Smiling at Chrystal as she laid on his lap, John hugged her tight and gave her a kiss. "What was that for?" she asked.
"Well you know things change with the season I was wondering if your kisses did too."
"Oh, really and what conclusion did you come to?"
Licking his lips and nodding his head John replied. "I'm not sure. I need another sample so I can analyze the data."
Leaning over and stopping halfway teasing him Chrystal said, "Oh really, and what make you think I'm gonna give you another. That is why they call it a sample right. You only get one try."
"Well how can I make a deduction off just one?"
"I don't know you have to figure it out."
"I guess I'm going have to take it then." Putting his hand under Chrystal chin and pulling her towards him J. Mike kissed her repeatedly. Pulling herself away from John's grasp Chrystal gazed into his eyes before diving back in for another kiss.
Holding on to each other for a while in a moment of silence John phone begun to ring. "Hello."
"Hey how are you doing, is this John Michael?"
"Yes, this is him."
"This is Ashley Artega from Maxies."
Wondering why someone from his mother job would be calling him John tried not to picture the worst. "Yes ma'am" he replied.
"I was calling in regard to your mother Kelly Michaels. She is currently in the hospital."
Sadness struck John face as he heard the news. Looking up at his face, Chrystal asked, "Is everything okay."
Placing one finger in the air telling her to hold on John finished talking. "Where at, is she okay" he asked.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that she was checking out a customer then she fainted. The doctor is evaluating her right now. We are at Shemal Park Hospital."
"Alright thanks, I will be there shortly."
"You're welcome. She is in room 246 I should be here when you arrive."
"Thanks again" J. Mike said, before hanging up. Running into his room he grabbed some shoes.
"What's wrong babe?" Chrystal asked following behind the now flustered John.
"My mom is in the hospital." He replied racing through the room grabbing his keys, a little bit of money and his laptop. Running into his mother room he rummaged through her drawers grabbing clothes and items for personal hygiene, just in case they needed to keep her overnight.
"Is she okay?"
"Ion know, hopefully. My momma fainted only once before at my grandma house. We took her to the hospital and after a couple nights of testing, to make sure she was okay. They let her come home with no problems."
"That's good" Chrystal said, putting on her clothes and shoes.
"Where are you going?" John asked glancing up at his girlfriend as she got dressed.
"Wit' you."
"You can stay here it's alright I won't take that long."
"What kind of bitch you take me for" Chrystal shouted giving him an angry look. "I'm not letting you go up there by yourself."
"And that's why I love you." John said avoiding an unnecessary argument.
Saying aww and giving him a hug Chrystal asked, "is there anything I can do?"
Yea stay here so I can fly to the hospital is what john thought but what came out his mouth was. "It's aite I got it Chrysty."
Meanwhile in OverBay
"Say cuh you should've seen white boy I'm talm bout he acted a donkey on o dude." RC spoke as him Michael, Colby, Will and Romeo walked down the street. "Im talm bout o dude didn't even get to swing befo cuh knocked him out."
"Real talk! ey say cuz we gotta go to dat hoe." Romeo remarked stepping in the middle of the sidewalk while someone was coming. Moving out the way Will let him pass. "Mayne bitch you scary. I wanted dude to bump into one of us I was gonna drop him right then and there." Pretending as if he was fighting someone Romeo continued. "I woulda been like Whoop, whoop, to da whoop, whoop on his fool ass."
"What you talm bout then" Colby said squaring up with Romeo. "you aint gone whoop me tho."
"Wassup" Romeo said running up on Colby.
Slap boxing for a few minutes the two stopped and continued walking. Looking over at Will and Michael, Colby said. "What yall looking at yall can get it to." Running up on Colby together Michael and Will double teamed him for a few seconds before he turned and ran off laughing. "Yea that's what I thought yall aint ready."
"Ey wanna yall gotta a cigarette" A man asked as soon as they reached the corner store.
"I only got one." R.C told Al. "but I'll short ya dine."
"That'll work ya know a ol' man need his medicine." Al said taking a sip out of his whisky bottle. "Yall wouldn't happen have no tweed on ya I can hit."
"Hell, naw Al mayne, at least not rolled."
"It's, aite. I know one of you young'uns hava a dolla I can hold. I'll pay you back tomorrow ya know I'm good fo' it." Al said taking another sip out of his whiskey and scratching his neck.
"Say Al mayne don't you owe me five. Whea my five at?" Colby joked.
"Hell, naw I don' owe you shit." Al said grabbing the short from RC.
