Incident Bile_1-3

Incident Bile_1-3

Chapter One; Where it began.


Theres always at least that one person in a crowd of people you can't help but look at. It might be their strangely colored hair, or the large multi-colored spikes of hair jutting off their head. It could be the bright vibrant colors emitting from the clothes they wear, or possibly you just happen to notice them and get a weird feeling in your gut. Usually, people choose to be %u201Cdifferent.%u201D Only there are always those few who are just different by nature. They always get stares, even if they blend in with the shadows they walk in. Uppers are stupid in that way. They think that just because they have homes and go to work and go to school that just maybe us Lowers are less intelligent then them. They assume we don't realize they exist, and think that we're just oblivious to everything. If some people got their head out of their asses, maybe Incident Bile would have never happened. And that is where my story begins.


A cigarette butt had hit the ground, which caused a hooded figure to glare up at the owner of the burning stick. Sharpie looked down and gave Bud the shrug, which basically said, %u201CI can't break the habit.%u201D I watched from the across the alley as Bud sighed and shook his head, causing the black mess on his head to cover even more of his face. I heard a muffled cry come from beside me and looked to see a girl hugging her knees probably tight enough to decapitate someone. Rancor was the youngest, and the newest. Rim popped out of nowhere and tugged on the quivering girl's sleeve, whispering softly to her. Rim's the only one she'd talk to. We usually refer to the two of them as R&R. I guess it has to do with age difference. We were guessing she's only around fourteen to fifteen. Sixteen would be pushing it. Rim's sixteen, but sometimes we'd wonder. Rim smiled and pushed the long locks of plum hair out of her face while she laughed. Sharpie's convinced it's her real hair color, and we're with him. It hasn't shown any signs of fading yet and it's been at least four months.
Almost in unison, our stomachs growled bitterly. I got to my feet and helped Bud up. After he dusted his tattered jeans and threw on his zip up hoodie, Sharpie buttoned his white work shirt all the way and ran his fingers all the way through his oil black hair. I wish he'd cut the rat tail he's growing, but I don't think he realized it was there. %u201CHurry up, would you?%u201D Sharpie kicked at a bag on the ally floor. The two kids scampered to their feet and shuffled after us.
%u201CI must know how you keep your hair so purple!%u201D
Rim always complained his streaks of green came out too often. My golden brown hair had a cerulean blue color stained at the tips, so I never really worried. Rancor just smiled to him and spoke softly.
%u201CIt must just have been a good brand.%u201D
Something about her voice bothered me but Bud had broken my thoughts after he nudged me with his elbow. I had forgotten what my job was. Parting from the group, I traveled to the other side of the street.
After at least twenty minutes of picking and spotting the right people, I had manged to get eight dollars. I was just glad I didn't have to actually mug someone this time. The day was nice and cool. Not cold enough to need four hoodies, but not hot enough to walk around in a tank top. It was the way we liked it. I caught up with the gang and Sharpie's eyes glinted happily. %u201CThis means we can buy enough food for all of us, and I can use the remaining three dollars for a cigarette or two!%u201D Bud gave Sharpie a cold glare and took the money from my hands.
%u201CUnlike you, we're starving. We don't sleep with random people just for a meal or drugs you know.%u201D
%u201CWell I'm sorry people like me. Unlike you, Scarface.%u201D
Bud's whole body tensed and his left eye, his only visible eye, got that extremely cold feeling. R&R got real quiet and both of them quickly hid behind me. I could feel them shaking through my patchwork zip up. Even though Bud wasn't nearly as tall as Sharpie, it still seemed Bud was the bigger man when he went right up to Sharpie and nailed him in the chest. Sharpie gawked awkwardly, not quite sure how to respond. As he was about to throw something he believed was a punch, I jumped between them.
%u201CStop it you ass-wipes!%u201D
Rim grabbed Bud and gingerly pulled the fuming boy back. I grabbed Sharpie's wrists so he couldn't run away or try to hit me and reeled him into me.
%u201CYou of all people should know not to call him that! I can't believe you!%u201D
I really couldn't. They had been friends before I had even ever seen them hangin' on the streets. %u201CI'm sorry,%u201D he muttered as he broke his wrists free from my grasp. Bud snarled to himself then adjusted his jacket on his shoulders. After returning me the money, he glimpsed into the glass window. He checked to make sure the right side of his face was completely covered by his smoky black hair. Most Upper teenagers think he's trying to be %u201Cemo%u201D or %u201Cscene%u201D or some shit like that. They could never even have guessed the secrets he's been hiding.

