Chapter 2
1
The walk to the arcade would take a lot, and his mother had locked Ripley, also know as his bike. So, Ripley was no option. Fortunately, Falco Winchester knew where to go, so it will be a piece of cake. And he also had the right equipment! Said equipment was his beloved Walkman.
Falco loved exercising and hunting. He inhered this passion from his father, who had the habit of waking his two sons at 5 AM. The three boys would run laps around the house, then Artemis would teach them how to use a bow. Ah, he loved the trips to America, visiting his relatives in Louisiana.
But without Jake, it wasn't the same thing.
On other hand, Falco had the cooking skills from his mother. Not only that, but he inhered the same passion for pop culture and music, and the daring attitude and dramatic moments she had in his age.
– London calling to the underworld...!
However, he also had that same habit of getting lost in his own world. Especially when listening his music in the Walkman. This part of him annoyed even his parents.
– London calling...!
Maybe that's the reason he's getting many odd looks. From adults to kids, who giggled at the boy behaviour. After all, the red haired boy was dancing and singing around, like the king of world.
In these moments he was singing and dancing, Falco forgot about the events of the last days.
2
– Ah, paradise sweet paradise!
The boy said, grinning at the place he loved the most to visit. Dungeon X, the only arcade in Eldrens Gate. The structure remind him of a grey castle, and a big "X" crossing the word Dungeon.
– It's a shame Mary isn't here. She would love to play around. – said the boy with a pout.
The two friends loved to hang out here. They would compete in Dig Dug, read comics and buy milkshakes and burgers. Unfortunately, Mary wasn't at her house. Falco went to her house, but her grandmother said she left with her parents yesterday, in a trip to London.
– Well, best not dwell in this matter. Hey oh, let's go!
Then, he opened the glassy doors and entered the arcade. Instantly, his ears were filled with noises of coins, games, giggles, yelling and curses. There's hardly any light inside, besides the clarity of the screens. Boys and girls running around, carrying coins and milkshake cups.
Groups of five or more children were together in many machines, cheering the players.
The broken machines were put separately, with a Out Of Order tape. And Falco smirked at the what he saw, showing the middle fingers to one machine in special.
– Yeah, fuck you, Donkey Kong. That's what you deserves for making lose money.
Donkey Kong, the most difficult game ever, in Falco opinion.
3
And then, the red haired boy spent three joyful hours playing games like Track Field, Mappy and Q-Bert while eating cheese flavoured crisps. His nickname, FalcoWins, still on top of the ranks of most the games.
This made Falco gain looks of awe from some kids, while other looked jealous. They clearly wanted to beat his score, to put Falco in his place.
– Hey, are you FalcoWins? – a boy asked.
He was twice his size, greasy hair and a big, round nose. On his side were two girls who giggled evilly and winked at Falco. He instantly recognized them. They're part of delinquent group in Mirant Eldren School.
– Yep, the only. And you...?
Ignoring the two girls, Falco extended his hand, expecting the boy to shake. However, the greasy haired gorilla just said:
– I see you're very good in Dig Dug. Wanna play? Betting all the tokens, wins the one with the best score. Unless you're afraid, shorty.
One of the girls, a blonde one, came closer to Falco and put a arm over his shoulder. Giggling at the red faced boy, she turned to the other two and said:
– Gosh, Luke. You're just like your cousin, stop being mean to children. He might cry, you know?
– Yeah, now we have to buy him a lollipop.
The other one, with green eyes, joined the fun. She ruffed Falco bushy red hair, and agreed to her friend. They laugh and let go of the poor boy, who was doing his best to not blush.
– Hey, you know what? I accept your challenge, mate. Dig Dug, then? – Falco gave a shark-like grin, and accepted the challenge.
Once he was provoked like this, the Falco had to protect his pride. And to protect his pride, he had to humiliate this git, put him in his place. In moments like this, Falco Winchester showed a prideful and arrogant side.
4
Falco eyes were glued at the screen, his fingers rapidly pressing the console buttons. His heart beating like crazy, but kept a straight face. He could not falter.
While playing, other kids gather around, giving praises of awe. His opponent, Luke, was on the crossing his arms, glaring at him. Probably, he already knew he was going to lose.
