Rain poured down heavily as the clouds started to form, the dim moon light now completely hidden underneath the thick layer of dark clouds taking over the night sky. The wooden swings at the sidewalk park creaked loudly, swinging from side to side as the wind blew forcefully.
And then everything went suspiciously quiet. Not even a sound was heard. The swings stopped abruptly, coming to a stop while the trees stood still. A dark shadow lurked past the trees and came to a stop upon an old cozy bar. The bar was the least from quiet. It was blaring with loud, country music along with old men's noisy calls. The sound of the cheerful harmonica playing softly in the background while small giggles from young women was clearly heard from outside brought a feeling of pure joyful to the old bar. It was decorated with small light bulbs that would occasionally flash on and off, with a big sign 'George's Downtown Bar'. The small porch leads to the old wooden benches on each side of the door, looking old and unsteady yet very warm.
"Two for the lady!" The young voice of a girl called out, overthrowing the cheers ringing across the small wooden house.
"Got anymore up ya sleeve, lil' one?" Came an old grumpy voice, before a loud sniff was heard. He wiped his nose with his right hand while the other one held a juicy burger, slamming his fist on the table, he growled. "That was nothin'. If ya want money. Ya'll have to do betta' than that scrawny old prank."
The young girl scowled, and got off her feet, crossing her arms over her chest. "What would you like to see, sir?"
"More than guessing cards." He rolled his eyes and held up his glass of beer. "Another one over here." He called out, his voice laced with the smell of alcohol.
"Very well then." She smirked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and stepped towards the man. "Do you have a dollar bill with you, sir?"
The man laughed out loud, knocking his head back. "Ya want money? I know lil kids like you. Pick pocketing. Ya'll pay for them. A beating is the very least. Why should I give money to you?" He mocked her, chuckling and shaking his head.
"Then how may I prove to you, sir?" The girl cocked an eyebrow.
"Come on then, Abby. Give the kid a dollar.'' He gestured to the small girl sitting behind him. Her delicate feature was enough to tell she was afraid of him, maybe because she has had taste of the beatings. Abby looked around nervously before she dug her pale hand inside the pocket of her dress. She pulled out a small coin and handed it to the girl. "I only have a penny left, miss." She quietly squeaked.
"Thank you, Abby. That will surely do." She smiled at Abby and held the coin in front of everyone before accidently dropped it to the floor. "Whoops.'' She muttered and bent down to pick it up. A hard smack hit her behind as she squealed and fell forward, causing the room to burst out in laughter.
"Clumsy girl.'' The man behind her snickered as she stood up and brushed the dirt off her dress. She glared at the man and stood up straight, holding out the penny again.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I have only a little coin in my palm. Nothing else." She said before closing her fingers on the coin.
"Now I want you all to say the magic word.''
"Abracadabra.'' The crowd chanted as she closed her eyes and pretended to mumble a spell, she quickly swiped her hand on her dress and held out her hand. "No coin.'' She held her palm out for everyone to see, earning a round of applause.
She closed her hand again, this time, brushing her hand against the other side of her dress, she held up a small pocket bag. She lightly shook it up and down, bringing the sound of small coins clashing together to her audience.
The crowd clapped and cheered as the man in front of her stay dumbfound. He searched his body for his money pocket before he realized it was stolen.
"You!" He accused.
"Sir, you didn't believe in my talent.'' She argued with a smirk before ducking down and pushing through the crowd. "Goodnight everyone!'' She called out as the man growled.
"Ya lil' wench! That lil wench took my money! Get her!" He boomed and stood up, slamming his fist on the table.
She ran outside the bar quickly and down the small road before any of the men could catch her. Laughing and breathing as the wind caught her, she wiped at her forehead but tripped on a small rock.
"Careful there.'' A hooded man caught her, she widened her eyes, thinking it was one of the men from the bar.
"Holy shit." She cursed and pushed him off her, her knee coming forward before he could block and kneed him right in the crotch.
The hooded man doubled over in pain. He fell to the ground, holding in between his legs before standing up again, but she was gone. She was running as fast as she could down the road back to her apartment. He stood up straight and started running after her, knowing he'll get to her in no time.
"Wait!'' He called out.
She whipped her head back only to see him only a few steps behind her. She kicked her legs faster as her hair bounced on her shoulders.
"Stop!'' He called out again and pulled on her hand, turning her to face him.
"Please don't hit me. I'll give you the money. All of them. I promise. Just-" She didn't get to finish her sentence before he pressed a finger against her soft pink lips and pulled them into a dark alley.
"Don't rape me'' She plead again, making him roll his eyes.
"I'm not going to hurt you.'' He snapped, making her shut up instantly. She looked at him and really took in what he was wearing. He wasn't dressed like the people in the pub. He had brown-ish hair that lied flat on his head, covered with a black hood that gave him a mysterious look. He was wearing a blue hoodie, with ripped and faded jeans that were clearly old.
"Name?'' He raised an eyebrow.
"Annabelle.'' She breathed, her blue eyes going wide.
"Jack Wilder."
And everything went black