Before DNA

It has been a few months since Paige's death. Still, Clayton Milton has not been himself because, in every of his quiet time, the memory of Paige's corpse always flickered in his mind. Each time this happens, his heartbeat accelerates to a violent bang against his chest.

The champagne sparkled and frothed as he was filling the wine glass in his left hand. Then he listened to the relaxing fizz and pops produced by the eruption of bubbles. He was sitting on a fluffy sofa in his wide, well-furnished, and luxurious living room waiting for his sister, Lucinda, to arrive so that he would take her to Paige's club and show her around.

Since Paige died, her club has been shut down for six months. Within this period, Clayton had discussed with Lucinda, telling her to manage the club which she agreed on. Well, there was something she didn't know.

He picked up the wine glass from the small stool beside the sofa and sipped the drink.

"Hey, Clay!" Lucinda's gentle voice vibrated his eardrums.

Lucinda was his younger sister, but each time he saw her he was fascinated by her beauty. She was standing behind him, looking hot in her short, sleeveless body hug gown. Her scanty brown hair swung forward as she looked down at him with her blue eyes. Her red lips pulled in a smile.

"Hey, Lucinda," He smiled. "Coming here took you forever."

She took the drink off his hand and said, "Busy with kids, you know. You should be glad that I've finally made it here." Then she sipped it.

***

Clayton slowed down the pace of his car as they arrived at Paige's club. He heaved a sigh and looked at Lucinda who seemed comfortable with the environment. Driving slowly, he parked right in front of the club.

It was a very cloudless day. Various vehicles honked and rumbled as they drove to and fro on the sterile two-lane road. Some streetlights were mounted in a single file on the long pavement that divided the road in the middle.

"Do you like the place?" Clay asked while leaning against his white car.

Smiling and darting her eyes, she said, "I love this place!" She imagined how the place will look at night when the streetlights illuminate the road.

Lifting her blue gaze, she read the graphic design inscription above the entrance of the building– Paige's Club.

"You're gonna change that name, I guess," Clayton said but didn't know if she answered or not because he was already lost in his thoughts. When Lucinda read that name earlier, his heart began to slam against his chest, and fear gripped him terribly, such that he didn't dare to look at those inscriptions for a second time because something was terrifying about that name.

"Clay!" Her sharp voice intruded on his thoughts. Initially, the voice sounded like Paige's. He blinked as his consciousness propelled in his head. Fighting inwardly to wave those imaginations off his mind, he stepped forward and swatted a few numbers then the door parted open at once.

The club was glamorous and glassy. Lucinda admired the settings of the chairs and the shelf concocted with assorted expensive drinks. The shelf was enclosed by transparent glistening glass. She turned and saw a large tv that was mounted on the wall and the home theaters that surrounded it. All were SONY products. Wow! She saw another shelf where tumblers, wine glasses, rock glasses, and mugs were kept.

There were too many things that she admired here in the bar.

Walking a few distances away into an open space where a Snooker was, she looked forward and saw a stage. Beholding a huge glimmering ball slowly swiveling over her head, she could tell this was the dance floor.

Standing a few distances away and crossing his arms, Clayton smiled while watching the way Lucinda idolized everything.

"Any other place to show?" She beamed.

"Of course," He replied and felt the pressure of his rapid heartbeat. "Will you be spending some nights here too?"

"Did she sleep here?" Lucinda raised an eyebrow.

"Often." He replied.

Once they got to the passage that led to the washroom, curiosity struck Clayton and fear gripped him so hard, he felt a whirling sensation in his head. But Lucinda didn't notice as she was busy admiring the place.

Pointing at the door behind, she asked, "What's that place?"

"The washroom." He replied.

The day Clayton discussed the club with her, he'd told her that Paige traveled for an important program that she was carrying out in North Carolina, so he wasn't sure about her return. "How could she have left such a warm and beautiful place?" She turned to the large mirror on the wall.

"She might come back," He said. "Or maybe not. So, are you gonna change the name of the club?"

"That's not necessary," Lucinda replied. "As you have said, she might come back…or maybe not." Although she didn't know Paige, she liked her already. During her conversation with Clayton, he'd told her that Paige was generous and could give her the club permanently. That would be thrilling.

Breathing unsteadily, Clayton placed his trembling hands on the washroom door knob. He was feeling a strange pressure soaring inside of him and his head was void. The first This is where they found Paige's bloody corpse six months ago…and now he was about to push the door open.

Gosh! What if her body was still lying there…waiting for him?

Taking a deep breath he pushed the door open, and his blue eyes widened; he was expecting something dreadful. He thought he would see Paige standing right in front of him. He latched his eyes instantly. But when he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the shiny bath top.

"See how the washroom…" He gasped in shock when he turned and saw blood sliding down Lucinda's cheeks like tears, then his lips dropped. Gosh! What's going on? "W…what happened to you, Lucinda?" With curiosity gleaming in his wide blue eyes, confusion coated his voice when he askedStaring directly into his bewildered eyes, Lucinda said, "I'm fine. Just follow me to the mirror."

Her voice seemed to echo in his ears, and Lucinda looked weird this time. But he followed her as she was walking ahead of him slowly. Feeling like he was compelled to move, he was perplexed and it took a few minutes before he lowered his gaze, then he noticed that her legs were not touching the floor.

Christ!

Her legs were floating in the air and he could hardly see her feet.

***