29 Queens Head

Next day was a busy day for Sofya. Having not gone to the company in almost one month, there were several documents that required her signature and meetings that needed attending to. The prospect of talking to Mr. Raizada completely slipped off her mind.

That night, she decided to work late as Grandpa was out of country and Susan was off partying with her friends, which was a rare feat.

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Queens Head, a famous pub located in extreme south of NY

" Let's get high! Cheers! " one of Susan's friends shrieked, as the group gulped down whiskey.

" Come, let's go to the dance floor. " Susan beckoned her friends.

Queens Head was one of the most exotic and extravagant pub in whole of New York. The decor and the sense of welcome that it gave to the visitors, was overwhelming. The pub was approximately twenty eight feet long, by perhaps half of that wide. A long mahogany bar serving drinks occupied one quarter of the floor space, while the other half was covered by the dance floor. There were a number of tall bar stools to accommodate any drinker who didn't want to be seated at the serving place. The ceiling height was pleasantly commodious, with lights bouncing off it and falling on the dance floor. The DJ had put on ' Don't Stop Believing ' and people were dancing like crazy.

It was birthday of one Susan's close friends, and she had decided to treat them here. If truth be told, Susan was damn sure that she wouldn't be allowed to go, especially to a pub, but miraculously, Sofya had given her the permission, with the promise that she would come home soon and wouldn't party late at night.

At around half past eleven, the gang finally decided to disperse. Bidding them goodbye, Susan stood alone on the pavement outside the pub, waiting for her car. But there was no sign of it. Hugging her jacket more closely to avoid the cold wind, she tried calling the driver many times, but he didn't pick up. There was a taxi stand at the other side of the road, a few feet from there. She decided to take a taxi.

After taking a few steps towards the taxi stand, Susan felt she was being followed. Turning around, she could not see anybody. Resuming her walk, she quickened her pace. Behind her she could hear several footsteps and whispers.

Susan felt her heart beating faster as anxiety and fear gripped her. At this hour, the road was almost deserted, she didn't have anybody to turn for help. A feeling of helplessness dawned on her.

Running, she turned into a small alley which was covered in dirt and dumpsters. The end of the alley, several feet from turning was covered by a wall of brick. It ended their.

Shit! Thinking she has trapped herself, she turned around slowly, to find 4-5 men leering at her, smelling of alcohol.