What You Believe

“I am so excited!” Belle shouted over the noisy crowd that had gathered in the local bar. “I bet they are so good live.” She carried on as we made our way over to the bar.
“I know. I heard them practicing a little the other day and they sounded amazing. I don’t know why they were so nervous.” I smiled as we waited for the barman to walk over.
“Oh I almost forgot. I invited the guys to the gig.” She smiled waving in the direction of the door, my eyes widening as I processed what she had said.
“What can I get you two ladies?” The punkish looking barman asked as I snapped my head back in his direction to avoid Frank’s gaze.
“Tequila.” I spoke quickly, before B could decide for us.
“Two Tequila’s coming right up.” He smiled as I shook my head holding up 3 fingers, him nodding his head in understanding.
“Hey guys so glad you could make it!” B smiled, the guys finally reaching us as did the tequila. Shooting back one of them I nudged Belle and gave her the shot glass causing her to look quizzically at me. I just smiled at her clinking my glass as I knocked my second one back. The familiar taste filling my mouth making it a lot easier to ignore Frank.
“Ready for more drinks miss?” The barman asked smiling, moving the empty shot glasses as I nodded.
“A Red Stag and Coke, Gin and Tonic and 5 beers please.” I smiled, turning to face the guys I waved at them all.
“Hey again.” I spoke whilst handing out the beers and paying the guy thanking him.
“We should probably go find a space where Lydia can see. We always have this problem when we go out.” She laughed pulling Gerard over to the crowd that was forming.
“Hey there doll.” Frank smirked at me as we followed the guys who were in front of Belle and Gerard.
“You don’t get to hey there doll me.” I rolled my eyes moving closer to Belle only for him to pull me back a little, out of earshot. “What’s wrong?” He whispered in my ear, pulling me back towards him so my back was against his chest.
“What’s wrong is, every time we do what we did I end up walking up with something weird going on. For example: asleep outside my apartment door and having to lie to my neighbour that I forgot my key.” I turned to glare at him.
“Did I wear you out that much?” He winked causing me to shake my head. “Look you left the office and you were fine.” He spoke seriously.
“Funny that because the last thing I can remember is definitely not that.” I carried on glaring at him. He was just about to speak back when the lights dimmed and the crowd started cheering. The pushing forward allowed me the perfect opportunity to move away from him without him being able to stop me.

The gig was going great. Avenged Sevenfold as we had come to learn their name was were amazing and the energy of them meant the crowd never seemed to get tired. They had just finished their final song when I told B I was going to go get a drink and get some air. I fought my way out of the crowd and found a space I could slip into at the bar. The barman from before spotting me and walking over smiling.
“What can I get you this time Tequila lady?” He laughed, leaning over a little so he could hear me. “Gin and Tonic please.” I spoke into his ear smiling when he turned around to make it for me. I could feel eyes on me and I was convinced that it would be Frank so I decided not to turn around, ignoring him meant another silly mistake couldn’t happen. I rubbed the backside of my neck feeling the slight indent that I found a couple of days ago as a reminder that it can’t happen again.
“On the house darling.” He smiled winking at me.
“Aww thanks.” I smiled before making my way out of the sweaty bar and to the back of the room where there was an exit. I rested against the wall, a group of 20 somethings huddled in a corner of the area clearly smoking something they shouldn’t be. I felt around in my leather jacket pocket to find my pack of Marlboro’s and my lighter instantly feeling better once I’d took my first drag. The same feeling washed over me as though I was being watched, so I looked over at the group to find they were all too engrossed in whatever substance they were splitting up. Next I looked at the door to find no one was there, the area was pretty well lit so it’s not as though someone could have been lurking in the shadows. Shaking my head I thought nothing of it, assuming I was just being paranoid I took a longer drag of the white stick inhaling it deep into my lungs before letting out a long exhale willing my stress away with it.

I must have been outside for about ten minutes before the group in the corner left through the back leaving just me. I was about to finish my second cigarette when everything around me seemed to go cold. Not just cold but freezing. The hairs on my arms stood up as I felt all of my skin erupt into a wave of goose bumps. “So you’re the one hunting me.” The voice came out from behind me, I tried to turn around but I seemed to be pinned to the wall without anything physically being there. “I didn’t expect you to pick up my methods as quickly as you did. It seems I underestimated you Ms Hardy, but, with underestimation comes more determination. Everyone’s good at something until they lose something. Funny how a loss can impact on abilities. I’ll tell you why them though, there’s something about rebellion that tastes so fucking delicious. It’s like a cake to someone on a diet, it’s like a cigarette to a doctor, like tequila to calm the nerves.” The voice got closer and closer to me where it got to the stage I wasn’t sure I was hearing it with my voice. “Don’t think so practically. What you believe may not be enough to catch me Special Officer Hardy. You need to open your mind.” The voice was now most definitely in my head as I felt lips over my jugular, no breath whatsoever grazed my neck.
“Hey get the fuck off her!” A snarl came from the door just as I seemed to regain control of my body.

Notes