Chapter one

A Chapter by Cody Heifner

The sky was a dark gray and there was a deep ache in my joints, rain was imminent. I dragged my feet along cracked added asphalt; broken glass crunched under my feet. My legs shakily moved forward as I used the cold wet wall of the alleyway for support. My whole body burned as I trudged along with my Acoustic guitar slung over my back. Sweat dripped from my chin and stung my eyes.

I hated being so weak; I hadn't walked far and my guitar wasn’t that heavy. I clenched my stomach with my left arm as my stomach growled loudly and agonizing hunger pains struck me like a hard punch to the gut. I fell to my knees, panting hard as my whole body started to shake. I pulled my right hand from my pocket and with both arms I tried to push myself up, to no avail.

I clenched one of the pipes that laced the walls and with all my strength tried to hoist myself up. I was halfway there when my shaky legs and degraded kneecaps wouldn't support me and I fell down hard. It pissed me off that I couldn't even do something as simple as get up on my feet, only reminds me that I was pitiful weak in strength and stamina.

I pulled the strap off that held my guitar and set it on the ground. Bracing myself I latched on to the cold wet pipes once more and began to pull myself up. My arms and legs burned every second I battled gravity and my worn state. My hands began to slip from the pipes but I clenched harder- so hard my fingers and knuckles began to pop-. Once I was up enough I quickly grabbed o to a higher pipe and placed my elbows on the one below.

I unhooked the strap that held my guitar and used to keep myself in place as my legs shook and trembled. Once my I felt my legs had had a chance to gain their footing I restarted my guitar and head onto the piping to help support me. Step by step I continued through what seemed to me like a long winding labyrinth but in reality, it was just a short alleyway with a few turns.

As I neared the exit my feet splashed in puddles of recent rain and the almost rainbow look of spilled oil. I put my shirt collar over my nose to get away from the foul pungent smell. I dragged by already exhausted feet out of the narrow alley. As I dragged myself into the main street rage and pure hatred filled me as all around me were propaganda posters plastered everywhere.

“The benevolence of your god stretches far but such abomination like Defectives must be purged to keep the devil at bay and to reserve the pure holy bloodline of his children.” I tore it down and crumbled it in my hand, ripping it to reads and stomping on the small shreds before I left, pissed and full of utter disgust.

I had to close my eyes and I dragged myself along the sidewalk; all around me were those damned posters, propagating how unholy we were and how dare others who believe in other gods; for the one, and only God is your savior Salvis. I kept my eyes tightly shut and my hands were clenched tight and were shaking with rage.

Sweat started to fall down my forehead, my throat when cold and it got hard to breath. My stomach started to go in knot and I felt like I was going to throw up as my already weakened legs became weaker. I suppressed instinctive tears as I leaned against a cold wet brick wall. I tried to swallow but I couldn't, only a sharp pain followed. My breath became heavy and soon I couldn't contain it and I started gasping for air.

The last of my strength gave out on me as I simply slid the ground. I buried my head into my legs and wrapped my arms around my knees and started to shake uncontrollably. I knew I had to keep myself together but I could hardly move; those damned posters seem to laugh and taunt me, they seemed to take form in a mental record player.

“Purge, eliminate, render them from this world as the religious hammer of our god destroys any trace of your unholy existence.” In that moment I was terrified, I could imagine everyone die in front of me. All of them and I couldn't to a damned thing. Fear completely overtook me in that moment, a nightmare’s cold grip around my neck threatening to choke the life from me and in that moment I would have rather it take me than continue with tis torture.

The next thing I knew I felt someone tap me on the shoulder and I snapped out of it. I jumped instinctively flailing my arm at the sensation. I looked up thad there was a man I had never seen before. I jerked away from the man and tried to jump to my feet but I could hardly lift off the ground muchless get to my feet.

I eyed him with what I imaging cornered prey would give its hunter, a look of pure horror and a pseudo dangerous look. The man laughed, “Your jumpy aren't you kid?” he chuckled.

“The hell do you want?” I i replied coldly and full of malice.

“I was just check what you were doing, A kid walking in the streets this early in the morning then crashes next to my house, thats cause for concern especially in times like this.”

“Well i'm fine so get the hell out of here.” I growled.

The man sighed, “Sorry can't do that, you don't look as if your in the best shape and with you acting like you're either a Defective or you belong to another religion.” I froze and looked the man strait in the eyes, expecting a burning hatred or disgust but his dark brom eyes were on lost sympathetic.

“Well judging by your expresion I hit the mark.” he said as he reached for his back pocket and threw me something small.

I tensed up as he turned and stepped inside the door. I slowly shifted my eyes to the small metallic object glistening in the pale dawn light. I inched my hand to it and recoiled what my finger tips ment warmed metal, think it would lash out at me. I swiftly grabbed it and realized it was black, stainless steel pocket watch.