We went up a couple blocks and I noticed Sharpie and Bud were slowing their pace.
%u201CI bet I could beat you both to McDonald's!%u201D It was just a block away, but it gave the two time to talk. Rancor's face lit up and Rim pouted but they both got ready.
%u201COn your mark...get set...%u201D I caught a look over my shoulder and Bud smiled faintly to me as a thank you. %u201CGo!%u201D And the three of us took off. Rancor is faster then any of us, even though I'm sure we've done more running for our lives then her. Rim had mentioned something about how she used to play sports, but I didn't think it matter. Rancor had beaten us pretty badly, and I ended up giving Rim a Cop Ride.

In the restaurant we got a few looks from people, but we ignored them like they ignore us when they see us aimlessly wandering. After ordering food for the whole gang, I was left with a dollar and forty-two cents. R&R were laughing as they played with the free toy they had received from the meal. Sharpie and Bud entered and placed themselves down across from each other. Sharpie got caught up in trying to figure out what the toy was as Bud and I exchanged words.
%u201CSo, how'd it go?%u201D
%u201CCan't quite say.%u201D
%u201CI guess the question is, are you still mad at each other?%u201D
%u201CWe're both breathing, aren't we?%u201D
%u201C...Nicely placed.%u201D
%u201CHe didn't really mean what he said. He's just a bit edgy lately.%u201D
%u201CI noticed.%u201D
The conversation died and I munched on my fries, when I realized the conversation was all but dead. I looked into Bud's eye, and realized I had missed something major. Bud's attention had shifted to Sharpie who was arguing with R&R who got to play with the toy. Bud leaned forward and whispered in my ear. I pulled back slightly.
%u201CAre you sure?%u201D
%u201CHe wouldn't lie, not to me.%u201D
%u201CJesus Christ. What are we going to do?%u201D
My voice must have gone that notch too high, because Sharpie let Rancor have the toy and was sitting next to me. His arm laced around my shoulder and he pulled me in like he was hugging me. I knew this position all too well. When Rim came around, we hadn't trusted him with everything yet. So we made up small motions to hide or cover the real motives.
R&R were too busy giggling to themselves to notice, but with them we were never too sure. Sharpie laid his forehead on my shoulder and his voice dropped to a notch above not even speaking.
%u201CMir, I have HIV.%u201D

