Chapter 13: Test of Thought

It has only been a few weeks since I have joined the gang. His friends or rather his goons I should say have been slacking off knowing that I'm willing to pick up for them for scraps of leftover cash stealing from others whether it be staff or other students or doing some bartering. Of course, I did get involved in their antics of stealing to gain their trust and respect. There were times where I almost got caught, but my luck ran out once and of course, my uncle and sister had to get involved. I got off the hook just barely as the teacher was quite forgiving.

My supposed boss, Rust, what he calls himself was the one handing out the tasks for all of us. By all of us, I mean me all because I was the newbie of the crew. Although the tasks were daunting for my taste, the pay lets the feelings slip by.

Currently, school ended and my uncle was planning to go out for dinner. As I was leaving with my bag being slung lazily over my shoulders, Rust and his gang were there to stop me from leaving through the school's front gates.

"Hey kid," Rust called out as I reached the gates, "You coming with us? There is something important for you to do."

I stopped with my eyes still fixated on leaving as soon as possible, "I'm busy. I'll make up for it when we come back to school." I started heading for the exit but his words reached out to me once again.

"No, we are going places. There is someone I would like you to meet that can increase your pay."

Stopping in my tracks, I turned around at the sound of bigger fills to see Rust and his two lackeys just like the time we first met.

"What is it?"

"Money always gets your attention. Just get in my ride and I'll discuss with you your new job," he responded, signaling his two goons to leave and for me to follow suit.

"Good luck," one of his lackeys said, walking past me, making me question what's about to happen.

I followed right behind his tail, needing to pass a few students. As soon as they saw us, their expressions shifted very quickly as they avoided both me and Rust by at least a few steps away as we approached. What made Rust so infamous in school? I didn't really care, I just welcomed the fact that nobody dared to come close to me anymore.

"Get in," he signaled, pulling himself into the passenger seat of his black SUV.

I opened the sliding door to see a rather fresh look on the inside as if it were a newly bought car. Inside was mostly clear of any dirt in the car, all of the front windows were rolled down. The driver who looked to be in his late thirties or mid forties was at the wheel. He is wearing what people would imagine a butler would wear, a black suit, white gloves, and sunglasses. Probably minus that part. He has short, black hair with small spots of gray hair along the top.

"Hello, my name is Reed. I am your driver and also the expense watcher for my boss' son," politely introducing himself, looking at me through the back mirror.

"You have a butler? That's nice," I commented, looking over to Rust.

"Yeah, it can be. But he is more of a shackle put on by my dad," he said, looking specifically at Reed.

"Your father specifically asked me to watch you and stop you from getting the family into bankruptcy. So. Young man," he turned his body to get a good look at me, "What's your name, young man?"

"It's… Dove," I lied.

Reed simply gave me a questionable gaze which I'm pretty sure he saw through my lie. Rust simply didn't give a damn about this. His head seemed to be in the clouds, looking around at the many houses around the school.

"Alright, Dove. Pleased to meet you. If you would like refreshments, there are plenty underneath your seat. Please, help yourself!"

"That's not my real name," I corrected myself, feeling guilty to lie to someone as polite as him, "but please continue calling me Dove. My uncle calls me Little Dove and the name Dove is reserved for my sister. He calls me that so much to the point that I believe it's my name. Said we both remind him of doves. No idea why. But, I like the name."

"I'm sure your uncle has a good reason," he opened up with a jolly smile, enough to make me smile back, "So, Dove. Do you know why Rust brung you along?"

"No, I don't sir."

"Well, my master will tell you everything."

What in the world did you bring me into Rust?

My eyes started to wander around in the car, then to Rust, then Reed, finally looking outside the window from corner to corner to see the afternoon sun still being a small ball of blinding light in the blue skies as its rays reflected off the many windshields of the cars and their metal exteriors. The many small businesses passed by in a blink of an eye, people who were taking a casual stroll with their dogs disappeared in a heartbeat, the many parked cars and trees too.

Time seemed to pass by the minutes as I kept my eyes wandering from corner to corner. The scenery changed to a more worn, shady, and old area. The roads were cracked, sidewalks overgrown with weeds and other vegetation. Some of the buildings were covered in graffiti art.

The ride finally stopped at a chain-link gate that was being opened by security who were in black suits. Heading inside it was very spacious. It seemed to be an old airfield that had been abandoned for years but is being put to use in other ways. Gray asphalt road, white cracked and weathered concrete that stretched almost as far as the eye can see. There were a few scrap cars and planes that took up some of the airfield and is scattered around the place.

The car moved through the airfield's landing zone, soon enough I was able to spot a couple of plane hangars that looked to be newly built. Looking further, there seemed to be many moving trucks unloading their products in wooden and cardboard boxes. We pulled up next to the closest hangar.

"Alright, Dove. Here we are," Reed exited the car to open the door for Rust.

