Black Flame

Chapter 21: The Bar

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Salam asked, frowning as Felix attempted to start up his truck, the moonlight failing to properly illuminate the cabin of the vehicle as he fumbled with the keys.

"What? I've slept long enough. I'm hungry, and I need something to drink. Besides, am I not entitled to a celebration?" Felix asked, continuing to miss the keyhole, mumbling to himself a complaint. "Oh come on..."

"I mean, I suppose you are, but surely you can enjoy such activities within the safety of our home"

"Why would I do that Xiao's is open all the time?" Felix scoffed, finally managing to slip his key into the ignition before twisting it, his truck immediately coming alive, much to his delight. "Yes!"

"I'm just saying that you're tempting fate. Yesterday you killed a man there, and not even two days later you're wishing to return," Salam pointed out carefully. "What if a family member or friend wants revenge?"

"Then I'll shoot them too. What I did was morally and legally right. Anyone who has an issue with my actions can choke on it," Felix snorted, pulling away from his home and starting to maneuver his truck onto the street. "I had the right to defend myself."

Salam sighed, understanding that he could not convince Felix to change his mind. Felix drove his truck through the dimly lit city, navigating carefully through the streets and lanes, heading toward Xiao's bar, where he fully intended to get drunk and possibly pick up a woman for the night.

Salam sighed again as he settled back against the passenger seat, his eyes growing heavy as exhaustion took over. Salam hadn't slept since Felix was arrested, worried that his friend and provider would be executed. Luckily it hadn't happened, and he hoped that Felix would learn from the experience and refrain from doing anything so foolish. Much to his sadness, it appeared that he had been wrong.

The two sat in silence until they arrived at Xiao's, the building seemingly bustling with life, with a massive crowd forming outside of the entrance. However, as Felix parked his truck and stepped out of the vehicle, it became abundantly clear to him that the crowd wasn't happy, with the crowd angrily murmuring and yelling at two Militiamen who were guarding the door.

"This is an outrage!" One of the men cried out, pointing at one of the Militiamen, a pale-skinned Sergeant dressed in a pair of green and brown camouflaged pants and a grey shirt, his rifle held tightly in his hands, along with a white cotton beanie with a triple chevron insignia on it, denoting his rank. "Let us in!"

"Sir, as I have repeatedly said, you will be allowed in once you hand over your firearm," the Sergeant called back, not budging an inch.

"We aren't doing that!" Another man spat. "The Priesthood has gone too far!"

"Watch your mouth!" The other Militiaman, a younger similarly pale man, barked, shoving the man to the ground with his rifle, causing the crowd to erupt in anger.

Felix, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed at the scene, smiling at the ruckus. It wasn't every day an angry mob would confront two Militiamen. Brazenly, he approached the entrance, eager to see exactly what was happening. Salam on the other hand was far more hesitant, following behind Felix sheepishly.

"What seems to be the problem?" Felix questioned out loud, strolling up to the door, the crowd turning towards him before going silent.

"Ah, Felix! We were wondering when you'd show your ugly mug around here," the Sergeant sneered, his partner remaining silent. "If you want in you're going to have to hand over your firearm."

"Pfft! Says who?"

"The Priesthood, actually. Firearms are not to be allowed within businesses that sell alcohol for consumption on premises."