Downtown was busy during the day, and since I didn't want to run into my dad, that meant I had to brave the crowds. For the most part it wasn't too bad, except whenever things bunched up waiting for the light to change so people could cross the street.

It was tempting to go window shopping, but given my family's limited funds, it would only depress me, although there were a few shops that had caught my eye... Back temptation, back I say!

I give my head a shake and move off to the side, out of the path of the crowd. I'd ended missing lunch at school, so I decided to look around and figure out where I wanted to eat. I'd walked down a block or so, skipping the bland cafés and pricier restaurants, when I passed by an alleyway a flicker of purple light caught my eye.

Backing up, I pause at the entrance to the alley. Part way down I see a glowing neon sign shaped like a cavorting devil holding a pair of pistols attached to the wall next to a door set into the wall of the alley.

I'm not sure what it is, but I feel a strange pull towards the door. Mom always told me to trust my instincts, and barring Emma's betrayal, they hadn't failed me yet. As I walk down the alley a little black cat pops out from behind a couple of boxes and calmly parks itself right in front of me.

I smile as I crouch down to scratch it behind the ear. The cat bends its neck and rubs its head against my hand as it starts purring softly. I chuckle to myself softly as I straighten up and toss the stick from my lollipop into a nearby trash can. The cat mews disappointedly at me before hopping to its feet and running off.

I watch it go until it turns the corner before walking over to the door and opening it. I can barely see anything with how dark it is, but when I step inside I just stop and stare.

The inside is... wow. The cavernous room I walked into is like an artist's fever dream, complete with grand arches and a ceiling covered in arcane symbols, all done in shades of purple and silver. It's surprisingly nice, and can't help but feel a little embarrassed with how I'm gawking at the sights.

There's no one at the bar when I sit down, and an old gramophone is playing classical music off to the side. Bach, I think. At least it sounds like one of the Bach pieces my Mom used to listen to, although really it could have been anyone for all I knew. Just as I set my bag down on the floor next to me, the bartender, I presumed, emerged from a side door.

For a moment we just stared at each other. I think he may have been surprised to find himself with a teenager, which I still looked despite my height, as a customer. I was caught off guard by the fact that he was black. Downtown was firmly in the Empire 88's control, and there was no way I could see them letting a black man run his own business without taking action.

Although... he certainly looked like he could handle himself in a fight pretty well. He was a big guy, and even though he didn't have majorly big muscles, he had an air of danger to him that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I meet his eyes just as they finished their own study of me, and I blink in surprise.

He simply raises an eyebrow and walks behind the bar, grabbing a glass from underneath the counter before turning to me.

"What are ya having?"

I scan the labels of the bottles on the shelves behind him and shrug. "Uh, what do you have that's not alcoholic?"

"Juices. A couple pops. I could make you a mixed drink if you want."

Well that was helpful. "A mixed drink sounds nice. Something with strawberry in it," I add after a second of thought. I still had the taste on my tongue from my lollipop, and I didn't want it to mess up anything he made. He gives me another raised eyebrow before turning and grabbing a few bottles at random, or so it seemed to me.

A few seconds later he places a small martini glass on the counter and pushes it towards me with an expectant look. I eye it carefully before glancing up at the bartender as I tentatively lift it up and bring it up to my lips.

I take a sip and the cool liquid tastes surprisingly pleasant on my tongue. It's kind of fruity, like a mix of berries and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. My thoughts must have showed on my face because the bartender starts chuckling.

"Glad you liked it. House Special. I call it the Mysterious Destiny. You know, you're the second person to like it right off the bat. I wonder..."

For a moment he stares off into the space just over my shoulder, and I firmly squash the urge to twist myself around and see what he was looking at. I take another sip and roll the drink over my tongue as I savor the taste. A few seconds later the bartender blinks and gives his head a subtle shake.

"Right. Sorry, for a second you reminded me of an annoying old customer of mine. If you're gonna stick around, I'll throw on a new track."

Smiling behind my glass I give him a nod and take another sip. I heard the door open and turned to see a rather large man, more barrel shaped compared to the bartender, walk in. His eyebrows rose up behind his sunglasses as he caught sight of me.

"A new face? Who's this lovely little lady Rodin?"

I frown as I feel his eyes tracing up and down my body. "I'm fifteen you perv."

"And I'm happily married with children. Don't mean I can't appreciate ya looks, does it?"

My hand starts to twitch and I think the bartender catches the movement, as the next thing I know he's leaning over the bar and tossing a bottle of wine towards the newcomer. The rotund man grabs it with a grin and pulls up a seat at one of the empty tables.

"Watch your mouth Enzo, I told you I don't want you starting trouble with my customers, got it?"

"Yeah yeah, I got it," he says dismissively as he sets the wine bottle on the table and pulls out a cigar from inside his jacket. "Still, I have to wonder what a pretty little thing like her is doin' in a place like this."

"Trying to relax after a really bad morning. Any other questions?" I shoot back sharply. My words slide off him like water as he lights his cigar and starts smoking.

"Just surprised is all. The Gates of Hell ain't the place your crowd usually hang out at."

"And you'd know that how?"

"Hey, I have a couple of brats of my own, ya know? I've picked them up from all kinds of dives and clubs, and none of them have been like here, alright?"

I roll my eyes and make some vaguely assenting sound. It seems to amuse the bartender, Rodin going by Enzo's words, and he turns his head slightly in one direction then the other before leaning closer to me, as if he was looking for someone who might overhear us.

"Listen kid, he might be a crude waste of space, but Enzo's got a point. I don't know how you found this place, but I got my suspicions. You ever need a hand, just use that card and I'll see what I can do for you."

I set my empty glass back down on the counter and grab the card. Rodin turns and opens up the drawer underneath the wall of bottles to reveal a stack of records. I turn around and give Enzo a brief glance. He's most of the way through his bottle, but every so often his eyes move over in my direction. I look back at the drink on the counter when an idea comes to me.

It's petty. It's cruel. It's something my mother would have done.

That last point sold it for me. I peer briefly over the bar and make sure Rodin is still paging through his records. A wicked smile sneaks across my face and I hop off the stool as quietly as I can. I grab my bag off the floor and stuff Rodin's card into my pocket as I sneak past Enzo and over to the door.

I'm just out of sight of the bar and barely have the open when I hear Rodin's voice as he notices my disappearing act.

"Oh for- not another one of them!" I raise my brow slightly in curiosity, but Rodin's ire has turned onto the bar's sole other patron. "Enzo! What did I tell you about letting people walk without paying?"

"Uh, not to?"

"Not to... Not to, he says. Well her shit's going on your tab. And you'd better pay up soon, you hear me?"

The whimper Enzo makes almost makes me close the door and go back, but I simply walk out and let the door close behind me as my ears are bombarded by the sounds of the city. I suppose I should feel a bit guilty, but I simply grin as I leave the alley behind. I may have caused trouble, but I was more interested in the sale I saw at the shop the next block over.

After all, I am my mother's daughter.