Distance of Truth

- Chapter 1: Where Things Started -

2 weeks ago. That's when things really started going my way. Funny thing is, it started with being shanked. Since then, things have simply gotten... easier. I'm winning fights. People don't notice when I steal things. Being homeless isn't so bad now.

Oh, how could I forget introductions! My name is Jovan. I'm homeless, living in the streets of Los Angeles. Normally, I'd probably be considered attractive, being 6 foot with nice hair, but unfortunately I'm wearing rags for clothes and covered in grime. I see countless wealthy folks go about their day, not a care in the world for those in the alley. Except for one. One boy, around my age of 17.

He just stared at me. Stared at me one day as if we were brothers, or as if we were friends for many years. I thought maybe he'd say something. As he remained quiet, I almost wanted him to break the silence. But he didn't. He just stood there silently until he walked away. Never to be seen again. Except I did see him again. Several times. Like a magnet, either he would pass me constantly, or I would stumble upon him. We never said anything, just stared, trying to understand our connection. Then, we walked away from each other. We never spoke... until one fateful day at a small convenience store on the outskirts of the city.

It was a blistering day, and I was seeking shelter in an older convenience store. The hum of the barely operational air conditioning followed me as I wondered the short aisles. A small spider skitters by. Probably some sort of violation, but that's not my job, best not to stick my nose into places it doesn't belong. As more spiders travel between my feet, I reach the end of the aisle. In front of me stands the managers office. I simply stood there, not entirely sure why. The lights on, visible in comparison to the dark corner of the already poorly lit store. Several spiders slip from under the door, and head off in various directions throughout the store. Now that I'm looking... there's a lot of spiders crawling around this door. Turning around, I even see some on the shelves. There's a lot more than I initially thought. And I swear on this... some of them are carrying things. And not little things, mind you. These are whole boxes of food, being put on the shelves. These spiders almost seem like little eight legged employees.

I hear the jangle of the bells hung on the door, must be another person taking shelter from the heat. Turning around, I see them at the end of the aisle. I can't see who they are, as the bright light of the sun outside reduces them to a dark smudge, but I know exactly who I'm looking at.
"...You"
"You"
It's the wealthy boy, whom I kept passing on the street. He looks down at all the spiders.
"Tell me, can you see them?" He asks.
This is the first time we've spoken. His voice is deep, calm, yet feels as if it's a facade for a softer inside.
"See what?" I respond to his vague question.
"The spiders"
I watch a spider drag a bottle of sunscreen towards the front of the store. The boy begins to walk towards me.
"Yes, why wouldn't I?"
The corners of his quiet mouth twinge up slightly.
"This is gonna sound crazy, but those aren't real spiders, go ahead and touch one"
I crouch down, and hesitantly reach for a spider. My hand passes right through it.
"W-what the hell?" I exclaim, pulling my hand back in shock.
"Amazing, right? Ordinary people only see boxes moving on their own!" The boy said, looking as if he had never been able to share this with anyone else.
"My name is Quincy Brantley, I live down in Brentwood."
"I'm Jovan, I live wherever I can get comfortable."
Before we can get any more words out to each other, the door behind us makes a slight noise as the latch comes undone. It creaks open, revealing the figure of an old, decrepit man. The manager.