He was running again, knowing nothing and yet, strangely, everything about where he was going. It was a place called Los Angeles, California and he was going to get there no matter what he had to do. It was the last place that, after two years, social services would look. They probably thought he was dead, but then again, they were smarter than they looked. They had found him in Boston, had they not?
At sixteen, Duo Maxwell was smart, athletic, friendly, and all around cheerful on the outside. Unless you got to know him, you wouldn't be able to see through his mask and get to the silent pain and fierce hate of the world that tainted his golden heart. His motto was truth in all words, being 'I run, I hide, but I never tell a lie.' He kept to it, running and hiding where ever he could, but never letting anything less than the truth escape his lips unless truly needed. Although he was a boy, his hair was long, reaching to his knees and braided, making it easy for someone to mistake him for a girl, as most did. He was skinny and short, which also got people thinking he was a girl. But his attitude was nothing close to feminine, as he was quick-tempered, something Father Maxwell had told him he got from his mother. Out of everything, including his hair and always black-clothed figure, his most distinguishing features were his bright, shining violet eyes, but no one ever saw them because he wore colored contacts, turning his eyes a crystalline blue. He had never liked his eyes though, as Father Maxwell told him he got them from his father.
Over the two years he had been running, Duo had fixed his features to his liking. He only went as far as one tattoo, a red Chinese dragon encircling his right wrist, but, to some, he went a bit over board on his piercings. He had his tongue pierced and his ears, literally, loaded down; on his right ear was a silver dangle ending with a golden crescent moon, three small, silver hoops, two sapphire studs, one silver stud, and a golden cuff. On his left, it was similar, except the dangle, cuff, and hoops, which were replaced by silver and sapphire studs. To people living in where he had in America and other places, that was over board.
But, now, he was going LA, and, as he moved through the crowds of people on the sidewalk to get to Howard's Mechanics in Dallas, Texas with his packed duffel over his shoulder, it was all Duo could think about. Howard would be disappointed, yes, but that did not matter at this point in time, getting out of town did. After five minutes, he could hear Hilde's screams for the idiots in the junk yard to get to work on the cars that just came in. He gave her a quick hello in passing before storming into one of the garages, where he knew Howard, his friend for the past two months, would be.
"We need to talk, man," Duo said, his voice cheery as it could be made, yet it failed and sounded more serious than he had intended.
Howard turned, looking the shorter male in the eyes. Compared to the 5'1", 98lb Duo Maxwell, Howard was a giant. Towering the boy at 6'2", Howard had black hair, green eyes, and a fantastically muscled body. "Yeah, what is it, Kid?" before Duo could open his mouth again, he continued. "If you're leaving for LA already, then I'll go ahead and call my buddy who lives there," he smirked at the braided teens shocked and confused look. "I can hear ya through the door ya know, when you're talkin' on the phone. Its not as thick as ya think it is, Kid."
Duo smiled smiled softly, thankful for the older mans help, "Yeah, go ahead and call your buddy," he gave a half-hearted chuckle, shaking his head. "Its not polite to eavesdrop, ya know that, man?"
"Yeah, yeah, like you don't do it," he heard the mechanic mutter as he walked off to his office. Fifteen minutes later, he was back, a white envelope in his hand. "Money for the trip," Howard explained as he gave it to him. "Keep any that's left over, I won't be needin' any time soon."
Duo gave a quick nod, stuffing it into his pockets, saying, "Tell me about your buddy."
Coughing slightly, the elder mechanic began, "His name is Milliardo Peacecraft and he owns a club called Epyon. You'll be working there until you move again and-" there was an evil tint in his eyes, "-and you will be going to Eagle Rock High School. Public," a devilish grin formed and it only widened at the look of utter distaste in Duo's blue eyes. "I am dead, I know. But you better get going or you will miss your plane."
Still looking as if he wanted to strangle Howard, Duo nodded his thanks and ran from the shop, leaving it up to the old mechanic to tell Hilde. At this realization, Howard slapped himself on the forehead. Duo always knew how to get back at him for things, and telling Hilde he wouldn't be coming back was one of them. "Brat..."
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Ooh. I wonder what will happen next!
Duo: Yay... -mumble-
Trowa: When do I show up? hm/x/.x
Next chapter, I promise! Lots and lots of you, Q, D-chan, and Hee-chan! And maybe some Catherine. -evil grin-
Trowa: How... lovely, as you would put it. /O/.O
R&R!
