Fallen (Chronicles Of The Fallen) Read online

  "I love you, too, honey.” Jill smiles, as she pulls back. “As far as your job…yeah, you got it real hard. PR executive who gets to rub shoulders with celebrities. How can you stand having such an awful job?” Jill rolls her eyes, and Lisa giggles.

  She’s worked for Elite PR & Marketing for just over five years. She's made her way up the corporate ladder, and watched as others rode on her coattail of success. She knew she had it made it there but sometimes, she wondered to what extent? The work was hard, but self-gratifying. She loves her career and the success she’s built, but there are times that she finds herself daydreaming of finding “Mr. Right” and maybe having children. Shaking it off, she smiles at Jill and they both stand up.

  Walking away from the vanity, Lisa steps into her closet and Jill approaches a dress stand that holds a black cocktail dress she has every intention of showing off tonight. Slipping out of her t-shirt and boy shorts, she pulls the sleeveless dress off the hanger, unzips it, then steps into it. Pulling it up her slender frame, she slips her arms through the shoulders. The dress fits snugly against her body. She steps in front of the full-length mirror and looks herself over. She reaches over and pulls up the zipper. Smoothing down the dress, she checks how it looks from all angles. The hem of it ends at Jill's mid-thigh, and the back of it is cut low to her bra line. Smiling in the mirror, she walks across the room and slips on her black Jimmy Choo's. Pulling the strap around her heel, the sequined shoes complete her outfit.

  Stepping to where her purse lay on the bed, Jill pulls opens her Louis Vuitton Westminster bag, grabbing the jewelry that she packed. She pulls out a backwards silver necklace with a long-hanging, encrusted pendant. Slipping it around her neck, it hangs down her backside, sending a cold shiver when the pendant touches her skin. Reaching back in her bag, she pulls out a diamond bracelet and lays it across her wrist, fastening it. Walking back towards the mirror, she stands and adjusts her dress, pushing her breasts up. Grinning to herself, she runs her fingers through her hair. With her freshly manicured nails, which were painted red with the third fingernail painted black and accented with rhinestones, her outfit is set.

  "Do you have anything new in that wardrobe of yours?" Jill looks over the finished product of what she's put together. Smiling to herself, she steps away from the mirror. Walking towards the closet, she watches Lisa struggle with what to wear.

  Allowing her fingers to glide across the hangers of clothing, Lisa looks at what she has to choose from…black cocktail dresses, two-piece outfits, mix-and-matches. Moving towards the back, her hands move hanger after hanger. Jill leans against the wall, watching her. Lisa turns and her eyes widen. “Wow, you look stunning!”

  “Why, thank-you.” Jill smiles. “Anything new in here?”

  Lisa turns back and shakes her head. “Not really.”

  She continues to look through her clothes until she comes across a dress that she forgot she bought…a red cocktail dress she hasn’t worn since buying it. Turning towards Jill, running a hand over the silky fabric, she asks, "Too much?"

  Jill grins and shakes her head. "Not at all. It's perfect."

  Lisa grins then hangs it briefly on the closet rack. Unbuttoning her white shirt, she tosses it to the floor, then slips off her shorts, kicking them from her feet. Picking up the dress, she unzips it. The inside of it is lined with a luscious fabric that Lisa imagines would feel like silk against her skin. Placing the hanger back in the closet, Lisa steps into the dress. Pulling it up her body, she slips her left arm into it and adjusts it across her chest. The neckline cuts down across her body, underneath her right arm, the hemline hitting mid-thigh. The one-shoulder dress fits her like a glove.

  Jill smiles and nods to her friend. "Absolutely perfect! Turn around and I'll zip you up." Lisa turns around and looks down at the dress, the fabric feeling cool against her skin. Jill's fingers grasp the zipper, pulling it up. “Just so we’re on the same page, I hate you in this dress.”

  Lisa’s mouth opens in shock, then she grins. "Jill, tell me how you really feel! Thank-you for doing this with me." She reaches up, pulling a stray hair off of Jill's dress.

  "Get your shoes on, hooker. Let's go!" Jill winks at her friend, then turns to leave.

