Phantoms
Ch. 1 Intrigue
By: Kyron
Rain. It was raining again. Lately it always seemed to be raining. It never seemed to stop. Beads of water glided down the window pane, distorting the view of the outside world. No person would be outside on such a dreary night, no one in their right mind at any rate. It was pitch black, lightening gracing the sky with random sparks of light. It didn't matter though. No one would notice him if the sun was shining directly above him. He was a ghost, a phantom if you would. Sure, he existed and people would look his way but no one would actually see him. He had physical form, not invisible by any means, but he had a way of not attracting attention. And that's how he liked it. It made him capable of moving through a city without trouble. He moved a lot, never staying in one place for more than a few weeks, maybe a couple of months at the max. There was always this strange sense of restlessness within him that kept him on the go. He couldn't explain it, just went along for the ride. He'd go wherever the restlessness lead him, one city and then the next until hopefully, he could stop. But for now, moving around was fine. Speaking of which...
An engine fired in a lonely alley, the low almost threatening growl from exhaust echoing off the wet brick. Headlights turned on as the vehicle began to move. He turned out of the alley and headed towards the highway, preparing to move along to the next city. He accelerated the engine, creating a near roar from the tailpipes as the vehicle sped up, tail lights growing distant.
Morning came and there was no rain. Once again, the forecaster had been wrong. Green eyes searched out the dirty window towards the sky for any chance of the wet weather but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. She sighed, shaking her head to clear it of sleep. Turning, she looked in the piece of broken mirror, examining her shoulder length brown hair. It used to be a large bathroom mirror that got busted in half. Quickly she pulled her comb through her hair. She tried to keep her hair a reasonable length, namely because the comb was so hard to deal with. It was tattered and missing teeth but it functioned. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and changed clothes. Her jeans were torn at the knees and were stained by grease and her black t-shirt was no better off. The girl then rolled up her worn sleeping bag, tucking it in the corner of the room. The room itself was really no bigger than a tiny walk-in closet. She grabbed her black ball cap and headed for the door, stepping into her worn shoes. "C'mon, Ram." she called. Obediently, a dog followed at her heels. It was a mutt of some sort, long nose, perky ears and bright eyes. It's colors were almost calico. The girl leaned against the large metal door and pushed, the iron hinges grunting at the motion. When it was open enough, she poked her head out. Once the coast was clear, she opened it further, letting the dog and herself out of the confined space and into a cross street alley. Garbage lined the walls of the adjacent buildings but the street itself was never used much. She pushed the door closed, wedging a small piece of paper in the door. Since there was no lock to speak of, the paper could tell her if someone tampered with the door. Satisfied with the door, she turned down the alley, heading towards one of the streets, the dog close on her heels.
They walked the streets, getting pushed and jumbled by the crowds but no one really noticed her. That was fine. Sometimes it was safer not to be noticed. She maneuvered her way down the street, ignoring the curses of people who might get too close and get a growl out of Ram. She turned this way and that, finally coming to her destination. The neighborhood was mostly Mexican. Some parts were worse than others, especially after dark but for now, she was okay. She knew many people in this neighborhood and got along with most of them. Up ahead, the sound of air ratchets and tools clinking sounded from an open garage front. She walked up to the corner of the door and looked in. Cars were on lifts, mechanics doing tweeking her and turning there. But there was one person she was really looking for and she found him arguing with one of his employees. The pair walked inside, slowly approaching the man. "No, no, no...how many times do I have to say it?? If you install that, you'll blow the motor...and I tell you chico...I'm not fixing it next time, eh?" he threatened. The employee raised his hands in defeat, walking away grumbling many curses in Spanish that weren't really for young years. The man watched him go, "Dumbass..." he said, turning around. "Hola, Mario." she said, a hint of a smile in her voice. "Nacoma! Chica...just who I wanted to see. How's it goin' Ram?" he said, talking to both. He pulled out a small dog treat and tossed it to the dog. Ram caught it mid air and took her prize to the corner to eat it, tail wagging. Mario motioned for Nacoma to follow him. "Listen chica, I got a couple of cars in here that need a few touches and I'm short handed...you showed up on a good day." he gave her a small piece of paper, outlining the jobs. She nodded and headed off to the cars, picking up a small toolbox on the way. "Lemme know if you need anything, okay?" he called. She waved a hand at him and he chuckled, heading for the office. Inside, a woman approached him. She was quite pretty, shoulder length black wavy hair and piercing eyes. "You know it's illegal for you to pay her cash under the table, right?" she asked. He snorted, "What should be illegal is for a girl her age to be homeless." he replied, looking out the window into the shop. Nacoma already had one car on a lift, working on the under belly of the beast. "I hear she's got a place on Main." the girl retorted. "No, she has a closet in the alley between Main and South. You got a shoe closet bigger than her whole world. And she shares it with a dog." The girl crossed her arms, "I still think you should let child services deal with her." she walked towards the desk. "I'll call them now for you." she said, picking up the receiver. Mario spun around and moved quickly for the desk, snatching the receiver from her and slamming it back down. "Tina, you're my sister and I do love you dearly...but I swear to you, turn that girl in for trying to make her way in life and I'll disown you." he threatened, glaring at her. She locked eyes with him for a moment, trying to see if he was bluffing. But she found his eyes hard...he meant it. "Okay...okay, Mario..."she started, backing away, "but if you get caught and ruined because of that girl, don't come crying to me, okay?" And with that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the office, grabbing her purse and heading down the street.
