Chapter 3: Snow
DISCLAIMER: I wish I were talented enough to have created these characters, but alas, I am not. I only own the plot and any OCs. Also, any description of a real-life city or building may or may not be accurate, so please, don't shit on me for it, and some of them will be made-up, so again, don't shit on me for it.
Sho, 8:00, December 22nd, 2018
I woke up in a shock. The first thing I felt was the winter atmosphere, chilling the beads of sweat that were rolling down my skin to the point that they numbed the area around them, and they felt almost like slushy ice rolling down my sides and face. I sat in a daze, my head spinning from the horrific scenes that played in my head. A sharp current of wind blew past my face, waking me from my stupor. I took a deep breath. After the initial sensation of shock and cold wore off, I noticed that I was in an unfamiliar area. The buildings around were really posh, and I could see the Hudson RIver.
'Oh right, I moved to a warmer area for the night.'
It then hit me why I felt so cold. The residents who live in the house that the vent connected to were gone somewhere, perhaps on vacation to a tropical place, or off to spend the holiday with loved ones elsewhere. Sadly for me, it meant that the vent was no longer a source of warmth for me.
'You're such an excuse of a human being that people you don't even know and don't even know you are passively trying to get rid of you!'
I could feel tears well up in my eyes. They came to me more often, the nightmares and the voices when I left that hellhole. I think it could have been due to him being my blaming point for all the woes in my life, but after running… I only had myself to blame now, for my situation, homeless, starving, almost penniless, having to rely on people losing wallets or donations from strangers to stay alive, and sleeping in alleyways or snowdrifts. If I stayed there, then I would at least have some food and water, shelter, and a place to sleep. Maybe running away was a mistake.…
'No, Sho. You ran away from that horrible, violent piece of shit that was making your life go in a downward spiral straight to hell. Going back isn't an option anymore. Besides, even if you do, that thing is going to kill you on sight. You even said it yourself; even death is better than returning to that place.'
I grit my teeth. Is this what homeless people face? I have never been so hopeless, so doubting of myself, but now, today was the winter solstice. The worst snowstorms always happen this time of year. Usually, I would be out in the winter sky, taking a walk or biking through the small area I used to live, before going home to a nice self-made meal and a warm, comfy bed and sweet, uninterrupted, untainted sleep. Every year, that asshole that I lived with would spend the whole night outside, since all liquors and alcoholic beverages were at least half off, if not more in every club and shop, before usually returning at 8 in the morning and collapsing on the floor and staying still for at least another day. But this year… I had to deal with the storms without the luxury of a house to protect me from it. More and more dread filled the pit of my stomach, as I realized that I had no coat, no jacket, nothing to help protect me from the storms this winter.
'If I die tonight, it might be weeks, if not until the end of winter before somebody actually finds my body,'
'That's assuming that anybody will even care about you, pussy. It wouldn't be surprising at all if no one will look for you. I bet they'll only find you once you've rot and become a pile of bones! I can imagine the headlines already; forgotten bitch found as a pile of rotting flesh and skeletal mass,'
'You're a fucking bitch, you know that, right?'
'I'm only here to remind you about the truth, dude, and the truth is, you're a weak little piece of shit that deserves to be forgotten!'
It's voice was strong and unwavering, filled with so much confidence in what it said that I almost began to believe it. I could feel my will crumbling in my state of desperation and hopelessness. I utterly detested it, the sinister voice that laughed at me from my own subconscious, reminding me of my faults and shortcomings. But what I hated more, was myself. My tendency to be passive and quiet. My weakness and inability to act for and defend myself. My nature… the very thing that made me unique, the very thing that defined me, was the very thing I despised the most. It was pathetic, I agreed, to have to run away from a shelter and source of food, water, money, and everything else I could need just because I could stand up to and defend myself against that son of a bitch. I guess that's why I'm here, starving and nearly penniless against the wall of a building, living off of vents connecting to heaters and ovens and hoping that the buildings surrounding me will protect me from the harsh, snowy winds and the sharp shards of ice that blew about in the dead of night.
