Chapter 19: A Date

*Downtown Chicago*

The cool night air rushed around us as Rilian drove us on his motorcycle through the city streets. I could smell the blend of food and alcohol around each restaurant we passed, with large displays and friendly faces, like they were inviting us in with open arms.

Rilian whipped us through alleys, and back roads, his shortcuts on our way downtown, until he screeched to an abrupt stop at a familiar bar with an alleyway storefront.

"Hey, I know this place," I said as I stumbled off the bike, "this is where you were the night Mordecai and I found you."

"Of course, I was," laughed Rilian, and he pointed up at the sign above the door. "This is my first baby, but aside from April, no one we know ever comes here. It's a bit of a dive."

I glanced up, finally seeing the flickering sign that read 'Black Feather Hostel" hanging above the door in red neon lights. It could not have been more different than the one at the tower; blink, and you would have missed it.