Four

v e r n o n

"When the hell is he coming?!” JB turned harshly to Mark, fidgeting his feet in impatience. 

I gulped and managed to collect my own restraint. The two bickered while my eyes wandered in nervousness. I’ve done this a lot of times but even when you are used to vile acts, your conscience would always bug you like the first time you decided to pursue evil. 

Unlit light posts make the lower part of the suburb almost desolate. Empty establishments tower over the dark streets and dangerous people of the like wander around. The homeless. The drug addicts. The gangsters. The juvenile delinquents. They roam around like they rule the area. 

It resembled a hell hole, the part of the city you’d never like to cross but then again, this part is invisible to the privileged. I mean, if you have the comfort of a civilized city and a first class apartment, would you know that some people live in the streets? That in hunger, they feed their stomachs with cocaine? In desperation, they commit crimes? 

“He’s here! Quit crying like a baby in need of a damn breastfeed.” Mark hissed at JB before leaving us for some mid-aged supplier. The negotiation took seconds. 

Mark brought us to an abandoned building. By its narrow doorstep, he brought out his drug paraphernalia and we watched him like kids waiting for a magic show to unfold.

There were spoon, lighters, water and syringes. He opened the pack of cocaine then poured its crystalline white powder on the spoon with water, lit a lighter under it and mixed it with his finger. When it was finished, he transferred the solution on the syringe.

“Woah. You could be a chemist Mark!” Mingyu laughed and clapped like an idiot.

“Yea. He could even be an entrepreneur. You know, make a business on dealing drugs.” JB grinned sheepishly. 

“Then we’ll be fucking rich!” 

“Yea, I’ll buy my grandma a house and leave our toxic home.” Wonwoo uttered quietly.

“Don’t cry Wonwoo! We’ll make sure Mark will be rich—”

“Take this so your fantasies come true.” Mark handed us a syringe.

"I'll take it." I grabbed it and received a dagger look from JB. 

Mark nodded as he proceeded on making another one. I let the syringe penetrate my flesh until it reached a huge vein.

My heartbeat began slamming violently against my chest. A slight ringing emerged on my ears but immediately died down. I felt an intense wave of pleasure rushing in my blood and sending me alive more than anything else. The enormous amount of dopamine overpowered my body. 

It was impossible to control myself from smiling. I could do it forever with the pleasure inhabiting me right now. 

The next flashes in my mind was characterized by a whole new level of happiness. Wonwoo who was always quiet wouldn't stop himself from talking. Laughing became as natural as breathing to me. Then we were wandering around the streets wrapped in beautiful streetlights and towering buildings. Laughter. Endless smiles. Dancing and running. It felt like a dream.

Until it subsided. 

The thing about cocaine is that it takes effect immediately but fades after fifteen to twenty minutes. But who would want happiness to be over? After wandering around the dark streets, we had a little break and injected ourselves again.

Craving for hype and buzz that would match our ecstatic feeling, Mingyu decided to wander around the more urbanized part of town. The total opposite of our place right now. The north is a place where people never sleep and the night is always alive. 

"We better go to a bar dude. Get some hot chick sit on your lap." I snickered as Mark convinced Mingyu.

"I really want to dance right now!" Mark said as if he wasn't already striking movements in the streets. 

"Let's go to a bar. You could even pay for a private room where a prostitute could dance on you. You know, all yours. You could dance with her, grab her booty or hell you could even---" Mingyu cut him off for his tongue was getting too explicit. 

"I'd like to grab a beer." 

Upon my request, we settled over a nearby stall that sells sodas and beers. We were conversing until a police officer sat beside me. Our eyes met and I quickly looked away, afraid he’ll notice how bloodshot they are. 

Miraculously, he seemed clueless or maybe he’s faking it. Either way, my eyes went back and fort to his face and to the gun on his pocket. My friends were busy drinking and chatting while my eyes were fantasizing the gun. 

