This is my entry for the April Fools' competition.
It is indeed an April Fools' story, but is also quite properly an Erotic Horror story, with the emphasis on horror versus eroticism. It involves non-consent, fear and both physical and sexual abuse. If that sort of fictional depiction bothers or offends you, or if you are bothered by dark tales, please read no further. There are lots of fun alternatives.
Happy reading!
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The corner newspaper box headline was hard to miss, April thought as she hurried past it. Every paper in the city, every news channel, every webcast was locked onto the ongoing mystery.
Over the three months since New Year's, 10 people - including eight university students - had been reported missing. Two couples were among them, the rest were young women. Police and university security had issued warnings - stay together, don't trust strangers, don't accept drinks from anybody you don't know. The university had created 'safe waiting spaces' for female students and staff. A task force had been announced. City Council had debated more lighting and security cameras. Opinion polls had been taken.
People continued to disappear.
She slowed as she stepped into The Lockup, her favorite bar. "Hey, Bandit," she greeted the owner behind the bar. She and he were both old familiars, so to speak. He smiled, one gold tooth showing in his lopsided grin. Without asking, he poured her usual cooler, pushed it across the bar. "Hey, April. How ya doin', sweetie?"
She took a sip, put it back on the bar. "I'm doing fine, Bandit. How's business?"
"Slow, darlin'," the man frowned. "Too many young folks scared to leave their dorm. How's an old man to make a livin', I ask ya?"
Bandit was hardly that old, but he'd been a fixture in the university town for a generation of students. Middle-aged and still muscular, with numerous tattoos and a gold earing, he wore a short goatee and kept his shaved head under a bandana. He made a point of being student-friendly and was always open to supporting sports teams, special events and so forth. Folk-lore said that he had an MBA from Chicago but had dropped out of high finance to have more fun. It was certain that he'd been a father figure, informal advisor and confidant for hundreds of young men and women.
"Maybe we can do something about business tonight, Bandit. I'm meeting Deb and Marie here -- have you seen them yet?"
"Not yet, but find a seat and I'll steer 'em your way when they get here."
"Thanks."
The young woman took her drink and moved to a back booth. Looking around, she saw the beginnings of the usual Saturday night crowd. Posted here and there on the walls were missing person posters distributed by the police and families.
Several young men drifted by to ask if they could join her, but she turned them down as politely as possible, explaining that it was a Girls' Night Out and maybe they could ask again once the others showed up. She had an endearing smile and her charm sent them on their way feeling privileged to have talked to her.
Deb and Marie arrived together a few minutes later. The trio were old, old friends. They'd been getting together Friday nights since just about forever. As is so often the case with close friends, the three were a study in contrasts.
Deb was short and, while rather heavier than current fashion might have favored, was vivacious, had a winning smile and possessed an amazing bosom. Deb was rarely without male attention. Marie was a tall brunette with short hair, very slim but very cute. She didn't smile all that often and was generally serious until she'd had a couple of drinks. She billed herself as being 'between boyfriends', but both of the others thought she should get moving on that. April was of average height and had pale blonde hair that fell well past her shoulders, set off by stellar green eyes. She thought of herself as skinny, but the men in her world all thought she was bubbling hot, with a fascinating figure. All three were dressed casually.
Bandit showed up with a round within a minute of the others' arrival. Girls' Night Out had commenced.
The evening went by quickly. There was a small dance floor and a barely-passable live band; the three women were asked to dance any number of times, always accepting, always returning to the same table afterwards. Towards the end, Deb and Marie drifted away with a couple of cute boys.
Good on them,
April thought to herself.
But I know where they'll wind up.
It was getting late and the crowd had thinned out. Exams were not that far off and even the most dedicated party animal knew they needed at least some sleep to study.
"Bandit?" April asked, leaning against the bar. "Have you seen Marie and Deb?"
The bartender was in the process of cleaning up and mentally urging the few late-staying customers to finish up and go home.
"Thought they left with those two young fellas in the football sweaters," he replied, hefting an empty keg. "Though, come to think of it, I think I mighta seen the tall one heading out the back door." Favored customers were sometimes permitted to save a couple of minutes' walk by cutting through behind the bar to get to the rear parking lot.
April frowned. The three girls had agreed to go home together. Shrugging, she sat down at one of the bar stools. They knew how to find each other; they always did. On impulse, she picked up a tray and started collecting empties.
Bandit's wrinkled face brightened when she brought the full tray and placed it on the bar before picking up another empty one. "Thanks, darlin'! Changed your mind about workin' for me?"
"Nope, just hoping they come back," she replied.
"Yeah, it's not a good time for pretty young gals to be walking alone."
With her help, The Lockup was soon ready for another day. Having bolted the door behind the last customer and pushed the last tray of glasses into the washer, Bandit took the mop and pail into the back rooms; she heard dirty water being poured into the drain. A minute later, he appeared with two frosted glasses.
"Here, sweetie. I owe ya for your help. Want a lift home?"
"No, thanks, Bandit. I'm only a five-minute walk. Anyway, I thought you lived upstairs?"
"I do, I do, but times is weird now and I don't want to lose a good customer. Anyway, yer meetin' up with your friends tomorrow, so ya need to get to bed."
April yawned. It
had
been a long day and, now that the evening was winding down, she was suddenly very tired.