Blood Lust

After I had sat down, the bouncer reappeared, slamming a bottle of water on the table. "I stay until you're finished." He said harshly. It seemed odd that he would choose to sit with me. “You don’t really look like you belong here.” His statement sounded more like a question. His eyes never made contact with mine. They were focused on the crashing waves of people dancing.

“Oh, my friends invited me.” I laughed before spilling the bottle of water all over myself.

The bouncer chuckled at my clumsiness, “Co-workers huh? How old are you?” His eyes never stayed on me for long.

“I’m turning twenty-seven tonight, a bit older than most of the people here I figure.” I took a napkin that he handed me and patted down my dress.

“That makes me feel a little better talking to you then.” He said from the corner of his mouth.

I tried to get a good look at him underneath the strobe lights. From what I could tell, he looked out of sorts too. He was maybe a few years older than me, but he wore his years well.

“Ah, well thank you for the water.” I felt awkward. It didn’t feel right to taking up all of his attention. “See ya later!” I waved and left him sitting at the table.

I had planned to reconnect with my friends, but they were not easy to spot. My next option was to check outside.

I took my phone out to try to text them, but my phone had no service. I had to ask the two bouncers outside if they had seen anyone fitting their description and of course, they said no.

Of course, you didn’t. I rolled my eyes.

I took a moment to breathe in the fresh air once I stepped outside. The cool air felt nice as it blew over my cheeks. The night air was quiet until loud sirens distracted me. Flickering lights came raging down the path as it kicked up dirt.

Wait, what?

I assumed they were here to break up the party. It made sense. I however did not need a ticket for trespassing on my record. I rushed inside to take one last look for the girls.

Instead, I found the rave had turned into a bloody warzone. People were being trampled and others being shoved off the stairwell. I stared in horror as someone reached out their hand to me; their hand dripping with blood.

I was in shock. Were people really this violent at raves? I had never seen anything like it.

A girls' screams had come into focus. She was covered in blood. "Don't trust the police!" She gurgled. It didn't make any sense. I had to figure out what was going on.

The gravity of the situation had hit me like a weight when I climbed the stairs. The whole building became unraveled.

The police had begun to attack the closest person to them. Even though they complied, the police still handcuffed them and beat them senselessly.

I whimpered at the sight, catching the attention of an officer. The fury in his eyes made my entire body freeze in place. My brain was shouting for my body to move over and over.

Suddenly, the officer lunged at me. He lashed out, grabbing a handful of my dress. I clawed at his wrist for him to release his grip, but he was stronger.

Adrenaline kicked in. I had full control and my knee jerked up, breaking his nose. I stepped back, hoping someone would help, but no one came. It was every man for themselves. A split second was all I had. I ran through the hall, stepping over bodies that were sprawled out on the floor.

I hid myself behind the door of a room, turning the deadbolt. Quickly, I scanned the room for any way to protect myself. There was nothing that I could use to the imagination. I scrambled to stack all of the furniture against the door. Anything to keep them out.

Then I did the most cliché thing ever: I hid myself in the back of a closet.

Curled up in the back of the closet, I could still hear the screams of others. I clutched my hands over my ears, nothing blocked out the sounds.

I can wait it out. I chanted to myself. Someone will come for me.

Panic rose up from my stomach in the form of acid. Someone was fighting with the door handle. I covered my mouth so they couldn't hear me breathing as the broke through the door and made their way through the furniture. Voices began shouting, meaning there was more than one.

The door of the closet swung open, allowing a sliver of light to fall right on my face. I shrunk down, trying to make myself as small as I could.

More shouting and then the door finally shut. All without knowing I was in the closet. I held my breath.

I couldn’t understand what they were fighting about, but I really didn’t care as long as they left. I felt like if I held my breath any longer, I might pass out.

Someone had slammed the door shut and proceeded to leave and the others followed. I stayed still and listened. I wanted to make sure I was all alone.

I sat in the dark, alone with the sounds of people dying. I heard them cry out for help. I sat there for what felt like hours until I couldn’t take it anymore. I leaned my head back and shut my eyes. I wasn’t going to leave until I knew I was safe.