Beware The Water

It's Not Fair

Lux rummaged through half empty drawers in her now vacant room. She packed the last of her things in two duffle bags and threw them in the backseat of her new car. She stared back up at her house knowing that this was a chapter in her life that was ending for good. There wasn't much else to say other than goodbye.

"I was wondering when I'd see you again." Lux turned around to see her old class mate, Xia Sheng exiting her car. "Your parents said you weren't living here anymore. And that you'd be here today to pick up your graduation gift." She peaked through the window of the car and saw the duffles. "Gotta say, never foresaw you winding up with a gangster."

Lux's heart started to beat against her chest. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Seriously? Did your accident knock some screws loose?" The news about Lux being in the hospital spread across the school and nobody knew much. The students that Lux used to tutor all signed a card showing their thanks and wishing for a speedy recovery, but the card never made it to her. It was ripped up and thrown away after Xia had taken it and said she'd hand deliver the card herself.

"What I do and who I'm with is nobodies business."

"I'd agree if it didn't have anything to do with Shorter Wong of all people." Xia's eyes darkened, "You do remember right? About what happened to my dad junior year?" Lux stayed silent. "Of course you don't. You were too busy winning first place in everything while I had to take a backseat and help my dad after Shorter and his gang nearly killed him."

Lux vaguely remembered the incident by over hearing whispering students in the halls. Something about Xia's father, Sheriff Sheng taking a leave. She didn't know why, and at the time she didn't concern herself with asking any questions. "Shorter isn't in jail for hurting your dad. So that leads me to believe that he didn't do anything."

"Well then that makes you stupid."

"Why are you even here?"

"To let you know that Shorter and his gang are going to pay for what they did to him and there's nothing you can do about it." Xia backed away to her car, "There's eyes everywhere Lux. And people talk. But I'm sure you already knew that." She gave one last glare before driving off, leaving Lux with more anxieties than she already had.

People talk, Lux repeated to herself. Too many words being spilt from flooding mouths, yet it's hard to tell where the leak is coming from.
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"How much longer?" Lao grumbled from the passenger seat. He hadn't been able to keep his promise to Shorter about staying sober, so the gang thought it was best for him to go to one of the safe houses with Sing to detox.

"Just a few more minutes." Sing glanced over at his tired brother and sighed. It was tough to watch someone you loved fall deeper into a void with almost no intention of wanting to get out. No matter what Sing tried, whether it be nursing Lao back to health or being by his side during his withdrawals, he always found a way to relapse and score some more product. On enemy territory no less.  "How you feeling?"

"Cold." Lao shivered. He had his arms crossed tightly over his stomach to try and subdue the cramps in his gut, but it didn't help much. The swerving from Sing's bad driving didn't make Lao's nausea any better either. "Are you tryna kill us before we even get there?"

Sing concentrated on the road ahead, ignoring his brother completely.  He felt let down and disappointed. The anger was bubbling inside his chest and he was ready to erupt in a screaming fit but he knew it was too late for that . Sing didn't want to do this. After all this time he tried helping his brother, it just wasn't fair that Shorter had tasked him to do this of all things. Even though Lao brought it all upon himself, it was up to little brother to clean up the mess much like he did after Lao's vomiting episodes during withdrawal. It was now time to put an end to that once and for all.
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Lux had got back home to find another note on the counter. That's how Shorter tended to communicate when he'd leave suddenly. The piece of scrap paper read, "Won't be back until late tonight or tomorrow morning. Sunshine should be there already to keep you company. Love you." He ended the note with a sketch of a sloppy heart.