Austin Whomped and More

Twisted Sense of 'Good'

NO CHARACTER POV:

Deep down- way deep down- Johnny is a good guy.

But that's underneath all of his crimes and actions and issues.

So, anyone trying to uncover the 'truth' from a place that deep dies. Both literally and metaphorically. He can't allow people to know that he's a good person. It's terrible for his reputation.

He bathes himself in dark, metallic, red liquid with belief that the stains will hide a good man.

He has never thought of himself as anything but destructive and evil. He was born under such people, and he became like those people, albeit more dangerous and more sin-committing.

Then how did he have this sudden realization that he is 'good'?

Easily enough it came from a young boy, almost Johnny's age when he did his first robbery, who said: "Thank you mister! You are so kind! Mr. Rosewell usually ignores me when my cat is stuck but she doesn't mean to do it, Cathy is still a baby! I wish Mr. Rosewell was as good and kind as you. Don't tell mom I said that, but he smells like eggs and feet."

That was it.

That was what set him off and made him question whether he actually is good and kind and whatever else that talkative boy rambled about.

Ridiculous. Embarrassing.

Though he can't keep it out of his head. If he had ran away and started a whole new life, would he have been in this situation? Would he be living next to a boy that has a kitten that always gets itself in trouble? Would he even have had a child the boy's age?

Maybe he would have had friends that are there for something other than what they need.

He wants to feel like he has someone to rely on. He wants to feel something as bright as that kid's smile when Cathy was back in his arms. All laughter and bubbly, sweet emotions.

But how? After almost 30 years of living the life of scums? Could he ever attempt to repent for all of his wrongdoings? Certainly not.

He'd need an extra 30 years to repay all those people damaged by his actions. Some he might never be able to repay, like that teen that OD'ed and died due to the drugs he sells around on the streets. Or that young man that died because he got caught in the crossfire between him and a couple of traitors.

Collateral damage, stepping stones- that's what he thought of those people that died either directly or indirectly on his hands.

And now, after a kid tells him he's good, he just throws himself into it? That's wrong. It's not right. A man his age in this field might as well have lived his life to the fullest, he can't just suddenly change!

He doesn't know what drove him back in front of that kid's house.

But one thing he knows is that that feeling of doing an act perceived morally good for once is something he wants to experience again. And somehow that boy is what brought that to him.

He wants to feel that again, wants to see that kid and see the appreciation for helping him out.

But the kid has parents, and siblings, and a cat- he won't be able to interact with him as much as he wants.

Then the next best decision is to take the kid to himself.

Maybe, a few days ago, he would've kidnapped him and maybe got the kitten with him as a form of 'thank you' for giving them the opportunity to meet each other.

But that isn't what a good person will do.

Instead, he will get rid of the family, the family friends, anyone that can have a better chance of adopting the boy rather than him.

It will take time, but when it all works out, it will be worth every second of him patiently planning and waiting.

Yes. It will all be worth it.

Johnny failed to see what appears to be a more older version of the kid narrowing his eyes at him through the living room window.

The man took out his phone and gave out short, precise orders before finishing the call and retracing his footsteps away from the window.

THE END!