Win finished her shift at The Bank. It had been a good night. In any case, she would head to the Study Hall and try to help so Ertha would be more inclined to give her shifts there. She had been under Zelda's reign long enough, and everyone knew Zelda wouldn't help someone move up in the Widows, and Win had a goal in mind.

She passed Rudy, who was roughly handling a patron who had gotten too aggressive with her. Win would have handled it, but it had been a slow night for Rudy, so she had asked him. She knew Rudy liked something to do. She wanted him on her good side. She mouthed him a 'thank you' as she headed around the building and entered the Study Hall. As soon as she did, she was flooded with noise. The Study Hall remained uproarious long after The Bank closed its doors. A band of musicians was playing on a stage, and there was a lineup at the bar of students wanting drinks. Win began glancing around when someone pulled her hand and spun her around.

"Where have you been?" asked Alivier Ascaht, beaming at her.

Alivier was a son of a wealthy merchant in Ketterdam, always smiling and had straight blonde hair. Finishing his degree in Finance, he took to Win immediately. Win was told as young as she could remember that her looks would cause trouble for her. Her mother had ensured she knew, but Win wouldn't let it deter her. She left for Ketterdam as soon as she could and met Alivier. She made up a backstory about being a student taking a year off for excitement. Not one who had already failed their first few classes. He believed it, and they began going steady. He was nice and respectful but had no real-life experience, hardship, or wisdom. Three months in, she thought she had gotten her ticket. She told Alivier the good news and suggested they wed. He begged her to find another way. He said he wasn't ready for the responsibility, and his family would disown him. She found herself at the door of The Widows, asking them for a service only they could provide.

"Working tonight wanted to learn some of the books. You know how much I love accounting. Have you been drinking, my sweet?" Alivier looked down sheepishly, and she giggled in response, entwining her hands in his.

"Yes, but we all missed you. We can't wait for you to come to the campus next year. We'll get to see each other more."

"I know. Want to dance?" Win pulled out a jays and lit it. All the young workers needed to smoke as much as possible, especially the good-looking ones, to boost sales. Alivier grabbed it from her mouth, put it in his own, and inhaled. Win laughed, putting a bit more effort into it. She always wanted him to feel like the most amusing person in the world. She pulled him to the dance floor, and he spun her around. The music was fast and exciting, but Win's eyes scanned the room. She spotted Sol weaving in and out through the crowd seamlessly, ensuring no girls felt uncomfortable with their male patrons. Everyone knew the key to success in a dance hall was to get the women to come. Sol ensured their safety without them even knowing.

Win danced for twenty minutes, kissing Alivier whenever he pulled her close, flashing her green eyes at him.

"Are you coming back to the campus with me tonight?" He asked closely, trying not to yell too much above the noise. He was not successful, and she could smell the alcohol on him.

"Well…you are dancing better than usual tonight." She could keep her voice steady but heard, and his grin widened. He is such a puppy. Win thought.

Win felt a tug on her skirt and looked down; Sol passed her, putting a note in her hand and taking off. Win spun and opened the message. She saw a large W and the words 'now' written underneath. She chewed her lip.

"I can't tonight. Tomorrow morning I'm taking an early tour of some artisan shops. I had been planning it for ages." Seeing Alivier's disappointment, she made a sad pouty face.

"You sure?" He pulled her in close and kissed her again. His hands were on her back. Win kissed back forcefully but then pushed him away and laughed.

"Don't tempt me! You know all my goals when I took the year off. If I don't do them all, I'll need to take another year off school." He groaned, nodding.

"I'm going to go get a drink. I'll find you and your friends." Still looking disappointed, he nodded. Win turned and began pushing through the crowd but didn't go to the bar. She headed to the left to a closed door. She knocked on it several times until a window opened it, and stern eyes looked out. The window closed, and the door opened. Win entered.

The room was small, primarily concrete, with a table and a few chairs. It had a stove, a sink, and a large metal pipe that went along the ceiling. Win had heard that this is where their services had used to take place. Win couldn't think of a more depressing place to be scared and desperate. Granny and Ertha were sitting on two chairs at the table. They motioned for Win to sit down. Win took the final seat and smiled demurely.