When the door opened for him, he hastily made it for the hangar doors, disappearing in the process

"Such a spoiled child," Reed stated, he opened the sliding door for me, "Do you want me to bring your belongings with you?"

"No thanks. I won't be staying for long," I replied to his polite response as I stepped out.

"Of course, Mr. Dove. But, I must warn you. My master could get a bit scary or go to the extreme sometimes," he warned, taking Rust's bags, "But, he's a kind man at heart— for the most part."

"Thanks… Reed."

Heading towards the old hangar, inside looked to be a warehouse. Inside was rather cold, empty, and quiet. The hangar's Boxes stacked high without any sort of labels, few unoperated forklifts, pallets stacked or laid off to the side of walls or box piles. There were only about a dozen people who were either carrying boxes around or security guards on duty, standing by for the action. One person, in particular, is overlooking the entire hangar on its shiny catwalk.

The man looked to be in maybe his mid to late forties with a stubby black, short mustache, gray beard, sleeked black hair, and the hairs of his sideburns are gray as it fades to his natural hair color as you look up towards his scalp. He was wearing a tan colored two-piece suit with a gray tie and brown pants with a black belt holding it in place.

Rust was there to talk to him. Even though the place was almost dead silent, he could just barely hear the audible voice of both Rust and the suited man.

"I brought one for your stupid task. Now give me the keys," Rust asked, extending his hand out expecting him to drop the keys in his hands.

"You won't get it until I see him as fit," retorted the suit.

"Just give me the damn keys," Rust spat, his patience seemed to be running thin.

"Go wait in the other hangar you antsy child," he exclaimed, his voice echoed throughout the hangar.

This pulled the attention of everyone who was working to stop to look at him as if he drew their attention.

"Did I say it's time to stop," his voice shot towards everyone in the hangar causing them to work twice as hard.

My first reaction was to look right at Reed who was simply shaking his head at the sight of Rust and suit arguing. He turned his head towards me, knowing that I have several questions about the two.

"That person talking to young Rust is my boss. I wish he was raised better to become a better man like his father," he disapproved, "Well, follow me. I'll take you to Mr. Steele's office."

He started his graceful path towards the opposite side of the entrance of the hangar. I followed suit as we passed by the few workers that helped out in this single hangar. Many of which looked to be having a hard time carrying or were hardly enjoying their exercise of transferring boxes. Their gazes didn't shift as I passed them, but I'm sure they are still aware of my unseemly staring.

Finally reaching the end of the hangar seemed to be a temporary office at its center. The back of the hangar was bare, all there was a red brown office table with a black office chair and a few foldable chairs. Behind the office chair was a sign the read exit with a back door. Reed gestured towards me to the seat as he pulled the chair for me to sit in. I accepted his kind gesture, sitting by myself as I waited patiently for what was about to happen.

"Sit tight and get comfortable. I'll be right back with my boss and some tea for the both of you," he said, leaving me alone at the table.

I pulled my head up towards the ceiling, slowly letting my body fall on the foldable chair. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I texted my uncle telling him that I will be coming home late due to being at an unannounced friend's invite to his house.

"So you are the one my son brought," questioned a voice behind me.

Leveling my head back on my shoulders, I turned towards the voice to see the tan suit man.

"Yes I am, sir," I said with a bit of concern about what Rust's dad is going to do next.

"Good, you passed the first test."

Perplexed, I raised a brow before quickly putting it down.

"Now," he pulled into his seat, "Do you know why you are here?"

"Your son said that I can get a job here apparently? Is that also part of the test," I questioned.

"No," he chuckled a little, "You are a bit different. How old are you?"

"Fifteen, sir," I said.

"Hmmm… A bit young to be working. Why do you need money, hmm? Buy the newest and latest technology," he teased, causing a bit of discomfort on my end.

"To help out my family," I spoke truthfully.

"A family man. I like that. But…," he sat back in his chair, his fingers now touching each other, "Do you know who you are talking to?"

"This is all I know. You are Mr. Steele, who owns an old airfield to be used as storage," I responded with the information off the top of my mind, hoping that my answer was acceptable.

Reed came back with a tray with a small white porcelain tea set with gold plating on the edges and a few snacks.

He nodded, "Good. But, you will get to know more about this place once we get to the test."

He snapped his fingers signaling Reed to probably meet up with Rust. Pulling his elbows on his desk, he leaned forward as he were to get a better look at me.

"You look to be a bit nervous. How about some tea? I have Reed prepare it for everyone who talks to me," he gave a less reassuring smile than Reed's, nonetheless, I accepted it pouring a cup for the both of us.

The steamy tea came pouring out like a water faucet, it was a red brown color. The tea didn't give off any aroma nor did it look like traditional tea he had ever drank.

Mr. Steele picked up his cup, bringing it up to his mouth, giving a loud gulp sound as he drank it.

"Aah," he said, "Nothing like tasteless bird's nest tea. It's great for you."

"Yes, sir."

