Subj: Consequences of Falling ch. 52
Date: 8/8/01 6:52:44 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Nicole

January 2, 2001, Local Bar, 12:30 AM

Cameron had not met anyone quite like Astrid before. The girl had no shame! As she drank shot after shot of tequila, she milled through the crowd, cooing and talking with every man she bumped into. She did not look as if she wanted to go to bed with any of these men. She only seemed to want to talk. She seemed easy to chat with and the men appeared to enjoy the attention. Cameron could understand why. No one in his right mind would deny a girl in skin tight black leather pants, a silver belly chain coyly peaking out from behind her blue silk shirt. Cameron wondered how she kept warm. He was willing to bet it was the booze.

Watching Astrid drink made Cameron want to drink more than anything. Angelique watched him carefully, making sure he did not take a sip. It was probably better not to drink. Cameron needed to be as sober as possible when he met his father. Besides, with all the tequila Astrid had inhaled, he might have a chance to drive. Cameron did not understand these women but he decided that it was best that he did not. Complaining seemed stupid to Cameron, especially since he was getting a free ride to Collinsport with the most intriguing company.

Cameron eventually slipped away from Angelique. She had turned to seduce some shy college kid, allowing Cameron ample time to sneak away. After much deliberation, he ordered a soda. He wanted to drive, if only to get rid of the ennui he felt from riding. He glanced to his side to see a man staring at him, his dark brown eyes burning holes into his forehead. "What's your problem?"

The man smiled and walked forward. The man was horribly handsome, looking out of place amongst the flannel sea in his three piece suit. "I want to warn you, Mr. Stuart," he said, his deep voice pulling Cameron in with each syllable. "You are in great danger."

"From what?"

"From the raven haired bitch," answered the man venomously.

"Astrid?" asked Cameron.

"Yes! You need to beware of Astrid. She will fill your mind with lies, Mr. Stuart. Stay away from her."

Cameron ignored him. He turned back to his drink to see a woman's finger running languid circles around the rim of the glass. "Don't drink that," warned Angelique, her eyes focused on the dark eyed man. "It's been drugged."

"It's best not to believe her either," sniped the man. He was noticeably disturbed, his pale skin turning crimson as he pursed his lush lips. "She's just as troublesome."

"Am I the blonde bitch?"

"As long as you continue to think so wrongly."

Cameron did not understand what they were arguing about. What right did this man have to come up to him and say such things about these women? The woman in question walked up behind Cameron and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Leave the man alone, Josef," she said strongly. "He doesn't need your lies."

Cameron sighed as Astrid took his arm and led him back to their table. Angelique followed shortly. The man remained behind, his back pressed into the bar. "Astrid!" he yelled. "Woman on top, huh?"

Astrid dropped Cameron's arm and spun on her skinny high heels to face the man. "Do I detected a bit of jealously from the queen of receivers?" she asked calmly, the statement buoyed by Angelique's giggles. "It would take me years to mention all those who've so easily taken advantage of you, you big strong man! Doesn't that make you the raven haired bitch?"

"You would say that," snarled the man. He downed the rest of his drink and left.

Cameron turned to Astrid. Thin tear trails streaked her porcelain cheeks. "Who was that?" he asked softly.

"No one," she whispered. She dried her tears, attempting to look sedate as she searched through her purse. "Let's go. You haven't paid yet, right? How much was your drink?"

"Oh no, I can get it."

"'Oh no' my ass! It's only a soda." Astrid pulled out a card and said, "It won't break my account."

Cameron laughed and told her the cost. He moved to follow Angelique when he suddenly recognized the name on the credit card. "Astrid Douglas?" Cameron glanced back to the beautiful young woman at the bar, wondering if she could be who he thought she was. Astrid walked up to Cameron and grabbed his arm to lead him from the bar. From his new perspective, he could swear that Astrid was Constance DuVane, but he knew that was impossible. Astrid still seemed strange to him, though. She looked much more sober than her alcohol consumption suggested that she should. He only hoped that she would still let him drive.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.