Lucas stops a few inches from me, and I instinctively take one step back, becoming more nervous.

"I don't know." I stutter, "You were nice to me."

Lucas closes the gap between us, raising his brow and tucking his finger under the strap of my dress, moving his finger back and forth underneath it as he watches thoughtfully. "Nice? Is that what you'd call what happened the last time I saw you?"

Memories flood into my mind of Lucas crawling over the top of me on his bed, kissing me over every part of my skin as he did so, until he reached my neck, which he latched onto, while his hands tore my bra from my body so roughly it ripped down the middle.

I gulp "Yes."

He smirks as he snaps the strap to my dress back against my skin, pulling his hand away to run it through his hair. "I can think of some other words that are much more fitting."

My breathing picks up as he leans forward to whisper in my ear, "Such filthy words, my sweet girl."

The memories keep pouring in, heating my skin as I remember the dirty things he would whisper to me about what he was going to do to me, the obscene things he would growl in my ear as his fingers slipped into my panties while his other hand pinned my wrists with a vice grip above my head.

"Already so wet for me, princess, but I'm going to have you ruining my sheets by the time I'm done with you."

I squeeze my thighs together at the memory of those words, fighting the arousal it's sending through me.

I pull my face back, sucking in a breath, "I should go, my boyfriend is probably wondering where I am."

Lucas's lips quirk, loving how flustered he's made me. "Ah, that little boyfriend of yours - how long have you been with him?"

"Almost two years," I reply quietly, hoping that talking about this will deter him from acting the way he's acting.

I knew coming here was a bad idea, even more so than I expected. He's more dangerous than I thought.

Dangerous in the sense that the same attraction I had all those years ago is still knocking the wind from me like it never left, and I can't let that happen.

I love Andy; I shouldn't be feeling like this towards someone else.

"Isn't that adorable?" he says condescendingly, and I frown slightly.

Lucas tilts his head, squinting his eyes briefly with a smug expression. "Tell me, love, this boyfriend of yours, is he nice to you as well?"

I gulp as I nod, deciding to ignore the obvious thing he's insinuating. "Yes, he is, he's very sweet."

Andy is nothing like Lucas; he would never dream of doing the things that Lucas did, and I'm okay with that - that night with Lucas was a one-time experience, it's not who I am or what I want.

Lucas chuckles, shaking his head as he looks down, and begins to button his shirt, and I want to slap my own eyes for darting down to watch. "Of course he's sweet, I wouldn't expect any less from you."

I try to stop myself from feeling offended at him patronizing my relationship; there's nothing wrong with Andy. He's sweet, kind, and a perfect gentleman!

"Why did you ask me to come here?" I dare to ask, not wanting him to belittle my boyfriend much more.

Lucas lifts his face, only doing a few of the bottom buttons up to his shirt, and gives me a shrug. "I wanted to see you."

"But why?" I press further, having a bit more confidence in myself to question things than the girl he knew back then.

Lucas turns, doing up his jeans while walking to the kitchen counter near us and grabbing a glass filled with what looks to be whiskey, and takes a sip, raising his brows at me as he does so. "Why is it important?"

Is he drinking at this time of the day? It's not even 5 pm.

I can't help thinking about what Andy would say about that, how harshly he would judge Lucas. He would never let me spend time with someone like this, usually.

I walk over to stand next to him, placing my shopping bag on the counter and folding my arms over my chest as I face him, "Because I didn't think you'd want to see me again after that night, and I don't understand why you do now."

"I have my reasons," he replies vaguely, taking another sip from his drink as he watches me over the rim of the glass.

I let out a frustrated breath, knowing I'm never going to get a straight answer out of him.

"So," he says, as he places his drink back on the counter, leaning against it with his hand, "Did you ever start taking those photos you wanted to?"

My brows shoot up in surprise, forgetting I'd mentioned that to him or that he actually remembered after all this time.

Sophie had warned me that Lucas didn't even take enough interest in a woman to even learn their name, let alone remember it, so this has caught me completely off guard.

"Yes, actually," I reply, still slightly dumbfounded.