My heart sank and bile threatened to escape my mouth as I further realized what would happen tonight. The snowstorms this time of year were never forgiving, especially not on the winter solstice. I shivered. The cold was becoming worse, like needles of frost penetrating my skin and numbing every nerve it hit, spreading like an infection across the surface of my body. I needed to go somewhere warmer if I wanted to have any hope surviving this winter. I picked up my bag and gathered everything nearby that could be of use before setting off. I briskly walked towards the nearby buildings, hoping that there was any spot that was warmed by a vent. There were none. I began to walk back to the nearest place that I knew had a working vent, so I could stay at it at least until I could find a better spot. The eggshell walls of a familiar bakery coming into sight. I sat down against the alley wall, the vent leading to the ovens warmer than usual.
'Those croissants look really good, and they smell heavenly… maybe I should try one, after all, I can afford it right now and I'm not too strapped for cash.'
A croissant was a huge change in my diet for the last few days, consisting of mostly fruits and vegetables at discount stores. It was so enticing; the golden brown exterior glistening with butter encasing a soft, flaky, pillowy web of bread. My willpower wasn't enough to stop me, and before I knew it, I was walking through the door and embracing the warmth of the bakery. The inside was incredible; displays filled with golden confections and towers of carefully placed delicacies almost glowing with beauty, their rich, buttery smell filling the atmosphere. The soft chatter and laughter of individuals sharing coffee could be heard in the background, but I didn't pay them any attention. I found a nearby bathroom and was able to wash up a little bit, I watched as little bits of flaked, dry skin and dirt flowed into the drain. Now satisfied with my cleanliness, I grabbed a croissant and proceed to the cashier. Her eyes flashed with disgust before her lips curled into a smile, how fake she was being apparent.
"That will be $2.00," she stated, with the most fake sweetness I have ever heard.
"Bullshit. I saw it on the display, it clearly said $1.49, you lying whore," I sneered.
Her eyes now once again flashed with disgust, but this time mixed with anger and another emotion I couldn't identify, perhaps annoyance? She again tried to overcharge me, threatening to call her manager. Seeing right through this bitch's façade, I challenged her to call her manager, with some choice words included for effect. She huffed indignantly before resigning, and charged me the right amount. I almost laughed my ass off right then and there. Not being able to stop myself, I took a final jab at her:
"Honestly, slut, don't you make enough money whoring yourself out at night? Clearly you don't, because you just tried to overcharge someone because your bitchy ass can't get any tips!" I mockingly laughed at her.
Her eyes blazed with anger, before handing me the croissant and turning to another customer, putting on a sickeningly sweet fake smile. I internally gagged before finding a seat against the window, enjoying the warmth that the bakery had to offer. I took a bite out of the pastry. It was heavenly; subtle nuances of butter and a light layer of salt permeating the bread-like confection. I enjoyed it while I could; it seemed to end too soon for my liking. Wiping my hands on the paper bag, I stared out through the window, watching the snow swirl about, knowing that I would have to go back outside sooner or later, and face what could be my end. The snowy landscape sent me back, to a time where everything seemed right, and I didn't have to worry at all…
"Mommy, look at the snow!"
"Yes, sweetie, I can see the snow,"
"Can we go outside and build a snowman?"
"Of course, sweetie! Go upstairs and put on your coat and jacket, and we can go outside and build a snowman!"
"Thanks mommy!"
My mother's eyes sparkled with warmth, and it set of a wave of happiness coursing through me, a feeling that I didn't know that I would soon lose. I quickly changed into warm clothing, before rushing outside to my mom. I jumped at her outstretched arms and knocked her backwards as we tumbled onto the snow. We exchanged looks before laughing, enjoying each other's presence, happy as can be. I rolled over to her and planted a small kiss on her cheek, before saying the three words expressing the emotion I knew couldn't exist.
"I love you, mommy,"
"Sweetie, I…"
She faded away into nothingness, the snow white landscape turning into a hellish red and black, and a sinister laugh rang out in the darkness.
"It would really be better if you killed yourself, you know. You're so helpless and worthless that not even your mother came back for you!"
