Mortal & Malignant

OUTLANDER

"Do you feel like some vodka?" Adrian gripped a bottle of Smirnoff in his hands and began pouring the alcohol into a new set of shot glasses.

"I guess I should have a few since that's how a normal party goes. Pour it to the rim," Adrian gave me a smirk as he continued to fill up empty shot glasses.

"Our good night begins at this one," he pointed at the fifth one in the line up. 

I reached over to the glass he was pointing at and snatched it from his reach before I threw my head back, downing it so quick that I knew I might choke.

"Nothing can change that now," i said through a few minor coughs.

I kept my head tilted back as I felt a burning sensation still running down my throat.

"Well, I know one person who could ruin it and I think he just spotted you," I looked up at Adrian in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" I turned to look in the same direction as him and I saw Jake, sauntering through the crowd. 

I looked back at Adrian and saw him grimace at Jake as he looked me up and down with a reppelent face of satisfaction.

"Look at him, acting all high and mighty. I can't believe he still follows you around like this," Adrian spoke with such anger as he continued to stare at Jake Whiler with discontent.

"He's just drunk," I began to bite my lip, I was under all sorts of stress.

"Why'd you even date him anyway? He's just some mainstream man-whore," Adrian slightly shifted his body in front of mine as he noticed that Jake was moving closer towards us.

"Just give me a shot, right fucking now. This is why I don't go to parties," Adrian handed me two shots before walking towards Jake. 

I knew his intentions were for my sake, but we all knew there wasn't going to be any humorous banter between them.

They had always naturally had a vendetta against each other.

Before he could even speak, I stood my ground and stared into his eyes. 

"Touch him and you're done Jake, I've had enough of you being a fucking worm and trying to wriggle yourself back into my life." I nudged Adrian out of the way and got up in Jake's face. "Whatever we had is gone, it's dead. Get over it and get a fucking life," I grabbed Adrian by the collar and pulled him away from the scene. 

"I'm leaving, I don't know about you," I said. 

"Why leave? It looks like the party has just begun," Adrian said as he made his way over to the bar.

Although we had just arrived, I had already had enough for the night after seeing Cecilia and Jake so I slipped past Adrian's gaze and left the outskirts of the party before sitting down on a park bench across the street.

Maybe contemplating the current situation wasn't what I was leading for because it was already bad enough, but I can never help myself.

No ride home and an empty cup, what a way to end the night.

"Need a drink? You look a bit lonely," I darted my head in fear only to be met with a pair of comforting brown eyes.

There were so many words jumbling themselves inside my mind, yet nothing came out.

"You look so familiar for some reason, what's your name?" The man asked.

"Serenity. Serenity Baker," he looked at me in shock, i watched as his eyes started to twitch and his eyebrows began to raise.

"No you're not. There's no fucking way. I can't be here! Shit. Shit. Why did this happen to me," he said.

I couldn't understand what could've possibly been going on in this moment, but all I reminisced on was the fact that he recognised me.

I watched as he stood up and raced off in the opposite direction of the house.

I knew deep down he knew something, and I wanted answers.

"Wait, come back! How do you know me? Why are you running away from me?" I sped up in a hurry and scurried to his side.

"If you know something about that night you need to tell me. I need any information for the police. That's how you know me, right? Are you scared because you know something?" Instead of fear, I felt frustration. 

He looked at me and shook his head.

"There is so much more to this than you know. I can't explain here, but the more you say, the more trouble you could be in. Keep to yourself, don't trust anyone. I shouldn't have come over to talk to you. I could've put both of our lives at risk," he spoke with such confidence, something I wish I had. 

I sat in confusion, trying to process bits and pieces of what he had said.

If he can't talk here, maybe he can talk somewhere else. 

I once again picked up the pace and continued to follow the mysterious man.

"What's your name!" I yelled, hoping that I would receive a response.

I watched as he abruptly turned around and shoved his face in mine.

"I thought I made it clear that we're in fucking danger. There could be people listening and your yelling around like I'm going to protect you," he then turned back around and continued walking.

"Why would there be people listening? This just sounds like some kind of twisted joke to me. Why does this have anything to do with what happened to me?" I asked in anger and confusion.

"Serenity. right?" He said.

"Yeah, that's right," I watched as he turned his head slightly to look at me.

"Serenity, shut the fuck up and just follow me if you're not going to leave me alone. You've been following for too long already so you'd probably have to come with me anyway," He seemed fed up and tired of the world, which I knew would make it hard to hear what I needed from him.

I knew I never shouldve chased after him, but until I truly know why it happened to me, I will never be at peace. 

I will never be who I once was until I know who was behind what happened that night.

I can't eat, sleep or live until I taste the freedom of being broken from these psychological shackles.