominous figure loomed in the dimly lit room, with a shapeless form and a mass of millions of tiny pores covering its body. Its spindly, razor-sharp claws glinted in the gloom.
On the floor lay the bartender, unconscious and defenceless. From the scattered clothes and undergarments, it was clear that the woman was in the middle of changing when the creature appeared out of nowhere.
She had managed to put on only her bra before the creature attacked.
In a state of sheer terror, the bartender let out an ear-piercing scream and tried to make a run for it towards the gate. But the mantle was way too quick for her, its long and clawed hands attacked her in a matter of seconds.
With a sickening thud, the bartender was flung across the room and slammed into the wall. She lay there unconscious, bleeding profusely from a deep wound on her back caused by the creature's sharp claws.
"At the least, I finally understand what you are", I gazed upon the repulsive mantle and muttered,
"However," I continued, "this city now falls under my jurisdiction now."
Although I doubted that the creature comprehended my words, its mocking demeanour was unmistakable.
Suddenly, the mantle lunged towards me with an ugly snarl. Without flinching, I remained calm and collected.
"I possess an abundance of life force now," I muttered as the lights flickered in the room. Multiple electrical bolts crackled and echoed throughout the space.
In one swift motion, a powerful bolt of lightning struck the mantle, causing it to disintegrate in a flash.
The room was filled with a lingering silence, punctuated only by the eerie sound of flickering lights. I turned my attention to the woman lying unconscious on the floor, her blood loss increasing by the second.
I pulled out my phone and dialled the customer care number for Novaris Automobiles, my second favourite contact.
"Good evening, Novaris Automobiles. How may I assist you today?" A professional and courteous voice greeted me.
"I require a cleanup team at 9th Heaven, women's staff area," I said, my voice steady and calm despite the urgency of the situation.
"Understood, sir. The team will be dispatched immediately and should arrive within the next three minutes. Is there any casualty on the scene?" The customer service representative asked, his tone remaining professional.
"Yes, please. However, I will be taking her to a medical facility myself. Can you provide me with a secure exit route from the building, away from prying eyes?" I requested.
"Of course, sir. The route has been assigned to your device. Is there anything else I can assist you with?" The representative inquired politely.
"No, that will be all for now. Thank you for your prompt assistance," I replied before ending the call.
With this act, I would earn her favour, and save myself from the unwanted attention of others who may inquire about my presence in the women's area while carrying a partially clothed injured woman.
'I'm a genius,' I thought smugly.
Covering her with the shirt that belonged to her, I lifted her gently and made my way towards the exit, following the route displayed on my phone.
I accessed the app to control my luxurious Novaris car and set it to arrive at my location. The screen displayed my car starting up and exiting the parking lot as it made its way to the back of the club.
With a deft movement, the car arrived at my place and the gates opened smoothly. I carefully placed the half-naked injured woman in the passenger seat and took the driver's seat.
Revving the engine, I began my journey towards the hospital. The vehicle already displayed the best hospital in the vicinity, so I followed the assigned route and arrived at the hospital in no time.
Disregarding the opulent and sophisticated infrastructure of the facility, I quickly admitted the woman to the emergency ward.
One of the nurses told me to head over to the reception area and complete some formalities for the woman I brought in.
"Please fill in the name, address, phone number, ID number, and mother's and father's name of the person admitted in the ward, and state your relation," the receptionist - yet another one of those beautiful women - said.
"I know none of these," I replied, looking at the form she gave me.
"Hm? What do you mean?" she asked, arching her eyebrow.
"I mean I have no clue about her name, address, number, ID, or anything about her," I said.
"Is this a case of assault? Did you bring her here because you found her injured? In that case, this becomes a police case," she said.
"Okay, hold on a second," I said, as I dialled my favourite number.
"Hello Cedric," I said, and there was another loud crash sound from the other side.
"H-hi, sir!" he replied, sounding anxious.
"Broke something again?" I teased him.
"N-Nothing sir, it was just a glass of juice," he said, clearly embarrassed.
"Anyway, I brought an injured woman to the hospital, and they say it's a police case, so you handle that," I said.
"S-sir, yes sir, I'll handle that. The case would be assigned to a different officer, and you just need your phone when he asks for your ID," Cedric said.
"Perfect," I said, chuckling, and ended the call.