Devil's Avenue

Chapter 2

*Warning, this chapter contains content that may be disturbing for some readers. If you would like to skip this part, an asterisk will be placed before and after this section*

The air dropped ten degrees as soon as my eyes met the crumbling walls of 'The Dancing Sun Inn.' Although the name suggested otherwise, there was nothing warm about the massive building. Time had bled the radiance from the walls; recessions had stripped the cheer from the floorboards, leaving ghosts in their place. The yellow glow seeping from the cracks and the dusty windows was almost otherworldly. It was as if the hotel was a parasite, feasting off the energy of the street -- and every other building was dead or dying.

As I walked up the steps, I could feel the curious tingle of doom sweep across my skin. I didn't know if it was the harsh night of sleep or lack of a good meal, but something about this city was definitely off and getting worse by the minute. Yersif had given me a 50 dollar bill -- that would probably be enough to get a train ticket home.

I glanced down once again at my transformed body.

"Odd." I muttered to myself, waving my thick arms and bending my masculine fingers, "Very odd." Although my hands no longer resembled themselves, thick scars still branded my skin.         *     I closed my eyes quickly as a fire poker seared its way from the corner of my memory. Red hot, it danced before my eyes.

"Thieves get punished, little girl. Do you want to get punished?"

"No!" I screamed, but I didn't dare remove my hands from outstretched above the table. The fire poker lingered just above my skin. The heat was making my hands sweat. I was choking back tears of terror. I tried to keep my hands up, but my little arms were weak and I let them fall.

I had to grab my stomach to keep from throwing up as I remembered the pain. It felt cold at first but soon it was piercing.   *   I ran my sweaty palms over my trousers, and yanked on my hair, hoping that real pain would bring me back to reality.

I hated myself right there, stooped over on the steps like a crazy person. How could I even consider going back there? I was scared, and that made me weak. I didn't know this city, but I knew the gnawing feeling in my gut.

I wasn't going to survive in this city if I was weak.

With every step I took up the stairs, I could feel Diadne slipping away. I could feel myself melting off, like a snake shedding a skin. I took one more look at brightening city before turning to step inside. Sunshine was pouring over the buildings. Their silhouettes were set ablaze by an earthly glow. I turned my back on them and placed a firm hand on the handle.

Before I could open the door, a woman in a red dress burst through on wobbling legs. Her eyes seemed to be blurred and just as bloodshot as her tight dress. She locked eyes with me and giggled at her clumsiness before dancing into the brightening streets. The smell of perfume and gin trailed behind.

The carpet of the old building was a dusty red and ancient chandeliers clung to the ceiling like spider webs. I walked slowly up to the desk. Deep murmurs intermingled with solemn notes of a piano. I scanned the room for it, but I couldn't find the instrument through the stiff cloud of smoke.

"What can I do for you?" The woman behind the desk wheezed and squinted at me. The wrinkles that lined her dark eyes were painted over with a vibrant teal.

"A room, please." I hesitated, eyeing the decaying ceiling. I knew that Yersif had said this place was cheap, but I wasn't expecting this.

"Just you?" The woman croaked, licking the remains of dinner from her slender fingers. She ran her tongue over her teeth, searching for crumbs. I quickly nodded yes.

Grabbing a key from the wall she said, "$12, sir -- I'll set you with a nice view since I'm getting such a nice one just looking at you." She flashed me an alarmingly crooked set of teeth before sending me a wink. I held back a gag and thanked her. I slid key 237 from the wooden desk and made my way up the winding stairs.