Read A Moonlit Night for Free Online

on her shoulder. He was a Cajun, with
rich auburn hair and intoxicating accent that made him just as
desirable as the woman he loved.
    “Jules, if she doesn’t want to drink, don’t
make her drink,” said Tyler, reaching for the shot of alcohol in
Emily’s face. “That just means more for me—.”
    “You’re such a lush,” said Julia, grabbing
the shot from Tyler’s hands. “This is for Emily.”
    Julia handed Emily the shot back, as they all
waited for Emily to pound it back.
    Emily starred down at the shot glass,
swirling the drink around. What the hell, she thought, you only
live once.
    The vodka burned her throat as Emily slammed
the glass down on the table. This was met by a round of cheers from
her friends.
    “There,” Emily said. “Now let’s go
dance—.”
    Emily stumbled for a moment, clutching her
head in agony. Her head pounded, and she could have sworn she heard
screeching animals circle around her, their piercing cries
screaming out to her. While she couldn’t understand what they were
saying, she somehow felt like they were speaking to her; calling to
her from the far reaches of her mind.
    “Whoa there, are you okay?” asked Steven,
steadying his sister. “I guess we know why you’re not a big
drinker.”
    Emily’s pain slowly subsided, and she
regained her composure. Whatever just happened, Emily wasn’t going
to let it ruin her night. What she didn’t know, however, was that
the headache wasn’t a result of the alcohol, and the voices in her
head were very real.
    As Emily lifted her head, she caught a
glimpse of a dark figure, staring intently at her from across the
room. He was a good-looking man, she thought. He was clean-shaven
with short wavy black hair. She was instantly attracted to the man,
as she followed the lines of his chiseled cheekbones with her eyes.
He was mysterious, and not something Emily usually found herself
attracted to. Yet, she could not seem to look away.
    “Emily!” Julia yelled. “Emily! What is wrong
with you?”
    Pulling Emily out of her trance, Julia
grabbed her by the hand, leading Emily towards the dance floor.
Emily looked backwards, hoping to catch one more glimpse of her
mysterious stranger, but he was nowhere to be seen.
    The dance floor was packed tight, and
everywhere Emily turned, she rubbed up against some greasy,
obnoxious lowlife. This wasn’t her scene, Emily thought, as she
danced with Julia. She wasn’t a party girl, like all her
friends.
    “You know, I think I’m going to get some
fresh air!” Emily shouted over the loud, thumping music.
    “What?” Julia asked.
    “I’m going to get some fresh air!” Emily
shouted again.
    “What?” Julia asked, pointing to her ear,
indicating that she still couldn’t hear anything.
    “Forget it!” shouted Emily, as she turned to
walk away.
    “What?” Julia asked, for a second time
pointing to her ear.
    Emily left Julia on the dance floor, as Tyler
and Steven arrived. Emily pointed to the exit, letting them know
she would be right back. She just needed to clear her head.
    Emily made her way to the backdoor, exiting
to the alleyway behind the bar.
    It was quiet, Emily thought. Neither a
smoker, nor drunk lined the alley. It was rather peaceful,
actually.
    Emily looked upon the moonlit night,
wondering what her new life would be like. Would she be happy in
Charleston? Would she find love?
    “What do we have here?” asked a man, from
behind Emily. “It’s an ugly place for such a beautiful girl.”
    Emily spun around, to see a man standing in
the middle of the alleyway. It didn’t make any sense to Emily; she
had been alone just a moment ago; how did he get here?
    The man was as rough as he was dirty. He had
long, scraggly looking hair, and wore tattered clothes. He looked
like an addict, Emily thought, with blood red eyes that pierced
through Emily’s soul. Emily was officially scared now.
    “You’re right, Jacob,” said another man, once
again from behind Emily. “She looks