Reunion of Comrades - Living in a Dark Future, part 2

--1

It had been a day since the explosion. I had found an old, abandoned house and moved in, called it my own. It was pretty worn out, the floorboards creaked, there was about a table, a chair, a bed and a cupboard, and that was all the furniture that was left in the excuse for a property. I clearly remember that I had to be gentle with this house, unlike my old one. I couldn’t slam a door without the frail hinges crumbling under the pressure. It looked like somebody threw a Molotov cocktail in the living room, then went in and pillaged the place, just for good measure. Whoever was the old owner of this joint wasn’t a good housekeeper, I can assure you that. I can also assure you that sleeping on a mattress almost half my age isn’t good for your back either. I decided it was time for me to get my house looking like the place could accommodate somebody living in that dump. So, I went to see a good friend of mine, most people know him as Bloodshot Eyes. He lived on the other side of town, and I thought it would be a nice time to get some exercise.2

--3

After walking 15 minutes through the compilation of houses, buildings and an assortment of other types of property, Vertigus was near the center of the town. He would act normally, and casually wander through the pedestrians to avoid gaining a watchful eye. He struggled through the onslaught of the passing crowd, struggling to worm his way through the large number of people that would try and thrust him closer to the tattered house he had commandeered. After emerging through the thick clique of people, he found himself in a more secluded place of town – the alleyways, where countless muggings, rapes and other crimes were often held in ritual. None of these were sophisticated either, most were thugs and people that you wouldn’t stay for conversation with. Vertigus knew that he would get into a little bit of trouble, so he put his hands in his pockets, gripping tightly to his Desert Eagles.4

He thought he might be clear, just reaching to the last quarter of the alleyways, but something told him not to look behind. Vertigus was a person that no matter what you told him, he would try it out anyway, so he looked behind, unaware that 3 muggers were about to rip him a new asshole. With decisive speed, he turned around, drew out a Desert Eagle and slapped the nozzle right in the center of the forehead of the closest thief to him, holding the trigger and about to make a crater hole in his head.5

“I wouldn’t try anything, it’s not wise to try and fuck with a guy who has a Desert Eagle to your head.” Vertigus calmly said, pushing the man backwards. The thug staggered in fright, sweat started to trickle down his forehead as he stared blankly into Vertigus’ eyes. A pair of calm eyes, but silently said “I wouldn’t try to do anything smart” to anybody who gazed into them.6

“Woah... wai...wait a minute there. You wouldn’t wanna do that with me!” The man started to stutter his words, and it was clear the 2 other gentlemen who were with him didn’t care about him if he had a bullet through his head.7

“Wouldn’t want to do what? You haven’t got much time to tell me or I might pull the trigger.” Realizing that Vertigus might be pulling his leg, he did the most foolish thing a man could do in that situation; call his bluff. He stood upright, feeling rather confident and arrogant, he started to try and catch Vertigus out.8

“I doubt you would pull the trigger. You don’t have the guts, I bet you wouldn’t shoo...” Before he could finish his sentence, the top of his head was sliding down the wall behind him; the last sound that he could make was a long gasp for breath followed by blood leaking through the orifices in his skull.9

“I said before, it’s not wise to fuck with a guy who’s got a Desert Eagle to your head. And now look; your head is missing a chunk. What’s worse is I had to waste a bullet on you.” He looked up at the 2 other men, now wary that they might be lying next to their fallen comrade. He pulled the other Desert Eagle out of his pocket and aimed each gun at a separate man. As he got his aim precise, they froze with fear, and as much as they wanted to run, they couldn’t. “I believe you owe me 2 apologies. The first for wasting my time and the second for wasting a bullet. A third one will be needed for making me waste another bullet.” One of them tried to speak, but couldn’t get the words out. A second later, the words fell out of his mouth is a rush.10

“We’re sorry for wasting your time and wasting your bullets. Please let us live! We’ll give you our money.”11

