Even on a cloudy night, the city lights beckoned far and wide, even the most darkest of alleyways having a smidge of neon radiating down like the stars. Though most folks have never seen the stars. Hell, you’d be lucky to find someone within a twelve block radius who even gave a shit anymore.
Clutching the emptying bottle of some unknown liquor in his hand, the only thing that Henry really cared about was the three F’s. Food, fucking, and fine liquor. Though he had none of those, unless you count the half eaten bagel in his pocket, his hand, and the whiskey the three. He did not.
Then again, a fine meal was anything he could scrounge up from a restaurant dumpster before the rats came by, though with some quick reflexes, they could make a adequate meal. Henry did not have fine reflexes. Hell, he was lucky he could still walk straight, given his bum leg.
Sure, he could buy a nice shiny replacement leg, if only they gave you money for spouting conspiracy gibberish at the passing pedestrians during the day. In that case, he’d be the richest man from the 5th block to the 8th. Not the 6th though, Martha owned that corner. Her and her goddamn theory about lizard people.
Taking another quick swig from his bottle, a blinding light overtook him, and no it wasn’t baby Jesus looking to finally take ol’ Henry for a dirt nap. It was…….a girl? Not an oddity, but this one looked even more out of place. Young, but she wasn’t dressed like the other younguns were. No light up hair, bar code tattoos, or jewelry colored like a dead television channel. She was just………normal. Well, abnormal compared to others her age.
“Hey!” Henry shouted, the girl twisting around and sprinting off before he could even try to head after her, the glimpse he caught of her eyes spoke volumes as he had seen it in his own almost everyday, especially after a long night drinking. Confusion.
Chapter 1: A special place in hell
“Alright, you just gotta know when to dodge and when to shoot…….and boom! That’s how it’s done!” Smiling like a child, Jackson turned his attention back to the kids, the Galaga cabinet tallying his scores from the previous stage. “So? Wanna give it a shot?”
Both kids scowled at him. “You have to use your hands? It’s like a baby’s toy!” Snickering as they ran off, Jackson heard the unfortunate sound of his craft being annihilated by a rogue bug, right before another unfortunate sound.
“Jack! Come on!” Leslie yelled, holding two cups in one hand and a bag of popcorn and Twizzlers in the other. Snatching one of the cups, Jackson moved over to the soda fountain, eying his choices. “You gonna get me back right?” Leslie asked, filling his own cup with orange soda. Jackson didn’t responded, instead taking a sip of his new concoction. Cherry root beer. Yum. “Yes Leslie, I’ll totally get you back for the pop and the candy.” Leslie answered, Jackson snatching the licorice right as he mentioned it. “Thank you buddy.” He smiled.
After nearly of minute of trying to find seats, the two set their butts down near the middle of the theater. Ideal spot, Leslie argued, Jackson barely paying attention as he set his coat on the seat next to him, moments later, an older man asked them if the seat was available. It wasn’t.
“What are you doing?” Leslie questioned, noticing the scowls from theater goers as the older gentleman made his way to the front of the theater, having to angle his neck to even get a glimpse at the screen. “I invited someone.”
Biting into a Twizzler, Jackson eyed a couple who were making their way toward the seat, he immediately hovering his arm over it and smiled. “Sorry guys. Taken.”
Grunting, they shuffled back toward the aisle, Jackson trying to enjoy his candy and soda. “Who?” Leslie asked, nibbling at his popcorn, eyes moving from the blank screen and over toward Jackson. “A dear old friend of mine who just came back to town.”
Offering a Twizzler to Leslie, Jackson glanced over near the entrance to the theater, seeing a familiar face walk in. “You’ve actually met her once.” Waving, Leslie turned his attention toward the woman, eyes widening as he glanced back at Jack. “Really? Her?”
“Yes, her! She’s a dear friend. Besides, she’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad? You remember the first time you introduced me to her?! She showed up to my birthday party, drunk, then ate my most of cake before passing out of the bed. I had to get brand new sheets! There was alot of puke!”
Wouldn’t be the worst thing that happened on there, Jackson thought. “Look! First impressions are often shitty. Look at how we met? And yet, we’re still friends.” Sighing, Leslie slumped in his seat.“Besides, she gives like really great head! Like, wow! Those French women know what they’re doing!”
“What!?!” Leslie whispered.
“Heather!” Shuffling his coat off, Jackson patted the seat beside him. “Have a seat! You remember Leslie, yeah?”