It had been at least a week since the threat of conduits came into Seattle. Reports were all over the news. And worse off there was some sniper killing innocent people for the past couple of days, the news guy said something about 7 so far. People are convinced it's one of the bio-terrorists. It was daunting to think that a bio-ter– no conduit was doing this. Besides isn't it weird for a conduit, a person with so much power, to just kill off people randomly? If I were a conduit, which I am not, I would have killed more than that, and especially over a series of days. Maybe the killings aren't random? It would be the only thing that made sense really...
"Pittman!"
Jumping out of my thoughts I quickly finish up the chowder.
"Yes sir, sorry sir!" I yell across the kitchen before bringing a waiter the bowl of chowder.
"Stop day dreaming and start cooking! We got a lot of hungry people to feed!"
"Yes sir!" God I hate rush hour. It's a death sentence for anyone working in the fast food or restaurant industry. I scrambled between the other cooks checking on the boiling crab and turn my back to stir the sauce before it could stick to the pan and handing it to another chef who needed to stir the fish and add flavor.
"I need a number 4 without tarter sauce and mashed potatoes instead of coleslaw!" A waiter called across the counter and two other chefs went for the freezer where the fresh fish from the port this morning and I glance to watch them skin off the scales with amazing speed. Slamming against the wooden board they cut off the head before slicing through its middle splitting it open. I turn back to the crab noticing that it turned into a rich red pigment I pulled them out of the boiling broth with tongs and set them on plates before handing them off to another chef.
Everything after that became a blur of hands and hollers across the counter. Food was made and sent. Only when the sun set did the rush finally end and died down to closing time.
"Good work today Samson." The headwaiter praised one of the waiters who grinned and nodded his head in thanks.
"Anne! I have to pick up my little sister from school can you lock up tonight?"
I turn my head to look up at one of the waiters. Never being one to remember names well I took a quick glance at his nametag and remembered his name was Logan.
"Oh yeah sure." I nod to him.
"Oh thank you so much I owe you big time!" The waiter smiled and gave me a pat on the shoulder causing me to flinch.
"No it's no problem, really." I smile holding up my hands and shake them to dismiss his idea of paying me back.
"Don't worry I'll pay you back I promise!" He tells me before practically throwing off his short black apron before running out of the restaurant.
Sighing I picked it up and folded the apron before putting it back with the rest that were stored in a cubby.
As I began to put away the left overs to take home I heard a scratching noise.
"Ah I was wondering where you went!" I grin before taking a bowl of chowder and some fish before propping open the back door to see a dog.
He was a thin old thing. Fur matted and ticks sticking to his poor ears. But he smiled, his tongue handing out and drool dripping from his lips. "Alright well chow down." I say setting the bowl down and watch with a small smile as he digged in. I crouch down and gingerly pat his head glancing at the few ticks that clung to his floppy ears. Poor guy. I wish I could take him to a vet and get those off but animal medical bills weren't easy to pay for. I remember when he first showed up at the back of the restaurant. He was practically nothing but skin and bones, whimpering with his tail in-between his legs. I was a sucker for dogs. So when I saw him I couldn't help but split some of my left overs with him. Ever since that one time he's been coming around the same time every Wednesday when it was my turn to close up the restaurant. Sometimes I wonder how he would know I was locking up on days I wasn't assigned to close, but I guess if I were hungry I would figure out a way. Curious to see if he was close any breed I decided to look him up. Turns out he's a mix between a boxer and a pitbull. No surprise when you look at him. He looked a lot like a pitbull and had a similar face structure to a boxer. But it took me even longer before I gave him a name.
Blackjack.
I liked that name for a pet. I remember in my old neighborhood I used to call any pet that would cross my path that's coat was black Blackjack. And his coat was black.
Sometimes I wonder if he likes that name. "How's your day
Blackjack?" I ask him and he responds by wagging his stubbed tail. Well he doesn't seem to mind it. It took him a while to respond to the name but after a while it looks like he got used to it.
Blackjack licked my fingers after finishing the fish and chowder before jumping on top of me, paws pushing against my shoulder blades as he then licks at my face.
"Ok ok! I can see that 'it was a great day!' now please stop your breath reeks!" I cry out laughing before pushing the dog back and he landed on his paws still smiling up at me, panting, tongue hanging out, and wagging his stubby tail happily.
"Alright just give me a sec' and I'll close up ok? Can you meet me at the front?" I ask softly before the dog barked and ran in a small circle before breaking the circle to sprint around the corner of the restaurant to the front.
Smiling I close the door before locking it and head towards the bags of leftovers. I pick them up and exit through the front door, already seeing him waiting for me outside. He was practically wiggling in anticipation. I laughed before setting down the bags and immediately heard sniffing and the shuffling of plastic. I look down and scowl playfully before patting his nose. "No boy these need to last until next Wednesday, if you're good on the way to the apartment maybe I'll give you some more." I scolded before locking the doors and pick the bags back up and walked after the prancing dog who would constantly run ahead before running back to my side then running ahead again.
As we made our way to the apartments I pulled out my cellphone and texted my uncle, letting him know I'm on my way home and that I have the keys so he could go ahead and leave for work.
