Blackwater Creek

Arthur Ashton

Duchess, read the lettering in neon red lights over the mahogany door. The afternoon was windy, it was very predictable that rain would come any time soon.

"We're really doing this?" Rose hesitated to take another step forward.

"You want to help your friend or not," Lilith opened the door and casually walked in.

Followed by Rose and Horace, Lilith walked into the crowded bar. There were pool tables and tables and chairs, the neon red and brown lights, dimly lit the place. It was a big place, a proper bar, with a second floor designed for private meets.

Seeing outsiders had entered, the Crows came around to meet them. All wearing their dark clothes and tattoos of a crow spreading it's wings.

"Rest assured we come in peace," Lilith said to them, "this is about Caleb, a friend of yours I'm told."

"Who're you people?" a fat tall, bearded man in a jacket with torn sleeves stepped forward.

"Horace," Horace stepped forward, "Caleb's boyfriend."

"And them?" a girl with brown hair and blonde highlights coming out from behind the crowd stepped in.

"Rose," Rose replied, "Caleb's my friend and I'm helping clear his name. This is-" 

She was gesturing at Lilith.

"Lilith," Lilith smiled, making everyone uneasy, "I deal with cases concerning those in conflict with the law."

"Please," Horace said, "Caleb needs your help."

"We don't abandon our brothers," the girl said to the tall man making him step aside. 

Once he did, stairs to a second floor were in sight. 

"Our king is up there," the girl said, "it's best you talk to him."

"Thank you," Rose replied.

"We're crows. We protect each other, and we dont leave anyone behind." the girl smiled.

They made their way up to the second floor. Before them was a hallway, and at it's end was a single door. The place seemed shady and unwelcoming, but Lilith strolled right in as if this was perfectly normal. Upon opening the door they saw a room, moderately big, with some tables, chairs and shelves.

"Might I help you with something," A man stood up from his chair. 

He wore a white shirt and dirt covered jeans. His hair was slicked back with gel, but was messed up causing it to stand in all directions. He had a tattoo, of a crow with spreader wings, same as everyone else. Strangely, he didn't seem that old. He was, perhaps, close to their ages, older no doubt, but surprisingly young for a gang leader. he had the strong build of a worker, with a face smudged with soot and strong blue eyes.

"It's about Caleb," Rose said, "we're trying to help him and we need your help."

"Anything to help him get out of his situation," he took out some chairs and said, "please, take a seat."

They all took a seat except Lilith who remained standing where she was.

"Sure you don't wanna sit?" the man asked Lilith.

"I'd rather just take what I came here for and be over with all of this," she replied, still with a smile.

"What did you come here for?" he asked.

"Answers," she replied.

Rose explained, "we just need to know if this man came in here sometime ago?" she handed over the picture of a man holding a gun, with a monkey tattoo.