Coalesce

MARGAUX

My body was sore. I let out a groan as soon as my eyes opened to the bright sunlight streaking from the open window of the room. Mary and I were intertwined. I didn't realize that we have fallen asleep while trying to talk about the events of the evening.

Admittedly? Weirdly enough, I missed feeling like this. It has been a long time since I had fought so hard, too hard that my muscles were sore.

Memories began to flash before my eyes. I shut them close once more, denying myself to be reminded of my past where my family was still alive. I can't have my day starting with me wanting to cry buckets of tears or me wanting to stand under the rain.

I scoffed.

The rain reminded me too much of that night. Images flashed before my mind, my mother, my sister, Antonio, their bodies were sprawled, lifeless on the floor. My father… His last moments before Takahashi pulled the trigger brought so many emotions to burn inside of me that I had to clench my hand into fists. Lastly, there was Mikee and the look of understanding passing before his face.

I snapped my eyes open, anger and determination waking me up in an instant. If I was to avenge my family, I need to move. I need to keep going. I need… I need to get the Golden Island back. And for that to happen, I need to work hard for it. After all, success never comes easy.

"Hey, Mary?" I tried shaking her awake but she merely slapped my hand away, groaning. I tried again, shaking her harder.

"Our bills won't get paid unless we work our ass off, Mary," I said, louder this time too. "Get up,"

As I had expected, she did not budge. Instead she merely let out another groan while I sighed. It was hopeless. Yet, I can't really blame her. Even I could still feel the exhaustion of yesternight's venture.

Giving up on trying to wake Mary up, I sat on the bed and stared at the view of the bluish sky outside. The sun was already up indicating that it was no longer early. But it was neither that late either. It was another day.

I blew out a sigh. The day barely began but I was already tired. I let my thoughts wander as I got up from sitting and went to the bathroom, grabbing a toothbrush along the way. I tried not to cringe at how terrible I looked as I saw my reflection staring right back at me.

It made me think that my mother would probably scold me when she sees how I looked right now. I could even imagine what she would be saying.

"Margaux," she would say in that stern voice of hers. "You better fix that hair of yours or I will chop it off myself,"

That actually brought a smile to my lips while I was brushing my teeth.

"Well, mother. I have no luxury right now. So, you can scold me all you want. There's nothing I can do about it." I stuck my tongue out and then chuckled.

"Gosh, Margie," Mary's groggy voice caught me by surprise, I choked. I turned and found her shaking her head in disapproval upon catching my gaze. I raised an eyebrow in return.

She had barely budged in all of my attempts to get her to wake up early on. Only a few minutes had passed when I had started brushing my teeth and all of a sudden she was already awake.

"Have you gone psycho?" I gasped, feigning shock at what she had just stated.

"How did you know? Was I that obvious?" Mary threw the face towel she was holding towards me while I started to laugh.

"Psycho," she called out, disappearing from my view, leaving me to finish using the bathroom. I was still laughing when I turned back towards my reflection.

"Psycho indeed," I muttered, smirking at the girl looking right back at me. "This psycho is readying to make Takahashi pay." I smiled, pointing a finger, imagining that Takahashi Ryuji was standing before me.

"You better watch out, Mister Ryuji. I'll come like a thief in the night Takahashi and you better be ready. Ready to die in my hands."

--

MARY

Fridays are usually the busiest of all the days. Maybe because of it being the last day of the week for school or for work for most. Although, in my opinion, it hardly mattered, but okay.

Most people seemed to celebrate it by spoiling themselves either in the presence of their own company or with their closest acquaintances.

I breathed out a sigh as I looked at the long line of customers in front of me and with more coming in. It did not help that I had to wear an uncomfortable uniform and three-inch black heeled shoes everyday to keep the cashier work while Margie got the waitressing role.

Our duties were actually interchangeable. Some days she was the one standing in my place and I was on waitress duty. But today was one of those days when I was assigned to take orders and count money.

The mere thought was already exhausting. My body felt sore and I'm sure Margie did too, our venture last night briefly replaying in my mind's eye.

I hastily caught Margie's gaze as she served customers here and there. She sent me a wink which I responded with one of my own.

I mentally sighed while forcing to grin at the customer who just happily got off with her order.

Back then, I never would have imagined that I was going to ever experience doing any of this.

Margie and I grew up in the mafia. I had envisioned my future following after my father's footsteps with Margie leading the Golden Island. We had so many things planned out, like sneaking off to another country for a few days when things got hard for the two of us and touring around that place, letting ourselves enjoy and bask in the short freedom before going back.

Unfortunately, those plans went down the drain when Takahashi decided to end the life of Margie's family.

I caught myself staring at my best friend once more. It made me smile with the thought that she was able to stand strong despite everything that had gone down.

We both lost our loved ones but compared to her, I did not have to witness my family's deaths. If I was in her shoes, I wouldn't even know how to function let alone plan any avenging plot. But there's my girl. I couldn't be anymore…

I lost the thought as a commotion suddenly broke out. I muttered a curse seeing Margie caught in the middle of it.

"Would chaos ever stop chasing after us?" I said under my breath, completely ignoring the customer right in front of me and made my way to Margie.