_______________

Chapter Two; Inside Her Head

There was just no way he had HIV. Just...no.
At that moment Sharpie just started laughing. I had been hoping the laughter was a sign it was all a joke, but Bud's head sagged slightly and barely swayed from left to right. It's not easy knowing your best friend isn't going to treat his HIV which would turn into AIDS which will then kill him. Just because the other Lowers had the rule every man for himself or whatever, it doesn't mean we apply. We were a group, a tribe, a family.
Bud finally manged a forceful laugh. You could tell the laugh was played out there in hopes it was all a dream and Sharpie was going to be okay. We both shared the thought of wondering how Sharpie made it this long. We only wish we had prevented it just a bit longer. The laugh manged to catch Rim's attention. The naive boy slid himself over and sat on his knees next to Bud who then got him in a headlock. Rim squealed loudly, and Sharpie picked him up by his sides and twirled around. The three raced outside leaving Rancor and I alone. I don't think she realized the others had left, her gaze was fixed on something outside. The look that gripped her face proved she wasn't really looking outside, but at something inside her head. Zoning out was like breathing for her. She might have been on drugs, or maybe had a mental disorder. Rim never mentioned any, but you never know. The boy does tend to forget who he's told what to.
The plastic bench stuck to my pant leg as I got up and the chair squeaked across from the purple headed one as I pulled it out and sat down. Seconds felt like hours and I finally tapped her wrist gently. Her foot shot out and barely missed my shin. The restaurant echoed as my chair slid back and Rancor almost jumped out of the cell between the bench and table.
%u201CI'm so sorry!%u201D She looked at me with big eyes. Her eyes were real pretty. The colors swirled together and glinted in the dying light. My eyes were just green. How boring.
%u201CIt's okay, really.%u201D I pulled back up to the table.
%u201CI was...just thinking about my mom.%u201D
Her voice caught me off guard. I hadn't really expected her to reply anymore then the apology. My face must have shown my shock as she continued speaking.
%u201CI never really liked her. Actually I hated her. We never got along.%u201D The beautiful set of eyes fell down and stared at the dirty table. Sometimes I think the streets are cleaner then the tables. Uppers get so lazy.
%u201CI know I don't talk much, but I don't really trust my voice anymore. It's the reason I'm out here. The reason she kicked me out. The reason I was forced to lose all my friends, my family, my home, my life.%u201D She quickly looked up, those eyes seem to changed their color.
%u201CNot that I'm ungreatful or anything! I'm so glad I found you guys and not some...someone else...%u201D The look on her face explained that no matter how she phrased it, it wasn't going to come out right. Her expressions were easily readable, and I felt bad putting her in an uncomfortable situation. A smile was brought on my face and I stood up and offered her my hand.
%u201CIt's okay. Really. You're more then welcome to say whatever you want. Unless you insult Bud like Sharpie did or go to any extent like that. Family members protect one another here, and you're now part of it. Anything you say can't hurt us, we've been through it before. Your actions are the only thing you have to watch, and even that we're forgiving on.%u201D
She took my hand and pulled herself up. We made a silent agreement we would continue the conversation when she was ready. I had no idea that time would never come when we had gone back outside into the cruel world of the Lowers.

_________

Chapter Three; Catch Me

We ventured outside and noticed the guys were rough housing on the sidewalk. Some of the Uppers were looking at them in such disgust you'd think they were looking at a rotting carcass of a deer that got stuck in on of those leaf eater machines. Rancor found a place against the wall absentmindedly while fiddling with the McDonald's toy. It was getting darker. Dark and cold are like one of those creepy Upper girls you always see together. They never separate. My hands found their way to my pocket and I proceeded to watch the boys wrestle with each other.
At some point Sharpie made up some excuse and crept into the ally as Bud taught Rim some more fighting techniques. I suddenly heard harsh coughing and took myself into the ally.
%u201CHow bad is it...?%u201D I felt like I was talking to the wall as I took the turn into the space between the buildings. My blood went cold when Sharpie started hurling up vomit into a trashcan. He was having trouble keeping his hair out of the disgusting fluids and other objects coming from his stomach, so I gathered the hair back behind his neck and stood there helplessly.
He finally manged to stop the gagging and he propped himself up with his shaky arms. %u201CThe nurse in the shelter said I should get treatment right away in some city of New York.%u201D
%u201C...That's...far from home.%u201D
His harsh laughing made him cough a few times, then he looked at me with narrow eyes. %u201CHome? You call this a beautiful fucking home? Where the hell are you living, Mir? Cause I'd sure like to stay with you. This is no fucking home.%u201D Using the back of his hand he wiped around his mouth. The small glow in his eyes proved to my apparent false reality that he was wroth. %u201CWe go around the city, looking for some pathetic Upper who can't defend themselves and take enough money to get something to eat. Half the time we pick the wrong person and get the shit beat out of us! Or even have to pick on our own Lowers, just to survive.%u201D
My glance was stolen by the ground during his talk and I felt his icy hands grab under my chin and forced a full view of his face. His eyes went soft and he let go. He turned away and walked back out to the others, leaving me alone. I heard him say something to the others, and watched as they walked back to the warehouse. Abruptly, my weight collapsed and I was left on my knees. I can't tell you why, but I suddenly felt my shoulders heaving, and a soft whimper noise came from somewhere in my throat. No water fell, I had long forgotten how to cry. But I knew, right then, something was going to go wrong, and my family would exist no more.





