His body wouldn't respond. His spirit had been run over by a massive train called reality. The rhythm of his heartbeats had gone crazy. Johnny wanted to believe that what he had heard was just a mean joke and that everything would go back to normality. But his hopes were gone as he contemplated the concerned woman sitting at the other side of the table.
"Johnny?"
A knot had formed inside Johnny's throat, making it difficult for him to respond to Alexa. He saw her lips moving as if trying to explain something, but his ears didn't register her voice. She tried to reach for his hand, a gesture that was evaded as he stood up abruptly.
"I… I need to go out…"
"Where?"
"I don't know, just… somewhere that will give me some fresh air."
"Johnny, wait!"
But he wouldn't hear her words. He simply couldn't be in the same room with her without assuring that he would explode. Johnny grabbed his jacket and, with a fast pace, was slamming the door as he departed.
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"FUCK!"
His lungs were burning by the yelling that were created in them to let loose the tension that was eating him. He didn't care if his actions would wake up someone or cause a commotion. For him, it was just him and the obscure street. The desolated atmosphere represented how he felt at the moment… alone.
How stupid of him to think that everything was starting to go his way. Destiny was surely a bitch by making him develop a friendship with someone who turned out to be related to the man responsible of making this world a living hell for Johnny. To think that he had come this far to get rid of that bastard only for Kreese's presence to find him in this town and continue haunting him.
For now, there was one thing that would help him cope with the unexpected bomb that was thrown at him. A neon green sign was hanging outside and establishment and calling him like a siren to a stranded sailor.
"Screw it…"
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"Blonde guy! You're free to go."
"Wha…"
Johnny's palm tried to block his vision from the sun's rays that were coming in through a tiny window. A massive throb in his head had started to spread through his skull, feeling as if his brains were about to explode.
He quickly incorporated himself, a thing that he regretted for it worsen his headache. Johnny didn't recognize the room where he had apparently spent the night at. What the hell did he do to end up in jail?
The guard asked Johnny if he would like to spend the day behind the bars as it seemed that Johnny wouldn't bother to move his ass. To avoid another conflict, Johnny had to gather what was left of his patience and went out.
"Oh, shit!"
The daylight had hit his face and worsen his hangover. Johnny had started to walk down the street when a familiar voice had forced him to halt. Alexa had to surround his static posture since he wouldn't turn around and regard her presence.
"What's up with you? What were you thinking?"
"What are you talking about?"
She scoffed at his remark. "You're telling me that you don't remember getting almost into a fight with Sal, and that both of you got arrested for disturbing the owner of the store where you got drunk?"
Now that he thought about it, a series of flashbacks helped him remember being half wasted and bumping into that jackass. But the rest of the scene became blurry. It probably had to do with the amount of liquor that was in his system at that time.
"Hold on, how did you know where to find me?"
She shrugged. "The news spread around quickly in this place. It didn't take me long enough to figure out who was the man that had gulped down all the Coors from that shop."
"Whatever." He tried to continue his journey, but Alexa wouldn't allow him.
"Would you mind? I have a place to go."
She shook her head. "Not until I know that you won't get into another trouble."
Johnny laughed sourly. "Oh, yeah, I forgot how you like to act like a saint and get your hands into other people's business!"
Alexa looked hurt. "What's your problem?"
He raised his arms. "Look, I didn't ask you to help me in the first place, alright?! I came here to try to arrange my messed up life, but apparently you had to come in and ruin it!"
She frowned. Her eyes were fuming with disbelief. "What?! How could I possibly do that?!"
"Because you are related to that fucker! Ever since he entered the picture, nothing that I've received from him has been good. All I've got was pure shit! And you are a Kreese!"
"Listen," she poked his chest, "just because his blood may be running through my veins doesn't mean that I'm like him. He made sure for me to understand that he's not my family, alright? So go fuck yourself!"
Alexa went off and left Johnny to deal with his anger and regret.
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The following days became gloomy. In other to avoid another incident, Johnny decided to immerse himself in work. He even volunteered to take extra shifts that resulted in having soar limbs. Still, he continued with those hours in order to keep his mind busy and not letting his thoughts wander to the image of a certain brunette.