Several of hours later, Nacoma came into the office. "All done, Mario." she said, handing him the paper back. He looked over her notes, reading what she had found and done to the vehicles he'd assigned her. "Looks good, bonita. Here." he said, handing her a plain white envelope. "And before you go home, go to Mama's. She said she's got some stuff for you and Ram." he added. Nacoma nodded and looked around the office, "Where's Tina?" she asked, innocently. "She didn't feel right today. Don't worry 'bout her. Now hurry and get home. It'll be dark in a couple hours and you don't wanna get caught out here." he said, forcing a smile. "Okay...I'll be sure to stop by Mama's. And tell Tina I hope she feels better soon." she said, going out the door. Mario only nodded. Nacoma exited the garage with a whistle and was momentarily joined by Ram. She pushed the small envelope into her pocket and headed for the corner store. Looking up, she noticed that the sky had grown considerably darker. Looks like the weatherman might be right after all. She arrived at the corner stores lot, her eyes catching sight of a dark vehicle sitting on the corner. It seemed to call to her almost. She felt almost drawn to the vehicle. It was a black truck, she didn't recognize the manufacturer, but who ever had designed that truck had done so in the a brilliant fashion. She found herself wondering who it belonged to. "Hm." Nacoma entered the tiny store, Ram making herself a seat just outside the door. The store was filled with all sorts of items, from clothing to food and fruits. This was Mama's place. Mama was Mario's mother but everyone called her Mama. She was a very kind old woman that never turned anyone away unless they were trying to cause her trouble. She found the old woman sitting at the counter. "Hey, Mama." she greeted, smiling. The old woman looked at her, a smile gracing her face as well. "Hola, Nacoma. I'm glad you came in today." she replied. Nacoma nodded, "Mario said you wanted to see me and it has been a while since I've been in here." Mama reached behind the counter and pulled up a large brown paper bag. "Here...you take this. I've got treats for both you and Ram." she said. Nacoma reached for the envelope. "No. Your money is never good here¼you know that." the old woman said, raising her hand. "But it's Mario's money..." Nacoma retorted. "He gave it to you so it is yours. No." Mama said firmly, "Now you put that back in your pocket and hurry home. It will start raining soon and you're not in the best part of town for pretty young ladies, eh?" Nacoma sighed, placing the envelope back in her pocket. She picked up the bag, "Gracias, Mama." she said, heading for the door. She looked outside again and noticed that the black truck was gone. Turning, she asked, "Mama, do you know who's truck that was outside a few minutes ago?" The old woman looked up, "No, I didn't even realize there was a truck out there. Why?" Nacoma shook her head, "No reason, just curious. Bye, Mama." she said, quickly exiting the store, calling Ram on the way. The entire way home she wondered about the truck. There had been something, well, not normal about the vehicle. She almost hoped she would see it again, just to try to figure it out.
The rain started as soon as she reached her door. Checking the paper and finding it undisturbed and the way clear, she opened the door and quickly entered, closing it tightly behind her and Ram. She set about putting away all of the days items, placing the money Mario had given her in the plastic bag with several other bills. She figured she had about a thousand dollars saved up, give or take. It was good in case of an emergency with Ram or if she needed something she couldn't get from Mama. Carefully, she stuffed the baggy back into the small pocket on her sleeping bag. Next, she worked on the paper bag, finding crackers, cheese, water and fruit along with some cooked meat for her and some not so cooked for Ram. Happy at the prospect of meat for the night, she made their dinners. But even after her meal and she'd gone to bed for the night, she couldn't get her mind off the black vehicle...
She'd noticed him, he was sure she had. That was unusual. Even the woman who worked in that store he'd sat in front of for hours hadn't even looked his way. But that brown haired girl actually saw him. And what was weird, he'd noticed her too. He'd spent most of his time surrounded by people in many cities and never noticed any single person that he would even enter into his mind, but he noticed her. He barely noticed her dog. The animal had simply looked at him as it sat at the doorway, awaiting its owner. It actually intrigued him so much that he was nearly frightened. The moment he noticed she wasn't looking and ignoring the look of the dog, he fired the engine, the muffler nearly silent, and gently glided away from the corner, blending into traffic like the ghost that he was. He turned around on another block and waited, for what, he wasn't sure. But he watched that corner, noticing the girl come out and look either direction, almost as if she'd lost something. Her dog simply looked up at her until she called a name and the pair left. 'Good' he thought. And once again, he glided away. But the usual since of restlessness wasn't there this time. There was a different feeling, one he couldn't place. It felt almost like he should stay and watch. Only he wasn't sure of what. Maybe that girl and her dog had something to do with it. Oh well, he figured. He'd gone with feelings before, might as well go along with this one. And so he stayed in the city...for now, until he could figure out this enigma that had him so intrigued, no matter what it was. And so he drove off, just as the rain began to fall.