I gratefully picked up my cup for a little sip to actually find it close to tasteless. Nonetheless, it was quite relaxing to be drinking tea with my friend's dad for some reason.

"Now, let's get on with the interview. You can finish that when we come back," he pulled out one of his drawers from the table to pull out a black safebox, "Follow me outside."

He rose from his seat with the safebox in his hands. Opening the exit door, he gave me a follow me hand gesture. I followed without any questions outside to see a barely visible wire fence gate with two rabid dogs running towards me.

Without thinking, I Immediately tried running back through the hangar's door to only be stopped by Mr. Steele with a forceful hand grab.

"Easy, easy," he reassured me, "We are safe. They can't get you."

I didn't fully believe him, I tried to escape from his grasp only to get my shoulder pulled to face him. He kneeled on one knee making himself a little shorter than me with both of his hands on my arms with the safebox in his hands still like I am a child being talked to by one of their parents on some advice or what is the difference between right and wrong.

"Be strong for me okay? This is a test," he said to my face.

I relaxed myself a little, my heart pounding from fear as I looked towards the dogs who were barking at me.

"Alright," he let go of me back on his two feet.

He punched in the passcode into the safebox creating a beeping sound every time he imputed a number before a cheery tune played signifying the correct passcode. Opening it, he fiddled around in the box creating the sound of metal clanging inside before pulling out a pistol.

My first train of thought was to run, but my mind told me to stay. He smiled, at my obedience of staying strong as I stared at him with the gun in his hands.

"Now, we must make choices in life," he pulled the racking chamber back, checking for a bullet in the chamber, "Right now, one of my rottweilers here is very sick and must be put down."

He handed the gun to me surprisingly expecting a teenager to be trusted with a real firearm.

"I'll make things simple. All you have to do is point it at the one that you think is sick," he explained, turning to the two dogs that have been barking at them the entire time, "You only have one chance to make the right decision."

Placing the gun in my hands, I closed them as I held the grip of the gun. I pointed it towards the two barking dogs as I studied them carefully. Both of them looked very similar and lively barking at me.

"I have a question, Mr. Steele."

"What is it?"

"What if I get it wrong?"

"Depends on your answer," he answered, crossing his arms while waiting for my response.

Looking back, I contemplated which of the two dogs. My eyes kept shifting between the two as they continuously barked until I finally settled on the one to my left. I raised the gun in my hands and pointed it at what I think is the sick dog as I proceeded to put my finger on the trigger but my finger just wouldn't respond to squeezing the trigger. My mind just kept telling me to pull but my fingers won't respond as if it had a mind of its own. My hands started to tremble as my mind kept telling me to shoot.

"You pass," he said.

"What," I was once again perplexed.

"Many are blinded by what to do in a situation. They don't follow directions. Many believe that when you are given a situation, the mind thinks what is best of its interests or what an item is meant for. You, on the other hand, listened. Welcome aboard," he extended his hand for the gun.

"Uh, yeah. I listened to your direction," I answered nervously, giving the gun back, "What would have happened if I shot? Is one of them really sick?"

"Anyways, you aren't old enough to make the decision, but who cares. We will discuss your job starting tomorrow so don't be late. If you need a ride, Reed is there to help. Just tell my son about it," he pushed me back into the hangar ignoring my questions.

"Actually, I need a ride back home," I immediately struck when the iron was hot.

"No problem. Reed," he exclaimed.

"Thanks, Reed," I got out of the car, waving at him.

He simply gave the same jolly smile and waved goodbye leaving me at my house. As I watched the car leave, I returned to my house to be met with my uncle and my sister in the dining room both looking gloomy with their eyes red.

"Hey— guys…"

"Looks like the little dove flew back to his nest," my uncle sighed, "We need to talk."

'What's wrong? Sis, what's going on?"

"Mom's… gone…" she held back her tears as her eyes started to drip a few tears onto the table.

"What? Are you serious," he said in disbelief.

"Does it look like some sort of joke?! Look at this," he spat, pointing to my mother's wedding ring and bracelet on the table.

How in the world did I miss her jewelry on the table. Slowly, I moved forward to take a closer look to see it was indeed my mother's ivory bracelet and diamond ring.

"No… Wait. This can't be real," my eyes started to water a little, "What happened?"

"She got shot in the line of duty during a terrorist attack," my uncle said, breathing out heavily trying to compose himself, "You'll see her body tomorrow."

My sister started to sob, covering her face in the process as her tears started flowing through her hands down her arms.

"I should have come home instead," I murmured to myself.

I left the scene, heading towards my room where I immediately threw myself into my bed. Curling up, I pulled out my phone to message Rust about how I can't make it due to funeral arrangements. Sending the message, I pulled my legs closer to my face as I felt a tear drop slid down my face.

Yeah, this chapter is a bit shorter than usual and is mostly past focused. I'll be delivering a new chapter on the present in like a few days.