CHAPTER 53: A Look In The Past - 1
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"Apollo." I heard behind me. I go to close my lockers and swish the locks that creaked in the room that was abandoned by everyone else. I turn around to see the scruffy-bearded, half-burned face with a pair of sunglasses.
"What's good Mo?"
"What's good? What's good!? You ate my steak. I told everyone, including you personally, not to eat it!"
"I forgot..."
"I put a sign on the steak."
"I didn't read it."
"I had a fingertrap for whoever touched it and your finger still has the marks from the fingertrap. You still ate it anyway."
"Look. It just looked so good!"
"Well, I hope it was because you now owe me one. The longer you take the more expensive the steak cost you'll have to buy."
"How much did you pay for that steak?"
"Only $20."
"Only $20!?"
"Yeah... What you can't afford that?"
"I can't..."
"Jeez, how broke are you?"
"I'll do anything for a dollar at this point."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
"Well... I am looking for someone to help my sister move. I think you're a stand-up guy for being a crook. Would you help?"
"Sure!"
"Nice!" Mo said as he started to walk out of the room
"Oh, and one more thing," Mo said as he turned around with a happy face.
"What is it?"
"If you ever do this stunt again. I'll personally kill you."
"O- Okay I promise!"
"Good," Mo said, walking away.
"Mo is really a pain in the ass sometimes. It's just a steak anyways."
The ground creaked and flushed itself as I stepped on it. Walking in the halls of this place could feel empty sometimes. Yet, I'm here as a hard worker looking to pay off some debt anyways. I don't really get an exciting life in the life of crime.
"Apollo, over here!" Dazin called out to me.
"What is it Dazin?"
"Dad is talking about my role again. I think my time to take over the family is coming!"
"Really? I'm happy for you!"
"Thanks, Apollo! A lot of people aren't that happy for me... So hearing that you are makes me so happy."
"You're a good guy. Anyone that doesn't see that is delusional."
"That's why they hate me. They say I was too nice."
"Well, don't listen to them. It's better to be a nice person than someone who's a horrible one."
"Yeah! I want to be someone everyone can respect! I want to be someone who everyone could love! So maybe one day... They'll accept me for me."
"I'm sure they will."
"So what are you doing? You looked like something on your mind, Apollo."
"Well. I ate Mo's steak and now he's making me buy it back." I rubbed my neck in shame as Dazin just hit me on the shoulder while laughing.
"But you say you have no money."
"I don't. I am more poor than poor. However, I'm going to help his sister move. He'll give me $20 if I do so. Depending on when his sister moves I'll have to owe him money every day."
"Like an interest thing?"
"Interest?"
"Right. You really don't know... Well basically the money gets higher the more you spend it."
"Oh... Yeah, that's what is happening to me."
"Here." That's when Dazin pulled out a $20 bill and slid it into my hand.
"Really?"
"Yes. Really. You can pay me back, with the money you get from the moving thing you're doing."
"Wait. Doesn't that mean I still have to work? What's the point of taking this money?"
"So you don't have to pay extra."
"Right! You're right! I don't have to pay for the other days if I give it to him now!"
"Yes, yes. Now go, before he charges you."
"Thanks! Dazin! You're my best friend!"
"Best Friend?"
"Yeah! Never change!"
"I won't!"
"Bye!"
"Later, Apollo!"
If there was any hope in this world. A light in the dark of crime. Someone I know I could always rely on no matter what happens. It's Dazin. He is truly a man of only pure ideals. When the day comes when he becomes the head of this crime family I know we'll only move in a good direction.
"Hey! Mo!"
"What is it, Apollo?"
Standing outside, clenching the money I got from Dazin. Hair blowing through the wind as the sun is now starting to settle, making a beautiful sunset. This is the moment, I'll give him the money. This is it.
"Apollo?"
"I- nothing. See you later!"
"No, he won't." I heard that voice before. I turn around to see Dazin looking at me angrily.
"When- When did you follow me!?"
