Ethan sneezed. Fields of wild grass and flowers always targeted hay fever at him. Anto smirked, even a smile seemed like a strange distortion to his ever scowling face.
"Pussy." Anto sneered, as he made his way up the slope.
"Because I sneezed?" Ethan's face tightened, his eyebrows raised. "Really?"
"Only a pussy sneezes because of flowers."
With that they continued their journey, Ethan flailing his arms in exasperation. Looking on the bright side, he concluded that it's better that Anto even said anything after their previous fight the other day.
The field strips were only getting longer and more challenging to pass through. Intense, persisting sunlight roasted the earth, like a barbecue roasts meat. Breathing was a chore, as there was nothing to breathe in. Like all the air was sucked out through a vacuum.
"What's Anto short for?" Ethan started the conversation, Wiping trickles of sweat away with his sleeve. "Anthony? Antonio? Antonini?"
"Why would I tell you?" He said defensibly.
"Well, considering that you won't tell me anything, knowing your name would be nice, or is it 'confidential'?'"
"Anthony." He paused. "Never liked it though, too Christian for my taste."
"Anthony isn't extremely Christian though."
"Just a little bit is enough."
Ethan shrugged, masking his silent victory.
Maybe he will open up a little. At least I know something about him now. Anthony, probably Atheist. A badass and just a general ass.
They reached the top of the hill. Both boys were panting and rubbing their sore legs. In the distance, loosely hidden behind trees, was a small, sleepy town. The buildings appeared to be old and worn down. Neon signs flashed faintly.
Food. I'm starving.
Ethan hadn't eaten in over two days, he never realized how hungry he was until he entered the town. Until he entered civilization again.
The boys stood outside a McDonald's fast food. Ethan would have almost lunged in if Anto hadn't grabbed him by the collar.
"I don't think so kid. You're a major criminal, just keep low and get to the motel. Don't fuck anything up though." He growled.
Anger bubbled up inside Ethan. He forgot he's still seen as a criminal. He forgot that his life would take a 180 degree turn ever since what happened. Quietly scolding himself for the absence of his mind, he took off to the motel.
Anto could see the pain in Ethan's eyes, he even felt sorry for the kid. But being sorry wasn't going to change anything. He needed to toughen up and swallow back all his imagined fury and guilt. Apart from his chasers, and a long list of people who want him dead, Ethan was was his own worst danger.
Keeping his hood up, and shuffling his money in his pockets Anto entered the fast food.
-
Somewhere deep dark in the woods, Ian Gantry's corpse rested on a pile of leaves. No one was ever to find traces of Madeleine's DNA on the body. Bert soaked the body in gasoline, struck a match and threw it on the body. The leaves lit up first, then his clothes. Bert stayed and watched to make sure nobody could extinguish the flames, slowly and greedily devouring more than just the body, trees lit up like torches. Bert almost patted his own back. He found this way too easy and entertaining. Once in his car, he dialled in Madeleine's number.
"Did you do it?" She asked huskily.
"Why of course I did." His voice was dual accented. He could sound like a typical American or a fine English man. He used his English accent with Madeleine. For various security reasons, one could not be too careful. Bert was immaculate. Everything goes according to plan.
"Good. I won't be around for a few days. Take care everything while I'm gone. If things go south, do what is necessary. Even if it means killing someone who gets too close."
"Understood Miss Jesoir."
"Keep safe. Goodbye Bert."
He rung off.
The bitch is going down. Oh yes!
-
The motel room was grungy and infested with tacky, broken furniture. But it was the best considering the price. On the downside there was only one king sized bed. Ethan lost it to Anto over a game of rock, paper and scissors. The sofa didn't look exactly welcoming but it would do. He couldn't focus on sleep as much as he did on food. The boys attacked their food like angry wolves, yet they savoured each bite of chips and burgers, washed down by freezing cold coca cola. Once full, they kicked back on the sofa to watch television. Some game was on that interested Anto.
"So, can we talk like human beings now?" Ethan inquired.
"Depends. Like I said you don't need to know about my intentions, so just back down. I'm tired."
"What age are you?"
"How is that relevant?"
"If you're saying all this other stuff is irrelevant then at least let me know who I'm with."
"I'm 25."
"What?" Ethan was astonished. "You look like you're in your mid thirties." He blurted out.
"And you piece of shit look 12. So what?"
"You are joking aren't you?. You look old for being 7 years older than me."
"Fuck you, I wasn't raised on healthy vegetables and skin smoothing products. Besides, after a while on the road, your own mother won't recognize you."
