The men seemed to understand, because they all nodded. Even John didn’t try to stop him as he turned away and headed for the bar. He needed to chug some water before he went home and crashed. It took some elbowing, but he managed to get close enough to shout that he just needed water. A bartender took pity on him and tossed an overpriced bottle his way. Zack paid without complaint and was just about to return to the beer garden when someone grabbed his shoulder.

He jumped and whirled around. The blond guy from John’s table was standing next to him with an apologetic look on his face. He mouthed Sorry and held up a pack of cigarettes.

Zack stared at them blankly for a moment before realizing they were his.

“Oh shit,” he muttered, but the music drowned him out. His pack must have fallen out of his pocket when John grabbed his clothes. Zack shouted, “Thank you!”

The blond yelled back, “You’re welcome! Thanks for looking out for my friend!”

Zack put his cigarettes back in his pocket. “It was nothing. We’ve all been there.”

“I’m sorry?” the man asked, holding a hand up to his ear.

“I said we’ve all been there!” Zack shouted, leaning closer. “Just make sure he gets home safe, and tell him to put a glass of water by his bed for when he wakes up.”

“Good advice.” The blond gave Zack a curious look, but turned away. “Well, it was nice meeting you.”

Just then, the DJ cut the music off.

Zack didn’t notice in time and shouted, “It was nice meeting you too!” in the suddenly quieter room.

Giggles broke out nearby, and Zack’s face flamed. The overhead lights flashed on a moment later, blinding him. The club was closing.

Zack started to laugh it off, but then he noticed the blond man was staring at him with a stricken expression. It was as if Zack had shouted something obscene.

“Sorry about that,” he mumbled. He cleared his throat. All the shouting he’d done had made his voice rough. “That was bad timing. Anyway, thanks for bringing me my cigarettes. I was just thinking I wanted one.”

Zack waited for a response. The other man was still staring at him strangely. It was starting to creep him out.

“Hey, man, are you all right? You look like you just found out Cher died.”

The blond wet his lips but didn’t speak. Zack wondered if he’d offended him somehow.

“Well, it was nice meeting you,” he said again. People were starting to swarm the exits as bouncers ushered them out. He needed to find his friends.

Just as Zack turned away, the blond cleared his throat and said the last two words Zack expected to hear.

“Hello, Darkling.”