The Night Comes for Us: Desolation Row, #1

By T.C. Rinascita

Japan, 1989.

 

The era of the sukeban (delinquent girl) is at its peak. What was supposed to be Yumi Mimura's first day at her new high school, turns into the longest day of her life. When a schoolyard fight goes wrong, the girl-boss of one of the city's largest gangs is left seriously injured Yumi, along with her newfound delinquent friends are all marked for death. Now every gang member within a hundred mile radius is out for blood.

 

As daylight fades, the girls must make a dangerous trek behind enemy lines to catch the next train out of the city. The city of Asura becomes a death trap as other gangs, yakuza, corrupt police and a vicious serial killer slowly circle in on them. Their skills are going to be put to the test as they fight tooth and nail to try and survive the night.

 

And the night is long.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moon Child Publishing
• Release date: Feb 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736540107

T.C. Rinascita

T.C. Rinacsita is an independent author, visionary, and a lover of the arts. In October 2020 he published the first two, of his seven-part collection of short stories; Pas de Deux. When he's not writing, he is usually binge-watching one of his favorite TV shows, reading graphic novels, drinking margaritas, or planning his next travel destination. Visit T.C.'s website www.tcrinascita.com to learn more about him and sign up for his newsletter. You can follow him on Facebook at fb.me/tcrinascitawriter, or Twitter @tc_rinascita, and Instagram @moon_child0091.

Book preview

THE NIGHT COMES

FOR US

Desolation Row Trilogy

T.C. RINASCITA

Book One

COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2021 by T.C. Rinascita

All Rights Reserved

The Night Comes for Us

Published by Moon Child Publishing

Cover art by Yuumei www.yuumieart.com

Cover design by Ira-Rebeca

Editing by Lily Luchesi

In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. Thank you for the support of the author’s rights.

This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locations are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. All other characters, dead or alive are a figment of the author’s imagination and all incidents and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s mind’s eye and are not to be interpreted as real.

ISBNs: 978-1-7365401-0-7 (ebook), 978-1-7365401-1-4 (paperback), 978-1-7365401-2-1 (hardcover), 978-1-7365401-3-8 (Barnes & Noble hardcover)

Dedication

To A. My muse. My chaos. My partner in crime.

My living poetry. The reason why I’ve gotten this far.

I couldn’t have done this without you.

Now, I bet you’re wondering who is A? Could it be my lovely daughter, girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, wife? Or maybe some random woman I slept with which inspired this story of the longest, strangest and most difficult night in someone’s life.

Like Beethoven’s ‘Immortal Beloved,’ the world may never know.

OTHER WORKS

Coming Soon

Desolation Row Trilogy

Rhythm of the Night

Surrender the Night

Pas De Deux Collection

Tomorrow Never Came

Run Cried the Crawling

Coming Soon

Fox on the Run

The Man Who Sold the World

Even Though Our Love is Doomed

All the Good Girls Go to Hell

CONTENTS

THE NIGHT COMES  FOR US  Desolation Row Trilogy

COPYRIGHT

Dedication

OTHER WORKS

PLAYLIST

Glossary

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Epilogue

Sneak Peek

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

About the Author

PLAYLIST

Click Here

I’m Not in Love – 10cc

Plastic Love – Mariya Takeuchi

Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears

Run Through the Jungle – Creedence Clearwater Revival

That’s Life – Frank Sinatra

Adult Education – Daryl Hall & John Oates

Hooked on a Feeling – Blue Swede, Bjorn Skifs

Pass the Hatchet Part 1 – Leon, Oropeza, Theriot, Roger and the Gypsies

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Santa Esmeralda

Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Lay All Your Love on Me – ABBA

Can You Feel It – The Jacksons

Guemja’s Prayer – Cho Young Wook

London Calling – The Clash

I’m Your Boogie Man – KC & The Sunshine Band

The Dark End of the Street – James Carr

I Think I Love You – David Cassidy, The Partridge Family

In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins

Madman Across the Water – Elton John

Run With Us - GlitterWolf

Glossary

Sukeban: delinquent girl or boss girl in Japanese

Gakuran: High School boy uniforms 

Yakuza: Japanese mafia

Katana: A Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single -edged blade

Fuku: Sailor fuki is a common style of uniform worn by female students

Kyudo: Japanese martial art of archery.