It was long past midnight when I finally stumbled into our room. A neighboring Lower had been kind enough to help me find my level. Only another silent rule of the Lowers, is only unless given permission, or going to a higher level, you do not stray off the path of stairs on other people's floors. Think of apartments, only a lot more unkempt and grungy looking. Don't ask why you can't go on other floors, you just can't.
Everyone was asleep but Rancor. And once my vision manged to keep a straight range of vision, I could see she was smiling at me. I think she got up and let me lay on her bed. She sat next to me, and talked quietly about a place called The Fields. It's like Eden, only its an open field for miles and miles. The weathers always that perfect temperature and has the softest grass to sleep and the sweetest fruit always growing. I fell asleep smiling.

Someone was shaking me shoulder sharply and a higher pitched voice was telling me to get up. %u201CIt's too early for this...%u201D I mumbled as I rolled over and hid my head under some rag. Rim's laugher could put anyone in a better mood. I'm serious. It's just so happy sounding and his face is just so cute, but on mornings like this, I was ready to rip him apart. %u201CGet up get up get up!%u201D He started singing. Ten minutes passed and I finally got myself to sit up. Light poured through the window which caused in cat like reflexes to defend my night dilated eyes. Once adjusted, I looked around my surroundings. Sharpie was sitting on the window sill, smoking. Rancor was inarticulately teaching Bud to sew something. And of course Rim was kneeling in front of me, with a big goofy smile on his face. I swear that kid acted like every minute was his last.
%u201CGood morning Sunshine.%u201D Sharpie tried to exile the smile slipping on to his face. %u201CNice hair.%u201D
%u201CScrew you,%u201D I grunted as I mirthfully took a comb with tons of missing teeth from Rim. This thing looks like a baby monster who tried to pick a fight with a lawn mower.
Sharpie sighed contently as he took another drag.
%u201CWhere were you last night?%u201D Bud didn't even look up as he asked.
I sat there with the comb halfway through my hair. For some reason this question was difficult to answer. Rim took over and started carefully combing the rest of my nest I call hair. %u201CI..I don't..remember.%u201D
Bud stopped sewing and Rancor looked up at him, then at me. She quickly realized the tension in the air that had materialized just because I couldn't remember.
%u201CBull shit. Now tell me where you were.%u201D
%u201CYou're not my father Bud. Chill. I'm alive, aren't I?%u201D
You know that feeling you get when you realize you said the wrong thing? You know how it hurts, a lot? Add to that a sudden flash of what you think was red, maybe black? and a sharp stinging on your face. Plus the realization your friend just hit you so hard you fell backwards. I wasn't standing up, thankfully, so the hit was the only real damage. Not for long though. No one moved and it took me a minute to realize Bud was standing in front of me. Sharpie continued taking drags from his cigarette and Rim crawled over to Rancor. Like a trapped animal, I stood up to protect myself and got offensive. It happened again, where Bud felt like the bigger man, but I wasn't going to let it show. You could pay me a thousand dollars, and I still wouldn't be able to remember what happened here, but it was only until I heard a car honking to realize we had moved outside. It wasn't until I heard Rim crying and screaming for us to stop that it occurred to me Bud and I had been throwing punches at each other. Sharpie and Rancor were leaning against the building, watching. The final exchange of words were given, then the tension broke.
%u201CNow do you understand?%u201D Bud whispered.
%u201CYeah. I'm sorry.%u201D Was all I could muster from myself.
Rancor pushed herself off the building, and we both locked eyes. She broke off into a run toward the inner city. I assume the fighting between me and Bud caused a flash back, and she remembered her mother. Or maybe she just had to run. I don't know. I don't know a lot of things. But not even Rim understood why she took off. She was gone the remaining part of the day. And it wasn't until noon the next day that we decided to go look for her. Sometimes, you have to leave things a mystery. This girl, Rancor, is an example of that. I just wished we realized that before the Cop came to our building looking for her.