Maintaining Me

Chapter 3

“Nice wall,” Keegan eyes my door skeptically.

“Thanks,” I reply. I always have trouble opening it, and the red paint went horribly with the destroyed entrance.

“Hey Ms. Knoles,” I wave to our hall mate. She hands me my mail and hides away in her apartment. I burst inside with Keegan trailing behind me.

“Finally!” John whines, “I thought you died.”

“Well I didn’t. So chill your tits,” I run to the mirror to check my hair. I went crazy back in the warehouse, and I had no idea how screwed up I looked.

“Whose that?” John’s voice falls deep and I follow his eyes to Keegan.

“Oh, that’s Keegan,” I smile at him, “close the door. Will you, Keegan?”

He obediently follows my orders and I feel all giddy inside. I like it when people listen to me; it means they are smart, and smart people have worth.

“He’s cool,” I give Keegan a nod of acceptance.

John gives me a dubious look and I groan. I hate it when he questions me.

Sure I don’t trust the new kid, but he did flee a scene with me, that means something.

I work with my hair and hear John address Keegan.

“So where are you from?” John’s voice wasn’t welcoming, but it also wasn’t a snarl.

“Oh,” Keegan twitches nervously, “I live across town. I just moved here.”

“You live in hillbilly’s corner,” I spin around from my mirror and raise an eyebrow.

That place was the country ghetto, and anything but welcoming.

“Appears so,” he rocks back on his heels.

“Tough luck, man,” John pats him on his back. I roll my eyes as Keegan stumbles forward.

I am officially taking him under my wing. This kid will die in a matter of seconds on his own; he is too weak.

“Well,” I bounce over to Keegan and stand an inch from him. “You know where I live, you know my place; and you know my friend. Now leave,” I let my words sink in before I start shooing him out. He was taking too long to leave.

He awkwardly stumbles to my door and I am mentally pleased by his surprise.

“Oh, Keegan,” I call innocently, “mess with me, and you won’t have a quick death.”

I have the satisfaction of watching his mouth pop open before he exits.

“Good,” I grin, “he’s gone.”

I jump onto my bed.

“So how are we going to do this tonight?” I ask John.

“May,” John reprimands, “you still want to do this?”

“Duh,” I glare at him. I asked him for a reason, not to make small talk.

“Why?” he says.

“Why do you think?” I snap in rage. Why is this idiot questioning me? I am trying to help him.

“I agreed to help you,” I snarl, “and I will.”

It’s not long before night falls and I am ready for action.

John’s dresses nice with a bow tie, but leaves off the black blazer. My dress clung to my skin and shined in the light.

I perfect my makeup after caking it on. The makeup is natural, but assures my face appears flawless.

John gives me a whistle as I strut out.

“Thanks,” I smirk. Not that I needed the compliment, I already knew I was sex walking; and that is not from my natural looks.

We glide out of the building like a power couple… until we bump into Keegan.

“What are you doing here?” I smirk. “Did you miss me,” I laugh as his eyes trail up my body.

He blubbers something or another and John tugs me away.

“Wait!” Keegan’s voice yells. “Can I come?” His eyes are wide and he looks like a child. I nod.

“Really, May?” John cocks an eyebrow.

“Yes really,” I smile sweetly, “we can give him a taste of what life is like here.”

--

I thought Keegan would be just an extra in the scene; but he was glaring holes into the side of my target's head.

The jealousy was radiating off him and I found it amusing.

“Your boyfriend is getting obsessive over there,” the old man bellowed.
I giggle and shake my head.

“He’s not my type big guy,” my hand slithers up his beer belly as I lean in closer, “you on the other hand. You seem much wiser.”

I hear a commotion behind me but focus on my task. I whisper into the man’s ear, and he follows me to a back room.

John slips into the room unnoticed and knocks the man out with the back of his gun.

“What’s his name again,” I subtly ask.

“Theodore,” my friend grunts as he drags the unconscious guy into a chair.

“Oh,” before I can say more, Keegan steps in the room.

“I can’t let you,” he stops and stares doe eyed.

“Can’t let me what?” I blink up at Keegan.

“Nevermind,” he mumbles.

“John,” I tear my gaze from Keegan’s, “you know what to do. I’ll be right back with the kid.”

I lead Keegan out.

“I am not a kid compared to you,” he snorts. I control my temper as walk out into a back alley. I let some of my rage loose though.

My arm presses into Keegan’s throat and I smash him to the wall.

“You can’t do anything, kid,” I stress the derogatory term. “You have absolutely no control over my actions. Now you can shut up, and be a part of our plan. Or you can hit the road, with the knowledge that you will be killed. By me, or my enemies. Are we clear, kid?” I articulate.

“Crystal,” he gulps. I roll my eyes at the pathetic man and release him.

“Why is he so important?” Keegan asks after rubbing his throat. He was forming bruises, it made me smile.

He will be stronger because of me one day, or he’ll be dead. He’d die whether he met me or not, though.

I purse my lips and glare at Keegan.

Okay, I’ll tell him.

“As you know,” I begin and step up closer to Keegan. He gets all uncomfortable when I invaded his space, it is extremely amusing. “We are in a bad part of town. My friend, John, has a bounty on his head. Not from the government,” I quickly add, “but from others. So everyone likes to mess with us.”

“What does that have to do with that guy-“

“Theodore,” I inform him.

“Yeah, him,” Keegan mumbles.

“Well because John is a target, we live in a bad area; and our money gets stolen a lot. This man is rich, and can make us rich. Wait there is more!” I cover his mouth to stop his onslaught of questions.

“We think he might know something about the group messing with us. Like that paint job on my door?” I remind him. “That wasn’t a simple prank. That was someone messing with John’s head. John is being stalked, and has been for months; and now I am too. But no one messes with me without consequences,” I explain.

QQ

 

Needs editing I know; but I hope you enjoy the story!