A GIBBOUS MOON

Chapter 2

Alfa didn't waste any time and by the time I woke up he had already contacted me. He told me to meet him, and he sent me a location. I took a look at the time and noticed it was already ten am. I look back at the text message and the timestamp says 9:30 am. Shit. Already late on the first day, such a good impression. I quickly get up out of bed and change into different clothes. I had fallen asleep in yesterday's clothes, not very nice. I leave the apartment and make my way to the address Alfa had sent. When I got there, I noticed that it was a tattoo parlour. Is this right? Does he have a house above the tattoo parlour or something? The door to the parlour opens and Alfa steps out.

"You're lucky that I kept my whole morning free."

"Sorry, I just woke up."

"Keep your excuses. Now come inside."

I went into the tattoo shop with Alfa, and he sat me down in the waiting room.

"It's tradition to get a tattoo if one joins our little family. Nothing extreme, just a skull with tears of blood streaming down its face."

"Lowkey, that sounds kind of epic, but uh which mafia am I exactly joining? I kind of forgot to ask yesterday."

"Alright it's clearly time for a little history lesson. The mafia which you are joining is called the Sanguine Syndicate, hench the bloody tears. It operates in a lot of different fields, all illegal of course. You're joining the drug business branch. In this branch there are a few different levels. You will start out as a falcon, next up is hitmen, then lieutenant and lastly drug lord. There is only one drug lord and once you have taken his place you will join me in the inner circle. Some warning, our main enemy is La eMe, the Mexican mafia. Be aware of them. That's all you need to know for now. Are you ready to get your tattoo?"

"Hold on, why is my goal the inner circle?"

"Because once you're there you will never have to worry about money ever again. You can quietly run your business and have all the MMA fights you want. On top of that, I don't like the current drug lord and think you are much better suited for the position"

"That does sound good. And what about my own gym, when do I get that?"

"Get your tattoo and prove yourself first."

"Fine."

Alfa ushers me over to a different chair and starts preparing all of his equipment.

"Where would you like your new tattoo?"

"My upper arm perhaps? I need it to be visible, don't I?"

"You don't want to keep it on display honestly. It is a sign you're in the mafia, but that also puts a target on you. By the police or even La eMe."

"Hm, then on my thigh?"

"That would be alright."

I take off my shorts, so Alfa has access to my leg. He preps it and then places the stencil on my thigh. Everything is ready and he starts tattooing. It took an hour and a half, but now it is finally finished. I get up from the chair and walk over to the mirror in the corner. It looks really cool. Alfa sure does have some talent.

"Remind me to come to you if I ever want more tattoos, you are truly amazing."

"Thank you, for you they will be free. You see, I have rather taken a liking to you."

"I am sure we will be great friends."

"I hope so too. Now get out of here I have an actual job to do."

It is already lunch time when I get back home. I ate lunch and went to Piére's gym afterwards. Better use the free time I have left in the gym. After a few hours I decided to go back home. On my way I received a text from an unknown number with only a live location. I figured this had to do with my new job. I turned around and walked to the given location. It took me to a deserted alleyway with nobody in sight. A sound startled me and quickly I turned around to see a man approaching me.