I was in such a sour mood that night that I seriously debated not going to Frank's grand opening but in the end I decided I kind of wanted to see the happy-go-lucky boy. So in my turquoise mini skirt, semi-transparent white baby doll tank top, and strappy sandals I made my way towards The Spider Room, mentally cursing Audrey the entire way.
I could hear the music from blocks away, my heart skipping a beat in excitement at the sound. I hadn't gone out without Audrey or Denny or Ben since...ever. I showed my I.D. to the door guy once there, he looked at me skeptically but let me through anyways. The music was fast, with heavy drums and loud voices, like a live band. The place was completely packed, full of warm moving bodies. It smelled of paint, cologne and cigarette smoke and I decided I liked the mix. Pushing my way through the people I found my way to the bar, ordering a vodka tonic immediately. I didn't know how I would find Frank but figured it wasn't a big deal if I didn't.
The place was one large room with super high ceilings painted a dark almost black purple. There were no windows, just one giant one on the ceiling, allowing the moonlight to wash over the crowd inside. I sat lightly on a stool, sipping my drink and people watching when a warm hand landed on my bare shoulder.
"Aha, I found you!" Frank yelled over the noise. We exchanged smiles. He grabbed my hand leading me towards a set of double doors I hadn't noticed before, he placed a hand on my lower back, guiding me to an outside balcony.
"Now we can hear each other. So, glad you came. What do you think of the place?"
"It's very dark." He rubbed the back of his neck shyly.
"Yeah, I was trying to keep with the whole 'spider' theme."
"Oh, no, I like it a lot." I replied honestly. He seemed pleased by that.
"So, you just get here?"
"Mhm, like ten minutes ago actually. I wasn't sure if I'd see you."
"I blend in a lot, unlike you."
"I don't blend in?"
"Psh, not at all. You're too colorful." I felt he was complimenting me, though I didn't get it, so I just smiled politely.
"So is anyone going to be pissed at me for keeping you out here?"
"Oh, nah. Most people don't even know I'm the owner. You're stuck with me."
The rest of the night went pleasantly enough. I danced with Frank for a bit, he insisted all my drinks be on the house/him, and he didn't leave my side but for a an hour at most. He had wanted to walk me home but I told him I lived close by and not to trouble himself. I walked home slowly, enjoying the unusually dry night, my mind on a flurry of things.
All at once I felt a pain in my chest like I'd never experienced before. I looked down only to see a sharp point of what I could only guess was a knife coming out of me, blood blossoming around it quickly, pouring down my body. My breathing had stopped coming, my lungs stung as if on fire, and I could hear my rapidly slowing heart beat in my ears, could feel it all over me. I landed hard on my knees, and then again on my side, unable to feel anything any longer. I blinked heavily; a pair of elegant black heels before me and then there was nothing.