Before The Lockdown

From the perspective of Brandon Vanity.

I had never been to Chicago before, but I didn't expect it to be seemingly empty. As I drove the Tahoe through downtown Chicago, my friends and I were astonished to see a complete lack of humans and vampires. The streets were literally empty, except for the occasional small bird. Was everyone indoors?

"Where is everyone?" Angeline asked.

"The most logical explanation? Inside, underground, or both," I replied. "We might catch a human or two outside if we are lucky… oh look, there's one."

I pointed out the elderly man with short sleek grayish-white hair and an arched back who seemed to be lost and confused, standing in the middle of the road. I stopped the Tahoe and I shut off the engine, then I stepped out of the vehicle to speak with the old man. As I approached the old man I could see he was not only lost and confused, but blind as a bat.

"Sir, do you need some help?" I asked the old man.

The old man turned in my direction and cowered in fear. "Please! Don't hurt me! I just wanted to be in the sunlight! My son keeps me locked inside my apartment all day and night and never allows me to leave unattended!"

The old man's predicament made me feel sympathy and compassion for him. I couldn't imagine leaving the old man there in the middle of the road.

"What's your name, old man?"

"Me? My name's Reginald, and my son's name is Peter. He's probably out looking for me right now."

"Where do you live, Reginald?"

"Horris Manor, about a block down the road. You can't miss it. It's the shittiest excuse for an apartment building in all of Chicago. I live on the first floor. Room 112. If I didn't live on the first floor I wouldn't have made it outside. Why do you care where I live?"

This old man is a frickin' loon. "Have you had enough sunshine for one day?" I asked.

Reginald wheezed as he thought of a response. "I suppose. I'm getting kinda worried. Peter hasn't found me yet. He's usually never this slow."

This old man's done this stunt before? Goodness. "Reginald, my name is Brandon Vanity. How about I help you find your way back home, that way you're not alone out here? The streets seem pretty deserted."

Reginald seemed to think it over before responding, "I think that would be a fine idea. I don't want to be left out here after dark. Bad things happen after dark."

I signaled my comrades to come join me. Chase got out of the Tahoe and walked around and sat in the driver's seat, then he moved the Tahoe over to the parking lane. Then everyone got out of the Tahoe, and we all made our way toward Horris Manor.

Horris Manor, on the outside, was a horrific edifice of dark bricks and crumbling mortar. The entire building seemed depressed and derelict. On the inside, the building didn't seem any better. The forest green carpet floor was blackened and filthy and soaked in some spots from leaks dripping through cracks in the ceiling, and the doors to the units were all beat-up and dirty. Much of the beige walls were covered in amateur graffiti and blood splatters. More than half of the light fixtures flickered and a great many of them weren't working at all. Roaches climbed up and down the walls while rats scampered in either direction through the chilly hall.

I helped Reginald to his unit and I opened the door for him as my friends followed close behind.

"This place stinks," Angeline said as she held her nose.

Jeriah laughed in response. "This place is a shithole where the elderly--"

"Shut the hell up," I stopped Jeriah before he said too much.

"Welcome to my abode. It isn't much," Reginald said as he crept through the dreary living room filled with dusty antiques and forgotten treasures.

Just then a man came barging into the room after my friends, completely stunned. "Dad! What the hell is going on here? Who are these people?"

Reginald swiftly turned around and, as if he knew where his son stood, gazed into Peter's eyes and said, "Peter Oswald Blum! These people helped me get back home, you nincompoop!" Reginald, furious, quickly shook his head side to side.

When I heard the last name Blum I suddenly realized we were dealing with the same Blums that Chase had seen in his vision. I turned to Chase and he stared back at me with wide eyes that seemed quite aware.

"Um, sorry to be prudent, but we are actually looking for a family with the last name Blum. Happen to know who they are?" Chase asked both the father and the son.

Peter replied, "I think you are referring to my brother's family. They live across the street in a two bedroom flat. Everyone's going through financial troubles now that the Sevaldi Clan has taken over. Sure, crime rates citywide have dropped to the lowest ever on record. But at a great cost. There no longer are any crucial city services. People like my dad here are left to ruin and decay, and I'm the only one that cares enough to help him. My brother, Marvin, and his wife, Nadia, are too busy to help--they work under the Sevaldi Clan, same as me. My brother is a janitor and his wife is a nanny. Since the Sevaldi Clan can't step outdoors during the day, they hired all able-bodied adults in Chicago to do the work they can't do during the day. I have to leave my dad here unsupervised, caged like an animal, because I have to work as a nurse for 8 hours a day from 6 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. Not only that, he's blind in both eyes, and he's terminally ill with stage 3 lung cancer."

