Beneath The Bad.

Chapter 12. Petals Of Innocence

The next day, Alex went for walk, yesterday was so intense that he needed to breathe. He walked through the sidewalk, his eyes scanning the crowded market with a mixture of disdain and caution. The smell of fresh produce and baked goods filled the air.

That's when he saw her- a vision of loveliness in the mist of the rowdy market. She stood behind a colourful array of flowers, her porcelain skin glowing like a beacon. Her smile could light up the darkest corners of the city, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight.

As Alex approached, she looked up, and their gaze met. For a moment, time froze. Alex's hardened heart skipped a beat, and he felt a spark he thought had long been extinguished.

“Hello”, she said, her voice like music. “Welcome to my flower stand ".

Alex's gruff demeanour faltered, and he found himself returning her smile. “just browsing”, he muttered, his eyes roaming the vibrant blooms.

She nodded, her hands moving deftly as she arranged a bouquet. “Let me guess... you're looking for something special?”.

Their fingers touched as she handed him a delicate rose, he felt a jolt of electricity. He hadn't experienced such a delicate touch in years, and it left him reeling.

“I... yeah”, he stuttered, his voice barely above whisper.

As they spoke, Alex discovered her name was Sunshine, and her laughter was a melody that soothed his battered soul. For the first time in ages, he felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than violence and hatred.

He was so engrossed in their conversation that he lost track of time. “Oh... um.. I have to be on my way now ”. he said reluctantly. “Oh alright, but please do come again okay”, She replied with a soft smile.

But as they parted ways, Alex couldn't shake off the feeling that he was tainting her purity, that his darkness would eventually consume her light. Little did he know, Sunshine saw beyond his rugged exterior, and her heart had already begun to bloom with a love that could potentially save him from himself.

Alex's footsteps echoed through the deserted alley as he approached the safehouse. The brief encounter with Sunshine still lingered in his mind, a fleeting glimpse of serenity in his chaotic world. But as he stepped into the dimly lit room, he knew he had to shed that vulnerability like a skin.

“Where have you been?”, Kia asked, his voice laced with a hint of accusation.

Alex's expression turned glacial, “Just taking care of some business”.

The room fell silent, the only sound was the the soft hum of the TV in the corner. Alex's gaze swept the space, his eyes lingering on each member, a reminder of his authority.

In that moment, Sunshine's smile seemed like a distant memory, a luxury he couldn't afford. The darkness closed in around him, and Alex embraced it, his heart encasing itself in a fortress of steel.

But as he turned to leave, his eyes caught a glimpse of himself in a shattered mirror. For a fleeting instant, he saw the man he used to be, the one who'd smiled at Sunshine with a sense of hope. The image vanished, replaced by the reflection of a monster, a creature forged in the depths of hell.

Alex's jaw clenched, his grip on his emotions tightening. He knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment. The gang's world wasn't one of second chances or redemption – only survival.