Loving Marcus [Ongoing...]

Chapter 2

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"It must be great having a brother for a gangster." Bruce says.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh wait, I forgot you are the one person in your family that still pretends he doesn't know the shit that goes down around him."

"Is there something you needed Bruce?"

"What I want is for you to deliver a message for me. Tell your brother that the next time he fucks with what is mine I'm coming after everything he has."

I blink rapidly. Not because of fear but because Bruce had the disgusting tendency of talking while spraying into your face.

"I'm sure you can deliver it yourself." I reply while battling the desire to wipe my face.

His goons glare at me. They were looking at me as if I was someone with a death wish.

In a way they were right.

No one talks to Bruce Kamati like that.

Most people don't even dare reply. They get on their knees in the hope that they would be shown mercy.

"Listen to me boy. You might go to that fancy school but that doesn't change the fact of who you really are. Don't think for one moment that you are better than any of us.

keep in mind who runs the streets around here. Your brother won't be able to protect you forever. Eventually it will be just you. Remember that.

We wouldn't want anything to happen to that beautiful brain of yours now would we?"

I look away.

I knew he was not messing around. I have seen it happen before.

There was always one person or another who thought he or she has made it out of this damn place only to be proven wrong.

They always say that it was due to an accident but we all know better.

They beat them up or run them over the road just to scare you. To send a message of who was really in control around here.

It's either one of two things.

If you are lucky you survive but shit won't be the same again. If not, well let's just say you end up in a body bag.

That's what they do.

My friend Chris was one of the few that managed to survive their attacks.

He should have been here with me. He is one of the most brilliant and talented people I have ever met.

We all thought he would be a lawyer or doctor one day but things didn't turn out the way we thought it would.

His parents send him away to live with his aunt in another town.

He isn't right in the head anymore.

His dreams and aspirations destroyed and forever out of reach.

I hate them for this.

"I will tell him."

"Smart boy." he says smiling like the snake he is.

He pats my shoulders like we are pals.

Why do people do this?
Why do they feel the need to touch others?

I dislike being touched.

Like every other time I wish I could shout that in his face but I don't.

They walk away, talking in low voices as if my day didn't just get ruined.