by Daniel Gage
We left the casino, where there was already a crowd of people forming. The police hadn’t arrived yet, but I could hear sirens in the distance. I saw a taxi van nearby with the driver sitting inside, reading a book. Perfect.
It was difficult helping Jacob get that far, but we made it. I opened the door to get the driver’s attention.
Maybe because I was this Succubus thing was why people fell head over heels for me. Which made me wonder if I could control it.
“Excuse me, but can we use your van?” I asked, giving my best attempt at being flirty. I wasn’t sure how hard I needed to try to make this work.
Apparently it was effective. He dropped his book and turned on the van. “Of course! Where to?”
“Actually, I want to drive,” I answered, batting my eye lashes.
“You bet! Come on over!”
“Can you help me get my friend into the back? He’s kind of hurt.”
I think it was the first time he noticed Jacob leaning against me. “Wow, he doesn’t look so good…”
It felt like I was losing him. “Oh, no, he’s okay, just had too much to drink and fell over.”
He bought it. “Oh, that must be it. Sure, I’ll help.”
He got out and, with his assistance, got Jacob into the first backseat of the van. But then the driver started to get into the passenger seat. I stopped him.
“Oh, sweetie, I meant I wanted to drive it by myself.” I risked gently touching his cheek, trying to exert just enough influence into it.
It worked. He smiled, and stepped away. “Of course! It’s all yours!”
I smiled and thanked him, and climbed in behind the wheel.
“Call me?” he asked.
I smiled and nodded, put the car into gear, and took off. Poor guy didn’t even realize he didn’t give me his number. Or that his cell phone was still sitting in one of the van’s cup holders.
I told myself it was do or die, that we had to survive. I would never have done this just because I could.
I hoped that was true, at least.
