Introduction 2

"Is that so?" I asked, when the Boy had paused in his rant. "If this is a - what did you call it? - a faggot lair, why do you want in so badly? If I were you, I'd take that straight boy ass of yours out of this neighbourhood as fast as I could, before something nasty happens to it."

He exploded, raving something about equal rights and being treated like an adult instead of a kid, with his girlfriend cheering him on. I let the words slide over me, since this wasn't the first time a little punk had tried to jump up and down on my toes, but I could hear the murmurs behind me and knew that if I didn't end the situation fast, it would be ended for me.

"Alright," I said, when he paused in his words, "you can come." He grinned gleefully at this victory and started pulling his girlfriend up the stairs, but I barred their way. "I said you can come. She has no business here tonight." Before he could open his filthy mouth again, I added, "If you're afraid to go in alone..."

It worked. It always works. Tell a guy in front of his girly friend that he's afraid, and he'll do stupid things just to prove you wrong. The Boy squared his puny shoulders, glared defiantly at me and then walked in through the door. I heard a brief scuffle and the beginnings of a yelp, before the tops had him tied and gagged. I kept a steady, blank gaze on the Boy's girlfriend, until she finally took the hint and left. I locked the door after me.