"Another one, DeWitt? Should I cut you off again?" The bartender grunted. I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. The small bar had only a few people in there now. Time passed by quickly in here, but I didn't care. Today hadn't been the best day. "Why're worrying? You my mother?" The bartender rolled his eyes, handing me another glass of whiskey. I smirked, taking the glass in my hands. Being here wasn't unusual for me, but on weekdays it was a little odd.

"How's workin' for them been lately?"

"Same as always."

The bartender nodded, leaning against the counter. His dark eyes gazed at me, making me uncomfortable. Looking away, I listened to the faintness of the radio at the end of the counter. I could barely hear the voice over the four men playing poker at the table not far from me. If it were any other night, I'd be playing with them, but tonight was a different night. Unable to relax anymore, I slowly stood up from the seat and handed the bartender my fee.

"Woah. You're paying me. Today must be a lucky day!" The bartender said with a cheeky grin. I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "Don't make me regret it." He nodded to me, waving as I left. I'd been there so many times, we were almost friends. The only people I could call that were those who were useful to me. That bar was the only place I wasn't bothered. Home was a different story. I chuckled to myself, thinking about just a few short hours later.

"Hope she ain't still mad at me." The argument forced me out the door, but I knew I'd come back. I always came back. Where else did I have to go? She was my only home. The thought of her brought a smile to my face. "She better feel lucky," I mumbled, laughing to myself. She wasn't the lucky one, though. I definitely was. She found a way to become the most important thing to me. Losing that was not an option. That woman was my future, and was carrying my child.

I walked up to the apartment, sliding in the key. The first odd thing was that the door was unlocked. The second... was the silence. She wasn't even speaking or moving around. Everything was quiet. I opened the door, shutting it behind me. At first I thought she was asleep, until I heard the crash. I ran to the back room where the sound had came from. That was when I saw it. The creature standing up from something. Its back was to me, but I could see a flash of blue and red.

I didn't have time to react before the woman ran to the window, chuckling softly. The chuckle rumbled through me, any fueling my anger more. She disappeared from the window in a flash. "Damn it," I cursed. Clenching my jaw, I looked around the room to make sure nothing was taken. But then, I saw her lying on the ground. Everything crumbled then. I may be strong, but that destroyed every wall around me. That world I had built around was now gone. She was gone, and so was my child.

"Hello! Booker, are you even listening?" The shrill voice pierced through my thoughts. I blinked, slowly recovering my sight again. I cleared my throat, looking over at the woman in front of me. "Sorry, Rayna. It's been a long day," I mumbled. Rayna rolled her eyes, but chuckled softly. "You're always off in your thoughts. You have a cute look when you're thinking about something." I shrugged, not remembering what I was even thinking about. Rayna smiled, her blue eyes skimming the small diner.

I leaned back in my seat, sighing. It was nice to be away from work. Even though I hadn't known Rayna for that long, she was good company. "How has work been treating you?" She asked. "Fine. The job is pretty quiet most of the time." She nodded, sipping her coffee. "I can imagine. Tell me again why you decided to become a private investigator?" I chuckled, watching her stir the drink in her hands. Her hands were small and fragile. It didn't match her tough attitude that she always wore on her sleeve.

"Why'd you become a prostitute?"

"Fair enough."

I chuckled again, sipping my whiskey. Rayna shook her head, setting down her cup. She stared out the window, sighing softly. I'd met her in a weird situation, but we hit it off better than I expected. I still remember seeing her on the corner with that idiot boy. Smirking slightly, I followed her gaze. "See that?" She pointed to a couple strolling down the street, "I want that so bad. But no one ever falls for the woman who gives her body for money." I raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you interested in love?" She eyed me, narrowing her eyes. The look on her face made me chuckle.

"I'm tired of having to do this for a living. It's the only way I can pay for food for my children. It's tough, Booker."

"I know. Relax, Rayna, I was kidding."

She smiled, squeezing my hand. "How have you been, Booker?" I shrugged, folding my arms. Her smile turned into a fake frown. "I'm pouring my heart out to you, and you keep leaving me alone. I don't think this relationship is working." I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" I asked. She nodded, leaning forward. She always smelled really nice. I cleared my throat, ignoring the lovely smells that followed her. Rayna was a friend, nothing more. She was a beautiful girl, and it isn't a secret that she's... gifted.

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I will have to break this off."

"That's too bad. I haven't gotten to sleep with you yet."

Rayna gasped, sitting down and smirking slightly. "Mr. DeWitt! I am not a woman who is easily won. Even though I am a prostitute, I take my relationships serious," She said. I chuckled, going along with her game. "Don't pretend you didn't ask for it." Rayna turned a light pink, fake gasping again. Her thin lips turned into a small grin. "I'll admit I've heard you're very well skilled, but I have better takers. I'm a queen and should be treated like one," She announced with a wink.

I chuckled, shaking my head. Rayna giggled, sipping more of her coffee. "I enjoy your company, Booker. I don't understand why everyone is scared of you," She said. I shrugged, smirking slightly. That was a given. I'm nasty when I drink, and even nastier when I'm provoked. Over the years, I've learned to handle my anger, but sometimes it passes right by. "They're all jealous." She giggled, shrugging her small shoulders. Her smile was radiant. It took over most of the beauty on her young face. Sighing, I turned my head.

