Flip Me Around (bxb)

Truly a Mess [7]

"Sometimes its not the strength but gentleness that cracks the hardest shells." - Richard Paul Evans
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Fletcher is shoved against the wall. He lets out a yelp, feeling the hard violin case press against his bruised back. At this moment, he's not afraid of getting another beating, he's afraid they'll break his only instrument.

Yes, he can play other instruments other than the violin- but this violin is a memento! How can he replace what he deems as his soul? It's so valuable to him that he'd risk broken bones instead of having the old instrument lying in pieces.

Fletcher falls to his knees, not wanting to be pushed around. The single lackey, the Street Dealer has with him today, squats down. His hand is outreached, gesturing to fork over what money the musician has.

With shaky hands, Fletcher fishes out the money he got from today's performance. The lackey counts the stack of one dollar bills and nods to the Street Dealer. Fletcher watches the exchange anxiously; is it enough?

He obnoxiously laughs, "Its great that you understand the system! Makes it less work for me!- You can runaway now."

Fletcher scrambles onto his feet, making sure he doesn't look away from the Street Dealer. The large man laughs with his lackey while they witness the musician stumble out of the alleyway. When they are out of sight, Fletcher hurries away, not wanting them to have a last minute decision of beating him up.

After putting more distance away from the thugs, Fletcher finds himself home. A sigh of relief escapes him.

"Fletch!" calls Zizi. "Are you satisfied now? Please rest, boy. You look even more tired. The faster you heal, the less I worry... - huh, your friend's not with you? Didn't I tell him to watch over you!"

"Jayden- he... he wants some time to himself to digest all of this. He's still going through that realization period," the musician sighs, walking with Zizi to the his tent.

She shakes her head, "He better wake up to reality cause his moody ass won't win him any aid."

Fletcher is lost in thought while he stores his violin in the tent for its safety. He wonders if Jayden is having somewhat of an easier time than him? But just to be sure... maybe he should check in with a few people before collapsing tiredly in his tent.

And those loan sharks- Fletcher rubs his head in frustration. He'll solve this. Somehow.

He glance back at Zizi who's watching him with concern. Fletcher asks, "Is Old Joe still wandering around the usual street corner?"

"Yes, why?"

"I'll be back soon," says Fletcher as he begins to head out once more.

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"Watch where yah going, bum!" yells a middle aged man.

Jayden shakes his head, muttering, "Don't want to deal with this."

He continues down the street that's bustling with full restaurants, cafes, and small stores. Mouth-watering aroma flows out whenever doors are opened. Cars and taxis whizz by slowly because of how tight the street is.