Chapter 11

The fortune teller began frantically collecting the cards, muttering something under her breath.

"So what does all this mean?" Holden asked.

"Nothing. It's nonsense, nonsense, nonsense. Nonsense! This can't be happening," she said and started to move away. Holden noticed that the fortune teller hadn't picked up one of the cards and rose to catch up with her. That's when he realized how drunk he was: his legs wouldn't obey, his head was spinning. He crashed down onto the glass table with a bang.

The other patrons turned around and began to whisper among themselves. Sophie rushed to Holden to help him up. A waiter appeared, telling her it might be time to take him home before he got any drunker. Sophie nodded in agreement and started dragging Holden towards the exit.

While being dragged, Holden noticed that a seemingly frail girl like Sophie, she possessed extraordinary strength. In Holden's hand was the Fool card - he never gave the card back to the fortune teller.

Sophie dragged Holden out onto the street and started waving to attract a passing driver's attention. Holden was looking at the card when he asked:

"Do you think she pulls this trick with every patron? Oh wow, another Fool. Or maybe she's tired of telling fortunes to those who don't care about fate?"

"Love, you need to watch how much you drink. This is the second time I've seen you like this," Sophie pulled the corners of her mouth down and made a pitiful face.

"But I drank as much as you did! I don't understand why alcohol doesn't affect you. Or am I just that weak?" he leaned towards the girl and looked into her blue eyes. Suddenly a strange red flash passed over them, causing Holden to recoil slightly.

A taxi pulled up, and Sophie shoved Holden inside. She was about to climb in herself, but the waiter approached and said that someone needed to pay for the table and glasses that Holden had broken. Sophie handed money to the driver, gave him the address, and followed the waiter.

"You've got a golden girl, buddy. Mine would leave me out in the cold in this state," the taxi turned a corner and moved slowly with the flow of other cars. Holden felt his eyelids becoming heavy. Multicoloured lights, mermaid logos, signs, and various figures flashed before his eyes. This made Holden feel sick, and he felt nausea creeping up his throat.

The taxi stopped at a traffic light. Holden tried to hold back and opened the window to get some fresh air. Across from the taxi, he saw an unassuming cafe. He felt slightly better, and sleep overcame him. He saw a distorted owl above the cafe as he closed his eyes. How strange, Holden thought, and fell asleep.