The laugh became louder, the ringing in my ears becoming unbearably painful, and anything I said was drowned out by its laughter.…
I was shaken out of my daydream, before looking at the clock, and realizing that it was 14:00. Deciding that it was time to leave before I got kicked out, I re-entered the outside world, the air less cold under the afternoon sun. I had to get somewhere warm for tonight if I wanted to live to see another day. As I walked down the street, I peered into a bar, finding my face projected on a TV. Unable to tear away my eyes, I watched as the broadcaster interviewed it. I was disgusted at his acting, the crocodile tears clearly faked as he kept on bawling about "losing his son" and "missing him".
"If you see Zhou Karatsu, please, call the number below."
I ran away from the bar, silently praying that no-one recognized me or found me. I ducked into an alley after I would guess maybe about 10 minutes of running? I surveyed the area and immediately knew where I was. The Everich Apartments were some of the most posh in the city, even more so than the Hudson Square. The doorway was an arch made of beautiful marble, carefully constructed and protected so they wouldn't crack in rain or temperature shocks. Even the doormen wore fabulous uniforms, decorated in gold. I took a detour to get into the alley next to it, and scanned the area for any unsavory people or rats. Satisfied when I could find none, I sat down in a snowdrift and unpacked the last of my food, hoping that the extra fuel would give my metabolism enough juice to keep me warm in the night time. It had to be around 14:30 or 15:00, the sun was around half-way down, almost threatening to take away its warmth from me.
'I have to find a nearby vent quickly,'
I ran around the rather long perimeter of the building, finding various openings that gave no warmth, and had no air flow, signalling that their owners must have gone. I sighed in desperation after the 10th vent, wondering if the building was entirely deserted, and if I should just give up. I didn't have the energy to travel to another residential area that had vents; all my energy was spent in a gamble, now I was breathless, starving, and exhausted. I was too young to die…. Hope began to escape my very being, the driving force behind all of my actions, the hope to eventually find a better outcome for me, dying, along with the chances of me living through the solstice storms. I sat down and began to cry, blaming my inability and passive self, for not being able to save me earlier, for not taking me away from that hellhole earlier, for putting me in a situation where I can't survive….
'If I weren't such an apology for a human, this would have never happened.'
Daito, 16:30, December 22nd, 2018
I was sitting in my office, before my Vice President of Acquisitions and Operations ran into my office, a nervous look on her face. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what news she had for me, especially when Japan Star Enterprises was in the middle of a very important acquisition. We were signing a contract with Sorrento Industries, who came to us with a very promising looking pitch, and we were considering buying it for $76,000,000. Helen, or Aech as she preferred, began to speak very quickly, her words jumbling into an incoherent, incomprehensible mess. I decided to stop her.
"Aech, stop it, you're babbling again. Slow down. What is the problem?"
"Sorrento faked profits in his checkbooks. The section labeled profits was deposited and withdrawn on the same day by the same account. After investigating with some of the accountants, we found that his VP was the one who owned the account."
I could feel myself boiling in anger at Sorrento, but more at myself for my stupidity and ignorance, allowing such a massive inconsistency in his pitch to get past me.
"Fire every accountant that worked on this acquisition, except the ones that helped you on the investigation. Tell Nolan that the deal is cancelled, and he can shove his checkbooks up his ass. If he hadn't made fraudulent profits then maybe it could have worked out, but no, he tried to lie to me," I seethingly forced out.
"Yes, Daito," Aech said a little too quickly.
"Tell that pile of shit that he'll see me in court very soon. Oh, and, Aech? Well done on the investigation. You can take a paid leave until after New Year's."
After Aech left, I let out a heavy sigh. Tonight was the night of the solstice storms, meaning I had to go home soon. I turned on the transmitter to my secretary and told her to cancel any and all meetings I had left today, and put on my coat. I looked around the office, taking in my new life, as if to remind myself that I wasn't that little helpless boy just a few years ago. After ensuring that I had taken care of any other glaring issues, I left the office. Any workers that I passed on my way out gave hurried and nervous greetings, afraid that I would fire them for making one wrong move. I didn't blame them; theoretically could do that.
