New Guy in Town ((Drabble))
It had been, what, three days since he had defected from the Deluxian military? Mike still couldn’t quite grasp the situation he was in. How could the one man that everyone had looked up to, the man that he saw like a father, how could he be so cruel and malicious?
The betrayal and guilt still weighed heavily on his mind. All of those people lost their homes because of him. He had even hurt his friend Jensen. Maybe Chuck really did have the right idea when he left Deluxe to come down to Motorcity.
His free hand combed through his hair in frustration. In his other hand was his uniform jacket. He couldn’t stand to where it any more. Not after what had happened. Mike let out an exasperated sigh as he looked around him.
Motorcity was still fairly unfamiliar. He knew areas where military operations had happened, but that was the extent. Just down the road he spied a store called Jacob’s Super Market. Maybe there would be someone who could give him some idea of where he was and where he could go.
Stepping inside it looked a little foreign to him like most things in Motorcity did. He knew what the different things were from his education and old files that Chuck would constantly dig up but he’d never seen any of it in person. In Deluxe they had nutrition cubes and not much else. It was slightly fascinating to see it in person.
“Let me guess, you’re new around here,” came a gruff old voice that sounded much like a goat. “The name’s Jacob.”
Mike turned to see a man standing behind the counter. He looked like he was in his early sixties if the teen had to guess. He wore a red bandana, black vest that was frayed at the armholes, a white t-shirt, and blue jeans. However, something about this guy seemed oddly familiar.
Then he remembered something Kane told him. There used to be a man that he was partners with named Jacob and to be careful around him, that he was bad news. But his gut feeling told him that he could be trusted.
“I’m Mike,” the teen replied. “Yeah, you’d be right, I’m new around here. Was it the clothes that gave it away?”
“Yep. That’s a KaneCo military uniform, isn’t it? Were you a cadet?” Jacob asked.
“Actually I just became a commander, but I saw Kane’s true colors so I defected.”
“I see. I used to be his partner for a long time until I saw the same thing. How long have you been down here now?”
“Three days,” Mike replied. “I haven’t eaten or slept since then and I’m getting sick of wearing this damned uniform.”
“Well, I have some spare clothes in the back I can give ya and I know a place where we could get you something to eat. As for where you can stay, I have a place you can use.”
“Whoa, wait, are you sure?” Mike asked in surprise. “I mean, you’ve only just met me and you’re willing to do all that?”
“You seem like a good kid. I think I can trust you. Now follow me so you can get changed,” Jacob said before leading Mike into the back. He handed Mike a few things and left him to change.
Mike emerged from the back wearing a white t-shirt, brown pants, black belt, cowboy boots that were hidden under the pant legs, and a black jacket with orange trim. It all fit surprisingly well. “Alright, I’m ready.”
He really enjoyed the ride to Antonio’s. He’d never been in a car before but the speed and the feeling of freedom was a little addictive. Mike even asked Jacob to teach him how to try to which the old man agreed.
The pair went into the restaurant, Jacob leaving Mike by the counter for a while so he could go chat with the owner for a bit. The teen shoved his hands in his pockets with a slight sigh. It still was sinking in that this was his new reality, his new home, that everything he knew before was a lie.
“Mikey?” came the sound of a quiet and confused voice. The familiarity of it caused him to look up and see a very familiar blond in a two-toned blue shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
“Chuck?!” Mike gasped in both confusion and excitement. He walked quickly over to his best friend and embraced him. “Chuck, it’s so good to finally see a familiar face!”
“Mikey, what happened? I thought you were staying in Deluxe. I mean, I’m really happy that you’re here, but what about the military? Being a cadet?” Chuck asked.
“Actually I made Commander. But it turns out, you were right, Chuckles. Kane wasn’t the man I thought he was. And he was wrong about that guy Jacob that he warned me about.” Mike answered.
“Wait, you know Jacob?” Chuck asked.
“Yeah, he was the one that brought me here,” the other said, slightly confused. “Why? Do you?”
“Mhm. I’m staying with him right now along with another guy named Texas,” the blond replied. “Did he offer for you to stay with him?”
“Yeah. This is great! Man, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too, Mikey.”
