Chapter One
Louis strolled through the narrow streets, breathing in the muggy night air. His green eyes were searching, scanning. The antique gas lamps made his already breathtaking eyes sparkle in the dark night. He whistled softly to himself, stepping over a large puddle. It had rained quite hard earlier in the evening, sending most of the tourists running back to their hotels like rats. Louis paused at the street corner, looking up at the black inked sky. Not one star dared to show its face. He chuckled, continuing his walk. For once Bourbon Street was silent, most of the bars with their loud, jarring music were closed and the drunkards were snoozing safe in their beds. But what is this now? There was a girl, not older than twenty, walking the street quietly. Her eyes stared at the stone sidewalk before her, her hair matched the sky above them, shading her pale face from him. Louis had stopped all together, standing in the doorway of a shop. Despite the humid temperature, the girl was shivering, her arms wrapped tightly about her body.
"Chéri?" Louis called softly to her, an unexplainable concern enveloping him. She didn't hear him, or simply didn't acknowledge him. "Chéri, where are you going?" he tried again, grabbing the girl's arm as she passed. She whirled on him, her eyes wild. He caught her wrist as her tight little fist tried to strike him. She began to struggle wildly, thrashing like an animal. Louis held her as tightly as he could without hurting her, hushing her gently.
"I just want to help you. Tell me what happened."