Neon lights. The way that they pulsate with an alluring glow, casting vibrant hues across the city streets. There’s magic in squinting your eyes just right, allowing the colors to blur and dance together in a mesmerizing display. Beneath the cacophony of the bustling nightlife, a nearly silent, subtle hum vibrates, weaving through the chaos and lending electric energy to the nocturnal symphony of the city.

The red light district. Home to some fascinating businesses that only open their doors to the likes of various patrons who know the sweet nectar, staying out with no accountability for their daytime shifts. Shady Weeper’s Way is a long winding strip that runs from the downtown area to the lower pits of the city, crossing several main streets and alleys. The beating heart housed many of the red light districts' more discreet storefronts and lavish views. 

Smitten Mittens, the name on the business card, wasn’t a singular establishment—instead, several various places combined and wrapped up into one just past Essex and Parks streets. The entrance was swarming with some rather fascinating employees. All are dressed in different outfits, from scantily clad oversized coats to shield their bodies' warmth to well-dressed getups as if dressed for plays.

“You’ve got an invitation?” An individual asked, standing by. I assumed he was a bouncer or security guard, but it was odd to have one if not three. There was no door to mark it, just an opening between two buildings with an overhang. As I said, the Smitten Kittens wasn’t just one place but several: strip clubs, lounges, bars, and restaurants. Doors were wide open, and the storefronts contained large glass for a clear view of the merchandise. Streamers and lines with decorations were drawn from one end to another. Honestly, it looked more like a condensed and congested version of Shady Weeper’s Way celebrating a street event, if anything.

“Will this do?”

The card I picked up off of Hummings did suffice. The bouncer took to examining before being rather thorough in patting me down. As he neared the end, he, for some reason, brushed my hair. He no doubt saw my ears before flashing his light in my eyes and telling me to open my mouth as if to double-confirm what I was. He nor the other two seemed to care what I was. Instead, he returned the card and told me to always keep it on me.

“Don't cause any trouble, and enjoy your time,” were the last words I heard before stepping into a world of captivating fragrances. A blend of floral notes, ripe fruits, and expensive perfumes filled the air, creating an intoxicating aroma that transformed the dimly lit path into a soft purple haze. Unlike Shady Weeper’s Way, this place boasted a glass roof that shimmered above. Initially, I didn't notice how the walkway narrowed into a tunnel barely wide enough for two people. 

On either side, various cubbies housed enticing establishments—a candy shop and a masquerade store where mechanical masks resembling animals were on display. Some windows were draped with curtains, lending a sense of intrigue and privacy, while muffled moans and groans drifted from behind them. The sofas, upholstered in luxurious dark plum-colored fur, invited visitors to sink in and lose themselves. Pop art and chic modern furniture livened up the rest of the spaces, creating a vibrant atmosphere. 

I couldn’t help but wonder how far this maze ran. Surely, a street would intersect it at some point, providing an escape or a view, but there were only more cozy spots, each hiding the promise of company and who knows what kind of adventure awaited those who took to the intoxicating invitations.

It didn’t take long before my curious eyes drew to someone who invited themselves into my company.

“Hello beauty, what can I do for you? Are you here for a drink, or do you want to settle down and have some fun somewhere?”

The woman who approached me eased her neck forward subtly, running her nail down one particular vein. She was barely wearing anything, aside from a rob that hung loosely upon her shoulders.

“No, I am here for another reason. A man…” I delivered. Before I could continue, two men stepped out from one cubby not too far away. They, too, wore only silk purple color robes before leaning to one side as if waiting for me to decide who was the better fit for my tastes.

My gaze was sharp, but they didn’t seem to back away, only smiled with intrigued looks.

“Mmm, mind telling me what sort of place this is?”

The lady who first greeted me with a gentle smile offered me a response. 

“First-time beauty? This is Smitten Kittens, offering anything and everything to your heart's content. Whatever you seek, it’s your own personal wonderland.”

“I see… Does that truly mean you can suffice my tastes? You do know what I am, no?”

”Of course. We cater to any and all,” she reaffirmed.

“Interesting…”

I pulled my ID from my pocket and handed over a photo of Hummings. This caused many nearby, who were looking to have some fun, to disperse. They left with the excitement of returning to entertain others who were more eager for some pleasure while I remained in the company of one.

Her gaze shifted momentarily—a slight twitch to one eye ever so subtle.

“Look, beauty, you seem sweet, but you can’t come in here and be asking about that sort of stuff? We have discretion. You never know what secrets people keep in their dark closet. Everyone has their kinks. That’s the rule here.”

“One of many?”

“…” Pure and utter silence.

“…Alright,” I continued. “Look, this man may have visited here, and if he has, I need to know. He is possibly connected to my search for a little girl—”

What was that? For a moment, her face shifted. She looked around before easing closer.

“You should stop looking, you hear. The cat is always listening.”

“What?” I said nothing about a cat. So why did she? Before I could even ask, two individuals stepped to either side of me. It was the bouncers from the entrance.

“Didn’t we say no trouble?”

It wasn’t long before I was shown the door. Trying to claim that I was stirring up trouble seemed unnecessary.

After fixing my coat, I found my pockets ever so slightly more occupied. A piece of torn paper with a time and place handwritten on it. Taking to it, I headed over to a 24-hour diner and ordered a coffee.

