Chapter 2

“IT’S JUST I HAD a different book in mind when ink spilled on this one, plus what’s left to do in a finished book?”

They, of course, ignored me Completely probably deciding if I would not explain, they were just going to proceed. One of the three waved their hand above the inky darkness we were standing on, and instantly a book on a pedestal was in front of them on the floor. It showed off my title, ‘1001 Dark Tales’. I instantly held my breath, hoping they didn’t realize what that meant. But if they had, they said nothing. Instead, they just started flipping through the pages of the book, looking for which store to choose.

While I was standing there next to them, praying they didn’t choose more than a few of the stories.

“Poison, this one seems interesting.” The outgoing twin stated about to touch the page. 

I muttered a few curses under my breath that they ‌either didn’t hear or ignored. Although Poison wasn’t the darkest story in my book; it wasn’t the lightest either.

“Shouldn’t we read the book description first?” the other twin asked 

“Of course not! Who even reads book descriptions?” was the first one’s response.

He placed his finger on the page and instantly the inky blackness melted away, revealing the inside of Poisonous Poison’s bar. It was a place where beings like her went when they wanted alcohol to drink or something more, away from prying eyes. That’s something more was literally poison. You see, Poison was one of the mutated people created after a chemical explosion spread DNA-altering rain and fog all over the world. She developed a poisonous touch due to the DNA mutation.

Refusing to let it go to waste, she uses it in alcohol to give people a high, among other things, depending on how she mixes it. Of course, it is dangerous. Even a brush of her skin could kill a man in seconds; what did you expect her tears and spit to do? Or should I say mine since I was now Poison? I was standing behind the bar, wiping the counter as I leaned forward towards the newest customer who had just sat down.

He looked me up and down, devouring me with his eyes, and I wasn’t surprised. Poison was 5’7" with curves, and she absolutely loved showing off those curves, despite no one being able to touch them. Well, except for one person. At those thoughts, I tried to glance at the door, knowing he would be here soon, but of course, the storyline made me focus on the customer.

“Tell me, darling, what can I get you to drink?” I heard myself ask in Poison’s voice 

Hearing my character’s voices for the first time was always a surprise, either matching my imagination perfectly or being completely unexpected, with no in-between. Her voice was sexy and sweet with just a little hint of danger, which was definitely what I had imagined. My head was tilted just slightly, and a sexy little smile was on my black-painted lips. The customer’s eyes trailed along the form-fitting black and purple dress that I wore as he reached for my hand.

“How about I have a tall glass of you?”

I pulled my hand back. “Sorry, darling, I’m Poison. Even a single touch from me will have you convulsing on the floor if you're lucky or downright dead if you're not.”

The lust instantly fell from his face as he eyed me with caution. “Do you have any poisonous tears left? I heard they go fast.”

“They usually do, but it’s been slow tonight for things like that. You’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, “it’s my first time.”

“Well, I can’t refuse on someone’s first time,” I stated 

My body reached for the different ingredients I would need to make this drink and mixed them together with ease. However, instead of the usual colorful alcohol that I mixed it with, I mixed it up with vodka and handed it to him. 

He stared at it for a second. “I thought it was supposed to be colorful.” 

“It usually is, but we have someone coming today who doesn’t like when I serve those. I’m using vodka to hide it because I can’t just refuse someone’s first time. Take this to the back and stay out of sight of the stage.”

A cautious look appeared on his face, probably because of my words, and for a second, I thought he would not take the drink. He did, though gripping it in his hand as he moved to the back like I had told him to. I was about to turn to the next customer when the last song ended, and my employee stood up on the stage.

“Alright everyone, this is our last song of the evening, and it’s being performed by the bar’s owner, Poison.”

I shot him a half-hearted glare as everyone stared at me expectantly.

“I have to manage the bar Sounds-.”

Sounds waved an impatient hand, “I’ll manage you for a few seconds, come on up here.”

Not taking no for an answer, he started to chant, “Poison Poison Poison.”

The entire bar followed his example, chanting my name until finally I put the dust rag down and started walking to the stage. Sounds offered me a hand up once I got within arm’s length before handing me the microphone and jumping down. So I put the microphone to my lips and started to sing.

Darling, I am poisonous 

It’s not my attitude I’m talking about

My very touch is poisonous 

Even just a bush of my skin

Can have you dropping dead at my feet

Oh darling, I’m warning you, warning you

Though if you don’t heed it 

I will not mourn you

Cuz I warned you, didn’t I 

So come up to me 

Come up if you dare

Grab my hand and give it a shake

If you don’t want to heed my warning

I will not mourn you, darling

If you want to treat my truth like a joke

Go ahead, I dare you

Darling, my touch is poisonous

Even before the last words left my lips, cheers and screams about encores went through the crowded bar. I paid them no mind since I was more focused on the man who was now standing at the bar, staring at me. He was giving me a look that told me I needed to come down there right now, and as much as Poison hated to obey, she did. I set the microphone back on the stand and jumped off the stage.