Bloodwork/Bloody Work

The next day, Leonard and Yukki left so they could have her blood test conducted. As they walked among a sidewalk lined with gray flowers, Leonard was silently considering his options.

'I've been too naive, way too naive. This has made me realize something… something ghastly. To tell the truth, the amount I spent yesterday and will spend today isn't all that much. It only seems that way because I barely get paid, and everything in this world is looking to suck away that profit.'

Leonard frowned. 'I've been hoping...this whole time, I've been living with false hope. Hope that things would get better. Hope that I could find a higher-paying job or get promoted. Clearly, at the rate things are going, I could never pay for Yukki's education.' Leonard sighed, "Yukki…."

"Yes?" Yukki looked up at her brother with her bright wide eyes. "Ah!" Leonard woke up from thought, "Sorry, I was just deep in thought." Leonard replied.

'Could it be… I really have to join a gang? I've gotten plenty of invitations due to my big frame, but I've always rejected them.' With this in mind, Leonard lead Yukki into the medical building.

As Yukki was having her blood drawn, Dr. Pigon spoke to Leonard first, "Once the blood vials are put into the machine, it will only take a few minutes for the results to come out. If she is sick, considering the worsening condition spanning a month she had, any viral particles will be detected by the machine and give us a definite answer."

Dr. Pigon finished collecting the blood vials and inserted it into a big machine. "And now we wait."

While waiting, the sight of the machine brought Leonards memories back. He sighed, thinking to himself, 'I remember back when blood results took a few days. Technology was so much simpler back then. Why is it that technology becoming better and more convenient, corruption and crime is even more widespread?'

*Wring Wring*

"And it is done," Dr. Pigon said as he checked his computer. "I will print a copy of the results for you, and I will write you some recommendations on what to do." He said absentmindedly as he scrolled through the results.

Suddenly, he stood up and gasped. Leonard and Yukki were both alerted. "What's wrong!?" Leonard asked. Viewing this scene unfolding in front of her, and fearing for the results, Yukki was on the verge of tears. Pigon calmed down, it was extremely unprofessional of him to ask like that in front of them. "Actually, we will have to do more tests to be certain but, it's just…I'll be blunt here, based on the tests...she has breast and lung cancer...."

While the siblings were in shock and disbelief at Yukki's results, a completely different scene was unfolding back in their neighborhood.

"That will be $11." Elder Zhou calmly told a customer. Elder Zhou was working in his small store, selling various herbal pastes and medicines. Suddenly, the person who just finished buying from him got pushed out the way by someone. "Huh?" Elder Zhou was confused as he looked in the direction everyone else was staring in. There, the scene of four punk-looking gang members were standing, their eyes clearly locked onto Elder Zhou's small business.

'Oh god!' Elder Zhou thought internally, 'Why are they here?' But, Elder Zhou had no more time to think, as the gang members had already arrived. A tall, muscular man with spiked hair sneered as he looked at Elder Zhou, slamming his hand down at the counter, "Hey old man", he said sarcastically, "Fancy meeting you here."

"What… What may I do for you guys?" Elder Zhou nervously asked. He had a bad feeling about this. The local gang, Epilocs, comes at the end of every month to demand protection money. However, it's nowhere near the end of the month right now! Most importantly, he had never seen these men before! Where were the usual guys? Whether these were new members, or there was new management, both were dangerous.

The spiky-haired punk grinned, "You see, our new boss has been reviewing his profits, and those that pay the least money have been singled out, and men were sent out to find out why."

BOOM

He slammed both his hands on the desk again, and stared directly at Elder Zhou. "Old man, your not just in the bottom 10%, your right at the bottom." He stood back up straight and gestured with his hands, "Look around, you're the only shop on this whole street! We're not stupid, you may not earn too much, but you earn a sizable sum, at least, enough to move out of this dump."

He looked back at the old man, and said, "We're taking 20% more starting from now on. In addition..." He put his hand up and gestured the rest of them to come forwards. "We're helping ourselves to a welcoming gift."

With that said, he walked forwards and pushed Elder Zhou out of the way, his eyes looking towards the cash register. Pulling it open, he grabbed at the money inside, only to be disappointed at how much there was.

"Old man, your greeting gift doesn't look very sincere." He sneered as he put out his hand, "Give us some more!"

Elder Zhou was shocked, this wasn't how the Epilocs ran things! In fact, this wasn't how any gang runs things! What the hell is happening!? Elder Zhou coughed as he spoke, "You guys…did I do something wrong? Why did your leaders at Epilocs tell you to target me?" Elder Zhou bowed, "I give my more sincere apologies for offending your gang! I will get more money!"

He said this, but his heart was burning inside! What had he done wrong!? He's stably provided protection money to the local gangs for years, even as the local leaders came and went, they were all reasonable. After all, overly unreasonable gangs never last long in these parts.

For the time being, however, he could do nothing but comply with their demands. He didn't want to get killed! Except, as Elder Zhou turned around to retrieve more money, he was suddenly met with a punch to the face!

OOF! His face made a loud thumping sound as he hit the wall. "W… Why…?"

"Are you deaf, old man? I said our NEW boss. You dare insult us by mistaking us for the Epilocs? We're the Silver Night gang now!" Elder Zhou understood now. This was a public show of force by the new gang so none of the others would get any ideas. Only… what a horribly ineffective way this was. He laughed in his mind, fully expecting this gang to go down soon once they offend too many people, but outwardly his expression remained the same.

The punks spat on the floor, and made their way out. Before leaving, however, Elder Zhou was met with a kick to the back, as the punks arrogantly made their way out without sparing another glance back.

Except, what no one bothered to remember was that Elder Zhou was a frail old man. He fell towards from the kick and hit his head on the countertop, falling to the floor.