Under the Mistletoe

Familiar Embace

Sighing, I left the bathroom and made my way to the bar. I could feel the small buzz of alcohol taking hold from the two previous drinks and the shot. Deciding to be cautious, I ordered a Coke. I scanned the faces around me, searching for Rachel to let her know I was ready to leave—or even Adaline and Dan to avoid them.

As I played with the glass in my hand, a shiver ran down my spine when that weird feeling of being watched hit me again. My eyes darted around the room, from the booths to the dance floor to the VIP section, but I saw nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, laughing and enjoying the night.

I sighed and began to sip my drink, wondering what I was even doing here. A small part of me nagged that I was here to protect Rachel. Maybe that was true, but as I continued to scan the crowd, my unease grew.

Suddenly, someone bumped into me, grabbing my arm. “Hey girl, I’m heading to the back rooms to do the deed!” Rachel loudly slurred in my ear, giving me a wink.

I felt my stomach drop as she began to move away. “What rooms? Rachel, you’re drunk, and I want to go home!” I yelled over the music.

She sighed dramatically. “There are rooms here for that. I’m not taking him back to my place. I’m a little drunk, but I know what I’m doing. Go home if you want, May. I’m safe; I’ve done this before.” She squeezed my hand, her expression turning sincere. “Thank you for coming out with me and doing this. I know you hate it.”

I watched as she grabbed Tim’s hand, heading toward the back of the club. My heart sank, and I felt a mix of concern and frustration. “Rachel, wait!” I called after her, but she was already lost in the crowd.

Sighing, I turned back to my drink and quickly drowned the rest, wincing at the aftertaste. Aftertaste? I frowned, staring at my glass. Coke doesn’t have an aftertaste. Shock coursed through me as I glanced across the bar and saw Dan and Adaline grinning at me.

I stood up abruptly, a weird burning sensation beginning to form in my stomach. Panic surged as I rushed for the door, shoving through the bodies blocking my path. They drugged me, and I had to get away quickly. I could feel my heart racing as I pushed past partygoers, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the club.

My vision began to blur slightly, but I was determined to keep moving. I was in great danger. Suddenly, I crashed into someone, stumbling back into a hard chest. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, holding me still. My body felt hot, and a strange wave of pleasure coursed through me.

“Woah, watch where you’re going,” grumbled an older gentleman, frowning down at me. I struggled to focus on him as the unsettling sensations swirled in my mind.

“Sorry, man, she’s a little drunk. I’ll try to keep her from crashing into you or anyone else,” Dan's voice cut through the haze, freezing my blood as I realized I was in his arms.

“Let’s go to the back rooms too and have some fun,” he whispered wickedly in my ear. I had to bite back a moan as his hot breath tickled my neck, teasing the top of my breasts. Panic surged through me, and I struggled to get away, but he easily guided me through the club.

No, this is not happening! I thought frantically as I continued to squirm against him. Just then, we passed the bar, and he stopped briefly. Adaline appeared in front of me, a sick grin plastered on her face, a shot glass in her hand.

“Hi, little sis. Going to have some fun, huh? I suggest you have this,” she said with a twisted smile, roughly grabbing my cheeks and forcing another burning shot down my throat.

I struggled to pull away, but Dan’s grip held me firm as I sputtered and choked on the alcohol. The burn was immediate, and my vision blurred even more. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as Dan began leading me toward the back rooms.

We exited the main area of the club, moving down a dimly lit corridor. As we passed another partygoer, I reached out instinctively, about to call for help, but Dan’s hand suddenly covered my mouth, maneuvering us around the person and deeper into the shadows.

“Settle down, girl. You’ll enjoy it,” he whispered quietly, his tone cold and condescending. Panic hit me as I realized the lights above the doors were changing—some were red, while others further down were green. Green must mean vacant.

