Zenon's Game Chapter 41

Zenon Albert was trying to convince me that there's a party inside Axel's cupboard.

And this is why magic never dies.

"You've lost it. I always knew this day would come, and I am here to help," I told him, generously offering my services.

All I had to do was call in the men with white coats.

Zenon shook his head, not entertaining me. "Just get in."

I stared at him like he was crazy, "No! And I mean.... NO. You're not going to lock me into a f*cking cupboard. It's the most childish bully move."

We nerds know how this game is played. It ain't my first rodeo.

"I'm not locking you in a cupboard, Candace," Zenon sighed in disbelief that we were having this conversation, but I was already off on my own tangent.

"Give me a stick and call me Harry Potter!" I waved my hand in the air and pronounced Harry's name in a super British accent.

You know, 'cos Harry Potter lived in a cupboard under the stairs...

"Maybe if you look in the cupboard, you'll find a broomstick, Harry," Zenon played along, opening the door for me himself.

I gasped. I stared over his shoulder and double gasped. The cupboard was actually a basement door, with tiki torches that lined the steps on either side, leading down into darkness. Heavy music pumped through the floorboard and voices wafted up towards us.

"Is this a cult?" I whispered, thinking back to the old lady that greeted us, "Was Gloria trying to fatten us up?"

Everything about her little tea sandwiches and jumping jiminy references suddenly seemed very creepy to me now.

"And she took our shoes!" I gasped, convincing myself that we were about to be taken.

Zenon gave up on me and went in. I didn't even notice that I was holding onto him as he walked down the stairs ahead of me. I was gripping his broad shoulders, terrified.

He didn't say anything. The flames from the torches cast shadows on the wall behind us. He was quiet, and as I lowered my hand from his shoulder to his bicep, I felt his muscles flex under my touch. He tensed.

I almost stopped on the step I was on. Did he just react to my touch?

The air was damp and I felt the music vibrate through the floor. There were people down here.

"ZENON! Finally bro!"

A boy with a shaved chest approached us, pointing at Zenon. He had a gold, family crest signet on his ring finger. He pushed people out of his way.

Zenon nodded at him, "What's up, Bryce."

I think he expected Bryce to keep moving, but the guy stopped in front of us and they fist bumped. I looked at him up close. His shaggy hair was shoulder length and he had a short stubble beard.

Zenon brought the attention on me. "Have you met Candace?"

Bryce looked over to me like I was an insect stuck to his foot. "What's this?"

"I don't know how to answer that," I answered, "But my name's Candace."

"I don't get it," Bryce said. 

"It's a simple name."

"No, I don't get it. You two. Like, why is this a thing?" he asked, pointing from Zenon to me.

Neither of us responded - I don't think we knew how, we'd never rehearsed it - and luckily Bryce was a bit too drunk to focus. His mind had already moved on.

"Let's get you a beer!" Bryce suggested like it was the best idea he'd had all night, "I know you're all about the beer."

He led Zenon through the grotto and I followed. The floor was wet with a shallow pool. I now understood why Gloria took our shoes. We waded through the light pool, surrounded by others splashing each other as they danced. The lighting was dim. Rocks on the ceiling were illuminated by high strung torches. 

There was heating that made people strip. Music that blasted through the grotto. No food, only alcohol.

I started to sweat in my turtle neck.

"Zenon!" a stunning girl called for him, as she waded towards us in a bikini and sarong.

He placed one hand softly on her lower back and kissed her cheek. "Bianca, this is Candace.  We were at summer camp together."

Zenon was smooth.  And polite with these girls.  

"Hi," I squeaked. Bianca was beautiful and I could tell she liked Zenon.  

"First time in the grotto?" she asked, her dark hair wrapped in loose curls on the top of her head. 

"I definitely didn't expect this," I admitted. 

Can we talk about this for a second?  Axel had a GROTTO in his damn basement.  It was like the playboy mansion in here.

"Axel's parents are kinky," she laughed serenely, before focusing her attention back on him, "Zenon why don't you join us.  Oma's here too."

Before he could react, I encouraged him, "You should go!  Have fun!  I'll go get a drink."

It was nice of Zenon to invite me here, but I wasn't a part of his crew.  He was introducing me to them but I could tell they weren't that interested.  I didn't want to be a burden.  This was already an incredible experience and I was grateful for it.  

He gave me a confused look, wondering why I wanted to get away.  But he didn't push me.  He let me go.