He smiles at this, and it's one of the first smiles I've seen from him that looks genuine, not laced with mischief or arrogance.

"Good girl, I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure they're fantastic photographs."

I bought a camera a few months after that night with Lucas, and started taking photos at any chance I could get, becoming extremely passionate about the moments I could capture, how I could tell a story or portray a perception of something that people might not see with their own eyes.

It's really only a hobby, but I adore it.

I smile bashfully, genuinely appreciating the compliment.

"Come to Placebo tonight, bring your camera," he says with a stolid expression.

I scrunch my nose up, creasing my brows in confusion, "Why?"

I haven't been back to that place since I met Lucas; they aren't the sort of places I go near, especially these days.

"I know the owner, we have an event on tonight, he'll pay you to take photos of the crowd and use them to advertise the nights on their website," he explains casually, keeping his eyes on mine.

"Oh, Oh no, I couldn't do that," I decline quickly

"You can, and you will. I wasn't asking love."

My brows drop as I purse my lips, becoming annoyed with his bossy attitude. "It's rude to just demand people do whatever you want like that."

He takes a step towards me, leaning his face closer, "I never said I was polite. I don't ask for what I want, I take it."

My stomach turns at the drop of his voice and the intense look in his eyes, and I lean back to create some distance. "I can't tonight, I had plans with my boyfriend-"

"Bring him," he cuts me off, "I won't accept no as an answer, love."

Andy is going to have an aneurysm over this.

I sigh, wetting my lips as I try to compose myself from the feelings his eyes are flaring up inside of me again. "You really aren't giving me an option, are you?"

Apparently, I left my backbone at the front door when I walked in here.

He shakes his head, one of those smug smiles taking over his lips, "Be there at 10 pm, tonight is Devils Night, most people will be in masks or costumes, I suggest dressing up."

"I'm assuming dressing up isn't an option either?"

Lucas lifts his chin, staring down at me over his nose with that same smug look. "You're a fast learner."

I sigh heavily, slightly irritated with myself that I gave in this easily. I can't explain why this man can have me as putty in his hands. "I'm only doing this, this one time, I don't go to places like that."

"If you say so, sweetheart," he says dismissively, turning to grab his drink again. "You should probably get back to that boyfriend before he thinks someone's stolen you away."

"He doesn't have to worry about that," I say assuredly. Andy would never be concerned with such a thing; he knows what I'm like.

Lucas bites down on his lip, his eyes glinting slyly as if he's stopping himself from saying what he's thinking.

I grab the shopping bag from the counter, giving him a tight smile, "I should go, though. It was nice seeing you again."

That's a complete lie; seeing him has done nothing but turn my mind and nerves into shambles.

He chuckles, wetting his lips as he nods back towards me, "You'll be seeing a lot more of me, don't be late tonight."

My breathing labors as I swallow, backing away.

"Bye, Lucas," I say anxiously as I turn to make my way to the front door.

"Bye, little mouse," he murmurs.

As I turned, something caught my attention that sparked the same questions I had the night I spent with him, something I didn't notice when I first got there. In the living room, the back wall was covered with shelves from the floor to the ceiling, all filled to the brim with those same VHS tapes I had noticed in his bedroom, except now.

There were at least triple the amount.

As I reach the front door, I can't help but ask the same question swimming around in my mind: What could be on all of those tapes?

***

"Honey, this really isn't a good idea. Have you heard about this place?" Andy says apprehensively, adjusting his red sweater.

"I've been there once before," I try to reassure him, concentrating on making sure I don't snap an ankle walking in these heels.

"Why would you ever go somewhere like that?" he asks incredulously.

I try tugging down the hem of my white skirt, but the damn thing keeps riding up my thighs. I don't even know what possessed me to wear this outfit.

Oh, right, it was Lucas.

"I went with Sophie a few years ago, that's where I met my friend," I explain, adjusting my camera strap on my shoulder as we continue the short walk to the club from the taxi rank.

"Is Sophie going to be there tonight?" he asks, and even though he masks it well, I still pick up on the distasteful tone in his voice.

