Fate, My Elementals & I (Breaking Borders)

Devion

At eleven years old......................................

Watching from the balcony was so much better than the assigned seats for the schools. You could hear the music all around us, be able to view the musicians, how serious yet completely at peace they were, doing what they loved. I never want not to be that passionate about something. I will always give a hundred and ten percent of myself from now on. I want when we meet with Evony again, that she can see my growth as a person and be proud of me.

"Yo Dev," a classmate called out to me, throwing me a snack, "You alright man, you look like your under some strain, that could help you out," acknowledging him with a thanks, I went back to leaning my forehead on the glass.

Taking small bites, I wondered how Brennon and Addanon could talk about their everyday lives like that in front of Cannon. Not self-conscious at all, not caring that he could have judged them, but I guess the joke was on me. After meeting his Dad, I knew. The welcoming feeling was new to me, especially from white people. It warmed me up, with happiness and a little jealousy. Cannon was also a completely different person to his Dad. Now I know where his attempt at that joke earlier came from. It must be nice to have a parent who loves you, supports you and believes in you. He looked at Cannon, I dunno, like he hung on the moon. Grasped on to every little detail that was odd about him the moment he saw him. Cannon definitely knew how lucky he was with a parent like that. Mr. Du Mere, or as he stated he preferred to be called, Eddie, short for Eddison, treated us like family immediately, fussing, offering us eats and drinks, even without any explanation from Cannon. I knew that they weren't the type of people to attach importance and kindness to the color of someone's skin. I am happy about this, seeing as Evony was clearly a mixed breed.

I sat up then. Evony. What did she say? We have the blood of who before recorded time? She also kept saying core, I think. Personally, all I thought she did was confuse me more. I didn't voice it then, because to be honest, even when she put on her princess attitude and stirred the conversation, almost pushing us out, she still looked like a little girl that I could scare away. I didn't want to interject much, I preferred to listen. Even though I knew she was speaking English, it still sounded so foreign to me. All those words put together meant barely anything to me. Will it be like this seven years from now? No, I will be better and more literate, at the very least a competent air elemental.

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At fifteen years old................................

Walking on the sidewalk heading home, my bag slinged on my left shoulder, I had my earphones blasting a symphony, when all of a sudden, my bag was yanked off and I was eating pavement. The buds yanked out and a man was screaming in my ear, asking me if I had a death wish. How dare I ignore him? I was utterly confused, scared and in pain. My right cheek felt like someone took a grinder to it. Even with all the screaming, I realised that it was a cop on me and held myself back from fighting. I heard him tell his partner to check my bag and less than a minute later I was yanked up, to only have him scream in my face about why I did not respond to him. I kept my mouth shut, knowing he didn't really care, and looked at my discarded headphones. The other officer, Mr. Calm, which to me means worse than Mr. Loud, bent over and picked it up, placing it close to their ear, hearing for themselves that I had not deliberately ignored them.

"Alright boi, I understand," Mr. Calm stated, signalling the braying donkey to release me, which he did, but I could still feel him in my personal space. "Now where did you get these? Some of them could be considered deadly weapons, young man. Make sure an' answer me this time, dammit," Mr. Calm questioned, sounding slightly agitated.

Nodding my head, to buy myself some time to flex my jaw, because it hurt really badly, I answered, "I apologise officers for not replying before, nor adhering to any commands you had made of me previously. The music was quite loud. Concerning the question about my barbering tools. I received them as a gift, sir. Only yesterday, there is a card in my backpack, from the sender, if you wish for further proof. The reason I have them on my person, is that the place I intern at has been broken into a few times. So it is better I take them home with me. The tools could be bought back, but the sentimental value would be lost."

They stared at me like I had grown three heads. Being pen-pals with Cannon and his Dad has improved my vocabulary. The gift, well, that was from Eddie. As a congratulation on finally getting my own chair. The rest was blowing smoke, no one, not even a desparte crackhead half out of his mind, would break into Papa Bouche's barber shop. What these eggheads don't know can't hurt me. I stayed on the ground though, can't be giving them a reason to become trigger happy or anything. I saw them empty most of my stuff, carelessly. Good thing there wasn't anything fragile in there. Took out the card, my barber license and asked the question I knew would come from their mouths, "How old are uh' boi?"

"Fifteen sir, " I replied. Mr. Loud snickered and called me a school dropout. "You like being a charity case huh?" he insulted.

Of their own violation, my fists started to form, but I focused my hearing on the sound still coming from my headset on the ground next to me and was able to relax, before they could really notice. Even when the ignorant mule kicked my shoe in order to get me to respond, I just listened to the music. Evony was in front of me with her mass of curls, bright auqua marine doll-like eyes, smiling, keeping me calm.

Mr. Calm, nudged Mr. Loud, saying, "Alright kid, pack your sh!t up before I charge you for littering and get outta here." They made to walk back to their vehicle, and turned around noticing I had only papers and my bag in my hand, the tools still a bit away from me, I wasn't stupid enough to touch them when those jerks were still around. "You should hurry up now, there was a reported bag snatcher in the area, that's why we were tryna' get your attention," Mr. Calm offered as a way to explain why his partner rearranged my right side.