  Lisa laughs, then turns back into her closet to find the perfect shoes. Opening a Manolo Blahnik box, she finds a pair of black-and-red peep-toe pumps. The red fabric, accented with cheetah-style print, will be perfect. Pulling them from the box, she slips them on. Her red toenail polish peeking out from the ends of the shoes goes perfectly. Replacing the box lid, Lisa walks back towards the bedroom, her smile growing as she playfully flips her hair, resting her hands on her hips.

  "Wow, Lisa! I officially hate you and your long legs!"

  Lisa giggles and waves her friend off. "Whatever. You turn heads anywhere you go! And speaking of, let's go!"

  She picks up her clutch and places her license, lip gloss, and credit card inside. The girls walk out of Lisa's bedroom, towards the front door of her condo. By the door is a wooden table that Lisa’s grandfather made back when she was a little girl. It stands waist high with a drawer, two doors, and a few shelves. Lisa grabs her keys from a crystal bowl sitting on the table. "Ready?" Jill nods, as she sets her black clutch under her arm. The girls walk out the front door, locking it behind them.

  Taking the elevator down to the parking garage, their shoes striking against the pavement echo through the garage as they make their way towards Lisa's new Audi R8. The two-door, red convertible shines under the garage lights. She presses the unlock button and the headlights flash twice. Pulling the doors open, the girls slide into the tan leather seats. "Buying this car is one of the best investments you've made, Lisa."

  Grinning, Lisa says, "I love my car!"

  Turning on the ignition, the car purrs to life, the LED lights illuminating the tan leather dashboard; the GPS map coming to life, providing the location of where the car is currently sitting; and music begins to play, Lisa nodding her head along to the beat. After pulling on their seatbelts, Lisa puts the car into drive and pulls out of the garage, onto the open road for their night on the town. The buildings in downtown Manhattan are lit up, the lights glowing in the evening shade. Building after building is lined with florescent-colored lights that illuminate the area. People are walking on the sidewalks, cars attempting to drive down the busy street.

  Lisa pulls into the valet parking lot for Dance 52. The club recently opened, with Lisa’s firm hosting the PR event. In contrast to the brown building, the white letters of DANCE 52 across the awning really light up the corner. The place is crowded with people. They’re even lining the wall outside, waiting to get in. The valet attendants open both car doors, and offer hands to Lisa and Jill. Stepping out, they look around as the cool breeze kisses against their exposed skin.

  "Nice ride," the valet attendant tells Lisa.

  "Thank-you. Be nice to my baby now." She hands the young man a fifty dollar bill and he smiles, climbing into the front seat.

  Lisa walks over to Jill, slipping the valet ticket into her clutch. Looking at the line of people waiting to get inside, she turns to Jill with a sly grin. "I've got this."

  Jill smiles and nods to her friend, and they walk towards the front of the line. Lisa approaches the bouncer guarding the front door. The music from inside provides a faint beat for the line of people. "Hi, Mike. Miss me?"

  Mike the bouncer turns to size her up, crossing his arms over his massive chest. His bald head shines under the light of the awning, putting the tattoos covering his scalp on display. He inhales, giving him a bigger appearance than he actually is. In a deep voice, he asks, "Miss Lisa, are you headlining inside tonight?" His voice deep, he raises a brow, then looks over to Jill and gives her a nod. She nods back, then looks at Lisa.

  "I'll have some clients coming in later tonight, or so they say. I can introduce you, if you like." She smiles sweetly to Mike. He steps aside and pulls the red rope open to allow the ladies to enter.

 
"Make sure when they arrives tonight, they make it out to Mike and Amy. My wife would kill me if she knew VI was here and I didn't get an autograph." Mike chuckles lightly, as Lisa cups his cheek with one hand.

  "You're the best, Mike." He grins down at Lisa and closes the red rope after the ladies enter. The people waiting outside begin to yell and protest. Mike ignores them and crosses his thick arms over his chest again, glaring down at the people waiting.

  The atmosphere in the club is lit up in a blue hue. Light fog fills the air from the fog machines, and people move in rhythm to the music. The walls are striped in blue and white, and laser lights bounce off them in multiple colors. The club is lined with U-shaped bench seats with tables. The backs of the seats are lit with running lights that provide a light blue hue. On the outskirts of the dance floor are tall tables where people stand and lean, setting their drinks on them as they talk.

