Heartprints in the Void
⊰ 7 ⊱ An Unlucky Night

From doing nothing for 6 months to 2 weeks of HR trainings and being bombarded with Layer 2 troubleshootings, it feels a lot like going back to school after taking a semester off. Actually, between the troubleshootings and being assigned documentation for three higher-level engineers, it feels *exactly* like going back to school after taking a semester off. That's what I did, once upon a time.

As much as I like to pretend otherwise, Cade breaking up with me over a letter in the mail destroyed me that way. It took so much out of me that I took a semester off and transferred to another university to finish out the last two semesters in a place that didn't remind me of him.

Fortunately, unlike then, this time, I've managed to hold myself together.

Between the pressure of getting ready to start the IPv6 migration as soon as possible and day-to-day work, I've been too busy to worry about anything else. In fact, were it not for having to share the same room for the team's weekly, 9AM, Monday meeting, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to interact with Cade at all.

*On the brightside, an entire week went by and I was almost too busy to notice.*

I'm starting to believe that things may very well work out.

If it is projected that we will progressively get busier within the next couple of months, I may actually be too busy to even think about *him*.

With my plan already set in motion for the next round of certifications that I'll be studying for, Friday evenings and Saturdays are my rest days. Today being Friday, after having taken a long, hot shower I plan to enjoy my evening.

In a pair of soft black leggings, a navy blue long-sleeve shirt, and navy blue socks, I hop on the couch with my cow-print blanket and begin my endless browse through Netflix while I wait for my buffalo wings and fries to be delivered. *The luxury of being able to enjoy a peaceful Friday evening this way is so underrated.*

Unfortunately, as my phone dings, I realize that tonight, I won't have that luxury either.

"Are you serious..?" I groan as I read the notification of my order being canceled. I roll my eyes so hard that I nearly see my brain, irritated even more as I hop on the delivery app only to find that deliveries are no longer being made. *I am going to fight somebody.*

While I have the option to cook dinner, I would much rather go pick up food, and it's only a matter of seconds before I slide my feet into a pair of black and white Converse and I head for the door.

"I shall return," I mumble as I glance over at an unbothered Bubbles laying on his sofa.

*So stinking cute!*

I know that he's just a dog, but I *love* that dog to death. Growing up, I always wanted one, but I was never allowed to have one. Shortly after things ended between Cade and I, for a while, I couldn't stomach the thought of being alone all the time, so I found a Saint Bernard breeder and bought my dream dog.

Granted, potty training and getting him to not drag me down the street when I tried to walk him was a challenge, but it was worth it.

Now, I think he's the best choice I have made since.

With a final glance at Bubbles, I step out into the cool evening air, locking the door behind me. The short drive to the late-night bar feels like a blur, my mind still preoccupied with thoughts of work.

The closest restaurant is only a two-minute drive from my apartment, and I park as close as you can expect to get to the front door on a Friday night. As can be expected, the only available seats are those at the bar and I head straight for the empty barstool before placing my order on the self-service monitor on the bar top.

In the mix of loud chatter and country music playing on the speakers, I zone out to the basketball game playing on one of the TV's mounted on the wall while I sip on the ice water that I asked the bartender for. *I wish that I was that athletic...*

The sound of the man sitting next to me, clearing his throat, draws my attention. My gaze shifts to meet his own as he asks, "Can I buy you a drink?"

*Uh...no.*

"I'm okay," I respond as I gently shake my head at him.

He tsks, tilting his head ever-so-slightly as he persists with a playfulness lingering in his tone, "Come on. One drink. You don't have to come home with me, I promise."

...

*Is he serious?*

I eye him for a long moment, studying his features as he patiently waits for my response.

It's not that he's a bad-looking guy, because between the hazel eyes and neatly combed, dark-brown hair, he's just above the average-looking, middle-aged man. It's that I don't want to be bothered.

Unfortunately, like the 'people-pleaser to a fault' that I am, I painfully accept, "Alright, I'll have a piña colada."