Chase seemed despondent and saddened. "I feel bad for you guys. No one should be living like this."

Reginald cackled in response. "Ha! You have no idea!"

"Is there anything we can do for you?" Phoenix asked in a tone so sweet that I thought she was an angel for a moment.

Reginald shook his head. "Nah. Sorry, toots. I have all that I need right here in my apartment, except for fresh air. Peter, get me a glass of whiskey. On the rocks, please."

Peter shook his head as he hesitated, then he grunted before walking into the kitchen to fetch his father a glass of whiskey.

"Although, I haven't seen my other son, Marvin, in almost two weeks. He's starting to worry me. The last time he visited he was spouting that he didn't know how he would pay next month's light bill. I hope he doesn't do anything drastic… He can be a bit of a troublemaker, sometimes."

I knew right then that we had to pay Marvin Blum a visit before Chase's vision came to fruition.

"Hey, Reginald. Do you think Marvin is home right now?" I asked.

Peter handed Reginald a glass of whiskey with ice and Reginald swiftly grasped the glass and took a swig, then he handed the empty glass back to Peter before drying off his mouth.

"I wouldn't doubt it. The clock on the wall says it's five thirty-seven. It's probably off by a few minutes. Marvin would have got home around five-twenty. Yeah, he should be home by now. He lives in the building across the street, the one with the pretty yellow bricks. His apartment number is 504. Tell him I sent you. Also, tell him I love him, and, lastly, tell him to bring the whole family to come see me when they get a chance."

"I'll do just that," I said with a nod, then I turned back to my comrades.

"I think it's time to go see Marvin. How about it?"

"I think so, too," Chase agreed.

"Then let's get the hell out of here," Jeriah replied as he hastily marched out of the front door and into the main hall.

"What an ass," Nicole responded as she shook her head in disbelief. "Sorry about our friend. He's got some growing up to do."

Reginald chuckled in response. "Don't worry about it. I know this place is a dump. I've lived in it for 17 years. I'll probably die here, before it's over. Anyway, you fine ladies and gentlemen are welcome back anytime. See ya' around." Reginald winked at Nicole before snapping his fingers at Peter. "Hurry it up, Peter! You slow ass donkey!"

I kinda felt sorry for Peter like I did Reginald, but then again, I felt sorry for a lot of people.

The six of us walked briskly out of Reginald's apartment, up the hall, and out of Horris Manor. We then crossed the street and entered the building in which Marvin Blum and his wife and two daughters resided. We hitched a ride in an elevator and I pressed the button that said 'five'. The doors closed. The floor beneath us rocked and shook. In no time at all the elevator dinged and the elevator doors opened to an empty, but dainty, hallway. The sound of an orchestrated symphony seeping through the walls piqued my curiosity.

We walked about twenty paces down the hall before we found ourselves standing outside apartment 504. The music I heard was coming from behind these particular walls. I gave the door a forceful, yet gentle, knocking.

"Who is it?" a man on the other side replied.

I responded, "Some people you would like to meet. Your father sent us."

"Go away. I'm quite busy, and my wife and children are very ill."

"Mr. Blum, we would like to help you. Please, let us in. We have no weapons. We are not here to harm or to threaten anyone." I hoped I was at least somewhat convincing.

I was right. I heard the lock on the other side of the door slide as the doorknob turned. We were greeted with a man of average height with black hair, dark brown eyes, and light brown skin.

"Come in, hurry," Marvin said, ushering us into his home and quickly shutting the door behind us. "The Sevaldi Clan has informants around every corner."

"Do you have a place where we could all sit?" Chase asked.

Marvin nodded. "In the living room there's a leather sectional. My wife and daughters are being quarantined. I suspect that all three of them have the stomach flu. Luckily, I was given five days off work to help out around the house."

The six of us, as well as Marvin, squished ourselves all onto the coffee brown leather sectional. There, we all sat weirdly quiet for a minute. I, myself, kept darting my eyes; I was intrigued by the endless cat trinkets and cat decorations and paintings of cats, and, of course, the two house cats that each laid in their own cat bed. One cat was solid black with green eyes while the other was solid white with blue eyes. Both appeared to be American shorthair and both appeared to be female.

