Chapter IV: Jerome Emiliani

We got in Argus' car and we drove South, I hadn't noticed till now but Argus never stops smiling, but frankly, I don't think any other expression would look good on him.

"Are you getting your alcohol from Julius again? You know I hate that place," said Aletris with a frustrated expression.

"You might hate it, but he has the best stuff," replied Argus wearing a cheeky smile.

Fifteen minutes later we had almost reached our destination, then a sudden stench entered my nose, and it grew ever larger as we drove. I noticed Aletris was covering his nose and he was visibly annoyed. It was maybe because I had lived in the streets for a fair while, but I wasn't bothered by that smell, it was almost nostalgic. When we reached the destination I noticed the surroundings were very unpleasant, vagabonds, kids using substances, escorts, the streets were full of them but I don't remember it being like that when I was in the slums, something must've happened.

Argus went into the building and told us to look after the car, so we waited, well I waited.

"Can you watch over the car, please?"

"Yeah sure, but where are you going?"

"Just around the corner, my throat is dry and this odor is making sick."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No I'll be fine, I've been here multiple times"

"Could you bring me something to drink, then?"

"Yes . . . sure," he said with an anxious attitude.

So he left, I waited for Argus while Aletris did his thing. The bystanders looked interested in the car, I'm not surprised at all, It's a beautiful car, and we are in the slums after all. With nothing to do, I started observing my surrounding and noticed the amount of children with no place to stay, many were corrupted by those devilish substances that run through the streets. I have no problem if an adult wants to ruin their life but these demons should burn for selling drugs to these children.

Some time later, Argus came

back and I told him where Aletris went, he went got on the truck and said:

"Did you notice?"

"What?"

"He looks down today,"

"Oh, no I didn't notice,"

"Haha... it might be because I've known him for a long time,"

"Last night when we left your bar, his father and him had a little discussion,"

"Oh, again huh? I shouldn't be surprised,"

"What do you mean, Argus?"

"Right, you don't know about what happened between those two, listen I would tell you , but it's not me who should. You should talk to Aletris about it,"

After Argus told me that we sat in the truck and waited for Aletris to arrive. A few minutes later, he came back and he looked beat up, his suit was dirty and raggedy , his face swollen , and there was blood on him.

"Aletris, what happened to you dude?" said Argus worried. He ran to him and helped him get in the truck, when he was finally able to talk he said, "Some stupid kids left me like this, and took my money," His expressions only showed disgust and anger. "We should head home," Argus suggested.

So we parted for Zephyr's manor, there were still things that didn't sit well with me, my anxiety keeps devouring my thoughts and I keep being its victim , theres a lot happening in such a short amount of time, my days become shorter and my nights seem eternal, I'm not sure I would be able to push on through.