Slash (Novella I) (15 page)

“
If you say so.” MT stood from the crate. “Are you ready?”

Maxim slipped on his back. “Yeah, let’s go get your soul back.”

They made their way down the long dirt road and arrived to the flea market. Still, the placed smell of incents, perfumes, tobacco and sweat. The place changed little since MT’s visit as a kid. Maxim got distracted multiple times as he passed booths that sold knives. He was doing MT a great favor and she didn’t mind letting him browse around. They continued through the flea market and MT spotted the aquarium booth. Slowly, her eyes drifted across from the aquarium booth to discover Clowny in a bright orange suit at his candy booth.

She stood still. “It all ended and started here.”

“
Are you okay?”

MT pointed forward. “There he is.”

“
The weirdo in the face paint and orange suit?”

“
That weirdo ruined my life and probably the life of many other children.”

Maxim took out his pocket knife. “I’m just going to approach him and take him out quickly.”

MT grabbed Maxim’s arm before he could walk off. “No, it’ too risky.”

“
What’s the plan then?”

“
I’ll go talk to him and then you strike him, a sneak attack. Just run until you reach the bus station.”

“
Alright, I’ll wait for you there.”

“
You don’t have to,” MT said.

“
Hey, I want to make sure you get your soul back, ok?”

“
Thanks.”

“
Don’t thank me yet, first I have to slash that weirdo.”

MT inhaled and heavily exhaled. “Alright, here it goes.”

She made her way through the crowd and approached Clowny. MT opened her mouth but no words came out.

Clowny formed a toothy smile. “And how may I help you?”

“
D-d-d-d-d-do you remember me?”

“
Should I?”

MT brushed back her dark hair. “I met you when I was a little girl.”

“
All kids look alike to me.”

“
You sold me gummy bears.”

Clowny pointed over his shoulder. “Do you want to buy some more or something?”

“
You sold me gummy bears in exchange for my soul.”

Clowny’s smile formed into a scowl. “What the fuck do you want? A hug? An apology?”

“
I want my soul back.”

“
Get away from my booth before I snap your neck where you stand. You think any of these idiots out here will care. They come here to make a quick profit or to buy cheap products, not to play police. The longer you stand here begging for your soul the more you’re putting your empty life in danger. It’s my soul now and it feels great.”

“
I’ll ask once more, give me back my soul.”

Clowny reached out and wrapped his hands around MT’s neck. Maxim slipped in, drove his pocket knife into Clowny’s neck and ran off. Clowny let go of MT and staggered backward. He collapsed onto a shelf of candy bars and held on tight to his bloodied neck.

MT and a small crowd gathered and watched as blood poured from Clowny’s neck. Many kept on shopping and selling as if nothing happened. Clowny locked eyes with MT and exhaled heavily before his body went limp. MT kept staring at him until a bead of sweat rolled down her forehead into her eye.

MT rubbed her eye. “Ouch.”

A man placed his hand against MT’s back. “Are you okay? Somebody call an ambulance.”

MT felt her body warming and rubbed sweat from her forehead. “I’m sweating.” MT smiled. “I’m sweating!”

“
Does that mean you’re okay,” The man asked.

MT picked up a candy bar from the ground and bit into it. She became weak in the knees. “It’s so damn sweat.”

MT grabbed a jar of gummy bears and left. She shoved as much of the gummy candy into her mouth as she made her way down the dirt road back to the bus station. MT skipped and laughed out loud as the world around her lit up. She arrived at the bus station to find a waiting Maxim.

He sipped from his bottle of water. “You look happy and you’re drenched in sweat. I brought some water, drink.”

MT bypassed the bottle of water he held out, grabbed Maxim and kissed him on the lips. “Thank you!”

“
Well, uh…uh….um, you’re welcome. Are we making out?”

MT kissed him again. “The first was a thank you kiss. The second was just because kissing feels amazing.”

“
Can I have another to celebrate my victory? I took out a big target.”

MT kissed him again. “There.”

“
Now what do we do?”

MT twirled around with her arms in the air. “Live and together we can have each other’s backs.”

Maxim shrugged. “Hey, a plan is plan. Where do we go first?”

“
Let’s find a ride and break into the happiest place in the world, Destiny World. I wanna meet Mikey Mouse.”

MT and Maxim hoot and hollered as they started their journey of life.

Chapter 19 – Margarita

Sidnee and Levi lay on the couch, head-to-toe, watching television. She and the speaker’s legs were contorted around each other’s. He had refused to sit upright, so Sidnee figured that if she couldn’t beat him that she might as well had joined him. They had already managed to watch two movies and were now working on their third.

Sidnee pointed toward the television. “I’m confused, is she a robot?”

“
No, but the doctor convinced her that she is.”

“
Why would he do that?”

Levi rolled his eyes. “All you have to do is pay attention.”

“
I was but started thinking about something and it’s your entire fault.”

“
How is it my fault?”

She flicked his big toe. “I was thinking about how long your feet are.”

He wiggled his toes. “No they’re not.”

“
It doesn’t matter I love them.”

He wrinkled his nose at her feet. “Yours are okay.”

Sidnee laughed. “That compliment was so weak compared to mine.”