Jeriah raised his right hand to cover his mouth as he yawned.

"So, what brings you six strangers into my home?" Marvin asked as he began to nibble his fingernails.

Nicole coughed, then replied, "Mr. Blum. Marvin. Sir. Whatever you like to be called."

"Marvin is fine by me."

"Marvin. Anyway, my good friend, Chase, the one with the silver hair, earlier today he blacked out. When he woke up he told us about this strange dream he had. But it was no dream. It was a vision."

Chase took over. "I can explain it better, Nicole. Marvin, I don't exactly know how to tell you this. But I saw a vision of you and your family. I believe it was meant to be a premonition. And I believe I saw this vision so that I could warn you before you did something you would come to regret."

Marvin appeared highly worried. his eyes wide and glossy. as he rubbed his forehead. "Tell me, what did you see in this vision?"

Chase breathed in, then he let out a deep sigh. "I saw through your eyes, Mr. Blum. I saw through your eyes your wife and daughters tied and blindfolded, on their knees. You were also tied and on your knees, but you had no blindfold."

"Oh my god, no. You can't be serious?" Marvin asked, frantic.

Chase nodded. "Mr. Blum, sir. There's more. There was a man. A vampire. A hitman for the Sevaldi Clan. He was to execute you and your wife and daughters that night, but you pleaded for their lives. The hitman humbly accepted your plea, but he could not do anything to prevent your own execution."

"What did I do?" Marvin asked. "Why would the Sevaldi Clan target me and my family?"

Chase bit his bottom lip and nearly chuckled. "Uh. Well, I guess I should just tell it to you straight." Chase inhaled, then sighed again. "You stole credits from the Sevaldi Clan. Somehow they found out, and they sent a hitman after you and your family. You were supposed to die that night, along with your wife and daughters. But the hitman saved your wife and daughters from the same cruel fate as you. The last thing I remember was you being shot in the head. Mr. Blum, I don't blame you if you're terrified. I was more than terrified, myself. I didn't know you or any of your family members, and I didn't know why I was having a vision of the moments leading up to your death. But you gotta' believe me, sir. I'm terribly afraid that if you do so happen to steal credits from the Sevaldi Clan, the vision I had earlier today WILL come to pass. None of us here want that to happen to you, sir."

Marvin held his hands in his lap and stared blankly into Chase's crystal blue eyes, then he nodded slowly, over and over again, until he muttered, "I understand. I believe you. I never would have thought I would believe in the paranormal, but I believe you. Thank you for informing me of this vision you had. Hopefully I can prevent your vision from becoming a reality. But I do worry. I worry that if I don't come up with enough credits for rent, my family and I will be thrown out on the streets with only one place to go and that's across the street. I cannot allow that to happen."

"You think we would allow that to happen?" I asked. "We're here to help. You need credits? I've got some I could help you with. Not much, but maybe just enough to get you through until next month."

"Really? That would be wonderful."

"Oh. Shit. Wait. My E.C.R. was destroyed back in Mt Vernon, Illinois. Dammit. I'll have to think of another way to get you the credits. How many do you need?"

Marvin tilted his head and chuckled. "About 2500. Yeah, I know. Crazy how much rent is around here with the Sevaldi Clan in charge."

Jeriah then asked Marvin, "And the Sevaldi Clan is using credits as currency? Shouldn't they use their own form of currency?"

"To the best of my knowledge, the Sevaldi Clan uses credits because credits are completely untraceable. Therefore the Sevaldi Clan can do business with any government or organization with impunity. Pretty smart, if you think about it."

Nicole chuckled, then commented, "Not exactly smart, just practical. Why create your own currency when you can use one that's already widely accepted?"

Jeriah shrugged. "I dunno."

Chase sighed, then he locked eyes with Marvin. "I think I got a way to get you the credits you need. But we're gonna have to visit Don Rafael to do so. You shouldn't have to come with us. You have a family to care for, right now."

"You're willing to go to Don Rafael himself? To help me?" Marvin appeared totally flabbergasted. "My goodness, you people are insane, yet kind and generous. Please, do whatever it takes, I beg of you. I've never had to beg anyone for anything before, until now. Please, help me get enough credits to pay for this month's rent, and I'll never ask another favor from any of you ever again. You have my word."

