Ahead of the Darkness by Simone Nicole

door, waiting for me to enter first. “This is the main storeroom, but as ye can see it’s a wee bit small.” It was tiny. It consisted of mostly cleaning and office supplies, with a few crates of wine and spirits. “The door there is for deliveries, but there is a small storage cellar underneath the bar that keeps quick refills. I’ll show ye that in wee bit.”
    He headed out and continued on to the right of the stage, and I hurried through that door.
    “This, this here is the staffroom and wee staff bathroom. It also leads to behind the stage for access through that far door on the left. Ye get ye own locker to keep ye stuff in. My office is the far door on the right. Ah... What else? Oh!”
    He walked off, back out into the main room towards the bar. I barely had time to look in the room before I had to run out to catch up with him.
    “This, this is where we keep the beer and cider on tap. The pipes run down to the pumps below, and some of our most commonly used liquor, and premixes too. It latches from the inside as well as the top, so ye cannae get locked in. Ye wouldn’t want for much if ye did, mind.”
    He opened the latch, and slid it all the way open. I couldn’t help but think how clever that was, instead of the traditional ones where they open up and out. I followed his descent, and started to shake as we went further down into the dark cellar. Long-suppressed memories struggled to surface at the deja vu feeling. A step creaking was all it took, and I gasped before I stumbled forward into Drew. His quick reflexes saved me from face-planting the concrete below. I struggled to catch my breath. My heart rate had skyrocketed and this time, it had nothing to do with Drew having his hands on me. One hand left me and I heard the click as a light went on.
    “Ye really do make a habit of falling for ... Mia?”
    “I ... I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. I must have tripped.” I shivered in Drew’s arms, and he gripped me tighter.
    “Ye cannae be afraid of the dark?” There wasn’t any humour in his voice, only concern as he stared through me.
    “No...I must. I’m just cold.” I tried to smile and step out of his reach, but he wouldn't let go. The room was too small, the air too thick.
    He reached a hand up to grip my chin and stared into my eyes. It unnerved me.
    “Drew, I’m fine. You can let me go.” He didn't. He just continued to hold my face.
    “Ye don’t have to come down here. One of the others will.”
    “I’m okay.” I was going to argue, but his face said, try it and see what happens .
    His eyes softened as he kept starting. His thumb absentmindedly stroked my cheek. I found it strangely calming, but the moment was broken when a sharp, high-pitched voice came screeching down the stairs.
    “Dreeeew? Where you at, babe?” Drew dropped his hands.
    “Come on, let’s get out of here and ye can meet Mac.” Mac? Babe?
    I gave Drew a small smile, which I thought was reassuring but it must have meant something different to him. He gripped my hand with a little squeeze and led us back up the stairs to meet a very feminine Mac.
    “There you are. I was beginning to think I’d have to start without you.” She giggled like a schoolgirl as Drew appeared out of the cellar. I had an instant, irrational dislike of her.
    “Oh? Who’s your little friend, Drew?” She shot me an incredulous look as I appeared next to Drew.
    “Mac, meet our newest employee, Mia. Mia this is Mackenzie, Mac for short.” He gave my hand a small squeeze before he let go, and put some distance between us. I was confused by the whole interaction. Didn’t Drew have a no-fraternising policy with staff? Yet, Mac acted like she had some kind of claim on him. Is she the reason he now doesn’t date staff?
    “Oooooh. Hiya” Her voice dripped with sweetness.
    “Hi.” I smiled what could be my trademark smile. It was lifeless and gave nothing away, but Mac didn’t seem to notice.
    “Mac can ye go get the cash