Stanley

“You’re seriously gonna skip my birthday again?”

I adjusted my backpack and pushed through the library doors, the night air smacking me straight in the face.

“I’m not a party person, you know this.” I said into my phone, deadpan.

“I know you’re an ancient soul trapped in a twenty-two-year-old body,” Julian replied. “But come on, man. It’s just a party. One night."

I snorted. “Tempting. But no.”

Doing my usual walk, I cut through the narrow street that led to the bus stop, which I’d skip tonight, because of my shift at the bar. I was already late, which meant I’d be stuck with cleanup duty again.

“Dude, It’s gonna be chill! Just a few people. Pizza. Drinks. Nothing much." Julian whined through the speaker.

“Julian, for the last time I have work. You know, that thing people do to afford food?”

“Pretty please."

“No."

“But what if your soulmate’s there?”

“Then God’s got a weird sense of humor.”

He laughed. “Okay, okay, what if I promise, no pressure. No party games, no people dragging you into dance battles. You just show up, eat some cake, judge everyone, and leave.”

“You say that now. Then someone’s gonna hand me a red cup and start yelling ‘CHUG CHUG CHUG’”

“Stanley, you're the only man I know who reads 18th-century poetry for fun. You need this.”

“And yet, here I am. Alive and not in jail.”

Julian groaned again, and I was halfway to hanging up when the hairs on arms suddenly stood up. It suddenly felt like someone was following me.

I slowed a little, glancing over my shoulder.

Empty sidewalk. There was no one there.

Still… I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone had been right there. Just a step behind.

“You’re being real stubborn tonight, man,” Julian kept talking, oblivious. “What if we made it a themed party? Like… Mafia Night. You could come as a consigliere or something. That’d be your vibe.”

I didn’t answer right away, just turned a corner and kept walking, boots tapping fast now.

The feeling didn't go away, if anything it had intensified.

I silently cursed my imagination for running wild again.

Probably just tired. Probably just my nerves. Probably just—

click

That sound.

I whipped around but still nothing, just the pavement, buildings, a couple walking far off at the end of the street. Nothing unusual.

I stood there for a second longer, eyes scanning the shadows.

“You good?” Julian asked, finally noticing my silence.

“Yeah. Just…weird vibe.”

“Weird how?”

“I don’t know. Like…”

I looked over my shoulder again.

Still nothing.

“Like someone’s watching me,” I muttered.

Julian paused. “Wait, are you serious?”

“No. I mean...yes? Maybe. I don’t know. Probably just my imagination.”

But my voice didn’t sound convincing. Not even to me.

Julian went quiet for a beat. “Okay. Scratch the party pitch. Do you want me to come meet you?”

“What? No. Don’t be weird.”

“You’re literally the one being stalked and I’m the weird one? Haven't you heard about the missing girls?”

Yeah…I’d heard about the case. A couple girls had gone missing over the past few months, different schools, different cities, but same ending. Gone for weeks, then reappearing like nothing happened, smiling and defending whoever took them.

Cops called it Stockholm Syndrome and were trying to investigate the case but there was no turnup, though there were rumours that it had something to do with a certain mafia clan.

But the thing was, it was always girls.

Never boys. Until now maybe.

I sighed. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

More silence.

More watching.

I couldn’t see anyone but I could still feel it.

“You’re gonna text me the second you get to the bar, alright?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m serious. If you disappear I’m calling the FBI.”

I huffed a weak laugh. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I'm really being serious Stanley. One minute you’re dodging parties and next thing you know. You're a rich woman's fuck toy. Then again, that sounds better than your current life, at least you'll finally be able to lose your twenty - two year old virginity."

“Julian.”

“Stanley.”

“I’ll text you.”

“You better.”

I hung up and quickly crossed the road, rushing into Eden.

I slipped in through the back entrance, barely greeted the bouncers, and clocked in.

The air inside was...thick, like perfume and sex had made a baby. Low red lighting, gold-rimmed mirrors, booths with curtains I didn't like to think what was happening behind.

Yeah. That’s Eden.

A place where powerful women and female bosses came to unwind. They came in expensive cars and left with even more expensive secrets.

Me? I was just the bartender. The nerdy one they liked to tease.

“Hey, Stanley,” one of the regulars purred as she slid onto a stool. Her dress sparkled, hugging her body and making her huge breasts spill out. “Make me something sweet.”

I nodded. “On it.”

No matter how many compliments they threw my way, I always felt like a glitch in the system. I didn’t have the charisma, or the edge. But maybe that’s why they liked me. I looked soft and unthreatening. A boy they could pin down and walk all over.

But I couldn't do anything about it, the tips were good. Great, even and I needed every cent.

Still…sometimes I felt like a prop in someone else’s fantasy.

I passed her the drink. She smiled, winking at me seductively.

I smiled back, after all it was part of the job.

But then I suddenly felt that same shiver run down my spine again.

I straightened a little, hand still on the glass.

Someone was watching me.

Not in the casual, flirty way this women did.

This felt...heavier.

Like an invisible chain was being wrapped around my neck. It was probably the same person from earlier.

I glanced toward the far end of the bar, near the lounge booths and saw it.

A figure in a wide-brimmed hat, sitting alone. Perfectly still, head tilted just low enough that the shadows hid their face.

The person didn’t move or drink, just sat there.

I froze.

I couldn't help it, every cell in my body seemed to be screaming not to look away.

“Stanley!”

I jumped.

It was Amir, another bartender, tossing me a rag. “You gonna clean that spill or just zone out all night?”

“Right, sorry.”

I grabbed the tag then turned back to the booth.

They were gone.

I blinked a few times, my heart doing weird hiccups in my chest.

Had I imagined it?

---

3:07AM

Closing shifts were always the worst. My arms felt sore and my brain mush. I was just locking the register when my phone buzzed with a message.

Unknown number?

I frowned, tapping it.

Unknown: Hi, babyboy. I like you.

I blinked. My fingers hovering over the screen.

The hell?

Me: Who is this?

No answer.

I shoved my phone in my hoodie pocket, annoyed. Probably a mistake.

It buzzed again and I pulled it out.

Unknown: Your future wife.

I frowned harder.

Me: Excuse me? I don't even know you.

Unknown: Doesn't matter.

Me: Well, it matters to me and I also don't like you.

Unknown: It wasn't a question.

I swallowed.

Was this...some kind of sick joke?

A prank maybe.

Unknown: Sleep well, babyboy and better dream about me. In fact, I'll make sure you do.

The hell?