Bokken: A wooden sword

Shinai: Japanese sword typically made of bamboo used for practice.

Shirasaya: A Japanese sword, where the blade is hidden inside a wooden sheath.

Sarashi: Cotton or other types of linen, wrapped around the body under a kimono or around the chest. Worn by both men and women.

Bosozoku: Japanese biker gangs.

Aish: Korean meaning - Fuck/ what the fuck/ Oh, fuck/ or something to say out of announce.

Trigger Warning

Book contains graphic violence and language sometimes involving young adults. This story takes place in an alternate history set in the 1980’s, involving real word tragedy. Ideas and dialogue involved in this story do not reflect the beliefs of this author. It’s just a story.

Prologue

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I put one on top of the other, but it seemed to make it worse. The room was chilly, but my palms were covered in sweat. Why was I sweating? 

I had never been in the principal’s office before. There was no reason for me to be. I always made good grades and was a model student at school. My test scores were always in the top ten percent of the class.

This wasn’t my fault. I had done nothing wrong. It was a misunderstanding.

I looked over to my dad. He didn’t acknowledge me. I think he hates me for what happened.

It wasn’t my fault.

He kept bowing to Yoshio’s parents. Apologizing on my behalf. Bowing repeatedly.

Stupid.

It wasn’t my fault. 

My hands were sore. Knuckles red and bloody. Did I hit him that hard? 

His parents finally spoke the words I had feared they say.

It’s broken.

Are you kidding me?

I squeezed my bottom hand tightly until I couldn’t take the pain anymore.

I barely even touched him.

This wasn’t my fault.

He provoked me.

I refused to take the fall for this.

I played the day back in my mind. Leading up to what happened. 

The wrinkled letter in my hands. 

That stupid smirk on his face. 

Yoshio and his little friends turning their backs to me. Laughing as they walked away.

I crumpled the letter back up. 

I grabbed him by the back of his collar, forcing him to turn back around and look at me.

I hit him. 

I hit him again. I hit him repeatedly until I saw those brown eyes roll into the back of his head.

I just couldn’t stop myself.

Oh god. What was I thinking? Why did I do that?

It was then I remembered she was there. Watching the whole thing unfold. I let go of Yoshio, whose face was covered in blood. Then I saw her. Sakura. I had never seen her look as scared as she did then.

She looked at me like I was some kind of monster.

I looked at my battered hands again. Maybe I am turning into one.

Dad finally sits back down. He didn’t even look my way. I wanted to say something. Where do I even start? Lost for words, I tried to communicate to him with my facial expressions, but he refused to look at me. Just one glance was all I needed, and he could have seen how sorry I was. Please, dad.

He hates me now. I know it. Just like she did. 

Mr. Mimura, Principal Watsuki said as he sat down at his desk in front of us. It was only the three of us in his office now. Your daughter Yumi... has been an excellent student at our school, but this... this we cannot tolerate. What Yumi did to Yoshio is unacceptable. I mean, lover’s quarrels are one thing, but this is something entirely different. She beat that poor boy as if she was Cassius Clay fighting that other colored boxer for the second time back in ’65.

Sonny Liston, spoke my father.

What?

The boxer you spoke of... his name was Sonny Liston.

I see. Well, she had no right to beat him up like that. Can you imagine the psychological damage that can do to a boy? Getting beaten up... by a girl. In front of the entire school.

I knew they wouldn’t understand and would take Yoshio’s side. They got it all wrong. 

This was stupid. 

I was getting angry again. I just wanted to get the suspension out of the way and go home for a few days.

Mr. Mimura... I’m afraid we are going to have to let your daughter go.

Go? my dad asked, still avoiding my presence. I felt like a ghost sitting next to him. A spirit haunting him without even realizing I was dead. I wanted to put my hand on his shoulder. I wanted to explain to him it’s a misunderstanding, and this isn’t what they think it is. Maybe then. Maybe then he will understand why I did what I did. 

Why can’t I just tell him? What is wrong with me? Why am I so afraid?