He's never really liked my friendship with Sophie; he calls her a bad influence.

"She said she might be." I give him a tight smile, trying to hide my irritation.

He let out a heavy sigh. "Wonderful, so who is this guy anyway? You've never mentioned him before today."

"Just an old friend I met when I first moved here, we hadn't seen each other again until today," I say vaguely, almost feeling I'm adopting Lucas's mannerisms for answering questions.

I feel guilty leaving out the great details about who Lucas is, or how I actually know him. Andy would have never agreed to let me come tonight if he ever found out I'd had a one-night stand with him; Andy thinks they're abhorrent.

But Lucas is just a friend now, if you could call it that, more so an acquaintance. I don't plan on pursuing a relationship with him further than tonight.

Having Lucas in my life seems like playing with fire, and I'm not the type of person for that.

Andy frowns slightly. "If he's someone who spends time at places like that, I don't think it's a good idea to start that friendship again."

"I wasn't planning on it; he just needed me to take photos tonight."

Andy shoves his hands into his jeans, keeping his frown. "I still don't see why."

I halt my steps, looking over to him, slightly hurt. "Do you not think I could get paid to take photos?"

Andy gives me a sympathetic smile, resting his hands on my shoulders. "Oh no, sweetheart, that's not what I meant at all. But photography isn't something we planned on you doing, remember?"

"But what if I could, though? Maybe I could actually do it as a job," I ask timidly, shrugging my shoulders slightly.

Andy sighs, rubbing his hands up and down my bare arms. "It's a good hobby, dear, but it's not what we talked about you doing; we should stick to that, okay? You'll be fantastic at my dad's firm."

I press my lips together, giving him a resigned nod, deciding not to push the subject further.

I could point out that he decided all of that, not me.

I could point out that I have absolutely no desire to be a receptionist at his father's firm.

I could do a lot of things, but instead I just stay quiet. It's easier to just stick to his plan; that way, I don't have to worry about the future.

It's already laid out for me.

Andy wraps his hand around my waist, turning us to keep walking, and he gives me a disapproving once-over with his eyes. "I still don't think that outfit is very appropriate, honey, especially for a place like this, think of all the low lifes there and what they'll be thinking about you."

I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting the urge to snap back at him. He hasn't stopped making comments about my outfit all night; he hasn't once complimented me or said one supportive thing, really.

I tried to heed Lucas' request, well, demand that I dress up, but now this white tight skirt and sheer, low-cut, loose blouse seems like a bad idea.

I think Andy's just irritated that we are going to this place instead of going to his father's house for dinner, like every Saturday night since we've been together.

"Do I look bad?" I ask quietly, feeling self-conscious over his constant comments.

He leans over and kisses my cheek. "No, of course not, you always look beautiful... It's just, this outfit is a bit...well, you know."

I crease my brows together. "No, I don't know, what is it?"

Andy blows out a huff of air, shaking his head, "It's just when you're dressed like that, it gives people a certain impression."

I glare sideways at him, tugging down the hem of my skirt again. "What impression would that be?"

Andy smiles, kissing my cheek again, "Don't worry about it, just try not to wear it again, okay?"

I hang my head, looking at the ground with my shoulders deflating.

"At least one part of the outfit shows who you really are," he says warmly, giving my waist a gentle squeeze with his arm around me.

I lift my eyes to him, trying to hide how insecure and hurt I feel. "What's that?"

Andy lifts his hand to point to the halo on top of my head. "That right there, you're an angel."

I blush, dropping my eyes again. "I don't own anything devil-related, the closest thing I have."

I really didn't own anything that seemed to fit the theme tonight. I had an old halo that was part of an angel costume from Halloween last year, and figured that was in the realm of devils, I mean, even Satan was an angel at some point.

"You and me both, sweet pea," he smiles, rubbing his hand against my side affectionately. "Let's just get tonight over with, so you never have to come back."

----------

As soon as I'm surrounded by those deep red lights, I feel like I've been sucked back through time, all the Deja Vu feeling like a kick to the stomach as I search my eyes around the club.

