Day 1 (Part 1) - Beds and Booths

Kev's eyes fluttered open, the sound of insistent pounding jolting him awake. Fang, his suit rumpled and his hair tousled, was hammering on the door with a clenched fist, his frustration palpable.

"Let us out!" he roared, his voice echoing through the small room. "Is there anyone out there?!"

He paused, his chest heaving with exertion. Catching sight of Kev stirring, a flicker of embarrassment crossed his face. "Ah, you're awake," he said, his tone softening slightly. "It seems we're still trapped."

Kev's head spun. The events of the past few hours, or was it days?, swirled in his mind like a chaotic kaleidoscope. A car accident, a wolfman, a jammed door, and now, the sound of Fang's increasingly frantic pounding filled the room.

"Someone, anyone!" Fang's voice rose to a desperate bark. "We're trapped in here!"

The wolfman's patience was wearing thin, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. Just as Kev braced himself for an outburst, a deep voice resonated from behind the door.

"Stand back," the voice commanded, its tone firm and authoritative.

Fang, startled, retreated towards Kev, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and hope. "All clear!" he shouted back, his voice strained.

A moment later, the door exploded inward, wood splintering and scattering across the floor. Standing in the shattered doorway was a colossal figure, easily dwarfing even Fang in size. A massive mooseman, his antlers brushing the ceiling, surveyed the room with calm, dark eyes.

"Took you long enough, Horns," Fang grumbled, though the relief in his voice was evident.

The mooseman dipped his head in apology. "My apologies, Mr. Fang. We had a bit of a... situation this morning."

Fang waved a dismissive hand, attempting to smooth out the wrinkles in his suit. His gaze flicked towards Kev, a fleeting glance that held a surprising tenderness. "Horns, please see to it that our new assistant is given more suitable accommodations," he instructed.

"Somewhere less... busy. Perhaps closer to the administration offices on the second floor. This room is too close to the public areas. I don't want him disturbed." He talked as he walked towards the now blown open doorway.

Fang turned back to Kev, a hint of warmth in his amber eyes. "Follow the big guy," he said with a reassuring smile. "Horns will take care of you today. I'll be back in the afternoon to check on you." He couldn't help but feel flustered by how endearingly out of place the human looked in his rumpled clothes, standing amidst the wreckage of the door.

"Horns, get him whatever he needs," Fang added, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. Then, with a final lingering look at Kev, he turned and strode off into the depths of the nightclub, his figure swallowed by the shadows as the morning light began to filter into the dark, fire-lit halls.

Kev's gaze traveled upwards, taking in the sheer size of the mooseman standing before him. Horns was truly massive, his broad shoulders and thick neck suggesting a strength that was almost intimidating. He wore a simple black suit, but even that seemed undersized on his frame. Kev couldn't help but think that Horns' jacket probably contained more fabric than his entire outfit.

The mooseman's dark eyes regarded Kev with a gentle curiosity. "And what might you be?" he inquired, his voice surprisingly soft for someone of his stature.

Kev sighed, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Human," he replied. "Call me Kev."

A warm smile spread across Horns' face, and he extended a massive hand towards Kev. "Pleased to meet you, Kev. I'm Horns, the manager here at Club Fang."

Horns guided Kev through the labyrinthine corridors of the nightclub, its layout more akin to an old, sprawling mansion than a modern establishment. They passed by cleaning crews, all different species of beast men and women, just like Fang and Horns, diligently scrubbing away the remnants of the previous night's revelry. Kev couldn't help but steal glances into some of the private rooms, his concern growing with each glimpse.

Horns greeted the various workers they encountered with a friendly nod or a cheerful wave, his demeanor a stark contrast to the carnal underbelly of the club Kev had just seen. He led Kev up a grand staircase, the air growing lighter and fresher with each step.

The second floor was a different world altogether. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating plush carpets and polished wooden furniture. The atmosphere was hushed, the silence broken only by the occasional muffled sound from behind closed doors. This was clearly where the club's administrative functions took place, a far cry from the dimly lit, pulsating heart of the establishment below.

