initiation

Chapter 38

Initiation

He let the hot water wash over him, placing the empty bucket on the ground. He scrubbed at his arms, chest and face. Washing away the days old blood and grim that was caked underneath his fingernails. He was zoned out, lost in his own head. A normal occurrence ever since the events in Busaya, he was losing his focus, his drive. He took his towel and dried his body off. He was still in recovery, evident by the various patches of discolored skin littering his body. He got dressed in the same outfit Lorenzo had provided for him yesterday. A Long sleeve flannel shirt, some jeans and work boots, an outfit guaranteed to blend in with Coastal Garden’s working class. There was work to be done, preparations to be made in the wake of Shima’s passing.

But they had to be careful how they moved around the colony, aware that New Aurora would be looking for them. He stared at his reflection in the mirror; he hadn’t seen this version of himself in a long time. With his new hairstyle, a shorter cut more remnant of his younger self. The haircut served two purposes, further concealing himself from the peacekeepers and New Aurora ground troops. As well it was meant to aid with Autumn’s amnesia. A passive aggressive attempt at jogging her memories. Keyon heard a knock at the bathroom door, centering his focusing on the voice coming from the other side.

“Yo, you almost done in there this little kid is about to piss himself.”

Ki hollered from beyond the door. Keyon opened the door before Ki could knock again, and the small child pushed past Keyon. The little boy pushed Keyon out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Ki smiled happy to see Keyon with his old hairstyle, he placed his hand on Keyon’s shoulder giving it a little shake.

“That’s the Kezonto I know and love.”

Keyon, mirrored Ki

“Missed you brother, how are you feeling?”

“It still hurts you know, but I’m ok.”

The two of them advanced down the corridor of the Orphanage heading toward the main hall, Ki at Keyon’s side once again.

“Sorry, about all this Ki.”

“Yeah, you fucked up bad and it’s probably going to get worse once we get back to Rosa. I’m just jealous you took Shima over me, and let’s not get started with Locke, your so-called best friend and you don’t take him along for your defining character arc, heart wrenching.”

“I didn’t expect Locke to come all this way, with the election just a year away. He should be politicking and solidifying his position. You too, what about Escudo and Espada?”

“Their fine, it will be good for Escudo to get some experience being “the man”. Let him have a little rule over his little brother.”

“How is mom doing?”

“Could be better, she is always asking about you.”

Keyon and Ki stepped down the main staircase of the orphanage and strolled through the lobby. Exchanging small talk. There was a soft breeze that danced through Coastal Garden as they tried to open the main doors of the Orphanage but were stopped. Bruno placed a firm palm on Keyon’s chest, pushing him back into the lobby of the Orphanage as he entered.

“No can do, it’s too hot for you guys to be walking around in broad daylight. Lorenzo wants you guys to hold tight here for the time being.”

“You really think you can keep us here?”

Keyon tensed up, staring down Bruno, who stood unfazed by Keyon and his sudden change of temperament.

“Ease up Kezon… err Keyon, he is keeping us inside for good reason.”

Sebastian casually strolled down the stairs of the main lobby. The others pivoted, watching the rebel leader casually join the conversation. He threw his arms over Ki and Keyon’s shoulders, as if he knew them, as if they were buddies.

“I’ll take it from here big guy, you two come with me. We can talk more out back; the kids are in class and don’t need you causing a ruckus.”

Bruno let out a sigh of relief watching Sebastain turn Keyon and Ki away from going outside. He adjusted his shirt and took a seat at the entrance of the Orphanage. Keeping watch for the others should they try to wonder out into the open.

“We all got to stay put for now, especially you and Autumn.”

Sebastian explained, holding the screen door to the Orphanage’s backyard open. It was early in the morning, and the air was crisp and refreshing. It wasn’t meant to last, once the southern Aurorean sun climbed higher into the sky and made the coastal colony a soup of humidity. He leaned against the railing of the stoop, looking out at the empty playground and basketball courts. Keyon and Ki took up spots on the stoop, waiting for Sebastian to explain the situation.

“While I was doing some recon of my own pertaining to the events back in Busaya. I came across our bounties, all our bounties the girls included.”

He manifested a PCD from his jacket handing it to Keyon so he could look over the contents on the screen.

“Sorry to say but, everyone got lumped into your little quest for revenge. They don’t have much information to go on regarding the others, just photos. But you and Autumn are different story. Since the three of us lived in New Aurora before attacks they have our names and information. But more importantly they are aware of our connection to your father Keyon.”

“Seventy-million credits for each of us!? That can’t be right.”

Keyon was floored by the bounty that both he and Autumn had accumulated because of his actions in Busaya. But it wasn’t just them Locke, Ki, Haiden and Atif too all had significant bounties. All now labeled as rebels belonging to Deathwatch.

