Chapter 1: The Nightclub Encounter
The bassline thrummed through John’s chest, a primal pulse that seemed to sync with his heartbeat. Bodies pressed together on the dance floor, a sea of swaying hips and raised hands, their movements fluid under the strobe lights. He leaned against the bar, swirling the ice in his whiskey, feeling the sticky residue of spilled drinks under his fingers. His eyes wandered, scanning the crowd for something—anything—to shake the monotony of his week. The air smelled of sweat, perfume, and something darker, something he couldn’t quite place.
Then he saw her.
She stood across the room, bathed in the crimson glow of a neon si