Chapter 2 End It All

Newton's world crumbled, and life no longer held any value for him.

He abandoned the stool he had been sitting on and collapsed onto the floor, consumed by the weight of the day's tragic events. "Mom?" he called out, hoping against hope for a response.

In the dimly lit room, the shoe rack in the corner resembled a human figure. Newton approached cautiously, desperately wishing it was all just a terrible dream, that his mother would appear any moment.

He reached out to touch the object, only to realize it was his collection of worn-out shoes. "It's just the shoe rack," he whispered, tears welling in his eyes, though they refused to fall.

With a heavy heart, he settled in the corner near the shoe rack and succumbed to sleep.

************************

When Newton woke up on Tuesday morning at 10:00, his body ached as he splashed water on his face and examined his swollen eyes in the mirror.

*Beep Beep* His phone interrupted the stillness.

Newton raised the phone to his ear and answered the call.

A familiar voice, strained and hoarse, came from the other end. "Do you think I run a charity here, Mr. Newton?"

It was his landlord.

Before Newton could utter a word, the landlord launched into a tirade. "If I had another tenant like you, I'd be buried in debt! I want you and your godforsaken mother off my property by noon tomorrow!"

"Just leave, and don't you dare take anything from this room! I'll come and collect whatever worthless items you have to make up for the two years' rent you owe me!"

Furious, the landlord abruptly ended the call, denying Newton the chance to defend himself.

Overwhelmed by the landlord's harsh words, Newton felt like everything had crumbled beyond repair. He contemplated ending his life, searching for any means to bring about a painless death.

Raising his eyes, he noticed the iron rod that once held a ceiling fan, now hanging from the ceiling. An idea formed in his mind – he would use his last $20 to buy a rope and put an end to his suffering.

As Newton headed towards the only store in the area that sold ropes, a car suddenly pulled up in front of him, and a middle-aged man was forcibly ejected from the vehicle as it sped away.

Panic gripped the area, and residents scattered in fear, mistaking the situation for another gang war. Bayfield had witnessed five gang-related deaths in the past two months, leaving everyone on edge, anticipating potential drive-by shootings.

Newton crouched down to assess the stranger's injuries, sensing a certain connection between himself and the wounded man.

Unafraid of being caught in a gang-related attack, as he had intended to end his own life, Newton ensured the stranger was safe and understood that the shock of his ordeal kept him on the ground.

Extending a helping hand, Newton asked, "What's your name?" The stranger remained silent, his gaze fixed on Newton.

Comprehending the stranger's situation and attributing his silence to the trauma he had experienced, Newton decided to take him home and provide him with a hot bath.

As the dust settled, Newton observed the stranger's features more closely. The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with long dreadlocks, a dark complexion, and a rugged demeanor. Newton quickly assumed that this man must have either offended a gang member or belonged to a gang himself. His appearance certainly fit the profile.

The stranger broke the silence, asking Newton his name. "I'm Newton," he replied, shaking the stranger's hand.

Looking at Newton with admiration, the stranger exclaimed, "Man, you have no idea what you've just done."

Perplexed, Newton wondered if he was being threatened or if he had done something significant for the stranger.

Stretching out his hand, the stranger introduced himself, saying, "I'm Drax."

Newton reciprocated the handshake and warmly replied, "Nice to meet you, Drax."

Drax stood confidently, surveying the room. "Hey, man, do you have something going on right now?" he inquired.

Feeling momentarily forgetful of his earlier plans to end his own life, Newton hesitated and then responded, "Uh... nothing, really."

Newton and Drax engaged in a deep conversation, with Newton sharing the events that unfolded the previous day: the loss of his mother, his financial struggles, the rent issue, and even his ex-girlfriend, Rhoda.

Drax stared intently into Newton's eyes. "Man, I feel your pain... damn... you've been through a lot, but let me tell you something. You have no business with ladies if you can't sort out your own stuff. Man, you need to be on your hustle, chasing that money. These ladies are going crazy for guys with cash these days."

Although Newton couldn't fully comprehend Drax's slang, he understood that Drax was emphasizing the need for money before considering a romantic relationship.

"Hey, where did you get that ring, man? I've been eyeing it since I walked in. I know someone who wears the same thing. Well, they're black, and both have that fancy 'N' on them," Drax remarked.

Newton had worn the ring since he was a child. His mother had given it to him, explaining that the prominent "N" symbolized their family crest.

"You know what? I'm gonna take you to see him right now. He's my boss," Drax declared, rising from his seat and motioning for Newton to follow.

The two of them hailed a taxi and after an hour, they arrived at a street. The interlocking stone road was lined with blooming flowers that extended as far as the eye could see. No houses were visible as they continued walking. After about 10 minutes, they reached the end of the street.

Before them stood an enormous, thick, and sturdy black gate. Newton deduced that it was electronically operated, sliding sideways to open, as there was no visible entrance. Drax looked up, and Newton followed his gaze, noticing a security camera observing their presence.

Suddenly, the gate smoothly slid open, and Drax led the way inside. As they entered, Newton was left speechless. It was the most breathtaking place he had ever laid eyes on. White sculptures and water fountains adorned the surroundings, while armed guards stood watch at every corner. Newton realized that he went unnoticed by the guards, likely due to his association with Drax.

Amongst all the remarkable sights, one thing caught Newton's attention—a large golden "N" in the middle of the compound with a water fountain above it. It was magnificently crafted and appeared to be made of solid gold.

Drax whispered something to a guard stationed at the entrance, and the guard promptly held the door open for Newton as he followed Drax into the grand lobby.

They found themselves in a spacious room furnished with only two couches, placed at a distance from the center of the lobby.

Newton marveled at the opulence surrounding him. "This is an incredibly grand mansion," he muttered in awe.

The room was adorned with sculptures in every direction, and on the southern wall hung a massive television that could have easily encompassed the entirety of Newton's own room.

As Newton glanced down at the floor, he caught a glimpse of his reflection. The room itself was a masterpiece, a true work of art.