TEMPTRESS

PANDEMONIUM

⚠️ Violence, blood, sexual harrassment
______________________________________

The Dove
______________________________________

I walk over to my tallboy drawers. Pulling out items of clothing in search for something nice to wear. I glance at the mirror above the dresser, scrutinising my reflection. Dark circles underscore my eyes, telling tales of late nights and early mornings spent poring over legal documents, learning about tax regulations and financial reports, preparing to assist Zeke in managing his businesses. These tasks felt tedious at times, my lack of experience sometimes causing missteps.

However, Zeke had ensured that I received thorough training. And despite the stress of adjusting to life in New Orleans, he continually assured me that everything would become second nature soon enough. His confidence bolstered mine, giving me the courage to tackle every challenge head on. But it was still fucking exhausting. My attire ready, sporting a short lilac dress, I step out into the warm, inviting embrace of the Louisiana night. Miniature lights illuminate the charming, quaint buildings surrounding me, creating a vibrant atmosphere full of promise. As I'm shutting the gate to the condos courtyard, movement in my peripheral vision catches my glance. I look over. And there, just out of the streetlights warm glow, the shadowed outline of a man stands. Staring in my direction.

He doesn't move closer, nor does he attempt to hide himself deeper within the darkness. Instead, he simply observes me with a piercing intensity. His presence fills me with an odd mixture of fascination and dread. He's dressed in all black, a hoodie with a jacket overtop casts a shadow over his features. I can't make any out, but I can tell he's a male. His figure stands tall, broad shoulders and his muscular arms are visible under the shined fabric. Indicating his jacket is made of black leather.

I stare back. My hand still holding the black metal gate into its hitch. The beep of the security pin machine pings as it waits for me to set it's lock. I look away, making a point to set the lock, my actions slightly exaderated in hopes of him seeing what I was doing. 6969. Typical Zeke. Always making prudent male jokes. I hear one final beep, signalling the lock was set until I re entered the pin whenever I come back home. I'm not sure how long I plan on spending out tonight.

I turn around in the direction I saw the man. Nothing. As if he just vanished in the cool autumn air. I looked to my left and then my right. Nothing. There's no way he could have ran up either end out of sight in that short amount of time. My condo was in the middle of the long mainstreets stretch. I stood there in silence. The twinkling of water fountains only heightened the strange sensation running down my spine. Something seemed off, yet I couldn't put my finger on it. I shook off the paranoid feelings, telling myself that there was probably some harmless explanation for the mysterious man's disappearance. Nevertheless, a sense of nauseous anxiety continued to simmer within me as I started to walk, venturing further into the heart of the city.

It didn't take me long, but I made it to town. Bars and restaurants filled with lively patrons were scattered across the street. Smells wafted from different eateries-fried fish, burgers smothered in sauce, steaks grilled to perfection. Music blared from various establishments, adding to the festive ambiance. Couples walked hand in hand, laughter echoing against the brick facades. People milling about in their diverse array of styles and colors, contributing to the multicultural essence of the French Quarter.

Street performers showcased their talents alongside locals and tourists alike, painting the landscape with music and laughter. Without hesitation, I stepped into a crowded bar, absorbing the energetic atmosphere. Southern rock played softly in the background, while raucous cheers reverberated throughout the establishment. Laughter and the buzz of excited conversations added to the electrifying environment. Tables were adorned with colorful glasses, candles casting a warm golden glow upon the crowd. Men wore casual button-down shirts, jeans, and boots. Women sported stylish tank tops paired with flowing skirts, bohemian earrings, and bright lipstick.