Chapter 10

After going to Hunter, I learned that the man I saw in the forest is probably a powerful Ehtrehtian. The reason why I wasn't able to read the stranger's mind is, he must be blocking me. Hunter explained that he could be an ally or an enemy. Either way, I don't like the idea that these creatures of my kind are getting in my way. I've left Ehtrehto Edis and I don't want to do anything about it including crossing paths with anyone from there, except Hunter. I'm loving my life of being free as a wind. 

I felt the need to take a break.  My wristwatch says it's already five in the afternoon. I didn't know that I've talked to Hunter that long. I don't have my car with me so I just walked without minding which particular place to go. I'm now strolling around New Land, hopping and window shopping from one establishment to another. When I turned my eyes around, I've noticed that it was already dark. It's time to get home.

"Are you going to buy it?" 

The sales lady asked me, pointing to the pair of high heel shoes I'm holding. 

"Not now. Keep it 'til I come back." 

I've put it down, back to where I picked it. From the corner of my eyes, I see her scorn her face. I got out of the store to find a place where I can safely teleport. I turned to the alley and accidentally bumped into somebody.

"Oops, I'm sorry. I didn't see you..."

"Ms. Brown!" 

"Isabel? Catherine? What are the two of you doing here?" I asked exchanging my sight to the two of them. 

"Is it so surprising seeing us here?" Isabel asked while laughing. 

"Not really, unless you want Zubah to catch you," I smirked.

Aren't these people even thinking? What if they get caught by their enemies? I'm a little bit annoyed with their carelessness. Weak creatures.

"That's what I was telling Isabel." Catherine finally speaks, scratching her head.

"It's not like they'll set their eyes on us all the time. Besides those men are also human beings, don't you think they also rest?" Isabel rolls her eyes.

I scoffed. "Nonsense. Rest is nothing when it comes to millions being robbed..."

"Stop. Don't make me feel like I'm that bad person. I know I took that amount but you don't have to slap it on my face. You're so insensible." 

Catherine says all those things with her brows pulled closer. Her lips are now pressed tightly. What a sensitive little idiot. So disappointing.

"Huh? I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you." My eyebrow raised while staring at her.

"Then don't you dare mention that shit." She scolded me. 

"Oops, enough for that. I have an idea." Isabel's eyes lit up and I know what she's thinking. 

"What is it?" Catherine asked her friend. 

"Why don't we guys hang out? Let's go to the bar nearby and enjoy." Isabel said in a lively spirit.

"Go there anytime you want. I'm out." I stepped back and was ready to go but she grabbed my hand and dragged me into the narrow passageway. 

"Hey! What are you doing?" I was astounded by her action.

"We're not letting you go, okay? You are coming with us to the disco bar nearby."

"What!? I'm not coming with you!" I resisted.

Catherine followed us, surprised by her friend's action. I'm trying to free my hand from Isabel's hold but she is not giving in. Good heavens, I've never been in that place where these women are bringing me. Before I could think of anything else to do, we are already in front of a well-lighted entrance of a small, disco bar. 

"Let's get in," Isabel says excitedly. After buying a ticket, we are now inside this noisy, dim, and disgusting place. The constant changing patterns of the various colored lights creating dramatic shadows are making me feel dizzy.  The smell of smoke and drinks, colognes or perfumes, and even the smell of perspiration mixes up with the air. My nostrils are sensitive and the unpleasant scent of these things makes me want to vomit. The loud sound of rock music almost destroys my eardrums. 

"Is this the kind of place that you want to go?" I whispered to the two of them. 

"No, I never wanted to be in this kind of place." Catherine defended herself. 

"This is fun, believe me," Isabel assured us. "Let's find a good spot to stay." 

We made our way in one direction, nudging our shoulders with the other people. I don't understand what these people are enjoying here because I don't see anything fun in any corner of this stupid place. After hustling in the crowd, we are now near the bar counter. The bartender smiled at us and asked for our drinks.

"Give us cosmo." Isabel gave him a flirtatious smile. 

What is cosmo? I kept that question to myself. I don't want to sound like an idiot. I don't drink alcohol and so I don't know any drinks whatsoever. Way back in college, my classmates' invite me out but I never go. I only have few friends, then. 

The bartender started mixing vodka,  a splash of cranberry juice, and I don't know what else he puts in it. After several minutes of keeping an eye on his work, the drink for three is readily served in front of us.

"Here's your cosmo beautiful ladies. Enjoy the night." The bartender winked at Isabel while giving us the cocktail glass filled with pinkish drinks.

"So, this is cosmo huh?" I talked to myself and smirked. By its smell, I can tell that it is sweet.

"Thank you, handsome." Isabel blinked her eyes flirtatiously. 

"Eww," I heard Catherine uttered with a disapproving look. She's disgusted by her friend's action. The other woman just threw her a scornful look. 

"Okay, let's go find a table." 

I initiated and made my way towards a round bar table near us. The two women followed while whispering to each other.

"Will you please behave, Isabel?" 

"What, am I not behaving well?" 

"You are flirting and it sucks!"

"My God! Catherine, it's been a while since I lay next to a man. For Christ's sake, I'm just a woman who needs a man." Isabel said mockingly.

