The drive to the club was a breeze since it was just a stone's throw away from my place, making it super convenient to find. As we stepped inside, the booming music assaulted my ears, causing a momentary dizziness before my senses recalibrated. I glanced around the club, taking in the sight of men and women dancing passionately, some even engaged in intense kisses as if they were in their own private world. It was a bit overwhelming, so I quickly averted my gaze and followed Sasha towards the bar. We made our way through the crowd, and once we reached the bar, Sasha raised her voice to be heard over the loud music.
"Two bottles of margarita!" she shouted at the bar attendant. With a nod, the bartender swiftly prepared our drinks, and before we knew it, they were sitting on the table. She extended her drink towards mine, a silent invitation to raise a toast, and I obliged. As we clinked our glasses together, I couldn't help but ponder what exactly we were celebrating. We quickly finished our drinks and ordered another round, and then another after that. By the time we reached our fifth round, Sasha let out an exhilarated scream, declaring that this particular song was her absolute favorite. She grabbed my hand, urging me to join her on the dance floor but I politely declined, opting to stay back and observe. I watched as she danced passionately with a guy she had just met, laughing to myself at her carefree and wild spirit. Sasha was the kind of person who lived life on her own terms, without a care in the world.
The drinks I had already consumed at home and now at the club were starting to take their toll on me. I could feel myself getting quite tipsy, so I made sure to steady myself and continue observing my friend. As the music came to an end, she returned to me with a mischievous smile and whispered in my ear that the man she had danced with was, well, quite well-endowed down there. I couldn't help but blush and shyly avert my gaze. Sasha had always been quite bold and open about such things. She definitely had a knack for shocking me with her straightforward personality. She rummaged through her bag to find her phone when it suddenly started ringing. "I have to take this!" she shouted in my ear, and I simply nodded in understanding. With a swift motion, she grabbed her bag and hurried towards the back of the club. Once again, I found myself alone in the midst of the beating music. For a moment, it felt as if the music had faded into the background, leaving me in a tranquil silence.
It had been a good twenty minutes since Sasha stepped out to take the call, but she still hadn't returned. I grew concerned and decided to dial her number, hoping to get through. Unfortunately, her phone was unreachable. Glancing at the time on my own phone, I realized it was almost midnight. The neighborhood where I lived had a reputation for being unsafe, with reports of thefts and even murders. With a sense of urgency, I sent Sasha a text, informing her that I was leaving the club. Pushing my way through the crowd, I made my way outside, eager to get home as quickly as possible.
The streets were eerily quiet and the chill in the air sent a shiver down my spine. Darn it! I had forgotten my windbreaker once again. I scolded myself mentally for my forgetfulness. The effects of the alcohol were starting to weigh heavily on me, but I mustered up the strength to keep walking, desperately hoping to find a taxi that could whisk me away to safety. As I made my way down the deserted road, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following me.
My heart sank as I noticed a group of individuals trailing behind. One of them let out a whistle, while another shouted, "Hey, you look absolutely stunning! Wait up!" Panic surged through me, knowing I was in trouble. I quickened my pace as much as I could, but my intoxicated state slowed me down, making my movements sluggish and cumbersome. Before I knew it, they had caught up to me. One of them blocked my path, while the other closed in from behind.
I let out a blood-curdling scream, my voice trembling in terror. "Please, don't hurt me. I'll give you money if that's what you want," I begged, the fear evident in my eyes.
"Money? We're not interested in money. We want something else," the man in front of me leered, his eyes fixated on my exposed chest.
"That's exactly what we want," the other man spoke from behind me, his hand reaching out to touch my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine. The fear and desperation consumed me as I realized the true intentions of these menacing strangers.
My heart was pounding in my chest as tears streamed down my face. I felt completely helpless, not knowing how to defend myself in that terrifying moment. But then, out of nowhere, I heard a bone-cracking sound. I turned around in disbelief and saw the man who had been standing behind me now lying on the ground, his hand broken and crying out for help. I couldn't believe my eyes. And before I could even process what was happening, another scream pierced the air, causing me to turn towards the man who had been in front of me. He was now on the floor, too, begging for his life. "Please don't kill me," he pleaded desperately.
The whole scene felt surreal, like something out of a suspenseful thriller. I was left wondering who had come to my rescue and delivered such swift justice. In that pivotal moment, I turned my gaze to the side and there he was—the breathtakingly handsome man I had noticed before.
My heart raced with a mix of confusion. "You..." I managed to utter, my voice trembling with anticipation. I desperately tried to take a step towards him but my body betrayed me. It felt as if an invisible weight had descended upon me, draining my strength. And then, everything went black as I succumbed to unconsciousness.