C.R.C. 7947

  I was mad at my parents. Those assholes first never listen to me and then when I finally tell them what I want in life and they actually hear what I’m saying those bastards fucking tell me no. They say no! To pursuing higher education like ma’ did! Well fuck them then. Fuck the bullies at school. And fuck my brain for being different. I don't care what they want me to be and if I can't decide what to do with my life than I might as well do something enjoyable.

  That is how I find myself walking into one of the shady bars in one of the less prosperous parts of Fondor City, maybe an hour away from home by train. That was fine by me. I didn’t plan on going home until school started again day after tomorrow.

  I had scrounged up a bit of pocket money and … relocated some cash from the bullies who pick on some of my fellow classmates and previously myself. Rich assholes the lot of them. Who even needs credits when the food is free? Anyhow, I finally sit down at the bar and order a beer. Maybe half an hour later I had three empty bottles of beer and five empty shot glasses next to me as well as being a few dozen chits poorer. I felt better, less stressed, like most of my problems didn’t matter anymore.

  “Hey, buddy.”

  “Wha? Leave me lone m not your buddy man.” I mutter back. Not bothering to turn towards whoever the fuck is speaking to me.

  “Come on friend, you’re plastered and need some sleep and water.” The bastard who is bugging me continues.

  “Leave me lone. I’ll be fiiine and who says I’m your friend, guy?” I mutter back. Can’t this asshole just leave me alone? The misery is coming back and I think I want another shot. Yeah another shot sounds nice right about now.

  “Dude, if you don’t come with me the Ministry for Justice will lock both of us up.”

  I take a closer look at the dipshit that has the audacity to warn me. Slightly older than me, maybe seventeen. Black hair, green eyes, stubby nose, a tad shorter than me.

  “Alright, lead the way.” I say, jumping from the barstool and walking up to the guy. He nods and we both walk rapidly out of the bar and into the less traversed alleys of this workers district. A couple turns here and there and I was totally lost. If I found one of the larger roads I could find my way back, but from here I was at the mercy of my new acquaintance.

  “Sooooo. Guy. Where we heading?” I asked.

  “Nowhere.” Came my answer. I suddenly found myself pushed up against a wall with the forearm of my acquaintance uncomfortably placed against my neck. On top of this he pulled a blaster on me and levels it against my stomach before continuing, “I hate to do this, but I’m desperate and I would like you to hand over your credits.”

  “Hmmmmm.” I hummed, trying to process what just happened to me. After a moment it clicked and I started speaking, “I almost thought you wanted a kiss. Instead, like every harlot I’ve met, you’re just after my money. I thought we’d clicked man.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  That confused him and I felt the pressure on my neck give a little. That was all the opportunity I wanted, I slammed my fist against his blaster, throwing the aim away from me, while pushing him away from me with my other hand. He stumbles back a bit and I throw myself forward and slam into him. My weight and momentum throw both of us to the ground. I wasn’t sure where the blaster was, but we were currently exchanging blows with our fists while rolling across the road and the sand, trying to get on top of the other.

  “If you wanted some credits, kark, I would’ve given ya some, ya , fuck -ing bastard.” I got out in between punches.

  “Yeah right. You upper class, ouch! Snobs don't give a damn bout us.” Came my reply.

  I finally managed to get on top of him again and straddled him and got a hold of his wrists with my hands. Now in a position of power I started processing what I was hearing and feeling. I really wanted to figure out what I was thinking, but the damn booze was messing with my head.

  After a moment of him squirming I finally got out what I wanted to say: “Look, firstly, pulling a blaster on me iss not cool. Secondly I don’t want to fight you. Thirdly if you wanted credits I would’ve given ya some. Believe it or not I don’t give a flying fuck about much right now and I would’ve happily parted with my questionably acquired money.”

  I wasn’t quite sure what emotions were flickering across his face, but after a bit he stopped struggling and I slowly got off of him. I walk to one side of the alley and lean against the wall. The nausea hits me bad right then and I empty my guts into a gutter. Ugh, nasty. After catching my breath a little I lean back against the wall and pull a tobacco stick from a pack I had in my jacket. I stick the thing in my mouth before pulling out a package of matches. A quick flick of my wrist later and I inhale the smoke before slowly releasing it from my nose.

  I didn’t even notice it when my attempted mugger leaned against the wall next to me, starring up past the buildings into the smog filled sky.

  “You shouldn’t smoke those.” I hear him say.

  “I probably shouldn’t drink either.” I reply.

  “You really meant what you said?”

  “Sure, I have about a hundred spare credits I was planning on drinking away tonight, but since you ever so rudely interrupted me, I guess I might as well give em to ya.” I say before taking another deep drag of the stick. My left hand sneaks into my pocket then and grabs a couple credit chits. I hold them out to my companion. He waits a bit before snatching them up and putting them in his own pocket.

  “What’s your name?” He asks.

  “Thraken. Yours?” I ask back.

  “Elix.” Comes my reply.

  “Well Elix, wanna tell me why ya needed dem chits?” I ask, feeling the adrenaline fully leave my body.

  “I got a ship from my parents. I need cash to get the fuel and a spare part or two so I can start working with it.”

  “So you decided to rob a teenager in hopes he’d have enough cash to buy you a full fuel tank?” I ask, barely able to understand his logic.

  “In my defense I am trying to be legitimate, but the wills only left enough money to pay for the parking and to pay off a couple debtors. I can’t really pay the rest off without a tank of fuel now can I? Barely making enough cash at the day job to pay off rent and interest. I’ve been getting desperate.”

  “I can tell. Ya know, I feel bad for ya. If ya wanna I might be able to get you some cash every now and then. It’d take a while, but I think I might be able to help ya.” I mutter back.

  “Thraken, if you’re being honest I would kiss you.”

  “No thanks, helpin ya is enough for me. And don’t really swing either way too." I mutter.

  "Well … thanks anyway." My new friend replies.

  "Might as well start trying to do something good with my life.” I reply, my own head turning up towards the sky. A moment passes before I speak again, “Think we’ll see the some stars tonight?”

  “Probably not. I’d be surprised if we saw the shipyards in this weather.”

  “At least there isn’t a sandstorm.” I mutter back. A speeder passes overhead, its shrieking engine probably waking everyone up on the block.

  “You really mean what you’ve promised?”

  “Sure, might be difficult to find ya, but it’s the least I can do for a friend in need.” I reply.

  “Friend?”

  “Worse ways to start a friendship than an attempted muggin.” I say.

  “Better ways too.” Elix replies.

  I drop the finished stick and stamp out the last embers on the street. I pull a piece of flimsy from a pocket and a pen from another before writing down my address and handing the flimsy to my new friend.

  “What’s this?”

  “My address, if you’re ever in need. My folks ain’t round much, xept every third workday, they both got that off.” I answer.

  “Thank you Thraken.”

  “What are friends for.”

  After that we left the alley and I started heading towards the closest train station. I ended up home a lot earlier than planned, but I had as much money left over as I’d planned and was richer in a better way too.