<div align="center"><strong>::Last Night::</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://ifdb.co/images/dennis_johnson/22362/medium)</div>Caleb resented nightclubs, the crowds, the stink, the worms that forgot their place with the aid of mind altering substances. They needed to be reminded. Caleb could no longer remind them himself, that was what had brought him to Russia. His over sized white hoodie was pulled down low over his brow, only sharp blue eyes peeking out from underneath. His slacks and his shoes, also immaculate white; the only color in his wardrobe was the Albanian Flag (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/al-lgflag.gif) patch embroidered on his right shoulder.<br/><br/>If he'd still had his powers, Caleb would have gladly put an end to the entire building stuffed with humanity, if only to spare them the wretched smell of themselves. This was no longer his luxury, Caleb reminded himself, clutching the ring that dangled around his neck from a white gold chain. This ring that was no longer a gift from God, but rather a cruel curse that left he and his contemporaries trapped in this stinking pit with all the rest. The ones that would never learn.<br/><br/>Caleb's eyes narrowed as they landed upon the young bartender as she laughed and flirted for tips while measuring and serving small glasses of Death as though it was what she was born for. Her hair was painted blue, as though God's bounty to her was flawed and in need of improvement. He had never understood the fascination with body modification, especially among those who had been so blessed with good looks.<br/><br/>"I need a drink!" Caleb shouted over the music, after finally pushing his way up to the crowded bar. It made him sick how powerful she felt, protected by the glowing orange bar while he was stuck in the mass of stinking bodies, all desperate to numb their already feeble minds. "What do you recommend? I can pay."<br/><br/>The man dressed in white slapped a fifty Euro note on the bar. Hoping he'd been loud enough to get the blue haired girl's attention. The music in this place seemed to be the artist's attempt at creating an abstract expression of a migraine headache, using repetitive bass kicks, booming drum machines and wailing computer sounds all played at once at a volume that ought to have been reserved for crowded sports arenas, not stuffy little warehouse clubs.<br/><br/>Even as foul a mood as he was in, Caleb had to appreciate Erin's display while she made a drink for him, using a decorative mesh spoon and a sugar cube to pour a large shot of Absinthe. She lit the sugar cube on fire after pouring the strong liquor over it, quickly melting the sugar. She dumped the burning wad of sugar into the glass and stirred the drink before passing it over the bar to him.<br/><br/>"Wow, that was impressive!" Caleb gushed, playing a role, but genuinely more impressed than he would admit. "Keep the change."<br/><br/>Caleb slid the large note over to Erin, forcing a smile after downing the smoky green liquor. It actually didn't taste terrible, and the after burn reminded him of the smell of a Christmas tree. He didn't drink often at all, he had to take a moment to compose himself.<br/><br/>"Would you do one more with me? I'll pay for both." Caleb smiled, hoping that his act passed for charming.<br/><br/>While Erin mixed the drinks, Caleb glanced down the bar. He needed a distraction, and fast. The moment that Erin dropped the sugar cubes into the drinks, Caleb reached his leg sideways and kicked the shin of some mortal standing a few bodies away. As expected, the fool blamed the man closest to him, and the two started shoving one another. As a result, the crowd shifted abruptly and it was easy for Caleb to reach over and break the pill in his palm in half. He dumped the contents of the capsule into Erin's drink, pulling his arm back while the others were still being separated by security.<br/><br/>"Some people, just can't handle their booze." Caleb muttered to the Bartender, raising his glass. "To self-control."<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>::Present::</strong></div><br/>Caleb hadn't slept, it had been tough enough to drag Erin out of the nightclub without being seen, the fact that his faculties were dulled made it that much more difficult. Her coworkers had been very concerned about her, so he eventually had to wrap her in his own sweatshirt and drag her out over one shoulder, so she at least looked conscious. He never slept well on planes, even cushy private jets.<br/><br/>The morning had been spent in the gym, spending several hours trying to sweat the alcohol out of his system entirely on the treadmill. After an hour or so in the dry sauna, Caleb showered and wore a clean white T-shirt over flat white Khaki shorts and of course his ring on a chain. He wanted to seem human, even if he wasn't anymore.<br/><br/>It was much to Caleb's chagrin that he found Serena already tormenting the new arrivals with her childish Science Fiction games. It was reality that interested him, and that would ultimately decide Erin's fate. While he didn't care what Serena did with her new recruit, Caleb did not want Erin mistaking any of what was happening for a game.<br/><br/>"Erin, follow me. I'll explain what's going on and your role in it." Caleb said coldly, leaning into the doorway just long enough to be seen by the blue haired girl. "Just don't try to fight or run. I'd hate to have to hurt you."