Abandon mission

My eyes widen.

This. Damn. Liquor.

I know as soon as I’ve finished speaking that I've let my accent slip.

Who knew drinking on the job wasn't a good idea?

The party is loud with bodies packed together and music blaring. The last thing anyone is doing is listening to every intonation of my voice...

My gaze flickers to him.

The knowing incline of his chin suggests I’m caught. The smirk that spreads across his face confirms it.

I lower my liquor cup as disco lights dance across the hoard of party-goers.

My jaw ticks as I try to contain my irritation at this rather inconvenient revelation. I have no choice.

Abandon mission.

I slip away from the group easily and filter through the crowd like melted butter, aligning myself to whatever direction I need to go, morphing myself into anyone I need to be to get what I want in that moment.

It’s my skill. It’s why I got this job. And I’m about to mess it up if I don’t lose my tail.

I discreetly look over my shoulder, tucking my thick bang behind my left ear. My chunky bangles slide down my forearm as I make him out two groups or so of people behind me.

The music band is reaching the climax in their song but his body doesn’t move to the rhythm, it moves to me.

I have to get out. Now.

I submerge myself into a line of women heading to the greasy club bathrooms. Easily enough they take my hand like one of their own. After complimenting one’s outfit, she’s quick to offer me a try on. Perfect. Not my style but not the point - it's a way out.

When she’s distracted by another friend throwing up in the next cubicle along, I make a run for it.

There's no sign of him as I glance out the bathroom.

I enter the smoky floor of the club, the exit sign glowing above.

It couldn’t have worked out better.

I step into the sort of gloomy backstreet that you're told to avoid and 100% not be caught alone in, especially when mild-mid intoxication levels have been struck. It would make others shiver but not me right now. It’s my haven, my getaway plan.

I could almost laugh.

I step into the darkness, just as someone steps in front of me.

“Nice top.”

I look up from my stolen disguise to the person before me. I don’t bother to hide my irritation this time.