4th Strike: Moving On

Bring Da Ruckus

"Yo, I'm more rugged than slave man boots,
New recruits, I'm fuckin' up MC troops
I break loose, and trample shit, while I stomp
A mudhole in that ass, 'cause I'm straight out the swamp."

- Wu-Tang Clan, "Bring Da Ruckus"

Sean jogged through the streets of São Paulo, taking care to not bump into the various party goers that littered the streets. Even for a Friday night, the streets were surprisingly crowded. Sean noticed that many people were wearing Brazil's national football jersey. He remembered that the FIFA World Cup had just officially started a day or two ago, so he assumed most were going to bars to watch the games. He wasn't a big fan of football, but he liked to support the national team nonetheless. If he wasn't trying to be incognito, he would've even considered watching the games at one of the bars.

Sean continued to weave around the crowded streets, trying to clear out the negative thoughts plaguing his mind. He wasn't afraid to admit he was more than jaded about his relationship with Ken, but he would've preferred being straight up denied, instead of getting tricked into a beatdown just for Ken to get him off his back. Then there was the fact that on the rare occasion Ken did visit Sean, he spent most of his time sparring or hanging out with Laura, instead of teaching his "pupil". Sean honestly thought if Ken wasn't so devoted to his family, he'd have tried to make a pass at his sister.

Sean couldn't help but laugh at that particular thought. Laura may have been seen as "loose" by the men of São Paulo, because of her free-wheeling nature, but she had pretty high standards for a boyfriend, and no time for cheaters. Sean remembered the one and only time a married man once tried to get with her, she ended up giving him such a beating, he ran all the way over to São Bernardo do Campo just to get away from her.

Rounding a corner, Sean found himself in the city square. The game was on every big screen in the area, and a large crowd was standing around, watching the game. Sean ducked into a corner store, silently praying a riot wouldn't break out if Brazil lost. Inside, Sean spotted his cousin, Enzo Da Silva, working the cash. He looked a bit grumpy, as to be expected when you're working backshift, but perked up when he saw Sean walking towards him. Enzo leaped over the counter, and ran up to hug his cousin.

"Yo, Sean! Thank God you came through just now," Enzo said as he embraced Sean, nearly crushing him. "I thought I was gonna go stir crazy up in here!"

Sean laughed, and returned the bone-crushing hug with one of his own. Although they were cousins, Sean grew up with Enzo and his family, and treated him like he was a brother. Although he often got himself into trouble with his pranks, Enzo was someone Sean knew he could count on when the going got tough, even moreso than his own sister.

After a few moments, they both let go, and stretched their muscles. "Stuck working backshift again?" Sean asked as he stretched his arms.

"Beyond backshift," Enzo said with a grunt. "I've been working since early this morning by myself with almost no downtime. And that's mostly thanks to Mom and Dad givng Manuela the day off to spend with her boyfriend, cause they were planning a World Cup party or something. Top that off with me barely having any customers tonight, I've been slowly going insane." He ran his hands through his loc-hawk, eyeing Sean curiously. "Though if I'm being honest, you're the last family member I'd have expected to come through. I rarely see you anymore these days."

Sean sighed. He should've seen this coming. "I know, man. I'm sorry."

It wasn't like Sean had intentionally cut himself off from his extended family, but the loss in America, and the constant jeering from townsfolk took a toll on his confidence and mental health, and he slowly began shutting himself off from everyone to the point where he only showed up at family gatherings because it was expected of him; and even then, it took a lot of literal arm twisting from Laura.