Dionysia, Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Discovering Paradise

I’m only here because I didn’t want that night to end. I never do.

Ever since my first music festival, I knew I’d found my crowd. My people. People think rolling on Molly is this generic party experience, like coke or shots or something. But for me, it was life-changing. It showed me what unconditional love and contentment really meant. For the first time in my life, I was truly happy.

But I’ve been chasing that first high ever since. Everyone is. That’s where it gets dangerous.

So when the clubs flicked their lights for last call on the night of my 23rd birthday, I wasn’t ready to go home. I’d been flirting with a guy all night, and he mentioned he knew an after-hours place. House music all night and all day. My kind of people. He told me this place was something special.

Our Uber took us a long ways. Out of the proper city, really, and into sprawling acres of rolling hills and farmland. But when we pulled up, it looked like any city streetcorner at 1am. People chatting and smoking cigarettes. Lights on and music thumping.

“Not all that discreet for an after. You sure the cops won’t show up?”

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” said Marco. “We have a deal with the city or something.”

“Oh… uh, okay.”

“Don’t worry, we’re legit.”

What did he mean by “We?”

“Marco! Good to see you man. Been a minute.”

“Oh hey dude. Been a while indeed. But guess what? My time’s almost up, so I’ll be home soon…”

Marco caught up with the bouncer. He was a handsome, fit black guy in Warby Parkers. Mid forties, maybe.

“Who’s your friend?”

“Oh my fault. This is Sophie. Sophie, this is Aaron. He runs security here.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Are you a member?”

I glanced at Marco in confusion.

“Nah, she’s my guest.”

“Ah a newbie, huh? I need a photo ID, recent STD test from the last month and a signature. Fill this out please.”

I had to show him an STD test? He handed me an iPad with a legal document for me to sign. A… long legal document. Looked like a nondisclosure agreement. What the hell was this place?

I knew I probably shouldn’t be signing legal documents at 3am on a street corner, but fuck it. At this point, I just had to see inside. I scrolled to the bottom, plugged in my info, and handed it back.

“Okay, STD test?”

What an odd request, right? I had taken one a few weeks ago, fortunately enough. I frantically scrolled through my phone.

“Um… I… I think so. Maybe. Sorry, I didn’t know I had to… does this work?”

He stamped my hand with a little insignia. It looked like an old family crest, but it had a woman’s face in profile. Across the bottom were words I didn’t understand. Maybe Greek or Latin something?

“Welcome to Dionysia. Your welcome gift, Miss.”

He handed me a little breathmint. That’s nice, I guess. I popped it in my mouth as he opened the door.

And my life changed, forever.

It felt like walking into a new world. It felt like the little corner of my brain that fantasized a perfect, beautiful utopia had suddenly snapped into existence. From my imagination to real life. This place couldn’t possibly be real.

“What… what is this place?”

“Don’t ask questions. It’s Dionysia!”

The unassuming metal warehouse door opened into a long, cavernous hallway with cathedral ceilings. A deep burgundy carpet lined the way to a mysterious black curtain.