Chapter 2

The mystifying young man smiled at me again, and I noticed he had a stunning smile, with perfect white teeth and sharp canines like a vampire; it was kind of attractive, though. He had an alluring quality that made me not be able to help smiling or trying to form a conversation with him; who was this guy? I'd never seen him around before. "I don't mean to be nosy, but does that perfume I smell belong to you?"

"Indeed, it does." He replied with the same serene tone as before.

Leaning forward on the bar as if I were about to tell him a secret, I said, "I actually still haven't gotten my boyfriend's birthday present yet, which is what we're celebrating today. I really like your perfume, mind telling me which one it is?"

I could have sworn he stared at me at a loss for words for a few quick seconds before he composed himself, "You won't find it being sold these days. It's an old family heirloom."

"Oh, I see... Any advice, Mr. Bartender?"

He seemed to be rolling his eyes backward or merely staring at the ceiling for a little too long. It was an uncomfortable couple of seconds before he said, "I hear boys your age is really into video game consoles and computer games, especially violent ones. Hope that helps."

"I'll look into it, thanks!" I flashed him a bright smile and left his pay on the counter before leaving with my water.

Smiling, I made my way over to my table with the bottle and the glass of water. Gabriel was sitting there with a couple of the guys, telling our friends about his suspicion that his parents would get him a car because he had just turned seventeen. I had turned eighteen a month before but no car.

When he saw me, he waved me over and patted the seat next to him. He put an arm around my shoulders as soon as I sat down, probably staking his claim in front of the other guys. Men, I thought.

Angie was sitting across from us, eyeing Gabriel's friend Chris, a cute blond-haired guy with big brown eyes and the most adorable freckles. I smiled at her knowingly, to which she mouthed 'help' at me.

I turned to Chris and said, "Hey Chris, have you met my friend Angie?"

He turned to her and said, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure. Hello Angie, I'm Chris, Gabriel's better half."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes, jokingly, "Ha-ha, you're so funny, Chris, but we all know I'm the better and more handsome version."

Chris and Gabriel looked nothing alike. Chris was shorter and skinnier, with slightly curly blond hair and an innocent demeanor. He always got the 'aww' factor from girls with his doe eyes and freckles, while Gabriel, tall and fit, with straight black hair and baby blue eyes, could be described as sexy rather than cute. They always came as a pair, though. The two were inseparable since childhood because they were neighbors, and they had grown up together. Sometimes it was hard to think of them as different people.

Chris puffed his chest out and said, "No, you're not." Then he gave Gabe a devious smile and turned to Angie, "What do you think, Angie, we need an attractive girl's opinion."

Angie blushed and managed to stutter an, "I -I don't know, I think you're both good looking."

I laughed and said, "Leave the girl alone, I think we all know who the better-looking one is," I gave Gabe a flirty smile and trailed my finger along his chest, "clearly... it's Chris."

Gabriel's smiling lips curved to form an 'o' shape; he looked mock hurt. Putting a hand to his chest, he gasped dramatically. "Annabelle Satcher, you have broken my heart."

I laughed and then noticed I was feeling a little lightheaded, which escalated to dizzy. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

Angie must have also noticed because she looked at me and said, "Anna, are you okay?"

"Yeah... I just... I need some fresh air." I turned to Gabriel, "Will you excuse me for a second, baby? I'm gonna go outside for a breather. I'll be right back."

"Okay, but are you sure you want to go alone?" He said, his voice laced with concern.

"Yeah, you guys keep talking. I won't take long."

"All right," He gave me a peck on the lips as I stood up.

I went out through the back door, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.

It was a strange night. There seemed to be a chill in the air. I could have sworn it hadn't been this cold before in Cali. As soon as I opened my eyes, I sensed that something was out of place. It was an intense feeling; something terrible was going to happen.

Deep breaths, Annie.

I noticed I was becoming paranoid again and decided to go for an evening stroll to calm my nerves.

I had only managed to walk a few steps before I felt it, that foreboding again, something was drastically wrong. All of a sudden, everything felt hazy, a dream-like vision. I tried to focus my blurry gaze on a streetlamp and saw a person's silhouette block my view. I tried to take a step back but stumbled and fell into the person's arms. I recognized a familiar pair of green eyes staring down at me as the stranger pulled me into his arms, picking me up bridal style, and then everything was consumed by darkness.