Fox Fire

Strange encounters Sweat drips down my neck, the bright lights pulse fast to the music, casting the bodies around me into shadows, my heart slams against my chest as I keep up with the music; my calves tighten as I spend another night dancing, getting lost in the chaos that is this place. I don’t know what drags me here lately. A few things come to mind. Maybe it was finding out I’m adopted; or nearly dying from an unknown sickness; or the fact that for the last week I've been waking up in cold sweats or screaming from nightmares. Nightmares I can’t seem to remember when I wake. So, here I am, three nights in a row, in this club known for its unusual crowd and the lure of numbness from its many choices of liquor. I trace the outline of my body to my waist; my fingers hook into the denim loops of my jeans, my hips responding to the beat. The music slows and I let my gaze drift across the room almost as if I’m searching for something or someone. I focus on a shape at the edge of my vision, the shape of a man, a large man. My eyes drift up his long torso: he’s ripped, his body covered in shadows. He seems to fade in and out of my vision. I feel myself taking a step in his direction, a strange light shimmering around his shoulders. I squint my eyes, his features finally coming into focus; a sharp jawline, rose pink lips that just… juicy is what pops into my head. I can’t tell how long his hair is, I think it’s pulled back behind what almost looks like pointed ears? I stare at this stranger’s mouth, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth as my gaze jumps to his eyes and wow, they’re purple... Purple? It must be the lights in here, but I swear that his eyes are pulsing purple. I feel like I’m swaying, getting lost in the vibrant colour. His eyes snap in my direction. A warm sensation pools low in my core making my thighs press together; his mouth opens, and I swear he’s telling me to come to him. "Watch it!" A huge, bulky guy grunts as he bumps into me pushing me back a few steps. When I look up the stranger has disappeared. Heat rushes to my cheeks. Well, that was weird. I stumble as the crowd moves against me, the music resounding around the dance floor. I move from the dance floor before I get trampled and head for the top landing where the bar is. "Vodka?" The bar tender shouts at me over the music. I nod as I lean against the bar. I rub the back of my neck; my hair feels damp from hours of endless dancing. Usually this isn’t my scene, and something doesn’t feel right. It’s as if ants are crawling under my skin, itching to break the surface. The bar tender bangs the glass on the bar, sloshing the white liquid into the small shot glass. "Thanks." I smile as he pushes the shot towards me. The heat is welcomed as I swallow the clear liquid, it warms my chest and for the first time since getting here my body finally feels pleasantly numb. I place the glass back on the bar and wipe my sticky fingers on my jeans. Time to go, I think I can finally find some sleep with the numbness seeping into my limbs.