Beyond The Smoke

Chpt.2 Concussion

Finally returning from a late nights trip, I remove my flannel shirt and fall back onto the mat I use as a bed. Laying my head into the softness of the pillow, I attempt to relax my muscles and shut my eyes from a hard days work. I hadn't had to cook dinner due to Mike being over at Ally's, thank god. With everything out of the way, I shut my eyes tight and calm in the darkness.

Just as I was finally drifting to sleep, the door to my junky apartment opened. I sat up quickly, groaning at the headache disturbing my near peaceful state caused. Turning to face the door, I fall back once more noticing it was

only Ally and Mike.

"Luke!" Mike exclaimed excitedly, then wincing, regretting his high pitched tone. He quickly gripped the bridge of his nose as if he had a headache. When he ran over to me, I smiled, happy to reunite with him. I had been gone for about three days now and we both have a distaste for separation.

"Sorry, kid. He saw you walk by and he flipped. Wouldn't settle till I brought him over." Ally chuckled. Normally she'd tease me of my state, but I guess I look really bad this time.

"It's fine, I couldn't sleep anyway," I lied, hoping Mike wouldn't feel of a burden. "How's it going Mikey? I haven't seen ya in a while. You ok?" I lifted my self up to sit, ruffling his hair.

"Hey! Don't mess with my beauty!" He squealed. Damn, he's girly.

"Can you get more gay?" I laughed.

"Shut up," he pouted, playfully hitting me in return. "I've been fine, same old thing. I missed your stupid face though. Anyway, how about you? Did the meeting go well?" He questioned. If only he knew it wasn't a meeting. More so transporting illegal drugs across the boarders.

"Well," I replied simply, "Speaking of, Ally, can you help me out? I need something patched up."

"Sure, what is it?" She said seriously, standing straight to attention. She knew it wasn't a normal gig I'm guessing.

"Well,-" I stopped, turning to reveal the large gash through my upper back. I had gotten shot and, whoever attempted to treat it, was at most pathetic. In the process of extracting the bullet, they just expanded the wound immensely. More so than necessary. The stitches pained with the slightest of movement, but I wasn't weak. I could handle it.

"Oh god... Are you ok- wait...How'd you get that at a meeting?" Mike said slowly, squinting his eyes in suspicion. I near forgot he was here.

"O-oh... A robbery... at the hotel I was at..." It was a pathetic lie, but the best I could compose on such circumstances.

"Whatever. We going to aunties?" Mike asked, looking as if momentarily dropping the subject. He knew something was up, yet I doubt he'll mention the situation any time soon.

Standing had me bleeding once more, wound reopening. I could feel the tearing and, damn, did it hurt. I grimaced in pain, biting my lip to divert the pain; a bad habit of mine. "Crap...Y-yeah, let's go."

Aliyah led us through the maze of apartment complexes and over to hers. Climbing up the stairs was excruciatingly painful saying the wound was now freshly open, but the elevator was under maintenance, so that wasn't an option.

"Luke, you ok?" Mike questioned worriedly for the thousandth time this night.

"Oh man up, kid. It's only a few pulled stitches." Ally commented as if it was nothing. 'Pffft, kid. I'm not that small. I can handle myself.' I thought.

"Yup, kid. That's exactly why I'm having to stitch your back together and watch your brother for you and cook diner every other night." She laughed.