How Things Are

forty nine

That fraise a person uses 'it's so quiet you could hear a pen drop' would be accurate for the drive to the next city. The desperate looks on these three faces. I couldn't tell if it was sympathy or curiosity. Either way, sying loudly seemed to make them stop staring.

Well, except for Teedo. He looked like he wanted to say something. I wasn't up for a big brother trying to comfort me right now. He never necessarily 'comforted' me in the past. However, he never turned away from me like everyone else did. I'd never expect a hug from him, but wise words to throw in my face when I didn't want to hear them.

That's who Teedo was becoming. If he was disappointed in me it hurt a bit. He made me stronger. Disappointing him just sounds like a betrayal.

I could see he was about to speak so I cut him off "Where are we going next?"

He glares at me. Not buying my curiosity.

"New Vegas!" The driver smiles

"Wait. Seriously?" The guy next to me sits up in his seat.

"Yup. Lucas has business there before we head to Derek's territory." The driver is still smiling

"We're going for business, not pleasure." Teedo interrupts

"I only heard stories of New Vegas. I didn't think they were real." I said more to myself than to them

The driver looks at me in the mirror "Of course you would." He snorts "Only the top favored gangs of the Mafia are allowed in." He looks back at the road

"And that's not many," Teedo adds

"Along with the Yakuza and Bradva. We share it." The guy I'm next to says.

"What business does Lucas have there?" I look at Teedo who relaxes in his seat.

"He didn't say. And if he did, it's not for you to know unless he tells you himself." I lean back too. I suppose he's right.

"So. What should I watch out for?"

Teedo turned to look at me, then leaned back in his seat again. "Well, look who's asking the right questions."

I can see a hint of a smirk on his cheek.

"New Vegas is full of businessmen who can get away with anything. With the amount of money they make and smooth words, they'll purchase,  blackmail, bribe, con, scam, hack or kill their way up to the top." Teedo replies

"They already have hundreds of times just to earn their way into New Vegas." The driver says

"These types of gangs are closer to the Mafia. New Vegas is a place made to keep them in line and not go above Lucas's head." Teedo continues

"And they buy that?" I say without thinking.

Teedo chuckles "I'm sure they're very well aware New Vegas is their daycare. It's just too sweet to give up." He looks at me. "He told you we split it with Bradva and Yakuza yes?"

Teedo points to the guy I'm sitting next to. I nod my head

"Well, the entire place is a big boys' playground. All three of us provide what they cannot and will never get their hands on."

"It's also how the power is distributed evenly." The driver explains "Family are even raised to keep the balance so no one can gain power or lose their thrown."

"Wait. What are you saying?"

The driver shakes his head.

"There are several houses just for bedwarmers to raise the next heir to a main family." The guy next to me says. I look up to see Teedo glaring at the guy but he doesn't see him. "We even keep them separated to make sure they don't mother a child from a different family."

It's still a slave world. I shouldn't be surprised. I just not. "What did you mean buy 'big boys playground' Teedo?" I ask trying to change the conversation.

They all laugh. After it settles Teedo wipes his eyes "There are some rooms you will never be allowed to go in." They all not "no matter how far up the ladder you climb."

"What's a ladder?"  There was a brief moment of shock then Teedo clears his throat.

"We should focus on the road. Something tells me we're not going to have it easy in New Vegas."

They all nod and remain silent. I have so many more questions but Teedo has spoken.

Looking out the window, I realize it started to rain. It reminds me of the first time I met Winwrey. Running past me, splashing mud on my men's pants. She snatched the taco out of my hand.

When I realized she was being chased I tripped the guy so I could get payback myself.
She stopped running after she got to the next block to eat my taco but I popped out of the bushes and took it back. Win fell flat on her butt and was rubbing it. I wanted to laugh but I heald back my smile, shoved my taco in my mouth and walked away.
Now she was muddy and I got my taco so payback didn't matter.

The next day she tried to do it again. Steal some food of mine. Or whatever I had on hand. I'd trip her then leave.

It wasn't until later I realized she thought I was a kind man. Her master was testing me by telling her to do it. He was suspicious about my gender but I did a few notable shady things in front of him that didn't want to make people approach me.

Every time Win did it I could see the guilt on her face grow. The last thing she stole was a butterfly knife. I poisoned the tip. When I ran after her all I did was trip her and leave her with my knife.

The next day her master was dead. Poisoned ironically. Nobody checked the slave womans things because a slave would never kill their master. They wouldn't even think of doing such a thing.

After the commotion died down I found her sitting in the last place I tripped her. She was lost in her own head. I left that city with her and we made camp in the forest. It was her idea to rescue everyone and live together. I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it a hundred more. I'm no hero.

It turned out I was lost in my head. I didn't realize Teedo was calling my name for who knows how long.

Looking away from the window, "sorry what was that?"

He sighs "We're almost there." He looks deep into my eyes "Lucas told me to warn to. Behave. This time, it won't just be a slap on the cheek if you mess up."

I nod