Setting
Well-mannered apartment complexes align the pathway like breadcrumbs to trace east into the ornate lights of downtown: The Tranq is a place for the less extravagant, much more homely resident. It holds small festivals for the occasional bliss of customary entertainment. Here, the wives bake pies, while the men play cards; and, vise-versa. This is where children make their first adventures, and discover the tales of old. Make no mistake, this plain suburbia spans far and wide, but its people stay close.
Many beginnings start here, rich or poor, in the homeland of Solinus. The streets are littered with the history of every downtown corporation. Small start-up businesses, at first, they broke away from this nest and soared high. They leave their former space for the masses to appreciate, so they might build their own dreams of luxury. Tentative shops make their stand in the light of day for tourists and families alike. Any idea may ripen in the Tranq.
âJim-Jim, yaâgotta get your immunities built up!â A young man belched and tugged the sleeve of his friend. âThese guys wonât serve us nothinâ, if yaâdonât.â
âJim-Jimâ, also known as James on less popular days, dragged Toby, the awful belcher, down the sidewalk. âYouâre done for the night, I think. Youâll be the DD, next time.â James, preoccupied with a drunken Toby, didnât notice the figure at his front. âYeahhhh, fuck that.â Toby declined, and pulled away to head off the sidewalk.
Within the second, a black Cadillac was zooming down the street; Toby wasnât looking. James quickly maneuvered his hands to grab Toby by the arm, and yank him back. âShit!â James held the skinny manâs arm in a vise-like grip. âDamn it, Toby! You dumbass!â He suddenly turned to continue walking, when they both bumped into the slender figure of a pale man who wore a sharp, black suit.
A colorful pair of eyes clashed with the shocked, frozen faces of James and Toby. The severe heterochromic swirls of his oculars drove the young men to a moment of daze. The paleness of his skin caused Tobyâs mouth to gape; he wanted to exclaim how âoffâ the man appeared. James could only stare at the odd man. His ghostly pale skin, the messy, yet sophisticated style of his hair, and his eyes- his eyes tainted the soul with curiosity and interest. The man turned away, as if the incident never happened. His slick suit, and shined shoes, were all keen to match his dominance of the situation.
âCareful, boys.â That was all he said. And, the ominous, extravagant feeling that bubbled in their chests had faded away. Toby hung loosely on Jamesâ shoulder, before he fell to his knees and vomited on the brick-built sidewalk. âMy immunities, huh?â James stuffed his hands in his pockets, and stood by to support his friend with a light chuckle.
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There was a buzz in the breast-pocket of Hatchetâs jacket. He pulled out the cellular device, reading the recently sent text message. A wide grin extended his satisfaction at the sight of good news. âJust keep swimmingâŠâ Hatchet tapped the touch-screen surface of the cell, navigating to the search engine; he typed in âMaurana.â âSwimming with sharks, now.â The womanâs contact number was successfully saved to the phone, before Hatchet called.
He shuffled farther down the suburbsâ main street with the phone pressed to his ear. âIs this Maurana?â
The elder nudged at his grandsonâs shoulder to relinquish the boyâs attention. âDoesnât he look important?â The balding grandfather, dressed in a light yellow sweater vest and khakis, nodded at Hatchetâs much more sophisticated suit. The child nodded in simple agreement with his grandpa, before they both continued into a boutique to meet with the rest of their family.
âWell, letâs hold off on the specifics. If it is you, Ms. Maurana, then would you be interested in a job proposal? I can do a meeting later this evening, if you want.â His index finger tapped the cover of the cell-phone.
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