Horns stopped halfway down a long hallway, his hand resting on an ornate door handle. "Here we are," he announced, a hint of pride in his voice.

Horns swung the door open, gesturing for Kev to enter. The room was a revelation compared to the cramped quarters Kev had woken up in. It was a spacious, well-lit apartment, complete with a small kitchen and living room, a separate bedroom, and a full bathroom. Large windows offered a view of the expansive backyard, a welcome sight after the claustrophobic darkness of the club's lower levels.

The apartment was sparsely furnished and the kitchen was barren. Kev wandered through the rooms, taking in the luxurious surroundings. It was a far cry from anything he could have imagined for himself just a day... or two ago.

Horns watched Kev explore, a patient smile on his face. "Well?" he finally asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "What do you think?"

"It's very nice," Kev replied, his voice echoing slightly in the empty space. He peeked into the bathroom and bedroom, both equally well-appointed, but with a similar air of disuse. A layer of dust clung to the surfaces, and the bed linens, though neatly arranged, seemed untouched for some time.

"Why are you giving me such a nice room?" Kev asked, a hint of suspicion creeping into his voice.

Horns chuckled, his deep voice rumbling through the apartment. "The boss's orders," he explained simply. "He wants you to be comfortable."

With a grunt, Horns lowered himself onto the couch, his large frame taking up both cushions. "Now," he said, folding his hands across his stomach, "what do you need? Clothes? Food? Anything at all?"

Kev's mind raced, trying to prioritize his needs. "Clothes, definitely," he said. "And food. Some basic toiletries too - soap, a toothbrush..." He glanced at the bare mattress. "And some sheets for the bed."

Remembering the lack of electricity, he added, "Just something simple for food. Nothing that needs refrigeration."

Horns nodded. "I'll also bring you some lanterns and candles," he said. "For light."

Kev hesitated, then added, "And some cleaning supplies, if you have them."

Horns raised an eyebrow. "Our cleaners can take care of the room for you."

"I'd rather do it myself," Kev insisted. "It'll give me something to do."

A smile spread across Horns' face. "I like that," he said, his voice booming with approval. "A hard worker. Just like the boss."

"Is there anything else you might need?" Horns inquired, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious apartment.

Kev paused, considering. It was a strange new world he found himself in, and he wasn't entirely sure what else he might require. "I think that's everything for now," he replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Horns nodded, then added, "Oh, and feel free to get any drinks or food you want from the bar downstairs. It's all on the house." He grinned. "I'll make sure the staff knows who you are." A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "They'll be able to spot you right away, that's for sure. Never had a human in the club before."

Kev managed a weak smile. "That's very kind of you."

Horns lumbered to his feet, clearly eager to get back to his duties. As he reached the door, Kev called out, "Wait!"

Horns turned, an eyebrow raised in question.

"Could you also get me a pack of cigarettes?" Kev asked, a sheepish look on his face.

Horns nodded. "The boss said you can have whatever you want. Don't hesitate to ask."

With that, he stepped out into the hallway, leaving Kev alone in his new, albeit temporary, home.

Kev stretched out on the queen-sized mattress, the soft fabric a stark contrast to the stiff, unfamiliar bed he'd woken up in earlier. His thoughts drifted back to the whirlwind of events that had brought him here. The car accident, the blinding pain, the disorienting awakening in a strange room, the imposing wolfman, and now, this luxurious apartment.

It all felt so surreal, so utterly impossible. Perhaps this wasn't reality at all. Maybe he was in a coma, his mind conjuring up this fantastical world to cope with the trauma of the accident. A beastman-filled nightclub, a personal assistant job, a broken door leading to a chance encounter with a gentle giant of a mooseman... It was the stuff of dreams, or perhaps nightmares.

But as sleep tugged at his eyelids, the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window, the feel of the soft sheets against his skin, and the lingering scent of Fang's cologne on the pillow beside him all felt undeniably real. With a sigh, Kev surrendered to exhaustion, letting the mysteries of this new world fade into the comforting embrace of sleep.