“So, it won’t be safe for us to stay here much longer. Our best bet is to make our way to the outer continent where New Aurora’s reach is less encompassing.”

Sebastian took a seat at the very top of the stoop, leaning his back against the screen door.

“What everyone else will end up doing is hard to tell, but either way it isn’t safe for any of us.”

“So, returning to Rosa is out of the question. What do you plan on doing now Keyon?”

Ki shifted his body so that he could look back at Keyon and Sebastian from his position on the stoop.

“I’m going to the outer continent with Sebastian. Apparently, the fate of the world’s future depends on it.”

“What are you talking about?”

Ki was thrown off by the development. There was still a lot Ki didn’t know, things Sebastian only had time to explain to Keyon and Locke. Spending his time reconning for information, Shima’s send off and celebration of life. So much happened in one day preventing the party from planning their next course of action. Sebastian kept his mouth shut. Allowing Keyon to explain the situation to his surrogate brother in his own words.

“This all goes back to what happened in New Aurora all those years back. The moon, the smaller of the two, is an orbital space habitat that was constructed and launched into space a year before the impact. My ancestors along with Sebastian’s created it. Now the society that lives up there have plans to enslave the earthbound.”

“That is a simple way to put it.”

The rebel leader scoffed, allowing Keyon to continue is info dump.

***

The markets of the colony center were the busiest they had been and weeks. Was it the fresh shipment of fish, the arrival of the traveling merchants in the colony? He couldn’t put his finger on it. Though the cunning mafioso wasn’t wasting too many braincells thinking about it. His main concern was working his collection route, doing what his sponsor asked of him. Lorenzo’s sponsor, a low-level associate well into his forties, had no chance of receiving a promotion. Nor did he have the ambition to pursue it.

The two of them walked into the small butcher shop located near the bridge to the northside. Examining the meats on display patiently waiting for the customers to leave. Adam, Loranzo’s sponsor, took the lead casually walking toward the front counter. While Adam worked with the shop owner, Lorenzo stood watch at the front door. Preventing any unwanted guest from witnessing the shake down. The transaction was smooth, as Adam walked away from the counter with a purse full of pinions. He held the door open for Adam and the two of them walked back out onto the streets.

“Only one more spot to go, what does Hancho have you doing after this?”

Lorenzo and Adam walked through the crowd of people toward their next destination. The young mafioso was in the process of lighting a cigarette so he didn’t answer at first. Exhaling a cloud of smoke, he enjoyed the bustle of his colony.

“I have to head over to the restaurant, says he needs to have a word with me.”

“You think this is it?”

“Hope so, I’d like to believe I’ve paid my dues. Plus, I’m sure you’re tired of dragging me along on your collection routes, am I right?”

Adam chuckled at the notion.

“Someone with your talents and drive, I’m surprised that you stuck with me this long. That shows a lot about your character kid. You could let your ego get the better of you, act above your station, but you don’t. You understand you’re a trainee first and you act; accordingly, I’m honored to run this route with you kid. When I retire, I can tell tales of teaching you everything I know and how your greatness is a testament to my tutelage.”

Adam chuckled some more; Lorenzo sucked his teeth and shook his head. It was in Adam’s wheelhouse to joke about something like that. But Lorenzo knew there was a little truth in every joke.

“Always with the stories old man, why can’t you just keep things simple.”

Lorenzo poked back, as they advanced eastward toward their next destination. Adam stopped, Lorenzo followed suite, taking another pull from his cigarette.

“What’s up Adam?”

“I can take care of the last stop, why don’t you go on ahead to the restaurant.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, go on kid, wouldn’t want to keep the bosses waiting. Plus, I can’t have you following me around hogging all the shine.”

Adam slapped his trainee on the back before walking off on his own to finish the collections. Lorenzo watched him walk off until he disappeared behind a cluster of bodies. Now on his own, there was nothing else to do but make his way to the restaurant and have that sit down with Hancho. The manager of the Snake organization, Hancho, was more than likely acting on the chairman’s behalf. A small formality in the grander scheme of things so Lorenzo played along. Knowing all too well what was on the other side of all this. Full time employment and a stamped pass to Leena’s fortune.

“I’ll make sure that retirement is real soon Adam, promise.”

He announced to himself enjoying his cigarette, making his way over the bridge and entering the Northside of the colony. The walk to the restaurant wasn’t a long one, but pleasant in contrast to the busy roads of the colony center. The associates posted outside the venue padded Lorenzo down before he walked in. He walked straight to the back, knowing exactly where to find his manager. Sitting in the back booth, Hancho, a well-built man enjoyed a small breakfast. He looked up from his plate for a moment, then back down again. Scrapping his fork across his plate, getting every last bit of his meal into one neat pile. With fork in hand Hancho pointed to the seat in front of him as Lorenzo approached. He chewed his food, wiping his face with a napkin before throwing it on the plate.

