Finally, I finished my studies in journalism. I felt a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, fear, and bittersweet nostalgia all tangled up.
On one hand, I was thrilled to begin a new chapter in my life. On the other hand, the thought of leaving behind the comforts of student life and parting ways with my roommate, Jane, left me uneasy.
I was in the middle of packing when Jane barged into my room, her usual energy lighting up the space.
"Leighton, since this is our last week as roommates, let's do something fun tonight!" she announced, her eyes sparkling.
"Fun?" I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of fun are we talking about?"
"Drinks and dancing!" she exclaimed, twirling dramatically. "Let's hit the club!"
"The club?" I repeated skeptically.
Jane nodded with excitement.
I sighed. "You know that's not really my scene, right? Loud music, packed crowds—it's just not my idea of fun."
Jane clasped her hands together and gave me her best puppy-dog eyes.
"Please, Leighton. Just this once! It's our last chance to spend time together before we go our separate ways."
I hesitated but eventually gave in, if only to stop her relentless pleading.
"Fine. I'll go. But don't expect me to stay long."
Jane squealed with delight, throwing her arms around me. "Yay! You won't regret this, I promise. Meet me at the club—it's called Devoir."
"Devoir?" I repeated, confused. "Did you just say Devil?"
Jane burst into laughter. "No! Devoir! Like duty. Jeez, Leighton, it's not that hard to say."
"Alright, got it," I said, shaking my head.
After finishing my tasks for the day, the sun had already dipped below the horizon.
Realizing I was running late, I grabbed my bag and hurried toward the address Jane had given me.
By the time I reached the area, it was dark, and the streets were eerily quiet. I wandered around, searching for the club, but it seemed to be hidden.
After what felt like an hour of fruitless searching, my phone buzzed.
Jane: Where are you???
I quickly typed a reply: I can't find the club you told me about.
But as soon as I hit send, my phone lost signal. The message remained undelivered.
Frustrated, I tried calling Jane, but the call wouldn't go through.
I debated giving up and heading home when I spotted an old building in the distance.
It looked dilapidated, with cracked windows and ivy creeping up its walls, but music and laughter spilled out, loud enough to echo through the empty streets.
I approached cautiously, squinting at the sign above the entrance.
"Devour Club."
"Wait... Devour?" I muttered under my breath. "That doesn't sound right. Could she have made a typo?"
Despite my unease, I stepped closer. The bouncer at the door gave me a strange look but didn't stop me from entering.
The moment I stepped inside, I was hit by a wave of heat and an almost otherworldly energy. The room was dimly lit, with red and black hues dominating the decor.
Candles flickered on tables, and chandeliers with sharp, gothic designs hung overhead. The air was thick with the scent of incense and something metallic I couldn't quite place.
What struck me most, however, was the crowd. Everyone was dressed in dark, elegant outfits with splashes of crimson—velvet coats, flowing dresses, and masks that covered half their faces.
Their eyes, piercing and watchful, turned toward me as I entered, their gazes making my skin prickle.
"Is this some kind of theme night?" I whispered to myself. "Why didn't Jane tell me about the dress code?"
I tried to spot Jane in the crowd, but the faces blurred together under the dim lighting. A strange uneasiness crept into my chest. Something about this place felt... off.
Before I could retreat, a tall man dressed in a sharp black suit approached me. His smile was polite, but his eyes held a glint of something I couldn't quite read.
"Welcome to Devour," he said smoothly. "You're new, aren't you?"
"Uh... yeah," I stammered, unsure how to respond. "I'm looking for my friend. She's supposed to be here."
He tilted his head slightly, his smile widening. "Perhaps I can help you find her. What's her name?"
"Jane," I replied, my voice unsteady.
The man's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but it was enough to make my stomach twist. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper.
"You're a little far from Devoir, aren't you?"
My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Isn't this..." I trailed off, realizing my mistake.
"Devour is not for everyone," he said cryptically, straightening up. "But since you're already here..."
Before I could respond, the lights flickered, and the music shifted to a haunting, rhythmic beat.
The crowd began to move, their bodies swaying as if under a spell. My pulse quickened, and every instinct in my body screamed at me to leave.