In This World, : What Becomes of Us Read online

  After a few minutes, Hizon saw a note on his desk from Kiki; she informed him ahead of time to expect Mia. With a press of a switch and a wave of his hand, he signaled her to continue forward. As she drove forward, it unveiled a paved road tunneled by cherry blossom trees. As Hizon told her, follow the path to the end, make a right, and the parking lot is straight ahead.

  While she made the right into the parking lot, Mia saw Kiki, as she stood on the curb. The buildings did not have the typical city appeal to it, it had a two-floor motel look, but more desirable. Mia pulled into the first spot she found that displayed a visitor parking sign. Once parked she locked her car and made her way to Kiki, sighting her uneasiness from across the lot.

  Being Mia’s newfound relator and best friend of eleven years, Kiki secured the appointment for Mia’s birthday. Meanwhile, each step that brought her closer to Kiki, she struggled to keep her mouth shut.

  “Kiki, what’s wrong?”

  “Well-,” said Kiki.

  Unsure of what to say to Mia, Kiki fell silent.

  “What happened?!” asked Mia.

  With a frightened tone, Kiki said, “I double booked our appointment, no triple booked it.”

  At that moment, Mia showed tremendous restraint from wrapping her hands around Kiki’s esophagus. Kiki’s mistakes were a frequent occurrence. As loyal as a friend she was, Kiki’s common-sense department was not there most of the time, which drove Mia mad. While she scolded Kiki, two men approached and interrupted Mia.

  “Kiki, how did you-,” said Mia.

  “Hello, Kiki! We have our appointment to-,” said Ishigo.

  “Hey, sexy ladies! Which one of you babes are Kiki?” asked Ren.

  Mia’s thoughts of aggravation interrupted as she looked up to notice two gorgeous men. Ishigo and Ren appeared before the girls as gods carved into man’s form. With both women lost in the men’s vanity, Mia was unsure of what happened. Was this an apartment viewing or double date, and she was okay with either choice.

  Ishigo was tall, dark, and handsome with an ominous vibe. Long black hair fixed into a ponytail with the sides shaved and the softest amethyst colored eyes. A tight t-shirt and sweater that his muscles imprinted on, accompanied by fitted jeans and dress shoes. Ishigo’s attire led to assumptions of an educator.

  Ren was the preppy, hot, rich boy that smelt as if he came from wealth. With spiked yellowish blond-hair that looked as if there were hours spent perfecting each spike. Ren’s amethyst colored eyes displayed a gentleness to them. Not as chiseled as Ishigo, Ren’s body still showed the meticulous care he took of himself. The collar of his mint colored polo popped, matched to his beige khakis and dress shoes; the style he wore reeked of preppiness.

  Mia snapped Kiki out of her state of drool as she dragged her across the pavement for a quick conversation. Questioning Kiki for fifteen minutes concerned with the two men’s eye colors, but she swore to Mia she never saw their eyes. Owed to other parts, which pointed out how the triple booked appointment happened. The girls laughed the whole matter off and rejoined the gentlemen as they crossed the property’s lot. Kiki apologized for the trouble to everyone, but Mia could not help her eyes from rolling.

  “Let me start by expressing my sincerest apologies. I triple booked our appoint-,” said Kiki.

  “You know what, let’s get this over,” said Mia.

  Without hesitation, Ishigo shook his head in compliance, while Ren felt it was essential to include his two-cents.

  “It doesn’t matter as long as I’ve got you, two sexy ladies, by my side.”

  After a moment, Kiki introduced everyone to each other, they shook hands and passed their “pleased to meet you” around as if it was a business card. Displeased with Kiki, Mia insulted every word that left her mouth. Both Ishigo and Ren became fed up with the girls and their selfish bickers, making the guys introject their opinions.

  “Is this going to continue the entire tour?” asked Ishigo.

  “You’re killing my mood,” said Ren.

  5:12 PM, Friday, September 8th, 2017

  With silk softness beneath her bottom, she sat and pondered her friendship with Kiki; Mia reminisced better times, not able to escape her rage for Kiki’s mouth.