"That's five fo' hitting my boy short right there." Colby replied.
"Well you can have this short." Al said hitting the cigarette a couple more times.
"You know I'm messing wit you Al mayne"
Hobbling away Al said, "yea I know running up on me like you was gonna do some. I was 'bout to have to put that blade on ya."
Laughing Colby put his hands in the air. "Let me make it mayne, let me make it."
"Oh aite" Al said hitting the cig. "Thank ya. You youngstas stay out of trouble now." Putting the two dollars Michael gave him in his pocket he hobbled off.
Running into the store and grabbing a pack of cigars and snacks they walked to the bus stop.
Shemal Park Hospital
Arriving at the hospital John could feel the Dragon in him ready to come out. Walking up to the receptionist desk he tried to ignore all the noises and smells lingering in the air. "Hi, I'm John Michael I was looking for room 246."
"Alright can I see your I.D along with hers." The receptionist asked.
Pulling out their, I. D's Chrystal and John gave them to the receptionist so she can make copies. Giving them stickies with their names on them along with their I. D's she explained to them how to get to the room.
Walking through the hallways a familiar scent kept wafting into John's nose as he walked pass certain patients. Unable to determine what the smell was he pushed it to the back of his mind. Making it to his mom's room the same scent flooded his nostrils as he opened the door. "How are you doing mama?" he asked walking in.
"I would be good if they would let me smoke a cigarette or give me a drink." She replied.
"Momma you can't be smoking in the hospital. You gotta think about the other patients."
"I am and that's why I need to smoke a cigarette. It will help me and them."
Laughing John shook his head. "What did the doctor say?"
"He said I can go. I was just bout to take a quick piss and then I'll be ready." Ms. Michaels said getting out of the bed and grabbing her purse.
Seeing the box of cigarettes in her purse John took them out without anyone ever seeing him move. Making it into the bathroom Ms. Michael was sure no one would bother her now that she had company. Ready to smoke she dug in her purse but couldn't find the pack. Searching for a few minutes she flushed the toilet and washed her hands as If she done something. "Damn" Ms. Kelly mumbled as the Doctor walked into the room. "I wanted to leave before he got back."
"How are you I'm Mr. Rafushi."
"I'm John Michael, Ms. Michaels son."
"Ahhh, how are you doing Mr. Michaels?"
"I'm good. Is my mom alright."
"Well everything seems leveled out right now. But we do want to do a few tests, to see why she fainted. Mr. Michael have you noticed anything strange over the last few weeks."
Shaking his head John answered, "Not as I know of."
Writing something down on his clipboard, Mr. Rafushi said. "Okay, well we will keep her overnight and run some tests. Is that okay with you."
"Yes sir."
"Okay well I will be leaving. If you have any questions or concerns just hit this button right here."
Getting a phone call Chrystal got up and walked out the room behind the doctor.
"Everything's okay" John asked when she walked back in.
"Yea it was just my mom. Turn out misty pooped and peed all over my room and she is pissed."
Thinking about the puppy he gave Chrystal, John finally knew what was wrong with his mom.
Downtown
"How do we get in?" Will questioned staring at all the construction being done on the apartments that stood before them.
Looking around RC said, "We gone have to go to the next street."
Walking pass the construction workers they entered a small alley between the apartments and a house. Following RC down the street to the end of the cul-de-sac they walked into the backyard of an abandoned building. Telling everybody to follow him they slid in between an opening of the apartment fence. Climbing up a ladder onto the roof of one of the apartment buildings they jumped through the rough landing on a mattress.
"Damn cuh" Romeo said looking around at all the people in the apartment. "How you find out bout this place."
"I tol' you my people brought me here."
Staring at the chains hanging in the middle of the apartment something felt off to Michael. Watching the man inside the chains throwing jabs here and there and stretching he made his way to a spot by the wall next to everybody else.
Falling through the roof the champion rolled down the chain net until he touched ground. "Say dey bout to start the fight." RC commented. Turning around and focusing on the champion he had an evil grin on his face and was swinging wildly from left to right. Swinging at the metal net he sliced through it with his bare knuckles. Cowering at the sight of what just happened his contender was happy when someone came and switched him out.
"Hey, they can't switch" the champion complained as a tall black guy with an afro stepped into the ring.
Fwoosh! A giant purple eye opened in the middle of the net. "You thought that you weren't going to be taking." Glowing the eye snatched his soul then disappeared.