I nodded in acknowledgement, letting out a low yes sir, watched them get into their car and drove off.

Sigh, three more years, and then you can be with your real family, I repeated to myself as I lifted my large frame. I must have been really distracted, for that pathetic excuse for law enforcement to have jumped me so easily. I know the creeps too. I heard some of the kids at the home saying they're dirty. Making a mint off the corner boys, even though they are paid off by the distributors already. I feel sorry for them. They never listened to Papa B, never tried learning anything at school, and believed every negative thing said to them, about them. The culture of why try to be better when no one believes you can be, is worse than ever.

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At eighteen years old..............................................

"Whoooo, y'all Cherie said yes man!" exclaimed Marcus the moment he walked through the doors' of Papa B's barber shop. Most everyone laughed, not truly believing him, as he had been asking that particular young lady out for more than a month now. She always says I'll think about it, maybe or I'll call you. Each means a resounding no. Unfortunately, he celebrates every time by coming here and demanding I neaten him up. Then the next day he walks in, all sullen, mumbling about how he waited for her for hours at the club or bar he told her he would be at and she never showed. "Y'all keep laughing it up, this time she said yes. Even told me what time to pick her up," he boasted.

"Where?" another customer asked, "Did she tell you her actual apartment or did she say meet her at her building stoop?" another snickered, "Maybe she told you to get her from her friend's house, cause' she needs a ride?" Everyone busted his chops after teasing him one way or the other. All good-natured and fun. I laughed along, but I stopped actively listening in on the banter.

It's May eighteenth, I have to head over there tomorrow. I cleared my schedule, made sure I had no appointments, and told Papa B I had to make a run, and wouldn't be around. He was the closest thing I had to an adult who cared about me, since I hadn't heard from Eddie in about three years. Losing contact with all of them was hard on me. The older Papa B got, the more I feared I might be alone in this world one day. I kept my friends list short, I was friendly with everyone, joined any fighting-style classes down at the Y' to keep fit, but never made any true attachments apart from my boss, and my self-proclaimed older brother. Marcus, unfortunately, was one of the hard-headed ones that Papa B couldn't convince that fast money wasn't the way to go, but Marcus did make sure that no one else from Honor Bound Boys Home, got into dealing. He would pass by making sure we had food, school supplies and if you weren't doing alright in school, he'd help you find somewhere you could learn a trade.

I can't seem to keep wondering how she looks now. She stopped singing a little less than a year after we all met. No further photos of her. Nothing on entertainment news. She was so adorable back then, still had a little baby fat, chubby cheeks, but that smile lit up something in me and I knew there was no one that could ever make me feel that way again. I missed her so much. I didn't believe it was possible to miss someone you didn't know, but every time my mind drifted to her, that time, I realized there and then it was. In all honesty, I miss the guys too. We wrote to each other maybe once every two months, just to check in mostly. I know it was Eddie's influence that kept us in communication, but when it crossed six months of no reply from him, Cannon and Brennon, I wrote to Addanon. His reply was quite odd. It was only a few words, basically saying we didn't need to talk anymore, that whatever we needed to do in a few years, didn't require us to be friends. He came across as bitter.

My anxiety rose thinking about those what-if scenarios again. If she would be there? Would she want to spend time with us? Would she expect us to drop our lives and go with her immediately? Everything about our first meeting was quick, confusing and vague. I know we were only kids, but we could have done better.

After finishing up Marcus, he walked me back to the half way house I was staying at. Complaining about how I was able to get somewhere better than there. I tried to tell him I was still saving to get a decent place and no, I did not need to borrow from him, he still continued up until we got to the door. Giving him a bro-shake goodbye, I thought about the real reason I live here. After turning eighteen, I couldn't stay at the home any longer. The government has these half-way houses set up for orphans until they can afford to live on their own. I might be in someone's spot. I feel guilty about that, but I didn't want to have anything tying me down, no person or property in case, well............... as I had hoped seven years ago, along with Bren, that she would just take us away. The eleven-year-old me still lived in my heart. So, after tomorrow the rest of my life will begin.

I took a shower, eased my way onto my bed, knowing this mattress would f0ck up my back more than the standing I had been doing all day. I didn't have a terrible life. A father figure, an annoying brother, a job I'm great at. Urgh....., too good. Actually, my feet are killing me. Just as I was wondering how to massage my size sixteen plank, my cell phone rang. Seeing Papa B's caller ID I was a bit shocked. He never calls after I have left, unless it's really important.

"Hey," I answered, listening to the words he was saying to me. I felt like the earth tilted. I didn't believe any of it. He kept shouting my name, trying to get my attention or a reply. It just sounded like a cartoon-type background noise. Marcus was shot. I had only seen him a few hours ago, now he is in the hospital fighting for his life. He........... he, no he can't. He was always so careful. He never got on anyone's bad side. "I......I hear you, I'm on my way," I heard myself finally say this and hung up. I sat there for a few minutes to reboot. Robotically, I got dressed and mentioned to the manager why I was leaving at this hour. He was kind, saying he hoped Marcus would pull through, but I was on auto-pilot. Nodding, I went on.