"You were going to pocket the money!? What are we going to spend it on!?"
"..."
"Answer me!"
"A- Ano-"
"What!?"
"Another steak!"
"You- You idiot!"
"Dazin! I'm sorry!"
"It's fine... It's fine. I'm okay now." Dazin then cooled off before having a light smile.
"Give the man the money."
"Here... Take it Mo."
"Thank you for your cooperation! I'll see you on the flipside"
"Later Mo!"
"Bye Mo!"
"Now for you."
"Hi, Dazin."
"Don't hi Dazin me! Sometimes I wonder why you're so immature."
"Look. I was going to give it to him... I just had to convince myself first." I closed my eyes and rubbed the back of my neck. Since I'm really bad at lying I usually do this so I can sound more innocent. However, when I reopened my eyes I saw fingers in front of me.
They were lined up on my forehead. I immediately knew what was happening. Dazin punishment to almost anyone that he catches. One of these people is usually me, but I thought he forgot. The flick of death. It's too late to dodge it, I have to accept it.
FLICK
"Ouch! Why!"
"You know why!"
"I already said sorry."
"Yeah... But I wasn't satisfied."
"Yeah yeah."
"Anyways, I just came out here to stop you from doing this. I'm going to go back."
"Right... Next leader stuff?"
"Yup."
"When's the next time we can hang out? I feel like once you become a leader we won't be able to do anything."
"I'll definitely make plans for us this week. I'll tell everyone in advance so there will be nothing that gets in the way."
"Okay. Don't flank out on me."
"I won't. Now I really got to go, there waiting for me to attend this meeting. Next leader stuff."
"Next leader stuff. Bye!"
"Later!"
One of the highlights of my week is if I can't see Dazin or eat a steak as to be this. Walking in this alleyway, then walking to see the lights of the city. It was a sight to be seen at night, it glistened with the stars and proved that even when the world is so cold there is still something to love about it.
With no place to call home, I usually sleep in the daytime at the crime house, however, on days like this. I love to sleep on the rooftops. Something I learned to adore recently. Climbing the different houses and seeing everyone's different lives as I climb to the top. I used to be afraid of heights however, this single-handedly got rid of my fear. Looking down at the dancing lights that flowed like a lake with the amounts of people going in and out of the buildings that stood tall and looked over everyone.
Then to top it off, the stars smiled at me with the most innocent smile I've ever seen. I struggle with a lot of issues, funny enough. Though, this. This makes me feel like I'm right where I need to be. The night sky. That's what I loved the most. Was the night sky. It was endless, and held some of the most beautiful things to be seen. Prettier than any diamond you can find, and almost compares to the best steak you ever had. Almost.
"Alright. It's time to go up." One foot stood on the bottom of the bar while the other slithered its way up. My hands were shaken a little from the cold yet, still, I could still feel every moment of my fingers as they grasped the bars, window seals, and an arrangement of different things as I climbed up.
Mom's cooking, dad reading the newspapers, children crying, children laughing, a warm room, with a slow fire that still spread and kept the room warm. Warm food, and paintings that captured some of the happiest moments of their lives. Questions at the dinner table about each other's days, smiles, and laughter. Feet scattering on the floor, yelling, fun yelling.
"What are you doing, Apollo? Climb faster, there's no reason to look through these windows for too long."
I always have to mentally prepare myself as I continue to climb until I reach the peak.
"Finally the top."
I made it. Take in a deep breath and lay down. My stomach growled and punched at me telling me to eat more.
"We just got up here. You're going to learn to wait."
Talking to myself is something I learned to help block out my worries as well. Sounds crazy? It is. But, I don't really care about if I sound crazy or not. This is just to help me when I'm alone. Alone. Damn, I'm really alone. The lights started to die down and the people who flushed from store to store had now gone home or started to work their late shifts. Here I am, a problem with the world. Hungry, with no home, only one friend, with no money to my name.
"At least you keep the same bright smile for me, stars. It really does help."
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