The Vanguard Club

Trigger warning:

References to sexual behavior

The door opened slowly when Ava rang the doorbell. Its tall oak panels gleamed against the sunlight, towering over her. As she stepped inside, the first thing that struck her was the cavernous space of the main hall. High, intricately carved ceilings soared above her, the once opulent details now showing signs of age and neglect. The room was dimly lit, with rays of light filtering through the large windows draped with velvet curtains, casting a muted glow on the marble floors below.

The checkerboard pattern of the floor stretched out beneath her feet, leading her eyes to the center of the room where an arrangement of vintage furniture awaited. Three crimson mismatched sofas, their upholstery faded and worn, surrounded a small wooden table, creating an intimate but oddly placed seating area in the vastness of the hall. The atmosphere was heavy with the scent of old wood and the faint, lingering aroma of polish, mingling with a hint of something floral, perhaps from the faded bouquet on the table.

Ava’s footsteps echoed as she made her way across the hall, each step resonating in the silence. 'Hello, is anyone here?' She called, but no reply, except her voice bouncing off the walls. Okay... she thought, maybe they’re just somewhere else... she took a deep breath before continuing her walk.

She could feel the weight of the history around her, the hall's former grandeur still palpable despite its current state of disrepair. The walls, adorned with arches and ornate carvings, displayed round, inset medallions, each depicting classical scenes that seemed to watch her as she passed.

‘Not creepy at all,’ she whispered to herself, her right arm gripping her left. She felt as if she was being observed, like the unseen eyes of the Vanguard Club members were assessing her from hidden vantage points.

Her gaze shifted to the far end of the hall where a set of doors stood, partially open. She titled her body sideways, to get a better vantage point, from beyond, a warm, inviting light spilled into the main hall, contrasting sharply with the cooler, dim light she stood in. She paused, looking around to see if anyone could guide her in the right direction, but no one was to be found.

She assumed that this was her destination, where the members of the Vanguard Club awaited her arrival, so she hesitantly stepped forward.

With a deep breath, Ava straightened her posture, smoothing her dress as she did so. She could feel her heart beating faster, a mix of excitement and nerves. She had heard so much about the Vanguard Club – the influence its members wielded and the opportunities they offered to those deemed worthy. Today was her chance to become part of that world.

The hall was long and narrow, lined with high arched windows that allowed the fading daylight to cast intricate patterns on the floor. The ceiling, showing signs of peeling paint, gave an eerie yet beautiful effect to the passage. At the end of the corridor, a softly lit room beckoned, its entrance framed by heavy curtains.

Ava could see a table set with delicate China and a vase of fresh flowers, an unexpected touch of liveliness in the otherwise sombre mansion. The scene was like a painting, drawing her towards it.

As Ava stepped into the warmly lit room, she was surprised to find herself in what appeared to be an old living room. The furniture was antique, with several armchairs arranged around a low coffee table. The room, despite its worn elegance, had an unsettling aura, like a relic of a past era clinging to the present.

At the far end of the room, a heavy velvet curtain hung, partially obscuring what lay beyond. Ava could hear murmurs and faint rustlings from behind it, her curiosity piquing. As she moved closer, the murmurs grew louder, the words indistinct but urgent. She reached out to push aside the curtain and found herself looking into a small theatre, complete with a stage that seemed both grand and decrepit in equal measure.

The stage was framed by faded, proscenium archways, and the backdrop was an elaborate but worn mural of a Venetian scene. On the stage, members of the Vanguard Club were gathered, their eyes turning to her as she entered. They were dressed in a mix of contemporary and period clothing. What the hell have I walked into? She thought to herself, trying to hide her confusion.

 Her eyes were immediately drawn to the figure of the Vanguard Club's president. He stood at the center of the gathered members, a tall and striking presence. His dark hair shined with gel. His sharp, angular, features, softened by a pair of blue eyes that seemed to see right through her, making her clench her jaw as she stepped instinctively backward.

He stepped forward with confidence, a charming smirk playing on his lips. ‘Ava,’ he greeted, his voice smooth and resonant. ‘Welcome to the Vanguard Club. We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.’

Ava felt her heart skip as he took her hand in his, his touch warm and firm. She struggled to find her voice, feeling a sudden, inexplicable attraction to this commanding figure. ‘Th-thank you, erm… I didn’t know it was… I mean I didn’t know there’d be a theatre?’ she managed to stammer.

The president chuckled softly, clearly amused by her reaction. ‘There’s no need to be nervous,’ he said reassuringly

‘I’m not, I just-‘

‘This term,’ he spoke loudly interrupting her. ‘We are embarking on a very special project,’ he continued. ‘We will be putting on a production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.’ He gestured to the stage behind him, and Ava's gaze followed, taking in the sight of the old theatre.

