CHAPTER 5

- EYE AFTER BONE -

His inventory was being checked. Again and again. Checked and restocked. John stared at Vick. Seeing his smile. Wondering about the last week. The before time.

Aria wanted to know more about him. As an Xur you can never get too personal with items. Or People for that matter. You cannot Break the laws for any reason.

Otherwise you'll end up as a loss. Not that any XUR wants that. This is a high risk job. One of a kind. In this life you die for treason. You will die for rules.

Seeing his hands moving at the speed of light with the tech. His eyes looking through the inventory list. John heard commotion behind him.

Luke was screaming like a child. Carol was behind him.

" Whats that?" asked Carol

John's eyes closed. Looking at his feet. His breath went out slowly. His hands touched the vendor's table. Carol looked puzzled. Wondering the commotion.

" Akoul . Best XUR out there" said John

" Best? What the heck? Your kidding" she said looking past the others

She laughed and looked at her nails. Not that she had any. Her gloves were blocking the view. She had felt strong and powerful.

" She's the first one to make the best selling within the hour" said John without a care

" Every week. Sells more than any of us. In this world of ours. She's the best" said John

" Your praising her like a god John" said Carol

" . Just like a normal Xur would. Mentioning her sales. Her sites. Her very self being." said John

Carol touched his shoulder. John looked at her hand touching him. She looked closer into his hoodie. Wanting to see his eyes better.

Knowing that when John Xur comes here. To see Vick. He curses. He loses Hope. He asks out. He get angered. Leaving to the dimensional transporters with sadness.

John looked towards Carol. Saying nothing. Behind them. Another Xur yelled aloud. Then the next yawned. Another yelled to them.

" Hey?! HELLLOOO! HURRY UP!" yelled another Xur

" Hey dude isn't that the one old lady?!" said another until you heard a smack

" You alright , John? You haven't bitched about anything...Are You alright?" she asked

John smiled as he awoke. Opening his eyes. He didn't care anymore about these stupid sales. These stupid challenges they made Xurs do.

John grabbed his back pack. Slapping on the bands. His back feeling heavy. Vick noticed a smile on this guy. This normal Xur. The kind that fucks up a lot.

Something odd. A new change? Vick looked out of the window. Seeing John walking away from Carol. She was stunned. Seeing John. More confident than normal.

He was actually..Happy.

" I'm great Carol" he said

John walked on. Thanking Vick. For the first time in Years. Even Vick was shocked. His eyes staring at the emptiness.

" Did he just thank me?! No Fucking Way!?" yelled Vick

" He did Vick. He fucking did." said Carol

- FLASHBACK 3-

" Why Dad?" asked John

Both watched the moving onward fish. Moving in the endless pool of blue. The sunlight at the distance dying. Moving lower and lower by the hour. John and Judah.

Both wanting to eat a good fish. The alien kind like fish. Its colors were gorgeous. John was confused to understand the world he was born into.

" Why must we be distant with the Guardians? With Humans? Awoken? Cabal? Everything?"

" Those are the Rules , my son" said Judah Xur

" Why can't we be friends with them" he asked

" We are who we are. Travelers. Unknown to the race of the living. We Are Agents that have lost our very core being. Only to exist as essence" said Judah

" Wow. I mean wow. I don't understand that dad" said John looking at the water

The endless pool of cold refreshing water. In John's eyes. He traveled with his Father. Side by side. Learning the trade. Learning how to become a strong Xur.

Even his own Father had troubles. Like with some other Merchants. People. Even being kicked from one world after another. At times it was a cycle.

Judah Xur continued on his runs. He went off on. Heading into dark territory to gain those Strange Coins. John knew this well. He had witnessed his father.

Fall. Fight. Steal. Discover. Recover. All kinds of matters to get Strange Coins. Knowing this was the easiest way to buy new items from the Nine Vendors.

" Will I ever have any friends , Father?" asked John

" No, my son , None what so ever" said Judah

Trying to act like a cool funny dad. Judah breaks his balance. The branch they sat on. Judah then falls into the water face first. Sinking to the botttom.

John sighed. Wondering what will bring in this upcoming tomorrow.

- Flashback ends-

Reaching the gate. Carol awaited him. John was surprised by this. He stared with confusion. Stopping before. He looked puzzled. Wondering whats what.

Carol had her arms crossed. She stood all in a sexy position. Looking at him. Luke slapped John's back pack. Laughing his butt off.

" JOHN!JJJJOHHHN!" yelled Luke

" What , What's going on?" asked John

" Your happy? How come? After the 3 Years I've known you" she said

" Whaat?! No. No. Who said I was Happy" said John smiling

" John buddy. I swear I can't tell when your telling the truth" said Luke

John's eyes went into serious look. His arms lowered down to his sides. He hunched his shoulders. Sighing again. Thinking about how Luke and Carol.

Wanting to know. Yet he didn't care about them. He knew they weren't friends. Why because Xurs have no friends. They act for themselves. Only themselves.

If another dies. Xurs make no funerals. We just move on. Allow them to die. Take there positions and continue the Merchant cycle.

" So? What's going on John" she asked

" Why would you care about it" he said

" Because we don't want you to fall back" said Carol touching his arm

" We want what's best for you. One thing is when were joking. Laughing. Another is being over your depression" she said looking closely into him

John never heard her. Not her say anything like this. Being what kind of person. Carol wasn't the kind to show her touchy. Sensitive side. Not to anybody in this life.

He didn't believe it. Carol Xur being emotional. Her eyes moved with passion. Luke backed away. Seeing this touchy feeling moment. He smiled.

" We want what's best for you as your friends John" said Carol

" Friends?! Friends?! I have no friends! I have always been counting on people to help. My Father told me never to do so" said John

" Now that I have something. Something to call upon as a great day. Great week. Now you fucking care about me?!" he yelled

" You and Luke always on my ass about everything! Enough I don't need you guys! For the first time I have someone who actually enjoys my company"

Carol had let go of his arm. Seeing his rage. His frustration. Showing that he was more. He wanted more. She knew what he had gone through.

Many people spoke of the child that walked the line of Xurs. The kind of child that witnesses the teachings. Gains the knowledge. Gains the pain at an early age.

Where his Father was mauled to death. His mother being distant with him now more than ever. His Uncle , being banished. His childhood stolen.

Xurs that train to become the next in line. They begin at the age of 15. Not 10 or younger. It causes them to have troubled lives. Not an easy kind.

They believe there always alone. With nothing left to call home. Meaningless shadows that are XURS.

" Now I'm late please again. Step aside I'm leaving to do my job" said John

" Your wrong. John I do care. We tried being there for you and pushing you to become what your going to soon be..." she said kissing his hoodie cloak

John was frozen. Her touch. Left him. Luke and Carol went onto there own duties again. Same as last week. Same as every week. John stared into the distant void.

Puzzled. Moving the blocks that were confusing him. Wondering about his father's words. What they meant. Was everything a lie. Was he wrong about this.