  “Even thinking of the things, she’d say, still annoys me,” says Mia.

  “Yeah, but you still love her,” says Ren.

  “Yup.”

  Mia had never wanted to hurt someone as she did Kiki. Mia even smirked at the thought of her clenched fist as it ripped open as she broke Kiki’s teeth. Everything was so different now, as aggravated as Kiki made her, she missed her, if only time was reversible. Mia teared up as her thoughts affected her.

  11:32 PM, Sunday, September 11th, 2016

  Later that night after the apartment viewing she was on her way to a rave. Since she came from upstate, it was simpler for Mia to take the rave gear with her. On her way to Chinatown, in lower Manhattan, she chose a shortcut through the Bronx, it had fewer steps than to come from Central Jersey again. If Mia came from home, it could have taken twice as long, instead of two hours. Stuck in the car for so long she smiled at the fact, Kiki and she stopped for food after the viewing.

  With everything she had going on, she lacked a social life. The rave had been the perfect excuse. When Mia pulled up, it appeared to be a regular Chinese restaurant, but she knew it was not from the countless ravers that created a cloud of smoke out front. Mia hopped into the back of her car to change, stripping her clothes off so fast as if one motion. Dressed in everything black and red; cat ears, a collar, fishnet shirt, a sports bra, leggings, studded belt, fluffies, and sneakers. The only things she wore with an assorted color was her Kandi, from wrists to biceps.

  Ready to shuffle the night away, she entered the club. The bass hit her before she could place a foot through the door, it engulfed Mia transcending her into a different world. Just her and the music, “Yes, just what I needed.”

  Out of nowhere, she heard a familiar voice, “Hey girl, rolls?”

  Consumed by the music, Mia had not noticed who spoke to her.

  “Sure, how much?”

  “For you, free,” said Ace, as he laughed at her.

  Ace had been Mia’s longtime friend and ex-boyfriend; with a mocha complexion, shoulder-length dreadlocks dyed neon blue, bright chocolate colored eyes, and muscles bulging from left to right, he was more than a stud. Ace and Mia first met at a gym in Staten Island, New York, when she was staying with Kiki for a period. For a moment, Mia caught herself as she drooled over his well-cut biceps in his plaid black and red muscle shirt.

  Kiki knew him from around the neighborhood and warned Mia to stay away. Ace dabbled in illegals sorts she had no business to know, but Mia did not listen and soon became recognized as one of the most prominent drug dealer’s girlfriend. Ace respected that Mia asked him not to bring “business” into their relationship unless they were at a party.

  Besides parties, if they were together Ace was never holding, which became entertaining when the police stopped them. Separated by Ace’s decision not to watch his life choices drag Mia in the opposite direction she was going. Mia agreed, and they remained close friends, that sometimes have benefits. Ace will always love Mia, which showed when his protective side came out.

  While she tried to hide her rosy cheeks, “Thank you.”

  “No problem,” said Ace.

  Both giggled before Mia leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

  “What’s that for?” asked Ace.

  “No reason.”

  “Mia, I need a favor?”

  “Sure,” said Mia.

  “There’s a VIP guest coming tonight, will you watch over him?” asked Ace.

  “Okay.”

  “He’ll be here in twenty minutes, his name is Ren,” said Ace.

  Right before he walked away, Ace mentioned Ren could get handsy; he reassured Mia, he intended to handle everything if there were any problems. Once he walked away, she noticed the rolls melting into
her clammy hands. Mia tossed her head back, followed by a bottle of water. While she waited for the rolls to hit, and Ace to return, Mia went back to dancing the night away.

  10:07 AM, Monday, September 12th, 2016

  The next morning, Mia woke on a couch, to find she crashed at Ace’s house. Unable to open her eyes, Mia faced the inside of the sofa yawning. Mia’s head pounded, the room spun, she wanted to curl up under the blanket and forget the world existed. A sudden quietness settled upon the space, but before long two voices emerged. After a few minutes passed, the voices stopped, followed by pushes to her shoulder.

