Author's Note: This is my first story ever so be kind to me! I tried my best and I hope you enjoy! :)
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Nights have always been lonely for me. Perhaps it's because I haven't had a boyfriend in over a year. Don't get me wrong! It's not because I'm not pretty enough or anything. Oh, I've had my fair share of boyfriends in the past. It's because of—Well, let me tell you my story.
My name is Catherine Atmore and I've always been a bar lover. I have to admit with a tiny bit of conceit-filled pride that I am an attractive woman. A thin waist and large breasts can get you anywhere in life. That's why I wear low cut tops and very short skirts. I rarely have to buy my own drinks! I was on the top of my game that night. Little did I realize what a fool I was. It was the night I'll remember for the rest of my existence. It was on this foggy night that I decided to go to my favorite bar alone. My girlfriends bailed on me, yet again. Screw them, I thought, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself.
I had just ordered my 6th cocktail when I felt eyes on me. Not an uncommon feeling for me usually, but this was different. A chill ran up my spine. I shrugged it off. 'You big dummy,' I told myself, 'you're in a bar, of course there would be eyes on you. This is no different than any other night.' I forgot the feeling as I concentrated on making the drunken geezer next to me think I was interested enough in him that he should buy me another drink. I had to give the old guy credit. He had more game than most of the younger guys who had tried to pick me up earlier in the evening. Not that I was even remotely thinking of going home with him. Ha! Fat chance. It was time to "excuse" myself to the bathroom.
"Whew! These things go right through me" I say mirthfully, "If you will excuse me, I need to find the ladies room" He nods to me and tells me that he'll be waiting or something similar. I wasn't really paying attention. My mind was solely focused now. I ran on auto pilot. I'd spend five minutes in the bathroom, adjusting my make up or just standing around, and then I'd come out saying that I wasn't feeling too well and needed to go home. The older "gentlemen" are very sympathetic, which is why I try to end my night with one of the oldest men in the bar. Horrible, I know, but I don't spend a small fortune on drinks every time I go out. I've been doing it so long that I have it down to a science.
It was in the cab on the ride home I felt the eyes on me for a second time. The chills returned and I started to get a little nervous. I remember pulling my arms close to my body, staring out the window into the night, and trying to convince myself that I must have caught a virus. I resolved to take some medicine and go straight to bed. The cab finally reached my apartment and I stepped out, giving the cab driver the fare. The only money I've spent all night, I told myself proudly. The thought cheered me up slightly and I made it up the six flights to my apartment door. The elevator was finally fixed, but I preferred the stairs. They kept me in shape.
My apartment is not much, but it's home. It made me feel better instantly. 'Maybe I will take a shower after all.' I mused. Sleepily, I began to take off my clothing. The one thing I hate about bars is that no matter how hard I try I always come back smelling of Eau de Ashtray. I threw my clothes in the laundry and headed towards my bathroom.
'A nice hot shower is exactly what I need right now, then I will get in the bed and pass the hell o...What the hell was that?' Something had flitted across my peripheral vision. I turned. A bat! How had a bat gotten into my apartment? 'Great! This is just great! I'm going to have to spend the next half hour chasing this thing around my house!'
"Come here you nasty thing! I don't want you here. You have to get out so I can go to sleep." I said to the bat. I didn't even have the energy to put effort into what I was saying much less than try to catch the thing. I'll just shut it in the laundry room and get it in the morning. Maybe it will be dead by then. As luck would have it, the laundry room is right where the bat flew to escape the big scary human. 'Alright, crisis averted; Bath time.'
A few minutes later, I was lounging in the tub. The warm soothing water helped me forget about my animal intruder and the guilt that Bar Night always brought. You're going to hell for what you do, my conscience would tell me. 'You do what you can to survive in this city' was always my response. Not that drinking my liver to rot was, by any means, "surviving". You only live once right?
"Shit..." the water had turned cold while my mental war had raged. "Well, I'm clean enough to sleep" I said to myself, which was true, except for the fact that my hair still smelled of cigar smoke. I stepped out of the tub and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror above my sink. Thanks to the combination of the cold bath water and cool air, my little bodily thermometers were standing proudly upon my breasts. I grabbed a towel to dry off and escape the chill in the air. I shivered. Damn, it shouldn't be this cold tonight. What is the air conditioner set on?
Anxious to get into my warm bed, I hurried off back down the hall towards my bedroom, only stopping to throw my towel in the laundry out of habit. I heard a squeak overhead and cursed out loud. I had forgotten the bat, which was now flying back towards my head. Using my hands to shield my head, I ran naked into my bedroom and shut the door quickly. Adrenalin pumped through my body. I leaned my forehead against the door in defeat.