He shoots me a smirk, satisfaction playing on his face as he calls the bartender to give him my request. Unsurprisingly, just like every other time, the bartender eyes me once-over before asking, "Can I see your ID?" *Every. Single. Time.*

I reach for the wallet attached to the keychain of my keys, popping it open as I hold it up for him to see my driver's license through the small, clear, plastic pocket. He nods and in only a matter of a couple of minutes, he's pouring the freshly made, semi-frozen drink into a tall glass with whipped cream and a small slice of pineapple and cherry at the top.

"Thanks," I mutter as I slide the drink next to the glass of water. I sip on the piña colada slowly, taking sips of water every-so-often as I aimlessly scroll through my favorite gym apparel shopping app.

*I really need to stop spending money on gym clothes...*

"So, where are you from?" The man still sitting beside me suddenly asks, not-so subtly scooting closer to me.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, offering him a half-hearted smile. "Florida," I tell him blandly.

"I'm Alex, by the way," he introduces himself, offering me his hand.

"Elys," I respond as I hesitantly accept his gesture.

*This is why you should've said no. Now, he wants to talk. Where the hell is my food so I can get out of here and away from him?*

"Yeah, so I just moved here about a year ago. Looking to settle down with Mrs. Right, you know?"

*Please, shoot me now.*

I hum awkwardly, bobbing my head as I take another sip from the piña colada on the bar top in front of me.

"How about you?" He asks. "What brings a pretty thing like you to a place like this?"

*Eww.*

I try to brush off his desperate, cheesy attempt at flirting with me, telling him, "I'm just here for a job. I work in Cyber Security."

"Oh..." his voice trails off. "You're a smart little cookie, aren't you?"

*Wow.*

I have to refrain from visibly cringing, turning my head to the side to see if I can find the bartender to ask for an update on my order. After a long moment, I sigh as I forfeit. *Maybe I should just go home.*

"I'm sorry," Alex suddenly says, my head snapping to the side to look at him as he straightens on his feet. "I can be a little overbearing sometimes. Please, enjoy your drink." He motions at the piña colada, shooting me a cheeky smile once more before moving to the other end of the bar to the unoccupied seat.

*Oh, thank God.*

I eye my drink for a moment, taking the straw to mix the whipped cream with the alcohol before taking one last sip. Between the oddly strong drink and boredom, I somehow find a way to purchase yet another pair of leggings that I don't need.

Just like clockwork, the bartender comes over and hands me my order in a plastic bag. "Have a good night, ma'am," he tells me as I kick off from the stool. "You too," I kindly say to him before heading out the door.

The moment that I reach my car, it's as if the cool breeze that hits my skin numbs me. My stomach turns, a nauseousness settling as a dizziness overcomes me. *What the hell..?*

My breath catches in my lungs and through my hazy vision, I make out the man from the bar quickly approaching me. *What the fuck?*

I try to hurry, many hands shaking as I frantically press the button of my car keys.

It's too late, and before I can so much as attempt to open the car's door, I feel his arms wrapping around me as my legs give out beneath me. My heart beats erratically in my chest, the plastic bag slipping from my hands along with my phone and keys.

"What did you do to me..?" My voice hardly sounds like my own, and no matter how hard I try to keep my eyes open, they betray me.

He shushes me sinisterly, whispering in my ear, "You should've just come home with me when you had the chance."

*No...*

I want to fight and I want to scream, but no matter how hard I try, my body seems to have a mind of its own. He doesn't waste a second, dragging me across the lot as my breath grows shallow. The rough asphalt scrapes against my skin, and the distant sound of traffic grows muffled.

*I'm gonna die today...*

A ringing pierces my ears, and were it not for the familiar voice that echoes from afar, I would believe that I have already met my end.

"I'd put her down if I were you."

*Don't fall asleep. Don't fall asleep.*

In the next moment, my body hits the cold pavement, and I can feel myself slowly but surely slipping away into a never ending darkness. The taste of bile rises in my throat, and the acrid scent of gasoline fills my nostrils.

*I have to get up. Please, get up!*

The sound of a door slamming and tires screeching holds me for a moment longer, but it's only to hear the voice again, muttering, "What am I gonna do with you?"

As the world fades away, I cling to that voice, a distance beacon in the encroaching darkness.