Thornless Roses

chapter five - cherry blossoms

             The bank was bustling with rich old men, scrambling to get loans for the upcoming winter snow. The howl of arguments echoed throughout the thin walls, to the point Marcus could hear the uproar from outside. He occupied the steps leading up to the grand oak doors, tempted to turn the other way and later tell Blake he couldn't make it.

"Excuse me, young man?" Marcus jumped at the dull voice from behind him. He turned around to see an older gentleman, swinging around his pipe like it was some sort of gem he carried around for show. He adjusted the top hat on his head and signaled to the door.

"I'm sure you wouldn't mind moving, as I bet a young boy like yourself has no business showing up outside such an acknowledged bank." Marcus watched in amusement at the man's patently false mustache moved with every word he said. Nonetheless, Marcus held the large door open for the man, who in return blew smoke in Marcus's face with a glare. Marcus followed the man into the bank.

"I'm sorry ma'am, we can't allow you to take out another loan. You have already taken out four other loans and have yet to even start to pay us back." Black sighed, resting his head against his palm. The lady rolled her eyes, reapplying her lip gloss. She is clearly way ignorant to the long line of bitter folk, itching to get to the front of the line.

"Clearly, I need to speak to someone who knows what they're talking about." The lady huffed, shoving her papers into her bag before marching out of the bank like the high-mighty woman she thinks she is.

"People are delusional," Blake muttered, tapping his pen harshly against the countertop. This caused Marcus to smile, he began to chuckle. Blake stopped like a deer in the headlights, laughing when he saw his friend.

"Thanks for comin' Marcus." Black grinned, "Usually Alex comes to help out, but... " Black stopped cold, looking down.

"Hey, I'm happy to be here. Besides, I can't wait to show off my banking skill. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two." Marcus smirked. Blake laughed, opening the gate to let him behind the counter. Marcus took a clipboard from below the table, attempting to make sense of it all.

"Blake, I don't speak numbers." Marcus groaned, passing the clipboard to Blake. Who immediately gave it back.

"Don't worry, neither do they." Blake laughed, signaling to the lines of people coming in from the harsh cold.

"Fair enough," Marcus sighed. He hopped behind a counter-signaling to the kid that was next in line.

They wore a harsh cloak, hiding almost all their facial features. Their clothes below were torn and threadbare. It was a ripped up black shirt, maroon-red shorts, and black leggings beneath.

"What's with the costume." Marcus mused, expecting this kid to be in theatre and up and coming project coming to Avark. Performers were piled into the Theatre in town, which used to be a complex medical unit.

"It ain't a costume." A high-pitched voice growled. Marcus, taken aback, realized it was a girl.

"I'm sorry miss, the name is Marcus, what can I do for ya' this evening." Marcus stuttered, trying to regain composure.

"So you are Marcus?" The girl said, but it sounded more like a rushed question.

"You heard of me?" Marcus smiled. Realizing this may be one of his mother's friends. His mother loved to brag about her children, anything that can keep her ahead of other mothers.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" Marcus's smile began to fade. "Sorry for what." He came to a conclusion this wasn't one of his mother's friend's daughters, they were far more polished than this anxiety-ridden girl.

"I'm sorry, tell him I'm sorry too. Especially him." The girl began to tear up.

"Apologize to who?" Marcus asked, louder this time.

"The tall one, the scrawny kid." She cried again.

"Blake? How do you know him?"

"Tell him I had to, I had no choice. But I don't regret it." She looked around worriedly, clearly avoiding the reasonably simple question.

"Regret what? Miss, I'm a bit puzzled." Marcus tried to understand this girl, acting more professional than before. He was careful to locate the phone dial, in case this girl escaped from the asylum.

She took off her hood, releasing her golden blonde curls. They fell down to her hips, Marcus had never seen such a sight.

"I'm Audrey Kepner." She sobbed onto the floor, falling to her knees.