Breath of Fire

Prologue

         I sighed to myself as I squared my shoulders and carefully pried apart the splintering wooden fence that led to the back entrance of the bar. I ran a hand through my long dark brown hair as I stared in disgust at the sight before my eyes. I was standing in a narrow ally with a single dumpster on the right hand side and a small door on the left. I zigzagged back and forth in my black pumps as I tried to avoid the dark stains that marred the pavement. As I did so, I held my breath to avoid the putrid smell of alcohol, vomit, and rotten garbage that hung in the air. I yanked open the door and cautiously made my way past two small bathrooms and through an open arch only to find that I had arrived behind the counter of the bar. I looked around but there did not seem to be anyone around. I glanced down at the watch on my wrist...yup, I was on time!
"He-hello? Is anybody here!" I called out nervously.
"Just a moment!" I heard a man shout from what must have been his office on the far right of the room.
I shuffled my feet uncomfortably and tugged at the hem of my shirt. I hated wearing heels but it was basically a requirement for women to wear them during a job interview and I needed all the help I could get. I wasn't exactly twenty one but from my experience, there was always someone willing to hire an underage female bartender; especially a hot one. While I never saw myself as more than average, I had spent enough time around guys to know what type of clothes to wear and how to do my makeup in such a way that I appeared irresistible. It was not how I preferred to dress or act, but I learned early on that some things are necessary if you want to survive. Let's just say that my childhood had not been the greatest and leave it at that for now. When I was three years old I watched my parents get brutally murdered and after being shuffled around by the foster care system, I had run away and decided to make a living on my own. Even if I had wanted to stay, I would have had no choice after they found me and came looking for me.
I had no idea who "they" were, just that they were responsible for the death of my parents and were out to get me as well. I would like to say that I am just your average twenty year old girl, but sadly, that is not the case. I may not know who has been after me all these years, but I do know that it has to do with my special gifts - well some people would call them gifts - I called them curses...
"Sorry about that, Miss! Just had to check over the receipts from the last month to make sure everything was in order. Now, you must be Samantha?"
"Yes, that's me! Just call me Sammy. And you must be Rick?" I said, nodding my head as he confirmed the fake name I had given him on my application form.
"Yup, that's me, alright. I must say, you are quite the "fox" as you youngsters say. My customers will go crazy for you!"
I shifted uncomfortably as flashbacks from my previous bartending gigs raced through my mind. I mentally shook my head as I tried to refocus my thoughts.
"No one says that anymore," I chuckled, inwardly cringing at the way Rick's eyes raked hungrily up and down my body. Hopefully there wasn't going to be a problem with him. He was not entirely unattractive, but definitely not my type. I had spent the last few months living on the streets scrounging around for food and was tired of not knowing where I'd be sleeping at night so I needed this job to go well.
I squared my shoulders as I stood up straighter and smiled at Rick sweetly. Whether or not he wanted to sleep with me, I had to convince him I was worthy of hiring. At least I did if I didn't want to keep living like a rat!