Ryker's face fell,
"Uhm... Well I'm sor--" Ryker was murmuring when Kyle cut in."Just shut up." He scoffed and continue,'Sorry' ain't gonna buy me my stuff back now.You should be sorry for yourself... I mean, you know what people gonna see when you walk home?A tattered rascal!"Kyle mocked him."My problem. Isn't it?" Ryker asked, and Kyle winked."Cool, do not bother then.Besides, you think I'm gonna walk home?Wait, because I told you I walked all the way here?"He asked him, as he stepped backwards towards the tree, but Kyle just held his gaze as his back came in contact with the oak. He crossed his legs, folded his arms and continued."Well, I digress but I'd appreciate it if you'd give me an audience now. I'm here to say my apologies but you also owe me a thanks."Kyle squeezed his face. "What the hell, man?!""Thanks for wha--?"He was forced to hold back his remaining utterances as Ryker held his right index finger in the air."An... Audience!""Fine! Suit yourself." Kyle grimaced as he walked up to a bike, raised it and kicked down the bike stand, and then sat on it."I'm not convinced you already know what happened to the Emperors and that you know... I did them, but have you considered the good in this for us?" Ryker asked him.Kyle made a confused face."Us... Who's us?""Look, don't pretend you don't understand me.I know you don't want to join the Emperors gang, perhaps you were forced to, I watched you closely many times enough to know.You don't seem like one who would gladly join and cooperate with those kinda... Nah man... it's like you're in it against your will.Just like me, too, it must have been very hard on you."He unfolded his arm and continued with a serious face, moving away from the tree."Trust me, I felt trapped and threatened too, but I'm not one to just dance to someone's tune that easily... I mean, let's not be a man of straw. Bro.""Are you done?" Kyle drawled.Ryker smiled reassuringly. "Yeah."He looked up at Ryker, his face looking unfriendly. "Yeah?""You know what? If you ask me to summarize all you've just spat out in one word, I'd say 'bullshit!'I didn't advocate for your betrayal to the Emperors, besides did I complain to you?Hiding behind the Emperor's shield and following Jude's order helped me... at least to achieve more than I expected.But you... A man of steel, right?"Ryker nodded assertively, anticipating Kyle's comment."What has it earned you? This!"He said mockingly, pointing to the Ryker's tattered look and his bruises."A recurring cycle of senseless violence, tainted personality and an unwanted title. Isn't it?""Don't get this all wrong bro, Doesn't the Emperors has oppositions too?As a matter of fact, the police and the whole community even, are theirs.I mean... everyone does bro, mine is just ostensible."He took a few steps towards Kyle and continued in even tone."You need to know one thing. You see, this crime stuff is not really a good thing.There are many things involved that make me find it intolerable, personally...""Yeah, of course you don't need to tell me, I knew." Kyle interrupted him, switching to ad hominem criticism."You sure will find it intolerable when you have a family there for you, a nice home in one of the best Balltown's private residential area.Even though you don't work, and crime doesn't suit your taste, but you need something, there are people you could go to. I don't know how rich your family is, but at least Robert and his friend are an evidence.I have seen them a few times in Ludbriggs' seaside restaurant and few others places, and from what I have noticed, I always wondered why you chose to live a street life, it's not like you don't have enough, or you're a beggar or something...""Ahem!" Ryker interrupted him."Don't get the wrong impression bruh, you don't know me, don't talk like you know anything about my life, you know... If you want to discuss that, it's a different case but don't jump to conclusions."Suddenly, Kyle cackled with a loud derisive laugh"You hear that?I laughed in Spanish!" He taunted whilst Ryker snorted in disdain."We may not have been getting along, you know... And that's because I hate to associate with troubles, unlike you.But to be very candid with you, I know you, Ryker.I really do.You said you were watching me to draw those conclusions about me huh, but you have no idea how much I did you too.You watched me bro, but I studied you.In fact sedulously. Which is why I wonder why you chose to lead such life when you've got the potentials most guys our age envy... Perhaps a lot!"He sat up from the bike and struck a new pose, rolled his fingers into fists and deposited it in his pockets, his weighted supported by the fixed and static motorbike as they stared at each other intently."I'll digress now, because I need you to see reasons why, even if I know nothing about your family, I'd make you see reasons why I believe my assessments might not be right, but not wrong either."Kyle brought out his hands from his pockets, hugged himself with them and crossed his legs as he engrossed himself in the conversation."Three years ago, we could hardly make enough money to keep the wolf from the door.But my though enigmatic, but diligent Granny is doing her best to feed us, until she lost her sight, and we haven't much to feed not to talk of seeking medical attention, we did seek help though but none seems obtainable.Too little to till, and oversee her small farmland. We were starving in the home that has lost the vibes of livelihood itself.Granny sold her farmland, and for a short period of time, we were able to ward off the trollocks of hunger.After about roughly ten months, you could guess what happened again... haha"Kyle's left hand disengaged from the arm folds to wave off the fly buzzing and hovering before his face, and then he clicked his tongue."What job can I work at?Or tell me, what significant privilege is there to avail for a twelve-year-old boy from this negligible avenue?I'm looking more frail and malnourished each day passing. Granny's health status getting more and more retrogressive. We had to start begging on the streets so we could have something to eat.But her senescent languid began to defile her will and intentions."Ryker, who at first, seemed very interested in what Kyle has to tell him, was now astoundingly dumbfounded by the boy's narration."Ah. Bro! What are you saying? This sounds like old tales from the middle ages. Are you kidding me?Don't you have other families, distant families, or friends or neighbors--" Ryker halted on mentioning neighbors, "Uhm sorry, I forgot it is an insular here, but... What the hell man?!""Well, I haven't finished talking. You wanna hear me out now?"He sneered.Ryker stammered "Oh I'm... I'm sorry. Of course, of course... Continue!" Prompting Kyle."I had to continue our routine and report home at the end of the day.And after a year or so, I had become acclimatized to the begging scheme and it scopes.Then there came a time like that. For like two days, I was so unlucky not even one person could look upon me with pity and say 'take this dime'.By the third day, I was so weak, I can remember vividly how my intestines were twitching and churning painfully."Get away from here, you this unfortunate bedraggled pauper!Don't contaminate my wares... brat."The old and mean lady who is in charge of the stall took off her shoe and threw it at me, so I gave up and crossed to the road, I sat opposite this particular stall I was hoping to grab whatever I could as soon as the woman direct her attention to somewhere else and run as fast my legs could carry me.I got many chances, but I was very afraid, not after I had seen many people caught stealing, got punished like an animal, and disgraced like a martyr.Paranoia soaked me with nervousness. I would not dare to touch anything in a bid to steal it.I stood there longing for what I couldn't have but then, someone sat beside me on the boulder I was sitting, he open a plastic bag and bring numerous food items and drinks and stretched out his hands for me to take."I couldn't believe my eyes at first, but fortunately, it wasn't a dream.I ate, and I took home for Granny.The following day, I met him where he had told me I could find him when we discussed.He looked at me and said, 'Don't you have better clothing?What is this you're wearing?''I don't,' I replied.'You should get some,' he told me. 'Did you not like new and neat clothing that will make you look smart?' 'I... I do, I do. Thanks. Thank you!' I responded gratefully.I was expecting him to stretch forth those generous hands of his again, but he walked up to me, his budding benevolent countenance morphed into an unpromising coarse voice. 'What?! You think I am a philanthropist, or some dumbass altruistic angel?If you want something, you take it.That's what I do. See the foodstuffs you got yesterday, I stole 'em.These clothes on me... I stole 'em.See you barefooted, most of my shoes... I stole 'em! I don't have to wait for some inconsiderate dominant pig to get what I want ne
Ryker Hartley, a young boy full of life and vitality, was deeply scarred by the loss of his dearest dad to some ruthless crime boss he never knew or heard about, at the age of ten.Because of the Hartley's family's legendary possession, he possesses- 'the Alex box'. (The Alex Box is a treasure trove that is said to contain unimaginable wealth for whoever possesses it. It contains, predominantly alexandrites, emeralds, a couple of glittering golds, and diamonds with scarcely a few other species of gemstones like onyx and rubies found in the Superstitious Mountains). Yes, history has it that there were irrecoverable treasures lost in there, but little did they know not all humans are very overt about their discoveries and achievements nor entertain the idea of clout chasing. This box was found and owned by Oakley D. Hartley, Ryker's paternal grandfather, and friends in the days of their youth. Back then, after viral news of many failed attempts by different search parties, Oakley, a
Ryker Neil Hartley, stood by the door to his room, dazed with terror. This is a 'Do or Die!' Nothing more, nothing less. No means of evasion, if he would not accept the deal, then he is accepting the worse! His fine boy physiques meant nothing if a bullet would violate his manliness, his cute diamond-faced shape distorted by the Glocks and pistols threatening his sanity in the comfort of his home. The perspiration is becoming real embarrassing, "This has to stop now, he wants co-operation and I'll give it." He said in his mind, as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.Hesitantly, "Okay. Deal." He said with closed teeth, forcing a smile to make Jude feel relaxed... That is him. The typical tyrannical Jude.Do not argue with his point of view, and never! He never entertains questions about his choices of action. Ryk, Ryker, Rye. Call him whichever you fancy, he dislike it when people sever his dearest name but he's learned to cope with it.He very much knew who he wa
