It seemed as though I had been walking in the rain for hours before I reached the The Ginger Snap. A jazz bar a few blocks from the Bay City Police Department.

I've been having some really rough days.

The city's crime rate is climbing drastically. With an understaffed police force we had to call our sister city for backup. Our new mayor is supporting a prohibition on alcohol and the people are very angry, protesting in the streets.

On the other hand, his support party is attacking pubs and rioting against the protesters, making public events violent.

And here we, the police, are in the middle!

Trying to keep the peace and protect the people.

The jazz club's neon sign was turned off, and it's windows boarded up, but there were a few people sitting outside the doors smoking.

I approached them, pulling up my collar. "They open?"

The man nodded and coughed.

I thanked them. He was dressed in a nice suit. The woman with him was in a show outfit and wearing what seemed to be the man's jacket. They were close together, avoiding the storm.

I quickly turned away towards the door, not wanting to be recognized as the commissioner of the police force. The people are constantly questioning who we stand with, and believe me, we try our hardest to stand neutral.

Walking inside the pub, a sweet, warm smell filled the air. There was piano music and singing. The bar was stocked with only a few items, so I simply asked for a coffee. I started walking to the table.

I looked up to see the singer on stage.

She locked eyes with me and winked.

Her face was beautiful. Her skin, her hair, what a gorgeous woman!

The angelic figure started slowly drifting off the stage. Her dress glittered with the lights in the room, contrasting with her dark skin, as she continued singing.

What an angel.

I was truly captivated.

"Heavenly body- won't you show me the light," she sang,"I'm dying to see you in the night sky."

Before I knew it she was next to me, she lifted my chin to her face.

"And when the morning comes and I'm left alone,"

I was so nervous.

Her smile was contagious, I faintly smiled back.

"I'm dying to see you again in the morning, my love."

She stopped singing, and leaned in closer.

"BCPD, I presume?" Her voice was butter.

"Yes." My face still in her hands.

"My name is Kay. I've been looking for someone special like you to illuminate me."

Should I get up?

The woman grabbed my hand.

I stood stiffly.

What was going to happen?

Should I run?

She took me out to the parlor and up a flight of stairs.

My hands started to get clammy.

Illuminate her?

What could she possibly mean?

What am supposed to do in this situation?

It can't be too bad, right?

We walked down a long dark hallway with several rooms. I followed her, ignoring my doubts and insecurities.

Is she a prostitute?

She took me to one of the rooms, and lit a candle.

Oh no, she's a prostitute.

My reputation is doomed if I'm caught here.

In the glow, I saw a couch made of a velvety material, a modest bed and fur rug was under my muddy shoes and there were pictures of half-dressed women on the walls.

She started unbuttoning my coat.

I broke the silence.

My voice cracked. "I-I, miss what are you doing..."

She pulled at the buttons of my trench coat.

I helped her take my coat off, revealing my white shirt and badge.

"I knew it. " She smiled seeming strangely ecstatic.

My shaky hands started reaching to undo my tie.

Her graceful, thin fingers pulled my face close to hers, her lips met my ear and she whispered delicately," This is the only way we can chat. I-I need help escaping this place."

A shiver crawled down my spine. Shocked.

I cleared my throat. "Seriously?Oh my- Okay, wow."

A sigh of relief left me, taking a bit of my soul with it. Plopping down on the couch, I took my face in my hands.

"Please don't be mad, I had to make this believable..." she wrapped her arms around my neck, sinking in the seat next to me.

"I'm sorry. I should have thought this through better. "

I had my eyes closed, concentrating on keeping my soul in my body.

It's been so long- I'm so out of touch with any sort of intimacy. My heart was still racing.

This must be part of a bigger plan, don't give in to any of her bull. I was frustrated with her game.

"Trust me. I wouldn't have done this if I thought you couldn't help me ."

Finally back to reality, I stared her in the eye,"How did you know I was a cop?"

My tone was strict.

Her eyes met mine full of surprise? Shock?

"I asked around- men that come here regularly. I need someone's help taking down Ivan Stock."

"Ivan Stock, local entrepreneur- owner of this bar?"

"Yes. "

"Wwwhy?" My brows furrowed.

She looked away.

"He has some things of mine, that prevents me from being on my own- a free woman."

"Free?"

"I came here strictly as a performer and now I am working to pay off a debt. An astronomical debt."

"What do you mean?"

"He is holding me captive here. He has many of my precious belongings. ID, passport, and an heirloom from my grandmother."

"Who cares about any of that? You can get a new passport and license."

"The heirloom is precious to me, and there's security guards that surveillances the building day and night."

"You haven't just snuck around him?"

"Why would I threaten my life by leaving Stock? He-," Her lips pursed," He is a dangerous man."

There was a sudden knock on the door.

I panicked, standing up quickly and stumbling around.

"Kay, are you in there?"

She mouthed, "It's Stock."

Speedily, I dove under the bed.

Stock entered the room, without knocking again.

I could only see their feet but Kay had taken off her high heels, trying to make it seem like she's been in her room alone for a while.

"From what I hear tonight's performance was really special."

His feet moved closer to her.

"You smell like boos." Her once angelic voice was monotone.

I tried to stifle my breathing.

Stock grabbed Kay by the neck, inching his face closer and closer. He smelled her dark curls and let out a sigh.

She gasped for air.

I unhinged my pistol from its holder.

He shoved her, she tripped over the bed frame.

"Get in bed," he barked.

The room fell into silence. She sat in the edge of the squeaky mattress.

"Why do you look so down, honey?"

I watched his shirt get tossed to the floor as he stripped it off.

"I don't want this, sir. " Her voice was shaky.

Stock snickered and happened to look over, seeing a coat on the couch. "Is someone here?"

She didn't answer.

"Where is this man?" He walked across the floorboards.

Kay stood up and bolted over to the window.

Stock's eyebrow raised at her,"What? You're gonna jump because I caught you with your lover?"

She pushed the window open. "Yes, I will do it."

"I don't care, a whore like you are a dime a dozen."

Kay's eyes bolted to the bed.

Stock's laugh bellowed."He's under the bed isn't he?"

Kay stood up on the ledge as Stock peered under the bed.

Wham!

I kicked him square in his mouth.

"What the hell-" He screamed, clutching his face.

I scrambled out from under the bed and grabbed my coat.

"Over here,"Kay ushered towards the window.

At high speed, I ran to her and picked her up.

"Ready to jump?"

We jumped from the second story and landed on a fire escape. It fell out from under our feet- bottom line we fell into a trash bin.

It was disgusting.

We climbed out a caught a cab.

Stock watched as the cab drove off, he couldn't catch the license plate but he did get his hands on something else left behind.

In his hands was a pistol with BCPD etched into the side of it.