Death, Demons and Rent

part one

There was a rhythm to the steps on the streets, a chaotic song born of universal sound. There is a tempo to it all, an upbeat mambo that's asking why the passers-by aren't dancing instead of taking their usual strides.

The early morning light struggled through the murky cloud, but the dark did not succumb so easily. The air was cold and crisp, I hadn't expected the same dampness that comes before rain. I stepped off the curb. Dragons breath fogging up the air around me. The chill in the air seeped into my bones as a few rain drops hit the concrete. I crossed the road slipping into a side street. Tuning back into the song of footsteps as it sparked my imagination, making songs dance across my mind. Though the neighbourhood was mostly re-built, there were some derelict buildings that still remained, though Mostly bars. nothing changed in theses parts. though I have; I see the same cracks and peeling paint, I see buildings that need more love, but it's never going to be. People still milling around this early in the morning. There are some other shops down this street, like a bakery, butcher and a store but they were closed.

Sadly to outsiders this was the red light district even if we only had one stripper bar, but for locals it was an area to drown your sorrow or have a good night with your buddy's. Just don't stay to long, for there is a danger lurking beneath this place. But for right now I just needed a drink. A strong one.

I glanced around, one or two cars parked on either side. I slipped my hand into my pockets. Music clashed as I slanted down the street, too loud for anyone to think clearly. As a near by door was shoved open, the whiff of alcohol and cigarettes made my eyes burn. Groups of women danced among the streets as they clambered into taxis, mostly half naked. The neon signs giving the street an eerie glow, as shadows weaved within the cracks.

I slivered into the alleyway, ducking under the door frame and found myself inside a small quaint bar. Stepping into a dark room barely lit by the lights dangling from the ceiling, the bar curved around the small room, hard wooden floors creaked under foot as I headed to one of the old bar stools. It almost bucked as I sat.

"Brandy," I huffed at the bar tender. This morning could not get any worse.

"You look like shit," a small wave of shock hit me as a smudged glass landed in front of me, the brandy sloshed back and forth for a second. Not even bothering to look up I grabbed my glass and shot it all back. Flinching at the neon lights behind the bar, I smashed the glass down, before I could ask, the bar tender had already filled my drink again. I could get used to this.

Taking in my surroundings more closely, I could see the bar wrapped round into a second room, this was where the thudding of loud music and conversation were coming from. It seemed to be a night club. Only a few people where in this area. It was mostly older men, three were playing pool, some of them cheered.

I took a sip from my glass. The door opened,

"Guinness, mate," an accented voice came from behind me, probably Irish. This short lady walked over to the bar, she grabbed her pint and slipped into the other room. Her purple hair made her stand out but I was more shocked as she chugged the Guinness in one gulp and ordered another.

"Haha, she'd crush you," the bar tender chuckled, he grabbed a few glasses and put them away,

"The names Cayde, you look like your gonna be a regular," he was all in black, black shirt and jeans. He poured more alcohol into my glass.

"How would you know?" I smiled, this guy. He just carried on putting glasses away, with a smug smile. I swallowed the rest of my drink. This guy just kept pouring, he was good at his job, by the end of this night i would be out of money, though sadly not any drunker. As the morning went on more people left, the crowed thinned, the two other people bar tending switched out for different people but even though it was morning Somehow the music in the other room got louder. I could feel my heart rate slow, I almost felt giddy. I hadn't even noticed but i had begun to sway with the music. a small smile crept onto my lips, but soon a wave of nausea flooded me. I didn't count how many drinks I've had, but in the last three years I've never become drunk no matter how much I have. But this, as i finished my last sip i placed down my glass, it slipped off the table and smashed.