Bossman

Chapter 10

   "Okay, I've got one.". It was a game of 21 questions. I remember that conversation like it was yesterday. "Shoot". He was having trouble thinking of questions, he always did. So this was monumental. "What do you hope your after life looks like?". This one had surprised me. He didn't usually ask questions this deep, but I didn't mind. "I hope I become a bird, or am reborn as a bird. However the hell you want to phrase it.". "Why a bird?". I was a little embarrassed. I thought that to anyone else, that would sound absolutely insane. "It's something about the peace they're engulfed in. I mean, imagine it. Being free of drama, hurt, just anything really. Just roaming around, seeing the sights, seeing the sunsets. Just, beautiful.". That was one of the first things I ever really shared with him, and it meant a lot to me. "Sorry, that probably sounds weird.". "That doesn't sound weird at all, Love. In fact, that sounds amazing.".

-

In this moment, my bed felt like the comfiest spot in this entire world. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to move. As soon as I did, I would have to go back to this boring ass routine that I've been forced into the past few days. Get up, get dressed. Walk out slightly happy, only to be met with the awkward shoulder that everyone wants to give me. Watch as Luke gathers his things, and heads off to 'work'. Sit around for a few hours, and go to sleep as early as possible.

I can tell what Luke thinks he's doing. He's trying to give me space. Okay cool, he could take me home. But I've come to the realization that that's out of the window. And Holly, I haven't seen her. I don't know how that's possible. But it's been 3 days since I've even seen her. I would normaly be worried if it weren't for the fact that I'm in a crazy ass place.

It's a little funny, Josh is the only person I can talk to around here. I mean sure, he's a murderer. But what else am I suppose to do, rot away? And I think I'm starting to understand him a little more. He's not as cold and rigid as the others that I've come in contact with here. He's softer, like his intentions aren't too bad. I think that I'm going to give him a shot. At least it's something to take my mind off of things.

-

Long story short, I got out of bed. I was very reluctant. But that in no way outweighed my hunger. I laid there for quite a while though. It was soft, and comfortable there. It was quiet and peaceful. It was inviting. It almost physically hurt to make myself get up. But nevertheless, I picked myself up and got over to my closet. I managed to walk out of the room as what I thought was decent. But I didn't quite feel like dressing up for people who whisper about me as I walk past.

As soon as I got down stairs, Me and Josh made eye contact. He was sitting in the living room. He got up to greet me though, which I was a little used to after these few days. He had a bag in his hand, which I quickly made out to be a Mcdonald's bag. I couldn't help but smile. "Chicken nuggets, a few hours old. Just how you like them". Its true, I like my nuggets cold, and a little 'aged'. "Thank you, good sir.". I don't know why I was being this kind and well, friendly to him. The only way I can describe it is when two kids meet on the playground, and for some odd reason, end up bonding. Weird in my book. But oh well.

We made our way out to the back patio. That was where we always went, here soon it'll be our hang out. I was already eating nuggets out of the bag by the time we sat down. "I want to ask you a few things, if that's alright", I said softly once we were situated. "ask away.".

I situated myself so that my legs were crossed and I was facing him. "I want to know your story. When did you come here?". He immediately looked down at the concrete of the patio. I could tell this must be a sensitive subject for him. "Eh, I don't know. It's uh-". 'Come on Josh, you're one of two people here I can expect to not bullshit me. And I'm obviously here for a pretty long time. If your story is the only form of excitement I can get, well then I'll take it.". It was quiet for a minute. It was starting to get awkward, really. "I'll even take the long story short.". He sat up straight and sighed, looking off into the long distance the woods provided. He was definitely thinking of what to say. "I was in a bad place. I managed to get myself into some shady stuff.". He paused again, almost like this is painful for him.

"I won't go into great detail, that's not important. But some stuff went down. Let's just say I was on the side of things that wasn't going to make it out. I didn't know what do to. I kind of gave up, I mean I was 16. I was more scared than anything.". He looked back down at the ground and intertwined his hands. "Luke, he found me. I was sitting in a corner or something. And he didn't kill me. We both just kind of stayed there looking at each other. And I still don't know what he saw, we don't talk about that much. He saw something though, in me. There weren't any words exchanged. He let me tag along. Nobody knew how permanent it would be. But It's been this long so far.". I didn't know how to react, mostly because I couldn't quite decipher how this was supposed to come off. As a sad sort of quiet ending, or a happy joyful start. "But he saved me. Sitting in that corner, I was ready to take my own gun a-... He saved me. It's just sort of been sticking together since then. He's never made me do anything for the team that I didn't want to. And I don't think I would change it if I could.".

-

  There was a wall of bookshelves along a wall in the hallway leading from the living room to the dining room. There were about 10 bookshelves there, and they were almost entirely filled up with books. I have to admit, the selection was amazing. There was an entire shelf that had many of my favorites, which I have no doubt was the work of Luke. I helped myself to them on my way back to the bedroom. This was a normal thing for me since I got here. People like to stare at me, and like to think that I can't hear what they say about me.

  In result, I would spend hours laying on the bed locked away reading. Unless Luke was home, then I would either be awkwardly sitting near him not talking, or I'd be walking around outside. This particular day, I was in fact sprawled across the bed, reading Twilight. Intensely, I might add. It's one of my favorite books.

  I almost groaned as I heard the door open, although I didn't. I don't think I could be rude to him like that. I didn't look up though, I only had a paragraph left on the page, so I finished it. After that, I did in fact sit up and look at him. I wouldn't have if I had known there would have been a bit of silence. "Hey, how's your day been?". I didn't answer, he already knew. That only made him sigh and sit down in the chair a few feet from where he was standing. "..Cassie" He muttered with an almost disappointed tone. "Luke?" I shot back, almost too aggressively. "Why should I answer something you already know?". I stood up, crossing my arms. I didn't like the vulnerable state I was in, like he had power over me.

  He stood as well, and it made my heart skip a beat for reasons I don't understand. "Could you at least try to ease up?". I scoffed and turned my attention to the floor. Again, there was silence. This is something I don't think he thought of in his master plan. How I'd behave. I imagine I was supposed to be thankful he came and saved me, and voluntarily ride off into the sunset with him. But I don't take too kindly to being kidnapped, by anyone.

"You. Kidnapped. Me.", My voice was colder than I wanted, but it gave me some of the power in this conversation. "You chose someone from your illegal gang to come break into my home, and kidnap me. I have no idea where I am. And I'm scared. So yeah, I'm gonna be a little non-responsive.". He stood there looking at me, almost with a smirk on his face. "Here soon, you'll realize that this is what you wanted. And I'll be right here when you do, just know that.". He turned around, heading for the door. For some reason, I wanted the last word. Just as he reached the door, "I'm going to find a way out of here, Luke.". This time he did chuckle. As the door opened, "Good luck with that, Cass".