It still feels as sinister as ever, the heavy bass to the music making the air vibrate.

That same smell fills my nostrils, and I close my eyes momentarily, almost reminiscing about the last time I was here.

Though I could never openly admit it, a small bit of excitement spurs in me over being here again; there's something about this place that thrills me, it's probably the fact that I know I shouldn't be here.

Andy clung to my side, scowling at the sea of people all dressed like something out of a pornographic masquerade movie.

It seems most people opted for masks, creepy ones at that. Some were black with menacing horns, others were shades of red with menacing teeth, and looked fit for a horror film.

A large collection of the women opted for scantily clad outfits, some only in tight red latex body suits and fishnets, complemented by some devil horns.

I definitely stick out like a sore thumb.

"Evelyn!" My attention is caught by my name, and I look around until my eye catches Sophie making her way through the crowd, waving with an excited smile.

She reaches us, pulling me away from Andy and into a tight hug. "I can't believe you actually turned up!" she shouts.

"Me either," I laugh as I pull back from her, relieved that she decided to come and that I'll have her here for support.

I'm thankful I have the buffer of other people with me when it comes to being around Lucas. Today proved to me that I can't be alone with him, I don't trust him, and deep down, I know I don't trust myself.

Andy steps to my side, linking his arm around my waist, giving Sophie an exaggerated smile, "Fancy seeing you here, Sophie."

Sophie returns his fake smile, not trying in the least to hide the sarcasm in her voice, "Oh, hey Andy, sorry I didn't notice you there."

His arm tightens around my waist, and I chew on the inside of my cheek, hoping this isn't going to be another drawn-out passive-aggressive conversation between them.

"I could say the same, but you're hard to miss," he replies, giving Sophie a once-over with his eyes, making his expression obvious that he doesn't approve of her proactive outfit.

My shoulders tense as I bite back the urge to ask him to stop being so rude, hurt, and angry that he insists on speaking to my best friend the way he does.

I give Sophie an apologetic look, hoping she doesn't try to push his buttons like she usually does.

Sophie smiles tightly. "Thank you, glad you like my outfit so much, I might lend it to Evelyn sometime."

Andy bristles, and before he can respond, I cut in to try to diffuse another argument before it starts. "Do you know where Lucas is? I need to figure out what's going on with these photos I'm meant to be taking."

Sophie gives Andy a quick glare before turning her attention to me. "He's upstairs. Do you want me to take you up there?"

I nod appreciatively. "If you could, please, I'm still a bit nervous."

A warm, encouraging smile spreads on Sophie's face. "You've got nothing to be nervous about, your photos are going to be amazing."

Oh, if only she knew it wasn't the photos I was nervous about.

She gestures her hand for us to follow her, "Come on, let's go find your mystery man."

I follow with Andy close behind me, keeping a tight grip on my hand as we weave through the crowd of people to that same staircase that's plagued my memories.

I can't help the flashbacks that run through my mind of the first time I saw Lucas, walking down those same stairs, or when he had walked me up them into that bathroom.

There was something about that night that changed everything, though I'm not sure exactly what it changed yet. There was a definite shift in my reality after encountering someone like him; his presence burns itself into your existence whether you want it to or not.

Maybe it was that I could tell there was a danger about knowing someone like Lucas; he was unpredictable, dark, and somewhat forbidden to someone like me.

He was the guy my parents would warn me about, the type they would use as an example of what to stay away from.

Maybe that's why he fascinated me so much.

As we make our way up the stairs, my nerves start to swirl like fire ants through my stomach, forever feeling unprepared for any encounter I have with this man.

As soon as we reach the room at the top of the stairs, I glance briefly down the corridor Lucas had taken me down, my stomach fluttering at the memory of following him so naively back then.

The upstairs room doesn't look like it's changed at all, except the stage where bands would play is now graced with half-naked women dancing on poles or performing burlesque routines.

Andy's grip tightens around mine, and I look back at him, seeing him shake his head in disgust at the stage.

I sometimes wish he weren't so judgmental. The women dancing are beautiful, they're doing a fantastic job, and are clearly talented, but all he can see is something cheap and immoral.