"Can I ask you something?"

I turned back to her, seeing her expression change. She smiled innocently. "I got invited by one of my regulars to go to this... party. I'm not sure what it is, but I know they'll be dancing. Would you... want to escort me?" She asked. I chuckled, seeing the small, hopeful smile. "I don't dance." She giggled, shaking her head. "I don't either."

"But you're a woman."

"So? Booker DeWitt, do you really think that since I'm a woman that I must know how to dance?"

I shook my head, chuckling. Rayna bit her lip, stirring her coffee. "No. That's not what I meant. The man leads, and I'd embarrass myself," I said. The honest part was I didn't want to go. I cared about Rayna, but I didn't want to get too close to her. Things were easier if I kept my relationships simple. She sighed, shaking her head at me. "I'm disappointed in you, Booker. I figured you'd be a gentleman and go with me. After all, we are friends." I smirked, seeing the frown on her face. This woman is killing me. Everything about her was gorgeous.

"What day is it?"

"It's in a couple weeks."

I sighed again. Another long sigh. She raised an eyebrow. "Okay. I'll go." She grinned, winking. "Well then, come by my house at eight." I nodded, rolling my eyes. "You always get your way," I mumbled. Rayna grinned, winking again. "I've got you wrapped around my finger." I shrugged, swallowing the rest of my drink. I stood up from my seat.

"I should get back to work."

Rayna stood up as well, dusting off her dress. She was such a small girl. Looking down at her, my shadow could swallow her up. She was tiny in size, and had a delicate sense of appearance. But I know her all too well too know she wasn't as delicate as she looked. "Thank you for lunch," She said with a smile. I nodded, watching her come closer. She leaned up, kissing my cheek. "I'll see you later! Don't work too hard!" She grinned, turning around and walking out into the busy streets.

I chuckled, shaking my head. Rayna was the only person I let my guard down around. She was also my only friend. Without her, I have no idea where I would be. Most likely back to your old ways. I sighed, rubbing my temples. I thought I got rid of that horrid voice. It made me feel insane. Someone talking to me inside me head. That's completely sane. But it wasn't someone as much as it was just myself. Great, I thought, I'm talking to myself.

Sighing, I started walking back down to my office. The voices weren't the only things that made me question my sanity. Lately, I'd been having strange thoughts. Not more than usual, but of someone. They never show their face, but I feel like I'm being watched. Every day it's the same things. There's the voice, and then there's the stranger. It was like they were all connected to that night.

You still don't get it, do you?

Slamming the door to my office closed, I started to get back to work. Ignoring the ratting voice inside my head, I continued with what I had to get done. All the while, something wasn't sitting well. The feeling around me wasn't something to ignore. There was definitely something coming. Breathing a sigh, I gave up on trying to finish up. There was no way my mind would allow it.

"What if I am just going insane?" I grumbled. The quiet room left me to my thoughts again. Could these feelings have something to do with her? I sighed, rolling my eyes. Of course they did! She's never going to go away. Grinding my teeth, I wondered if I'd ever get to see that stranger's face. "Human or not. I'll fucking end you." The ferocity of my words tensed my muscles. I can't get angry. Not after yesterday's rant. My hand still ached from the hard punch I delivered to the concrete wall.

The creature wasn't the only one that had been reported killing people. Mine was only the first to happen. I massaged my aching hand, thinking about all the reports in the paper. Several people are dying from these... things. I still didn't understand it. The plague had driven everyone into a panic, but most people still went about their days. Even though I lost everything to them, I wasn't about to help anyone destroy them. It'd only resort in something similar to war. I was tired of fighting.

But you're fighting now, Booker. You're fighting yourself.

My eyebrows twitched. The thought of seeing her killer was satisfying. Although, I'd be the last person to know how to kill her. I'd leave that to someone else. I just want to see her suffer. No, I wanted to see it suffer. Even though it was a woman, I don't classify it as anything but an 'it'. Chuckling to myself, I felt my headache start to come back. Nothing ever leaves me. Anything could come back if it meant harming me. Not that a headache does much.

I'm going to keep doing whatever I need to do whatever it is that'll satisfy me. That's funny. What does satisfy you, Booker? Clearing my throat, I ignored the nagging in the back of my mind. There's no doubt about what satisfy me. Even though I wouldn't admit to it, I knew what the stakes were. I wasn't stupid. I knew myself better than I'd ever tell. Right now, I'll just pretend I'm clueless. That always seems to work, doesn't it? I'm always being clueless to people around me and their feelings. But why should I give a damn? Giving a damn would mean having a heart.

Oh, come on. Don't be melodramatic. You have a heart.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. As the days pass, I began to see things in a different perspective. The older I get, the more nothing seems to affect me. There's less things that make me happy, less people I want to talk to, and less problems I need to deal with. I've never truly had a heart. And if I did, it probably isn't even beating. The last thing I needed was to have one now. "That ain't me," I said with a small chuckle. In truth, it wasn't. The man with no heart.

Now, that's pretty catchy.