Déjà vu sonder

Chapter 5 Running from Shadows, Chasing Thrills

By the age of 12, Alex's life took a darker turn, marked by experimentation with substances and risky behavior. "12 years old, vaping, partying, girls, beef with elders, and weed," they listed matter-of-factly. "I was fucked up. I was a local weed/vape scammer. I would trade weed for vapes = money. I would always be the one to be like, 'Let's have a party on some roof or some crazy shit like that.'"

Their teenage years were characterized by a relentless search for thrills and escape. "My life also took a change," Alex reflected, their voice carrying a weight of resignation. "Running away all the time. I think I've run away over 100 times in the time period from 10 to 12."

Their bond with a friend at the foster home provided a temporary refuge amidst the chaos. "Me and a friend at my foster home smoked weed together, drank, and so on," they recounted, a hint of camaraderie in their voice. "When the workers found out, we always ran away. They wouldn't let us be together for a long time until we started playing Minecraft factions. Bro, shit was the best thing ever."
Their escapades often crossed legal boundaries, reflecting a deep-seated defiance towards authority. "One day, we got sick of it and started assaulting the workers and ran away in the middle of the night," Alex admitted, their tone serious. "We were gone for almost 2 days. We had to walk, steal bikes, and sleep in parks, train stations. We basically walked all around CPH."

Their adolescence was a whirlwind of rebellion and survival, marked by moments of defiance and fleeting camaraderie. "Fast forward to my last year in CPH," Alex continued, their voice steeped in the memories of a tumultuous past. "So me and another friend started breaking into big constructions and stealing a bunch of shit there and selling it. If we found expensive machinery, a member of Satudarah would be interested, so we did it more until it got boring and spent cash quicker than Hitler could invade France."
Amidst the chaos, Alex found moments of introspection and inspiration in unexpected places. "I remember playing a game called Life is Strange," they recounted, their voice softening with reflection. "You play as this girl named Chloe, and I could relate to all of her problems. It inspired me a lot to style differently and not care what others would think."

Their departure from Copenhagen marked a tumultuous end to a chapter filled with defiance and recklessness. "My last day in CPH,"

Alex recalled, their voice tinged with the echoes of a violent altercation. "I had beef with some other dude from another part of Hvidovre. He was in a wheelchair, so it didn't bother me that much until he texted me in the evening, 'Come outside, let's fight. Meet me at this school.'"

The altercation escalated quickly, reflecting the volatility of their environment. "I took a plate carrier vest under my jacket, so I stood in front of him, punched him in the head," Alex recounted, their voice matter-of-fact. "Then I heard at least 20 people running at me. One hit me with a taser, and I got hit with bats. Someone tried to stab me, but I think the vest saved me there."

Their escape from the violent confrontation showcased their resilience amidst chaos. "So I got up like 10 seconds after, running around the building, which is like 60 meters, while my life is on play," Alex described, their voice tinged with adrenaline. "So I got inside, but then they ran in, tased a worker, as i ran upstairs and locked the fire doors and called the police. The next day, they saw the camera and counted 30 people."

The aftermath of the altercation left a lasting impact on Alex's life in Copenhagen. "So I got sent home and never came back," they concluded, their voice carrying the weight of unfinished business. "I'm still being hunted all over, so I took a gun with me until the next time I was going to go there. And yeah, that's a story for another time."