After receiving his emoji infested text full of hearts and teary faces he tells me 'ok' and 'don't forget to clean your room!' I roll my eyes, as we both knew very well that wasn't going to happen.
"Grrrrr..." I stop from reading my text to look up to see Blackjack growling down an alley.
"Blackjack no, come on we're almost home." I spoke firmly knowing that he was prone to fight other stray dogs. I remembered the first time that had happened and I was terrified seeing the bite marks on the side of his neck. It was why whenever Blackjack was with me I wouldn't take the shortcut through the alleys, fearing there would be a stray dog and he would start a fight with it. I watch as he slowly backed away and stalk to my side; eyes still focusing on the alley as we walk passed it.
"Good boy." I praise rubbing his head and I noticed his stubbed tail wiggle a little.
We continued to walk down the nearly empty streets. I warily walked passed a few D.U.P troops and had to hush Blackjack when he would start growling. Can't blame him though. Those people were nothing but liars. No matter if the people they were protecting us from were Conduit or not, killing was still killing. And if they weren't killed they were apparently taken to a place called Curden Cay. Who knows what goes on there.
I was brought out of my thoughts when Blackjack barked. I blinked as looked down to question my canine companion when I looked over. The smell of smoke was heavy and I had to fight the urge to cough. Dim flames flicked inside a destroyed APC. Who... Who could have done this?
His barking continued as I quickly walked passed the area, passing all of the knocked out D.U.P faintly glowing and covered in smoke. His barking soon died as we left the area and I was hyperventilating. Spotting my apartment a few blocks ahead, I picked up the pace and so did he. When I reached the apartment I didn't bother to hide Blackjack from the man at the desk and headed towards the elevator before quickly pressing the 5th floor button. Panting I set one bag down and place a hand over my heart.
Ding.
I looked over to Blackjack who was now sniffing at the bag and I slowly slid down to open the top box in the bag and watches as he eats the shrimp, tail and all.
Ding.
As he scarfs them down I remember the bodies lying on the floor. They weren't dead. They couldn't be dead. There would be blood if they were dead right? I could only hope so. I may have hated the D.U.P but I didn't want them to die. Maybe get the shit beat out of them but not die.
Ding.
I glance back to Blackjack who licked his lips and nudged his head against my head so I can pet it. I smile softly while rubbing his head. Another reason I was such a softy for dogs they could always calm me down.
Ding.
The doors slid open and I picked the bags back up before walking down the wooden hall and stopping at the door near the far end on the right. I pulled out my keychain that was wrapped in a rubber band before taking the apartment key and unlocking the door. Blackjack quickly bounded inside before laying himself down on the mat in front of the couch. I sigh setting the bags on the counter and set keychain on the wall as I close the door and lock it behind me.
I trudge to the couch and plop down laying face first into the cushions kicking off my shoes. I fumbled between the cushions and pull out the remote and turn on the tv. Immediately I wanted to switch the channel as the anchorman was talking about things I had no interest in as usual. Ready to turn to the investigative discovery channel I pause as he begins talking about a strange figure known as the Bannerman who defaced the flag on the space needle with graffiti earlier today. Watching as the camera zoomed in on the graffiti. I had to say it was pretty good. The detail was great and you gotta give this Bannerman some props for defacing property that high up. I shiver at the thought of going that high. No one not even all the money in the world could get me to go up that high.
Blackjack yawned before laying his head back down and I reached out a hand and scratched his back. After the news changed to another topic I switched to the investigative discovery and watched the story unfold of the controlling lover deceiving many women and killing them and taking all of their money.
"You see this?" I point to the screen with an open palm.
"This is why I don't date anyone."
After a few hours I turn off the tv and glance at the clock hanging up on the wall near the window that leads to the fire escape.
It was 3 am, and tomorrow I was a Sunday and I luckily have a day off.
"ugh thank god." I groan into the pillow before looking at Blackjack who slept peacefully on the mat. Sucking in my lips I pulled out my phone and
texted MT.
'Don't be mad but I'm keeping him.'
Then took a picture of him and sent it with the text. I had been meaning to keep Blackjack for a while, but I didn't have the courage to say it, or in my cowardly ways, text it to MT.
I knew he was going to be mad.
One: he didn't like dogs
And Two: dogs weren't allowed in the apartment.
The owner just hates dogs. Fucking jackass. Like I mean about a year ago he let someone keep a huge ass snake here one time! He allows all the other animals but whenever you try to talk him into letting dogs stay he goes into a good 12 minute lecture on why dogs are 'horrible creatures'. I'm pretty sure that's petist, was that even a word? Or even a thing?
I could feel my phone buzz immediately and ignored it. Then the tune of simple and clean rang out and I ignored it. Nope, sorry I'm not getting rid of him, I thought before getting up and walking to my room and pick up some of the dirty laundry scattered across the floor before tossing it in the hamper and throw away some of the garbage in the trash can that was in the kitchen. While there I put up the left overs before clicking my tongue. "Blackjack," He lifted his head. "Come on lets go sleep in my room." I called as I went into my room and he followed suit before I closed my door.