Her eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing. ‘Romeo and Juliet?’ she repeated.

‘Yes..?’ The president confirmed, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. ‘Were you not told beforehand?’

‘No… I mean I didn’t receive any information about it?’

 ‘Well, that does not matter. You’ll quickly get caught up,’ he said in a patronizing tone, his eyebrows squinting.

Ava looked around her, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion but no eyes returned a kindred look.

He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. ‘Ava, you have been chosen to play Juliet.’

Her mind reeled. ‘I have what???’ She echoed, hardly able to believe it. ‘But I’ve never acted before, I—'

He raised a hand, gently silencing her. ‘You have a natural grace that cannot be taught,’ he said, his voice persuasive. ‘I have no doubt that you will bring Juliet to life in ways we have never seen.’

‘Okay, but you don’t know that! You’ve never even seen me act.’

‘That’s been taken care of.’ He retorted.

‘Taken care of?’

The president chuckled awkwardly, caught off guard by her protest. ‘Yes, taken care of.’

‘Well, would you care to elaborate?’ She asked.

‘By the university, Ava. Stop worrying so much, come take a seat.’ Before she could protest or ask questions, she was ushered to a chair by two members who began to explain her role. They spoke of nightly rehearsals that would require her utmost dedication, where she would need to embody Juliet completely. The gravity of their tone left her with a sense of unease.

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, the president’s gaze held her captive. ‘And I,’ he continued, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone, ‘will be playing Romeo.’

The revelation hit her like a thunderbolt. The chemistry he put off was palpable, an electric current that seemed to charge the air around them. She felt a dizzying mix of attraction and fear, her mind spinning with the implications of what he was saying.

‘You’re what?’ she asked, her voice scratching.

The president smiled a hint of something deeper in his eyes. ‘You heard me, Ava, I will be playing Romeo. And will too be the director…Are you having trouble hearing? He asked in a jokey condescending way.

‘No, I’m… I’m just surprised…’ She looked around her, completely confused by the silence of all of the other cast members. ‘Can I take a minute?’

‘Of course, don’t make it too long!’ He extended his hand. What the fuck, she thought to herself. The logical part of her mind screamed caution, but the allure of the president and the promise of extra credit, which she reminded herself she desperately needed, felt too hard to resist. She took his hand, feeling an uneasy surge of adrenaline.

The president's smile broadened, his grip firm. He pulled her into him, in a swift sudden movement. ‘Welcome to Verona, Juliet,’ She pulled away quickly, surprised by his actions.

‘I’m going to go take a seat now…’ Ava said, her heart pounding as she made her way to the plush chair in the corner of the room, her mind spinning with confusion and possibly fear. The room seemed to buzz with an energy she couldn't quite place, the members' eyes following her every move with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. She settled into the chair, trying to steady her racing thoughts.

Two other members, approached her with warm, if slightly strained, smiles. The girl had long, curly hair and kind brown eyes, while the boy had a more reserved demeanor, his light hair falling into his eyes as he studied her.

‘Hi, Ava,’ the girl said softly, taking a seat beside her. ‘I'm Emily, and this is Jack. We're new too.’

Ava nodded, trying to return their smiles. ‘Nice to meet you both,’ she replied, bluntly.

Emily leaned in, her expression earnest. ‘I know this is a lot to take in... The president can be... intense, but he's passionate about the theatre and wants us to succeed.’

Jack nodded in agreement but seemed more hesitant. ‘Yeah, he's... very dedicated. Just remember, it's okay to have boundaries. If anything feels too much, it's important to speak up.’

Ava frowned, sensing an undercurrent in their words. ‘What do you mean?’ she asked, looking between them.

Emily's smile faltered for a moment. ‘Just that the rehearsals can be very immersive. Sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it can still be fun!

Jack glanced at Emily before turning back to Ava. ‘Just... be careful, okay? Don't let anyone push you into something you're not comfortable with.’

Ava felt a chill run down her spine. ‘What do you mean by that?’ she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Before they could respond, the president's voice boomed across the room, drawing everyone's attention back to him. ‘Alright, everyone, let's get started! Ava, if you would join me on stage, we can begin our introductions and discuss the roles in more detail.'

Ava took a deep breath and stood, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her. She walked to the stage, her mind racing with the cryptic warnings from Emily and Jack. The president stood at the center, his commanding presence once again filling the space.

He smiled as she approached, his blue eyes locking onto hers with an intensity. ‘Ava, welcome once again. Now, as I mentioned, you will be playing Juliet. This role requires complete dedication and immersion, something I believe you are capable of.’

Ava nodded, swallowing hard. ‘I'll do my best,’ she said.