Chase nodded, then he stood over Marvin and laid his hand on Marvin's shoulder. "And you have our word. We will get you enough credits for you to pay this month's rent, if not more."

Marvin was nearly ready to break down into joyful tears, but he held his composure. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Not a problem."

"We should be on our way, then," I suggested. "We have a long night ahead of us if we're going to see the head of the Sevaldi Clan and ask for a favor from him. Wait a minute. Hold up. We don't even know where to look for Don Rafael! How stupid can we be?"

Marvin chuckled, then replied, "You'll find him where he can always be found: in his penthouse at St. Regis Chicago. Don Rafael kept the name. I guess he couldn't come up with a better name. Anyhow, have fun getting an audience with the Don. He's an extremely busy man."

Chase continued to stand as me and the rest of the group stood up to join him. Chase then removed his hand from Marvin's shoulder. "We'll be on our way now, Mr. Blum. We've got our hands full, but we'll manage. Oh, and by the way. Your father told me to tell you to visit him sometime, and bring the whole family, hopefully after the flu passes. Anyhow, I hope to see you again."

"I sure will. Thank you, again. You all take care of yourselves."

Within minutes the six of us were out the door and already back in the Tahoe. The sun was low, casting long, dreary shadows, and the sky was beginning to turn pale violet. I decided to check the radio. I tuned into all the available frequencies, but there was only one station playing music. 98.7 The Vamp. I was pleasantly surprised that as soon as I had tuned into the station, one of my favorite songs began to play: Ace of Spades by Motörhead. I noticed in the rearview mirror Jeriah began to instantly rock his head back and forth with the rhythm of the song.

"Fuck yeah. Ace of Spades is my jam," Jeriah said with a wide grin.

"That makes two of us, pal," I replied as I started the Tahoe's engine.

Cocking his head, Chase raked his right hand through his silver strands as he calmly stated, "To St. Regis Chicago we go."

Outside the towering and impressive St. Regis Chicago, we were met with dozens of clean-shaved men in spotless white suits and white ties standing guard, each equipped with a standard automatic rifle and each wearing dark polarized Aviator sunglasses and a black earphone. I honestly was afraid to step out of the vehicle and walk up to the tower, but we had an agenda and we intended to see Don Rafael in the flesh. Nothing would stop us. Not even a bunch of ordinary men in white.

Chase turned his head to address the passengers in the back. "Hey, guys, girls. I think it may be best if just Brandon and I went in. Jeriah, would you stay here and keep the girls company?"

Jeriah rolled his eyes, then he nodded gently in reluctance. "Sure. I can do that."

"Great," Chase replied.

"How long will you two be gone?" Phoenix asked.

Chase shrugged. "If we're not back in two hours, consider us dead. In that case, the four of you are free to live your own lives. Wish us luck."

I winked at Phoenix in the backseat, then Chase and I stepped out of the Tahoe. I took a deep breath, then I shut the driver's side front door. Kill me now, I thought.

I felt stupid as Chase and I waltzed up to the imposing tower in which Don Rafael resided. But we both kept walking forward, even as the guards surrounded us and pointed their rifles at our heads.

"State your names and your business," one of the guards demanded.

Chase spoke for the both of us. "My name's Chase Cringle, and the ponytail hair dude is Brandon Vanity. We're here to… uh… ask the Don for a favor."

The eight or so guards that surrounded us lowered their rifles. Then the guard asking the questions smirked. "Is that so?"

"I wouldn't lie to you," Chase replied. "Call the Don. Tell him it's urgent."

The guard laughed as he shook his head, then he reluctantly pushed a bright red button on the side of his earphone. "Mr. Rafael, sir. I have two vampires out here that want to see you in person. They want to ask you for a favor. Do you wish to see them?"

I couldn't hear what was being said on the other end. I could only observe as the guard speaking to Don Rafael continuously nodded his head with a smirk.

"Right, right. Okay then. We'll have them escorted to the top floor straight away." The guard pushed the bright red button again, then he lowered his rifle completely. "Lower your weapons, men. These two vampires here are to be escorted to the top floor of the St. Regis Chicago." The guard then turned toward Chase and I and grinned wide, revealing his pearly white teeth. "Don Rafael is feeling rather generous today. He wants to see the both of you immediately. Come with me."

