Smokey & Buff

Chapter 1

Knockout

As I walked through the dark of night I could feel slitted eyes on me from the shadows. I kept my head down low and the collar of my leather up, all the while having my reflective aviators on. I was alone in the New York alleyways without any of my girls or boys to back me up, but I wasn't going to let anyone think I was easy game either. You see me and my gang, we call ourselves "The Vapes." We're a group of greasers and we all fit into this hot, smokey mess. We fight, we joke, we date each other, we breakup with each other, we stick together. We're a sort of family, whether or not anyone in our group wants to actually admit it. It's like that with all different gangs of greasers actually, we all are different families and friends looking out for each other and living this crazy life together.

Now there's three things you ought to know about us Vapes: One, we smoke like crazy; two, stay off our turf; three, if you're a Knockout you best be running. The Knockouts are another gang like us, except we've been major rivals ever since I can remember. When I was initiated into The Vapes I was only in Jr. High and ever since then I always remember disagreeing with a Knockout. The Knockouts are a bunch of pretty boys with whores always by their sides. They always seemed to pick a fight with us and try to mess with the people in our turf. Maybe they did it because they have no life or perhaps it's because they are just a bunch of low-life scumbags, but whenever we collide it causes a lot of trouble. Both of our gangs have tough guys, but The Knockouts usually don't stand a chance against us. Especially since most of our girls are just as rough and tough as the boys are. I just happen to be one of those girls. I never leave the house without my switchblade and my knuckles. I play fair and prefer to not use firearms. Most of us actually play by that rule and I'm surprised that none of us has actually taken advantage of that situation.

As I neared the end of the alley I came to a rusty door against an already decaying brick wall. Above the door was a neon sign with the words "Boa Bar" flashing in a seizure-like fashion. It syncronized with a pounding bass inside and I took a breath readying myself for the overwhelming sound. I lifted my hand to the door and rapped upon it with my nails. It swung open and a tall, tan, very muscular man met me. It was Victor and he welcomed me with a familiar smile.

"Eh, long time no see Bats! What, was three hours away from me too long?" He joked and laughed.

"Keep on wishing Victor, but this creature's heart ain't anywhere close to being stolen," I said smirking. I hugged him and he let me pass through the door, ready to see to the other person behind me. Victor and I have known each other since I was a small thing. Our communication now is often short as we both have our own lives to live and can't be bothered. However, every now and then we do get together to catch up. He is like a perverted uncle of mine, but the guy really means no harm. I believe he is eight years older than me, but nobody I know really keeps track of their age unless it's for legal purposes.

Oh yeah, I forgot I never introduced myself. My name is Bonnie, but most people call me Bats because I drive like a bat outta hell. I'm also known for being pretty crazy at night. I'm seventeen, a dropout, I work at a car shop with my best friend Cash and live in an apartment that is all my own. I dropped out when I was a Freshman in high school for many reasons I'd rather not explain. Let's just say I couldn't handle the stress of it at that time in my life. Ever since then I had no desire to return and I made it on my own. Of course I had help from the gang, for a while I was homeless and hungry, but being a new yorker you learn to tough it up. Life has never been easy for me, but I have taken advantage of my opportunities and well here I am today. I'd say I've done a pretty good job up until now.

I made my way through the crowd until I came to an elongated half-circle booth. Girls and guys flooded the table and I squeezed into the booth next to Cash. Everybody yipped as I took a seat and I smiled rolling my eyes. Cash put his arm around me and kissed my cheek before handing me a beer.