Alexander followed Adio into a dark room. There was a round table with a red table cloth on it. Alexander took a seat and Adio sat across him. Alexander examined the man dressed in white. Adio sat straight and smirked back at Alexander.
"Well? You said you were going to explain. What did you mean when you said you were expecting me?" Alexander asked him. Adio grabbed his dreadlocks and slid it behind his ear.
"Alexander, we didn't meet by chance. You were chosen. I chose you," Adio began to explain. Alexander didn't interrupt. Adio continued.
"There is a situation going on with Crave City," Adio said.
"No shit," Alexander grumbled. Adio glanced at him briefly and Alexander cleared his throat.
"Would you like some water Mr. Hardy?" Adio asked him. Alexander shook his head.
"The situation isn't as obvious, as you believe. Yes, there's corruption and crime in a physical level, but in the spiritual level, there is a war and evil is taking over," Adio said. Alexander pursed his lips. He didn't want to listen to this mumbo jumbo nonsense. He thought that maybe this was all just part of his gig to sell those drugs that were supposedly "magical".
"Look, I didn't come here to hear to mystical shit. Just give it straight. You knew I was a cop and that's how you knew I'd be expected," Alexander said and Adio chuckled.
"Of course, I knew you were a cop. I knew you were a cop after I followed you. However, the first time I saw you, I didn't know your profession. I only knew you Aura. I can read people's Auras. Yours was pure, but also incredibly strong. It's not very usual for a place like this. Most auras here are dim," Adio said.
"Look, I don't believe in this whole Aura shit. Just talk to me straight," Alexander replied annoyed. He moved in his chair a little bit.
"Well, this whole Aura "shit" is true, weather you believe in it or not. I would suggest you keep an open mind," Adio said.
"Look, I know you're selling drugs," Alexander said.
"Selling drugs? I'm not selling anything Mr. Hardy," Adio replied.
"Look, you said you were going to explain what was going on and frankly, this is bothering the fuck out of me. I am not one of your clients. I just want to know what it is and if you're getting it from Mancinni or elsewhere," Alexander replied.
"I already told you, I don't work with that pig and no, I'm not getting it from anywhere and "it" is not a drug. It is a magical potion that can only be forged in my family," Adio said. Alexander took in a deep breath. It was so difficult for him to accept this explanation. He knew it was bullshit, but Adio was taking it very seriously. Either he was an incredibly gifted actor or he really believed in what he was saying. It was annoying, but either way, Alexander admitted that he was a hell of a con artist. Alexander decided to tolerate the so called explanation. At least he was talking.
"Okay, fine. So, it's a magical potion from your family. Where's your family from?" Alexander asked him.
"I cannot reveal," Adio replied.
"Why? You think I'm going to travel there to interrogate them?" Alexander asked.
"They live in a secret location. It's all I can say," Adio said. Alexander wondered if they were under witness protection or something or if this guy was just full of shit. He thought, the latter.
"Okay, so this magical potion is made from your family alone that you claim live in some sort of secret location. Can you at least tell me the country of origin?"
"No country of origin," Adio replied. This guy was so annoying, Alexander thought. He breathed in deeply again to try to calm down.
"Okay, so your family, are they still alive?" Alexander asked.
"Some of them," Adio replied.
"Are any of them living here?" Alexander asked him.
"Yes, but they're not available right now," Adio replied. Well, at least he had some relatives here.
"What are their names?" Alexander asked him.
"They're names are irrelevant. Please just focus," Adio said. Sure, focus on the bullshit that he's selling and not question anything. He must have thought he was dealing with a toddler.
"I thought you were going to explain everything," Alexander replied.
"Yes, everything that's pertinent. If you stop interrupting me, I might to just that," Adio said.
"I'm not Rocky Roads," Alexander spat back.
"You most certainly are not. That's why, I have a major gift for you. Bigger than you can ever imagine because you are the chosen one," Adio said. This annoyed Alexander again and he frowned. He hated this whole "chosen one" bullshit. This was a scam where everyone was the chosen one. He decided to let this guy go on, but he was definitely a total fraud, in the eyes of the detective. After this, he was going to have to do a background check on this dude. He couldn't do it himself, he was going to have to call Angela or Houlder in for the favor.
"Okay, Adio. Let's say, all this shit is true, that your family is somewhere secret if they even exist and you're not some fucking orphan. Let's say you "read" my Aura and decided that I was the chosen one, for I don't know what, but let's say all that's true. Let's say there is a magical potion. What's it's purpose?" Alexander said. Adio crossed his hands and placed them under his chin.
"Well, Alexander. This magic potion that I am going to give you, as a gift will give you the strength and power of a god," Adio said. Alexander crossed his arms and tapped his feet. He guessed as much.
"Okay, so if this magic potion gives me power as a god, why the fuck don't you take it and not tell anybody about it? Why are you giving it to me and why am I the chosen one?" Alexander asked.
