Coma White (Book 2 of the Razor Blade Trilogy)

IV:Dub

“Have a good night, Breena.” Brian said goodbye to his soon to be wife.

“Bye, honey; you too.” She was gone.

Brian was tucked into bed, same as every other night; and like every other night, he snuck out through his window.

“Come on, Jimbo!” Kia pulled him from their hide out. Jimbo was reluctant; he didn’t like the snow. “We have to go!” The pair made their way to the corner where Kia met Brian. “Wait here, Jimbo.”

Brian found the corner. “Kia?”

“Right here,” Kia stepped out into Brian’s view. “I want you to meet my friend…Come here, Jimbo.”

Brian gasped at the sight of the man. “You’re from that circus! The Silent Giant.”

Kia grimaced. “His name is Jimbo.”

“Oh, hello, Jimbo.” Jimbo waved.

“Come on, we haven’t much time!” Kia jumped into action; taking off down the street swiftly. Brian and Jimbo followed.

Kia knew this place like the back of her hand. Past the new buildings, to the dilapidated ones outside of town. “One, two, three…” Kia spoke to herself. “Welcome to Dub…”

Dub, the underground bar. Kia rapped on the door gently. “Circles and crosses.” She whispered the password; the door opened. “Come on.”

Brian and Jimbo followed Kia down the stairs to a warm room. It was filled with people of all shapes and sizes. At the bar there was a man with his shirt unbuttoned and his hair long and black.

“That’s Gauze.” Kia said when she caught Brian’s stare. “He’s gay, so you might have a chance.” Brian blushed at her words.

“You really think I?”

Kia laughed. “Of course not; anyway, he has a boyfriend.” At that moment, another man, a blonde one, came out from a back room and gave Gauze a kiss. “That’s Stitch.”

“Gauze and Stitch? They should start a hospital.” About ten people in Brian’s vicinity burst out laughing. “What did I say?”

“The Irony is that Gauze and Stitch can’t stand the sight of blood.” Kia held back her laughter. “Come on, we’ll get something to drink.”

Kia tossed a quarter on the bar. “Fire on ice, and…just a beer for him.”

“What’s ‘fire on ice’?” Brian asked.

“I don’t know, they won’t tell us.” Kia shrugged.

“Got that right! You think we want the government knowing what we serve here?!” Gauze exclaimed jokingly.

“Likewise, we’d have to kill you if we did, dear.” Stitch added from behind them. Brian and Kia got their drinks.

The room was buzzing quietly. Kia downed her drink. “Alright, time to make some noise.” She stepped up on the bar. “Attention everyone.”

“Hey! Kia!” People called.

“Hello, everyone! So you’re probably wondering why I asked you all here…well; because there is hope.

Everyone looked around confused. “What are you talking about? The government’s stronger than ever!”

“Yes, but they are about to change leaders; we all know that!” There was a general agreement.

“I want to introduce to you, the next leader!” She pulled Brian up onto the Bar.

There was silence; then…”You kidnapped him! Stupid girl! What were you thinking? What’d you bring him here for! You’re going to get us all killed!”