The Fairy Lights Under Phoenix City

Chapter 8

Aphmau sat up, throwing her arms above her head and feeling the stretch of stiff muscles in her back. Second day of work.

She started off with a shower. Not one of her usual hour long showers. Just something quick to wash away the smell of sweat. Then she brushed her hair and teeth and pulled her thick hair back into a ponytail. She put on her most professional outfit, black ballet flats a white dress shirt and black dress pants. One last quick glance in the mirror told her she was ready to go.

Vylad was waiting for her in his usual spot behind the counter. At least, Aphmau assumed it was his usual spot. Due to the way the cushioned stood had molded to his butt and the stack of magazines he kept there. He had a cup of cheap coffee in his hand and a big smile on his face.

"Hey, friend!" He greeted her. "Come on over! Let's talk."

Aphmau grinned in return and nodded, putting her jacket down and pulling up a chair to hear what he had to say.

—•♤♧♡♧♤•—

Gene glared at the guns in the shop window. He knew he couldn't buy them. He had a record and he was on parole. They would call his officer if he tried to get a gun. He had to get more.... Creative.

He was calling a favor.

He pulled out his cellphone and pulled the number of his old school friend up. His friend was a guy who... Knew how to get things. A salesman, shall we say. His name was Zenix. Zenix dealt in money, drugs, and heavy weaponry. Many other things as well. If you wanted something, he could get it for you, at a price. Gene's price was friendship.

"Hello?" He heard his friend growl.

"Hey there, bitch." Gene cooed. "Favor for an old Shadow Knight?"

"Gene?"

"Yeah. I'm outta prison right now." Gene said. "And I need a gun."

"Oh, boy." Zenix sighed. "You're going to do something stupid."

"My plans are always good." Gene insisted. "Besides, you're a criminal too."

"Yeah, and I'm also more careful than you. Hence why I deal heroin and never caught, but you beat people up and threaten your ex and go to jail."

"I didn't ask for your lip." Gene growled. "I asked for weapons. Can you supply or not?"

Zenix sighed again. "This is a bad idea."

"As I said earlier." Gene said. "My plans are always good."

—•♤♧♡♧♤•—

Aphmau was engrossed with Vylad's story, sucking on the straw of her milkshake while he talked about his family.

"You're really a Ro'Meave?"

"The youngest child." He assured her, holding up his driver's licence for her to see.

"So then what are you doing living on the streets and working here?" She asked.

"I'm living my own life." He said. "Away from my family. Away from my name. The name of business is a curse."

"I'm friends with your family's business partner." Aphmau said. "Aaron Laminca."

"The Aaron Laminca?" He asked. Aphmau nodded. Vylad sighed, looking down into his empty coffee cup. "That poor man."

"Hmm?" She hummed.

"His family is worse than mine." He said. "My mother was always kind. Always loving. But Aaron's family... They were the worst. Constantly yelling at him. Never giving him any praise for anything he did right. He had no real family. They were the monsters that he wished were under his bed. I swear, his father was a sociopath. Did you know that no one cried at his funeral? No one. I heard the priest had a hard time finding good things to say about him."