Split Love

CHAPTER 47

15 MONTHS BEFORE

The ringing of his cellphone only made him anticipate the inevitable. He didn't even open his eyes when he picked it up and answered the call. It could just be another problem arising, he was getting used to it recently. No time to breathe, just misfortune followed by tragedy that premeditated some death.

- What? - He grunted.

- Good morning big brother! - His sister's excited voice first thing in the morning made him growl. She would do very well living in that hellish city, he thought. - I didn't know you had decided to move and didn't even tell me anything. When can I visit you?

- The day I die. Why are you so excited?

Micah got up from the uncomfortable bed and walked to the window. His bare feet brushed the carpet. He pulled back the thick curtain and his eyes squinted at the brightness of the sun that invaded the room. The sky was blue. Pure blue as a background. What the hell?

- Damien told me that you are stuck in a small town with no auto repair. I want to know everything.

- About me almost getting shot yesterday and dying alone in Albany or about this place where people think they live in a damn Broadway show.

- Oh, I love Broadway.

- Mhfm, don't tell me. Come visit me and get me out of this hell. - His frown announced his lack of affection for the place.

Irina laughed. - Please, please tell me your adventures Mr. Rabbit!

Micah closed his eyes and pressed his temples together, a habit he had when he was stressed. From the window of the hotel room, it was possible to see only 2 more streets of the city, and then a large forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. In the end, that little town that he had chosen to look for a garage was the perfect hiding place. The likelihood of them looking for him there was almost zero. Willow Creek. No one even knew that that place existed in the middle of the map. The downside, he was an intruder in the nest, anyone would spill the beans at the first opportunity. Those people saw too much and talked even more.

- I have nothing to say, Irina. - Micah picked up his clothes on the armchair in the corner of the room and began to put them on. - It's a tiny city, with a lot of curious people.

- Who is curious?

- Everyone. - He snorted. - I gotta go.

- Hang on! Be careful, okay?

- You know me, I'm always careful.

- I know.

His phone beeped and he took it away from his ear to take a look. It was an important text message from one of the guys.

- I need to go, bye Irina.

- Good luck with the car! - He heard her scream before hanging up.

7:23am - Rocco: Some of Moretti's guys were seen near your house.

7:23am - Micah: And have you already fixed it?

Micah looked at himself in the mirror. He wore nothing but black jeans and boots. Every cut, burn, and blister was seen in the bright bathroom light. The new scars mixed with the old ones, hidden by the tattoos that covered his body. They fulfilled their purpose, hiding the marks that his life left on his body. He leaned forward and examined his injured shoulder. A large bruise had formed and the purple stain was almost black. He held his shoulder with one hand and tried to move it but something seemed out of place.