Sneak Peek Into Faded by M.A. Lee
CHAPTER 1
Three Years Later
All around me bright lights glowed throughout the large city I had just arrived in. Showers of reds, golds, and blues painted the scene before me as voices blended in with the sounds of honking cars and loud music. Each shining color tempted me to stay and find pleasure among the large buildings and crowds of people. There was something very enticing and alluring about a city that never sleeps. Almost like it held secrets and desires that could only be unlocked with one touch.
“This is it,” I sighed as we stepped out of the cab and onto the busy sidewalk. It was past midnight but the city of Las Vegas was busting at the seams like it was mid-day in any other city.
I squeezed through the crowd of people blocking my path on the sidewalk as I looked up at the large hotel and casino towering about me. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was more than what I had ever expected or dreamed it to be.
We were on the most focal point of the strip, the boulevard where dreams came true and you could go from rags to riches overnight. Or, vice versa. My eyes darted from the fountains gushing vibrant colors as lights were synchronized to music playing from hidden locations. With one look, it was like you had somehow transported all the worlds’ gems onto one four-mile stretch. I could see Egyptian pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, and Elvis Presley all in one city.
Turning to me, Avery pulled her suitcase from the cab and closed the door. Her blond hair blew in a light gust of the wind that flowed through the desert night. “I think so too,” she agreed. “Welcome to Sin City,” she laughed.
After leaving town with me, Avery and I had spent the last three years waiting tables in small towns as we moved our way west and to Las Vegas. I was determined to make a life for myself even if I had to keep running the rest of my life.
Reaching back, I grabbed Avery’s hand and pulled her through the crowd and toward where I was standing.
“I have enough money to get us a room tonight. Tomorrow we can interview at a few casinos and then apply at the Nevada School of Graphic Design,” I said with sparks in my eyes.
Since I had left home three years ago, this was the first time that I had found hope and happiness. I had a dream and now I was one step closer to achieving that dream. All my life I had been forced to maintain a smile on my face as I pretended to enjoy having my life mapped out for me. Whenever I wanted a break from reality, I would begin to draw. Sometimes I would just doodle shapes and then explore colors and shades. Art was calming to me, it was an outlet for my pain and anxiety brought on by emotionally abusive parents and knowing I lived a life people believed I stole from my twin. Now, as I realized I could make art not just a hobby and coping mechanism, but a career too, I felt the overwhelming sense of excitement build in me. With the high of Vegas and the rush of seeing myself one step closer to my dream, I felt an unbelievable high. As we moved closer to the revolving doors leading to the large casino and hotel, I held my breath and pinched my arm to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.
The loud, vibrating sounds of a slot machine ringing cut through the smoky air of the casino lobby. All around me voices and sounds blurred as I took in the beauty of the inside of this massive complex. Gold pillars stood throughout the massive complex and as we shuffled along the black marble floors, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the flashing lights everywhere I looked. Signs for bars, stages where performances were being shown, and rooms dedicated to every form of gambling beckoned my senses to explore each colorful avenue.
Even at the witching hour of midnight, people lurked around the casino, watching one another and searching for their next win. Everything about this place screamed that I didn’t belong but it hugged me and pulled me in any way.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the next poker match will take place in the Millionaire’s Room in twenty minutes,” a loud voice boomed overhead where we stood.
I glanced at Avery who was as entranced with the room as I was.
“Wow,” she breathed. “This place is impressive,” Avery said with a large smile forming on her lips. Her blue eyes were sparkling in the gleaming lights overhead and if I didn’t know her as well as I did, I would swear she had just found the love of her life.
I was able to recognize that look because I knew I had the same expression on my olive colored face. For the first time in my life, I had found love. Only my love came in the form of poker chips and bright lights. To me, Las Vegas was freedom. It was a new start. The city was my new home and mother and it was enveloping me in a large hug.
“Get the Fuck out of my way,” an older woman yelled as she shoved her elbow into my side. Her fanny pack was lopsided and she was squinting her eyes at me as she continued to move like she just hadn't assaulted me.
“I’m sorry,” I tried to say but she was already gone before I could manage to get the apology out of my mouth.
“Damn, that was brutal, “Avery laughed.
“I guess Vegas is different than the small towns we have been living in,” I replied as I tried to find an excuse for this old woman’s nasty behavior.
“Yes, this is going to be very, very different,” Avery laughed as she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the front desk.
With my heart pounding in my chest with a nervous energy that I was sure could power this entire city, I followed Avery’s lead. I had promised myself that when I started this journey to uncover the real Lizzie, that I wouldn't be afraid anymore.