Yes, Mr. Mimura. We have to expel her. From here on out, Yumi Mimura is no longer welcome at our school.

What the hell? Expulsion?

I looked over at my dad. He still doesn’t look at me. I can see his eyes tearing up. No, dad, please don’t cry. You’ve already done enough crying for the two of us. I’m sorry. You know this isn’t like me.

Dad, I called out, finally finding my words. I reached my hand out to touch him.

Dad stood up as my fingers almost touched his wrinkled dress shirt. He thanks Principal Watsuki and apologizes once more.

He heads to the door.

He pauses before he walks out of the office, his back still towards me. Finally, he speaks to the neglected child. Come on, Yumi.

I don’t know what hurts worse. The fact that I have been expelled from the school I worked so hard to get into because I lost my cool; or the fact that I’m the cause of my father’s heartbreak again. Dad, I—

Mr. Mimura, interrupted the principal. I think the best option for your daughter is to send her to another school. Jigoku Gakuen High is a great school. Especially for young girls... such as her.

I felt a lump in my throat. I can’t believe Mr. Watsuki said that. Why would he even suggest a place like that? Me... going to that prison that’s masked as a school. A school that isn’t even in Sanjo. It’s in the next city over; Asura. 

My breathing got heavier, and my heart started racing. My still shaking hands balled up into a fist. It was happening again. My body was moving on its own.

Stop it. Stop it, damn you. 

Dad was still facing the exit when he said, That sounds like a good option.

I shot up from my chair. My teary eyes staring at his back. Dad, you don’t mean that!

Great, Principal Watsuki said. I will get the transfer papers together.

Before I knew it, I was climbing on top of his desk. I grabbed the old man by his ugly brown tie he loved to wear. A hideous piece which I’m sure his wife bought for him. You bald bastard! I screamed. Asura... of all places. How dare you send me off to that hellhole?

I could feel my father’s firm hands grabbing my shoulders, trying to pull me away. I shook him off as I pulled Principal Watsuki’s tie tighter, making it squeeze around his fat neck. His face turned red as he gestured that he couldn’t breathe.

But I didn’t care. They didn’t understand me. How could they? No one understood how I felt. It was already too late; they had already made their decision. I lost my cool again. In their eyes, I was probably just some crazy sixteen-year-old. 

So be it.

Let’s give them something to remember this crazy girl by. 

•           

Chapter 1

Voices Carry

Forget it, it’s too dangerous, Billie said, firing up her cigarette with a disposable lighter. Besides, there are only two of us really here, she finished, tossing the plastic device next to a half empty glass of whiskey on the rocks.

"Too dangerous...are you Rose now? Sachiko questioned, picking out her copper-colored hair with an afro pick. When did you stop being like Blanche?" For the past fifteen minutes Sachiko had been obsessively combing her hair, using the small vanity mirror she had borrowed from the bartender. 

What the fuck are you talking about? Billie asked, exhaling the smoke from her lungs. 

You know, those old white ladies on TV.

What white ladies...and how are you even seeing foreigners on the television?

Sachiko let out a nervous laugh, then changed the subject. Anyway, aren’t you forgetting about Kaori? There are three of us here.

Billie took another hit, blowing smoke up into the already smoked filled room. Kaori? Kaori’s been in and out of the bathroom all night. I don’t know what her deal is, but she would be useless in a fight tonight. We can’t have her pissing and shitting all over the floor if someone hits her just right. Do you know how embarrassing that would be for us?

Sachiko lowered the hair pick and looked over to Billie, who was sitting next to her on the bar stool. She’s on her period. She has to go change her shit, so she doesn’t get swamp crotch.

Billie stayed silent, feeling somewhat embarrassed she didn’t know or truly understand what was going on with her friend. Oh...well, she would be too weak then in a scrap. We still couldn’t count on her.

Sachiko paused for a moment, continually staring at her leader. "What does Kaori being on her period have anything to do with that? We all go through it, senpai. It’s part of being a woman. Just because we are on it, doesn’t mean we turn into some weak-fragile porcelain doll. It just means we have something else to add on top of our already full list of bullshit we have to deal with being a girl."

Billie’s cheeks turned red. She turned her head away from her companion, hoping Sachiko didn’t notice. 

