"Let's see, this must be your first time here." She spoke so closely, to the back of her neck. It was almost, a familiar whisper. The younger woman swung around. Eyes widened, in a state between awestruck and startled-surprised. "Yes!" She was slightly out of breath, but rushed to continue. "I just got.... " "Shhhh...." Countered the other woman. Meanwhile, she slowly looked her over, as her lips curled in a wry smile. "You won't need an explanation here. Getting that invitation, is the passport that says it all." She raised her brows, as if in inquiry. But then just settled to watch the younger woman. Her eyes boring into hers, as if she were reading her thoughts. That one shuddered, at the deep darkness she was either seeing or experiencing. Then simply nodded in understanding.
The stare seemed to have yanked her away, from her physical body. It was mysterious, but not in an interesting and/or intriguing way. Rather in an unsettling and sinister manner. However, she shrugged it off, as nerves of excitement. After all, five years ago. She would not have been able to afford a ticket, to see this woman. Now here she was in close proximity and scenic familiarity, with another world class celebrity. Pheww! What a roller coaster it had been the past couple of years.
First the audition that set the ball rolling, was supposed to be an idle prank. She knew and expected the serious and talented ones, to be well ahead of the game. But to her utmost dismay and eventual delight. What was simply a bet between her and her friends. Suddenly went from five seconds of silly fame, to superstardom. From the moment the organizers approached her, life had done a full 360 degree spin. She wasn't exactly sure, what her talent was supposed to be. But who was complaining? Overnight, she went from having nothing to say. To millions of followers, hanging on whatever she had to say. Even though the words, content, ideas and symbolic representation, were hardly hers.
"There are realms forbidden, because they soil the soul and fray the flesh." Chioma Onwudiwe /2020
All she ever really needed to do, was to show up. The parties, the booze, the hook-ups, the drugs and even the stranger things, were reasonable prizes, for this fame she now enjoyed. And then last week, the invite came. It was inside her luxury apartment, when she walked in. And yet the doorman never saw anyone, look for her and/or drop off anything. It was an impressive and classy stationery. A branded seal, held two overlapped wings together. All that was inside when she opened it, was a password, a map and two instructions. The password faded from the page, as soon as she read it. Which was not alarming, because it was something personal to her. A word that was as discreet, as it was disconcerting. The instructions were merely a dress code and a secret pick up location.
"Now," the voice jostled her back into reality. The woman was looking at her, with a smirk. An expression that was more condescending, than it was amusing. "Would you care to meet your neighbors?" "My neigh-bor-s?" She stammered. That stare again. One which made her feel like, she was drowning in a dark pool. "Yes of course, your neighbors. You know, the same worthy and willing guests here, just as you are." She finished with a smile. And this time, it almost seemed genuine.
End of Part One.