“What did that guy say to you?”
“He..” began Ida then stopped. They found their seats again while Ida thought back. What did he actually say? Nothing threatening. Why did she get so worked up? Ida looked at Chi, followed by Daria and then Chrissi. She had no reason to be threatened. She was with friends. Maybe she had overreacted. She turned back and checked the area. He was gone.
“Can you see him?” asked Ida, turning her attention to Chi.
Chi looked around.
“No, I think he’s gone,” she replied.
Ida scrunched her nose.
“You’re being strange,” said Chi.
“What happened?” asked Chrissi.
“I don’t know. I think Ida brushed some guy off and she’s having regrets,” said Chi.
“No, it’s not like that,” said Ida. She had not spoken to Chi about what happened with The League. It was supposed to be behind her. She was supposed to be over it.
“He was nice to look at,” said Chi.
“Yes. He was, wasn’t he?” replied Ida, feeling herself soften.
“Who? What happened?” asked Chrissi again.
“Tell us!” yelled Daria.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s gone now,” said Ida.
“Fine,” said Chrissi. “So first of all, cheers. Congratulations, Ida, on the new job.”
The four of them raised their drinks.
“Secondly, while you two were at the bar, Daria and I decided that we’re all going to Mamma Schaukel to celebrate.”
“Not me,” said Ida. “I’ve got work to do.”
“Don’t lie, you’re going to that guy’s house,” said Chi. “He gave you his address and left. Didn’t he?”
Ida leaned her head and stared at Chi.
“Really?” she said.
“I can wish,” said Chi with a pout. “You haven’t mentioned any guys since I’ve known you, have you? What’s the deal?” asked Chi.
“Yeah, what’s the deal?” parroted Daria.
“There’s no deal,” said Ida, shifting in her seat.
“Uh huh, sure,” said Chi. “You can tell me about it later,” she whispered into Ida’s ear, poking her shoulder and insisting with her eyes.
The conversation then shifted to Chi and Ida’s experiences with their martial arts class. Chrissi and Daria entertained the idea of joining them, but admitted that they might feel differently when the alcohol wore off. Chrissi then carefully checked the remaining level of each person’s drink.
“Ok, drink up and let’s go,” said Chrissi. “I want to dance.”
“Chi, you’re coming, right?” said Chrissi.
“Of course,” said Chi with an exaggerated nod.
The girls finished their drinks and took turns going to the bathroom then gathered their things. Chi, Chrissi and Daria went to Hermannplatz to take the underground to Mamma Schaukel, and Ida began walking back to her apartment. It was 3:44 am. She tightened the scarf around her neck and pulled her beanie down. The icy temperatures were on their way, and would be there before Christmas, which Ida realised was only two weeks away. It was going to be her first Christmas away from her family. It felt strange just to think about it.
She walked the length of Weserstrasse then turned toward her place. The street she was now on had an industrial park which was secluded on a Saturday morning. She picked up the pace and tried to make it through as quickly as possible. She approached a large empty carpark which was barely illuminated by the street lights. It was eerily silent. She looked ahead and saw a figure at the edge of the carpark standing against the wall. He had a cigarette and was blowing the smoke upwards into the air. When she approached him, her adrenaline shot up. She walked even faster and tried to ignore him.
“Hello, Ida,” he said from the shadows.
Ida tensed up and halted her walk. Was it the guy from Gorbachev’s? If so, what was he thinking? It was a creepy move. Wait, did she tell him her name? He lifted himself off the wall and stepped out of the shadow. It was the guy from Gorbachev’s, but not the one who spoke to her. She recognised the black turtleneck and funny shaped head of the man who had been leaning against the bar. He had been stalking her.
“Who are you?” she asked.
He licked over his bottom lip and slowly moved his gaze over her body.
“You’re from The League,” she added bluntly.
He smiled at her words, revealing a distorted, unnatural look.
“Am I?” he said.
“Why are you following me?” she asked with more force.
She half cocked her fists and readied herself to fight. He looked relaxed, but there was something beneath the surface. Ida was unsure what exactly, but she knew enough about The League to guess.
“Don’t worry. I’m just a hopeless admirer. An innocent little bird who likes to watch from far away.”
“You’re very close right now.”
“Not as close as I’d like to be.”
“Come any closer and I’ll make you regret it,” said Ida, fully cocking her fists. Her hands were shaking from the anticipation.
“Yes, of course. You think you have your prince to protect you. Frederich,” he replied, his voice filling with poison as he said Frederich’s name. “He’s gone away for a while. I don’t think he’s going to be much help.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Ah,” he said, lifting his head and flashing his ugly smile again. “You think your karate moves are going to save you.”
“How long have you been stalking me, you bastard!?” she yelled, taking a step forward.
His smile turned into a chuckle. He reached into his pocket. Ida’s skin lifted with terror and she was about to rush forward and attempt a front snap kick when he pulled out his car keys. He pressed a button and the lights of a sports car on the other end of the carpark lit up. He turned and began walking away.
“I hope you like your surprise,” he said before turning around. “See you soon,” he added with a raspy voice.
Ida’s chest was pounding and she could barely breathe. Adrenaline was rushing through her with nowhere to go. He stepped into his car and drove away, leaving Ida with only anger and confusion. Damn him. What surprise? She could no longer stand to be still.
She stormed off, taking the long