I rested my left arm on the table. "There's a lot of men here," I told her when they got near me. I pointed one finger of the hand I'm using in holding the glass, to the group of men across us. "Tell me which one do you like to get laid next to, we'll kidnap him," I said jokingly.

"Any one of them will do." Isabel giggled when she glimpsed at the group of good-looking bachelors.

"Scumbag." I softly laughed at her stupidity.

"Shut up both of you." Catherine got pestered and couldn't ride on our joke. 

***

A man standing in the corner is watching the three women. He picked his phone inside his pocket and dialed a number. 

"You won't believe me if I tell you who I see just now." 

"Tell me directly what you want to tell. I hate suspense." The man in the other line said rudely.

"Catherine. She's here." A devilish grin flashed on his face.

"Tell me where you are!" The other man commanded.

***

I feel tipsy. The alcohol I'm drinking is taking effect on my body. I just had three glasses but my body feels like burning. The two girls might be feeling the same. Their eyes are droopy and drift around the room. Their speech, especially of Isabel's, is incoherent. She is starting to act indiscreetly. She's having an obscene dance with a man on the dance floor making the crowd disperse to the side and give them a loud cheer. Some are throwing them disrespectful words.

"Whoa, rock it, baby!" 

"Shit hit it! You're so hot mother fucker!"

"I think we have to go home," I whispered to Catherine. 

"We should have left before she acts like this.  I forgot to tell you that she acts stupid when she's drunk." Catherine told me. 

"It's very obvious." I sighed and walked into the dance floor.

"Excuse us, I have to take her home. I'm afraid she's too drunk." I told the man she's dancing with. 

"We're not yet done." The man refused.

I did not listen to him. I grabbed Isabel's hand, picked her up, and carried her like a newlywed but the man stopped me before I could walk away. 

"Haven't you heard me? We are still dancing." He tightly gripped my arm, just above the elbow. His eyes are fiercely looking at me.

"Back off." I stretched every word that I say while giving back a sharp look. He doesn't look like he's going to follow so I shrugged his hand off me.

"Don't you know who I am!?" The man yelled at me angrily.

"I don't give a damn whoever you are." I never bother to look at him and stride to the entrance of the bar. I motioned Catherine to walk ahead of me. However, the man was persistent. Before Catherine could move to follow, he grabbed Catherine's waist and kissed her on the lips. That sight made my blood boil to the highest level. I went back with long strides and pulled her from that pervert. Without another thought, I used my other hand to throw a punch on his thick face. He tumbled to the floor.  Should it happened without Isabel in my hand, I would have killed him. Two men helped him stand. He tried to attack me but I was quick to kick his stomach. He fell to the ground weeping in pain.

"I'll make you pay for this woman!" 

"I'll make you dead when we cross path again." I scorned before dragging Catherine out. "This is a total mess," I mumbled.

"Sorry, and thank you for saving us," Catherine told me.

We're already distant from the bar when I felt dizzy. My vision is getting double. I held Catherine's hand and tried to teleport but it didn't work. 

"Shit!" I unconsciously mumbled. 

"We should get a taxi." Catherine thought that I might fall so she immediately called a taxi. 

I opened the backseat door and instructed her to get inside. I put the sleeping Isabel down beside her and hurriedly went to the passenger seat. I told the driver where to go. I'm stopping myself to vomit. This is crazy! I wouldn't drink again. A few moments later after the car sped up, the driver suddenly hit the brake making us lean forward violently. My head struck the dashboard making me dizzier.

"What the hell was that!?" I yelled at him.

"We're blocked." His eyes were fixed to the front. He looks so scared, his pale face says so. 

I followed his gaze and closed my eyes in disbelief. Oh my! This is trouble again. I looked at the two women at the back. The alcohol made them too fragile to react. 

"Can you drive back?" 

"I can if not for the other vehicles at the back." His shaking voice is enough to tell me how he feels by now.

I scratched my head annoyingly. 

"Alright. Stay here. If you find a way to escape, please take these women to the police station. Do you understand?" I asked him, my eyes are feeling droopy. The alcohol is shitting me.

"I will. But that's impossible." He's starting to panic as the men from the vehicles are starting to walk our way. 

"You can do it, man." I patted his shoulder before getting out of the car. 

"You are blocking our way. Is there anything wrong?" I asked them calmly. 

"We are here for your friends, so get to the side and you will not be in trouble." A tall man that could pass as a celebrity spoke impatiently.

If I'm an ordinary person, I would end up shaking my knees at the sight of these armed men. However, it's no effect on me. 

"I'm not gonna let you touch her." 

I try to transform my fingers into claws but nothing is happening. I should have practiced getting drunk and controlling my powers at the same time. What else can I do now? I can't back off. 

"Get the women now." He ordered his men.

"Nah, not unless I say so." I obstructed myself in a way that made the men furious. 

They brushed me to the side but I was not moved. The first man pulled his gun and pointed at me. 

"Try again to stop us and I will shoot you!" His glare was fearsome.

"That's just metal. I'm not scared." I smiled weakly before snatching the gun from him. However, before I could do another movement I already fell to the ground and snored.