WARNING: may contain sensitive material and mature language.
"Stupid piece of shit!" the big bearded man shouted as he landed a powerful slap on the woman's cheeks. She immediately fell onto the dusty ground from the impact. The people in the busy city square stopped what they were doing and looked to the direction of the commotion. Many surrounded the scene and looked on with interest. Free entertainment.
The poor woman held her red, stinging cheeks that were wet from her tears with her calloused hands. "I'm so sorry, sir, I did not mean to pour the water on your shoes." She sobbed and looked up at the tall figure shadowing her.
"You filthy woman!" the man snarled. "These shoes probably cost more than your entire life's worth. That slap was just the preview to what you're really gonna get." The heavy leather boot that had dots of water lifted from the ground and found it's spot on the woman's head. Pinning her down.
Malakhi blocked out the sound of heavy stomping and the screams that came after it. He chuckled under his breath and analysed the man up and down - 'Arrogant' was the first word that came to his mind. He smirked, he had found his new target.
The bitter wind pierced his face like shards of glass as he followed the man through the pulsing streets. Malakhi silently crept behind him like a lion stalking its prey. With two fingers, he swiftly pinched the leathery object from the man's trouser pocket and hid it into his boxers. With a smooth turn, he soundlessly sauntered and slid into the nearest dark alley like a snake.
A smile of satisfaction and greed crept to the corners of Malakhi's chapped lips. He looked around making sure he was alone before he had removed the score from his undergarment and started to inspect it. The wallet looked to be in very good condition as the leather felt smooth to the touch and its glossy surface was free from any scratches and tears.
Malakhi's hands trembled with excitement as he opened the wallet up. He was met with the wonderful site of a wad of green Theterian cash and a couple of loose change of coins. He felt like he was over the moon. One sheet of Theterii could buy him and his family of three enough food sufficient for one week. The wad in front of him held endless possibilities.
Just as he was struck with disbelief of the amount of money that had came to his ownership, a pouch made of silk in the color of grey landed by his worn down shoes. Malakhi glanced downwards and picked up the fallen object. He turned it around in his palm for a while, cautious and curious of what it holds within.
He carefully tugged at the sheer material and pulled out the content within. A chain with a gold locket appeared in sight. The pendant was a work of art. Delicate lines ran across the smooth metallic surface, joining together to reveal a rose intertwined in thorns on a crown adorned with clear cut diamonds. When Malakhi opened the locket, a small chip that was the size of a fingernail was resting inside. Compared to the grandiose appearance of what was housing it, the chip seemed rather mediocre at best.
Malakhi removed the chip and put it into his pockets. He didn't think it could be sold for good money. Whereas for the necklace, it could land him a fortune at the pawn shop. Malakhi glanced around warily and shoved the wad of Theterii back into the wallet then into his pockets. He put the necklace back into the pouch and clasped it tight into his palm. He then shoved his hands into his sweater pockets and slid back out soundlessly onto the bustling streets with his head held down low and back arched like an old man. It was time to see Rickey.
The boy walked out of the city center and turned towards the rougher part of Thetes. He wanted to attract zero possible attention. With what he had just scored, better to be safe than sorry. He turned into the dimly lit backstreet that he had probably walked on over a thousand times. The strong pungent smell of piss mixed with alcohol hit his nose. Compared to the city center or the suburbs, this place is even worse than shit.
Malakhi smiled with bitterness every single time he walks into the slums. There is a household saying in these areas: 'Equality is only for the rich.' When Malakhi was younger, he had always thought that this phrase was bullshit. 'Everyone is born equal'; 'we are all humans'; 'we are all the same' was what he had always thought when he heard his mother quote the infamous phrase. But after he had grown and started to go out into the real world, he finally realized how naive he was. No one seemed to care when the rich man hits the poor. But everyone seemed to care when the poor man bites back.
The dirt pathway narrowed as the rickety buildings increased. Water from the wet clothes that were strung between two tattered and decayed buildings dripped onto Malakhi's sweater. As he continued to walk through the slums, he took glances at the people begging for food from people passing by. No one seemed to notice, though. The ghastly faces and the lack of spirit in the beggars' eyes are forever etched into Malakhi's mind. He never stops to give anything to them. He doesn't want to be a hero. He doesn't need to be a hero. He will never be a hero.
Growing up from this neighborhood filled with drunkards, thieves, criminals and gangsters, Malakhi learned how to be distant. He never forms any sort of attachment with anybody. He never stands up to whats right. He never breaks up fights. He isn't a hero, after all.
His hurried pace slowed down little by little as he spots and comes closer to the blotchy, discolored red sign that read 'Rickey's Pawning'. Malakhi's steps came to a halt when he reached for the corroded door handle. The muffled sound of the old, rusty, metal shopkeepers bell sounded as he opened the door.
"Ah, Malakhi, what have you got for me today?" The old man with the greasiest face and the biggest pot belly said from the display counter as he put on his odd rectangular glasses.
The younger smirked as he slouched onto the red barstool style chair. "Oh my dear friend Rickey, how you're in for a treat today." He laughed and watched in amusement at how Rickey's eyes shone with curiosity and greed. "Bet you've never seen anything like this before." Malakhi slowly took out the locket from its pouch and dangled it by it's chain. The polished gold gleamed like a cat's eyes in the dark.
Rickey instantly stood up from his seat and leaned towards Malakhi. Eager to get a feel of the gold accessory. "Oh my, oh my, oh my." He licked his lips and reached forward for the locket. Malakhi jerked it back immediately and stashed it back into his pockets.
"Let's talk money first," Malakhi cracked his neck and looked at the older man dead in the eyes. "you don't get to touch this until I get my cash."
Rickey sneered and slithered back into his seat. "How much you want for that?" he asked impatiently. Malakhi can see right into Rickey's greed and desires through his murky brown eyes. If Malakhi didn't need money this badly, he would have never come here.
*stay tuned for chapter 1*