The Shadows

The question was answered, in Skylar's opinion or maybe Blaze never wanted her to find out the truth. The sky was clear and the snow had settled on the grass. Sunlight shone through the grey clouds, there was finally some warmth in this cold season.

Blaze and Skylar were walking on a pavement nearby a busy road and beside them were houses decorated with festivity. Skylar would feel excited that the sun had finally said hello, however, a foul smell averted her attention from her surroundings elsewhere; it was smoke, vile-smelling, dark - puffy smoke.

"Dude, would you quit it?" Skylar groaned while pinching her nose and waving her hand at the smoke.

"Hm? No." He replied.

"God - damn it. How long do we have to keep walking?" She whined, "So that I don't have to be near you anymore."

"Trust me, the feeling's mutual. Wait, you think you're going in there alone?" Blaze scoffed, "You can't even handle seeing someone getting shivved without crying. Sorry, but it's true. Where we're going, it'll be worse."

A cloud of smoke erupted from his mouth like a chimney. Skylar didn't appreciate the fact that a certain fire - breathing- fuming- smokey- human- dragon would insult her like that. She refused to accept it.

"Wha- I have NO idea what you're talking about. I didn't cry!" Skylar said.

"No, but seriously," Said Blaze, "you're not that stupid to think that you could survive in there by yourself, right? Unless you are."

"I'm not!"

"The Shadows are serious business, a lot of what goes on in there can't ever be leaked, which is why I never accepted us to investigate them. Your job, however, should be simple enough, you'll get whatever answers you want, as long as you follow his rules. 'Say, for example, you're a reporter from The Meadows, you'll easily get access to him. Got it?"

"Sure. I can pretend to be someone I'm not." Skylar said, "But what exactly are we interrogating him about? The drugs or the murders?"

"Let's start with the drugs first, then move our way to the murders and see if there's a connection."

"Don't forget the drug dealers, if the boss has any intel on it."

Skylar was so enthusiastic that she began to write bullet points of what she would ask. As she was writing on her notepad, she realised one thing.

"Who is your boss, anyway?" Skylar asked.

"His name is Kenny, or otherwise known as the King of Shadows." Blaze replied as he dropped his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it.

"Is there anything I should know about the Shadows?"

"I already told you, we don't talk about the business that goes on in the Neon Night-shack-"

"What's that?"

"The bar where the gang hangs out, you'll see soon enough," Said Blaze, "But may I remind you, 'coz I still think you're an idiot, don't go poking around where you're not concerned. Do you understand? These people will kill you if you step out of line and may I clarify what I mean by-"

"I know perfectly well what it means, I'm not a snot-faced little girl-" Skylar said while Blaze finished his sentence.

"-' stepping out line'. I mean no swearing at anyone, don't talk to anyone, talk unless you're spoken to, don't look at anyone naked and don't look too innocent, people would wanna molest you otherwise. Act like you belong there. Don't start or continue or end a fight, don't be offensive, don't bribe with anyone there and don't trust anyone." Blaze said. "Got it?"

"Argh, I'm guessing you have a whole list," Skylar said exasperatedly.

"I could write one, yes." Blaze wore a playful smile before he stopped in his tracks, "We're here."

Standing before them was a large hostel complex sitting on top of a beaten-down old bar. Neon signs bore its name, hanging on the mirror - glass shop window, beneath another sign flashed 'Open'. There was a massive parking lot outside the front of the bar, many motorbikes were parked there and many people gathered around a car as they drank and told stories.

It was a busy place and people were all marked by strange tattoos over different parts of their body. They were dressed in black and they all wore the same jacket Blaze was wearing, there was a white symbol on the back, like it was painted with acrylics: it was a skull, a frightening face, with angry eyes and its teeth all visible with its evil smile. It was like looking at a pirate flag being proudly embodied as a symbol of dignity to The Shadows.

Blaze and Skylar entered inside the bar, though the outside was covered with old worn out advertisement posters, the inside was much more modern. Disco LED lights danced in the large dimmed room. The view could be seen from the inside of the large window, yet little light was able to enter the bar.

There was a counter right next to the entrance, where a bored man, who had piercings all over his face, even in a place where Skylar never thought could be pierced. A woman was singing a classic song over at the end of the large room, tables and chairs were stationed in front of it, for a better view of the half-naked pole dancing girls. They were seductively spinning slowly right next to the singer on the stage.

Weed, smoke and the awful smell of alcohol mixed the scents in the room, which was alluring Skylar to fall asleep.

"Hey, listen." Blaze whispered in her ear, "Remember, everyone in here is most likely armed." He dragged Skylar to the opposite side of the room, the singer was harmonising loudly that it was difficult for Skylar to understand what Blaze was saying but he was conspicuous. "That means you're gonna need this," He spoke louder as he bent down as if to tie his shoelaces but stood up and placed (very securely) in the centre of her palm- a knife. "For protection, do you understand?"

"If this is such a criminal based gang, why don't the police arrest everyone here?" Skylar asked but Blaze chuckled. "What am I supposed to do with this? Shiv someone? 'Coz I doubt I could do that."

"Hey, calm down. You're not gonna use that thing, just keep it in case something goes wrong and I'm sure you already know that the police are corrupted like fuck. They do inspections here once a month and that's on the first. Also, I doubt they'll come on New Years. So, we do what we need to do and get outta here in one piece."

"And what about you? The last time you were here, you got a black eye." Said Skylar.

"Didn't think you'd care?"

"No, I don't. But I can't escape this place without you."

"Relax. Nothing'll happen. I'm also armed but if something does, then run without me." Said Blaze, "you're lucky, if I refused to come and you end up coming here with Kat, you'd be in a lot more trouble."

