Warning: The following chapter contains graphic contents and violence that might not be suitable for some audiences. Readers discretion is advised.
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Chapter Six
The walk back to the hotel where he stayed at seemed to extend so much. Scrambled thoughts filled Ethan's head like a massive trainwreck. Dante's words kept driving him over the wall.
"He didn't even tell me his name" Ethan sigh, rubbing his palms together as he stepped inside the hotel building. The old woman sitting by the desk raised a brow at his arrival. Ethan just flashed her a crooked smile, to which she returned with a shake of her head, a displeased look in her face. Ethan sighed once more.
'She acts as if she has the worse job in the world' Ethan thought, climbing the stairs and making his way to his room. As the doors closed behind him it felt as if the days exhaustion finally seeped into his bones. He made his way over to the bed, checking underneath the bed's mattress for the remaining money he hid after splitting it. To his relief all of it were still there, however it was just enough so he would last for three days or less.
"Son of a..." Ethan slumped down the floor, back resting against the bed as he brought his hand over to cover his face.
Escaping Atlanta had been the toughest choice he'd ever made, all the struggles he'd endured to get to where he was and when he thought Vegas would provide him a new start in life, these things started happening. From a stolen money, to a police chase, and now this mysteriously handsome man with the body fit to be a Calvin Klein model made him an offer he supposedly isn't allowed to refuse. Life can't seem to give him a break. Almost as if god itself is doing everything to prevent him from ever living a decent life, failing once more to realize that it may have been his own choices leading him to the path his life is going.
"Mom..." Ethan suddenly croaked, his voice cracking as he tried his best to stop the tears that threatened to fall. It had been so long since he lost them, the people he truly loved dearly, without them Ethan had been so lost with what to do with his life. He remembered how even at his parent's funeral some distant relatives still had the time to say something bad about them. Ethan doesn't know much about his family history, just that his mom had left what was supposed to be the love of her life, according to his grandmother, to seek someone rich so she could have a lavish life. Ethan refused to believe that was true. He was the result of his mother and father's love. Growing up he saw how much his father cherished his mother dearly, and it was the same the other way around. What was her mother's wrongdoing for trying to have a better life than settle for what she only had. Ethan's Mother was a simple country girl originating from korea whilst his Father was a mayor from a small town in Atlanta. His Mother met his father during his campaign to run as a mayor after she moved to the U.S. Ethan wasn't able to ask more details about his parents history of how they met, and he wished he could. It feels as if he missed the chance to know them better.
"I know you're not happy with my way of living. I'm sorry" he murmured, finally letting the tears run free. Fat droplets fell from his cheeks as he let his emotions pour out. "You'd probably use a slipper on me even when I'm this old already" he joked, remembering those times when he was being punished for causing trouble.
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to leave flowers on you and Dad's grave but I promise when I get the opportunity to I will leave heaps of flowers. I don't know what your favorite are so I'll bring as many varieties as I can and leave them to you" he finished, wiping his cheeks with the back of his hand. Ethan would have this mini breakdowns from time to time and he tries his best to find strength with the thought of his mother wishing for him to do better in life or she'll hit him with her slippers.
Ethan went to the bathroom to wash up after his episode. The shower was cold and unpleasant as the water heater doesn't seem to work. Ethan stared at his wet reflection on the mirror. He resembled his mother so much, her soft features give Ethan's face a youthful look to it, his light complexion making his asian features stand out more. He tossed his hair around, styling it whilst it's still wet so as it dries it gives him a messy tousled look. As he made his way out the bathroom, he grabbed some money from his remaining stash and stuffed it in his jean pocket after opting for a more casual look; grey hoodie and ripped jeans.
He left the hotel room to get a breath of fresh air and some food along the way thinking it would help him ease the stress he was feeling and asses the offer to work for someone with his life on the line as the biggest risk.
Walking around Las Vegas proved to be enjoyable. So many things to see, so many unique individual people with contrasting differences from each other. The walk had taken Ethan's mind off of his current matter of concern. He had been running away and trying to get some money that he wasn't really able to see the beauty of being in another place. If he gets to have short moments of peace in his life where running is a basic need to survive, he better make the most out of it.
As the night began to cover the city of Vegas in it's sheer darkness, nightlife came to life. So many lights illuminated the streets it felt as if it was still daytime. Ethan was still strolling around, finishing a piece of taco in his hand and wiping his hand on his jeans. As he stopped on a nearby stall to purchase a slice of baklava, three mean chatting amongst each other not too far from him caught his attention.
"There's no police reports so I think that man was scared shitless" one said.
"I don't see him coming back to the casino either, he probably ran with his tail tucked like a coward when he woke up" the other chimed in.
All three men laughed, their voices loud and clear like their faces. Ethan didn't need more proof to recognize that these people were the same people that pulled him in an alley and stole his money. His blood began boiling and he clenched his fist. Fighting wasn't his forte, infact it always ends up as him getting beaten up to the ground but despite that his temper was slowly rising up to the point that he's about to explode.
"Boss gave us a good amount after that. Maybe we should find the guy again and take everything he has—"
"—HEY!"
All three men turned their heads towards the source of the voice. Their eyes widened when they saw Ethan's furious face. He was right infront of them and they didn't have enough time to react as Ethan grabbed the nearest one to him and shoved him to the ground so hard he fell. He wasted no time and climbed ontop of him, throwing punches in his face. People shrieked and scattered away from the scene, some cheered and a crowd began of onlookers began to form. The two men tried to grab Ethan to drag him away from their mate but he bit one of them on the arm, causing the other guy to flinch away from touching him while the one who was bitten screamed in pain.
"Hello! Police? there's a bunch of hooligans fighting in public and causing property damage!" The baklava stall owner frantically said over the phone as he tried his best to protect his stall from being destroyed along with the precious pastries he had made as the four men fought like rabid animals on a loose.
Ethan was finally dragged off of the first guy he pounced on. The man he bit was furious, the bite was so hard his skin split and blood started oozing out from the bite wound. Ethan tried to push the two holding him away but a fist collided strongly against his jaw, knocking his head to the side. Blood dripped down from his nose and the force of the punch made his sight blur. Another punch followed, this time it was aimed at his guts and he toppled to the ground, grabbing at his stomach as he coughed. The two men didn't stop, they began kicking at him whilst Ethan tried to wrap his arms around his head to protect it. The third guy finally gained his strength and he too joined the two, pissed that Ethan shoved and made him taste the ground. He grabbed the nearest chair and was about to slam it on Ethan's defenseless state when the sounds of siren started blaring from the distance.
"Shit shit shit!" One of the men cursed, head whipping to the direction where police cars could be seen trying to push through the crowd of people that began circling around them, their phones out filming the whole thing and some even live streaming it.
"Doug we gotta go that's enough!" He exclaimed, grabbing his friend who was still busy stomping at Ethan.
The guy didn't stop and kept stomping at Ethan that the other two was forced to grab him on both sides and drag him away. The three fled the scene and a few police that managed to wedge their way from the crowd witnessed them run and chased after them.
"Sir are you okay!? Hang in there" A female deputy approached Ethan, checking the damage done to him.
Every part of his body ached, he could taste blood inside his mouth and his nose felt like it was still dripping. There was also the heavy feeling of nausea and it wasn't long before Ethan puked all the food he ate. The deputy stepped back as Ethan practically layed in a pool of his own puke. The pain on his body was so overbearing that it didn't take long for him to pass out, however, before he fully lost consciousness he had a ridiculously amusing thought in his head from what he had just done.
'Hell yeah!'