07 / Welcome To The Red-Light Zone

Night had finally fallen over the city, and it seemed that the city's true heart started to beat. The night brought to life what the city truly was, a chaotic heap of vulgarity and despair. Some of the busiest areas in the city were the red-light zones. While the major focus of these places was prostitution, the red-light zones were notorious for being hubs of all sorts of crime. If you wanted something that you couldn't get through normal channels, this was where you'd go to find it. So many missing people would make their way through here, most of them being trafficked.

 I walked the streets passing by numerous neon signs and scantily dressed men and women throwing themselves all over their clientele as they perused the shops. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol permeated the air. But there was only one place I went to in this area, and it was only for information. If Fiora were here in the red-light zone, then Alex, my informant, would know.

A bright sign with the words "Reperio Amor" hung above the entrance to the building. Inside rose-colored lights lined the ceiling, creating a warm inviting atmosphere for unsuspecting customers. A large counter sat in the middle of the room, behind it stood a strikingly beautiful woman with long wavy brown hair.

"It's been a while, I've missed you," the woman said, placing her elbow on the counter and resting her chin on her palm.

She had on some light makeup and vibrant blue lipstick that matched her eyes. Her skin was a natural tan which contrasted with her violet-colored dress. This woman had been working here long before I met Alex, but I knew that she had a special role of luring people in but never selling herself to anyone. Every time I'd stop by, she would act like this. I am sure it was a rouse to try and lure me into spending my hard earned credits.

"Clarissa, is Alex here?" I said, ignoring her playful greeting.

Clarissa pouted while letting out a sigh of annoyance. 

"How come you never come to see me?" She said with a tinge of sadness, "But I guess that's just how you are. Follow me"

She flipped her hair as she started to walk down a corridor to the left. I followed her into the backrooms. As we went in further the smell of drugs began getting stronger. I didn't enjoy their stench so I tried my best to hold my breath when I could. She led me to a large black door with the words "Magister Domus" written in gold lettering on it.

Clarissa knocked on the door four times and then let me in. Alex sat on a large white couch embellished with a gold-colored thread. The room reeked of cigar smoke. Alex wore a large tight fitted suit with round glasses, his black hair slicked back to one side. A large cigar hung from his left hand. He had two female escorts, one on either side of him. He motioned for them to leave when I entered the room.

"Faux, darling, it's been too long! Come take a seat, let's chat a bit," he said as he motioned to another couch next to his.

I sat down on the leather couch, which was surprisingly comfortable. 

"I am looking for a woman named Fiora Dupont,"

Alex took a long breath off his cigar.

"I have heard some rumors about someone like that," he said as he let out a large cloud of smoke.

"But with all the guardians here lately, the business has been rough. I've had to lay off two girls this week alone, I'm going to go under!" he let out a sad attempt at pretending to sob.

I pulled out forty credits and set them on the table in front of him. I met Alex through a bounty I was hunting in the red-light zone a while back. Alex had gotten caught and was about to be murdered, but I happened to step in and save his life. Because of that, he cuts me a deal on the information he sells me. Normally I'd have to pay him at least eighty credits.

Alex smiled and slid the credits into his pocket. He was always one for the dramatics.

"Last I'd heard was a woman named Fiora was taken to the inner sanctum of Belle's Manor,"

Belle's Manor was one of the three largest brothels and slave dealers in the red-light zone. It consisted of a large central building that formed a wall around what was called the Inner Sanctum. That was where the slaves were housed. You had to be a special guest to access that area, so I had no idea what it was like.

"Have you heard anything about a missing royal coming through here?" I asked.

Alex laughed, "Honey, there are so many people brought through here, you'd be lucky to catch even one of their names."

He was telling the truth, the red-light zone was filled with hundreds of human traffickers, and it happened so quickly that it would be a miracle to locate someone who passed through there.

"But…" he trailed off, "I did hear that the Guardians were going to be investigating around here tonight."

Well, that makes it a lot harder for me to sneak around.

I pulled out the pendant and showed it to Alex.

"Hmm, this crest, must belong to the Blackwell family," Alex carefully examined the pendant.

"If I had to dare to guess, I would say that it belongs to one of the younger members of the family. There is a small inscription on the front that has the number four on it. I have seen some royal families number their heirs starting from the oldest. I believe the Blackwell does this, and they have four heirs."

I didn't know or care much about the royal families, but this was valuable information. Anything that could help me find the missing Blackwell heir I would do my best to remember.

Alex handed the pendant back to me.

"I appreciate it, Alex," I said as I got up to leave.

"Don't be so hasty Honey, stick around and have some fun!" Alex said in a gleeful tone.

I shook my head, "You know I'm not into wasting my credits on prostitutes."

Alex laughed at my response, "Don't be a stranger, okay? Our doors are always open to you!"

I let myself out and headed back onto the main street. Belle's Manor was about a mile away, and the night was still young.