“I couldn’t care less about your money. Run or I’ll bust one of your knees open.” As soon as he gave the word, the other 2 fled for their lives, running as fast as their legs could run and how fast the adrenaline could rush to their limbs. As they cleared the area, Vertigus went to inspect the body of the man who was motionless on the floor. He searched through his attire, and found a lot of money. He stashed it in his trench coat, and moved on.12

He had finally made it to the place where Bloodshot Eyes lived. It was a rather large house, 3 stories high and looked rather new to the houses and apartments that surrounded it. The doorknocker was a large brass lion’s mouth, made to detail and looked freshly polished. He grabbed the knocker and knocked it repetitively until somebody answered. It was a man; he was taller than most men and wore a white vest and blue jeans.13

“What’dya want?” He grunted.14

“I’m a friend of Bloodshot Eyes. The name’s Vertigus, can I come in?” He started to try and get in, but the man who blocked the door grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt and threw him onto the sidewalk.15

“I didn’t give ye permission to enter.” He spat it out onto his face like he’d eaten something nasty and it had disgusted his tongue. A voice from within the building shouted:16

“Let him in, you ignorant dumb ass. He’s expected.” Noticing his mistake, he rushed over and picked him up and brushed the dirt off Vertigus’ coat.17

“I’m so sorry. Come in, Bloodshot’s waitin for ye.”18

“Finally, I get a little respect around here.” Vertigus sighed, and entered the building.19

The place was heavily decorated; the same thing couldn’t be said for Vertigus’ new house. Mostly everything in the room looked untouched, except for the sofa and the table, which various people were playing poker and throwing chips into their opponent’s faces to taunt them to bid higher. They traveled up to the third floor, respectively called “Bloodshot eyes office”, where he would do business arrangements with clients and have private chats with his friends. Vertigus entered the room alone, and in usual gangster style, the chair where bloodshot was facing backwards towards the door. He swiveled around and faced Vertigus, and offered him a chair with a hand gesture. Vertigus sat down, and was relieved to see somebody he knew after a while.20

“Good to see you again Bloodshot. It’s been about a year, hasn’t it? Not much has changed, I see. Except that there are more people here.”21

“It’s always good to see a friend, Vert. Would you like anything to drink?” He stood up and walked over to the mini bar that was embedded into the wall.22

“You got some lemon ice tea? No alcohol for me, you know I don’t drink.” Bloodshot laughed as he poured him some ice tea.23

“You really haven’t changed, that’s great. And I know you don’t drink, so don’t worry.” He put the drink to the right of him on the table. Vertigus started to drink half of it in one gulp. “You either love that stuff or you’re really thirsty.” He laughed again. “So, what can I do for you? Or is that drink enough?” They both laughed as if they had known each other for many years now.24

“Yeah, I would really walk through town, almost get mugged and thrown onto the pavement by one of your goons for a glass of ice tea.” He said sarcastically, taking another drink before looking at his glass for a second, then turning his attention to Bloodshot again.25

“It wouldn’t surprise me if you did, you do some pretty crazy stuff.” He paused for a moment. “Seriously, why are you here?” he asked, now adopting a more concerned look.26

“Well, I just got a house in the city, pretty old, banged up place. Needs some renovating and maybe some furniture. It seriously needs work, I was wondering if you could help me at all, if that’s ok?” Blood shot took about 10 seconds to consider it, then cheerfully said:27

“Of course I’d help you. Give me the address and I’ll send some men over. But you’d better pay me back for this.”28

“You know I always do.” They both laughed slightly. They both stood up and shook hands. Before Vertigus left, he turned around and asked “Have you seen Terencentanio recently?”29

“Can’t say I have, sorry” was his reply. Disappointed with the knowledge that he couldn’t find Terencentanio but happy that his house would look like a house, Vertigus walked out of the building and walked back to his house. This time, he took only the alleyways and held one of his Desert Eagles in his hand, hopefully to scare away any thief’s, and if necessary, use it on them.30

He sat down on the only armchair in the house, and stared at the spot where his TV would go. He tilted his head to the right, sighed and said, “I should have thought this through before raiding a house.”31