Beyond The Smoke

Chpt. 3 'Five'

The light of the just rising sun shone through the thin glass of the windows. The clouds were tinted by the pastel colors of the morning. With such a beautiful sky over us, how can we all be such a mess here? I sighed, my attention shifting from the morning view to Mike as he stirred in his sleep. A few pieces of his slightly long, bleach blond hair slid into his eyes. I brushed it back, an instant pang of guilt flowing through me for the umpteenth time. He was so young, so innocent, so peaceful, I didn't want to wake him. I knew though, as much as I wished to stay by his side, I would have to get to work soon.

With everything that's been going on, I couldn't sleep. I was only able to run on stress, coffee, and will power due to stress-driven insomnia. We were going to go to the apartment, but after what happened last night, I decided to stay at Ally's in case I needed help with him. With heavy eyelids that refused to shut, I stood up to go make some coffee.

Being I was at Ally's, I would make coffee here. I put the necessary amount of the blend into the machine and turned it on. While that was brewing, I grabbed a thin sheet of paper from the counter, a pen from my pocket, and began scribbling down a note as to where I left to.

'Hey, gone to work. Call me when you can and tell me how Mike is doing. Also, I made myself some coffee here, but you won't mind. Right? ;)

-Luke'

Satisfied with my crappy note, I set it by the coffee machine just as it started beeping, signaling the coffee was ready. I took it straight from the cup, no creamer to dull the bitter taste. The hot, caffeinated liquid slid down my throat, waking me slightly more than I had been. I needed it black if I wanted to retain a conscious state.

I carefully stepped out of the apartment and locked it securely. Couldn't get too careful in this shitty neighborhood. Noting I was colder than usual, I looked down only to have my eyes meet my bare torso. Remembering I lacked the thin material of my shirt on my way here last night, I would make my first stop be the apartment. Heading down the stairs, I knew it would be an extremely long day.

I began my journey through the streets to the café I worked at. The scenery here wasn't anything you would wish to see. There were shattered beer bottles, heroin needles, cigarettes, graffiti, anything of the sort. Groups of people already in fights this early in the morning were also what you wouldn't want to get mixed up in. I myself know from personal experience. Though, at times you won't have a choice but to fight. One slip up, one side glance and you could be at gunpoint.

A few cars sped past me much over speed limit. My skin broke further into goosebumps, if possible, as the chilled air rushed into me. It pisses me off how careless they could be, but I let it go. My phone buzzed in my pocket, snapping me from my thought process.

'You owe me five for the damn coffee ￣^￣'-Ally

I smiled, guessing she was already heading to my apartment to steal herself some of mine. My eyes broke from the text to the time, so I picked up my speed. I was late.

---

It was about three now, and the sky was no longer bright and colorful as it was hours before. Now it was a dull grey, full of clouds, and pouring down a heavy rain over the city. It was so cold though, I expected the glistening drops to freeze the instant they were shed from the sky. Business wasn't too busy today, nor was it slow. The café I worked at was about an hour away from the apartments, locating it into the slightly better parts of Detroit. Thankfully, Mike's school was close by as well, so he was safer. The crime rate here has been shooting sky-high, I couldn't chance him being in the dangerous areas.

I snapped out of my thoughts as The bells atop the door chimed; a young woman walked through the glass doors of the café. She dropped her soaking umbrella by the door before stepping off the door mat. I gave the customer in front of me their coffee and prepared for the next.