"Now, that's a very easy answer. I'm not allowed to drink the magic potion and you are chosen because of your Aura, like I said. Your spirit. Your heart. You are worthy of the potion," Adio said.
"Why aren't you allowed to drink the magic potion?" Alexander asked him.
"Because I'm not worthy of the potion, Alexander. That's why," Adio replied.
"And how do I know this potion doesn't have secondary effects? How do I know it won't kill me?" Alexander said. Adio heaved for the first time.
"Actually, it does have secondary effects Alexander. It reveals to you what's really going on. You will be able to see it, in your dreams and you will not like what you will see. It's the price you get to pay for having god-like powers," Adio replied. Alexander didn't like this one bit. This guy was either a trickster or delusional, either way, this was dangerous as fuck. The man was clearly unstable. He wasn't sure how to answer, so he decided to question him further.
"Do you have to drink just one potion or do you drink more than one?" Alexander asked.
"You must drink one once a week and you don't need the whole bottle. A drop will do," Adio explained.
"Was Rocky Roads a chosen one?" Alexander asked him. Adio shook his head.
"I gave him something else," Adio said.
"Drugs?" Alexander replied and Adio shook his head once more.
"No. I don't deal drugs except marihuana and I have a license for that," Adio said.
"Okay, so he drank another magical potion. Who else drank it?" Alexander asked. Maybe if he knew who else had it, he might find out more about its side effects.
"No one else. The man with Rocky Roads at the Red Star was paid to spread the rumor onto Rocky Roads. This was all staged for you. I'm sorry, but not everyone can have access to this. Only a chosen one can. Rocky Roads was given something else, that gave him strength," Adio replied.
"Will it kill him?" Alexander asked.
"Of course not. He'll probably be worn out, but he'll be back on his feet on no time," Adio remarked.
"Look, you understand that I can't just drink this potion of yours at face value, right? I mean, this all sounds, very strange to me," Alexander said.
"That's being honest. Another virtue of yours. You can reject being the chosen one and by doing so, I cannot give you the magic potion. I can just find someone else," Adio said. Alexander didn't like the sound of that. Not, that he cared about being a chosen one or not, but the fact that somebody else could fall for this guy's bullshit. He thought, maybe he could deal with this and not some poor dude.
"Look, I need some sort of guarantee that this won't kill me or turn me into a vegetable," Alexander replied.
"Courage and faith are needed if you want to be chosen. I cannot give you any guarantees," Adio replied.
"By that, you mean being gullible. Nice try. Maybe I should get you investigated," Alexander replied.
"You're not a cop. Maybe I can press charges for harassment," Adio replied.
"Look, this is getting us nowhere. I'm not going to drink some potion just because some dude says so," Alexander said.
"So, are you refusing to be the chosen one?" Adio said. Alexander moved in his chair and sighed.
"No, I didn't say that. I just want proof. I get it that you can't prove to me anything about the potion, but maybe you can prove to me that magic exists. Any form of magic. If you prove to me that magic exists then I'll drink your potion," Alexander said. Adio scrunched his thin eyebrows and stared at him. His big, brown eyes stared at Alexander's face. Alexander didn't move or flinch or even take his eyes off him. It was as if they were having some sort of staring contest between them. Adio nodded.
"Okay. I will think of something and I will prove to you that magic is real. If I prove this to you, will you accept to be the chosen one?" Adio said.
"I will," Alexander said. Adio studied Alexander's strong and serious features. He then gave a single nod.
"Okay. Give me two days. Come on the second night. I will prove to you that magic exists," Adio said.
"Two days? Why two days? Why not tonight? Do you have to plan the magic trick first?" Alexander said and Adio laughed.
"Boy, you are skeptical, aren't you?"
"You bet," Alexander said.
"I am tired right now and I'm going to be very busy these two days, it's why I can't show you now or tomorrow. I had these plans before you came here," Adio said.
"But you had free time to follow me around?" Alexander pushed on. Adio suddenly sat back and relaxed. He placed his hands behind his head and stretched his arms.
"I like your spirit. I knew you were a fighter. You are the best," Adio told him. Then, he yawned. Alexander wondered what he meant by being the best. Did this mean he had other candidates? Who was this fucking dude? He was definitely going to look into him.
"Well?" Alexander pressed on.
"Well, I must let you out now. I wasn't going to give you the potion tonight anyway. You don't think I have it here in the shop, do you?" Adio said.
"So where is it?"
"It's somewhere safe. Can you see me when I told you or must we reschedule?" Adio asked.
"I'll see you then and don't worry. I'll let myself out," Alexander replied. He got up and Alexander then did the same. They both left the small room, but Alexander left through the front door and Adio locked it from the inside. It was still night and shadowy, but the street was empty. He walked out of Waifer street. He knew that there wouldn't be a cab waiting for him, so he continued to walk out the district as well. Once he reached a less heated area, there were a few taxi cabs still in the area. He whistled and made signs to them and none of them wanted to stop. Some of them had "out of service" labels. He couldn't find anyone, so he called Angela and told him where he was. Angela agreed to pick him up.