We practically fell down the side of the hill from the tree line into the street below. Even though it was still the dead of night once we were in the street, I noticed the town was filled with life. I see women and children walking through the streets filled with life and happiness, the children laughed and ran while the adults scolded them. Something I never saw before was people, other people besides myself, and the scientists that held me in captivity for so long. For the first time I see other people the feeling is the most wonderful thing, I’m not alone anymore. Before I could keep moving down the street, I feel Zack’s hand on my arm pulling me to the side. Looking over at where he was leading me, I see a large black building the wood painted the color.
A red door of the same material was at the very edge of the building on the side. Large neon lights hung above with the title ‘Rod’s Bar,’ I stare at the words in wonder at who this Rod is. Zack still has the same smile on his face as he pulls me toward the large red door. “Where are we going?” I ask, “We are going to meet the friend I previously told you about, of course.” He let go of me once we reached the door. “Sorry about that I just didn’t want you to wander off.” I shake my head smiling at him, it’s kind of funny he really is acting like my guard. “Is the friend we are meeting Rod?” I questioned pointing up towards the neon sign above us that glowed a bright red like the door. Zack nodded quickly then looked back to the door placing his hand on the gold-painted knob.
As he opened the door slowly, I could see no one was inside. Which I thought was odd hearing that people usually go into bars at night. Zack steps to the side letting me walk in first. I see there are six black wooden tables accompanied by five short red stool seats at each table. Looking to the far left of the bar I see the actual bar table with four tall red stools, which I doubt would be easy for me to sit at since I was so short. After Zack walked in after me recreating his spear in his right hand, I hear a loud CRASH of glass against a hard surface. I look back at him and see that behind us at the wall to our right was a dent in the wall and broken glass on the floor. Zack’s smile was still there but his eyes widened.
“Rod!” He yelled opening his arms and walking over to the bar. There was a man behind who I had not noticed before. He has a rag in his left hand most likely being used to clean glasses and tables. His face looked angry with his messy brown hair covering most of his brown eyes He wore a beige dress shirt, brown vest, a lighter-colored brown trench coat over everything, and a brown baller cap with welding goggles on top of his head. Most noticeable of anything else was the steam-punk-styled mechanical right arm, with a large watch face welded into the wrist. “Zachary Heart! How could you show your face here again!?” He yells out in a British accent, chucking another glass at him. Zack would just step to the side and let the glass hit the wall again, he tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean? I thought you said I was always welcome here?”
The man I assumed was Rod walked out from behind the bar in a huff. He had dark brown pants on and black boots I could hear loudly with every step he took. “You would have been welcome here again if you didn’t draw more attention to my town! Causing more damage than good putting us all in danger!” Just who is Zack what has he done before he freed me? Seems like nothing good, “Excuse me? But could you explain to me why you are so angry with him?” I step in front of Zack hoping to stop another glass from being thrown at him.
Rod stared at me for a long moment as if he had just now noticed my presence in the room. He lowered his left hand holding the next glass he was ready to throw and smiled at me. “Howdy miss, who might you be?” That wasn’t the response I wanted but I gave him a sweet smile anyway. “I’m Lilly, Lilly Sta-“ Zack cuts me off, “She’s with me Rod, so maybe you should stop throwing things at me.” He looks at Zack then back at me his expression changing. The look he gives me is a mix of fear and amazement I wonder what he’s thinking. He sets the glass on the table next to him and then crosses his arms, the mechanical one on top of the other. “We came here because we have nowhere else to go and need a place to stay, I thought my friend would be more understanding.”
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Rod sighed heavily and shook his head, turning around and walking back to the bar table. “You cannot stay here.” He responds in a sorrowful tone. I walk up to him and stand in the way of the bar. “Could you at least explain? Please?” He looks into my eyes, walks over to one of the black tables closest to the bar, and sits down. “Sit,” he says gesturing to one of the four empty seats. I sit down directly across from him at the table, Zack walks over and sits down to the left of me. “So, what did I do that’s so terrible?” He crossed his arms his spear floating next to him in the air. “You killed those monsters the last time you were here saving us. But more came for us after you left to go get her.” He pointed at me giving me the same strange look as before. Zack glances over at me then back to Rod, “Well I think we both know that wasn’t my intention.”
“Was it not? You are a Demon I know that you are masters of manipulation how could I possibly trust you? Not only are you a Demon but you are a high-ranking one I found out your real title Zachary!” Zack’s posture changes and his smile twitches at the corners of his mouth. “You are the Demon of Mist, and you have caused havoc all over the United States in various government buildings!” Rod slams his mechanical hand against the table, “Give me one good reason why I should trust you!? For all, I know you wanted my town to be under attack by your kind and their minions.” Zack put his hands up in defense, “Please calm down I don’t even know what’s attacking you.” Rod didn’t look amused, “I’m waiting for a reason.”
Zack frantically looks around and pats his chest and pockets like some idea or item will magically appear out of thin air. He then directed his attention to me, and his eyes lit up. “She hasn’t been around any other Demons her entire life! So, she has no bias towards humankind or Demons, ask her if she trusts me!” Rod stares at me, studying me. “All right Lilly, do you trust him?” He asks me sharply in a harsh tone. Do I trust him though? I don’t know him enough to be sure if I trust him or not, but the bottom line is I need a place to stay. Zack did save my life, and who knows where the next nearest town is? If I say I don’t trust him then I am off on my own, then who knows when I would find the next place to stay? I look at Zack who’s giving me the same smile, then I look back at Rod who’s waiting with little to no patience.
“I trust him,” I finally say, and Zack breathes out a sigh of relief. Rod gets up, then walks back behind the bar resuming to clean a glass. “I still don’t believe either of you, find another town to stay in.” Zack begins to argue against him, I hold up a hand to stop him before he starts up another situation of thrown glasses. I walk over to the counter and lean against it across from Rod. “Listen, Rod, if that is your name. I know we are demons, and I don’t know about him but I’m not on their side.” Rod looks up and me from his glass. “That is my name, and if you are on my side then why are you with Zachary?” I shake my head in response, “Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not on either side. Everything Zack said is true I have no bias. I know next to nothing about either Demons or Humans. The conditions of the war, anything. But I would like to gain your trust, I could work here with you. Maybe I could help your monster problem with Zack’s help but please, he saved my life try to trust him.” He gives me a soft smile, changing his expression from the hard look it was. “Well, then I just have one question for you.”
Whatever I said must have worked he looks much happier than before. I give him the same smile, “What is it?” I ask. His grin grows wider, almost like Zack’s, “Pineapple on pizza, or no?” I blinked and tilted my head to the side in complete confusion. What a strange thing to ask, funny, but strange. “No?” I said in a questionable tone just hoping I gave the right answer. Rod bursts out into laughter, he reaches over and pats my shoulder. “Welcome to Dawn Lil and welcome to my bar, I’m very happy to have you here.” Lil? I like the sound of that nickname it has a nice ring to it. He walks out from behind the counter, and over to Zack holding out his hand. “Good to have you back too, this time save my town properly.” Zack grabbed onto his hand giving him his beaming smile, “Just point me in the right direction.”