The city of Keys

A thick mist had settled over the city with its embracing white arms, taking it all in and hiding it from the rest of the world. A few street lamps managed to shine through the thickness. It was the beginning of winter—snow had yet to fall, but the cold was already creeping in, staking its claim over the city.

Down the street, Eve walked with determined steps, throwing occasional glances over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. And honestly, anyone could be, in this cover. It was a great night for doing crazy things on the streets, but a bad night to be carrying a shitload of money in your purse. Every little sound made her twitch, scanning the fog for any movement. Safe for now. If she hadn’t known the city like the back of her own hand, she would’ve been lost in the maze it was.

At the end of the street, a neon sign flickered poorly above a door, its red letters spelling:Phantom. She knocked three hard times on the blood-red hatch. A small peephole slid open, and two brown eyes stared out at her—like they were prying into her soul, trying to figure out who the hell would knock onhisdoor.

“I’m here to see Sid. I got his money.”

She stood chewing her bottom lip, suddenly all too aware of how she must look—ragged clothes, bruises on her face and neck, both arms bandaged. Her brown hair stuck to her skin, and her twitchy black eyes scanned everything.

He looked her over again, then disappeared. The door creaked open with the sound of hinges that hadn’t tasted oil in fifty years. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol spilled out. Shouting came from somewhere inside—it always came with that scent.

She stepped one foot in first, half-expecting it to get chopped off. But after twenty seconds and still intact, she took that as a good sign and walked inside.

The shouting came from two men arguing over a game of Flow-Blow. Simple game, but apparently, someone wasn’t happy to lose. The place wasn’t crowded—just a few loners and some quiet groups whispering and watching. Behind a worn-out bar, the bartender did the classic routine of pretending a dirty glass was getting cleaner with a towel.

Eve moved quickly across the room, covering as much distance as she could before reaching the door in the back. She took a few deep breaths to settle herself—with little success. Her hands trembled as she knocked weakly. No answer. She took another breath, grabbed the handle with her unsteady hand, and pushed it down.

It was pitch black inside—except for the faint glow of a cigarette being smoked with deep inhales.

“So you actually made it. Didn’t think you would. Kinda gave you a suicide mission there, dear.”

As he spoke, a lamp on the desk lit up part of the room—and Sid. He sat there with the cigarette hanging from his lips, heavy dark eyes surrounded by deep blue rings. His suit used to be black, but now looked more like a dusty gray. A slim red tie was tight around his neck, veins pulsing visibly beneath it.

“Oh Sid, did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?” Her voice cracked at the end.

Sid laughed and coughed at the same time, grabbing a yellow-filled glass from the desk and knocking it back.

“I guess not,” he smirked.

Eve unzipped her purse and dumped the money onto his desk, knocking over every small object in its way. A flash of surprise crossed Sid’s face—just long enough for Eve to catch it.

“Well, I’ll be damned, Eve! Here—you earned it.” He tossed her a keychain. “And please, for your pretty face’s sake, don’t let me ever see it again. I mean it this time, Eve. I’m not fucking around.” He placed a gun on the desk for dramatic effect.

“Sweetie, I know you’ll miss me.” She spat on her palm—a sign for luck that their paths would never cross again.

“Was it worth it, Eve? The last of your innocence, traded for your freedom. How easy it was to break you down, to watch your silly morals crumble.” He smiled with crooked yellow teeth.

“I’d answer you if I knew the answer.”

He spat on his hands and leaned back in his chair, still smiling.

Eve raced outside, needing to fill her lungs with clean air, needing the stress headache to loosen its grip.

“Holy fuck,” she whispered. “I fucking did it. I’m actually free.” Her whole body trembled as the sensation washed over her.

She could feel the bond that had kept her prisoner to him begin to dissolve. She had the keys—the keys she’d worked her whole life for. And even though a life without a keeper in this world was its own kind of hell, freedom had always been her dream. But now that she had it, she felt a little lost. Her goal, her actions, her energy—all of it had been focused on breaking free from him. His world was no longer her concern. She didn’t need to steal or kill for him anymore.

She bit her nails as she walked the empty streets, adrenaline and dopamine rushing through her, giggles slipping from her lips. She hugged herself and let the tears of victory fall. Her life was beginning to unfold—and for once, she had no idea where it would go.

Eve turned the key to her apartment and stepped inside. With a lazy whirl on one leg, she kicked the door shut. Her body ached, screaming for rest. And rest was coming.

She hurried to her bed—more like a thin brown mattress on the wooden floor. The apartment was nearly empty, echoing when she walked or talked. A heavily used couch salvaged from a scavenger hunt and a self-made table made up most of the furniture. One bathroom—though not luxurious enough to have running water. The wallpaper was peeling away, water stains marked the ceiling, and the smell was... special.

Not high class. But she could afford it.

She fished out her flashlight and cranked the handle to power it. It flickered a bit, but it was enough. She looked down at her keys. Twenty-three of them—one for each year of her life. She had never seen hers before.

They weren’t beautiful. A bit rusty.

But to Eve, they were everything.