Why do you always get weird when we talk about this? Sachiko asked. She pressed on. "Senpai...you have had your period before, right? Senpai?" She could see Billie was avoiding her gaze.

Why are we even talking about this? Billie yelled, looking back at Sachiko. Why does it matter if I have or haven’t?

Frozen and unphased by Billie’s outburst, Sachiko continued staring. I see...so you haven’t then.

No. Billie said, lowering her head, staring at her drink.

You should really go see a doctor. I can’t believe you’re sixteen and never had a period. You are probably the only one in our grade; hell...probably the entire school that hasn’t had one yet. Sachiko paused. Senpai...you’re really a boy...aren’t you?

Aish, Billie cried out in annoyance, playfully smacking Sachiko’s on the back of her puffy afro; pushing her head down. 

No! Sachiko cried, going back to the mirror; combing her hair where she had been hit. 

Billie smiled from her friend’s outburst. Sachiko was always fun to get into it with.

Billie laid her cigarette down on the ashtray, taking in her surroundings.

Chizuko’s was a dive bar, but it was much bigger than the typical ones around the city. It was at one time a Chinese restaurant before the purge of foreigners from the city. Only Japanese citizens and businesses are allowed in the city of Asura now. It’s been this way since June 15th of 1968. 

Billie wasn’t born when it happened, but from what she learned in class; there was a protest of some kind between the University students and the U.S. military. The students were apparently upset that the Americans were using Japan and its citizens to fight their war in Vietnam. A country Japan could handle themselves back during World War II. 

From what she remembered whenever she was paying attention in class, the protest became violent after a student burned to death when they were shot while trying to throw a Molotov cocktail. This of course caused a chain reaction which turned into a clash between the citizens of Asura and the military. The Americans bailed when they figured out that they didn’t have the personnel or the strength to fight two wars in the Pacific. So, they cut their losses and left the city. 

The governor of Niigata prefecture at the time was against the violence and what happened afterwards. Against the wishes of the prime minister and the Japanese government, Mayor Toshinori Kin cut the city off from the rest of the country. 

It was then that Asura became a sovereign state for a little while. A black hole in the map of Japan. It was during that time they knew the town as the city of violence and madness. 

They say the city turned into a lawless place, where the citizens had no choice but to become tough and without mercy. But those were just stories some old folks said around town. There are no records of what happened during those seven years the city cut itself off from the rest of the world. Those undocumented years would later be known as the blackout years.

Eventually the city played nice and rejoined society.

What is known after that entire ordeal, is that all outsiders were no longer there or welcome inside city limits. Even its own countrymen were a little hesitant to come to this city. Stories of violence and chaos spread all over the country.

Over the years, Mayor Kin, who is now on his eighth term, is trying to change all that. Trying to clean up the city and give it a better image to bring in more domestic tourists. 

Some shops and bars do carry foreign contraband. But only a very few since there is still animosity towards outsiders, especially Americans since the second world war. 

Music, movies, and even magazines that were not made in Japan were all considered illegal. Even with them being illegal, no one really enforced it if found in possession in your home or at your store. The cops were too busy dealing with their own problems to worry about enforcing something as trivial as that. Now getting the contraband into the city is a little tricky. Border patrol is always on the lookout to snatch all your little foreign goodies from you.

Hypocritically, foreign cars, clothes, electronics and other things that are deemed essential to the mayor could be brought into the city without any issues.

It was 1989, and it was almost impossible for Billie to get her hands on the Salt-N-Pepa album that came out two years ago. It was driving her crazy that she couldn’t hear Push It whenever she wanted to.

That was one reason Billie loved coming to Chizuko’s. They played foreign music on the jukebox. Music she couldn’t hear anywhere else besides the pirate radio station that appeared out of the blue a few years back. 

Not a lot of the bars allowed foreign music to play at their establishments, let alone have the balls to. Also, a lot of bars wouldn’t allow high school students to hangout nor drink inside. But Billie and her gang became good friends with the owner. So they started coming here regularly.

With young faces, the two girls were still in their school uniforms. Their long-pleated skirts hiked up, pale legs flashing as they sat on the bar stools. With their sailor-blouse and