Shouldn't fall in my trap, sucker. – Falco thought.
Falco offered Luke to play first, to know how good the guy really was. Smugly, Luke accepted and started playing. Two girls, from Falco classroom, chose to bet on Luke.
However, the smirk on Luke face vanished when his character died, scoring 11490 points in round 5. Smirking, Falco started to play.
– Ha! I win! – Falco yelled.
His five Lives ended in the 9th round, scoring 16290 points. The other kids looked at him in awe, and started cheering. Smirking, the red-haired boy extended his hand, demanding Luke tickets.
Glaring at him, Luke gave his tickets, cursing at the boy. Falco thanked him, smugly. With a red face, Luke stormed out of the arcade. He bumped other kids, not caring if he hurt someone.
– Ouch! I think I hurt his ego.
– Yeah, it seems so. Congratulations, kiddo.
– If you were older, I won't mind you hanging out with us.
The two older girls, who teased and mocked him, ruffed his hair again. Like before, Falco cheeks burned in embarrassment, while some boys older boys looked envy.
Then, after tormenting him one last time, they finally left him alone.
– They are weird.
Shifting his shoulders, the boy muttered to himself, uncomfortably. He wasn't used to this kind of tease, or girls mocking him like that.
– Well, I must get my prize. I want to go home soon as possible. I can't let mum find the letter.
Grinning, he walked to the prizes balcony desk. Humming to himself, the boy draw his heterochromatic eyes to the highest prizes. And the red-haired wizard's mouth dropped, gasping in surprise.
– No fucking way!
And there's his prize, his reward for defeating that asshole in Dig Dug: a bobblehead of a possessed Regan, from The Exorcist.
Grinning, he pointed his finger, and chose his prize.
5
After picking the bobblehead, he decided to buy some comic books. He wanted the newest editions of X-Men and Spider-Man, his favourites. He bought three comics and a chocolate bar.
With a full bag in his hand, the muggle-born boy decided to go home. His parents might be home soon, and he has to protect his letter. His precious Hogwarts letter. If given an opportunity, his mother will snoop around his room.
– I can't let her do this. Even th... ARGH! Shit!
Mumbling, the boy, distracted, slipped on a banana peel. When he fell, he bit his own tongue and dirtied his chocolate. Great. Just great.
– Argh, shiet. Shiet! Shiet! – the boy whined, holding his mouth. His tongue hurting like hell.
It would unfortunate if someone saw him like this, pathetically on the floor. His reputation on Dungeon X will go down the drain. It was as if the universe was against him.
– Please, tell me there's no... phew, it just me here.
Okay, maybe the universe isn't totally against him. He was spared from the shame of people laughing at his misfortune, embarrassing him even more. Luckily, his only companion in the alley were two stray kittens, who ran away when he fell.
– Well, then.
As if nothing happened, the boy yawned and turn on his Walkman. He put the headphones and starting singing with the music.
– Candyman, hey candy...! Argh!
However, before he could walk away, something hit him. The object throw by someone, making a noise and hitting him right on the stomach. Falco fell on his knees, gasping and holding his belly.
Looking for the object, he quickly recognized it. It was a football. Someone had the nerve of kicking it at him. And before he could curse the coward who did this, Falco started vomiting on the floor.
Falco heard something. It was laughter. Someone was laughing, happy to know of Falco misfortune. Then, other voice yelled, in delight:
– And that's it!
– Nice job, Luke!
His plastic bag fell from him hands, his things rolling on the ground. Still holding his belly, the boy raised his head. Instantly, he recognized his assaulters.
– You gotta be kidding. – he muttered, glaring at the two boys in front of him.
In front of him, was Luke, the sore loser of Dig Dug. And by his side, a bigger, uglier boy was sneering at the fallen red-haired wizard. He was Martin Elrinton, the daily pain in the arse in School.
– He, he, he...
Falco, in pain, found an urge to laugh. It confused the two ogres for a moment. But...
– Amazing as always, Martin. – Falco sneered at the ogres. – Only you, right? I mean, two boys, both stronger than me and twice my size, beating me in an empty alley. Really brave, indeed.
This provocation got Falco a broken nose.