REID

Chapter: 12

The years after graduation didn't start out the way Reid would have wanted them to. He has imagined an ideal path, doing what he wanted to do, in the kitchen of this well-established restaurant. Being the rookie who impresses everyone and rockets up the ranks of the business. Doing what he loved to do, never working a day for the rest of his life.

Oh, how naïve he was.

After several attempts to apply for careers on the high-end side of the city, he found a spot closer to his home. It was a small, hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant called Gusto d'Italia. The translation being "Taste of Italy". He had been there a few times as a customer in the past, and it wasn't anything special or memorable. Though he was hired, so he would take what he could get.

Starting out washing dishes in the back, all he wanted to do was cook food. Yet he wasn't allowed to do so, not for several months, at least. One day, the kitchen was shorthanded, and he was asked to fill in. He admittedly took a little time to get used to the menu and the recipes, but he felt he had a good enough grasp of it. He worked there for only three months before one of the head chefs quit and left them without a lead. This spot had to be filled, so those in the kitchen shifted up in their ranks.

Reid was moved from dishes to line cook. He was still bottom of the totem pole, so his job mainly consisted of preparing the stations, setting up the equipment, and chopping vegetables. He did some actual cooking here and there, but that was the extent of his job.

He never stopped looking and applying to better places, though. This turned out to be a very smart move for the deer, because after six months of searching, he was able to be hired on at a high-class restaurant in the rich part of the city. His degree, matched with his current experience, was just enough to get hired on as, to his chagrin, the busboy. Though that didn't keep him down. He knew that the only way to go was up.

He and Rami stood firm with their plans to visit on the weekends. Royd was more than happy to let his brother's friend stay over. The three of them getting along very well. During the summer, they all made a trip to a nearby water park that was about a thirty-minute drive.

Reid is not much of a thrill-seeker. He prefers the nice, calm attractions such as a lazy river or a wave pool. Royd, on the other hand did enjoy the fast-paced rides and was more than happy to give Rami some company on those. It was a wonderful time, and at the end of the day, the only one that wasn't happy was Reid. Though, that was mostly because of his sunburn he received, laying down carefully on the couch while the other two gigged to each other in the kitchen.

Rami had the fortunate news that he would be graduating a semester early. Each year, the school held graduation ceremonies both in December and in May. He graduated in December of 2018 which Reid was very excited about. He was so proud of his friend. Shortly after graduating, he was able to land a job at a local biology lab in the business-centered area of the city.

He made pretty good money doing it, and it was something he had wanted for a long time. He lived with his parents still, only until he was able to save up enough money to move out and start a life on his own. However, that ambition was short-lived. He was visiting Reid one day, who had also been looking for places to rent so he could start being more independent and have some space from his brother, Royd. They may love each other, but it's been years they have lived together, it was time to move on.

Reid sat on the couch in his living room, Rami next to him watching the TV. The deer was using his laptop looking through apartment and house listings for rent. All was quiet in the room until Reid sat back in his spot.

"Huh.." he said.

Rami looked over with a confused expression. "What is it? You find anything interesting?"

He turned the computer screen to give his friend a better view.

"2-bedroom, one bath, laundry machines included, and a small garage. Rent is a bit higher than I would like, but all utilities plus internet is included."

Rami placed his hand on his chin, looking closer. "That does look pretty nice."

Reid nodded. "Yeah, it does. It's only 150 over my budget, maybe if I can get a raise, or move up in position, I could afford it. Though I wouldn't know what to do with the extra bedroom. Maybe a guest space."

"What if you had a roommate?"

Reid paused. "A roommate? I um, well, I don't know. I had roommates for the last 4 years. Though it was nice to not be alone."

Rami rubbed the back of his head. "What if it was someone you've roomed with before? Someone that you know would be good to have around?"

Reid smirked. "Ram... are you wanting to live with me?" he chuckled.

"You said it, not me!" the goat crossed his arms and smirked too.

Reid knew he liked having Rami as a roommate and would admit that it would be nice to continue living together. They were very close friends and knew each other very well. If rooming with him meant they could have a nice place to stay and someone to have his back. He would be a fool not to accept the offer.

The days went on, and they were able to get in contact with the landlord of the house. They were approved and are going through the process to sign the lease and find a move-in day. Part of the agreement was a background check. Reid had heard of this website that allows you to search names, crimes, and information and it will lead you through a database of individuals that meet your search requirements.

This piqued his curiosity. He got up from his bed and walked into the living room, looking through the stack of important papers and documents they keep on a shelf by the front door. They had kept the police report of when their mom had passed away. The curious deer found the report and took it back to his room. He began searching the website, typing in the name of the subject on the paper. Leonard Clawson.

LEONARD CLAWSON (Age 43)
Bengal Tiger
Criminal History: 1 charge vehicular manslaughter
Sentence: 15 years with a bond of $120,000
Status: Served 7 years (Out on bond)

WANTED: (Possession of drug paraphernalia, eluding arrest)

His heart pounded. Clawson was released. Running free after killing the one person that meant more to him than anyone else. The thought of him running free without feeling the full punishment of his actions began to boil the buck's blood. He closed the laptop and set it aside.

Reid needed to calm down. His emotions were flaring, and his mind was racing. He got out of his bed and grabbed a towel from the closet before heading to the bathroom. A long shower to think may help calm him down. It took a lot of strength not to break down right there. Not only was he distraught thinking of what happened, but he was furious.

Those that kill should notrun free.