-The Next Morning-

Mavericc lays in the hospital bed, eyes fixed on the window until I walked in. He turned, knowing already what face I would make, and I did. My eyes got that wide look, but his bottom lip trembled. I hurried to sit by his bedside.

My eyes ran from one injury to another, taking in the gore that has happened. I could see the conflict already, his wanting to be strong for himself and the raw need to weep welling up.

"It's alright, you can cry." It was all the permission he needed, head down on the white woolen pillow, minutes passing until he could speak my name.

Knowing it's not me that he wants I could only take out my phone, my heart aches as I press send, all we can do now is wait. I can't remember the last time I've waited for family or friends outside of my life now.

~~~~~~

Standing next to the window, looking at the bird on the branch moved its head from side to side like it was clockwork; like there was a switch in its brain that flicked to choose the direction to look but not the speed of the motion. Every turn was rapid, almost too fast to see.

The chirps were as bright as the nascent leaves and as pure as the falling rain. The sound of the birds brought me back to my childhood. Who knew that the sound of the birds in an area were so distinct?

Remembering things as I drink my hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was more like a melted Belgian truffle than the stuff my Napa use to serve. Its dark, rich and coats my tongue thickly before flowing down my throat. The top is swirled with white milk foam and spotted with cocoa powder. It smelt like Charlie's Chocolate factory as I inhale it just like wine.

As I drink the last bit, Carman rushes in dropping her bag, seeing nothing but her injured son. A mothers love is the most powerful thing, she will always be there no matter what.

In a matter of minutes the doctor came and knocked on the door, just for an instant we locked eyes before he began to talk. I was pleased to see the silver hair on the doctor. He had a face like some guy you'd ask for directions in the street, non-threatening I suppose.

In a suit he could be a news anchor, clean cut but with that loveable smile that was only ever removed from his features when he needed to be serious.

He spoke in a mellow tone, calming Carman. He assured that Mavericc would be alright, nothing serious happened that need surgery. Carman exhaled in relief and calm tears fell down her checks onto Mavericc's gown.

My chest fills with a deadly warmth. I couldn't bare the feeling, I need to know who did this. Leaving the hospital I look up at his room, finding Carman looking back. Only knowing her thoughts.

~~~~~~

My phone vibrates as I drive passes Harald's tattoo shop on the East side of town. Looking at Mr. Managers name, I knew I'd have to reload my friend again.

"What the problem Mr. Manager?" I say in a mellow voice as I hear muffling in the background.

" It's about the kid. Some punks thought it was a good idea to have some fun. They're in 227, I need to feed my kids. See ya next time." He says in a deepened voice, I guess he grew a pair since the last time we spoke.

His mood seemed dark, I guess the Misses don't like his debt. But, somehow everyone has to pay.

From the outside of 227 appeared to be rusty barrels of noxious chemicals were littered around the entrance, each labelled with a skull and crossbones. Tall weeds grew between the stones and the fence was almost falling over, hardly high security. Actually none at all, nobody cared about what was above ground, nobody knew. Underground it was a different story.

Open the rusted door, allowing light to cover the cold damp cement floor. Three youngsters sit tied up in chairs hung from the ceiling. They squirm with fear in their eyes. All I cloud do was click my toung as the click of my heels echo through the old abandoned storage unit.

" Boys... Boys... I raised you better then this..." I say in a humble voice as I approach the eldest, Gus. My nail runs along his jawline. " Much better than this." My tone changes to anger as my palm collides with his face, leaving it red.

" He's just a mear child.." The words fall out of my mouth quietly. I walk up to the youngest, " Younger than you... You all know what happens to people that go against me... That betray my trust." I walk towards the door and stop looking back.

" They die one way or another. I don't think you would want to stay alive for the pain... I took you under my wing, I definitely thought you'd knew better."  I don't bother to close the door as I leave, the last thing they should see is the sunset. I'm not a bad guy, just a person with authority and a past.

~~~~~~

As I sit in the parking lot  of the hotel hours later, I text Timothy.

- keep Gus let the other two go for the rest of the week. Send and apology to their boss. -

I go up to the room and I find a letter there, I know excatly what it should say. I didn't think she's leave him alone. But as I open it I'm surprised. All that was written on it was 'irish to be honest...'

I can't believe she remembered.

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Hey everyone I'm soooo soooo sorry I haven't updated/published anything for a long long time (1 yr n 4 mths) but a lot has happened. Thank you for your patience. 😊 I appreciate all of you!!💙💙

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