She dreams of dangerous men

Why does she have to be here?

She wasn’t working here last time I frequented. I should’ve suggested another place, I only thought of here because it has a certain reputation when it comes to men and young girls. I try to avoid it nowadays because it’s a bit too public for my liking, but it used to get the job done when nothing else would.

That guy didn’t notice me walk in; seems he was too engrossed in talking to that pretty girl.

It annoys me more than it should, at least I think it does. I’m not sure what I’m feeling but I think it’s annoyed.

I’ll send him a text.

“I’M HERE.”

I haven’t thought about being annoyed in so long, it’s kind of refreshing.

The man’s phone buzzes and he leaves the girl with some parting words, taking his beers with him.

“I’m so glad you decided to meet with me.”

He places a beer in front of me before sitting down across the booth.

“I thought after we got interrupted, I might not have time to find you again.”

“Can we cut to the chase? I want to get this over with.”

“What’s the hurry? This won’t be interesting if we’re strangers and that’s exactly what we are. I don’t even know your name.”

“I don’t usually do this with names involved.”

“Well, if you want what you want, then you’ll tell me your name. Don’t play hard to get, it’s not as enticing as you think it is.”

I consider his words for a moment and then decide to answer truthfully.

“Kai.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Kai, I’m Bastien.”

“Great, can we get to talking about prices now?”

“Shut your mouth for a second, ok? I told you before, I see right through you. You didn’t call me for the money, we both know that, so fucking drop it. You want something else from me. I don’t know what it is and that’s precisely why I’ll consider giving it to you.”

“You really are a dangerous man, aren’t you?”

“People tend not to admit to me that they know that.”

Bastien finishes his beer and before the bottom of the bottle has even hit the mat, that girl is over to snatch it off him.

“Can I get you another one?”

“Sure you can, I told you to keep ‘em coming, you shouldn’t have to ask.”

“And what about you?”

She looks at me, concerned, expectant. She wants me to get away from this guy, she must have some idea of what’s going on.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? If I can help in an-”

“I said I’m fine, leave me alone.”

The girl looks hurt but turns away with the empty bottle in hand. She clutches her side as she leaves. I wonder if she’s hurt herself?

“Are you going to have yours?”

He points at my beer, a subtle way to return my attention to him.

“No, I don’t drink.”

“How bad must things be that you don’t drink?”

He reaches across and grabs it for himself.

“So, tell me, Kai, what is it that you want from me, what made you call me instead of finding someone else?”

I try to turn my head to check if the girl is eavesdropping on our conversation, but he gently grabs my chin and directs me back towards him.

“Don’t worry about her, eyes on me. Why me?”

“I called you because you reek of innocent blood.”

I see him wrestle a broad grin under control. He was happy to hear that.

“That’s interesting, you caught my attention because you’re drowning in the blood of the guilty. You’re submerged so deep; I nearly mistook you for the person I’m actually looking for.”

“There is no person that could be mistaken for me.”

This piques his interest. He leans forward and his eyes grow serious.

“Are you saying I made a mistake?”

“Depends on who you’re looking for.”

He ponders this for a moment before deciding to press on.

“I’m looking for a supposed serial killer, a girl of your sort. She manages to kill her customers without leaving a single trace. So, I couldn’t have made a mistake, you don’t look like the kind of person that could manage the impossible.”

“I don’t look anything like who I am.”

“Then tell me how you did it and maybe I’ll believe you.”

“Why don’t you pay the price and find out?”

He keeps the staring match going for a moment or two before roaring into a fit of laughter.

“You got me! You really got me! I’m interested, I want to know. So lay down your terms, what’s it going to take for me to fuck you?”

“I thought you knew I wasn’t in it for the sex.”

“I never said I wasn’t.”

“Fine, I don’t care, as long as you kill me.”

“What?”

“Before, during or after, just get it done.”

“You want me to kill you?”

“That’s right.”

“Why not do it yourself?”

“Let’s just say I’m not able to.”

“Then why opt for this route? There’s plenty of ways to get yourself killed even if you’re too scared to pull the trigger.”

“None of them are certain though, this way even when it doesn’t work out, the sex is something to do.”

“And that’s ‘why me’, is it?”

“That’s right.”

He takes a moment to consider what I’ve said.

“Right. I don’t care whether you’re lying about being her or not, I’m not passing up a chance to fuck a bitch who wants me to kill her. Let’s go.”

He grabs me by the wrist and pulls me onto my feet. The girl from earlier dashes over and grabs my other wrist. She winces as she does so but that doesn’t stop her from yanking me close and whispering into my ear.

“That man is dangerous, don’t go with him, I can help you.”

“I don’t need help.”

“But-”

Bastien lets go of my wrist and grabs hers, bending it back until she releases me.

“You really want to test my patience now Trish? After you stomached me for so long?”

She doesn’t react to him, she just continues her stare into my eyes.

“See? This is what he really is, he’ll hurt you if you go with him.”

Just as Bastien is about to snap her wrist in half I step between them and push her away...

“Stay out of my fucking business, I don’t know you, you don’t need to concern yourself with me.”

“I am concerned about you; I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m no one to you.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

I grab her by the neck.

“Then let me give you a reason to not involve yourself with me, I’m dangerous too, probably more dangerous than this asshole.”

She winces but she doesn’t try to push me off.

“You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Shut up.”

I push her down into one of the booths and she yelps, clutching her side. I feel bad for hurting her, but she shouldn’t be risking anything of her own to help someone like me, I’m not worth it.

“Let’s go.”

I grab Bastien’s hand and race past all of the eyes to the door.