Private New Year's Walk

When she saw Zadya shiver, she offered her coat to keep her warm. She knew Nagas were cold-blooded, and the winter could be dangerous for them.

"You are welcome, But you should get a heavy coat if you are going to be out on a night like tonight."

There was something amiss here, but she just could not put her finger on it. It could be her paranoia, but she had an odd feeling they were not alone.

A little dizzy? Eliana smiles, "Consider yourself lucky. Tomorrow all you might have is a mild headache. After my first, I had such a hangover. I wished I was dead."

On the way, that eerie feeling was getting stronger. She was certain someone was out there and, maybe, following them, but she could not get a fix on them. She kept a nonchalant attitude not to alarm Zadya. Still, she kept her eyes, ears, and nose searching for whoever was out there.

She was a bit distracted when Zadya apologized, "What? You didn't do anything wrong."

She could not shake the feeling, but it just could be a coincidence. Well, there was a way to find out for sure. She made a detour down another road.

Eliana chuckled, "well, as for me, I rather have too much covered in this climate than too little. Especially you. I can generate heat, and you can not. Hypothermia is not something to take lightly."

She nodded at Zadya's question, "That, and eat some light toast or cracker but, not saltines. If that does not work, take some ibuprofen. If you feel a little queazy, a little Pepto should help."

Looking her over and judging her body mass and watching how she slithered (a pretty good sign of how drunk she was), she shook her head, "I don't think you have to worry."

Eliana glanced over to Zadya and smiled as she leaned close to her ear, "Yes, we are being followed. I noticed them some time back. I was not certain until now that they were following us. That is why I took us down this alleyway."

Keeping up appearances, "Oh!" she laughed, "If that was your worst, then I don't think you have anything to worry about. You should have seen the mess I got myself into'" she laughed while shaking her head.

Down the alleyway, the throbbing of rock music could be heard and felt. She reached a heavy metal door and knocked a special knock.

She winked at Zadya, "I think you will like this place. The owner is one cool werewolf."

When Zadya told her what her friend said, Eliana, did a combination choke/laugh while rolling her eyes, "Ah-ha! Well, maybe it is time to trade them in for better friends. Who knows, you might be able to get a refund under the Lemon Law."

When Zadya mentions her friend might be following, Eliana sighed and shook her head, then yelled, "Ok! We know you are back there. You might as well join us."

Turning her attention back to Zadya, she smiled, "Don't be. You are not responsible for their actions."

With Zadya's complement, it was now time for Eliana to blush, "Thank you. Although I don't think you know me well enough. Just give me time." She gave Zadya a wink as she stepped aside to let her in.

Eliana grinned when Zadya complemented the place, "I had the same feeling when I first saw it. Actually, I stumbled on this place quite by accident. I saw a bunch of kids heading down the alley and followed them."

The staff was all wolfed out, wearing T-shirts with their logo and jeans. Except for one, he was in human form wearing a full-moon colored suit.

When he saw Eliana, he smiled, "Eliana."

"Leon, this is Zadya. She has just turned eighteen. Also, we were followed."

His smile faded. He glanced over to one of the bouncers and motioned to the door. The bouncer nodded and headed outside.

His smile returned as he led the two ladies to the bar section and leaned over the bar, "We have a birthday girl here. Give her the special."

The bouncer stepped outside looking tough while scanning the alleyway. Satisfied whoever was following had left, he reentered the place.

Eliana smiles as she points out others on the dance floor, "No. Just some nights, there are more werewolves the others."

Leon smiled, "Most of the werewolves here are from my pack. But, the night is young, so who knows..."

When Zadya apologizes, Leon laughed, "Don't worry. We get all kinds here, "pointing up to a pair of ghosts spinning above the other dancers. "If they want in, no problem. All we require is they be visible."

When Zadya asked about the special, Eliana just shrugged, "I have no idea."

The bartender returned with a bacon-wrapped filet with a sparkler stuck in it and a tall glass of a virgin drink.

Eliana sniffed the drink, then looked at the bartender, "Really?"

"We have a simple rule here - if you do not know them, card them," turning to Zadya, "your ID, please?"

The bartenders could smell alcohol on both their breaths, but rules are rules.

Eliana grinned and nodded, "A good rule." She would not like anything to happen to this place since she had sunk a large amount of money into it.

The bartender, with a nod, took the ID and disappeared into the back.

Seeing Zadya's night was better, Eliana smiled with a nod, "That is what friends are for, especially on a day like today."

Then Zadya asks why which caused Eliana to pause. She was not expecting that and was not sure herself.

She shrugged, "I just felt like the right thing to do. Oh, I am one of those girls that like her life all planned out. All my T-s crossed, and I-s dotted. I have also learned that sometimes fate throws something at you, and all you can do is pick it up and run with it. What should have been the worst day of my life ended up being the best."

She winked at Zadya and smiled, "You never know where fate takes you until you actually go there."

The bartender returned with Zadya's ID and handed it back to her, "Zadya, you are good to go," pointing up to the menu above him listing all sorts of drinks.

"And for you, Eliana?"

Not even looking up to the menu, knowing it would not be there, "That special dark lager."