Murder on the Strip

She waded unsteadily through the mass of people as the night began to wear on around her. Looking through the crowd of people, she’d lost sight of her friends as she searched for a place to sit. Unable to find anyplace, she decided to go outside for a breath of fresh air, and maybe spot someone from her friends group. They were supposed to stay together, but in the mass of people trying to get close to the stage inside the venue, somehow they got separated.

Belinda made her way to the door, embracing the cool late fall air. Try as she might, Belinda couldn’t control the ringing in her ears and the oncoming headache from the loud music and the mixed drinks. Belinda and her friends came to Warrenton this evening to go see a concert at Echos, one of the local bars. The Gym Rats were one of her favorite local bands that seemed to be on the rise in the music world. She also knew one of the guys in the band from high school, so she hoped to say hello to him after the show.

Problem was the show was on a Thursday night. Belinda always thought that Thursdays were an odd time to go out. She understood that a lot of college students went home on the weekends, and that’s why Thursday was the night to go out. Still, she had a class to attend on Fridays, so she tried to limit her outings. On this particular night, Misty, the sorority vice-president, talked her into going. Initially, Belinda protested about going to the show. Misty was insistent saying that Warrenton was only about thirty or forty minutes away, and they would get back before it was too late in the evening. Belinda, checked her daily planner and saw that there was nothing overly important on her schedule for Friday. Reluctantly, she gave into Misty’s argument and agreed to go to the concert.

Against her better judgment, she let her friends talk her into drinking a couple of cocktails before they left campus. Usually being the uptight one in her sorority, she thought that it might loosen her up and help her relax. Now she was starting to regret that decision. Belinda was not a heavy drinker, and the two mixed drinks she had during the show were causing her head to tingle. She felt unsteady and really wanted to sit down.

Now the band was taking a break in the show, and Belinda was searching for her lost friends. The club was divided into two levels. Located upstairs was the stage where the fans of the band stood to watch the show. Depending on who was playing that night it could get really crowded, and easy to get lost in all of the confusion once the lights lowered. They agreed that if they got separated, they would meet up downstairs in the bar area. Problem was that the Gym Rats were a very popular band, so even the downstairs was nearly full.

With her eyes beginning to feel heavy and her head beginning to swoon, Belinda was ready to return to their apartment. She decided to try Misty’s cellphone. After several rings the call went to voicemail. Belinda tried again a couple more times before giving up on the idea. Finally, a seat opened up at a small table, so she made her way over there and sat down. Belinda sent Misty a text and told her she was waiting for her downstairs.

Misty looked around the crowded upstairs area during the band’s break trying to find Belinda. The other two girls, Rachel and Bethany joined her in what was becoming a frantic search for their lost sorority sister. “She has to be up here somewhere,” Misty said as the three women gathered toward the back of the stage area. “Has anyone checked downstairs yet?” Neither Rachel or Bethany had gone downstairs. “Bethany, you and I will go downstairs to look for her. Rachel, you stay up here in case she comes.”

“Did you check your phone Misty?” Bethany asked her as they began descending the staircase to the bar area. “Maybe she tried to call you.”

“Crap, I didn’t think to check my phone” Misty replied as they neared the bottom of the stairs. She saw the missed call, and Belinda sent her a text. Misty read the text Belinda sent, “Thank God she’s in the bar waiting for us at a table,” she said to Bethany in relief.

Misty was the sensible one in the sorority. She was in her third year of school, and had become the responsible one who took care of the other sisters. Like tonight, she was usually the one to make sure everyone got home safely from a party. She cursed herself from getting distracted by the band and losing Belinda. At least she knew from the text that Belinda was downstairs and safe.

After descending the stairs, the two women looked around the bar for the table where Belinda was sitting. Scanning the room there was no immediate sign of Belinda anywhere. Misty’s relief from a few minutes ago slowly began to turn to panic as they raced through the bar area, not finding Belinda anywhere.

“Misty,” Bethany said in a near panic. “I found Belinda’s purse and phone at that table, but I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Bethany, are you sure it’s hers?”

“Yes look. It’s that picture of her and her dog on the lockscreen. We’ve got to call for help.” Bethany said as her voice began to tremble.

“Alright, look outside for her just to make sure. I’ll check the restroom,” Misty said, trying to stay calm.

A few minutes later Bethany returned. “Misty she’s not out there.”

“She’s not in the bathroom either. Oh god this isn’t happening. Okay, I’ll call the police and see if they can help us.”