"What do you mean?"
"She just wants results and it means that she'll ditch everyone to get it." Said Blaze.

Skylar put the knife in her boot like Blaze had done and he ushered her to a door under the stage which stretched down to ominous staircases. It was a dimly lit tunnel going under. The music echoed faintly as they strode down until it was hard to decipher.

Skylar wasn't too concerned about using a knife to defend herself, although she was not specially trained in combat nor was she able to unsheathe her weapon in time to save her life but she was anxious if her dark side would take over her, she didn't want to kill. She was also worried about what Blaze had said about Kat, Skylar didn't want to trust Blaze but he was right. Perhaps what she overheard of them arguing about had something to do with her being in danger and Kat refusing to listen to Blaze.

"Hey, Blaze." Said Skylar, "What were you and Kat arguing about-"

"Shh!"

They had reached the end of a hallway, a bodyguard was standing in front of a red door, he was tall and built. His face was slightly unshaven and his black hair was slick back.

"Come back for round two?" He said in a heavy British accent.

"Hey, look, Arthur, I'm not here to fight. I'm here 'coz of her," Blaze said calmly, "She's a school reporter and she wants to meet Kenny."

"Hi." Said Skylar, who made an effort to appear professional, "My name is Skylar. I would like to ask your boss a couple of questions for my new project. Don't worry, I'll be glad to accept whatever conditions he has. I'm not a snitch."

Skylar gave him a little wink, she was composed and calm, even her voice sounded strange to her.

"I'll let him know you're here," Said Arthur, and he entered the room leaving Skylar and Blaze outside.

"Good one." Said Blaze, "Except don't you dare mention Jade in front of him."

"Why?"

"He has a secret and I got this when I asked about it." He pointed at his black eye, "also, don't mention anything I just said."

"I got it. Relax."

The door opened and Arthur returned.

"He would like you to wait for a moment as he is currently gambling with a poor lad and he would like to earn his victory and rub it in his opponent's face." He said.

"Wow. I'd like to see that." Said Blaze.

At that moment, they heard a loud whooping cheer from inside, a hand smacked at the table and the clanking of coins being sliced from one position to another.

"I think he would like you to come in now." Said, Arthur.

"I don't know why you bothered showing your face here West. You're wasting my time and your money."  Said a young man's voice, full of energy.

The room Skylar entered was covered in red velvet, from the carpet to the curtains behind the desk. But the glamorous and sophisticated room didn't matter to her. Opposite the King of Shadows, at the casino table, was someone awfully familiar.

"Mr West?" Said, Skylar

"Woo! Looks like someone knows you," Kenny exclaimed, "Busted!"

"Wha-what-wh- what are you d-doing here?" Said Mr West, his wide forehead was brimmed with sweat.

"What are you doing here? Gambling with the boss of a gang for- by the looks of it- drugs?" Skylar exclaimed. She had noticed large sandwich bags filled with powder that looked like white sand, many grouped up at the middle of the table.

"No-no- It- it isn't what it looks like. Please-" Mr West grabbed her arms and wronged her slightly,  "For my family's sake- for Karla- don't tell them anything, please. I would keep a secret for you and you know that. Please, I'm only asking for a favour." He said.

"OK, fine." Skylar sighed, she had enough of his begging, "I guess you are allowing me to stay at your house and that it's Christmas Eve-"

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I promise you won't regret this." He said and dashed out of the room.

"Poor guy," Said Kenny, "So, you're the pretty voiced reporter girl, huh? Interesting." His back was faced to them and he didn't turn to look at his guests either, which was slightly rude.

"Don't get too excited. I'm here too, boss." Said Blaze, he removed his jacket and placed it over a chair in front of Kenny.

"Why? Here for another black eye?" Said Kenny.

As Skylar drew closer to her seat, she noticed Kenny was wearing rectangular shaped sunglasses. He was gaping straight ahead and was strangely still, he wore a black shirt that resembled funeral attire. His blazer was hung behind his chair and as Skylar did the same with her coat, she asked, "I'm sorry, I'm confused. Can you-"

"No, I cannot." He replied instantly, "I've been blind for three years. Now, you're here to interview me, am I right?"

"Yes."

"What paper do you work for?" Kenny asked.

"Um - none- uh, but this is for my school paper, The Meadow." Said Skylar, "I hope that won't be a problem?"

"Of course not, so as long as you follow my conditions." Skylar nodded but realised later it was stupid for her to do so. "This interview will not be recorded via video or audio. I can accept or deny to answer any questions if necessary. I will not answer to bribe and anything you acknowledge that I don't want to be published-"

"Won't go published without your permission, sir." Said Skylar.

"Good." Kenny was impressed. "Let's begin."

"I would like to ask what Mr West was doing here with you?" Skylar asked.

"What it looked like. He wanted to gamble to get my raw products here." He pointed at the pile of bags and coins.

"Your products. These drugs did you-"

"-make them? I won't confirm nor deny it."

"But if it's any consolation, are these the Beneclu- uh- Blaze?"

"Bencylatics." Said Blaze, correcting her pronunciation.

"Over here we call 'em TOXIC." Said Kenny. "And it seems like you already know what they're called and what they do. But why don't you ask Blaze whether or not they're manufactured here?"

"But why would-" Said Skylar, "Wait… you knew about the drug but you never told us that it came directly from here?"

Skylar was outraged. She knew it wasn't a real drug that had existed before because it either could've been put to good use by giving it to life-sentenced convicts so that they can die a painless death or it could've been used in medical labs for research. However, instead, it was a killing instrument on innocent people.

"I wouldn't say 'directly'," Said Kenny, "our drug doesn't leave this place, not raw anyway. If you're wondering who killed those teenagers, you're wasting your time, because I don't know who did it."