I went to my favorite café to purchase a hot drink to stave off the cold. I was hoping to see my favorite barista, but no dice. The barista was different this time, and I internally groaned. She was like that girl from the bakery; her uniform was two sizes too small, pushing up her breasts, showing off her cleavage and accentuating her slim figure. Her skirt was far too short, her smooth, unblemished legs on display, the skirt stopping right above her ass. She looked at me and allowed her eyes to wander over my body. I was disgusted. It was getting irritating, so I snapped at her, ordering my favorite drink. She began to flirt with me as she brewed the drink. I rolled my eyes.
'Damn, I'd go for a fuck but all these slutty bitches trying to get into my pants is so fucking annoying, like I have other things to do.'
Despite her constant advances, I was unfazed as I collected my coffee and turned to leave for a table, sitting down and checking my phone. I took sips out of the coffee, savoring the bittersweet taste and aroma. I seemed to lose track of time, daydreaming before my phone's buzzing brought me out from my entranced, dreaming state. The
café's manager yelled out, stating that they were closing for the storm. My eyes widened.
My phone flashed with an emergency warning. The storm was to hit in 15 minutes. My heart was beginning to pound in my chest, I ran out of the café and into the winter landscape, already showing some signs of disturbance. I took the shortest route I knew home. My penthouse was 25 minutes away by foot, and I didn't have my car with me. I scanned the area, hoping to find a cab; I could feel my heart sink when I could find none, probably stored somewhere safe from the storm. I decided to just run as fast as I could, my eyes glued to the ground for any signs of ice sheets as to not slip. The wind strengthened around me, white mass swirling through the air, smash into any nearby solid object, knocking most over. I increased my pace. More snow came falling down, but this time, it was different. It wasn't the gentle snow that fell during a morning. No, it was storm snow, snow that burned at my eyes and nostrils, trying its best to slow me down and consume me. I shut my eyes and kept running, feeling the chilly air run past me, as the snow, now like ice shards, flew past my face and stabbing into the skin of my face. I opened my eyes for a split-second, recognizing my penthouse in the distance. I ran even faster, my lungs and throat burning and drying up with the effort, my dress shirt starting to become wet from perspiration. Meanwhile, the storm kept building, the winds now becoming so strong that I could feel them push against me, slowing me down and threatening to take me with it. I resisted the push, each step I took taking me closer to my penthouse. I opened my eyes again. I could see it, the door had to be less than 50 meters away, the doorman catching sight of me and hurrying to unlock the door. I came closer and closer, the snowfall became drifts, piling up around me, beginning to bury my ankles.
I could hear the doorman's yells now, screaming at me to hurry up. I obliged, the door now closer to me than ever.… That was when I heard a whimper. Followed by a sniffle, as if someone was nearby, crying. Deciding to check it out, I followed the sound, leading me to the back of the apartment building, where I saw the boy. It was the same one that I saw at the bakery, I was sure of it. I could see the same face, though it was a ghastly white, his frame rather skinny and bony, his lips blue from the freezing temperature. He was so caught up in his I thought about how I could help him.
'No you can't help him, Daito! You're fucking Daito for fuck's sake. You're supposed to be cold and unfeeling, and what makes this any different? He's going to die, so what? He's just a homeless person, no-one will care about it, they might cry over it on the news for a few days but that's it! Better to uphold your unfeeling frontier, your wall that to break it all down to help some homeless shit on the street,' My thoughts said to me.
'But he's human, I need to do something to help him! He's going to die out here without any source of warmth!' I said back.
'I always knew you were weak, Daito, you can't even ignore or suppress your own saintly feelings, how are you supposed to look strong? This is so pathetic it's fucking hilarious,' my thoughts sneered at me.
'Fuck off,' I growled at it.
I decided to give him my jacket. I slipped it off of my back, draping it over him. Satisfied, I ran around the back to the door, but not before catching a glimpse at him, our eyes making contact, and hearing what I thought I had imagined.
"Daito…."
And that is all, folks! Don't forget to R&R, PM me if you find any glaring issues or plot holes, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