"He's sitting over there." Sophie places her hand on my shoulder to get my attention, and when I look at her, she gestures over to the corner of the room, to a corner lounge that has several people sitting on it with a table in front of them.

I immediately notice that same head of curls in the crimson lighting, and I hold my breath when I lock eyes with him, feeling like everything in the room was sucked out through some kind of vortex, and we were the only two people there.

I don't think I'll ever feel like I don't have the wind knocked out of me when I see him, especially if he keeps insisting on wearing those damn dress shirts unbuttoned and open over his chest.

I have to admit, though, the devil horns perched on his head are both ironically fitting and comical at the same time.

I hadn't realized he'd noticed me. Although I am the only person in a sea of satanic costumes who's wearing a bloody angel halo, I guess anyone would notice that.

I must look utterly ridiculous.

Lucas lifts his hand, motioning his fingers to come over with a smirk, and I coax myself into taking the first step, walking apprehensively with Sophie next to me and Andy still training behind, holding my hand.

Lucas is sitting back against the couch with spread knees, scantily clad women sat on either side of him with decorative masks, and several other people sat around on the couch, most of them drinking or kissing. I'm noticing a few of them doing something I don't quite recognize at first.

As we get closer, I recognize what's going on, even though it's something I'd only ever seen in movies, and I start to panic. Andy is going to throw a fit over this.

One of the women runs her hand down Lucas's bare chest, whispering in his ear before leaning forward over the table, scraping white powder into a line with a card and inhaling it through her nose with a rolled up bill.

It seems that's what most people sat there were taking turns doing, except Lucas, he hasn't wavered his eyes from me, he didn't even seem to pay attention when the woman had spoken to him.

I always thought I would react differently to seeing something like that in person, that I'd be outraged or mortified by it. For some reason, however, I'm fascinated.

It's not in the sense I'm attracted to trying it, but watching people partake in such illicit behavior, doing something I would never dream of, has me curious instead of afraid.

I'm halted in my steps by Andy tugging my hand firmly, a few feet from the table, and grabs my arm as he spins me to face him abruptly with his brows creasing together, he looks furious, "Evelyn, what the fuck! That's who your friend hangs around? For Christ's sake, they're all doing drugs!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't - I didn't know people would be doing that." I apologize quickly as I watch his anger rise.

"What do you expect from people like that? We're going home, you aren't socializing with junkies," he snaps, screwing his nose up in disgust.

"Andy, will you just relax? She's here to take photos, she's not going to get high just looking at it." Sophie butts in, folding her arms over her chest.

I know that she's biting her tongue; she can't stand when he tells me what to do, and she's made sure to reiterate that to me at great length.

"Relax?" he scoffs. "These may be the kind of people you hang around, but I'm not letting Evelyn associate with criminals."

I feel guilty for bringing Andy here, exposing him to a situation like this. I know how strongly he feels about these sorts of things, but I also hate that he's ordering me around like I'm a child.

He tugs on my arm, glaring towards Sophie, "Come on, Evelyn, we're going home."

I frown, trying to pull my arm from his grip. "I can't just leave. The owner hired me to take photos, I can't go without saying anything."

Andy grips my arm harder than I think he realizes, and I wince at his fingers biting into my skin. "Forget your stupid photos, we're leaving, you don't owe people like this an explanation."

"Andy, please stop-"

An arm brushing against my shoulder makes me jump, darting my eyes to the side to see Lucas standing next to me, looking down at me with his brows dropped and jaw set tight.

His face looks stern yet passive, and my words catch in my throat as I catch the irritation behind his eyes.

I'm hoping he didn't hear what Andy had said. I'm dreading what he would do, simply because I never know exactly what it will be; the uncertainty with him terrifies me.

I don't get to say anything before he speaks, his voice low and taunting, "Is there a problem here?"

As I shake my head no, Andy glares at Lucas, "We were just leaving."

Lucas raises his brow at me, before slowly looking to Andy, "Why would Evelyn be leaving? She's working here tonight."

