Heart of Stone

💣Chapter 1💣

Going through major changes
Rox POV

The sky was streaked with smoke and ash as bombs, jets, and missiles flew towards their intended targets. Sidewalks with jagged edges and poles jutting out lined the streets of the town. Rain pattered on top of the rooftops of the apartment buildings the survivors frequented.

I stared out the window, my cigarette barely lit anymore. Parker looked over at me as a loud explosion was heard in the distance. I took another drag from my cigarette before snuffing the bud with my fingers. I closed the blinds, the only light now coming from the TV.

I sat down on the worn leather couch. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I stared at the television. My eyes narrowed. "Why the fuck are you watching Tara Lavea?" I looked over at the 17 year old next to me.

"Just because she's your ex doesn't mean I can't enjoy her performances." I shut the TV off. She glared before grabbing her phone to play on. I rolled my eyes and walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, Parker? Whatcha want for dinner?" I asked as I opened the pantry. I raided a store for food with my buddies and employees, River, Brick, and Julian three weeks ago. Surprising no one, we were only able to find scraps left behind by other gangs. "I don't care, old man." "Ham and cheddar it is." I muttered to myself.

I hummed to myself as I made dinner. 'I need to get more food soon.' I looked over to where Parker was sitting. 'She deserves better.'

I walked out of the kitchen with two paper plates and a slapped-together sandwich on each. Her face lit up whenever she saw the sandwich but it was immediately replaced with a scowl when she noticed me smirking.

The couch dipped under my weight after I sat down. "So what are you playing? Or watching?" I asked. Parker looked at me before rolling her eyes. I raised an eyebrow. She glanced at me one more time before replying with, "I'm playing a shooting game. I smirked. "Can I see?" She stared for a second before nodding. I took the phone and looked at in for a second before handing it back. "Blood Wars?" I asked, amused that she was playing a game I played when I was a little over her age.

She nodded. "You really are old aren't you?" She asked in her usual deadpan tone. I laughed. She looked shocked to see that.

"I guess I am." I laughed a little bit more, before turning the TV back on. 'The news lady was spouting her bullshit again.' Then I realized what she was talking about.

"...In accordance to the going turf war between the northerners and the pole dwellers, assassination group L.A.O. led by Rox last name unknown has been making quite a ruckus to gang leaders and their competition. He has had a very colorful career. Ranging from  being an acrobat performer in a circus when he was 8, to an army sergeant at only 21. Now working as a hired hit man, witnesses have reported that this man was also involved in the Grenfield massa-" I took my gun out and shot the TV. I had already thought that River Ingram was annoying, but if I ever saw her again I'm shooting that bitch in her fucking head. Parker looked at me like I was crazy. 'The usual.'

"You look mad." She said. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. 'No shit Sherlock.' Instead of saying that I said, "By being on TV, I get a target put on my back. Not like I didn't already have one, but now it's bigger. People want me dead, Parker. They might use you to get to me." She stayed silent. I glanced at her. Her teeth were digging into her bottom lip. A telling sign that she was nervous. I sighed and in an attempt to cheer her up I said, "Or, everyone just ignores this because most of what that lady says is bullshit anyways." She smiled at me. 'Well that worked.' I looked at the clock. It read 9:45.

"It's time for bed Parker." I held my hand out and she reluctantly gave me her phone. I checked the server, then gave her her phone back. I looked at the plates and decided to throw them away in the morning.

I waved to her from across the hall before heading to my bed. The bed dipped under my weight. I took my phone out and scrolled through different videos for a bit. My eyelids grew heavy and it didn't take long for me to fall into the dark abyss we as humans call sleep.