I started to struggle harder against him, fear coursing through me. “Just a little further,” Dan urged, his grip firm on my arm. I glanced back, but the throng of bodies felt like a distant memory, the laughter and chatter fading into an echo. Panic clawed at my throat, and I fought against the haze that clouded my mind.

“Dan, I… I don’t feel so good,” I managed, my voice trembling. I needed to act fast. The look in his eyes—excitement mixed with something darker—made my stomach churn.

“Don’t worry, babe. You’ll feel great soon,” he replied, his smile too wide, too eager. Adrenaline surged through me, cutting through the fog. Desperate, I sank my teeth into one of his fingers, catching him off guard. He swore and released me. I took a deep breath, focusing through the vertigo. Steeling myself, I swung my fist into his jaw. The satisfying crack echoed in my ears as he stumbled back, shock painting his face.

“Get away from me!” I yelled, my voice raw with adrenaline. I bolted down the corridor, heart pounding, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the walls. The club’s atmosphere shifted, the music now a distant roar, replaced by the frantic rhythm of my heartbeat.

I spotted a door at the end of the hall, a small exit sign glowing above it. I sprinted toward it, the sound of my shoes clacking against the floor. Behind me, I heard Dan’s furious shout, but I didn’t look back. I flung the door open and stumbled into the cool night air outside, gasping as the sounds of the club faded, replaced by the distant hum of the city.

I didn’t stop to breathe; I just ran, the cold air hitting me like a slap, clearing some of the fog from my mind. I needed to find help, to get away from him. As I dashed down the street, I caught sight of a figure moving toward me, someone I vaguely recognized.

“May?” The voice was familiar, deep and reassuring, but I couldn’t place it. I squinted against the streetlights, trying to focus. My heart raced for a different reason now, a flicker of hope mingling with the encroaching darkness.

As he stepped closer, I felt a rush of emotions I couldn’t quite name. It was like a distant memory pulling me in, grounding me despite the chaos swirling in my mind. “Who—I need help!” I stammered, my vision blurring, black spots beginning to dance at the edges.

“Help?,” he said, a hint of emotion breaking through his formal tone. “I thought you said clubbing isn't your scene.” His eyes were hard with a hint of curiosity. I couldn't place the man but he felt familiar, which made me feel safe even as my legs threatened to give way beneath me.

"May where are you going?" I spun around, heart dropping as Dan emerged from the shadows, his expression twisted into a predatory grin.

“Sorry man, she's a little drunk. I'll take her off your hands and get her home,” he smirked arrogantly, advancing toward me.

But the man stepped in front of me, eyes narrowed. “Ill take it from here. I know May. I'll get her home safe.”

My mind raced, adrenaline surging through me as Dan’s smile faltered, his bravado cracking. "Look, man, I don't know you, and she is my date tonight. Best you hand her over to me, " Dan growled. I took a step back, heart hammering, feeling the safety of the strangers bolster my resolve.

“Just leave me alone!” I shouted, my voice fierce, defiance igniting a fire within me.

Dan hesitated, and in that split second, I knew I had to act. I went to bolt past the man, but before I could respond, my body betrayed me, and I felt myself tipping forward. I gasped, but before I could hit the ground, he caught me, his strong arms wrapping around me. I leaned into him, the world spinning as I fought to stay conscious.

“Hold on, May,” he murmured, his voice steady. “What have you done to her?.”

As he held me close, my body easily moulded against his strong, muscular side. I could feel his hands possessively wrapped around my waist, a comforting pressure that almost felt familiar. The darkness began to creep in, a thick veil that threatened to swallow me whole, but the sound of his voice was a lifeline, steady and reassuring. My body relaxed against him, the warmth radiating from his frame grounding me amid the chaos swirling in my mind.

I felt my eyelids grow heavy, the world around me blurring into shadows. My limbs felt like lead, and I could no longer fight against the pull of the darkness. With one final, shuddering breath, I surrendered to it, the edges of my consciousness fading as I fell into the void, wrapped in the safety of this strange but familiar strangers embrace.