Jan. 16, 1908 - I'm a Goner, Somebody Catch My Breath

Ben Clarke and Mia

Mull's Pub, 02:17
He pulled his collar up to shield himself from the cold wind that whipped through Walton's Plaza. There were still lights that shone behind the frosted windows of Mull's Pub. A few bodies moved behind the panes.

The doors opened as he approached and a melodious accent voice said "Have a good night, lads," trailed behind them as two men staggered out. He slipped in behind them.

"We're closed," she stared at him from behind the counter as she washed dishes.
"Please, just one, Mia. I've had a long night," he pulled a stool out from under the bar and sat.
"So've I."

If she only knew what he'd seen tonight... his brother at the house on Lenoir Street. He went to tell Ed about the Mulls and what they were... but it had been much worse.   "I'm not supposed to serve you at all, Mr. Clarke."
"Who says?"
"Who do you think?"

She went and bolted the exterior door. He watched her as she began to collect glasses from one of the card tables.

"How well do you know Mr. Mull?"
"Not at all. Why?" She looked at him.

She couldn't be... No... Not Mia, she was too kind.

He shook his head, rested his elbows on the bar as he rubbed his eyes.

Did she know about the fangs and their threats? What they intended to do to him if he didn't pay his bills?

Mia returned behind the bar and sank the glasses into the dish water.
"Can I at least get some food?"
"Ben..." She shook her head. "Any event, the kitchen closed hours ago."
"Surely you could make me something."
She chuckled, "I'm too fond of you to torture you that way." A glass was removed from a shelf - he hoped for him - and a bottle of sherry was uncorked for her own consumption.
"What made your evening so horrid?" she asked after the first sip.
He looked at her and shook his head again, "I can't tell you."
Her brow furrowed. "Would you like me to speak to Herr Mull for you?"
"You'd do that?"
"Of course."

"I don't think it'd matter much now anyway," he hung his head and studied the wood grain.

His eyes squeezed shut and he saw his brother doing unearthly things while clutching his police badge at the opium den on Lenoir Street. He never got to tell Ed. That may have been the last time he saw his brother before the Mulls had their way and he was never found again. The thought made his breath quicken and heart race.

The thoughts of his brother and the Mulls left his mind. He found his breath again as a comforting chill ran over him. He sensed, inexplicably, all would be well.

He didn't know when it had been placed there, but he found the soft hand of Miss Ratavoloira in his. He looked up at her. She had always been lovely but, now more than ever, she was the most beautiful she had ever been; her skin seemed to glow under the electric lights.

"I'll take care of it for you," she said.
He caressed her soft skin with his thumb - he had no doubt that she would, "Thank you."
She pulled her soft hand from his and turned to the taps, "What'll it be?"