Mellia leaned against the wall, just inside of the alley across from what looked to be a crowded bar. She was hoping for something quieter but being lost in a crowd might work too. Tens of people walked by her hiding place without even sensing her. Laughing, staggering, strutting. It was then she knew it wouldn’t be right if fate offered her some respite in the form of a barely clean venue, a place to sit, and a bottle of something to drown in. People were exiting and the music went from something pop-ish and upbeat, to live and full of bass. There was no marquee so either open mic or an actual concert. She sighed. A sea of glittering and sauntering bodies were headed towards the club. Already cheering and some waving some light-up tchotchke, people were headed inside. The bouncer found a quiet place of his own to lean, shaking his head as people poured in.
It was late but Mellia needed a place to hide. She was hurt, but maybe this would work out to her advantage. With the last bit of energy she could summon, she made herself ready to slip into the crowd unnoticed. Conjuring up a glittery facade and faking a real smile, she set herself just behind one of the parked cars and swam upstream.

Once inside, she let out a sigh of relief. It was a club. There was a bar. The small on the outside building had a hidden secret. She veered off the herd towards the bar and watched the crowd sink down like cars dipping into a parking garage.

“You look lost,” the bartender shouted over the music. A statuesque beauty waved her over just before another clump of humanity began its push towards the concert.
“Thanks. Sort of. Just need a drink.”
The woman nodded and reached for something off the top shelf. “I can tell by your eyes you’re not from here. You can handle this.”
Mellia smiled, “The mask slips.”
“And what is revealed must be discovered,” she replied with a wink. “I can always spot my own.”
“You blend in, for the most part.”
“I do light work. And light work.”
Mellia nodded, “Am I faded yet?”
“Looking a little tattered, but I’ll cover for you,” she said as she nodded behind her to the mirror. Mellia saw her previous conjure looking in the mirror, but was clearly in her post-fight stained gear as she looked down with a sigh.
“Thank you. The kids will be none the wiser. Camera, too. That thing is never live on my shift,” she said with a wink. She poured Mellia a king’s portion of the too strong alcohol and put the bottle back on the shelf.
“What brings you here,” the bartender asked.
“A conundrum of terrible choices.”
“You’d be surprised how often people say that. You from the old world?”
“Born there but I watched it come to an end.”
“Mmmm,” the bartender said with a nod and refilled her drink with a conjure, “Then you know even terrible choices can be a smooth path.”
“You always talk in codes?”
“I have many cycles on you, kid. Listen. That second round should help whatever is hurting. But to stay here, we can’t draw attention you understand.”
Mellia nodded.
“Also, I think you have a tail. So knock that back and come around the counter so you can go out the back. They will catch up to you, but anything that tastes like home, can keep you there.”
Mellia laughed, “Yes, ma’am.” She saluted her nurse and knocked the drink back and moved quickly behind the bar. One of the mirror panels pushed in, leading her to a breakroom and out the back door.

The music from the venue left delayed vibrations under her feet. The flickering street light hummed and buzzed above her. The pinkish hue of the clouds and smoke above her grounded her. Night. No stars. No moon. Before her, blocks and blocks of unlit streets and quiet dwellings, closed business with no need to lure people to them, and hopefully the dock where she left her patchwork ship. She took a deep breath and stretched. Satisfied that her healed wounds were holding. She put herself across the street.

That’s when she heard it. Booted foot steps sliding to a stop. Muffled voices confused and frustrated that what they sensed was no longer there. Play the game or run, Mellia thought to herself. Play the game or run.

D. Ondria

05232024

P.S. if this is your prompt and you want to be tagged or a link to your site, just let me know. Not all prompts have info on them… All found on/via Pinterest or Instagram