The sounds of gunshots fill the air.
TACTICAL AIR STRIKE
The missile flies to its target, who had just pointed his head out of his hiding place.
The target flails upon impact, just like a ragdoll.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!"
My a thud sounds from the floor, my uncle squeezing his controller tightly.
"You suck, hahaha!"
His head shoots to my direction, a vein popping on his forehead.
"You..."
I smirk. His bloodshot eyes move back to the screen. He borderline hits the analog stick, attempting to run to my character.
HEADSHOT
"..."
"..."
"You know, I thought this would be a lot harder—"
I shut up immediately after looking at my uncle's face. I don't want to get smacked, so...
In a huff, he shoots up and lights a cigarette. Again. Man, how much does he smoke in one day...
Shawn heads to the window by the door, it's just behind the tv. He's been checking on and off since we got back...
"Um... is something wrong?"
His eyes remain locked on the street below.
"It's nothing. I'm just checking something."
Hmmm...
Well, he always has been weird.
I push my hands above my head and stretch backwards.
...The edges of it sport yellow spots, but the rest is... passable, I guess. Does he even own this place? Please don't tell me he's renting...
"Hey, brat."
I press my head downwards to him.
"Yes?"
He glances over to me. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Well, yeah. If I told you, you'd think I was crazy though.
"No, why?"
Smoke blows out of his nose in a scoff.
"Yeah, sure. So why is it that there's been a black car following us around all day?"
A... black car?
"Um... what?"
He points out the window, making me get up from my seat.
!!!
No... there's... no way...
My mouth goes dry. My hands shake uncontrollably.
Does that mean it's been following me for several days now? There's no way... was it... waiting outside my apartment for me to leave? How didn't I notice? How?!
Wait... then... how didn't it find me when I didn't use the same path?
"So you recognize it."
I nod my head reluctantly.
"Y-yeah... I've seen it follow me on my way back home from school..."
His eyes shift back to the car.
"How many times have you seen it? For how long? Why is it following you?"
"I... just twice... the last few days..."
He hums in response, and points to his fridge behind him.
"Okay. Go get me some whiskey."
You... you're going to drink at a time like this?!
"You—"
His normally impassive voice shifts into a growl. "Do it."
!!!
"F-fine..."
His fridge is just as bad as his floor... I take the whiskey, and hand it over to him. He flicks his thumb once, and the cap flies off. He takes a large swig, a drop rolling down his scruffy stubble.
"Hmm... now, is that all? Have you been hiding anything else?"
...Hiding it would be dangerous, so... I...
"...There's also a hooded guy... I've seen him carrying a knife..."
"...What the hell did you just—" His expression shifts into pure rage, before he huffs, and returns to watching the car. "...and you only said something just now. After only asking for help today. Is there anything else?"
"...My neighbors have been acting weird..."
"How? Be more specific."
I hang my head.
"Like... I don't know... giving me weird looks... treating me coldly... and... locking me out..."
His grip on the bottle tightens, and he takes another drink.
"...So you think they're connected. Well then, let me get this straight. A car has been following you around, someone's been threatening you with a knife, and you've been locked out of your own apartment. Do you know what that means?" His eyes lock on mine, making me flinch. "Well?"
I shake my head hesitantly. "N-no..."
He chuckles mockingly, his eyes glinting. "Well, it means we have NO idea on how many people are actually after you, my dear nephew! What the FUCK did you do? Get mixed up with a gang? Huh?" He aggressively pushes his index finger into my chest.
"N-no... I don't know..."
"Of course you don't." He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Here's what's going to happen. You aren't going to leave my sight until this is all settled. Got it? You don't even shit without my permission."
Gross...
"Don't give me that look! I'm not happy about this either!"
Clicking his tongue, he pulls his phone out. It's... a flip phone?
He frantically presses the buttons, and holds it to his ear.
Beeep Beeeep
...
Beeeep Beeeeeep
...
Beee
"Pick up the phone, you smug f—"
Hello?
"John! Get your ass to—"
Hahaha, I'm just kidding. I can't pick up the phone right now. Leave your message at the beep!
"..."
He looks like he's gonna kill someone...
Beeeeeeeep
His voice comes out in a harsh snarl. "John. Docks. Bring the girl. That one bald guy too. And the emo guy. Immediately."
He slams his phone shut, and shoves his cigarette in a half full water bottle. The water is black as ink...
"Stop looking at pointless shit. Let's go."