Unsure of how I really got there, Papa B was there looking aged by ten years. Did he always have that much gray hair? He looked up, gave me a genuine small smile and patted the seat next to him. I sat there, not saying a word. It went on like that, watching the nurses and doctors bustle by, for about an hour until I spotted someone that I really didn't want to see. The ass that Marcus sold for. Papa B must have sensed my rage because he looked up, firmly pressing his hand on my shoulder and got up. Telling me to keep my a$$ plastered to that seat. Or else....... He walked over to Chancey, who whispered a few things. I saw Papa B fold his fist but kept his down as he listened and then said thank you, walking back to me.

I looked at him expectantly, as Chancey looked at me before walking away. He sat down, ran his hand through his hair, and sighed heavily. "He was on his way to meet that young lady, apparently being seen by a "customer", while in the process, some new kid who didn't know him thought he was trying to take over his spot, and shot Marcus from behind," Papa B related to me, attempting to hold it together, the pain real for him, "That little punk is now being punished by Chancey and they are going to foot all Marcus' medical bills," he finished sniffling slightly.

Staying silent at that moment was all I could do. If I said anything and anyone loyal to a$$h0le was around, it could land me right in here with Marcus. Hospitals smell awful. A few chairs down, a lady sat with her crying baby, looking strung out of her mind, begging anyone within arms reach for help. I looked back at him, "We have to believe he is going to be okay," I attempted to console both of us.

After a few more hours, a doctor approached calling out for Marcus Thompson's family. We stood up and he told us they got the bullet out and it had missed all major organs, but nicked some arteries. All in all, he will need time to heal, but he will be alright. He was still asleep and wouldn't wake up any time soon, so I urged Paps to head home and I stayed. Seeing him hooked up to all those machines, I was glad he didn't insist on seeing Marcus before he left. I sat there staring at him, unknowingly fell asleep, only to wake up to an urgent beeping sound. The door flung open, nurses and doctors rushing in, one kindly but purposefully leading me out the room, while they attended to another man in the room. I breathed a sigh of relief, not that I wanted the other person to die, just for a split second I thought it was Marcus.

The next morning, Paps showed up with breakfast for me and a change of clothes. By the time I cleaned up in the bathroom, Marcus was up and being lectured by Paps. I leaned my six foot five frame on the door, just watching them. Marcus spotted me, called me over and assured me he was alright. Paps asked if I could stay a little longer as he had something to do with the shop and would be back for me to leave, not forgetting that I had this day off for a reason.

"I'm sorry for worrying y'all. You could leave you know. I don't need a babysitter or anything," Marcus finally said. He was never one comfortable with silence.

"Shut up," I stressed. "Do you know it was one of your own crew that shot you? That bastard showed up for all of five minutes to tell us he had punished the little sh!t and paid for your surgery. All so that we won't report or give statements."

"Hush man, alright, I already talked to the cops when you were out of the room. I know okay Paps told me so. Look just calm down alright, I am fine. The newbie will be handled. It's all good," he stated quietly, from the pain or an attempt at secrecy I wasn't too sure.

"Marcus please, I'm begging you to find an out. I need you to be there for Papa B. I may not be around much longer," I ended up revealing something I had only kept in my heart for seven years. The way he looked at me made me realize I might as well explain some things in case, "I am not saying it is definite, but that meeting I have today, may just change my life. I have to go to be sure, but more than likely I will have to leave South Side for a long time. Who will take care of Papa B when I leave? Huh? Look, I just.......... Please just think about going straight alright...." I finished defeated.

"I'm happy for you man," he voiced softly, "I want you outta here too. You shine too bright for this place. Don't you worry 'bout Paps, I got him. Pssshhh his whole neighborhood do. So just keep walking alright. An' I don't wanna see your sasquash' looking a$$ back here uh' dig?"

I teared up knowing I had his support, while he attempted to joke to brush off the serious moment we were having. A few minutes shy of lunch, Paps came back with food. We all chatted for a while, reminiscing. We joked, teased and shared a moment I know I will forever treasure. All the while, the air danced around me, reminding me I have a destiny, one that won't include them, but I will forever be grateful. As excited as I was to see Evony again, and start the life she promised, I felt reluctant to leave. It wasn't until around four when Marcus fell asleep again, did Paps ask about my appointment.

"I am going. Just wanted to spend some time with you. Papa B, I hope you all keep good, I may not be back soon, but I will keep in touch okay..." trailing off looking at the man who helped me find my way, became my mentor and father without being asked or paid, I couldn't hold back and hugged him. Forcing the tears to stay at bay, when he patted me on the back, "It's alright son, even baby birds fly the nest."

One last look at Marcus, fist bumping Paps, I left. I headed to the room and board for my things, like I said I was a minimalist, informed the manager I wouldn't be back right away. He told me if more than a week passes without my return, he will have to give the bed out. I assured him I understood and thanked him for all his help. Saying goodbye to some of the other residents, I set out to my new beginning. Just like Marcus told me, I didn't look back.