e-Bae

7.5

(A/N This amazing song above is Carmen by Lana del Rey, and it basically describes how people are not always as they seem.)

Sinful Secrets by Rye_Bread

"Mom, take it easy," Thomas warned, watching his mother in concern. She was attempting to move a box, frail arms shaking at the exertion. Setting down the math work he didn't understand, he gently pried the box from her hands and lead her to a seat.

Her brown eyes were tired, dark bags bruising the thin skin beneath them. Working as a maid, she had to leave early and work late, skipping meals and her medications. Setting the box of various trinkets on their small dining room table, Thomas walked to the side table where all her medication sat. Lifting an orange bottle up, he shook it, not hearing the welcoming clink of pills against the plastic. He craned his neck to check on his mother, whose eyes were closed. He didn't want to have to ask her for money to refill her prescription, and knew that after only affording to get milk, cereal, and protein bars they didn't have it in the budget.

Sighing, he sat the bottle down, checking the others on the table. His discouragement grew larger when he realized all of the bottles were empty. Even with his mother skipping days of taking her medication, facing Thomas's wrath when he realized it, they had run out. He rushed to his jacket, pulling out his wallet to check for any money he could put toward the expensive pills.

Two dollars and seventy-three cents.

That couldn't even pay for the canister.

He sighed, grabbing his jacket and keys before heading to their cramped living room. His mother was sleeping, a peaceful look finally on her face. Slipping the keys in his pocket, he carefully lifted her up, making sure not to jostle her. Moving quietly to the only room in the small house they lived in, he sat her on the bed, throwing a blanket on top of her. Lately, it seemed as if their roles had flipped--child taking care of mother and not the other way around.

The lights were off, and Thomas sighed at the thought of having to scrape up money for the bill. With their combined meager salaries, him and his mother barely survived. Leaving the room, he pulled out his phone, dialing a number he never expected to need.

* * *

"Murphy, c'mon," Raul called, leading the way into the abandoned warehouse. It was dark, and Thomas stumbled over a pipe. A resounding chime echoed the open space.

Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he rushed after the Cuban, trying to ignore the feeling of impending doom.

"You're going to handle molly sales, understood?" the man said, popping the gum in his mouth with each word. 

Thomas paused for a second, confused, and saw the man roll his eyes.

"Ecstasy, kid. Ecstasy."

He nodded, pretending what he was doing was right when really he wanted to run away. But, he needed the money.

"I'm glad to see that another Murphy boy is in on the business. Hopefully you last longer than your brother," he said, shooting Thomas a friendly smile as he searched for baggies. Thomas stiffened at the mention of the person that got them into this mess.

"Don't steal from us, kid," Raul began, his smile hardening into a malicious smirk as he handed Thomas the tiny bags of pills.

"Because you might not want to know the consequences."

Published 8/11/14