I interrupt before Andy can reply, my stomach in my throat over the tension that's becoming thick between the two of them.

"Andy, this is Lucas," I say nervously, wanting to kick myself for how this wasn't the time for introductions, but I couldn't think of what else to say.

Andy extends his hand to Lucas, giving an acknowledging nod, "Andy, Evelyn's boyfriend."

Lucas only stares blankly back at him, completely uninterested in any interaction with him, and ignores the handshake completely.

Lucas looks back at me, tilting his head. "So why are you leaving?"

"I-I'm not," I reply, shaking my head, but Andy pipes up again.

"Yes, she is," he says firmly, giving me a hard look to tell me not to disagree with him.

Lucas glances between Andy and me before focusing his attention back on him, his sharp jaw tensing in annoyance. "It looks like Evelyn's not the one who wants to leave. If you want to leave so badly, why don't you?"

"I'm not leaving her here with a bunch of drug addicts!" Andy snaps, pointing to the couch of people behind us.

Lucas's lips tug up at the corners, raising his brows at Andy, "I bet you're real fun at parties."

"Oh yeah, he's a blast to be around," Sophie chimes in sarcastically, grinning at the interaction between the two of them.

This whole thing is my idea of hell, I can't stand confrontation or tension, and the fact that I can tell Lucas thrives on it only has the nauseous feeling in my stomach growing.

"That's what you call fun?" Andy bites back, waving his hand to the couch behind Lucas.

"Yeah, I do actually," Lucas replies smugly. "You should try it sometime, might pull that stick out of you."

My mouth drops as Sophie lets out a high-pitched cackle, and Andy looks like he's about to blow a blood vessel in his forehead.

Andy tugs my arm roughly, pulling me to stand next to him and stares at Lucas with a screwed up arrogant expression, "Who the hell do you think you are speaking to me like that?"

Lucas clenches his jaw, his eyes hardening as he leans forward, leaning down slightly to meet Andy's height. "I'm the person that's going to cut your hands off of your fucking body if you ever grab her like that again."

Lucas's threat comes out calm and matter-of-fact, which only makes it more intimidating, and my blood runs cold at the look in his eyes.

Lucas flicks his eyes to me, then to Andy's hand gripping my arm, then glares back at him, and Andy shrinks back.

Andy's always been all bark and no bite; he's used to getting his own way and not being questioned on it, and he certainly is the type to recoil away with his tail between his legs at any sign of a physical confrontation.

I've always put it down to him being so sensitive.

Andy is definitely never going to let me near Lucas again after tonight.

Lucas runs his tongue along the inside of his cheek, gesturing his head towards Andy's hand around my arm, "I'd let her go before I drag you out by your throat."

Andy immediately drops his hand from my arm, clearing his throat, and I can tell Lucas has scared him. He's never really touched me like that before, but then again, I've never really tried to disagree with him.

I'm putting it down to him just being panicked over the situation, maybe worried and trying to protect me, and being more forceful than he realised. It's my own fault; I should never brought him here.

I feel an odd sensation over Lucas being so protective of me. I can't understand why, it's not like he cares about me.

Lucas focuses on me, dropping his brows, talking as if Andy isn't even in the room, "Are you okay, love?"

"M'fine," I squeak out, ignoring the burning in my skin from where Andy's fingers had pinched into it.

Lucas doesn't reply, just sends me a look that says he thinks I'm full of shit as he straightens.

"So now that it's agreed that you aren't leaving, have you got everything to take photos?" he cocks a brow, looking from the camera slung over my shoulder back to my face.

I nod quickly, trying to ignore the deafening tension still present between Andy and Lucas, mostly coming from the face like a slapped ass expression on Andy's face, Lucas's back to ignoring his presence completely.

"Good," he smirks, "I'll have your pay for you when we close."

"We have to stay till this hell hole shuts?" Andy bursts, exasperated.

Lucas looks to him with bored, half-lidded eyes. "Scamper off back home if you've got such a problem with it."

Andy scowls, "I'm not leaving her here by herself."

Lucas tilts his head, a wicked smile spreading across his lips. "You wouldn't have to worry, I'd take very good care of her."

