I had the dream again…

I got out of bed. There were blood and tears on the pillow again. I knew that I probably looked horrible, so I got up and headed towards the bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror…I was a mess. I took off my clothes and started to run a shower. I took a piss before I got in. I was in there for a good half hour. Then I got out; I had forgotten my towel so I walked naked and wet all the way from my bathroom to my bed, that’s right all thirty feet. I wasn’t even bothering to go to the linen closet. I just sat my dripping ass down on the bed and opened up my laptop. That’s when I saw the e-mail that would change my life, or rather life as I knew it.

“Job opening. Meet me at the Juo Tarr.”

My name is Jake, and I’m what some would call a hired hand. I’m an honest trade merchant most of the time, but when that doesn’t hack it, I do freelance. I was on the way to the bar when I saw the shadows of men and monster alike all converging on me, I’d say there were about twenty of them. It had been a while since I had a good scrap, so I stopped and dropped my jacket off of my shoulders.

The biggest one said,”Hey, punk got a problem?”

He was big, green, and looked like he should be stuck to someone’s shoe. He was taller than me and had the nerve to sport a leather jacket and walk around like everyone else. Sure I had my biases with aliens, but I had no problem with this one, I just needed a good workout. But my rule stopped me. It replayed in my mind, “Never start fights.” So I’d have to provoke him

“Why none what so every kind sir,” I replied.

I pulled off my shades, it was about then that they started to get violent. I pulled my glasses back on and jumped back. Street thugs were easy, take out the boss and you win. It was pretty evident who the boss was, but the problem was I had a feeling that a punch wouldn’t take him down; I’d need something else. I started looking around, and I guess that pissed them off because they started coming. This guy about my size came running up on me. It was an easy three piece, a turning round kick to the head, and a foot to the chest, and a punch to end things on a good note. Then two more rushed me. As sure of my hand-to-hand as I was, I needed to get to the boss and quick. I looked around and the only thing that I could see that might aid me was a terminal pole. I grabbed the pole and jumped at the brick wall adjacent to it. They were ready for a ricochet, but I had other plans. I yanked the pole right out of the ground, and I tried to make it look as easy as I could. Before I could take on even these runts, there would have to be some refining done to my makeshift weapon. I smashed it against the wall a few times, but the boys were getting restless so I swept them with the heavy pole and did a double elbow into their stomachs. Just then there was overcast. I grabbed my pole and began banging it up against the wall again, but I kept moving so that they couldn’t track me by the noise I was making. As I banged and scraped, the pole it got lighter and more manageable. I kept going a few steps more and then I hit something squishy. It was “great big and ugly”. It took a little while for the sky to clear and when it did all they saw was their boss at my feet. I made a smile at them as a gesture of victory and insult, sure enough they went their separate ways, really fast if I may add. I dropped the pole on that sluggish oaf and looked at the sign, the Juo Tarr. I was early, but what the hell, I went on ahead inside to get a drink.

I have to say I loved the look of this place. It was all metal and fiberglass, very modern, but that’s not what got me, it was the atmosphere. Every breath made me feel lighter and less stressed. I went and had a seat at the bar right next to a classic Britney Spearsy type. I was just about to talk to her when I saw the bartender; she looked like a ghost from my past. We struck up a little conversation she said her name was Liz, but I didn’t buy it for a second. I got her number and I was about to get on the dance floor and wait for my informant when the power went out. I pulled off my shades, just slightly enough, so that I could make out the bartenders face; I knew I knew her from somewhere, without showing my eyes all I could see were hers. I zoomed in and examined her pupil, so far so good. Then I zoomed out and examined her iris, definitely human. Then the power came back on.

“Lovely specimen isn’t she.”

I knew that voice; it was him. It was Count Vincent Scalisi. Even after all those years it was a voice you’d never forget. I was frozen over by fear. He reached over to touch my shoulders, and my glasses fell off. Liz saw my eyes and then she saw the look of fear in them. I saw her pull a gun out and shot at him. I ran for the lockdown door and jumped through the narrow opening when it hit me,”Damn, I left her.”

I started to go back for her as the door closed, and I heard Count Scalisi say, “Long time no see Liz…or should I say…”