Self-Seeker

42

The bell above the door to Andy's chimed, indicating that another customer had arrived. There was a light buzz in the air as people gathered around to watch the football game. The new customer couldn't care less about games, she was sick of them. All she needed in that moment was liberation from anything and everything wrong in her life.

She felt that no matter what she did, or how hard she tried to change, she was constantly letting people down. It was an endless cycle of 'what tragedy would come her way next'.

Finding herself a seat at the bar, she surveyed the array of alcoholic beverages along the wall behind the bartender. He smiled at her and asked for her order, probably remembering her from the last time she had been there - and Emily had come to her aid. Genesis ordered a dark scotch, requesting for the strongest they had. This time, she didn't intend on being able to handle the liquor.

There were two ways Genesis knew of that enabled her to find the calm in the storm. Intoxication or pain. She figured she had caused enough of the latter in the past week. With the sole purpose of drinking until she couldn't bring herself to drink any more - she lifted the glass to her parted lips and emptied its contents into her system.

Half an hour had passed since Genesis had begun her bender. Much to her annoyance, the alcohol had yet to take any real effect on her. The screech of a bar stool moving beside her brought her out of a dazed state. Something told her that she should find out who the cause of the cringing noise was, so she tilted her head to her right.

Genesis scoffed in disbelief, downing the rest of her cocktail before standing from her stool. Next to this person was the last place she wanted to be. She wasn't sure how they had even found her. As she started to walk away, the unwanted company grabbed her forearm. Genesis stopped in her tracks, finally giving her the attention she wanted as their eyes met.

"I just want to talk." They insisted - gesturing for her to sit back down. Genesis cocked her jaw, feeling as if she would regret her next decision. She took her seat at the bar once again, turning her head to glare at the person beside her.

"I can't imagine what it is you have to say after all this time." Genesis stated, she hardly wanted to engage in conversation but there was something deep inside of her that knew she needed to hear their voice.

The person bravely rested their hand on top of where Genesis' fist was clenched on the counter. Genesis immediately snatched her hand away - not sure why they would have even thought it was okay for them to touch her.

"You look like hell." They stated the obvious. Genesis couldn't help but roll her eyes at the blunt statement. She wished they would just say what they wanted to say and get it over with.

"One would, after what I've been through. Not that my welfare was ever on the top of your priority list."

"Please hear me out, Genesis." They besought. Genesis couldn't fathom why someone who was practically a stranger to her now, felt like they deserved any kind of leniency.

Genesis huffed, cracking her neck to relieve some of the tension that had built up. "What do you want? I don't have the time or patience for games today."

"I want a chance to explain why I did what I did. You have to understand that I--"

"I don't understand. I can't comprehend how someone that claimed to love me can let me go through what I did and then come here seeking what? A pardon from what you know is coming your way? I won't allow it. You are not going to sit here and try to convince me that you were forced into this situation because I am the victim here - not you." Genesis said with a shaky voice as she rose from her seat.

"I risked a lot to come here and see you today. If the others find out I contacted you who knows what they'll do to me." They replied.

"That sounds a lot like your problem. I am done with this conversation." Genesis said, about to walk away. She paused, turning back to face the woman who was the main character in many of her nightmares. "And Mum?"

"Yes, Genesis?" She answered, a hopeful glint in her eye.

"I hope that if they do find out you tried to reason with me, it's a violation worth killing you for. Because just know that if they don't - I sure as hell will." Genesis finished, walking away from her adoptive mother feeling worse then she had when she arrived.

The brisk wind hit her face as she stepped outside into the autumn air. Genesis let out a heavy breath, the unexpected meeting had done well to unnerve her. She leaned the back of her head against the wall of the bar, closing her eyes to try and collect her thoughts when the sound of people shouting caught her attention.

Her eyes snapped open just as someone whizzed past her, running in the direction of the ruckus. Curiosity led Genesis to follow behind, her pace increasing when the noise grew nearer as she approached the driveway beside the bar. When she turned the corner, she saw the noise was coming from a crowd. There were people cheering and some cursing, however the majority were shouting 'Fight!'.

Genesis pushed her way to the front of the circle, her petite frame made it easier to squeeze between bodies. When she could finally see what was going on, she witnessed two men on the floor brawling with each other. Their clothes were ripped, and a small amount of blood had dripped onto the ground. Taking a step further towards them, Genesis realised that she recognised the men, and instantly grabbed the back of Tyler's collar to hoist him off his best friend.

"I dare you to try that shit again." Genesis threatened as Tyler lunged for Damon again. She pushed him backwards and he stumbled into the crowd, blood dripping from his mouth. They managed to catch him before his large frame could crush them.

Genesis turned to where Damon sat wiping blood from his face. She offered him her hand, to which she he swatted away in rejection.

"I don't need your help." He spat, standing up to face Tyler once more.

Tyler scoffed, shaking his head. "Speak of the devil. Trust your little bitch to come and save the day."

Genesis' head snapped towards him. The terminology he had used to describe her always caused something to stir inside of her.

"If I were you, Morris, I would be extremely careful with the next words that come out of your mouth. With the day I've had, they may very well be your last." Genesis threatened. The crowd cheered in response and she realised that some had been recording. It would do none of them any favours if this little scene got out to the press.

While she had been observing their audience, the two men had started to inch towards each other for another round. Genesis quickly stepped between them with her hands pushing back on their chests. Why were men so egotistical, she thought?

"You two will stop trying to kill each other or so help me God I will end you both myself." Genesis commanded.

Damon's eyes momentarily flickered down to her, he could tell from her stare that she was serious. His tongue slid along his bottom lip as his nostrils flared in anger. Knowing that she wasn't going to give up, Damon decided to be the bigger man and walked away. He bumped Tyler's shoulder as he marched past, shoving the crowd out of his way during his exit.

Genesis glared up at a seething Tyler. "I've been running into you more than I'd care to lately. Have you seen the state of your teeth? You look repulsive."

Tyler didn't respond, simply rolling his eyes and wiping the blood from his lips with the sleeve of his jumper. Genesis grimaced at the sight. She placed her palm out in front of him.

"Hand them over." She instructed. Tyler looked down at her hand in question, obviously failing to get the memo.

"Car keys." She enunciated. He opened his mouth to retort when she held up her forefinger, actively stopping him from disputing with her on the topic. Tyler huffed, reaching into his pocket then dropping the keys into her hand. Genesis walked back past him, swinging them on her forefinger.

"Let us go for a drive, brother."