Only two weeks previous,

On a small harbor town, on the serpentine delta, the crescent moon was desperately trying to hide itself among its wisps of clouds. To no avail, it relinquished its little light upon the town. Under a street lamp, on a fruit crate, a group of four boys were playing Moa ("M-ow"), a game with ever increasing complexity since each winner adds a new rule. These boys were on a month-long series, hoping to best their record of 66 rules.

A boy, aged 14, pimply, with a fat face and brown hair, placed down an eight of diamonds.

"Forever old and eternally wise, I turn round the eight and infinity lies!"

Next to him another brown haired, sharp faced boy sat on a crate. This one was thinner and seemed older, although like his younger brother, still inherited an unfortunately greasy face.

"I place a four of spades, and cast to you some deathly shades!" He then accompanied it with some hand motions of spell weaving.

"I counter your spell," slamming a card on the crate. "and place a seven. All must resist, or go to heaven."

Arms crossed and rocking back and forth the other three mutter. "I resist temptation to go to heaven; three nine eight six five six seven."

The little boy smiled triumphantly. "Failure to rock in circles! You all go to heaven!"

All three boys groan as they pick up a penalty card.

"Point of order!" cried the oldest. All boys quickly threw their cards on the table. "Wait, when do we rock back and forth then?"

"It must be the 3 of diamonds 'Of riches and glory I shall not dwell, for all of those pursuits will lead me to hell.'" Said the tallest boy with a monotone voice. He was dark haired, lanky and currently cleaning his nails with a knife.

"Hey, when is that shipment of snuff coming in?" squeaked the young brother.

"Scared of your first gig Tommy?" Smiled the oldest boy as he rustled the young boy's hair. "Don't worry, the boss assured me that this one's an under the radar, simple, grab'n go. Perfect for BG's like you."

Then something caught his eye. A woman, covered in a brown cloak, was walking on the other side of the street. She made no sound, as if she was a phantom of the night.

"Hey Mami!" he hollered. "Why don't you show us what you got under those draperies! It may be the middle of the night but I bet you could make my sun rise early!"

"Richie!" Tommy's older brother reprimanded. "Do you have to do that to every dame walking by?"

"You know what boss always says, 'after a thousand cat-calls, you will eventually relieve your blue balls!'"

"If you could count to a thousand," replied the tall one.

"Shut up!"

"If your seed packets are swelling why don't you go to the Salty Step-Sister like everyone else?" countered the big brother.

"Because Michel, unlike you and your gay ass, I have infinity more class and rather die from shame than stoop to paid pleasure."

"You have a weird set of morals Richie," murmured Bird, the tall one.

"I can show you what you desire young man."

The boys, who almost forgot the woman in their bickering, were struck dumb.

"Come closer if you wish to take it."

"Wow!" chimed Richie. "This must be my thousandth time!"

"You're so dumb Richie," face palmed Michel. "Is this a trick? What do you want from this?"

"Your life."

If the boys thought this was weird at first, then that definitely tipped it over the edge … at least for two of them.

"You holding any weapons?" contemplated Richie.

The woman dropped her robe and revealed her unclad marble white skin along with nine white tails flicking around behind her. Tommy hid his face into his brother's sleeve. Bird and Richie stood in shock.

"Must be an animal theme at the strip club then? You got any goons to take me out if I come over there?"

The woman shook her head.

"Alright, come on boys!" said Richie as he gestured for them to follow.

"Richie!" Michel pulled Richie's arm. "Were you born yesterday? She said she was going to kill you. Does that mean anything to you?!"

"Look Mikky, I am a foot taller and 50 pounds heavier with a background of street fights. Besides I am almost eighteen, and I need to complete the coming of age challenges before then. Bagging a bird is one of them."

"Who gives a fuck about the challenges?"

"I do, the Elite Eight won't ever accept me otherwise."

"The Elite Eight are a bunch of stuck up snobs. They'll never accept you anyway, they made up their mind immediately when they saw your ugly mug!"

Richie couldn't possibly imagine the Elite Eight barring HIM out. So he ignored Michel's last statement.

"So you going to bag this with me or not?"

"WHAT!?"

"Are you gay?"

"NO!"

"Then bag it with me faggot. You too Bird, come over her." Bird walked over, smiling and wheezing a little in nervous excitement.

"Are you serious Bird? Tommy go back home" ordered Michel. Tommy looked at his brother, and seeing the signal from his eyes, ran away.

"Hey, I just hit'm as they pitch'm," eagerly wheezed Bird.

"Look," said Richie smugly. "You don't have to do this. But If I tell the others that you didn't check your dip stick when you had the chance, then they definitely, will be sure, that you're 100%, gay."

"Well that's it. I'm leaving! Go fuck yourself!" And with two middle fingers, Michel walked away into the allies.

Birdie was now facing a predicament. Michel was definitely smarter, but those globes were really gorgeous. She did say she would kill them. Bird then remembered the last time that he thought with his little Birdie. His worm was itching for weeks, and it cost him two months of earnings to make it right again. Maybe she was one of those diseased wenches with a wrathful intent on spreading misery, just like he heard from a friend, who died a year ago to a similar situation.

"I'm ducking out of this one, Richie. Make sure you come home safe. Peace homeboy."

"You mother-fuckers. Oh well, that just means I don't have to share."

Richie strode over to the woman and noticed six scars on her face, three on each cheek. It made her look foxy. He liked foxy.

"Been in a couple fights sweet heart?"

"I have," she said coolly. "they've been with men like you, and I've always won."

"Well sweetheart, I'll make sure we both win." He then whispered in her ear. "At the same time."

She didn't remark. That was o.k. Richie was more of a businessman, and he always went straight down to business.

In the back of an alleyway, Richie was doing his best to make her feel the way he felt. But no matter how much he played with the pipes or bobbed with the balloons, she still had that emotionless expression, looking to the moon.

"Is this all that you wanted?" She asked.

"It kinda ruins it when I am the only one having fun, sweet cheeks." He said with another thrust.

"That's too bad. Because you've paid a dear price for it, and I'm bored." With that, she squeezed her hand into a fist,

and he came,

into oblivion.