Suddenly, my hands were too itchy to touch it. 

I gulped and bit my lip. I couldn't fight the urge to hold it. My skin is itching for the feel of power that leers on its metallic rust. How lovely would it be to hold the pistol in my hands, pull its trigger, shoot it everywhere and send noises like firecrackers. I laughed inwardly. 

My eyes drifted back to the police officer. I felt more superior to him. I know I could shoot him and make his skull explode. Vivid blood will fountain from his head and wrinkled portions of his brain would scatter. A bloodbath. An ocean of shattered cerebrum would decorate the lifeless streets. The credit goes to me. A masterpiece. What a majestic sight! I am fearless and uncontrollable more than anything right now. 

I stole the gun in a haste. 

The officer jumped out of his seat, eyes immediately blazing in anger. He looked like a provoked bull about to kill me with its horns. 

"What the fuck?!" He cussed loudly, making the veins on his forehead visible.

He launched at me and tried to snatch the gun back but I quickly stood up and created a good distance between us, pointing the weapon before him.

“Vernon, what are you doing?!” Mingyu’s voice quivered in fear.

The others were caught in a haze too. But their fear was short-lived. Once they’ve adjusted to the sudden panic driven by my actions, adrenaline filled them with excitement. 

"Wonwoo, catch it!" I threw the gun to Wonwoo and he jumped to catch it in the air.

"You pricks! Give it back!" The officer was yelling his wrath out but we were having the time of our lives, feeling like reckless and powerful youth above the law. We moved briskly, laughing while tossing the pistol from each other.

"I am not playing with you kids. Give the damn gun back." The cop warned like a curse from the devil.

"You want to get your gun? Come. Get it." Wonwoo teased him with his baby talks. It was aggravated by Mingyu’s chuckles.

“Give it back.” Along the stern command, the officer brought out another pistol. Fear painted our faces in synchrony as the latter hovered toward us, wary of our movements.

"Hell no. Old hag." My eyes widened when Wonwoo pointed back the gun at the officer. 

"What the fck?!" I shoved his shoulder to stop him but he remained still.

"What's happening here?" 

Our doom appeared before us. Two more cops are heading towards our direction. Dead end. We were horrified for a moment. The tension and danger embraced us. It’s either we get caught or we run away and risk getting shot.

We chose the latter.

"Run!" We took Mark's cue and we all started running as quick as bolt towards random directions.

The cops ran after us. Desperate to escape quickly and to lure them, we sprinted on opposite directions. My body smashed and stumbled into strangers as I ran for my life, so fast that I was flying. It felt like forever but I kept running, not really sure where to escape. 

When I glanced back and saw no trace of anyone, I entered a small convenience store. I successfully hid under one of its tables for it was empty of people and the cashier was oblivious of me. 

There, I felt the loud rythm of my heart. Only a few seconds of rest and I realized how worn out I am. The sudden comedown of enery felt like I've fought thousands of battles. I struggled to catch my breath and I stayed there until my instincts felt safe enough to come out. 

My eyes took a quick search of the outside. When I was assured there were no cops, I ran slowly towards a random road.

All the running made me sober. I stopped by a nearby brick wall to get some rest. I brought a cigar to my lips. I was about to light it but my hands remained hanging on air. I froze at the sight of something.

A girl emerged from the club in front of me. Red disheveled hair on top of disarrayed skimpy dress. She leaned on a metal pole of the bar that holds up its neon sign. I watched as her shoulders begun to shudder in restrained whimpers. Some middle-aged man joined her. 

My eyes narrowed for the next scene. He started touching the girl against her will. Due to her protests, the man grew violent, forcing her between his arms and gripping her arms tight. The girl turned around for some help.

I was about to intervene if not only I caught a better view of her face. Her hair was the color of crimson but her eyes were pitch black. Despite the heavy make-up and unusual clothes, I knew it was her. 

It was impossible to mistake someone special. 3