The humid night air clung to Alex Hayes's skin as she leaned against the brick wall outside the bar, the cherry of her cigarette glowing with each drag. The neon sign of 'The Velvet Underground' cast a faint red hue on her auburn hair, highlighting the subtle glint in her hazel eyes. Her tattooed arms were crossed, a slight chill seeping through her worn band t-shirt. She took another slow drag, the smoke curling around her head before dissipating into the darkness. It was late, and the usual crowd had thinned, leaving only a few stragglers. Her gaze drifted across the street, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths.