The forced one

The slight changes

To say that he wanted to call in for his shift at Benito’s Carne y Dulces was an understatement, but deep down, Eddie really wanted some normalcy.

    Speaking of which, was the sun always this bright? Eddie found himself squinting as he walked into the small store, the bell tinkling. The smell of raw meat hit his nose, and his mouth watered a bit, the butcher in the back cutting what looked like a lamb’s leg.

    Eddie greeted him, hoping his seven-hour shift would be over in no time. He still had to show up to help Lucas with his own fighting, and he would be there just a little before nine. At the same time, Eddie hoped that the kid would dip out of it, because to be honest, he wanted to sleep the week away.

    As he was organizing the drinks, and taking inventory, the door opened, and absentmindedly, Eddie said “Welcome, just let me know when you’re ready!’

    He heard the customer, a woman, reply lamely, and Eddie went back to checking off the number of bottles of vodka he had on the shelf.

    A couple minutes later, the bell rang, and he placed the clipboard on the shelf, jogging back up to the register.

    He looked at all the items she had picked up, typing it into the cash register as it added it all up.

   “That’s going to be twenty-three dollars and nine cents.” He said, as he looked up, her bright brown eyes meeting his. She was pretty, with curly light brown hair pulled up in a high ponytail, the ends of it curling to the middle of her back. A bright yellow shirt with short sleeves contrasted nicely on her cinnamon brown skin. She smiled as she pulled out her wallet from her handbag.

    Eddie grabbed the money from her, giving her back change when she cleared her throat. “Excuse me, are you Eduardo Machado?” she asked, taking her change, and not leaving. Eddie was a bit taken aback by the sound of his name, giving her a wary look. He studied her more closely, trying to see if she was someone he had gotten within his younger years.

    If she was, Eddie had no memory of it, opting to go along with it. “Who wants to know?” he asked, trying not to cross his arms, and forcing his body to relax. She smiled again and held out her hand.

    “My name is Alicia Montoya, and I’m the one looking for Eduardo Machado.” She said, waiting for Eddie to grab her hand.

    “Why?” Eddie asked instead, and she dropped her hand back to her side.

    “That’s business between me, and Mr. Machado. I have some information he would really appreciate knowing.” She replied, smile still on her face.

     Was this about the fights? Eddie had made sure that no one would contact him outside of his life and he was an idiot for thinking it could stay that way.

    “I don’t care how much money you offered Marty; I schedule my fights there not here.” Eddie said angrily, his eyes never leaving hers. She looked confused then. “What are you talking about? You’re Eddie?”

    An angry flush overcame Eddie then, and he nodded. Alicia smoothed her hair back, and the smile was back.

    “I need you to come with me. The pack is waiting for their new leader.” Eddie stared at her like she was crazy. Gang fights? Was she trying to get him to join a new gang?

    He lifted his hand as if to stop her from speaking, and then she slipped on silver tips on her fingernails, pulling him down by his shoulders, as the silver tips were placed on his neck.

    Something cool, and unsettling came over him, and she pulled up a hand mirror, showing black marks that looked like a bite mark on the side of his neck. She looked smug, as she let him go, placing the mirror in her bag.

    “You are the one.” She said, waiting for Eddie’s reaction. Eddie says nothing, though he really wants this girl to leave him alone. She sounds crazy, even though she proved that the one that was needed was indeed him.

    Alicia must have seen something in his face, because she sighed. “You don’t understand. You need this pack just as much as they need you. A full moon is tonight, and the first shift is going to happen whether you want it to or not.”

    “Ma’am, this joke has been going on long enough, please just get out of my store, and remember that you already pranked me.” Eddie said, rubbing his forehead as a headache began to form.

    “All you must do is come with me. That’s it. I have proof, it’s just dangerous for you to do your first shift by yourself. People will get hurt, and-“

    “Excuse me, but I’m ready to check out.” A woman standing behind Alicia who was looking very impatient said. Alicia blushed, muttering an apology before walking off.

    “Please remember what I said, Eddie.” She said, as she walked out the door.

     Eddie ignored her, scanning the other lady’s items. When Alicia had left, the lady tsked, shaking her head.

    “I know this is a lovers’ quarrel, but there was reason to ignore her like that.” She stated, and Eddie fought the urge to roll his eyes. He handed the items to the old lady, and she took them, mumbling how this generation’s romance was dead.

     Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, as he grabbed the clipboard, and began checking off for inventory. He hoped that Alicia wouldn’t come back for the rest of his shift.

    The rest of the day wasn’t as bad, and Eddie had forgotten about Alicia by the time the clock hit nine. He whistled to himself, handing over the keys to the register and store to his replacement, and walked outside. He swore, remembering that he had no car to drive, and sighed. Though Eddie had quit smoking, with the day he had, he was tempted to buy a pack of cigarettes, though decided against it.