Andy slides his arm around my waist possessively, pulling me closer to his side. " You'll do no such thing."

Lucas chuckles, staring at Andy with a menacing look. "Calm down, it wouldn't be the first time I've done it, would it, Evelyn?"

My face pales as Andy whips his face to me, looking at me with a shocked expression, and I scramble to change the subject. "Should I talk with the owner about the photos? I still haven't met him."

Lucas bites his lip, his eyes dancing with amusement at both of our reactions, seeming to gloat over the shock on Andy's face and my ghostly complexion- I can't believe he said that!

I knew this was a fucking terrible idea.

"He's busy, you can just email them to him, I'll give you his email when I give you your pay," he replies smoothly, shoving his hands into his tight jeans.

"Why are you handling all of this?" I question, dropping my brows in confusion.

I know he said he was friends with the owner, but this still seems odd.

"Because I can," he replies simply, "You should get to work, I'm sure I'll see you throughout the night, I've organized free drinks at the bar for your friends."

My face drops as Sophie's lights up excitedly over the promise of free alcohol. I didn't miss the fact that he purposely referred to Andy as a friend.

"Boyfriend," Andy corrects indignantly, puffing his chest out as he clings to me.

Lucas only smirks, ignoring Andy as he leans forward to speak into my ear, "Have fun tonight, and by the way, that outfit of yours is doing very dangerous things to me... Angel"

My breath hitches as he pulls away, my skin prickling as his words seep into my blood.

Lucas gives me a wink before turning and sauntering casually back to his place on the couch, and I ignore the twisting in the pit of my stomach as the two women on the couch fawn over him as he sits.

I look to the ground, frowning, confused as to why that suddenly bothered me.

"You have a lot of explaining to do when we leave tonight," Andy says, scolding me like a parent.

I lift my eyes to his, feeling guilt swirl in my chest over the look on his face. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know any of that would happen."

"Just save it, Evelyn," he snaps. "Take your damn photos, and we will talk about this later. You're never seeing that man again."

I nod obediently, my shoulders slumping, "I won't, I'm sorry."

-----------------------------

The night so far has felt like I've been thrown into an alternative dimension. While I've enjoyed taking photographs of the people getting lost in their reckless and deviant behavior, it's also made me feel completely out of my depth.

The things I've witnessed tonight have felt like my eyes have been opened to another reality I didn't know existed, the lost Inhibitions, the drugs and dirty behavior of the people throughout the night has felt like I was capturing the dark side of humanity people often try to ignore, the sinful part that most people sweep under the rug and keep behind closed doors.

I thought people may have been apprehensive about having their photos taken, but it seemed to only excite them. Whenever my camera would be pointing at them, it would almost spark an exhibitionist streak in them.

I've never taken so many photos of women flashing their breasts in my entire life.

I'm so lost inside this world, so naive to everything around me.

The interaction when a man approached me, holding out an offering hand and simply saying "Molly?"

To which I replied with a confused look, "No, sorry, my name's Evelyn."

And he only burst into laughter, saying "You're hilarious" before shoving a pill into my hand and disappearing off into the crowd.

That interaction confirmed I really don't know what I'm doing here, nor do I know what to do with the possession of whatever that pill is that he gave me, which I promptly threw in the bin.

The wildest thing I've ever taken is an aspirin.

I've had the company of Sophie most of the night, joining in with a lot of the photos and taking full advantage of her free drinks, but I've also spent most of the night being riddled with guilt, with glares from Andy, who hasn't budged from sulking in the corner on a couch with his arms folded.

Sophie has even tried throughout the night to talk to him, get him to dance, or participate in some way. It seems alcohol really lubricates her dislike for him; he only dismissed or ignored her each time, saying he wasn't going anywhere and was only waiting until we could leave.

I often wonder if he's ever had fun outside of dinner parties at his father's house, or corporate gatherings, or playing those incessant video games he spends hours enthralled by. I've never really seen him do much else.

"Have you ever noticed that Andy is your mother but with a dick?" Sophie asks, staring over to him, taking another swig of her drink.

