Bloodred Montre
Friday nights are always the loneliest, Synecdoche mused as he took another drag on his cigarette and sauntered down one of Centropolis’ back alleys. A chilly northern wind stung his face and cut through the light jacket he wore over a semi-sheer t-shirt. It was late December and, as temperatures normally sank to single digits at night, most of the city’s residents had sensibly chosen to stay at home; those that had to go out wore three or four layers with hats, scarves, and mittens.
Syn had never been a slave to common sense, though, so that wasn’t enough to stop him from continuing his routine. Three months ago, he had decided to spend his Friday nights wandering around downtown instead of sitting in his apartment, feeling depressed. No matter the weather. As he approached a shabby-looking brick building near the end of the street, a grin spread across his face. The faint echo of music that usually drifted from the establishment was strangely absent. Must be a set change. Syn paused as he reached the front door and took a final puff of his cigarette before tossing the butt on the ground. Inhaling deeply, he filled his lungs with the cold night air one more time before stepping into the club. 
The warmth inside the building immediately washed over him and a calm sense of familiarity made him sigh happily. Syn’s eyes scanned the room, looking for any minor changes since last Friday. The low stage, which was only raised about three feet from the ground, had more instruments on it today and most of the bar stools were abnormally unoccupied. Other than those small changes, everything in the large room was the same. 
Syn plopped down onto one of the plastic bar stools and turned to the bartender, a burly bloke with slicked back hair and a scowl that would have looked more appropriate on a grizzly bear. “I’ll have a ––†Syn froze midsentence. An angelic voice rose above the noise of club’s patrons conversing and laughing. Hypnotized by the sound, Syn turned around in his seat, searching for its source. Bathed in spotlights whose bright glow made his crimson dyed hair glow copper, stood a man who’s statuesque figure and brilliant smile made Syn’s jaw literally drop. 
He felt a strong compulsion to jump from his chair, push through the crowd, walk onto the stage, and kiss the singer passionately. His reverie was broken by the irritable bartenders gruff voice. “You gonna order or what?†Syn exhaled deeply before turning around to face the man who now, in comparison to the gorgeous guy on stage, looked downright homely. “Who is that?â€
“You mean the singer? That’s just Abel. He actually works as a bartender here, but on nights where business is slow the boss sometimes lets him sings.†Abel... a tad biblical but still a charming name...“What nights does he usually work?â€
“Well aren’t you a curious little bugger.†Syn flushed a bit, embarrassed that the bartender had recognized that he was becoming a little too interested in Abel. “I was just wondering since I come here every Friday and I’ve never seen him before,†he blurted out quickly, trying to cover up the real reason for his curiosity. He was glad when the somewhat thick bartender believed this excuse completely.
“Ah, well, he usually works on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He’s only working today ‘cause Jed, the guy who shares this shift with me, is really sick with the flu.†Thank god for the flu, Syn couldn’t help thinking to himself. As he slid down from his stool and started making his way towards the stage, Syn was deaf to the rest of the man’s words and was focused completely on the sonorous melody that filled the room. 
He didn’t stop until he was directly in front of Abel, gazing up at him with admiration and longing as he sang:“You know your love means more to me, than anyone could ever see, and I just want to teach you--†It was at this moment, in the middle of the final line of the song, that Syn’s life changed forever. Abel’s eyes met his, and before Syn knew what was happening, he found himself being kissed by the singer. Several seconds later, when they finally separated, Abel finished with a breathy, “--to be free.â€