The president's smile widened, his eyes glinting with something she couldn't quite place. ‘I have no doubt you will. Our rehearsals will be rigorous, and you will be expected to live the role of Juliet, to truly understand her. This means embracing every aspect of her character, even the more challenging parts.’

 ‘What do you mean by that?’

The president's gaze intensified. ‘You will be expected to drink a vial every night, experience her emotions, and live her life as if it were your own. This is the only way to truly become Juliet.’

Ava's mind raced as the president's words sank in. The idea of drinking potions, of fully embodying Juliet in such an intense way, made her skin prickle with unease. She glanced back at Emily and Jack, their warning looks adding to her growing sense of dread.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. ‘Um, excuse me,’ she began, her voice wavering slightly. ‘These vials... what exactly is in them?’

The president's eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. He tilted his head slightly. ‘Ah, Ava. The potions are merely herbal concoctions designed to help you immerse yourself in the role. Think of them as natural supplements.’

Ava frowned, not entirely convinced. ‘But... are they safe? I mean, shouldn't we know exactly what's in them before we start taking them?’

The president stepped closer, his close presence – uncomfortable. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and firm. ‘I understand your concern, Ava. I assure you, these vials are serviced by the university. They are completely safe and are only meant to help you tap into Juliet's emotions and experiences more deeply.’

Ava's mind was still whirling with questions, but the president's steady gaze and soothing tone began to chip away at her resistance. ‘But... what if I don't want to take them?’ she asked.

The president's smile softened, and he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. ‘Ava, I understand that this may seem daunting, but trust me when I say that this is an opportunity. You have been chosen because we see potential in you. Not many girls like you get this opportunity. These vials are just one tool to help you unlock that potential. I wouldn't ask you to do anything that was unsafe.’

Ava felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her, but the president's words were persuasive, his confidence in her reassuring. She glanced around at the other members, who were watching her intently, and then back at the president, his eyes filled with a mixture of intensity and reassurance.

‘Okay, sure, I guess,’ she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. ‘I suppose I can try.’

The president's smile broadened, and he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. ‘That's the spirit, Ava. I promise you won't regret this.’

The room erupted into applause and Ava couldn't shake the lingering sense of uncertainty. Members of the Vanguard Club started to move around purposefully, setting up props and arranging costumes. The atmosphere charged with anticipation.

Ava found herself directed to a corner of the room where a small table was set up with various items. Her breaths quivered as she started at the vials in front of her, a strange sense of Deja-vu rushing over her, before she could process the familiarisation, the president's voice cut through her thoughts.

 ‘Ava, there you are,’ he said, his tone warm and welcoming. He approached her with a confident stride, his eye contact unwavering. ‘Are you ready for our first rehearsal?’

She nodded, feeling a flutter of nervousness. ‘Yes, I guess so...’

He smiled, his blue eyes gleaming in the dim light. ‘Excellent. Let's get started, then.’

The president guided her to the centre of the stage, his hand lingering on the small of her back longer than necessary. Ava felt a shiver run down her spine at his touch, but she tried to focus on the task at hand. The other members gathered around, forming a loose circle as they began the rehearsal.

The president started by explaining the scene they would be working on - the first meeting between Romeo and Juliet at the Capulet's party. As he spoke, he moved closer to Ava, his presence dominating the space around her. He handed her a script, his fingers brushing against hers, causing her body to stiffen.

‘Let's begin with the lines,’ he said, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. ‘Ava, remember to embody Juliet's innocence and curiosity. Feel her emotions, her excitement.’

Ava nodded, trying to focus on his words and not the way his touch seemed to linger on her arm. They started the scene, his voice rich and resonant as he recited Romeo's lines. He stepped closer with each line, his hand cupping her cheek as he spoke, the gesture both tender and possessive.

Ava's breath caught in her throat as he leaned in, his lips inches from hers. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, his presence almost overwhelming. She stumbled over her lines, her voice shaking.

The president's hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair. His touch electrifying, sending a jolt of sensation through her. He smiled, clearly enjoying her discomfort, and continued with his lines, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke.

‘Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.’

He closed the distance between them, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. Ava's heart raced, her eyes widening and mind reeling from the intensity of the moment. She pulled back slightly, trying to regain her composure, but he held her firmly, his eyes locked onto hers.

‘Feel it, Ava,’ he whispered. ‘Let yourself become Juliet.’

By the end of the night, Ava was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. The president pulled her aside, his hand lingering on her arm.

‘You did well tonight, Ava,’ he said, his voice low and intimate. ‘I can see Juliet coming to life in you.’

Ava forced a smile, trying to hide her discomfort. ‘Thank you.’

He leaned in. ‘Remember, this is just the beginning. We have a long way to go, and I will be with you every step of the way.’

Ava nodded, her mind racing. As she left the theatre that night, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into something far darker and more dangerous than she had ever imagined.