I scowl, shaking my head, "What? He's nothing like her."

Sophie looks, calling bullshit on my reply, "Oh please, he acts exactly like her, I thought you moved here to get away from that."

"I did, Sophie, and again, Andy is nothing like my mother; he's just not cut out for places like this," I defend, feeling slightly insulted over the comparison to my mother.

I know Andy can be demanding, a bit uptight, maybe a little prudish, and somewhat controlling, but it's only because he's so focused on what he wants in life.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Evelyn," she rolls her eyes, finishing the rest of her drink.

"Why are you being like this?" I ask, trying not to feel hurt by her remarks.

Sophie blows out a puff of air, her face softening as she looks at me, her lids heavy from the amount she's drank tonight. "Because, babe, you've put yourself back in the same bubble you tried so hard to get away from, and you just let him keep you in it. Are you honestly happy with him?"

I swallow as I glance at the ground, slinging my camera strap over my shoulder. "Yes, I am, this is just who I am, I'm just someone that stays in their bubble, Sophie."

Sophie frowns, placing her drink down on the table next to us. "I don't think you are, but you just let people make you think that's what you want."

I sigh heavily, fidgeting with the hem of my skirt. "I need to use the bathroom. I'll be back."

Sophie sighs back at me, knowing I'm avoiding this conversation again. She's tried having it with me several times, and I always find a way to avoid it. "Fine, I'll wait here for you."

I smile tightly, as I turn and make my way to the corridor I became so familiar with all those years ago.

I weave through the crowd of sweat-covered people, grinding against each other to the heavy rock music, until I reach the hallway, walking until I reach the bathroom door, and push my way inside.

To my relief, it's empty, and I take a moment to collect my thoughts as I rest my hands against the bathroom sink and stare at myself in the mirror.

I could never admit that Sophie was right, that I'd let myself slip straight back into the mundane routine of the life I had back in that small town.

I'd changed the scenery, just not the situation.

It is who I am, though, and I just have to accept that. I tried all those years ago to step out of my safety blanket, dancing with the side of life I'd been shielded from my whole life, and I just made a fool of myself.

I know that there's always that restlessness in my veins, that cloud above my head that reminds me of how unfulfilled I feel at times, like there's more to life than what I've had planned out for me.

But I manage to ignore it, I know it's useless and something that I can't change, I put it down to me just being a daydreamer, my over curious nature convincing me I want things I know I shouldn't.

I'm a meek, timid mouse. I hide where it's safe and don't dare to venture beyond that, at least that's one thing Lucas was correct about when it came to me.

Thinking of Lucas, I've barely seen him tonight. The last time I saw him, a few hours ago, was when he was talking to two large men, one of whom I recognized as the bartender I bumped into at the convenience store. I'm assuming they're probably friends.

The men seemed to mention something to Lucas, which had him searching his eyes around the room before walking off with a cold expression, with the two men trailing close behind him.

All three disappeared down the stairs, and I haven't seen him since.

I don't know why I find that so disappointing, or why I found my eyes searching the sea of people throughout the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Andy had been watching me like a hawk; I'm sure he would've intervened if Lucas had come anywhere near me.

I don't think I'll ever figure Lucas out. I don't even know if I want to.

Something tells me I wouldn't enjoy solving the mystery that is Lucas; there's a nagging in my stomach over it that there's a lot more to him than I'll ever realise and that I'm far better off not knowing.

I just wish I could get him out of my mind.

I feel like I'm being pulled towards him by a magnetic force whenever he's around me, captivated entirely by those haunting eyes and serene pink lips so hopelessly that I feel like I'm drowning in them.

I'm an instrument at his mercy that he could pluck the strings to however he pleases, playing me until I can't tell up from down or wrong from right, and I know that he knows it. I just wish I knew why I was so caught under his spell the minute I laid eyes on him.

My thoughts are interrupted by the bathroom door swinging open, and I panic as my eyes meet those same devious ones.

Well, speak of the devil.

"Just the little mouse I've been looking for, you wouldn't be hiding from me again, would you, love?"