Fallen Rose

Chapter 34 - Everything is Set

He walked down the pavement, the midnight rain rushing upon him. He quivered and sighed, reflecting on the whole night. Jimmy, Chelsea, Valerie, nearly all of his old gang is now dead. All that remained were the two women, held dearly to his heart now. He sniffled, letting a teardrop as he realized what he had brought onto them, onto Hiroshi. Zerox did turn out to be a terrible man, but it's all so hard on him. What if he was the reason they were able to keep finding him? They technically had other methods of tracking down, but surely he only brought more trouble to them. He could only help so much, but only further the danger and bitterness released onto them by Carsmile.

He gazed ahead, having no idea where to stay for the night. It was nearing 2 AM, and he was utterly exhausted. His home was way back in Lecce, so there was no way that he would be getting there in one day. Or two. It took them a month alone to get where they are on foot. He tried thinking of a place to stay, scoping out to see if there were any abandoned buildings. His eye caught a red telephone booth, glistening in the harsh rain. He didn't have much money to him, but he knew what he could try.

He jogged over to the booth, relieved to have a quick second out of the rain. He fished in his pocket, trying his best to recollect the number from so long ago. He brought out a coin, shoving it in the slot as he carefully dialed the number.

Beep, beep

"Hello?"

"Hey, this is Club 66, Zumm Zumm speaking!"

"Hey, um... You probably don't know me at all, but I know a girl named Chelsea Dagger frequents your club?"

"Yeah, she might... who is this?"

"Uh, Billy... Most call me Billy Super Duper, I don't really have a full name or anything-"

"Ah, Billy! Why didn't ya say so? Yeah, she comes by a lot. She's mentioned you a couple times, why, tonight she-"

"She's there, then?!"

"Yeah... Is something wrong kid? Is this about that thing with St. Jimmy's crew?"

"Kind of, I'm just really having a rough night and I just...need a friend."

"I get that...I'll call her over. She's right over here, anyway." Her voice seemed to trail from the phone as if she was motioning around.

He waited as she went silent, anxiously awaiting his old love. He could hear lively chatter and music in the background... She always did love to dance her worries away.

"Billy?!" Chelsea's voice seeped through the phone, relieved yet exhausted, somewhat downtrodden.

"Chels..." He bit his lip, sniffling a bit as he tugged at the phone cord," I..I... I need you, Chelsea... This has been so hard on me, I don't know where else to turn to. I need a friend... a break... I know it's such a bad time, but please.... Can you help me out? I'm so far away from home-"

"Billy... I'll always help you out, I'd be glad to... I'll get us a taxi cab... where are you?"

"In a phone booth, a good way a bit from the hotel we were just...at...which burned down."

"Oh, god." Chelsea buried her face in her palm, sniffling. "Prince Charming..."

"You saw him?"

"Yea... and he was a total creep! I had so many fucking dreams destroyed tonight... I'm just pissed at myself that I didn't buy into the fact he killed that poor musician those years ago... I'm an idiot... Hell, maybe I could've helped stop whatever happened..." Her voice was trembling as she shook her head, Billy growing concerned on the other line.