  The DJ has his headphones covering one ear as his hands move across the table, reviewing music, talking to people, and taking tips for tunes. The waitresses’ making their rounds carry trays lit with a blue light. Their outfits are white one-piece dresses that come down to just below their asses. The bust is cut low, their breasts pushed up for display. Their hair is pulled to the nape of their neck, save for the waitresses with short hair. They wear knee-high white boots that give them a futuristic look.

  Jill turns to Lisa. "This place is absolutely amazing!" Her face lights up, and she bounces a little in her step. The energy in the club is making its way into Jill and Lisa.

  Lisa smiles at her friend, looping her hand through Jill’s arm. "Welcome home, Jill." Jill grins and laughs as they move further inside.

  A good looking, tall young man with dirty blond hair and tan skin, wearing a light blue polo shirt that pulls against his muscular arms and chest, walks by the ladies. He looks over and gives them a smile, winking at Jill. "Wow," is all Lisa had to say and Jill nods. He turns in his step and walks backwards before he accidentally runs into someone. Jill and Lisa both laugh, and head towards the bar.

  They see that a single stool is empty. The bartender looks up and nods at Lisa. A man sitting next to the open stool turns to see them and he immediately stands, nudging his friend and offering their seats. Lisa smiles and the two take a seat at the bar. The setup is sleek. The top is white with a blue underlining light, which makes the bar appear like it’s glowing, and the edge rounding it out is a stainless steel finish. Jill asks, "Well, what do you want to start with? A shot of tequila?" She crosses her legs and taps her foot to the beat of the music.

  Lisa nods, smiling. "Sure, then let's go dance!"

  Jill shakes her head. “I haven't had enough to drink yet to bust a move.”

  Lisa shrugs as they order their shots. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Lisa turns to find the blond guy from before standing at her side. “Hi,” he grins at Lisa. “I'm Tad.” He leans over and catches Jill's eyes. "May I buy you this round?"

  Lisa smiles, then looks over to Jill. She nods and gives a small smile. Lisa turns back to Tad. “Of course, as long as my friend can have one, too.”

  "Absolutely." Tad pulls out forty dollars and lays it on the bar. “Three shots of Jose Cuervo, please." The bartender nods, taking the money. He lines up three shot glasses, pouring into all three at once. Tad hands Lisa and Jill their shot. Lisa brings her glass to Jill’s and taps it, then shoots the tequila back, appreciating the burn it provides in her throat. Tad tips his shot back, then sets the glass on the bar. Jill lets out a “woot” sound that makes Lisa giggle.

  Lisa turns to him, smiling. “Thank-you, Tad." She grabs a hold of Jill's hand, leading her away from the bar. "Maybe we'll see you around.”

  Tad turns to watch them leave. "I didn't catch your name!" Tad yells back, smiling.

  "That's because I didn't give it!" Lisa retorts with a grin. Shaking his head, Tad smiles to the ladies as they leave him sitting at the bar. The bartender chuckles and shakes his head, then goes to wait on someone else.

  Pulling Jill across the dance floor, Lisa moves to the music. Dodging arms and dance moves, they make it to a tall tabletop that just opened up. Within a few minutes, a waitress stops to take their order. Lisa looks at Jill, catching her people watching. "Two dirty martinis, please." The waitress nods, turning back to the bar.

  As Lisa is about to speak, the crowd begins to explode. She assumes that a celebrity must have walked in because she can see somebody being escorted to a VIP booth upstairs. Jill turns to Lisa with a questioning glance. Leaning towards her, Lisa says, "Vertical Illumination told their PR rep that they were coming here tonight. Looks like they made it after all." She smiles, as Jill begins bouncing up and down in her shoes.

  "They are so hot!" Jill says, as the music is working its way up her body.

  The waitress comes back with two martini's, setting them on the table, then points to the bar. “Compliments of the gentleman." They look over and Tad waves. Jill laughs, as she picks up her drink and salutes him.

  Lisa smiles, watching her friend. "You should go talk to him."

  Jill turns to look at Lisa with a confused look. “No, he came over to talk to you."

  "No, the seat was just open next to me. Trust me, go."

  Jill's eyes light up. “Are you sure?"

  "Yeah, I need to go the bathroom anyway."