“Let me skip the bullshit, tonight ten o’clock bring one of your fighters and meet me at the old warehouse on the westside. If everything goes smooth and you pass this test you can punch your ticket to Leena’s fortune.”

He took a long sip of his ice-cold orange juice, his eyes never leaving Lorenzo’s. He returned the glaze, never once letting his mask slip. Instead, he placed a silver pinion on the table, nodded his head to his superior and stood up and left. It was going to be a long walk to the Orphanage and that was a good thing. It gave Lorenzo the time to ponder over his roster, who was the best suited for this so-called test? Keyon was out of the question, too volatile and unpredictable. Plus, he had only seen him use swords that was going to be a no go come tournament time. No, he had another role to play, if it was going to be anyone it had to be one of the others from the pool of candidates. Not the rebel leader, maybe one of the girls? It was bold and had the potential to catch people off guard. He didn’t like the idea of using the girls, but it was an option, maybe one of the two brothers?

“Both seem capable, well built, probably in better condition than whatever they might throw at us.”

He used his time wisely making his way around the colony. Going over the decision from every possible angle, looking for every advantage and disadvantage. After narrowing down the choices, Lorenzo had his fighter chosen. He smirked to himself enjoying his little stroll around town.

***

A hooded figure looked upward at Aurora’s two moons hanging in the night sky. He silently stood on the street corner admiring their beautiful and knowing the monster underneath. The scent of burning tobacco tickled his nose, and a cloud of smoke engulfed his senses.

“This is the place, now remember what we discussed back at the Orphanage. Make it look good, drag it out a little, play to the crowd. I’m aware you can wipe the floor with this guy, were not here to prove anything.”

Lorenzo stopped on the corner, letting his cigarette rest on his lip he adjusted the cloak on his fighter, shrouding his features further. He stepped back, taking his cigarette in his hand once again.

“Keep your cloak on until your about to enter the ring, I want to keep them in suspense for as long as possible.”

The shrouded figure said nothing, nodding their head and playing into the performance. Lorenzo chucked the remains of his cigarette to the ground. Stuffing his hands into his pockets he looked both ways before crossing the road. With his fighter close behind he approached the warehouse and the lone guard standing outside. The guard knocked in a specific manner as Lorenzo advanced closer. The metal lock disengaged and the heavy steel door opened. Nothing more was exchanged between Lorenzo and the guard as he walked past. Inside the warehouse surrounding a makeshift fighting arena, members of the Snake organization gathered to watch the spectacle. Hancho stepped forward as Lorenzo approached, taking a good look at what he could make of his fighter. There wasn’t much for Hancho to go on and the murmurs he picked up from the crowd gave him the same feeling.

“This is how its going to go down, one on one, punch for punch. Last man standing wins and if that’s your guy, you know the rest.”

“Let’s get this show on the road then.”

Lorenzo smugly remarked, ushering his fighter to the arena. He stopped at the boundary line of the circle and watched the cloaked figure step forward into the arena. Slowly the figure started to untie the knot of their concealment. Slowly Lorenzo made his way around the circle shaking hands and greeting the established members and upper management in attendance. Slowly the figure grabbed a hand full of fabric and ripped their cloak off throwing it toward the crowd. For a moment their facial figures remained concealed to their opponent while their cloak blocked out the lights from the upper levels. It fell to the ground under its own weight revealing Ki as Lorenzo’s choice of fighter.

Lorenzo took his spot around the fighting circle cigarette in hand. He didn’t light it instead he waited, smirking to himself confident in his choice, confident in his sure thing. The two men in the circle stepped closer to one another. Each step into a box taped on the warehouse floor. Fio, one of the organization’s supervisors, stepped into the circle and in between the two fighters.

“I’m going to say again so there isn’t any confuse and both you’s guys understand the rules. Punch for punch, no stepping outside your box. Doing so will result in a free shot is that clear?”

He looked at both the fighters, watching as they didn’t break eye contact with one another and nodded.

“Good, now were going to flip a coin to see who goes first, if you win the toss you can choose to hit or get hit, the decision is yours. Last man standing will be the victor.”

Fio looked at both the fighters one last time, making sure his instructions were clear and they understood. Ki looked upward that the mountain of a man that towered over him. He never wavered in the slightest, but he feyned liked he was intimidated. Lorenzo caught on to this instantly, pleased with the theatrics. He couldn’t have done better, he thought to himself, watching the coin toss. It fell in Ki’s favor and Lorenzo chuckled to himself when Ki opted to take the first hit.

“Bold move, my good sir.”

Lorenzo lit his cigarette and listened to the betting going on in the background. Fio walked away and the two combatants started laying into each other punch for punch. The two of them would continue to do so in a sea of excitement and a show of primitive entertainment.