    He needed good lungs for the fights.

    He decided to go for a walk, feeling the cool breeze on his skin, as he placed his hands in his pockets. The night was quiet, aside from the bugs that made noises, the occasional car passing by. Eddie glance up at the glittering of the stars, a moon looking like it was just moments away from being full. Alicia’s words echoed into his mind. He shook his head, dispelling the thoughts, and continued.

    The twisted path to the underground was difficult, and Eddie had left some subtle markers for the trail, a small ribbon of read on the stem of a plant, and blue spray. Eddie used the flashlight from his phone, making sure he found all the marks he had placed.

    Finally, he found the familiar hollowed out building, that had fallen to it’s side, the cellar doors opened. They creaked, and he stepped in, careful not to slip on the steps.

    As he continued, he heard a punching bag being heard, and when he turned the corner, there stood Lucas, his face locked in concentration as he continued to hit the bag. Eddie was impressed, watching him for a bit, before clapping his hands to announce his arrival.

    Lucas jumped, as he stopped, beads of sweat rolling down his face. He pulled out at earbud, staring at Eddie. “You’re late.” He said, punching the bag, and making it swing a little.

    “You do know this isn’t my main source of income, right?” Eddie replied, holding the bag in place, as Lucas kept punching it.

    “You were making a deal, or what?” Lucas asked, and Eddie rolled his eyes.

      “I don’t do that shit anymore.” He replied as he held the bag from swinging so Lucas could hit it better.

     Lucas grunted, as if that made a difference, and Eddie shoved the bag, making Lucas stumble out of the way.

    “I crashed my car, and had to walk over here from work, pendejo. My car is totaled.” Eddie said, feeling Lucas’s gaze go on him.

    “But you look okay.”

   “The car is the one that’s totaled, not me. Anyways, are we done with this q and a, or are you ready to spar?” he asked, as he raised his fists, moving away from the punching bag.

    That perked Lucas up, his hands raised as well, a grin on his face. He looked energized, when just moments ago he was sweating from punching the bag. They were both bared knuckled, bouncing on their toes.

    Eddie waited for Lucas to take the first punch, both just circling each other. A minute later, Lucas swung, causing Eddie to block with his left arm, then with his right he struck forehead trying to catch Lucas on the jaw.

    Lucas saw it coming though, and he ducked down, slamming his fist into Eddie’s stomach. The air left him, and Eddie wheezed, as Lucas aimed for his face.

    Eddie coughed, lurching back as Lucas threw a punch. Lucas had put too much force in it, and stumbled forward, and Eddie shouldered him hard, knocking him on his back. Since this was training, Eddie didn’t jump on him, and start whaling him with punches. He waited for Lucas to recover, standing back, and wiping the sweat from his chin.

    Lucas jumped back up, and slammed into Eddie, throwing him on the blue mats. Again, the air was knocked out of Eddie, and Lucas placed him in a chokehold, squeezing Eddie’s airway until he had tunnel vision.

    Accepting defeat, Eddie tapped out, Lucas letting go of him instantly. Eddie regained his breathing, sitting up as Lucas plopped down next to him.

    “Not bad for a noob, am I right?” Lucas joked, and Eddie rolled his eyes as he shoved him.

    “You did great kid. I don’t think there’s anything left for me to teach you.”

    Although Lucas tried to hide it, Eddie’s words filled him with confidence, suddenly sitting up straighter. “I’ve been practicing, plus watching all your fights, Eddie. So, I know what to do.”

    “Oh, so you’ve been watching me, you punk?” Eddie joked, getting up from the mat, and helping Lucas up. Lucas only laughed, and Eddie grabbed his phone from one of the tables, checking the time.

    It was almost midnight, and he sighed, knowing it was going to be a long walk home. He turned to Lucas, who was already heading out.

    “Ready to go Eddie?” he asked, and Eddie smiled, jogging to keep up with him.

     As they were both outside, Eddie noticed how strangely bright the area was. There were few streetlights, but then his gaze looked on the moon, and a pain severed through his chest.

    He coughed out in pain, taking a knee into the gross, rocks digging into his shins, and Lucas shouted in surprise. Eddie held out a hand, trying to keep Lucas away from him. The pain got worse, and he held his body, as he fell flat on his face on to the grass, bones cracking, a sudden itching overcoming his entire body.

    This time, when Lucas screamed, there was fear laced in it. Eddie tried to look up to see what was causing him to yell like that, when he realized everything was clear, and his nose caught the scent of something that made his mouth water.

    Food.

   Whatever it was that was making him give chase, started smelling stronger of fear, strange words being thrown at him that he once understood but now…now he wasn’t so sure.

    And then he pounced, continuing the chase.