I opened it with my teeth and lightly touched the it with my index finger, still sharp. I clenched it in my left had as i jammed my gloved right hand into pocket. A moment the man came out with a long twisted staff looking piece of wood. I flinched and tensed up, expecting him to beijing beat me with it.

I stayed there these up with my eyes shut tightly until i jumped as the clack of wood on stone surprised me and the staff rolled over to me.

“Here use the to gain your footing and if your hunger and judging by your skeleton like body i'd imagine you are, I've got plenty of food so eat to your hearts content.” he said in a calm, almost soothing tone. Just then my stomach gave aloud growly that seemed to echo on the empty streets and hunger ravaged my stomach, causing me to write with my forehead sliding cross damp cold concrete.

I forced myself to sit up writ and I placed the knife out in front of me; my arm was shaking, from exhaustion, fear and even a little guilt.

“G-give m-me all the food you can carrie.” I demanded weakly as sweat dripped from my chin. The man turned to me then got to his knees. I jerked away expecting him to do something.

At that moment he did something , he did something I will never forget; he grabbed my hand that was profusely shaking and pressed it up against his chest and said: “Stab me if you feel it's necessary, what your doing is only natural and besides I won't resent you. When i'm gone my pantry is yours for the taking.” his voice calm but his eyes sparkled with sorrow.

I pulled the knife away and threw it on the ground, “ I-i-i do-nt ne-ed your dam--ned pit-ty or forgiv-ness!” I stuttered out through tears that simply wouldn't stop. The man simply smiled and said: “Horrible day for rain.” Before getting and going in his door, still wide open. I sat there for a moment, wiping the flood of tears before tethering the mental and physical to get up.

I grabbed the twisted wooden staff and heaved up. I leaned

against the brick wall and pushed outwards to extend my legs.

Once was up I contemplated whether I should still go in, the began to turn away but the loud growl in my stomach lead me to the door as a faint smell of bacon in a frying pan made my mouth water lite a starving dogs’. I put most of my way through the staff as I inched to the door. Once I was right outside the door step the smell of bacon and sausage flooded my nostrils as i head the faint crackling of grease in a pan.

I braced myself and pulled upwards, hoisting my legs over the small step. Inside I could tell the house was small even for my standards. The living room was about the size of an average bedroom with a cough, a coffee table and a small tv. Right after that was a small kitchen with hardly any space as the stove, refrigerator, freezer and table took up almost every inch of space.

I turned to get the door but it was to far and I didnt want to get up and down that step again.

“Don't worry about the door. It keeps this small place cool when i'm cooking. Oh and by the how do you want your eggs?” he asked so nonchalantly I thought he was faking. I continued into the kitchen and leaned up against the wall, eyesing him suspiciously.

“ Oh how rude of me. I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself, names Dreylas, Dreylas Fletcher.” he told me as he crack two eggs into a frying pan, “Fired, sunny side up or scrambled?”

“Fix them however you want.” I said almost under my breath. Dreylas chuckled, “Pull up a seat and i'll get you some coffee.” I didn't budge, I kept my eyes fixated on every move he mad.

“Cautious aren't you kid? Good thing to, in theses times it's a fight for your life.”

“How the hell could you know anything about that? And stop calling me a kid damnit.” I demanded coldly.

“Right, sorry I guess skeleton would be more appropriate wouldn't it?” he asked with a small grin.

I said nothing and continued to watch him until I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I tired and sure enough it was a hole bible and a glass cross sitting on the end of the table in plain sight.

“Are you an idiot or something? You must know the consequences for illegal contraband like that and it's not exactly well hidden.” I said more surprised than anything. Dreylas said nothing, he just continued to fix two plates and sat bothe on opposite sides. My mouth almost foamed at the sight of fresh cooked bacon, sausage, fried eggs and toast.

I almost subconsciously pulled up a chair but resisted the urge to eat everything on my plate in a few bites. I unstrapped my guitar and sat it up against the wall. Turning I picked up the light brown toast and to a bite, trying not to chew to fast. Dreylas chuckled, “You've sure got some restraint.” I didnt say a thing, I hardly heard him as I was fixated on the food in front of me.

If finished the two pieces of toast the despite me trying to hold back I scarfed down the sauce and bacon, and I almost picked the eggs up with my hands but I was able to get ahold of myself. I picked up the fork and split open the yoke the I cut a piece of yellow cover egg white.It wasn't long before I was done and I was still hungry but the mal had taken away the agonizing feeling of starvation away from me.

“Do you want more?” Dreylas asked, “I've got plenty of food.” I shook my head no despite what my stomach was telling me.