Suppose someone seems to care, and always showed up to lend you a hand, rescue you by any means possible, and understood your plights are worth being your friend, best friend even. As much as Ryker needed a friend irrespective of gender, since he had been mending his heart for better sane stability, and repressing the weaknesses of his temperaments to enhance his tolerance to fit in with the society's standards, He knew making friends would be necessary because leaving his past life behind had encapsulated him with a detestable life of boredom: not like when someone is feared and respected like the king of slave-masters. And talking of keeping friends, only a space for one he's got and it has been confiscated. Thereafter, no longer cared to create another for a myriad of reasons.Considering this inexplicable friendship aspect, Ryker's take on it was making it a medium of expressing his gratitude and reciprocating Jude's altruism. The thing is, but he never thought he would be im
Ryker should be ashamed, but for some reasons, he was boiling with terrific vexation as he had kept enumerating endlessly, what should stay as friends' confidentiality."Broke rascal, I wonder why you shouldn't consider that living on someone else's expenses by this stage of your life is a shameful thing." Jude expounded. "Yeah. Very!" A boy added sharply. Ryker knew for sure, he could get all offended right now but he'd lost the energy to pick on anyone, as he could sense a current of derision flowing through the arena, causing the atmosphere to grow heavy with contempt. He was weakened with undue rigor as stars of unprecedented demeanor woefully flash before his eyes."Maybe you did not realize," Jude kept on piquing himself and slaughtering his sanity with sufficient verbiage."But I'm sorry for your actively struggling mom, relentlessly catering for all three kids, she deserves a well matured, self-driven young man for a first child, to help ease the unanticipated burden of sing
His face lit up with delight as he heard his stomach rumble. Moving more swiftly than he would have expect himself to, in a matter of seconds, he was in the room, stripping off any unnecessary adornments and devouring the poor burger. Oh well, it should be happy it has got a precise, simple and predictable fate.As if being born into an unfriendly society isn't enough, unending contentions, oppression, and hostility unrelentlessly clawed at you.As he ate, he reflected on his life- the past and the present, unsure of what the future holds, he ruminated more anxiously.(Now he sees me as nothing but a damn pebble in his shoes, I'm not bothered about far worse things I could be to the world, but it hurts real bad from a friend, or anyone you undoubtedly build trust on.Because I remained unmoved and unyielding, I am a goddamn pebble?) He shook his head and hissed out loud.(I can only imagine what could happen for him to see me as a boulder then.)As he thought through his ordeal with
(Goshhh! What the F***!!!)His eyes shot up, aghast at Jude's callousness; as he began to experience the sick feeling of uneasiness all over again. "Come on man, you know I can't do that. Moreover, I am a pebble in your shoe, so why won't you get rid of me, you complained this much and yet won't give up chasing after me.""Bro I am already avoiding you, I urge you to do the same, so we let each other be?""Perhaps you find it hard to do just that, I am already trying to relieve you of myself, yet, you won't allow it" he said in a petrified and confused tone. He felt tempered again as the boys laughed like he was some stand-up comedian. Ryker tends to react to mockery like one who has a whole secondary heart with which they reserve animosity solely for retaliation.His choleric outbursts ignite when hold up to ridicule. In his world, he believes that no one in their right senses should crave or welcome any sort of pillory.He almost, impulsively pounced on Will, one of Jude's most a
Indeed, a supermom she really is, her task of motherhood with no reliable partner to render due support must not be easy with that of work, yet, she was inclined to bear the cross fate had jettisoned upon her. Since Ryker's father had vanished from the face of the earth or so he thought then. His state of curiosity leveled with that of surprise, when his pregnant mom had come to pick him up, an unusual occurrence in those days, back from school.She looked horridly disturbed, and forlornly heartbroken, although, the then ten-years-old Ryker is no mind-reader, he sure knew the blithesome woman that mothered him.On that fateful day his mom brought him home to the news that his father was still nowhere to be found. (Like seriously? A whole grown-up dad?) He thought, "But he is not an object, can a man be lost?" He asked his physically and emotionally fatigued mother who had lost all might and appetite since two days her darling husband went missing.That was unbelievable! Ryker has h