"what happened" someone shouted as the man fell over. Rushing inside the ring and pulling him out no one else saw the eye but Michael and the contestant. Calling the ambulance everyone walked outside to the balcony or waited outside the apartments until an ambulance came. Leaving Mike and the new fighter alone.
Walking up to the man Michael swung two jabs. Dodging Mikes first two punches the man let the third one land. Hitting his victim in the chin he didn't budge and all you could hear was a ding like the sound of metal.
Realizing Michael was an Evol the man swung then took one step back and pivoted to the right as Mike returned the favor. Exchanging a couple more blows they caught each other punches then leaped back acting as if everything was normal when someone walked in. Picking up a blunt off a turned over ashtray Michael gave it to the dude.
"Ion know who sweet this is but I'm bout to spark it up, I'll roll another in a minute." He said. Watching the person who walked in leave Michael ran up on the fighter again swinging at him while he was on the couch, but he weaved it.
Nodding his head, Mike told him "I like that."
"Shoot I like the way you weaved and caught that punch" the fighter replied returning the compliment. Giving each other recognition Michael returned to the other side of the room as everyone piled back in laughing and talking. Getting comfortable practically everyone in the room commenced to roll up blunt after blunt.
"Have you ever been doing the congo and a female walks up to you" a kid yelled out of nowhere.
"If you don't get yo to the left, to the left, to the left to, the left." Everyone else chimed in, "To the right, to the right, to the right,"
Turning towards Mike Colby begun to act like he was jacking off on Michael now Skeet, Now Skeet, now skeet."
Archery Practice at Provenience
"That's the third time you got struck in an hour. Are you alright." Professor Artemis questioned John. "You been doing well all winter break. What's on your mind."
"Mayne Professor Artemis I just found out my mom have cancer." John replied.
"O wow how long have she had it."
"I don't know I noticed the smell about a couple months ago, but i didn' realize what it was till today. When I was at the hospital with her."
Patting John on his back, Professor Artemis said, "You do know that, just because she has cancer. Doesn't mean she is going to die."
"Yea but she's not going to take the medicine I know my mom. The only medicine she takes is alcohol, weed and cigarettes."
"Well in that case you will just have to find some way to persuade her or trick her into doing it. You are able to use conversion aren't you."
Lifting his head up, a smile crossed his face. "Yea I can."
"Alright then. Getting her to take a little bit of medicine shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, go back home to your girlfriend Chrystal and relax you're going to need it for tomorrow." Professor Artemis said grabbing his bag and walking off.
Somewhere in the United States
Stabilizing his breath and checking his surroundings Michael sat down in his chair he created using magic. Closing his eyes, he begun to meditate.
"How are you, young master?" Chokma asked as Michael stepped in front of the giant tree.
"I'm aite but I need help?"
"Yea you do, you and John been getting handled." Qual remarked appearing in a cloud flame.
"Did I ask you fo' yo commentary?" Michael said bucking at Qual.
"Hey, the truth is the truth. So, what is it that you need?"
"Fo' yall to train me. Did you not see how ol' dude made me look earlier." Michael replied.
"Well you should come train with us for more than just to beat somebody up."
Looking at Chokma strangely Michael said, "What ya mean?"
"You do know that by training with us and defeating us, it will help you gain control of your powers even faster?" Chokma questioned.
"Wait hol up fo' real. Why you just now telling me."
"Why are you just now showing up?" Qual retorted.
"Ey you wanna box or some." Mike asked stepping up to Qual.
"Master Mike it seems you have a visitor." Chokma commented feeling the electrical output of someone nearing Michaels body.
Opening his eyes Michael stared at the same man from the apartment. "So, I finally found you." He said.
"What do you want?" Mike asked raising up out of his seat ready to fight.
"I'm not here to fight. Just to introduce myself. We got off on a bad start." Pulling out a blunt he asked "wanna smoke."
Grabbing the sweet Mike replied, "Hell yea." Lighting it up.
"By the way I'm Corey I'm with the Knights of Kathangle."
"What are the Knights of Kathangle." Mike questioned. "Oh, and I'm Mike."
"It's an organization of Holy Evols and regular Evols who sole purpose is to locate all demons and get rid of them."
"So ol' dude in the ring was a demon. I knew some was off bout him." Michael said shaking his index finger. Looking at the five stars, dog paws, and other gang related tattoos, Michael glanced up at Corey "You a dawg."
"Yea, 20/20 TTP"
"Fo' real I'm TTP" Michael said locking fives with Corey.