As I waited, I looked at Smitten Kitten’s business card. The illustration was uncanny to the doll I found.

“Another one, love?”

“Yes, please…”

The booth I chose was in the back. It doesn't matter, but I tend to take the one that gives me a clear view of the entire place.

“Sorry for being late…”

Taking her seat, a woman I barely recognized sat across from me. Her hair was completely different, and the absence of makeup made her look several years younger. There was no fancy getup, just a large coat, reserving what assets she was working with for her profession. It didn’t stop there, as her mannerisms were more reserved—timid and shy.

The way she acted almost reminded me of…

“Ughhh, um, hi. A-and-s-sorry about before. She d-don’t like it when you ask, ugh, too many questions. The place is all about h-having fun, and entertainment. Business as u-usual. At all times.”

She kept glancing over her shoulder, her hands skillfully rearranging her hair as if she were trying to erase any trace of the girl she had been just an hour earlier. To a casual observer, she might have appeared to be a completely different person—an illusion perfected. But not for me; I’ve always had an eye for faces.

“Hello, my name is Sirius Hush Grimes.”

I had already introduced myself back in the lounge, but I felt it was better to do it again, given the change in scenery and the fact that I was seemingly meeting her for who she was now rather than then.

“I, I ughhh…”

She seemed hesitant to give me her name. Her eyes darted back and forth as she searched for it herself.

“It’s alright,” I eased. “Did you give me this? Do you know about the man I am looking for—Hummings? The reason you couldn’t tell me before…did it have anything to do with this so-called cat you mentioned….”

The moment I retrieved Delilah’s doll, her eyes widened in shock. She stared at it long and hard nervously. 

Not a word left her lips before I tucked it back under my coat.

“Sorry… Are you alright? Should I keep it out of view? The Cat you were talking about—”

“SHHH, hmm, mhm—hmm.”

Her hands immediately came up to hush me.

“We ugh, umm. We. We, we, we, we…”

“Okay, alright.”

Something about her seeming uneasy left me pondering for a moment. She wanted to talk, yet I was getting the strangest feeling that she couldn’t.

“Are there things you can’t talk about, correct?”

Her fidgeting ceased momentarily before she started to sniffle. She bit her lip, her eyes flushing red. This was going to be a one-sided conversation.

“Okay…tell me, did you know Hummings—Samual? Has he ever visited?”

Her hands trembled as she reached outward to lay them bare on the table. A single finger tapped along the surface.

“…Shall I take that as a yes…?”

Another hesitant tap followed. 

For a moment, I searched for the questions I wanted to ask her. Shelving the ones that I probably couldn’t get an answer to.

“Okay…when was the last time Samual Hummings came to visit the Smitten Kitten? Tap for a day.”

The answer she gave me was 5.

“When he visits, where along Smitten Kittens does he frequent? Is there anyone in particular he comes to talk to regularly?”

It was a bit of a complicated question for her to answer, but my assessment was to take it one step at a time. Identify if there was such a person and, if so, who, a girl, management, or another patron. Maybe a dealer… That was the aim until I saw her hand shoot over her mouth as if choked up on the answer. She was holding back a cry.

“Hold on…was it you?”

The answer was one tap—a yes.

“How often has he come by in the past three months?” 

Three taps—three days. So once a month. 

All of his visits and she was the one who he came to.

“Do you care for him?”

One tap. Followed by a circle. She had drawn it immediately before her finger began trembling. Slowly, she withdrew it to hover over her stomach to draw another circle.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

For a long moment, I debated whether or not to tell her the truth about Hummings. It was better just to be upfront, and when those words left my lips, it was like a damn had broken. Tears rolled and fell from her cheeks as she tried her best to hold it in. 

“I am sorry for your loss,” I offered. “But I need to know, or else I fear you might end in the same state as him, or worse, given that—”

I stopped myself, recounting the warning she had given me earlier. 

“Does the cat know?”

She wiped her eyes as best she could and stared at me. No Tap.

“Will it do something frightening should it find out?”

One tap before she started to choke up again, and another series of tears came.

The information she provided gave me a clear understanding of the situation. After retrieving my phone, I made a call.

“Siri?”

“You picked up my call before it had to go to voicemail this time. You sober?”

“Get to the point. What do you want?” 

“Can you put someone up for a bit..” 

“Protective custody?”

“No, more discreet than that. No one must know. Not a soul. It’s…tied to the case you dropped at my doorstep.”

“Are we really going to do this? Right now is not a good time… I—”

“Don’t give me that shit. You’ve got company, is that it?!”

“What are you on about exactly? I pick up for once, and this is the attitude you have come to me with?”

“It’s the least you can do. You owe me!”

“…Is that all you’re calling me for?”

“That drinking buddy of yours—he’s a cop, right? Fredrick—Frank, right? One of the good boys you trust? I need his help with something. I know you might not believe it, but The Piper had escaped. I have proof, so ughh…yeah…”

“…” For a long moment, the Lieutenant said nothing. “Alright. Give me an address, and I will send it to him immediately. Is that all?”

“No, it’s just I don’t think he did it willingly—Hummings. Call it a hunch, given that I don’t have all the evidence, but something is terribly off. Someone was pulling the strings. The man was terrified. So if you are looking into it…just umm…be…”

“…you too…”