Beyond The Smoke

Chpt. 4 Street Life

You're kidding.

You. Are. F.ucking. Kidding me!

He's tried not to complain, but I know the lingering taste in Mike's mouth isn't helping the nausea. I've been walking for about two hours now, and the only place I've found...

Is a goddamn stripper bar.

My nose was beginning to run from the cold, saying I lacked my shirt for the second time today. Mike was still shivering in my arms, sick. The only option I've got is one I wouldn't usually take.

"This is way against my morals." I mumbled, running a hand through my hair before begrudgingly letting myself step into the foul smelling place. Mike better not wake up, I don't want him seeing any of this sh.it.

I begun to feel a numb, tingling sense due to the sudden change in temperature. Walking further was difficult as the thick smoke practically blinded you. If that wasn't enough, the flashing strobe lights would do it. The music screwed with my pulse, I was surprised Mike hadn't woken up. Making it further, the booths and stripper's stage came into view. People crowded the front, sticking money towards the stage. My jaw dropped at the sight of who went sashaying off the stage. Her blue and brown hair flowing behind her, shocking a it was, the girl from the caffè.

I stood frozen as I watched her go into the back, probably to change. Her previous outfit could hardly be described as clothing, but she's probably used to it. Finally, she emerged in revealing booty shorts and a crop top. It was still an improvement, though. She made her way to the bar, presumably taking her shift tending it. I walked through the large crowd, the music fading into the distance as I met her there.

"Hey what can I- oh...hey...I know you!" She exclaimed. "The waiter from the café, right?" She asked, quieter this time.

"Yeah...that's me."

"Hey!...why are you shirtless in this weather? Whose the kid?" She pelted me with questions.

"Oh! He's my little brother, Mike," I looked down at the child in my arms. "And...I gave it to him. He was cold." I shrugged. "Can I get him a water? He isn't doing too well."

I could practically see her internal awing at Mike. "Yeah, what's wrong with him? And your nose?" She gestured to the medical tape across covering it. "I've wanted to ask that for a while now, just never got he chance."

"Him? Oh, he's a little sick," I lied. "The nose? That's a long story...so many questions though. How about I ask you one." I changed the subject quickly. My gut was tied, I still couldn't believe she was a stripper. So that was the stretch I saw in her eyes, the street life. I usually wouldn't give a damn, though, for some reason, I couldn't let it go.

"Shoot." She placed the glass of cool, clear liquid onto the bar and waited for my question.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Raya. You-" a man across the bar called her over, interrupting our conversation. She looked at me apologetically before heading off to her customer. I sighed and decided to wake Mikey. To my surprise, he was already awake.

"Hey Mikey, h-how long you been up for?" I stuttered, rubbing the back of my neck nervously.

"A- a while, kind of." He said, hardly loud enough for me to hear, his voice scratchy. He dozed, trying to stay awake.

"I've got you water."I handed him the glass. He gratefully chugged the glass down, eager to relieve himself of the foul taste I'm sure.

"Th-thanks." He smiled lightly.

"Wanna sit? I gestured to the chair at my side.

"I can hardly hear you over the thudding in my head. The m-music isn't a-as loud here as it was th-there, but s-still." I forgot it would aggravate his headache.

"Alright, I've got a long way to walk, so I better get moving now. Here, I'll pay for the water then." I said to the girl who was now sitting on my side of the bar, chatting with another client. She came over as I removed my wallet from my pocket, noticing I had the five she tipped me earlier tucked in the back. It was all I have, so I handed it to her. She just shook her head.

"Naw, you keep it. It's only water." I quickly yanked er towards me, hooking my fingers, along with the five, in the waistband of her revealing booty shorts. I smirked.

"Nah, you keep it. You'll probably need it more than I do. But hey! That's part of the job description, right?" I removed my fingers, leaving the five before walking to the door.

When I made it out, I gasped at my greeting, ridiculously harsh wind. I began my way down the icy cold concrete, shivering like mad.

"L-luke, take y-your shirt. I-it's r-really cold..." Mike stuttered. I looked down with a small smile.

"N-nah. I...I'm all good. You need it m-more.-" I was interrupted by a honking.

"Hey! It's cold. You want a ride?" Raya asked from inside the car. She was now fully clothed with a heavy coat.

"I-I'm good. M-my apartment isn't f-far. Th-thanks." I shivered.

"Oh please. You've got a stitched up back, broken nose, concussed child to carry, and you're shirtless in this weather. Get in." I looked at her defiantly, then looked to Mike. He was so cold...

"Fine." I mumbled, placing Mike into the back seat and jumping up front. I was thankful for the warmth the heater provided. Buckling my seatbelt, I turned to Raya as she started driving.

"Thank you..." I said quietly. I hated getting help from others, it made me feel like a charity case. At least she had the decency to think of Mike. Speaking of Mike, he had already passed out in the back.

"No problem...would you like to crash at my place? It's pretty close by." She looked from the road, to me, them back to the road once again.

"My place isn't too far... I could walk-"

"Don't even. I know you're lying. Even if it was, I'm not letting you take the kid through this weather." She retaliated.

"I don't want to ask for anything more. Take a left." She followed my directions. It was a silent drive from there. I just looked out at the dark city. The street lights briefly illuminated the space of the beaten up, black impala as we drove further into the city. The only sounds to be heard were my directions and the soft music playing through the speakers.

The car slowed as we made it to the apartment complex. She looked my way.

"Here?"

"Here. Thanks again Raya." I said with a smirk. "Still got the five?"

If I didn't know better, I swear she blushed. "Yeah...yeah, I've got the five. And no problem."
I went to exit the car and get Mike, but she put a hand on my shoulder.

"Wait-... I never to your name...we were interrupted." I paused for a moment, then smiled lightly.

"Lukas." I said before picking Mike up from the back and running out of the cold, up to the apartment.

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A/N: hey! Sorry it's soooo late of an update! I'm putting this freaking story together! I hope you're enjoying it. Thx for reading!

SONG: City Life by Redlight King

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-H4lt