Hell's Entry

I ran. My blood pounded in my ears, my breathing hoarse to my own ears. But the adrenaline didn't stop because whoever was chasing me was almost to me.

Wednesday August 7th

I woke up from my dream covered in sweat, tossed the blankets off and got up. The time 12:45 pm. A bit early for my night shift working ass but what a nerve-wracking dream. I took a quick cold shower and looked around my apartment. It could use a clean and I had a few hours before work.

“Fine,” I grumbled to no one, not even a pet fish was allowed in my apartment. I cleaned and had a low key afternoon before work.

3:43 pm I parked in the back of the parking lot and turned off my car. The club’s parking lot was mostly empty at this time. We weren’t open yet, but soon.

Hell’s Entry, as it was named, was owned by two vampires, Eric Hunter and James Turner. They also owned Blood Bath and Redrum. Their employees, including me, were loyal due to all the perks and good working conditions, but like always I hoped they’d both be somewhere else tonight.

James especially. There was something about him. I always wanted to flee when I saw him, but then also fantasied he’d chase me and fuck me roughly when he caught me. Vampires, at least some, could read minds. The idea of what he might see in my mind horrified me.

I pushed that thought away, thinking about my mundane life, until it was time to go inside and start my shift. On the schedule Eric was supposed to be in, so that was one less thing to worry about. I was in bar 3, starting by myself with Tyler joining me at 8. That would bring a little joy to my shift. Tyler was fun to work with. The only vampire I knew who was flamboyantly gay and liked to gossip, even about human shit.

I dropped my stuff off a locker, punched in, and went to make sure my bar was fully stocked. I was surprised to see Tyler already there.

“Hey, Emma,” he said.

“You’re here early,” I said cautiously as I approached.

“Eric called me in. He’s not coming.”

I nodded. “Want me to finish?”

“Yes, I’ll be back later,” he said, immediately going to check something else.

I stocked and prepped my area. There were already customers arriving. It was an unusually busy start for a Wednesday. So busy Tyler didn’t make it back on time and I missed my first break.

I was more than a little annoyed about my missed break, but didn’t let it show. A little bit after 9, help arrived, when mid-order James was suddenly there. I jumped.

“Finish the order and take your breaks,” he said. I nodded and made the cocktails.

I went on break, making my way to the back rooms. We normally got three twenty minute breaks, but we could take two thirties, so I set my watch for thirty and chilled on my phone. No one else was in the breakroom, the way I preferred.

I nearly cried when my watch let me know it had been thirty minutes. Groaning, I went back to my spot. The club and my bar in particular seemed to be even busier if that was possible. James left my bar at that point, which I preferred, though I was overwhelmed quickly.

No one showed up at 11 so I could take my last break. I didn’t see anyone until near the end of my shift when James suddenly appeared out of nowhere again, causing me to jump again.

“Sorry to startle you,” he said.

“It’s fine,” I said. “Here for my last break?”

“I can be. I actually wanted to know if you’d stay till close. Steph and Jeanie called in sick. Something going around.”

I sighed. I didn’t want to, but didn’t have a reason to turn down the extra money. “Paying overtime?” I asked.

“Naturally,” he said.

“Okay,” I said.

“Thank you. Take your break.”

I went outside to my car for my last thirty. I was annoyed about having to work more than expected, but also knew my job was a rarity and they always reward the employees for being flexible. I sat in my car, reminding myself of the benefits of being employed in general and why I should be grateful, until it was time to go back in.

We were so busy and crowded that time passed in a blur. Eventually the crowds started to thin as we approached closing. It was late and I should have been off hours ago. I was cranky and hungry. If I’d known in advance I’d have brought food. As it was, I was in a bad mood when James finally came back to where I was stationed. The last few people had already cleared out.

“Thanks for your help Emma. You can leave now if you’d like.”

“Yeah, okay,” I said, closing out the register and heading to the back.

I grabbed my stuff from my locker and went out to my car. I just wanted to leave so badly, even most of the employee cars had gone. And…my car didn’t start.

Curse words left my mouth as I tried again. Nothing. Just nothing. Had I left a light on? My rage and anger almost made me cry. This was just the worst after already staying late. It was 4 in the morning. Who was going to come and jump a car at this hour?

I sat in my car and just thought, flustered for a minute. The smart thing to do would be to ask someone. I wondered if anyone had jumper cables because I sure didn’t. What if it wasn’t the battery? I looked up the nearest company that would jump or tow a car. They didn’t open until 7. I guess if I couldn’t find anyone to jump my car I could just wait until this company opened. James would probably let me wait inside too.

I waited.

The next two people to leave, Julie and Kyle, didn’t have jumper cables or know anyone who did. Julie offered me a ride home, but I didn’t want to have to come back to get my car so I turned her down. They left. There were only three other cars left. Tyler’s car, James’s car, and a third I didn’t recognize.

Tyler came out next. He didn’t have jumper cables because of course he didn’t, but he thought I should go inside and ask James.

I really didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to look like I was actively avoiding my boss for no reason, so I went back inside. It felt odd to be going in at this hour.

I went to the office door, assuming that’s where James was, but I heard voices right before I was going to knock. James sounded pissed and whoever was with him sounded desperate. I wanted to knock, to save this stranger from James’s wrath, but in the second I stood there trying to decide, voices suddenly gave way to sounds of a fight.

I wasn’t sure what I was hearing, but after less than a minute I began to think I might be listening to a murder. So I backed away. Quickly. And went back outside to my car as quietly as possible, even trying to close the door without the latch making any sound.

Tyler had left by then, but I didn’t just want to sit in my car. I didn’t want to be at the club any more. The buses weren’t running, but I could catch a cab if I could get back to my neighborhood, so I started walking quickly for the subway.

Nothing exciting happened and I managed to make it home by 5:30am. I took a shower and went to bed, trying to pretend I’d just taken Julie up on her offer.