THE FALL OF DIVINES

Chapter I: PROLOGUE

"How about you get your head out of your arse! Like your Mom!" He shouted. His breath was a putrid mixture of alcohol, garlic, and vomit. It was disgusting to be standing in front of him, a helpless old man who just clings into insurance money.

It was already Saturday midnight and I was still up because I need to pass tons of projects this Monday. I'm already facing stress and too add up with this hooligan, I wish I was dead."Will you please leave my room 'Dad'," I said with a touch of slight sarcasm. Either he leaves or I do, that was the plan of mine.

"Don't you speak to me in that manner faggot. How about you start earning some decent money so that you can give me some." He blurted out. Is he insane? The last thing I want is to give this jackass some money I worked hard for. That's it. I'm done.I took my jacket and bumped him on the way out. He was too drunk to even know I passed by him. As I walked down the stairs, I heard the television booming out gunshots and explosions. He was probably watching before he disturbed my sanctuary.

I unlocked the door and was greeted by the sheer cold of winter. The wind was harsh on my skin and I swear I wanted to die more.

I ran towards the town park which wasn't too far from my place and almost bumped with people rushing towards home as the wind starts to howl. The road was still busy with trucks and cars zooming in towards the next city. The streetlight was barely working and the pavement was slippery. This must be a fake Hamilton right? I thought it would be a place of smiles and joy but what the fuck happened?

"Hey watch it punk!" was I heard as I dodged a fat guy in uniform. It then sank into me that it was a policeman who shouted at me."Better. Just getting better."I rushed towards the other direction, avoiding the cops' line of sight. It was a quick escape but I knew it wasn't over that easily.

A siren then sounded off a few meters behind me and I knew that running faster is a better option, so I did.

I was breathing heavily once I stop at the park's benches. Christie Pits Park is relatively near but avoiding cops at the process? Not quite.

I sat down and took some heavy breath before looking at the tree leaves swaying. It was peaceful I have to admit. Much better than Manila; a place where parks like this are a refuge for the homeless.

I then closed my eyes for a brief moment to remember my best friend back there. Clark and Sofia. Weirdos and clowns but a friend indeed. We were inseparable until that "your dad is requesting us to move to Canada" topic gets in.

My phone then started ringing. It was Mom. Well, nothing beats a good old "hey, how are you doing?" greeting from your mother, right?

"Hey, Mom, what's up."

"Paxton? Are you alright? Your Dad called and he said you rushed out off home. Is everything okay dear?"

Wow; didn't know my stepdad could be an innocent maiden with lies.

"Yeah Mom, I did rush off. Dad, well, he's being a jerk."

"Oh, sweety. I'm sorry."

"That sorry would be better if you were here you know."

It's true. A sorry without any physical presence is merely a word uttered to make you imagine it's safe but not feel it. Mom has been this way. Always saying that word but still ends up working hours away from Hamilton. She could work as a nurse her but she prefers Montreal because of the demand for health-related jobs.

"Sweety. You need to understand that Mom needs to work hard for the two of you.""Yeah Mom, I been understanding since the day we got into this place. Since the day you fell into dad's sweet words."

It was a slap of truth to Mom but she knows me. I speak what's on my mind; that's how I care.It was a few seconds of silence from the other line.

"I'm sorry sweety. I'll make it up to you. I need to go now, patients are rushing in again."

"Okay Mom, I love..."

The call ended before I could finish it. What a night to live again. What a life to begin with."Fuck it. I'll just go by Kara's."

Through Kara's, it's her workplace. It was a tardy and dying café near the park. It wasn't an insult, by the way, it was a fact.

I stood outside the café and saw Kara sitting in the chairs and checking her phone. Kara was a neighbor of ours. She was the first person to greet me and guide me around town; side note, she's not my girlfriend.

Kara is three years older than me. She's more like a sister and she knows that. She has black hair with golden tips, pretty much like a goddess. She has pale skin and two tattoos on her wrist: "Beyond" and "Within". Weird tattoos to get right?

Before I could open the café door, she already saw me. She waved and invited me inside the warm and cozy atmosphere of this place.

"Haven't seen you in a while, got some problem I bet?"

"Daddy problems I guess," I replied.

She replied and offered me a seat on the cushion near the counter. She was wearing a bright red lipstick that I swear every guy would go crazy over.

"Bad day for business?" I asked.

"When was it a good day Paxton?"

I smiled and thought off the reality of this place. Bad reviews, bad service, and a bad reputation. I'm in disbelief to even see this café still standing.

"You could get some work in other stores you know," I said to her.

"Pass. This place still gives decent pay so ain't complaining." She replied.

I nodded in silence as I stare into the café's big window. It was snowing. The white drops of joy started falling again at this time.

"So, do I ask if your Dad maniacally insulted you again or do I ask if you want some pancakes?"

I didn't notice she was already standing in front of me. She's a girl I find weird sometimes.

"Is it in the house?" I asked with a gentle voice.

She rolled her eyes and smirked.

"You and your pathetic use of puppy dog eyes."

She then proceeded towards the kitchen and I sat there in the café's lobby staring into the wooden decors and peaceful snow falling outside.