King of Creatures

Chapter 4

Amari stood outside of the apartment complex, bag in hand and bike in the other. He was nervous, and sweaty; and it wasn't just because it was hot out. He held the same bag his mother had given him on his birthday. Along with the same clothes because he hadn't really gone clothes shopping since then. He bit his bottom lip and checked the time, nine forty-five.

When he got home last night, he had told Devon his plan to go forward and abandon the apartment and possibly loose his job forever. In response, Devon decided to buy a pizza and a few drinks, and they played video games all night. It was pretty nice.

Now all Amari felt was sick. Devon had hyped him up a bit last night, but now all that hype was gone and all he felt was empty. He should've said no. Gone and did what he was already planning to do. Which was, move into his own apartment and finally stop living on a couch. Get promoted at work. Maybe find some more stability, relax, reconnect with his mom. Now, he wasn't so sure if he'd be able to do that. Even when he came back.

Whenever that would be.

"Hi." Max said as he pulled his truck up. He parked and got out, opening the passenger's side door, and taking Amari's bike from him. "You can get in." He told him as he begun putting the bike in the back of the truck. Amari nodded and blushed before climbing into the truck. It must've been really hot out because Max wasn't wearing his jacket or flannel today. He wore a t-shirt that showed off his tattooed sleeves, but Amari didn't get a chance to get a good look at them.

"It's about a three-hour drive." Max warned as he got into the driver's side. He gestured for Amari to buckle up, then they were off.

It was a long three hours. Country music played softly as Amari stared out the window, retwisting his locks out of boredom and anxiety. "So, what's this 'Big Bad' that I'm supposed to be fighting? Or guiding?" Amari asked after the hour and a half mark, tired of the silence as well as his arms becoming sore.

"Not fighting. We fight." Max said in his usual quiet voice. "You're our guide. I-I dunno what this monster is, but its supposedly ancient. Gets reborn or something. Every hundred years." He began muttering at that last part. "A-Aoshanay is better for explaining this. Or Nixus." He was barely audible this time.

Amari nodded and looked out the window. For such a big and intimidating guy, Max sure was quiet. "So, I'm supposed to see a clear path?" He asked after a few minutes. Max nodded.

"When I turn eighteen. Like, actually turn eighteen?"

Another nod.

"I still can't believe my birthday isn't my actual birthday...Hey, when I see this path, you think I could get a cake?"

Another nod. Amari nodded and slouched in his seat, taking out his phone and scrolling through Socialform. Then he snuck a peak at Max, who's eyes were focused on the road. The he looked at his arm. It was hard to make out the pictures, they looked sort of like blobs on his arm. Amari tilted his head to try and see them clearer until he noticed Max glancing over at him, shuffling uncomfortably.

"Sorry, just wanted to see your tattoos. Where'd you get them done?" Amari asked only to get a shrug in response. With a huff, Amari leaned back into his seat and stared out the window aimlessly.

"Ah, just in time for lunch!" Nixus said once the pair pulled up. Nervously, Amari hopped down from the truck, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and walking over to the old man.

"What's with the get up?" Penelope asked, walking from under a shaded area in front of a beige brick building. Amari looked down at his clothes, confused. It was so hot today that he just threw on a cropped tank top, and a pair of jeans that he had been cut into shorts that he had gotten from a thrift store.