Free Hell's Gate: Amelia by Crymsyn Hart

Chapter One
     
    Amelia waved her hands in front of the mirror and sighed. No one saw her. Lila, the bartender, was busy stocking the shelves for the night. It’d be nice for other people to see me besides the supernatural beings who dwell here. Why can’t just a regular guy notice me? She drifted toward the center stage where her feet had once touched the wood. Now all she had were legs and sometimes those didn’t manifest. Death sucks .
    Once upon a time, she had been a showgirl in the roaring twenties. She glided toward the throne in the center of the stage and slumped down, resting her elbows on her knees. She cradled her head in her hands and stared at the empty club. Soon it would echo with the newfangled sounds that passed for music. The roped off areas would be full of people waiting to indulge in whatever fetish or voyeuristic appeal they were into. Amelia thought it crazy. Hell’s Gate offered her a refuge until the afterlife allowed her to traverse to the other side. It was either that or wander the streets and not be the victim of the soul harvesters. If they caught her, then she’d be thrown into an eternity of service or worse. A cold shiver gripped her even though she was already dead.
    “Why are you so glum? Normally, you’re breezing around here playing tricks on the employees.” Tig leaned on a speaker near the edge of the stage. The gangly manager had his arms crossed over his chest. He flashed her a smile filled with pointed teeth. His black slitted pupils showed that he was one of the unnatural beings who inhabited Hell’s Gate. She never knew what exactly he was, but he scared humans and gave off a predatory vibe. Amelia didn’t believe he was king of the jungle, but some kind of shape shifting creature.
    “Not in the mood today. I’m tired.”
    “Tired of being dead or hanging out here?”
    She shrugged. “Tired of not being seen. I’m lonely. I see mortals hanging onto one another kissing and touching when I can barely interact with them. Stacking glasses and running my fingers down people’s backs is nothing. I’m grateful Leah invited me to stay, but I’m alone here.”
    Tig rubbed his chin. “Let me see what I can do. I have a few connections. Hang tight.”
    A smile formed on her lips. For the first time in a long time, she had a sense of hope. Amelia leapt out of the chair. When she did, she lost her focus and moved directly through him. A momentary sense of fear shot through her. Instead of landing on the dance floor, she stopped when her back hit the bar. Tig jumped down and walked over to her. She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. With all her might, Amelia willed herself solid. There was a gasp in the room and then a loud crash. She jumped from the sudden sound and saw Lila staring directly at her. Her concentration was broken, and the world shifted back to normal. Everything took on the washed out look it always had.
    “ Tig , who the hell was that ?”
    Amelia giggled. The manager looked around. “I don’t see anything.”
    “I swear you were just hugging a woman.”
    “Lila, how many times do I have to tell you not to let your imagination get the better of you?”
    Amelia hovered behind the bartender and blew on her neck. The other woman spun around and growled. She chuckled and then focused her energy on rearranging the shot glasses on the counter. It took a great amount of attention, but she was able to pick up the glasses and move them into two pyramids. Lila returned back to her work and swore.
    “Amelia, haven’t I told you to lay off messing with my glasses?”
    She stuck her tongue out at the bartender and heard Tig snigger. “Lila, leave her alone. She needs to have her fun every once in a while.”
    Lila grumbled and continued stocking the bar. Amelia glanced at Tig who grinned right back at her. He wagged his finger. “Leave her be for now. I’ll see what I can do.”
    She nodded and watched the man disappear into the bowels of the club.