We both nodded, then we followed the guard into the building. We strolled through the lobby in style. We reached a pair of elevators. The guard escorting us quickly tapped the up button, and within seconds the elevator opened up. The three of us stepped inside and the guard tapped a button that read 'F92'. The elevator doors closed shut. Eerily enough, there was no elevator music, just silence between the three of us as we waited more than a minute for the elevator doors to open back up.

As the elevator doors opened, the three of us were met with a luxurious dark room whose windows were tinted black and whose lights were dimmed low. The entire room was filled with smoke, and there were three stripper poles in the back of the room, each was in use by a totally nude, beautiful, gorgeous, voluptuous young vampire maidens. There were about a dozen vampires in black suits standing around a U-shaped laminate desk with a mocha finish. On the desk was a gold ashtray and an unopened bottle of rum. Behind that desk, sitting straight in a very plush and exquisite all-black leather throne chair, was none other than the Don himself.

Don Rafael, for being a vampire, appeared middle-aged with light caramel-brown skin. His hair was combed, slick, long, black, and fell freely down his back. He had a prominent pointed chin and high cheekbones, as well as dark bags under his eyes. He also had a tattoo of a black upside down cross under his right eye and a very apparent scar running from under his left eye to the left corner of his mouth. His eyes were crimson with gold pupils. He, too, wore a burgundy suit and tie, both of which paired well with the color of his eyes. He held in his right hand a wine glass half full of blood, and in his other hand a crystal mottled ruby red and black Promethean orb that glowed faintly.

"Welcome to my abode, fledglings," Don Rafael greeted the two of us. "Please, take a seat, both of you."

We both took a seat in front of the U-shaped desk as the human guard stood by the elevator.

Again, Chase spoke for the both of us. "Greetings, Mr. Rafael."

"What are your names again? The human guard told me your names but I've already forgotten them."

Chase chuckled momentarily, then he replied, "I'm Chase Cringle, and my friend that I brought with me is Brandon Vanity."

Don Rafael nodded slowly. "So, boys. What brings you two in here today?"

"We came here for two reasons."

"Two reasons? You fledglings better have two damn good reasons for coming in here, then."

Chase gulped and wiped his silver hair out of his face. "For one, we'd like to perform a favor for you in exchange for voiding a year's rent for a man by the name of Marvin Blum. Second, we would very much appreciate any info you would have on a vampire named Zed who works for Organization 99. We're trying to find him."

Don Rafael seethed, then chuckled. "Okay, let's start with reason two, and I will then tell you more about reason one. Zed is an acquaintance of mine. He exchanges information obtained by Organization 99 that is pertinent to me, my city, and the civilians of this city. You wanna know where he is? Simple. He's currently at Organization 99's headquarters in Chicago Underground.

"As for reason number one. I will allow you two to perform a favor for me, as you said. In return, this Marvin Blum you speak of, I promise that he shall have his rent voided for exactly one year starting next month. But be warned. The favor I have in mind for you two involves the possibility of both of you being captured, tortured, and slaughtered by the Daywalkers."

Chase wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "What favor would that be?"

Don Rafael chuckled meagerly, then sighed. "I need you to perform reconnaissance on the Daywalkers. Just the two of you. It's better that way. Less of a possibility of getting caught. It's a mission I cannot have one of my own men perform. It's too risky. I cannot allow any of my men to divulge any of my clan's secrets to our enemies that could jeopardize our power and authority. You do understand, don't you?"

Chase nodded. "Yes, I do. It makes perfect sense to have outsiders spy for you."

Don Rafael grinned and flashed his gold fangs. "I know why the Daywalkers are camped 7 miles west of Chicago, but I need to know what they're doing and what they are planning. That's where you two come in. If the two of you make it back to me alive and give me the information I require, then Mr. Blum will have his rent voided for exactly one year like I promised. Maybe I'll throw in something extra, you never know with me." Don Rafael shrugged as he held his grin.

"Will there be a timeframe for how long we will be able to do this spy work?" I asked.

Don Rafael nodded. "Yes. I need you two back in the next 24 hours. Don't return to me by then and the deal is null and void and the two of you will be hunted down like wild dogs by my elite hitmen standing before you."

Chase and I both glanced at each other, then turned back toward Don Rafael. "It's a deal," we both said at the same time.

Don Rafael chuckled in response. "You two seem certainly glad all of a sudden. Did I make the mission too easy for you two?"

