Prologue

I felt a sense of relief when the cold, night city breeze hit my skin. The plane ride was long and my legs felt dull and numb from the maybe 10 hour flight. The sound of the automatic doors opening and closing behind me and others went in and out of the airport. I stood right outside fidgeting with the handle of my suitcase and listening to every little breath of New york. The screams and sirens, the laughing and crying of family members meeting once again, occasional crackhead arguments or couples fighting over directions, cars zooming past at high speeds, more active than my old home.. My uber shortly came around the corner and I jumped in almost immediately, throwing my case in the back and buckling in. I had already given my address to the man behind the wheel. He took off, taking me away as I leaned against the window..it all felt so surreal. It was going too fast to be real.

"Welcome to the city Ma'am." The late 20's man had a strong, deep voice. It had been slightly comforting to hear another voice other than on the airplane or over the speakers.

"Ma'am? Wow, that aged me." I cracked a small smile at him, i can't be that old though..i'm only 19. Sadly not old enough to drink yet.

"You don't look too up in age, maybe 16 at most." he smirked, knowing my real age. "Curse and a blessing, right?"

"More of a curse, hit on by high school boys, getting carded everywhere." he let out a small chuckle at my short my list, though it went farther than that..perverts who liked little innocent school girls with no gag reflex and a short skirt, getting told I don't know anything and I'm just a sassy child, getting starred at and judged everywhere..

30 minutes went by of pure silence except the radio playing softly, a mix of pop and hip hop. Drake and James bay, Ariana grande, Cardi B, Taylor swift..basic artists that rise up on the charts. Things I didn't think I would still hear. We were soon at my small apartment like house, I left the car and thanked him before racing up the steps to my new home, keys in hand. It was pretty cheap for New York, 1 bedroom, nicely spaced living room with pure white walls and a large window so I could watch the nights and days go by. There was a fire escape right in my bedroom as well..it was too amazing. The small house was empty and bare, Slightly cold, a fixer upper just like any house.

A sense of loneliness filled my body. It made me want to fall to my knees and die. Was this the norm of moving? I mean..probably not. Any second I'm alone I feel like breaking. Or dead.. I threw the contents of my bag all over the main room and placed a pillow and some blankets in a corner with my laptop playing medical shows. I just wanted it to feel less hollow and empty, it didn't matter how messy it was just that it felt like..well somewhat a home. Everything was coming together slightly, Though one thing forgotten, food.. pizza would probably do for a few nights but it's my first night here too..maybe order some pizza for the next few days and tonight i'll go someplace else? Explore the place I'd spend The rest of my life..or 10 years in. Giving myself the life expectancy of 30 years.

The phone call surprisingly rattled me, i paid and as soon as the delivery boy came stuffed the pizza away in the fridge with a couple 2 liter bottles of soda..it was a little funny, the guy looked like a basic fuck boy most girls would swoon over, and he kept giving me little winks and comments like "pizza for the pretty girl" I laughed to myself and changed into something more..normal, At least for me. A style labeled as "gothic" " emo" "egirl" whatever people wanted to call me. A dark black skirt with tiny pockets and a safteypin chain around the waist. Fishnet leggings that revealed a couple tattoos on my calfs and black sneakers. Eyeshadow and Eyeliner on my pale face with a little blush and lipstick and a normal old crop top. I didn't exactly need foundation, my face is so pale it could pass off as the admired porcelain doll look. I covered my arms and dirty secrets . with homemade sleeves. I guessed if anyone asked I could just say it's for the outfit..I put a holster around my upper thigh with a weapon and grabbed a small black bag with money for the night.

I left to a restaurant that I read had great reviews with only one cook by the name "Murakami"

The time now was..Midnight. Great. Surprisingly his small place was still open, despite how bad i felt for keeping him up i went in. The warm air brushed my skin and the smell of fresh soup made me a bit more hungry.He had his back to the door, a chef's normal white wear as he chopped veggies and other ingredients.

"Ah Hello My friends! Same as usual?"

"Huh? What?" His voice was bright with a slight accent, as he turned around I saw the sunglasses and remembered something from the reviews..It took me a moment before remembering he's blind..Shit. I just walked in and already messed up.

"Oh i'm sorry, i mistook you for somebody else."

"That's ok, m-may i come in?"

"Of course! What would you like?"

Vodka is what i thought..but i couldn't get this man in trouble, i don'tnknow the drinking age here. I sighed and looked at the menu. Traditional Japanese cuisine was so over with a smaller menu for kids. It all looked really good. The type of things I'd eat when I was younger and with my grandmother. Finally I decided on just sushi, any kind would do. Just something to feed me before I end up passing out from starving myself.

"May I have some sushi, please?"

"Coming up!" He smiled and went to work, i watched him fascinated with his skill, Nothing like anything I've seen before. Everything he did was so passionate and with excitement. He was done so fast he could've broken a fucking record! When he set the plate in front of me I did my usual of placing my hands together, bowing.

"Itadakimasu." I picked up some chopsticks and went to eating. I didn't expect to be so hungry..I must've been eating like some animal. Guess it's what i get for not eating for 4 days.

"Do you live nearby?"

Uh oh..red alert. I've heard those questions tend to get people like me in some type of danger, this guy may have good reviews but i'm not doing this tonight..I'd rather not get followed home tonight, blind or not, someone else could be listening behind closed doors.

"Yeah.. I live a couple blocks from here with my brother.."

"Oh, Lovely! What do you do?"

"He um..He's a voice actor and in school for animation stuff, I make music and soon in school to be a ER physician."

He let out another small smile. "You sure you'll be able to handle the gore?"

"Heh..lived with it to say. I'll be fine."

There was a beat of awkward silence till i got another song stuck in my head, I started nodding my head to the song in my mind and tapping my foot, he seemed to take notice and leaned against the other side of the table

"What songs have you done?"

"Huh?"

"What music do you do?"

"Oh..well..only a few plans and remixes of songs like paparazzi..come get her..i kissed a girl" my voice grew smaller as i listed what i've done and stopped. He frowned a little and i was afraid he could feel my shaking legs.

"What's your name, miss?"

"Daitan." did I really just deadname myself?

"But everyone called me Dai growing up."

He smiled again "I think i now know where i've heard you from.."

"Oh?" i slightly tensed in a little fear

"I have a friend who listens to you and likes your music in fact." i relaxed and laughed

"Well sorry to say, your friend is tone deaf. My music sucks just as much as the videos!"

"You're good! Maybe too inappropriate for kids buut-"

He cut himself off laughing a little and i couldn't help but laugh as well. he came to a halt and smiled warmly over my head to a small knock at the window. i turned my back but didn't see anything..

"You're alright to come in! i think she'd like some company."

Company? why do i not trust those words..I can answer my own question, I've heard them to many times, and they lead to shit. i put my hand on my gun hidden under my short skirt.

Why did i go to the city alone?