The Underground: Part 4

Anna hated walking solo late at night. The bar was located on the outskirts of downtown in an open area by the river, parking lots all along the other side of the ride. A shame she did not park there. She heard her mother’s whining voice in her mind, warning her against being by herself at night. The empty parking lots, as well as the expressway overhead, deathly quiet, added to her lonely malaise. She was already cursing staying so late after her friends all took off, leaving only Otto as company. They all assumed she had a thing for him and wanted to stick around, probably already gossiping about a one night stand or some other fantasy. He wasn't even dating material.

She always sensed a glimmer of death at night. When the darkness and shadows appeared her mind tried to fill in the gaps where her eyes couldn’t see, always imagining the worst. Indoors at night was her home. She wanted to mock night’s ominous gaze as she basked in luminescence. It was a safe city by any standard, but pernicious shadows and ominous lighting can make anywhere feel like a cemetery. She sometimes cursed her artistic inhibitions, her mind painting pictures in the shadows again. She parked in a lot about six blocks away. At least the lights lit up the roads better later on.

A damp coolness didn't bode well for the light coat she was wearing, the thick air feeling like a light fog. “Maybe I should have let him walk me. Ugh! It feels so creepy!” She muttered.

Still, he was a complete stranger, but not the type to try something stupid. One could never be certain, but at least the threat would be tangible and more innocent. She had the instinctive assurance he was a decent guy. She checked her cell phone. The time was 1:24 AM. She contemplated who might be awake this late to call, and then tossed it back in her purse in a huff.

What am I going to say? I have nothing to say that won't make me feel dumb. I have friends who won't mind.

She strolled to the sidewalk on the other side of the road, running parallel to a river going through the downtown of the city. The walkway descended to a landing dock with a small gazebo. Inside the gazebo was a female waving at her. She was almost sure it was Constance from before.

Weird. Just weird.

Anna carried ahead, stopping after a few paces when the sentinel street lights all around her shut off. As if they were working on concert, thick clouds moved in, thwarting the moonlight aura. At the same time, all the building lights flashed off.

“A power outage? Citywide? Just great!” Anna pouted as she reached for her cell phone again. It shut off. She frantically tried to turn it back on. It refused.

You’re kidding me. Just what I need.

It was only light enough to see a meager distance. It was deep woods thunderstorm black, maybe luminous enough locate her car with some luck, but not nearly enough to feel comfortable about it. The only illumination was from the gazebo, a strange purple hue emanating from it. The usual background noise of light traffic over the highway was non-existent. She could only hear the faint rustling of the river.

“Crap,” she exclaimed.

Something scurried to her right, piercing red eyes gazed at her for a moment before disappearing. She instinctively reached for her pepper spray to point it at nothing at all. Whether it was her overactive imagination or reality, she quickly ran to the gazebo to wait out the blackout.

“Hey again!” Constance said, waving again, her eyes wide in amusement. “Rather odd thing to happen wouldn't you say? Rather hard to get anywhere without being able to see your hand in front of your face!” Constance leaned back on the bench, and Anna saw a glimmer of metal on the side of her waist.

A sword?

Constance unfastened it and showed it to Anna. It was a short sword, two feet long. It had a plain hilt, but the metal seemed to glow. “Yeah, it's a little old fashioned, but everyone has their quirks.” Anna could not decipher the inscription on the hilt.

“Yeah, I suppose so,” Anna gazed away to the black city, contemplating what option to take. She felt safer with her current company, as odd as that company acted, but still she made her very uncomfortable. Anna felt as crazy as her company. The mutilated part of Constance's face didn't help. She always had to look away and every time cursed herself for being so shallow. She couldn't see where the dim light was coming from, the light seeming to envelop Constance.

“What are you doing here?” Anna asked.

“Long story and time's a little short for details. Short story, well, you've attracted some rather bad elements. Guess it all boils down to if you’ve ever longed for an adventure,” Constance said.

“I…can't really say I have.”

Constance snickered. “It's always the ones who want the simple life. I really can't say how much help I'll be. Not the strongest against these unsavory elements but luckily it's never too late until it's too late. Well, you know what I mean. I'll be as much help as possible.”

“Really? You think of yourself as some guardian angel?”

“No, I'm human just like you. Well, not JUST like you, there are some differences that you would find peculiar and all. Don't worry, you'll get some better assistance than me.”

The river’s current rustled more powerfully. Goosebumps formed in Anna's arms as a cold breeze passed through.

“Okay, guardian, you would be the perfect person to walk with me to my car, right?”

“Scared already?”

“This is freaking me out! Are you sane enough to notice it's completely dark outside?”

“I'm sorry, I really am. I can't help you like that. I'm much more limited than you might think.”

“What are you talking about? Are you on meds or something? Tell me you’re not a schizo!”

“I can help you out with the dark a little at least,” Constance reached under the park bench and presented a small flashlight. “This should help.”

“You're serious? Thanks but really, I think I'll be fine walking back. All I want is some sleep and don't want to worry about all this stuff.”

“Take the light,” Constance replied. Her sweet demeanor disappeared.

“All I want is some sleep!”

“I'm afraid you aren't getting any tonight, Miss.”