Chase shook his head. "No, sir. We're just glad to be able to serve under you for a brief period of time, sir, as well as get to meet you face to face."

Don Rafael smiled as he nodded with his eyebrows raised. "Good. Awesome. I'm happy for you two. Because a lot of strangers that come to me end up as a bag of ashes or buried in an undisclosed location. Now leave, and don't return without some useful information. I dare you two to come back saying 'we didn't find anything out'."

Both Chase and I nodded furiously. We both stood up and we turned and proceeded to march toward the elevator where the human guard stood waiting and ready to escort us out of the building.

Back in the Tahoe, Chase and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Holy fucking hell that was tense," Chase admitted.

"What happened?" Nicole asked.

Chase coked his head and hesitated, then I spoke for him. "We met Don Rafael. Kind of a scary and intimidating guy, I gotta admit. He wants us to perform reconnaissance on the Daywalkers and return to him with some useful information. Thing is, it needs to be just the two of us. It's too risky to bring anyone else."

"Damn. I wish I could tag along," Jeriah said.

Angeline replied, "Oh shut up. You wouldn't last two minutes spying on these Daywalkers. You're too talkative, and you're too cocky."

Jeriah smirked in response, then he sat back and sunk into his seat with his arms crossed. "I suppose that's true."

"What will we do while the two of you are gone? Where will we go? And how will the two of you know where to go?" Phoenix questioned.

Chase rubbed his right cheek and thought for a moment. "There's a place called Chicago Underground. I believe with a name like that this place would be under the city of Chicago. It would be a suitable place for the four of you to hang out while we are gone. The only problem is, we never asked how to get there."

There was dead silence for a good five seconds while everybody just glanced at each other.

"Great," Angeline said. "Fucking great. We're going to need somewhere to go while you two go on a mission. You better start asking around for directions."

The sky was starting to darken and the sun was nowhere to be seen. All of the city's lights now illuminated the twilight ambience.

"Actually, Angeline, Chase won't have to ask anybody for directions. Look over there, way off into the distance," Phoenix said as she pointed out an acid-green neon sign in the distance that read 'Chicago Underground'. "You see that?"

Angeline smirked and nodded slowly. "Yes, sister. I see it."

"Well, Brandon, put her in drive and let's head on over there and check it out," Chase said.

"Sure thing," I replied as I started up the Tahoe.

As I switched gears and I began to drive forward, and with the windows rolled down, I noticed a lot of the city's residents had started to come out and wander about. They all seemed relatively happy and content, as if life under the authority of a tight knit clan of Mafia style vampires was nothing to worry about. I shrugged as I passed happy civilian after happy civilian. Then I noticed not only humans coming out of their homes and workplaces, but members of the Sevaldi Clan as well, each one dressed in a black suit and black tie and their hair kept professional neat. I was relieved to see that none of the vampires in black suits paid me any attention as I drove past them.

From out of nowhere came a deafening siren that repeated over and over for about ten seconds. Then, over a speaker, blared the voice of Don Rafael. "Citizens of Chicago. This is your lord and mayor speaking. There is a large and formidable army of vampire soldiers known as the Daywalkers that is positioned seven miles west of the border of our city. We do not yet know how large their army is, only that they intend to make a move to conquer our great city sometime in the coming days. It is, therefore, I believe, in our best interest to fortify our great city on our western border and prepare for the worst. But do not fear: We have the best and most talented vampires to protect us in case of any emergency. Citizens, please resume your business and activities while emergency personnel and members of the Sevaldi Clan go to their designated positions to begin Operation Lockdown. No one will be allowed to enter or leave this city except for only a select few starting tonight at midnight. After midnight, all citizens must return to their homes and wait for further instructions. If you need any supplies, now is the time to get them. Any civilians that are found outside after midnight tonight will be fined 250 credits. Repeat offenders will be fined another 500 credits and jailed for the duration of Operation Lockdown. It is my pleasure being your lord and mayor, citizens of Chicago. Please, everyone, I humbly ask that you all remain calm and return to whatever it is that you were doing." Binggg.

I sighed deeply as I approached the entrance to Chicago Underground. I stopped the Tahoe and shifted to park, then I shut off the engine. Everyone got out.

"Let's explore some before Brandon and I leave to do some spy work," Chase said with a grin.

I shrugged again, assuming nothing could go wrong while we explored Chicago's darkest side.