Devastation (Paused)

Prologue

My body rocked uncomfortably as the train screeched to a stop in the middle of Chicago. Grunting annoyedly I stood up as did the other noisy passengers. Just as I started walking I was shoved into a sea of bodies hurriedly exiting as the train whistled. Elbows and legs tangled around me as I was pushed out the door and into the platform.

"Why you no good mannerless brutes!!! How dare you push me around as if I were a mutt!"

Huffing loudly I fixed my coat and moved my hair off my shoulder.

"Damn it all!"

Feeling around my coat pockets I realized a swindler had caught me. My purse and jewels were gone... Great! Now how am I supposed to get a drink! That's when I felt my pendant resting on my neck. Grabbing it I smiled faintly.

"Oh well... At least I still have you..."

Turning I looked at the train route. Hmm... I'm at the largest station by far. Maybe I'll find someone selling one in the slums? I mean they are supposed to be a secret so it would be wise to hide them in the least favorable part of town...

"Oh um excuse me, sir?"

A guard walked through the station. The man hesitated for a moment before acknowledging me. He seemed very flustered as I approached him with a smile. Putting on an innocent voice I gazed at him seductively.

"Sorry to disturb you but..." Pulling at my coat I dragged it down a bit to draw his eyes to my slightly revealed chest and the pendant. "I'm not from here. Is there a certain part of this place I should not wonder..." Dragging out my words I reached for his arm slowly. "I surely wouldn't want to end up on the wrong side of town..."

"O-o-oh... W-well umm. I wouldn't suggest-" He coughed loudly as if to gather other eyes as he proclaimed loudly "-going to the west slums. Ain't no place for a woman! Bunch of mobsters and such. Women as purdy as you wouldn't last a minute with fellows like me- I mean them! Yeah they are really rough on ya! Cause you are real purdy..."

The guard gave me a wink as his cheeks flushed red. Ugh... I couldn't help but grit my teeth. He speaks as if he has ever been with a woman yet he reeks of a horny virgin with no experience.... He might do well if I can make him my pet...

"Oh why thank you for the warning. It was awfully kind of you." Once I held his wallet I let go of him and fixed my coat before giving him a small wave. "Well I best be on my way now! I hope to see you again soon, sir..."

The man looked dishearten as I quickly walked away towards the station exit. Once I was out of sight I pulled out the wallet and counted the cash. Clicking my tongue I rolled my eyes. Only $10 and some change... Has the economy really fallen so far? I had more on me than this! Who is this guy anyways?! Grabbing his driver's license I wasn't stunned by his name. John Clench... Not at all interesting...I threw the empty wallet and license in an alley a few blocks away as I walked towards the west side of town. Compared to other places I had visited this seemed quiet. Too quiet... That's when two black convertible coupe came flying around the corner just as I was going to walk across. My hair flew around me in a daze as I tried to steady myself. Damn bastards! Gritting my teeth I turned to see the two cars stopped across the street from me. Four men dressed in black fancy duds stepped on the street across from me as one more man appeared from one of the cars. Unlike the other four this man was big and tall, easily towering over his men. He was most definitely a mob boss...

Ok, time to go! Holding my tongue I quickly walked in the opposite direction. In the world of witches I was no match for those men... Nothing is... Mob bosses aren't simply men. They are monsters! Killers! Ruthless beast! There is no way in hell I would survive against them... Grabbing my pendant I steady my breathing.