"Thank you for calling on me," Win said politely. She had learned manners, given she wasn't Barrel-born, Granny saw it as a weakness, but Ertha approved.

"Win. We need you to decide. You must choose to work out your indenture here or a debt which we could call on at any time." Win nodded. She knew the terms. Ertha liked to hear herself talk.

"You understand that it was a great favour. We usually never allow that, but you insisted you would be useful. You have more to give every day than at once for a favour." Win said nothing. She knew what was happening, Ertha wanted her to grovel in thanks, but Granny hated rambling. Win had learned that lesson after her first week.

"Well, after six months, we've seen that you've learned some. It's time you take on more dangerous work." Win took in a breath of excitement. Running off with Alivier had been her main plan, but he had shown that he might not be as reliable in getting her all the riches she wanted. The Widows was an excellent backup if they would only let her. Granny stared blankly.

"We think you should be marked. You're too vulnerable. People will need to know that you have our protection." Win hesitated. She was betting on two horses and couldn't let Alivier know she was with The Widows.

"Wouldn't I be less conspicuous if I didn't have the tattoo?" Win asked innocently, trying to seem helpful. She knew she had looks but didn't have Clem's easy charm, especially with Granny. Granny did not like this suggestion.

"Less conspicuous?" Win held her breath. Granny rose and slapped her in the face. Win tried not to cry out in pain but still let out a whimper. Granny slapped her again, this time so hard Win felt out of her chair. Win considers fighting back and grits her teeth. Granny put a tiny pistol against her forehead.

"Do you see this? This will happen to you out there in the Barrel without it. If you step out there, they will do this to you. They will grab you, have your way with you, and there will be no retribution because we owe you nothing." Win finally let out a sob. She had tried hard to hold it back but didn't know how to anymore. It spilled out of her. Ertha clicked her tongue in disgust. Win couldn't give up her possible ace in the hole.

"I know, I know, but please let me try without. I can get people to trust me without it. I promise you. If I get hurt, it's my fault, and you're right. You owe me nothing. I need the work."

Win was desperate. If she left this job, she would have to go back home. Her work wasn't big enough to yet garner her any savings. Granny raised her foot, holding it over Win threateningly. Win cowered.

"You sure? Are you sure you wouldn't want retribution for this? You wouldn't want the Widows to prevent this from happening or defend you if it did? Kaz Brekker would have no mercy for you." Win hesitated. Her mind raced. Other girls had gotten smaller tattoos in more subtle places. Granny wasn't lying. She had seen what the other gangs could do, and Dirtyhands was known for ruthlessness. But Win could think of no explanation if Alivier saw it and asked.

"I'm sure, I'm sure. I can handle this!" she shrieked. Granny's foot came down on her back. Win collapsed, the wind being knocked out of her. Her father had hit her a few times before, but never like this. Win rolled on her back and began moving her legs up and down in the air, trying to retrieve her breath. She felt the hot tears staining her face. Win could still feel the pain in her face and back radiating. Win was completely humiliated. She was also triumphant. She knew that Granny would, for the time being, let her have her way. Granny began to leave.

"Speak to Clem. You'll get a new job tonight," Ertha mentioned as she shook her head. She proceeded to get up and followed Granny out of the room. Win was left alone in the room, allowing herself three minutes to cry while reminding herself to get up and find Mouse.

Win found Mouse in her room in the Res. The Res was a tall skinny building in one of the lowest parts of the Barrel. It was one of the first buildings Granny owned, and Mouse had been known to take up residence there and intended never to move out. The building was leaky, with thin walls. Vermin were heard crawling between them. You could hear everything outside like you were standing right next to them. Granny installed plumbing and planned to sell it, but Mouse refused to move out until it was sold.

The night wasn't yet over, but Win knew Mouse was already going to bed. Unless she was on a specific job, Mouse always slept earlier than everyone else to avoid dying young in the Barrel as so many had. Win saw her with a sleeping mask on her face. Her room had a large bed and many piled blankets on the floor. It was rumoured that Dal, Sal's twin, would sometimes sleep there.