Why?” I asked, “Why stick your neck out for someone like that especially me, a Defective?” He took and plate and said: “Because your a human just like me, Treat thy neighbor as you treat thyself. And besides I guess we're both criminals.” I stood up slammed my hand into the wall behind me, “What the hell kind of answer is that! You Can't just expect me to accept that answer! What are you trying to do?! Do you want to mock me?! There's gotta be something you want because why else would you help a complete stranger?!”

Dreylas said nothing for a moment while he cleaned and dried the two plates. I stood here panting ad both fits clenched.

“Its like I told you, your human just like me or anyone else so you deserve at the very least to be treated as one. And besides you're nothing but skin and bones, you couldn't even get a few feet off the ground by yourself and you many not like being called a kid but that's what you are.” he said then looked my strait in the eyes, “No matter how defiant or determined you are in your state, in order to move on you will need the help and support of others.”

“I never asked for your help damn it!” I restored furious because I knew it long before now and I just remind me that I was helpless without constant crunches helping me along every step.

“No you didnt but you still took it. It's nothing to get your pride in knots, if want to survive then that's just something youll have to get used to.’ he said firmly as he closed the door and sat on his couch.

I opened my mouth to retort but couldn't say a word, I knew he was right but it didn't matter to me but I knew there was nothing could say.

“So changing the subject, what are you doing lugging around that guitar for?”

“What that hunk of junk? I'm going to sell it.” I responded as I used the wooden staff to help me up. Dreylas looked over to me, “Where are you going?”

I grabbed my guitar and strap it around my back, “Out, I appreciate what you've done but I've got to go.” Dreylas got to his feet, “You aren't going anywhere. You can still hardly get up and besides you're going to have to wait awhile, it's only 4:37 and shops don't open until eight or nine.”

“Well that's none of your business now is it.” I said through heavy breaths. Dreylas sighed, “I said your not going anywhere for the time being and you certainly don't have the strength to make me move so I guess you'll just have to stay here for a bit.” he said then locked the door with a key and slipped it in his pocket. I stared at him definitely, “I dont give a damn where I can or not, i'm going.” I growled

“Yea. like your going to go far in your condition.” he retorted.

“I told you it's none of your damned business.” I said annoyed as I continued forward. Dreylas walked over to me and pressed on my shoulder causing me to lose my balance and fall backwards hard causing the entire house to shake.

“If just a simple poke with my finger can cause you to fall then what are you going to do if a strong wind hits you? Or what if however your trying to sell that gitar finds out your Defective? The do search people and some with a gloved what that's been jammed in your pocket is reason enough to.

“Damn it! I told you it no one your damn business so just let me be on my way!”

“Sorry I can't do that. At least not until you've gotten a little sleep, tose black bags under your eyes are an eyesore.” he said as he grabbed a long cylindrical bag and unzipped it and pulled out a dark yellow sleeping bag, “Here, it's never been used.”

“You expect me to just comply? Your a total stranger! Hell no, don't think I trust you a bit and besides how do I know you're not going to try something once i'm asleep?!” Dreylas placed the sleeping bag on the ground, “You make a fair point but you don't seem to have much of a choice now do you? And if I was going to do something to you I would have already done it, once people found out you were Defective they would look the other way after all.” he said then went back to his couch and turned on the tv.

I sat there in silence for a moment, “Look i've got to get back to my family, their just as starved as I am, we need both food and money.” I pleaded.

“Well are any of them awake?” he asked. I shook my head no.

“Then no sense and waking them and besides like I said shops don't open for awhile. I'll wake you up a little past eight so just get some sleep, I image you'll need it.” I took in a long breath and sighed, I knew there was no way I was going to convince him and there was no way I could get past him and he reminded me of how tired I was.

My whole body felt like it was being weighed down like gravity itself was stronger and my eyelids were being weighed down by heavy iron balls. I gave up and pulled myself up to the sleeping bag and unzipped it the slipped inside it and rezipped it. At that point I couldn't open my eyes and my whole body relaxed and I was already drifting to sleep.

“Before I fall asleep I want to ask you one thing.” I said sleepily

“What is it?”

“About that bible and glass cross, you didn't answer me before and you asked me about my guitar so it's only fair I ask.” Dreylas did not respond for omanent the only sighed.

“The cross was a family heirloom and the bible was my father’s they were Killed about twenty five years ago when Salvis’s father was in power. The died defending their beliefs Those two thing are the only thing I have of them or my entire family so those two items are more important to me than my life and i'd gladly die protecting them.” his voice was laced with sorrow and a subtle fury.

“Oh, i'm sorry to hear that.” I said genuinely. The two of us fell silent, on the tv made a sound and soon I was asleep.