Smoke laced the air in the dark dank bar. The smell of liquor and sweat mixing to make it more repulsive and yet, seductive at the same time. The plucking of guitar strings made it seem all the more lovely, that slow pulse that vibrated the room into a swirling mass of pleasure. The filth of this place made me sick. It would make any man sick. Thats why it made women even sicker. I wondered how anyone, even men, could stand the smell of all this. Perhaps it was the fact that they were stone cold drunk half the time, perhaps it was the waitresses in their little skirts and low cut tops, that made them forget how disgusting their life was. Is that what this place was? Some place in the back alley to forget. To forgive and forget all the things the world has thrown at you, to make them find some way to live with themselves.
My fingers wondered around the rim of my glass as I stared at the rust colored liquid in it. The smell of it made my lip curl. How did I even get into this position? This horrid place. I had a family, I had brothers, I had a father, a mother. They all loved me. What happened to that? I snorted as I picked up the glass and took it down in one gulp. It burned so badly as it went down my throat and I winced and closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose for a moment. I wish I was like them, that I could get drunk and forget it all. But that would do no good. Id wake up sore all over.
Hey honey dont get to drunk now Came that horrid voice. That disgusting hand moving down and squeezing my rear.
Sure thing I said and then with a sigh, drew a breath of toxic smoke into me. I was swimming. Swimming in a sea of delusion and illusion. My eyes slide from one side to another as I sank in my chair. I begged for more of it even as I exhaled. Even as I watched tho tendrils of smoke dance around in the air, like imps mocking me, I wanted more. If only things were like this, if only life was like this. Not my life, the life of nothingness. That was mine. At least I had something right?
Come on, lets go upstairs and get this started That voice again. I wish it would just go away. The room begun to buzz, and hum, like a giant bees nest. What the hell? Have I gone insane? I could see colors and swirls of a smoke floating up above me. I rose, to quickly though. My vision narrowed for a moment and I swayed. A hand came around my waist to steady me. A weak smile came across my lips as I looked at the man. He had a swirly mustache, round plump face. He was fat in the bad sort of way though, they way that makes people look like gluttonous pigs. I giggled at his mustache and played with the twirled tips of it.
Yes, lets get going... suddenly a huge bang came from behind me. I turned around quickly, losing my balance and fell. Damn that hurt my rear. My vision swam with violent colors. I heard shouts, angry shouts. Glass shattering close to me, it made me jump in fright. I must have gone to that place. Hell, thats what they called it. All fire and chaos, and broken glasses of course. The man, the fat one with the funny mustache, shouted at men in black. Those were the men who were breaking stuff, who were breaking my drinks. I love my drinks. Those men whore some nice clothes though, and very nice daggers, some had pistols. That must have been the bang. More shouts.
I scooted under the table and clamped my hand over my hears. It was so loud, I wished it would stop. More bangs and shouts then thuds. The thud sounded like someone hitting the floor, more like some people hitting the floor. I heard a bones break and screams, horrible screams. I curled tighter into a ball, I was safe yes, under my table of unbreakable wood. Rocking back and forth a stared at the floor. There came a sickening crunch and something wet splashed over me. Maybe it was some more of that drink. I liked that drink. But wait, it didnt look like it, the drink was red now. I took my hands from my ears and looked at them. They were covered in blood.
Soon the noise stopped, except for a few foot steps and muffled voices. A hand touched my shoulder. With a flinch I withdrew, pressing myself against the single leg of the table. Dont want no trouble sir, Ill be going along home sir, dont want no trouble. The hand rested on my shoulder gently. I turned my head to it and followed it up to a face. A black face, all covered in clothe. I could only see the eyes, and they seemed soft, like they were smiling. The hand came off my shoulder and pulled down some of the cloth off its face. It was a he.
Its ok now, you are safe now came a gentle voice. I smiled, that voice was like honey. I am Raja, may I know your name young lady
Indrani
Its ok Indrani, you dont have to work for these disgusting men anymore, freedom is here The face smiled, that gentle face. If you wish, you may live with us
He straightened up and extended his hand to help me up You are free now
I was in love.
I lost three EC and gained one last turn which takes me from 16 to 14.
