The night air was thick with the scent of alcohol and burning rubber as Claire supported Chloe, dragging her towards the parking lot. The world outside the club felt strangely distant, the muffled thump of music still echoing in her ears. Chloe was nearly dead weight against her, mumbling incoherent words as she swayed in Claire's grasp.
"Almost there, Chlo," Claire muttered, adjusting her grip.
Chloe groaned in response, her head lolling onto Claire's shoulder. She was beyond drunk, and Claire regretted not stopping her sooner.
The garage was eerily silent, the overhead lights flickering ominously. A shiver ran down Claire's spine, and instinctively, she glanced over her shoulder.
Something felt...off.
Figures were lingering near the far end of the parking lot, shadows shifting against the cold concrete walls. Claire's pulse spiked as she realized they weren't just standing there aimlessly.
They were watching them.
Her grip on Chloe tightened. Keep moving. Don't panic.
She quickened her pace, heading towards the nearest exit. A part of her hoped she was just imagining things. Maybe the paranoia was a side effect of the adrenaline coursing through her system.
But then she heard footsteps.
A slow, measured pace. Not rushing. Just following.
Panic clawed up her throat. She needed to get Chloe out of there. Fast.
Claire spotted a taxi idling just beyond the garage entrance, its headlights casting long, eerie shadows across the pavement. Without a second thought, she practically shoved Chloe inside before diving in after her.
"Go. Now," Claire told the driver, her voice sharp.
The cab lurched forward, merging onto the road. Claire dared a glance back, but the figures were already following them on motorcycles she had seen in the parking lot.
Her heart pounded in her ears.
Had they just been some random club-goers, or was something more sinister at play?
She didn't want to stick around to find out.
She didn't want them to follow them to their apartment, so she got the idea of checking into a hotel where they wouldn't be able to follow them.
Checking into the Hotel
The hotel lobby was a blur as Claire half-dragged Chloe to the front desk. Looking sideways for the people from the club's parking lot. The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes, arched a brow at their disheveled state but said nothing as Claire hastily requested a room.
By the time they reached the room, Chloe was mumbling something about tequila and bad decisions. Claire barely managed to get her onto the bed before exhaustion hit like a tidal wave.
She sat on the edge of the mattress, rubbing her temples. Her phone had been buzzing in her pocket, but she couldn't check it because of the situation they were in earlier and it buzzed again, but before she could check it, she heard a soft thud behind her.
She turned to see Chloe's purse spilling onto the floor.
Claire sighed, bending down to scoop up the contents- lip gloss, keys, and a few crumpled bills.
And then, in the chaos of the moment, she accidentally knocked her own phone onto the floor.
She didn't notice as it slid under the bed, disappearing into the shadows.
She stood up, running a tired hand through her hair. Chloe was already sleeping, and Claire figured she could step out for a few minutes to grab some hangover medicines.
She grabbed her wallet, leaving a quick note on the bedside table.
Gone to get meds. Be back soon.
Then, without realizing she had left her phone behind, she slipped out the door. The note flew under the bed without her knowing too.
Meanwhile – Christopher and Xavier's Frantic Search
Christopher drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, his jaw clenched as he listened to the endless ringing in his ear.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
A cold unease settled in his chest.
He had met up with Xavier at some point and both of them rode together.
Claire never ignored calls. Xavier had said and after what Ethan had said about her wandering around the club alone, Christopher's patience was wearing dangerously thin.
Next to him, Xavier was fidgeting, his own phone pressed against his ear.
"She's not picking up," Xavier muttered, frustration lacing his tone. "Chloe's phone is not connecting too. Damn it."
Christopher's grip on the wheel tightened. "Where was she last seen?"
"Chloe woke up at a hotel. She says she doesn't remember how she got there, but Claire was with her at the club. I'm guessing whoever brought Chloe to the hotel might know where she is."
Christopher's brows furrowed. A hotel?
"How far are we?" he said, his voice dangerously calm.
Xavier typed rapidly on his phone, then showed the approximate arrival time to Christopher. "We should get there before something else happens."
Christopher didn't need to be told twice. He pressed his foot against the gas pedal, speeding through the near-empty streets, his thoughts clouded with something he didn't want to name.
All he knew was that Claire wasn't answering, and that alone was enough to make his blood boil.
Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of her friend.
Nothing.
Her heart started pounding.
Had Claire left? Had something happened to her?
She fumbled for her phone, only to find it dead. With a frustrated groan, she scanned the room, hoping to find anything that could help her piece the night together.
That's when she spotted it.
Claire's phone.
Face down on the carpet near the bed.
Frowning, she picked it up, unlocking the screen.
Missed Calls: Xavier (7), Professor Miller(4)
Her blood ran cold.
Before she could process what this meant, the hotel room door swung open.
Chloe nearly screamed until she saw Claire standing there, looking exhausted but very much alive.
Without thinking, Chloe launched herself at her friend, wrapping her in a tight hug.
"Oh my God, I thought you were kidnapped!" Chloe's voice was muffled against Claire's shoulder.
Claire stiffened in shock before awkwardly patting Chloe's back. "Uh... what?"
Chloe pulled back, her eyes wide. "I woke up, and you were gone; I was just seeing your phone here, and I-" She cut herself off, realization dawning on her face. "I called Xavier. He's coming."
Claire blinked. "You what?"
"And he might've told The Professor 'cause he left a few missed calls..."
A beat of silence passed between them.
Then-
"What?!" Claire exclaimed, her stomach dropping.
A loud knock echoed from the door.
Chloe startled. "That must be them," she said. "How did they know our room number? I didn't tell them."
Claire goes to open the door.
Xavier stood there, eyes scanning every single place, relief flickering across his face when he saw Claire.
But right behind him...
Christopher and behind them was someone who wore the hotel uniform.
Really?
Christopher was furious.
His sharp gaze landed on Claire, his expression unreadable yet simmering with something dangerously close to anger.
"Would someone like to explain what the hell is going on?" His voice was low, deadly calm.
Claire swallowed hard, suddenly realizing that this night was far from over.
As Claire tries to explain, Christopher's protective instincts clash with his frustration, leading to an intense confrontation. Meanwhile, Xavier is just relieved both ladies are safe, but he can't shake the feeling that something more happened at that club.
Unknown to them, the men from the garage haven't given up yet.
Lurking around the hotel after they had trailed Claire from the club to the hotel and the pharmacy near the hotel.