Tattooed

IV

It probably would've been better to explore the city during the day. At night no one was out and only the rosy glow of the streetlight lit the neighborhood. I wonder if Creatives befriend their neighbors or just mind their own business. At Clement our neighbors were practically extended family.

I kept my eyes on the pavement watching my new shoes take me wherever. It was very quiet, there was only the slight whistling sound of the wind and the rustle of the leaves. It soothed my nerves though. I breathed in the crisp air and kept on wandering.

I fingered the locket around my neck and opened it. Then I closed it again, I was suppose to wear off my nostalgia, not make me miss my family more. I turned a corner then walked smack into something and fell.

"Ow! What-" I looked up and nearly screamed. A lanky boy was on the floor in front of me. I tried to scramble up, muttering my haste apologies.

"What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?!" He hissed. I stepped back. He didn't look scary, but what if he was a thief or a pyschopathic murderer?

"I-I could ask you the same thing." I stammered.

The boy gave me a wry smile. Getting a better look at him he seemed a little familiar. He had brown hair tied into a knot at the nape of his neck, olive skin, and green eyes. He was taller than me by about 6 inches.

"Alright, how about neither of us ask questions deal?" I nod my head repeatedly, anxious to get away. "Sorry for knocking into you I guess, but it was your fault." I open my mouth in disbelief but he puts his hand up. "Nah it's all okay. Not like you're going to get into any trouble. Name's Wes."

The Clement in me makes me introduce myself back. "I'm Cecil."

"Well Cecil you should head home, be grateful you only bumped into me and not someone with anger issues." With that he turned around and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

I stand there dumbstruck for a second until I decide I should heed his advice. I head back to where I think is my house until I feel a slight draft against my neck. I look down and realize my locket is gone! It must've fell when I bumped into Wes. Panicked I whip around to head back when I come face to face with another body and I stumble backwards. A hand shoots out to steady me.

"You really should watch where you turn Cecil." It's that boy Wes again. I sidestep around him when he grabs my arm again. "Hey wait I just wanted to give this back to you." He held out my locket.

I snatched it from his hand and fastened it around my neck again. "How'd you know it was mine?"

"You're in it."

I gaped at him, "You looked inside?!"

He shrugged, "Well if I didn't I wouldn't have known it was yours. Pretty family by the way."

I huff at him. "Thanks." I said as politely as I could. I then turn around back to my house as he calls out no problem.


When I finally arrive back at my house I'm dead tired. So tired all I do is get into bed with my jogging clothes on. I'm about to drift into sleep when I suddenly remember where I've seen Wes before. He was one of those being branded today. I try to remember if he was transferred here like me but I fall asleep before I can figure it out.