Page 15 of Synodic

Was Prism experimenting with some new projection mapping technology I’d never heard of? If so, it was extremely disorienting and hauntingly realistic.

I glanced around to see if anyone else noticed the sudden shift in environment, but everyone continued to drink and dance with their half-glazed expressions.

I shook my head, fighting the feeling of passing out right here in front of all the people, press, and cameras, but I was getting worse by the second.

Had the bartenders been heavy-handed with their pours? How was I already feeling this inebriated? I knew I was going to be a lightweight but there was no way only two drinks could have done this to me.

The club closed in around me, and I nearly stumbled with every step as if I were a lush. Walking in heels was hard enough, but with the added layer of distortion, it would be a miracle if I made it to one of the seating areas before collapsing.

My world flashed again, from extravagant nightclub to…to darkly veiled forest.

Oh no. Not here.

This couldn’t be happening. I only came here in my sleep, while I was dreaming, not while I was wide awake, albeit considerably impaired.

Fear crept up my throat like a toxin. Had someone drugged me?

It wasn’t possible. The only people to get me drinks had been Harlan and Natalie. Where were those two anyway? At least one of them should be back by now.

It took a bit longer for the world to right itself before I was back in Prism, and not having been fully able to see where I was going, I knocked into a group of men, nearly spilling their drinks all over the place.

“Hey, watch it, you idiot!” one of them bellowed angrily before circling to face me, rearing for a fight.

“I…I’m so sorry,” I apologized earnestly to the man with too much gel in his hair.

“Oh,” he said, changing his tone as he looked me up and down thoroughly. “It’s not a problem.”

Repulsion swarmed my senses. Everywhere his pitch-black stare roamed left streaks of grease on my skin, and I immediately wanted a shower.

“Looks like you’ve had one too many, doll,” he said, nudging his buddies to take in his find. They didn’t even try to hide their greedy gazes as they clearly undressed me with their eyes. It made me want to vomit.

“You're a pretty little thing. Are you here all alone?”

“Yeah, do you need some company?” asked another one of them with yellow teeth. He lassoed his hand around my elbow and pulled on me, attempting to corral me into their company.

I didn’t have time for this. Who knew how long I had before I was plunged back into the forest, blind to the world in front of me. And I was certain these were the last men on earth I wanted to be with if that happened again.

“No. I’m heading to my friends now,” I said, wrenching my arm from his grasp, nearly falling over in the process.

“You sure?” came the voice of a third man.

I didn’t even bother responding as I pushed my way past them. I could hear them laughing and calling after me as I desperately sought a quiet place to sit.

After an unsteady journey, I finally found an unoccupied lounge in the far back corner of the club. I pushed beyond the sheet of crystal drapery and plopped down onto one of the plush rose settees, hoping this dizzying two-world Russian roulette would end. And soon.

I pulled out the phone from my small clutch and fumbled for Harlan’s number. It rang and rang until it went to voicemail.

Irritated, I hung up and quickly tried Natalie, but same thing, no answer. It was too damned loud in this place to hear your phone ring or even feel it vibrate against you. I would just have to hunker down here and wait.

Suddenly, I was back in the shrouded forest sitting on a wide, moss-covered tree stump. For a moment, I was worried my dress wouldn’t be much protection against the elements, but then I remembered that no matter how real this felt, I was still only sitting in a secluded room of a nightclub.

The deafening din of the bar completely vanished, leaving only the calming sound of the wind whistling through the branches and wooden hollows. Grateful for the relaxing hum of nature, I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.

Now there was nothing to distract me while I fought for control over my mind and body.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Copeland,” came the deep lulling voice of the man I had been trying to avoid all night.

My eyes shot open.

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