  “Go away,” said Mia.

  As she opened her eyes, Mia saw an angered Ace scream at another man, who bore a familiar face. Mia stood up, and the blanket dropped to expose a naked Mia, which enraged Ace more.

  “Seriously?” asked Ace.

  “What happened last night?” asked Mia.

  Mia wrapped herself in the blanket before she hid behind Ace.

  “I believe I could answer that better,” said Ren.

  Mia walked up to Ren and backhanded him, wiping the smug off his face.

  “Keep disrespecting her, and you know what’ll happen,” said Ace, pointing his finger at Ren as Mia slapped him, “And I will not slap you.”

  “Whatever, who’s she?”

  “A close friend, and my ex-girlfriend, Mia,” said Ace.

  “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know,” said Ren, while he held his cheek.

  Ace sent Mia to his bedroom as she walked the hall her phone vibrated, alerting her to a text she received from Ace. The text informed her he had items of her clothes in his closet. Thrilled she did not have to shame walk in the prior night’s garments, she rushed to his closet. Mia checked her phone once dressed, to see Ace texted again, this time to tell her they will get food. Excited for food, Mia skipped through the hall to rejoin the men in the living room. Excited, she giggled as she entered the room.

  As they made their way to the front door, Ace turned to Ren and said, “We’ll continue this conversation later.” Comparable to a scolded puppy, Ren’s head pointed towards the floor, as he agreed with Ace.

  “Why’d she look, so familiar?” asked Ren.

  A few seconds passed before he raised his chin up, “Crap, that’s Mia, as in my new-,” realizing how he knew her.

  Meanwhile, outside Ace’s house, stood Ace and Mia.

  “Where are we going to eat?” asked Mia.

  “I thought it’d cheer you up if we went to the usual spot,” said Ace.

  11:35 AM, Monday, September 12th, 2016

  After a short ten-minute walk, they arrived at The Sootfoot. Mia and Ace loved the restaurant due to the diverse menu they offered to the regulars, but still had an excellent choice of items if you were new. Once seated, Mia noticed how worrisome Ace looked, which led her to question the reasons behind it, but instead, he interrogated Mia on last night’s events. The only problem was she could not remember them, she assumed it was because of the drugs, but Ace assured her it was not, driving her to accuse Ren. Once more, Ace promised Mia that Ren was a jerk, but he was not evil, this left Mia stumped.

  Ace and Mia agreed that it had to have been a stranger that tried to drug Mia. During their conversation they felt as if someone had been watching them, they glanced up to notice a server lurking near and eavesdropping.

  Mia jumped to her feet, “Can I help you?”

  “Stay away from my man!” said the server.

  “What?” asked Ace, as he laughed.

  As he remembered who she was, it made Ace laugh into tears.

  “She’s this chick Ren boned, then left for me to kick out,” said Ace.

  The server realized they ignored her and stomped away. The memories Mia shared with Ace always made her laugh, even when she was alone.

  The Warrior

  Ishigo Meshuto

  7:02 PM, Friday, September 8th, 2017

  As he stands washing dishes, and watches Mia from the window, the man named, Ishigo Meshuto, ponders his own life. Races classified him as a Warrior, but in the human realm, he is a historical artifacts curator by day and assassin by night. Ishigo has always been the private to himself guy.

  “My life’s still exciting,” says Ishigo, looking downward towards his cat, “Right, Gigi?”

  Gigi meows as she rubs against his leg.

  Adopted by Longwei Xiang and his wife, Yuke, they raised him since birth, along with his sister, Ju. Their parents never treated either one of them different from one and other. Ishigo and Ju’s father even preps Ishigo to be the Dragon Head, one day. A tradition passed from father to son unless otherwise decided. Ishigo’s story starts from one year ago, a day before his mission began.

