Chapter 1: Part 1: Survival of the Fittest. The will to live. Part 4

Part 4

The large man stood outside the corner store.

Damn, this is boring," the large man said, taking a cigarette out of his pocket and putting it in his mouth.

C'mon, where is it?" the large man said as he began searching his pockets. "I should’ve swiped a lighter before I came out of here."

With a cigarette in his mouth, the large man looked up at the morning sky.

Quiet.

"……. She has a light-skinned friend. Look like Michael Jackson. Got a dark-skinned friend. Look like Michael Jackson. I played Ready for the World; she was ready for some action…."

A voice broke out.

The large man looked down to see a teen walking towards him.

"What is this?"

The teen was getting closer.

The teenager had long, messy black hair with several bangs covering his eyes. He was dressed in a dark, black open jacket. The red shirt he was wearing had a Captain America shield logo on it. He was wearing black pants and red and white Converse. On his back was a large, black backpack.

"…. I’mma play this Vandross, you gon’ take your pants off."

The large man looked at the teen.

"A student, now?" the large man sighed. "Just move along."

The large man took his cigarette out of his mouth and placed it in his pocket.

The teen was much closer now.

The large man closed his eyes.

"Just walk along, kid." The large man grumbled to himself.

"Excuse me, can I get through?" a voice spoke out.

The large man opened his eyes.

The teen was in front of the man.

"Wha…."

The teen took his earplug headphones out of his ear and looked at the large man.

"I’m trying to get something to eat before school."

"My classes start in forty minutes, and the four trains are running with delays".

The large man stared at the teen.

Listen, kid, just move along. The store is closed for renovations," said the large man as he straightened himself.

"Are you sure?" the teen replied as he leaned to his left to look past the large man.

The large man loomed over the teen.

"Yes, the owners are out now; scram, there is nothing here for you."

Hmmm, that's odd," the teen said, straightening himself up. "I could swear they were here".

The teen looked at the large man.

"After all, I could have sworn this place is where the gunshots and the screaming came from."

The large man looked at the teen in disbelief.

"Wha…."