Kev's slumber was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. He blinked awake, momentarily disoriented, before spotting Horns standing in the doorway, laden with bags.

"Good afternoon, Kev," the mooseman greeted him with a warm smile. "I've brought the supplies you requested."

He deposited the bags onto the kitchen counter, their contents spilling out in a colorful array of food, toiletries, and clothes.

Kev rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "What time is it?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Just past noon," Horns replied, settling back onto the couch with a contented sigh. His large frame seemed to expand even further as he stretched out, his limbs sprawling across the cushions.

Kev began unpacking the bags, carefully organizing the items on the counter. He sifted through the clothes, a mix of casual wear and more formal attire. "You didn't know what I might like, so I brought a variety," Horns explained, observing Kev's inspection.

Kev nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Horns. This is perfect."

Horns, seemingly content to simply observe, watched Kev unpack and organize. As Kev moved on to cleaning, Horns pulled a small, ornate ashtray from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table. He then produced a rolled joint and lit it, taking a long, slow drag.

The pungent scent of the smoke wafted towards Kev, tickling his nostrils. "Can I have some of that?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Horns chuckled, tossing a small baggie towards Kev. "There's really no need to be shy around here," he said, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

Kev caught the baggie, his fingers brushing against Horns'. "Is it really okay?" he asked, still hesitant. "I mean, I still don't know what my job will involve."

Horns shrugged. "Your job is to make Fang happy," he said simply.

Kev frowned. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"Fang's a very busy man," Horns explained. "He's also... very controlling. He doesn't relax, and he's been stressing himself, and us, out." He took another drag from his joint. "The employees got together and decided to hire him a personal assistant, someone to help him... unwind."

Kev pulled a chair closer to the coffee table, lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply. "Unwind, how?" he asked, exhaling a plume of smoke.

Horns' smile turned sheepish. "However you can," he replied, his gaze lingering on Kev. "Fang was resistant to the idea at first. Must've been impressed with you yesterday, though. I thought you'd have been fired already."

He glanced around the apartment, taking in the luxurious furnishings and the view of the sprawling backyard. "The fact that he wanted you up here on the second floor before you even started your first day... that really says something."

Kev took a drag from his cigarette, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I haven't really done anything yet," he admitted. "I was too nervous to say much to him yesterday."

Horns chuckled. "Fang can be quite intimidating," he agreed. "But he's a good man, deep down."

Curiosity piqued, Kev asked, "What do you do here, Horns?"

"I'm the staff manager," Horns replied, puffing on his joint. "It's my job to make sure personnel issues are resolved, paychecks go out on time, and everyone's doing what they're supposed to be doing."

Kev nodded, impressed. "Sounds like you're second in command around here," he observed.

Horns grinned, taking a final drag from his joint before carefully stubbing it out in the ashtray. "It's the best job I've ever had," he admitted, a hint of wistfulness in his voice.

Kev leaned back in his chair, taking a sip from the glass of water Horns had brought him. "Is it hard to get used to the lack of electricity?" he asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

"After a week or two, you won't even miss it," Horns assured him. He stood up, stretching his massive frame. "Well, I'd best get back to work. Duty calls."

As Horns made his way towards the door, Kev spoke up. "One more thing, Horns," he said. "Could you possibly bring me some books?"

Horns paused, turning back with a questioning look.

"Books about the local area, the history of this place... anything that might help me understand where I am," Kev explained.

A look of genuine admiration crossed Horns' face. "I'll see what I can do," he promised. "That's a smart idea, Kev."

With a final wave, Horns left Kev once again to his own devices.

Alone in the apartment, Kev managed to put together a light lunch from the supplies Horns had brought. The simple act of preparing food, even in this unfamiliar setting, provided a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of his new reality.

With a renewed sense of purpose, he set about cleaning the apartment. He dusted the furniture, swept the floors, and scrubbed the bathroom until it sparkled. The physical activity helped to quiet the anxious thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him.

By the time the evening sun began to paint the sky in hues of orange and purple, Kev had finished putting away the remaining supplies and decided to reward himself with a hot shower. As he stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist, the door to the apartment swung open.