  Taking a sip of her martini, Jill stands tall and turns to walk back toward the bar. As Lisa watches her friend walk away, she smiles and turns to make her way towards the bathroom. She hears a whisper next to her ear and her head whips around, her guard up. She looks around, but doesn't see anyone she knows, or anyone close enough to have whispered in her ear. Catching her attention in a dark corner, she looks in the direction of a table and sees a pair of glowing, red eyes looking at her. Gasping, Lisa blinks and tries to catch her breath. Looking towards the bathroom briefly, she looks back at the table and nobody is there. Curious, she wonders if anyone was actually ever there. Looking down at the glass in her hand, she secretly prays that something wasn't slipped into it. She looks over at Jill, who seems to be in a fun conversation with Tad. Relaxing a little, she sets the half-empty martini on a table.

  Walking towards the bathroom, she moves between people, the music continuing to beat against her body. She glances over to the dark corner again and sees a young couple slipping into the seats. Reaching the bathroom, she pulls the door open. As the door closes behind her, the music is muffled to a bare minimum. The bathroom is a bright contrast to the dark club. The lights are bright, the white walls trimmed in black with black floral-and-paisley shapes. The bright lights shows every imperfection, as the women stand before the mirrors adjusting their makeup and outfits.

  All the stalls are occupied so, crossing her arms over her waist, she stands and waits her turn. A short, slender brunette turns to look at Lisa and smiles. “Nice dress."

  Lisa smiles. “Thank-you."

  The brunette makes her way out of the bathroom, pushing the bathroom door open, allowing the music to filter in just before it closes and cuts it off again. "Oh, this is my jam!" screams one of the girls. A few of them push their way out of the bathroom as the music comes in again, just before it's muffled once more.

  One of the stalls opens up and Lisa ventures forward. “Finally.” Stepping inside and closing the door, she thinks of the red eyes she thought she saw. "Maybe I didn't see anything," she whispers to herself.

  As she’s using the toilet, the girls inside the bathroom quickly begin to leave. The sound of the music fades in and out a few times before Lisa is left alone. Finishing up, she raises a foot to flush the toilet.

  Then she smells something that makes her wrinkle her nose. It smells like…sulfur? It reminds her of the sulfur springs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hearing a growl, Lisa freezes and her heart skips a beat. The pungent sulfur smell grows stronger and she hears the growl again but, this time, it's deeper and closer. Panicking, she stands there frozen, unsure of what to do.

  Lisa p
eeks through the crack between the stall door and the lock. On the other side, something steps away from the wall. The image resembles a human-shaped bubble, but the clear substance begins to solidify. The figure starts to shift into a tall, hooded man. She gasps and holds her breath. She can feel her heart beating so hard, it’s flooding her ears. The hood is pulled down far enough to cover his features, providing a shadow over his face. He snarls as he stretches his arms out, cracking his neck.

  Feeling a force like a wind blow through the bathroom, the first stall door slams open. His low voice growls, "Come out, come out, wherever you are. I know you are in here." He sniffs the air, then snarls, "I can smell you." Lisa gasps. His voice is dark, sadistic. Growls and struggled breathing fill the air. If fear were a language, he was the creator.

  Lisa begins to shake. Not knowing what else to do, she pulls the pumps off of her feet, then steps on the toilet seat to hide herself. Looking up, she sees a vent in the next stall. That probably wouldn’t help her escape. Looking back down, her heart begins beating faster as panic rises in her chest.

  She feels the force of wind again as the next stall slams open. Tears begin to form in her eyes. Swiping at them, Lisa dares to peek over the top of the stall to see a black hood covering the man's head. He's tall and carries a thick build. His skin is tan, and his toned chest is thick with muscles and dark chest hair. "Lisa…” he hisses, as a serpent's tongue slips through his lips, tasting her presence in the air. “I know you're in here. Come on out.” He chuckles darkly, the sound low and almost hypnotic. “Let’s play."

  She places a hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming. Her stall is the next one in line. Her heart is beating so fast that she has no idea what she can or will do. Suddenly, a warmth engulfs her. Another hand covers her mouth and muffles her scream. An arm wraps around her waist, pulling her against something hard. Her back pressing against a firm body, panic sets in and Lisa begins to flail.

  "Shh," she hears whispered in her ear.