Ghosts of a Past

Chapter One: Recollections

The rain came down early that morning, sharp and steady, the rhythm drumming against the roofs of the apartments in the Boston QZ. The water ran down the streets, mixing in with the scent of diesel and the body odor coming off many of the people on the streets.

You've been in the Boston QZ for about ten years and built a reputation for yourself.

Ten years since you arrived at this hellhole. And a hellhole you couldn't wait to leave behind.

Four years since the person you held close was taken away from you in an instant.

You were known through the smuggling and dealer community in the QZ. You got the items you wanted when you wanted them, and didn't take no for an answer. You scared most of the dealers, and that was something you wanted when you arrived here.

You felt like you didn't belong; then again, it's always been like that. Moving from place to place at the hand of one of the people you despised the most... home and belonging weren't concepts that came naturally.

You could remember what the last time home felt like. Back in Texas, but not with your family. With a teenager named Joel Miller.

You and Joel were tinkering with a truck of his he was working on repairing with Tommy. Mostly Joel was doing the work, explaining different parts when you asked questions, and you were there for the company.

For the fresh air that came with being around him.

That was, until, you hear the familiar voice of your father shouting your name down the street as he made his way toward you. With him was Valarie, his grip iron-tight around her small wrist.

"Get your ass over here!" Your father shouted once seeing you at Joel's driveway with the truck. He stormed over towards the driveway like he was prepared for battle.

"Didn't I tell you to come home right away?" He snapped, stopping just a few feet away from the two of you, "And what do I find? You out here loiterin' 'round here with him."

Joel was about to speak up to defend you, but your dad snapped a sharp glance to Joel to keep him quiet. That's when you took a chance to speak, "Dad, I was just-"

"I know exactly what you were just," he begins sharply, snapping his gaze back to you, "Deliberately ignorin' my rules and ignorin' your responsibilities. Don't even get me started on you takin' care of your sister."

Of course, he'd bring up Val.

"She's runnin' 'round unsupervised again, and your ass ain't at home."

"She's just a kid," you begin quietly, looking up at him with a sigh, "You don't need to drag her into this."

"Oh but I do. That girl looks up to you, and that itself is a damn mistake."

The words hit harder than they should have. Despite his constant reminder of your sister looking up to you and wanting to be around you, his words never hurt any less.

You shake your head of those thoughts. You were in your apartment room with your roommate, who also happens to be your dealing partner, Leo. He was in the middle of finalizing a deal with another man, Robert. He didn't like listening to you when it came to making sure the man wasn't a snake, like you said he was.

You both worked your asses off to get the cards he wanted, and now the man disappears. Now he's trying to get information from others about where Robert might be, and he told you to meet him here at five. He was already twenty minutes late.

It seemed like a lifetime had passed by before you heard the door open up, and Leo walked through. He closes the door behind himself, boots thudding heavily against the warped wood floors, catching the look on your face before rolling his eyes, "Don't start with me."