Johnny wouldn't admit it, but he was actually missing her company. However, after what happened that night and the way he responded, Johnny wouldn't let himself show up at the bar. He had the hopes of running into Alexa so that he could at least catch a glimpse of her, but luck was not on his side.
Now that he was standing on the isle where he had searched for the perfect ingredients for the dinner he had cooked for Alexa, Johnny couldn't avoid the sadness that had taken over him. As he waited in line to pay for his things, the person standing behind him cleared her throat to call his attention.
"Well, well," said Tina, "I suppose you're just cooking for yourself this time, am I right?"
Johnny grumbled. "Listen, m'am, I'm not in the mood for jokes, alright?"
"I know, Lexa told me what happened… OK, I had to force her to spill the beans because she's been quite upset for the past days, and I wanted to find out what kept her in such a mood."
Johnny looked away to hide his guilt.
"I see she's not the only one that has been affected by this quarrel."
And she was right. Dark circles under Johnny's blue gaze indicated his exhaustion as well as reflecting his state of mind.
"Look, both of you are grown ups and will decide how to deal with this situation. The only advice I will give is that one cannot let small details of the past build the picture of our future. Besides, life's no sugar coat, honey."
Johnny kept those words for the rest of the day.
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"Oh, man!"
Johnny locked the door of his apartment and tumbled on top of the couch. He was extremely exhausted and just wanted to grab a cold beer before heading into bed. However, his plans had changed once he noticed an envelope lying near the entrance.
He was probably so tired that he didn't see it when he came in. Johnny walked over to pick it up. He opened it and pulled out a hand written note. His heart skipped once he discovered who had left it.
Johnny,
I know it may seem silly for me to communicate with you through this paper, but it was then only way that would allow me to explain myself without ending it with me cursing at you (by the way, sorry for the other day).
Tine told me that she ran into you at the groceries shop. I bet she went all Yoda mode with you and shared a lecture the way she did with me, huh?
Anyway, I had time to think about what happened that night and the way you reacted. After everything you've told me about your past, I now understand how painful it must have been for you to discover my relationship with Kreese. Guess we live in a small and mad world for letting you meet "the descendant of the devil"…
But putting the jokes aside, I wanted to assure you that I didn't know that he was your former sensei. Had I known it before, I would have clarify things in the first day. Believe me when I say that I have nothing to do with him— I'm not some psycho who brainwashes teen's minds and turns them into his minions.
I guess that I should place the final piece of the puzzle to clear my story.
Remember when I said that my mother was a doctor? Well, during her student years, she managed to get a full scholarship to study medicine in California. Once she arrived her resident stage, she had been assigned at the emergencies area of a hospital in Reseda.
One day, she attended a man who's fists were damaged for he had crashed them against some crystals. My mother always used to start a conversation with her patients to distract them and make them feel secure. She did the same with my father. To sum things up, she fell in love with with as he used his charm. At the time, my mom thought that she was living a nice fairytale. Who could blame her? She was dealing with a master of deceit.
She soon discovered his true colors once she got pregnant and gave him the news. With a cold glare, he told her that he didn't know what she was talking about, and that he had no means of getting involved. So he left her all by herself.
That's when my mom decided to go with my grandparents shaking in fear, but was embraced by their love and support.
And that's how I was able to come into this world. The only thing that I acknowledge of that man is that he had to be part of the equation in order for me to be living. I hope this explanation will be some sort of help for you to manage with this unfortunate news. Trust me, the last thing that I would do is to hurt you. I am no Kreese. Of that, I am sure.
I wish that some day we may hang out the way we used to. If not, I will totally respect your choice. It was nice meeting you, Johnny.
Alexa
Johnny had to seat to take in what he had just read. His fingers were rubbing his temples because of all the information that Alexa had shared with him. A mix of emotions were revolving all over his gut. He had to lay down and close his eyes to avoid another headache. His tiredness didn't allow him to think enough, so he let sleep take over.