Silence. Ethan felt gut-punched. He didn't have a mother any more. His depression was slowly eating him up.
"I'm going to shower." Ethan stood up without making eye contact. Tears streaked down his cheeks, his breath became warmer when his body lost temperature.
He's right. I am a pussy. I'm lonely, scared. I long to be back with Madeleine.
Anto took a long sip of the beer, as he sprawled himself on the sofa. The door was locked, windows were locked and covered. He deserved to relax. Ethan's emotional state sickened him.
Maybe it's only hit him now that his folks are dead. I should be feeling compassionate but it won't bring the parents back. He needs to swallow his shit and get over it.
Using the remote he flicked through the channels on the television. He was drowsy and tipsy from the lack of sleep and recent alcohol. Yet no amount of booze or comfort could send him to sleep. Insomnia got on top of the rather healthy man. Daydreaming was so common to Anto. At that time he could only picture Ethan's face. He was so alike Madeleine, his features soft, deep brown chest nut eyes, only difference was the hair colour. Madeleine was dirty blonde, and Ethan was a brown, possibly dark red. But looking at the personalities, they could have been as different as fire and water. Ethan was of a gentle, caring nature. Madeleine was fierce, extremely brave.
Good in bed too.
While pondering on his cloud of thoughts, he wondered.
Does he know who his sister really is? What she does for a living? He seems to idolize her. Some trend people have nowadays. Idolize the bad guys.
The cold water pelted down on his chest. His feet stuck to the dirty tub.
I hate motels.
Ethan thoroughly washed down his body with scentless gel in unbranded plastic bottles. That's what his life got to now, one night he was enjoying the night in a hot bubble bath. The next, he was shivering in the motel shower that hadn't been washed in a century.
Everything is so dirty in this town. Then again, I am the stranger in a strange land.
He grabbed the white towels from the low shelf above rusty pipes. Starting with his hair he began to towel himself dry. Now he felt colder than he did in the freezing water. At least the towel gave him time to think things through.
I have to trust Anto. As hard as it is, he's the only person close to help now.
A warm red flushed his cheeks. He had no pyjamas, he couldn't sleep in his only clothes.
Do I walk out in my boxers? Maybe Anto is asleep.
Embarrassment was human torture.
Great, My parents are dead and all I worry is about sheepish things like this.
Ethan worried over more than one simple thing.
Why don't I feel sad about my parents now? I could swear I was depressed less than an hour ago.
"Fuck it." He whispered wrapping a towel around his shoulders.
He might not see them.
Pushing the door wide open, he skipped towards the sofa only to see Anto snoring like a chainsaw. With a guilty delight, Ethan hopped into the bed. It smelled of fresh fabric trying to camouflage cat piss. He fell asleep before he hit the pillow.
-
Madeleine stood outside one of her many houses. It was a typical American dream. Mowed lawn and white picket fence. The mail box outside however, was her priority interest. She opened it to see a thick, coffee brown envelope with 'CONFIDENTIAL' printed boldly in black. A smirk so devious cracked across her pretty face. She placed the envelope into her handbag. Another mission accomplished. This only meant one thing. Another mission started. She slithered into the house and shuffled through multiple drawers in her living room.
Here it is.
Madeleine picked up a burner phone and made a call.
"I need ten thousand dollars within three days. Usual place. No questions. Just get to it."
With that she finished the one-sided conversation.
Now the fun begins.
The car engine revved up as she drove to her next victim's home.
-
Anto climbed out of the sofa, ending his fake sleep. He decided that the kid was more important at the moment, and some inner kindness allowed him to have the bed. After all, it's not like Anto could sleep anyway. Looking at the boy sliced his heart. He was way too alike Madeleine. The girl he hated but loved. It was unclear if he hated Ethan for being his sister's dark haired double. His mind was fuzzy as always, just like his bushy stubble.
I need to shave.
Anto paced around the room, a kitchen, bedroom and living room merged into one. The only two doors led to a bathroom and the exit. The bed took up most of the space. Ethan shifted positions constantly, he even attempted to speak. His blanket was hanging off the bed, revealing his small body frame. Faint, old bruisings were visible on his back and stomach. Anto's eyes widened in shock.
Who did this to him?
Ethan Jesoir was covered in dark bruises, old and fresh. Anto picked up the blanket and tucked Ethan in.
Tonight he can rest, but tomorrow is a new harder day. Less Compassion Anto. You seriously need to stop the emotions. They're distracting.
End of chapter 3.
Chapter 4 -> (By Sunday 27/7/14)
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