The watering hole on South 13th street was a bar that lots of people attended for reasons that people don’t ever want to admit. Primarily loneliness, Tom entered the door behind a customer walking in, he stopped looking around, at the bar he saw who he was looking for. Walking over in the smoke-filled room he jumped onto the bar stool and said, “You have put me in a difficult position today. Why did you do that?”

  Prosperity said, “I don’t have to tell you anything anymore, I’m out of the game. It doesn’t concern me, and I’ve never been happier.. You look like a pussy in need of something wet..” She snickered sliding a shot of whiskey to the cat.

  Tom sighed, “Great, you’re drunk.. How did you even manage to get alcohol when you look far too young to buy it?”

  Prosperity said, “Like this. Barkeep!” A man came over giving her another shot before winking at her and going back to the others. “See? He thinks I’m cute.. He will get me drunk thinking he has a chance…” Planting her face on the bar, she spoke in a muffled tone. “He won’t get any from me, just.. like.. you…” She snickered more.

  Tom saw the bartender come back to fill her glass again. He looked at the man and said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The man looked at the cat, then looked around, he glanced back at the cat. Tom said, “The man who is about to come in here for her will not like what you are doing, I am under no obligation to protect you from him.” The man rubbed his eyes and peered closer at the cat.

  The bartender asked, “Is this a joke? Why is a cat in here?”

  Prosperity sat up and said, “It’s alright he’s with me, he needs a drink too.” She slammed an empty shot glass on the counter. He filled the glass anyway.

  Tom asked, “Why didn’t you go find Stu?”

  Prosperity said, “He told me to go away, and his authority supersedes yours now. So, fuck you! God, I always wanted to say that..” She planted her face on the bar again.

  Tom asked, “If you are so happy, then why are you drinking like this? Why alone?”

  She said, “Because..”

  Sighing he said, “You are a pain in the ass prosperity, but you are needed. I’d like to make a request of you.”

  She didn’t look up only raised a middle finger at him. Then she said, “Why should I help you?”

  He looked around the bar before saying, “I need you to help save Stu’s life, for the sake of Chaos. If not, he will be targeted for elimination very soon. At this rate he’s going to break the rules in a more serious way, and it will be over for all of you.”

  She looked over at him before sitting up, wobbly but alert. She asked, “What are you saying and keep in mind I’m drunk. So, keep the I’m so mysterious act to a minimum. Okay kitty?”

  Thinking this was a pain before taking a deep breath, Tom said, “If he kills Miracle then he will be killed. Most likely you and Chaos as well. She is feared, she is of the oldest, and if the tournament hears some nobody killed her; they will all come looking to make a name for themselves. You are not ready for this kind of fight yet. Isn’t that why you’re drinking by yourself right now?”

  She asked, “How can I stop any of them from doing what they want? I’m the one that froze in front of Miracle today. I have nothing to offer anyone in the tournament, I’m not sure why I’m here.. Do you know?”

  Tom said, “None of us do, Gods, Judges, even humans. We are all as in the dark as you are. I can say that if you think about it, maybe you are here for something you never considered. Personally, an unaffiliated opinion would be that your tournament participation was beyond satisfactory and continues to be.”

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  Prosperity said, “You know all the right things to say to make a girl feel special, don’t you?”

  Tom stood up saying, “You have a choice, you can save everyone, or you can let him lose control and give in… Well, your choice has shown up now. I’ll see you another time.” He jumped off the stool, and she watched him slink out the door.

  The bartender came over filling her glass again and saying, “Did that cat really talk, or what?”

  She said, “I don’t know.. I’m just a drunk loser.”

  The bartender asked, “You need a ride home? I have more drinks at my house if you’re interested..”

  She said, “Sure, why not? You look like a perve; this should be interesting.”

  The bartender grabbed his stuff and clocked out leaving the other guy in charge. Walking over to her he asked, “Need help getting to the car?” He grabbed her arm and pulled her up as she leaned on him heavily for support. They waddled outside and he got her to the passenger door of the car.

  She said, “You never asked me where I was going, do you have bad intentions with me?” She was leaning against the car with her eye closed.

  He looked around before saying, “I sure do. Don’t worry though, I’ll give you a ride home tomorrow if you are a good girl.”

  “She’s not going home with you.” Stu stood behind the bartender.

  The bartender looked back and said, “This isn’t any of your business buddy. Why don’t you go find someone your own size to mess with before you get hurt.”

  Stu looked down at himself, he’d forgotten. Three days of this tournament and he felt different somehow. Bigger and stronger but looking down he was the same skinny looking office worker. Pushing his glasses up he said, “Let’s go Prosperity.” He held his hand out.

  Prosperity smiled and said, “Stu! You came to get me before I did something stupid! You do care!” She reached for his hand, the man slapped Stu’s hand away.

  The man said, “I told you to fuck off.” The man pulled a knife out threatening Stu. “Keep pushing this and see if you walk away.”

  Prosperity laughed hard. She said, “Guy, you better put that away before Stu hurts you. He’s a killer, a god killer! And.. And you.. are…” She laughed even harder. “Sorry, this is just too funny. Stu, don’t hurt this guy he’s too weak.”

  The man turned red, he glared at Stu. Stu said, “Don’t do it.”

  The angry man said, “Or what?”

  Stu calmly said, “Walk away, or you might hurt yourself with that knife.”

  The man asked, “With this knife?” Raising it high he drove it towards Stu.

  Stu raised his hand catching the blade as it pierced his palm, using his free hand he broke the man’s grip. Spinning inside his guard and bringing his elbow into the side of the man’s jaw he dropped to the ground like a rock. Hitting the ground hard he coughed and spit out most of his teeth. Stu crouched over him saying, “You hurt yourself.”

  The man squeaked out, “Bitch…”

  Stu said, “Don’t worry, you will live. You will remember this day for the rest of your life; this was the last day you ever saw the sunlight. Stu removed the knife from his hand, and in a swift motion sliced the man across the face, his eyes bursting into jets of blood as he screamed. “I told you to walk away. You ever cross me again and I’ll do worse.” He stood up looking at Prosperity.

  She looked at him in shock. The screams still filled the air as he held his hand out again. She took it saying, “I know I’m drunk, but that was really hot. Like really hot. Got any plans this evening?”

  Stu threw her over his shoulder, “Yeah I do, I’m sure it involves dealing with this aftermath also.” He started making his way back home. This had been a fucked up day, but he wasn’t going to die in this tournament, and neither would the girls, he’d make sure of that. The blue dripped from his hand as he walked.

  Tom walked out from the shadows in the alley, he said, “I see you found her. Well, you have to be punished.”

  Stu said, “Whatever.”

  Tom sighed, “You have to take the rules seriously. If you don’t you will die.”

  Stu said, “Not if I kill all of them first.”

  Prosperity hiccupped and said, “So, hot..” Stu looked back at her to quiet her.

  Tom said, “Fine, you people want to fight the whole tournament at once? Fine, but you will die if you don’t go somewhere tomorrow. You must go to Goddess Sea Food in the next city. You will know what to do when you get there. If not you will be dead anyway. For the gods sakes though consider it…” He turned back into the alley and disappeared.

  Prosperity said, “Oh, why do you get hotter every day? Are you and Chaos a thing or not? I’m not saying that if Chaos is there it’s a deal breaker, just gauging the situation..”

  Stu shook his head; he’d put her to bed. Then find Chaos. Hmm… better remember to put a trashcan next to the bed too. He made his way home.