The Irony In Her Name

Chapter 1- The Dark Alley way

Josephine didn't typically work night shifts at the bar, but "something had come up" with one of her co-workers. At least that's what her manager told her. She's been working the nightshift for about four days now- covering for the only other employee who worked with her. Frankly she wouldn't be suprised if her co-worker wound up dead. This pessimistic thought process had already become second nature to Josephine. Pretty women who walk home alone at night tend to wind up missing and are typically found in some ditch in bum fuck nowhere, especially when they work in a shitty places like this bar. The bar was dark and somewhat worn down, and in dire need of refurbishment as well as remodeling. The smell of cigarette smoke, weed and booze filled the room, the cocktail of aromas always made Josephine queezy. This atmosphere was definitely in need of some change. The gloomy tone of the room was contagious. Josephine's watch beeped, 'Closing time' she thought with a sigh.

As happy as she was to be out of this miserable place for the night, something felt off though. She shrugged it off and began to usher the remaining drunks out of the bar. Josephine grabbed the keys to close up the shop. As soon as the door was locked, she shut the steel gate, littered in graffiti as well as the local gang symbol of the Akai Akuma. Looking at the symbol made her spine tingle. She knew of the gang and occasionally saw a few members of the gang in the bar, dawning their uniform leather jackets adorned with a red faced, Japanese devil. She never had any problems with them but she still hated even being in the vicinity of those people.

Josephine started on her way home, she felt a sense of dread. Her walk home on late night was typically uneventful, but you can't blame her for worrying nonetheless, especially as a woman. Something seemed abit off about tonight. Regardless she walked with confidence, because if there's one thing she's learned about living in New York all her life is that no one will mess with you if you walk around like you own the place. The entrance to the bar was located in an alley- which fit the nature and theme of this seedy establishment- which was usually occupied by gang members and other shady individuals.

A few of the lingering drunks she had just put out the bar still remained in the alley. With a sharp exhale through her nose Josephine started on her way home. She walked up the alley, her heels clicking with every step echoing off the brick walls, catching the attention of some of the drunk men who were coherent enough to form words into sentences. Words she didn't care for, as much as the next woman. Cat-calls and wolf-whistling could be heard as she made her way by. She rolled her eyes in response to their behavior and continued on. "Ay! You look gorgeous mamas! But you'd look better with nothing on!" One of the men jested.

A scowl took over her features, and without turning to face him she called over her shoulder "yeah in your fucking dreams." This must've hurt the poor man's fragile ego. An firm hand was placed on Josephine's shoulder, which harshly spun her around. The man was face to face with her. He reeked of alchohol and weed. "Hey bitch! Look at me when I'm talking to you" he spat. Josephine shoved him away. "Fuck off man!" She shouted. How dare he touch her, over a few little words. She must've hurt his feelings. This man was absolutely livid. "Who the fuck do you think you are hoe?" He slurs in a drunken rage.

Where the fuck does this guy get off. It is evident that the two were in two different leagues, and Josephine was most definitely out of his. The man wore a stained grey hoodie, a pair of ripped jeans and an old worn down pair of black boots. He looked trashy, for lack of better words. Without saying anything Josephine rolled her eyes and turned on her heels to walk away. She'd much rather be at home then dealing with some drunk in and alley. She had better things to worry about.

The man didn't like this. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and threw Josephine to the ground. The asphalt scratching the palms of her hand from the impact. Terror ran through her as the man pulled a switch blade from his hoodie pocket. "Fuck you bitch! Give me your fucking money!" He shouted. Everything was moving to fast for her to process. "You deaf bitch?" He shouted once more. In an instant a sudden surge of adrenaline kicked in. Josephine kicked the knife from the mans hands. He hissed sharply in pain. Niether one of them notice the menacing black van blocking the alley. "You stupid bitch!" The man cocked his fist back in an attempt to punch her. Josephine braced for impact but nothing came. She looked up and was suprised to see a woman with short black hair, who appeared to be younger than her. She was accompanied by two older brawny men. The young woman was holding back the fist of the man who had assaulted Josephine.