Meatball Subs

Part 3

Equinox left his shelter in the morning and prepared the day's food like normal, wondering about the tall man. If he hasn't left already, Equinox hoped he would leave soon. He needed business to come back. He was so close to having the money for an apartment. Eclipse would finally be safe. Hoefler woke once to take his pill and eat the breakfast Equinox had made him. Business seemed to return to normal, and he found himself struggling to keep up. Someone needs to reply to Hoefler's ad soon, he thought. Just before dinner rush Dr. Faustus returned. He had a large smile on his face.

"The usual?" Equinox asked.

"Yes, please. Cases of food poisoning are starting to lessen." Faustus replied, "Our friend the lasagna man is not getting such great business anymore."

Equinox nodded. "If someone were using illegal magic, who would you report it to?"

"The HMA: Helvetica Magic Administration. I'm surprised you didn't know that."

Equinox tried to hide his embarrassment. "I believe I saw blood magic being used on the lasagna the other night."

Equinox retold what he saw to Dr. Faustus, who listened intently. Dr. Faustus vowed he would make a case with them that night. Equinox agreed to being a witness. Shortly after Equinox finished closing the stand for the night, he had one more customer. It was the tall man.

"We're closed," said Equinox.

The tall man smiled. He was alone. His assistant must be at the hotel. Equinox felt uncomfortable, he did not want to talk to him.

"I wanted to speak with you about yesterday's events. It was very kind of you to not mention my food to that man last evening. It is indeed very peculiar for so many people being ill right now, I would hate for my food to be falsely accused."

Equinox bit his tongue. He thought of the assistant's bandaged hand.

"You understand how business can get so rough some days," he continued, "It's hard to make a living doing what we do. I would much rather we support each other and sell together, I do not wish to make an enemy of you. I even have something to offer."

The tall man pulled out a vial of familiar red dust.

"I have the means of boosting sales and earning more money than you or I could ever dream of. I could use your skills on my team, and I can give you a thick portion of the earnings."

Equinox's stomach churned with a familiar rage. "You're delusional if you think you're going to survive another day in this city using blood magic," snapped Equinox. "Your use of illegal magic has already been reported. You disgust me." Equinox went inside and locked the door behind him. Hoefler was asleep, his breathing better than it had been in days. Equinox prepared the next day's bread and counted out his earnings. Hoefler left him a note on the door he had't seen when he entered.

Would you pick up my prescription at Dr. Faustus's pharmacy? The money's on the table.

Equinox left and went the opposite direction from home. The tall man was gone, but he thought over his words. He threatened Hoefler's business and tried to bribe him over on his side with illegal magic. He remembered the looks of pain on the assistant's face. Were they even getting paid? Their expressions were all too familiar. Equinox turned the corner onto Topaz avenue. His owns words replayed in his mind. You disgust me. He wished he could say those words to his mother. But if he showed resistance, she could hurt Eclipse further.

Dr. Faustus's pharmacy was two doors down from the hotel called The Midnight Star. After getting the prescription, Equinox noticed someone leave the hotel. It was the tall man. He had a sack over his shoulder, and he scanned the quiet streets before dashing across the road. Was he fleeing town? Equinox thought to chase him down and stop him, but he was struck with a different idea. He entered the hotel lobby, asking to see the tall man and his assistant. The receptionist seemed skeptical.

"They're expecting me," Equinox lied.

He was given the room number, the receptionist none the wiser to his lie. He often hated how well he could lie, but was grateful for it now.

He knocked on the door to the room, wondering if this was a good idea. The assistant cracked open the door and said, "He's not here."

Equinox placed a hand on the door to keep it from closing. "I'm not here to talk to him."

The assistant pulled the door open wider. "Then what do you want?"

"Would you like a job?

"I- What?"

"Don Hoefler is looking for someone to help run his sandwich stand. I watched you cook, he'd love to have you."

The assistant stuttered, "I- I don't know. My uncle—"

"Your uncle's leaving. I've reported his use of illegal magic. Just think about it. You know where the stand is." Equinox turned to leave, but a hand grabbed his arm.

"Let me grab my things."

Equinox smiled.

***

"Welcome, Albany! We could definitely use the help. Equinox will show you everything you need to know, he insists I keep resting. But I will be back cooking tomorrow, just watch!"

Albany smiled a little, the first Equinox had seem them do so. He and Albany got along surprisingly well. After a day of searching, Albany's uncle was found on the outskirts of town. He was arrested with the charge of using illegal blood magic, and Albany was more than happy to testify against him and provide further evidence for abuse. Hoefler offered Albany a place to stay in his hut until they were on their feet, but Albany declined. After a smooth and successful day of selling Albany and Equinox were preparing the next day's bread. Equinox was again worrying what state Eclipse would be in when he got home. Was she okay?

"Something on your mind, Ex? You look distraught," asked Hoefler.

"I'm alright," he replied.

"Tell me, Ex. What's troublin' you?"

"I'm just worried about my sister."

"What's wrong?" said Hoefler.

Albany asked, "Is she alright?"

Equinox shrugged. "I don't know. I never know. That's the problem."

"Is she safe?" Hoefler stood and walked to him. "Let her come here if she isn't."

"Don, I can't ask you—"

"You don't have to ask, I'm offering. You can stay here if you have nowhere else. I don't know what home is like, but it doesn't sound safe." He placed a hand on his shoulder. "Besides, I'm an old man, I could use the company."

Equinox felt the most relief he'd ever experienced wash over him. He surged forward and hugged Hoefler. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

That night he raced home and told Eclipse they were going to be staying somewhere different, and she was more than excited. He packed up everything, leaving nothing but the raised cot for their mother, who was snoring loudly. They left in the dead of night while their mother slept. Hoefler helped them set up comfortably in his hut, promising them safety for as long as they needed.

The next day, Equinox went to the Helvetic Magic Administration to make another case against his mother. Eclipse was never hurt again.

End