"Mouse?" Win asked tentatively. Mouse sat up quickly and removed her deep blue satin sleeping mask. Mouse always appeared low maintenance and had a go-with-any-flow persona. But would not be denied certain luxuries, like the cost of pure satin on her face, even while living in a scummy place like the Res Win took a seat on her bed.

"Win? Oof, your face. So, Ertha asked? I guess you said no?" Mouse's face looked sympathetic as she surveyed Win's reddening cheek.

"This was Granny."

"Granny? What did you say to her?" Typical Mouse, she never assumed Granny could be cruel for the cruelty's sake.

"I told her I don't want to join yet officially. A tattoo would draw too much attention when I think I'm best at using the fact that I'd noticed." Mouse considered this.

"Maybe I can talk to Granny about it."

"No, I can stay. She just…she explained what could happen and that they wouldn't protect me."

"She's not wrong."

"I knew that before she explained it."

"…Maybe, but now you can't say Granny didn't warn you." Win relented and nodded. Mouse could justify anything Granny did. Win wondered how many beatings she had gotten. She had never heard of one or seen Mouse with a bruise. She had tried to find out why Clem had preferential treatment, but no one knew or would say a word. Win chalked it up to either her charm or how long she had been a part of the Widows.

"She said you would have my first job, and I needed to see you."

"Win. You know I'll defend you, right? If someone attacks you, you can come to me."

Win knew Mouse was being sincere and knew Granny wouldn't allow it. Meaning her words were empty. She wasn't so naive to think that Granny would allow resources to go towards defending her after she had just refused the tattoo. Mouse also wasn't the fighting type. People said she could hold her own, and Win assumed she could since she was still relatively unscathed.

"Thanks, Mouse."

Win smiled as Mouse grabbed her hand and held it. Mouse was the first person she had met in the Widows. From what she understood, her role was to provide support while she drank from a cup of something vile. Win had asked Alivier to go with her, but he begged her to take care of it. Mouse had somehow made her feel better, more confident in her decision. Win had initially planned to get it done and get out, but before signing, she asked for a job. She realized how uncertain Alivier was becoming and that there might be an opportunity with the Widows.

"Ok, we better start right away. But my sleep will not wait. Your first job will be following Dal for a week every night after your shifts at The Bank."

"Dal?" Win asked. Dal was a ten-year-old who had the social skills of an injured cat.

"Win. You're too old to join us, especially with no real skills. Being beautiful doesn't count. You have a work ethic, but you must learn the streets of Ketterdam. You can barely fire a gun, let alone pick a lock. Dal has so much to teach you." Win twisted her mouth to the side. She was 19, and although she was older, she thought Mouse was underestimating her skills. She could at least fire a gun. She had learned on the farm. This wasn't Mouse. This was Granny speaking through her. Mouse burst out laughing at her face.

"Win, just try it. Dal will confirm to me if you're good, and you'll move up fast. And watch that face. It's the only time you're not beautiful."

Win couldn't help but laugh, too. She felt that way often around Mouse. She made you feel at ease. Was it because her hair was up in two buns like mouse ears? Her easy laughter? Her dark blue eyes did sparkle. She did have large adorable cheeks. Win realized that Mouse was not intimidating. She was completely approachable.

"Do I start right away? It's almost morning."

"No, go to bed and sleep. You won't get to it for a while. Dal will get you tomorrow after your shift." Mouse smiled again and squeezed her hand,

"I know you're not ready to join up yet, and I'm proud you stood your ground. I'll be honest, though. I hope you do join. You're clever, which is rarer than I think people realize."

Win felt warmth all over. She knew Mouse's style was unlike most people in the Barrel or even Ketterdam. Mouse freely complimented, made jokes, and validated people regarding their work. As Mouse took on more responsibilities, Win had heard some complaints from more senior Widows that the gang had become softer. No one elaborated further than that. The pain in her back told her she preferred Mouse's methods, but she could see the other Widows' points.

Win left to find an empty bedroom in the Res—Heeding Mouse's words and trying to catch a few precious hours of sleep.