Chapter 6 A Night Out

• "So, is everyone meeting at the staff lodge tonight? "
• Tillie asks, looking at herself in the mirror as she paints her lower lip with scarlet lipstick. I tried red lipstick once, while getting dressed for Halloween, only to remove it minutes later. I looked like a clown. But Tillie doesn't. She looks sensual.
• "Yes. We can also have some fun now before they work us to the bone."
• Lorraine slides off her bunk and swaps her magazine for a flask from the top drawer. I must have missed the memo about the flask.
• "Oh please. I heard that the masseuses work in six"hour shifts, maximum," scolds Tillie. Lorraine waves her hands in the air.
• "My precious hands need a rest."
• "Your precious hands better give my body a deep tissue massage after a long day of answering stupid questions from the rich," Autumn says, filling her flask with a bottle of vodka. How much has she had to drink? Is she always this friendly or is she drunk?
• "Hey, Prue, where will you be working?"
• "I'm supposed to be doing Outdoor, but they put me in Housekeeping."
• "Oh, that's where I am! We can go together to the training session tomorrow morning. Redheads need to stick together!" Tillie is obviously happy about this. I hate to burst her bubble and tell her I'll be transferred as soon as Belinda sorts things out, so I stay quiet and just smile.
• "That Outdoor team is a bunch of perverted men anyway. They all stood behind the yoga team this morning and watched them walk during their sessions." Rachel warns, taking off her shirt. Katie does the same.
• "Let's take a quick shower. We'll meet there, okay?"
• "Sure thing. Hey, Prue. You're coming, right? "
• Actually, I'm exhausted. I've barely slept in the past two weeks, thanks to final exams and nerves about this trip and fear of the unknown. Normally, I would curl up in bed with a good book and read until I fell asleep. I even loaded my e-reader with about fifty novels to get through four months of summer nights and free hours.
• But I want to have fun, it's the best way to distract myself from Abraham and my family in Greenbank.
• "Of course. Yes."
• "Excellent! The alcohol at the hostel is the only thing that is not subsidized, and it is very expensive, so you will want to bring your own," Autumn warns, adding, "unless you have money."
• I bite my tongue before admitting to them that I don't drink, that I have never been drunk before in my life.
• They're the kind of girls I never hung out with in school, although sometimes I wondered what it would be like to be their friends; to be part of the "crowd".
• ~~~~~
• Two hours later, I’m already sprawling out on the bar in the staff lodge with the girls, with at least five empty glasses in front of me.
• I was drunk for the first time in my twenty-one-year-old life.
• Mom clearly has never drank before, because if she knew how fun it is to be drunk, she wouldn't want to deprive me of that. I've gotten so comfortable with the other Star staff members so quickly.
• "So, what’s the name again? Abraham? The ex-boyfriend?"
• "Ex-fiancé. He cheated on me and broke my heart, that's why I'm in Alaska."
• The knot that usually forms in my throat at the mention of Abraham stays down and out of sight for once. That's a relief. Maybe this is the trick to getting over him. Alcohol and hunks in little clothing.
• "Oh," She gives me a squeeze on the arms, "Well, don't worry, honey. There's plenty to choose from here to help you forget about 'Abraham and The Jezebel'."
• "'Abraham and the Jezebel'. That could be the title of a play or something."
• "I'd rather see the play 'Prue Gets Even with A Hot Dude'! "
• I laugh. Tillie is so sweet and affectionate. I really like her. And I feel the need to wrap her in my arms and give her a giant hug, so I do. Her melodic laughter continues throughout the night.
• "Oh dear lord. Maybe not so much Jim Beam next time. You might regret it in the morning."
• "But it will have been worth it, because I had a lot of fun tonight."
• "Yeah, we'll see. Make sure to finish that water before bed. And maybe take some Advil."
• "Okay, I'm going to go out a few more minutes, to enjoy the fresh air. It's helping clear my head."
• "Alright. But be quiet when you stumble, got it? Most of the staff have already gone to bed."
• I nod, I want to go for a walk. The staff village is behind the lodge and separated from the guest section by a thick cedar hedge and a decorative fence. It's a bit like a secret garden. I'd like to explore it during the day.
• At this moment, however, I wander along the path, with a pocket flashlight in hand just in case I need it, my sneakers crunching on the gravel.
• Even in the middle of the night, it's beautiful. The paths are well lit and there are security cameras everywhere. I feel safe. Normally I don't feel so comfortable walking alone at night. I'm sure once the hotel opens in a few days, I won't have the luxury of this absolute tranquility. A squirrel jumps from its branch and scurries across the path in front of me, giving me a moment of pause.
• Do I need to worry about coming face to face with a wild animal? No. Belinda mentioned the electric fences around the perimeter.
• I make my way past the hedge and head towards the main guest area, observing the hive of balconies above me. Each one will soon be alive with guests. Apparently, they all have Jacuzzis. I've never been in a jacuzzi before. However, these are just for guests. Like the indoor and outdoor pools, and the hot springs.
• Basically, it seems like the only thing the staff can swim in is the bay, on the small staff beach that I haven't seen yet. I wonder how cold the water is. Is it warmer than the air? I could dip my fingers in and check...
• Before I can think better of it, I turn down the path towards the docks I reached earlier, stumbling over a rock before managing to regain my balance.
• I'm tipsy. I must be more careful if I get close to the water. The dock at night is picturesque, lined on the edges with lanterns, as well as with several carriage lights. Beyond that there is nothing but darkness and stars. My feet thud on the cedar planks.
• "Shh! "
• I warn, and then I laugh, because there's no one here and I'm talking to myself. I walk the long way, past the ferry, past a big white boat, the waves gently lapping against its side producing a soft thumping sound, all the way to the end, marked by a tall pole with a light on top.
• Falling to my knees, I lean forward, stretching my fingertips outward. Suddenly, my glasses slide off my nose and plummet into the deep waters.
• "NO! "
• I cry, reaching my arm out in a futile attempt to grab them.
• But then, a sudden strong tapping of feet behind me is the only warning I get before hands grab my waist and pull me back up.
• "What on earth are you doing?"
• A deep, menacing voice echoes behind me. I turn around, my heart racing. In the darkness, a tall, shadowy figure looms, with his face hidden by the moonlight.
• Before I can respond, the figure grabs my arm and yanks me closer.