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Porter was definitelyon the wrong side of the tracks. Silvercross City was like night to Bellatrix’s day. Everywhere he looked there were neon lights and signs pointing to strip clubs, brothels, drug dens. On his side of town at least a lot of these things were hidden, done in secret. But here? It was all out in the open.
A man called to people on the sidewalks, a melodic tone to his voice that almost drew Porter in. When he glanced at the man, he winked before Porter noticed razor sharp teeth in his mouth. Porter quickly moved down the street where he watched as a bird landed on the ground and transformed into a tall woman with long, silver hair.
It was like the world didn't make sense anymore. Everytime he turned a corner there was something new, exotic and, if he was being honest, terrifying. He could hear the sound of screaming somewhere nearby, the smell of burning food and acrid smoke. There was laughter, crying, music all coming from different directions.
This really is a different world. What the hell was I thinking?
Porter instantly started to regret leaving. As evil as the Manetti's were, his home was familiar. He knew who he was and where he was going there. Out in the wild? Well, he was completely lost.
"Hey." A man with a dark, scraggly beard stared at Porter as if he was a meal to be devoured. "How much, baby?"
Porter scrunched up his nose and took a step away. "Not for sale," he muttered, picking up his pace.
Even though the city was so bright, every corner and alley felt shrouded in darkness. As if hands would reach out and drag him inside where he would never be seen or heard from again. Porter shivered and wrapped his arms around himself tightly.
Where was he supposed to go now? He had a bit of cash left, but it wasn't enough to live on. There might be just enough to get a cheap, dirty motel room and a meal perhaps, but after that he would be screwed.
Porter wished he had his phone. At least he could pull up a map and figure out where the hell he was. Instead, he was left to wander past the closed restaurants, shops, clothing stores. Places that felt like safe havens but had shut down long ago. A few places were still open, but bore warning signs.No humans allowed after dark.
He pickedhis way through the streets carefully, dread filling his belly every step of the way he couldn’t stop thinking about how he’d never been on his own before. Usually there was his father, his sister, or a litany of guards. But Porter was never alone. His head whipped back and forth as he glanced around. There had to be some place he could go, somewhere he would be safe and able to hide away from the world at least for a night.
A car honked, making him jump. "Shit," Porter mumbled under his breath, forcing his fingers through the dark locks of the wig as he pushed himself to keep going.
The Manetti's were everywhere. What if he ran across one here? It wasn't impossible. Less likely? Sure. But that didn't mean he was safe.
"Hey!"
Porter glanced over his shoulder and realized it was the same man he ran into before. His skin was sallow and his beard looked as if it hadn't been washed in weeks. The closer the man walked to him, the more Porter's nose was filled with a distinct scent of cigarette smoke and decay as if the man was rotting from the inside.
"Leave me alone." Porter picked up his pace again, his eyes searching wildly for a place he could duck inside and into safety.
"I'm talking to you." The man shouted, "Come on, baby. I've got money!"
Porter shivered.Was this his future?Being harrassed by strange men? Or what if he ran out of money and had nowhere to go? What if this was what he had to look forward to, sleeping with weirdos to survive?
A hand gripped Porter's shoulder, yanking him backward. "Didn't you hear me?"
That was it. Porter snapped. He turned, his hand gripping the strangers wrist. He twisted and shoved the man away from him as he yelled. Porter glared as he freed himself. "I told you no. Can you not hear!" Porter stood his ground not letting his fear overrule him. "I don't want your fucking money and I don't want you touching me. Get the hell away from me before I kill you!"
The dirty stranger scoffed. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to? I'm not afraid of some idiot human who thought it was a good idea to walk through Silvercross City alone at night."
The smile on the man's face unnerved him. The stranger moved fast and took hold of Porter once more. His grip became stronger and panic started to claw its way up Porter’s throat. He tried to pull away, but the hand was like steel on his wrist. Men began to step out onto the quiet street he'd turned down. Were they there in the shadows all along? There was no one around to help him. And even if someonewasaround, would they say anything? It didn't exactly feel like the kind of neighborhood that would jump in to rescue someone in distress.
"Let go of me. Let go!"
Porter's breathing caught in his chest as he slapped at the man with his free hand. But those piercing eyes and suddenly sharp fangs made him tremble even harder.
Everyone had heard about the creatures in Silvercross City. It was widely known that they stalked the streets, but Porter had no idea how badly. He'd never even encountered one of them until now. No matter how trained he was, the grip on his wrist was tight, the man's strength immeasurable as he leaned forward showing off his fangs and disgusting breath clogging Porter’s nose.
"This one is pretty." A guy stepped closer to Porter, running a finger down his cheek and making him shudder. "Feisty, but pretty. We should share."
"Count me in," another voice added.
Porter could barely breathe. Another hand gripped his waist, tugging him backward before he felt his skirt inch up his thighs. Another brushed his shoulder and Mr. Scraggly Beard continued to caress his face, before he tried to slip a finger into Porter's mouth.
"Ah, fuck!" The man pulled back his hand and slapped Porter roughly. "She fucking bit me!" he growled. "Hold her down!"
"No, get off of me. Get off of me!"