“
No it’s not, I said they’re okay. What more do you want?”

“
You wrinkled your nose as if it pained you to say that.”

He laughed as he pointed at the television. “I’m watching a movie.”

She pinched his leg. “You better not dare change the subject.”

“
I’m not. You changed the subject from the movie to my sexy feet.”

“
And now, you’re putting words in my mouth. I never called your feet sexy.”

Levi quickly pressed his foot against Sidnee’s lips. “I’m putting toes in your mouth, not words.”

Sidnee used the back of her hands to wipe her lips, her cheeks reddening. “Ugh, your toes taste like butter.”

“
You’re always blushing around me, I told you not to fall in love with me.”

“
No I haven’t.”

“
It’s true though,” He sat up as he chuckled. “I win women over easy.”

“
And then, they find out you live in a trailer with your grandmother.”

“
That actually works out for me. It takes a strong man to look after his grandma.”

Sidnee rolled her eyes. “You’re not a man.”

“
I’m nineteen, legally I’m a man.”

“
A man works and doesn’t sit around watching movies and eating cereal.”

“
You’re harsh.” He turned on his side, angling himself away from her. “And this is my place of work.”

“
Whatever, so, she’s not a robot? I can write better.”

Levi responded with a smirk.

Evan came stomping downstairs. “I need to talk,” And headed into the kitchen.

Evan had been staying at Sidnee’s home for a few weeks and the only conversations they had so far was a discussion of what kind of pizza to order and if she wanted the last bit of milk. Sidnee took a deep breath and crawled over Levi, from the couch. She stretched her arms out and fluffed her dark hair as she joined her brother in the kitchen. He reached into the refrigerator, removed a carton of orange juice and poured himself a glass.

Sidnee took a seat on one of the kitchen-island stools. “What do you want?”

He took a sip from his glass. “I just want to talk.”

“
About?”

“
Sibling stuff.”

“
You haven’t been my brother for the last seven years.”

Evan finished his drink. “I’ll always be your brother, we’re bonded by blood.”

“
You know what I mean,” Sidnee snapped.

“
I don’t know what you mean.”

She scoffed. “This last time we had a full conversation you wished for me to be raped and murdered. I allowed you to stay here because I thought things could be different now that we’re both adults. Sadly, your gruesome words are the only thing I can think about every time I hear your voice or see your face.”

He ran his hand over his buzz-cut, dark hair. “I forgot all about that. I’m sorry.”

His apology did not change her feelings. “Why are you here again?”

“
I’m here because I need your help until I can get back on my feet. I also need cash.”

Sidnee shook her head. “No. Mom let you borrow money and you never gave a dime back.”

“
Help me this one time. Don’t be selfish.”

“
I’m not selfish. I was always a good sister.”

He smacked the island top. “You weren’t, just admit it! My problems hid yours and you loved that.”

Sidnee didn’t want to let him catch her in a lie. “Yes, and?”

“
It wasn’t fair.”

“
But it wasn’t my fault Evan. You have this conversation with mom and dad, not me.”

He nodded. “Alright, you’re right but you have to take some responsibility.”

“
I was a teenager who got away with everything. Nobody would give that up.”

There was a silence, only the sound of the movie playing on the television could be heard. She wanted to go back and join Levi, but had to deal with Evan. Sidnee didn’t want to put cash in Evan’s hand so decided to find a more creative way to give him what he needed and out of her home.

“
I’m going to rent you an apartment,” Sidnee said.

Levi entered the kitchen as if they weren’t having a conversation and started to prepare a sandwich.

Evan kept his focus on his sister “Are you hinting at something?”

Sidnee stood across from him. “Yes, you can’t stay here anymore.”

“
I’m your brother.”

“
I know who you are and that’s why you can’t stay here.”

“
No,” Evan shook his head. “There’s plenty of room here for me.”

“
Evan, I’ll pay your rent for two months. That’s it.”

“
And then what?”

“
Find a job,” Sidnee shouted. “Duh.”

Levi held back his laughter as he worked on his sandwhich.

Evan tilted his head toward Levi. “I have to leave, but not him?”

“
Levi works for me.”

“
You pay him to lounge around and flirt with you all day.”

Levi put some cheese on his sandwich. “It’s called natural charm, man.”

“
And I don’t flirt with him,” Sidnee clarified. “It’s called getting along.”

“
I’ve been in this world longer than you little sister. I know what I’m seeing. It won’t be long until you’re fucking this twerp upstairs. I’m sure mom and dad won’t approve of you shacking up with some freeloader. As long as he stays in this house, I’m staying. I’m your family.”

“
I’m sorry,” Levi said. “But I’m starting to feel something.”

Sidnee eyes darted over to him. “What, the house?”

“
Yes, the energy is strong. “ The speaker raised his hands. “My fingers are tingling.”

Evan scoffed. “He’s a freeloader and a retard, huh?”

Sidnee wanted to focus on the haunting of her home, but she needed to deal with the infestation of her brother first. “I’m going to give you five minutes to pack your bags or I’m calling the cops. You will not come into my home Evan and insult my friends and criticize my private life. I offered you help and you rejected it.”

Evan stormed from the kitchen. “I’m not going anywhere. I dare you to call the cops.”