When my family home was set into a blazing inferno, I had found my only outlet and way to escape my horrific life. Avery had never thought twice about joining me a month later. Her family had allowed her to take a year off of college to travel and ‘find herself’ while I worked and saved enough money to get me to the next town.
Because she and I were close and well, Avery was amazing, she had talked her family into allowing her to take online courses at a local hometown university until we transferred to the Nevada School for Graphic Design. Not once did Avery ever tell her family or anyone else for that matter, that I was still alive.
In the eyes of the world, Elizabeth Sawyers was dead. Lizzie Sawyers was here now and Avery and I were both on a mission to make sure my revival from the dead wasn’t in vain.
Now standing in the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel; one of Vegas’s most popular casino’s, I felt like I had finally taken the first step to my new life living as Lizzie.
Walking up to the front desk, we waited in line as several people before us, were waiting to book their rooms and head to their destinations.
“Geez Lizzie, can you calm down,” Avery joked as she noticed my anxious behavior.
Taking note, I noticed that my legs were shaking and I was rocking back and forth on my heels. “Avery, I know I look like I am batshit crazy right now, but I am so excited to be here. We have worked hard to get to Vegas and I am about to explode,” I said with a massive grin.
“I get it, trust me, I have been with you the whole way,” Avery began as she stepped forward. “But, can you tone it down just a little bit?” Avery asked as she squeezed my hand.
I looked down and couldn’t help but notice how much I didn’t belong here. With my yellow sundress and curled hair, I looked like I was ready to head to church and not check into a wild casino and ask for a job. Avery had a point though, my behavior was erratic and people were starting to look at me. Maybe it was the yellow dress?
“Okay, I will try and act normal,” I stated as I forced my legs to still.
Rolling her eyes, Avery just smirked as she stepped up to the front desk. “Hi, we have a room booked for Avery Manning.”
The lady at the desk began rapidly typing something into her computer without even glancing up at us. I arched my brows as Avery and I exchanged glances.
“Yes, you are in room 702,” the woman spoke sharply as she handed Avery a silver room key. And with that, she turned her attention to the next person in line without any pleasantries.
Taking the key, Avery shifted her bag on her arm and I followed her toward the row of elevators near the entrance where we had just arrived.
“The poker game in the Millionaires Room is starting now. “
A loud voice boomed again overhead. Groups of men in expensive suits began rushing toward a big glass room that lined the left side of the casino. We had to pass by it to get to the elevators and I couldn’t help but snicker as I watched a line form to enter the secret room.
“That must be popular,” Avery said as she stood on her tiptoes to look over the crowd. Even with her long, lean legs, she had to try and stand taller to see over the men.
As we slowly strode past the blackened windows, the volume in the large room seemed to amplify with cheers as someone opened the massive glass doors to allow the waiting men inside the Millionaire’s Room. As the line parted, I spotted a set of muscular, and tanned arms holding the heavy doors open. The men seemed to take a few steps back as the man glowered at them. Without words, he commanded their attention and order.
As my eyes trailed up his hard chest covered in a black t-shirt, I found a stern looking face staring right at me. His heavy brown eyes were putting me in a trance and I couldn’t seem to look away from him.
He looked relaxed and serious as he stood like a tower, his presence seemed to cause fear in the men that passed by him and I found that scene wildly attractive. It was true, I had randomly dated a few guys from town to town, but nothing serious. Falling for a guy meant honesty and sharing emotions. Two things I couldn’t afford to lose right now.
I hadn’t even realized I had stopped walking until Avery nudged me from behind. “What are you doing?” she asked as she tried to search through the crowd for the source of my attention.
When she followed my line of vision, she smiled as she saw the dark-haired god watching us.
“Wow, look at that piece of sex on a stick,” Avery said as she licked her lips. “He is looking at you like he could just come over here and eat you up,” she finished with a tiny growl.
“Stop,” I chided her even though I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips. “He is just checking the crowd,” I said as my eyes continued to watch him.
“Whatever, that man wants you,” Avery said.
The hot and sexy guy was glowering at me as he watched me move through the crowd. Once he noticed I saw him too, his face smoothed a little and the harshness started to disappear.
Suddenly, a loud sound erupted from behind us as a woman with a green visor began bouncing up and down as she flung her arms in the air. “I won,” she shrieked as she stood next to a slot machine.
The man who had been standing, guarding the door, motioned for another man to take his place and he tore his gaze away from mine as he headed for the woman. It was clear he worked as security in the casino. What wasn’t clear though, was why he was looking at me like he either wanted to ravage my body or kill me.
The sick part was, I kind of liked the intense stare and the way it caused my body to heat and my heart to flutter. For the first time in my entire life, I felt something other than fear or sadness. Damn, maybe I was way in over my head.