  8:51 PM, Thursday, September 8th, 2016

  One year ago, on what Ishigo regarded a regular Thursday night. He perched on a rooftop, sniper set, and targets in sight. Zoomed into Ishigo’s crosshairs, displayed a young couple as they made out at the M15 bus station, South Street, and Whitehall, in lower Manhattan. Oblivious to the fate, five minutes into the future held for them. Ishigo sat and watched for the perfect moment, while his companion, Gigi, laid beside him.

  In the seconds before his finger drew the trigger, he had a sense of guilt swipe over him for the lives of his victims. He always made sure it was a quick and merciful death, cautious not to alarm any of his marks of their imminent doom. That did not mean he could not have fun with it; he approached it like any other profession. Bothered by the uncomfortable silence, Ishigo procrastinated to compose a wager, with Gigi. The stake being if he could wipe out both targets with one shot.

  With no response, he paused once more and reflected for a moment on why he bothered to talk to Gigi. Half the time, she did not respond. As minutes of silence passed, Gigi stretched and let out a quiet meow.

  “Now I can get on with it,” said Ishigo.

  Within the moments that followed, his finger slid back the trigger and released the bullet. Time slowed as the bullet cut through the air before it splattered the couple’s brains over the bus station. With seconds of delay, their bodies slumped to the ground.

  An evil smirk appeared, “Told you, double kill!”

  Gigi once more lets out a meow, followed by a stretch.

  1:59 PM, Friday, September 9th, 2016

  The following afternoon, at the Resurrection Warrior’s shrine, waited Elders Samus and Winter for Ishigo to return. After several minutes, he arrived. Right away, they questioned Ishigo in concern of the mission’s completion. Ishigo’s head bounced upwards and downwards as he answered their questions, satisfying the inquiry. With one slight motion, Elder Samus then turned and nodded at Elder Winter, queuing her to inform Ishigo of his next assignment.

  Ishigo’s next job was not of the assassination nor transport sort, but a bodyguard request straight from the Royals. The mission called for him to move, which was a first, and entailed that he either live with the mark or close. The target being uninformed of his purpose. Ishigo’s new location was Terrigona Hills, in New Rochelle, New York. The targets name, Mia Inatoka, the chosen protector and Queen of Light by the prophecy.

  “It is essential you defend her no matter what, even if the cost is your life. The realms depend on it,” said Elder Samus.

  “Understood,” said Ishigo.

  To free himself from a hassle, Ishigo returned home and gathered his belongings.

  9:05 AM, Saturday, September 10th, 2016

  In Chinatown, the next morning, Ishigo ran errands and shopped, but became diverted by gossip. Locals expressed their anguish over the couple he wiped out the other night, from strangers around him to the TVs and radio stations. The superficial drove him insane, but only because no one cared. Ishigo knew the couple’s death was a fad that people would forget in a few more days and move onto the next report. Many people lived in the “right now,” prompted by the media, and it disgusted him.

  As Ishigo paced along the pavements, he reflected the living adjustment
s for the mission. He recalled a woman he met a while back, a realtor, but could not remember her name. One foot after another, deep in thought, he crashed into a woman. Without a thought of it, he blurted out the name Kiki. The woman’s eyes widened as if she was a deer in front of a car. Ishigo uncertain if it was from anger or hysteria had apologized several times.

  “It’s okay,” said Kiki, with a moment of pause, “Ishigo, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “How could anyone forget someone that looks like you?” asked Kiki.

  “I was just thinking of calling you,” said Ishigo, as he chuckled.

  “For?”

  He came closer and grabbed her hands, raising them up towards their chests.

  “Kiki,” he paused, “I was wondering if you could get me a viewing at Terrigona Hills?”

  Kiki sighed before answering, “There’s an opening tomorrow if that works?”

  “Yes, thank you,” said Ishigo.

  Kiki strolled away with confidence, which left him to wonder, why. Ishigo never understood Kiki and her captivation for him. For all he knew, she stalked him, because their run in was too precise. Kiki Kovski, a gorgeous woman with fawn colored hair she styled in a forward angled bob. Eyes that mesmerized him with a shade of emerald, which Ishigo believed attracted him to her. Dressed in the latest fashions, she came fit to walk a runway.