Whispers of the Dark: Part 1b
Anthony groped his way through the darkness, his heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and confusion. Gradually, he moved towards the light that seeped through the keyhole and edges of the door. He strained his eyes, frustration building as the pitch-black surroundings made each step a challenge.
As he approached the door, his mind raced, a whirlwind of fragmented memories and nagging questions. How had he ended up in this situation? The uncertainty gnawed at him, fueling his growing unease.
If his memory served him correctly, he had attended a house party with Michael, intending to have a good time. A fleeting smile crossed his face as he recalled the excitement he'd felt earlier that evening. The host, Luke, was Anthony's most loyal customer, a fact that both pleased and troubled him.
Just days earlier, on Tuesday, Anthony had supplied Luke with his usual order of Molly and Xanax. During that transaction, which Anthony typically conducted with Michael present, Luke had extended an invitation to his Saturday house party. The invite came in the form of a specially designed black wristband. Anthony remembered the surge of pride he'd felt at being included in such an exclusive event.
Luke was known for hosting the most talked-about house parties in Port Harcourt. The air of mystery surrounding each event attracted an eclectic mix of guests: B-list artists, oil and gas industry professionals, aspiring runway models, and Luke's associates in the music industry. Luke himself was a big name in Port Harcourt's underground music scene, renowned for helping launch the careers of award-winning artists like Dusty D, Foxking, and Jungle Boy.
As they arrived at the party, Luke greeted them with a warm smile and embrace that didn't quite reach his eyes. Anthony felt a twinge of concern as he noticed Luke's state.
"Yo! Tony my G, the realest dealer in Pitakwa, you made it," Luke exclaimed, his words slightly slurred. He was wearing a white Amiri t-shirt, Givenchy shorts, and Alexander McQueen sneakers.
Anthony winced inwardly as the stench of alcohol on Luke's breath hit him. The overly tight hug Luke gave him was a telltale sign of how far gone his client was. A mix of guilt and worry churned in Anthony's stomach.
"Bro, this last stuff was lit," Luke continued, his eyes unnaturally bright. "I've been feeling so good all night, and I've got everyone lost in euphoria. Tonight's pure fire, my G, and I'm glad you could make it."
Anthony forced a smile, pushing down his growing discomfort. "You can always count on me for the good stuff," he reassured Luke, trying to maintain his confident facade. "They call me The Mad Scientist for a reason."
"So, what should I get you?" Luke asked, guiding Anthony and Michael towards the pool. "We've got all types of highs tonight: pills, weed, edibles, and different types of booze. You know people have different tastes and preferences when it comes to booze, so we got beer, spirits, palm wine, and the night's special mixed by yours truly."
Luke's eyes gleamed with mischief as he added, "A shot of the night's special will take you to another world, and I'd love you to have a taste tonight."
As Luke showed them around, Anthony's unease grew. The opulence of the party, the mix of high-profile guests, and the abundance of drugs and alcohol created a surreal atmosphere. Part of him felt a thrill at being in such an exclusive setting, but another part whispered warnings he couldn't quite ignore.
Michael leaned in, his voice tinged with awe and excitement. "Bro, this party is fire, legit and for the big boys. Do you see Onome, the Champions League winner with Selhurst, over there across the pool?"
Anthony nodded, trying to share in his friend's enthusiasm, but the nagging feeling in his gut wouldn't subside. As the night wore on, he found himself taking more of Luke's "night special" than he'd intended, desperate to quiet the troubled thoughts that had been plaguing him for the past 72 hours.
With each shot, the world around him became hazier, the faces blurring, the music pulsing through his body. In a moment of clarity, Anthony realized with a jolt of fear that he was losing control. But by then, it was too late. The darkness was already closing in.
Anthony's next conscious moment found him fumbling in the dark, his head pounding and his mouth dry. As he inched towards the door, he strained to recall how he'd ended up here. The last clear memory he had was excusing himself from Michael to use the bathroom. Everything after that was a blur of disjointed images and sensations.
As he approached the door, his ears picked up the muffled sounds of two voices. They seemed to belong to older men, their tones serious and measured. Anthony's heart raced as he tried to make sense of their words.
"Is our guest ready?" one voice asked, a hint of impatience coloring the words.
The deeper voice of the two responded, "We should proceed. He's about to make a decision that will change his fate. We can't afford to wait any longer."
Confusion and fear battled within Anthony as he pondered the meaning behind their cryptic exchange. Before he could process it further, his hand touched the door. To his surprise, it swung open effortlessly, as if pulled by an unseen force.
Blinding light flooded Anthony's senses, momentarily disorienting him. When his vision cleared, he found himself in a void, surrounded by an all-encompassing brightness with no discernible source. The door had vanished behind him, leaving no way back.
In front of him stood two men dressed in impeccably tailored suits. Their faces wore expressions of disappointment as they regarded Anthony. The air around them crackled with an otherworldly energy that made the hairs on the back of Anthony's neck stand up.
"Stand still," one of the men commanded, his voice resonating with authority.
Anthony froze, a chill running down his spine. As he stood there, facing these mysterious figures in this impossible space, he couldn't help but feel that he was on the precipice of something monumental. Whatever decision they spoke of, whatever fate awaited him, Anthony knew that his life would never be the same after this moment.
Thank you reading the second episode of the “Whispers of the Dark” series. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you missed the first part you can read it here: https://medium.com/@ideashubservices/whispers-of-the-dark-part-1a-c07b5039df53