Mila and Sadbay stand at the entrance of the part. The smog seems thickest here. They can make out flickers of campfires around them as shadows of people move around them. The air is stale here, with a lingering stench of rot that sticks to the skin. It all makes Mila’s head hurt. Her heart pounds, almost breaking through her chest. She clutches at the gun in her pocket. The handle has grown warm with her touch. She takes a deep breath, “Well?”
Sad Boy turns to her. “Stay close, and don’t talk to anyone. Whatever you were, where ever you came from, it don’t matter in there.”
Mila looks over her guide. His dress is not much better than the dregs who walk around her, but his demeanor exudes genuine confidence. “And there is no other way?”
Sad Boy sighs, “There is, but you’re being difficult.”
Mila examines the path. Old dirty tents line up against the outside of the gate. Small groups cluster around open flames. Most look tired or lost, others sleep soundly under the glow of the flame.
A shanty town stretches from beyond the gate. Houses clustered together, creating an interesting web of makeshift paths. The shabby buildings are small and held together with different colored metals, plastics, and other discarded materials big enough to build houses. Stacks of smoke spill over rooftops. Probably from the many fires keeping its denizens warm.
The roads are narrow and dark except for a few street lamps that flicker yellow sickly light over the town. The road winds through the part incoherently. The groupings of people get thicker the farther they get from the entrance. People will come up to them. Some sell obsolete electronics, others a random collection of clothes and accessories. Young kids come selling cheap toys and candy.
“Just ignore them,” Sad Boy says from his place in front of her.
The houses start to look nicer the deeper they get. They walk down a street of stands, each with its unique collection of items neatly displayed on old rusted tables.
“That’s all stolen shit,” Sad Boy says as they pass the eager salespeople hawking their various items.
After about 20 minutes of walking, the pair find themselves alone in the town. Barrels still burned the fuel but no one sat around to receive its warmth. The windows were dark and empty, and the few people on the road hurried away in other directions.
“Fuck..” Sad Boy lets out. He pulls a half-smoked cigarette from his picket. “You still got the gun right?”
Mila squeezes at the handle reflexively. “Wh..why?”
“We’re gunna need it…” his voice trails off as he stops “Give it here”
Mila moves to give him the gun and stops. “I rather not.”
Sad Boy continues to scan the darkness around them. “Look we don’t have time to play these games. Give me the gun!” He snaps in an audible whisper.
Before she can answer, a gruff voice reaches from the shadows. “Well, ain’t this somethin. This is indeed a special day. The great Sad Boy himself has blessed us with his presence, and he brought us a little present.”
Two large men with large clubs and stern faces come into view. Behind them, four tired-looking men follow, each holding up a silver ornate throne. The seat was lined with cushy velvet. The metal looks freshly polished, with strange shapes carved around it. There are skulls across the top of the seat and at the end of the armrests. Over the seat, a lone golden lantern swings with each step.
On the seat is a broad man with an amused look on his face. He has a wild beard with matching matted hair. A golden crown adorned with random jewels weighs down the top of his head. He wears a large wool coat that comes down to his knees, with matching gloves. One of his hard plays with the skull at the end of the arm rust, and the other swishes at the wine glass in his hand. He takes a drink of the dark red liquid and smiles. “What y’all to my humble kingdom?”
Sad Boy turns to walk in the other direction, but four large heavily armed men have since appeared to block their escape. “Oh you know,” he turns back “just passing through.”
The king clasps his hands and loudly proclaims, “Well let me at least be a proper host and show y’all a lil hospitality.”
“We’re in a bit of a hurry, but we can take a rain check.” The large men start moving towards the pair.
“I promise I won’t take much of your time,” he flashes a sinister smile. The men continue closing in on the pair. Mila’s hand begins to clam up as they squeeze at the handle.
“Hand me the thing…” Sad Boy whispers almost inaudibly.
Mila pulls out the gun and points it at the King. Her hands shake under the weight of it. Sad Boy is stunned for a moment, but finds his words “Y’all are fucked now! My sister is crazy, and a lot less forgiving than I am!”
The group of men surrounding her stop at the sight of the gun. The king jumps in his seat but then begins to smile. “I don’t think she even knows how to use the thing,” he says as a cocky smirk creeps across his face.
“Take another step and I bet you’ll find out.”
The king jumps from his throne and moves his hand to stop his men. He smiles. “Let’s find out then,” He takes a step towards them.
The world goes silent. Mila looks at the man in front of her. His gown glows under the light of the lantern. She watches as he fiddles with one of his rings. There is a ring on each of his fingers, each with a different gemstone. His smirk grows. “I guess I was right.” He snaps his fingers and the large men move towards the pair.
Mila can feel the heart about to break through her chest. She can feel the air running out around her. She can feel her journey ending with each step they take. She closes her eyes as her finger squeezes at the trigger, but instead of the deafening explosion she expected, she only hears a click. The click bounces off the walls in a desperate echo that stops everyone in place. The world freezes for another second before the King’s booming laughter fills the awkward silence left behind. “This whole time you were comin round here waving an empty gun?” He shakes his head before turning towards his thrown. “Bring them to me alive. I’m going to need to sort this out personally.”
Before Mila can react, she feels a sharp heavy pain on the side of her head as the world around her turns completely black. She can hear Sad Boy’s unintelligible mumbling before completely blacking out on the street.
