Disclaimer: Final disclaimer guys, yours truly a horrible procrastinator.
Arnold's
Point
Of View
In the shadow of downtown Hillwood lies a tract of land and a body of water; that has become a vivid symbol of Hillwood's painful slide from a thriving North-Western city. Once used as a definition of the American Dream, is now a broken urban community; ultimately smothered in bankruptcy court. Just looking around seeing these people having fun, from where I'm sitting at is just appalling. Watching all of these fools having picnics and barbecues in this part of town is just an idiotic mistake one shouldn't make. I watched on in amusement as I saw dozens of vacuum tank trucks just waiting for the go ahead from law enforcement officers to drain the lake of its liquid. While their CSI counterparts stood on standby, dressed in yellow HAZMAT suits. Waiting for the new annual drainage of the lake.
Looking around all I saw was waste from human to animal waste, to scourges of dead birds and raccoons and other critters that would be roaming around the park. Dead birds littered the grounds the most where the children played, floating freely in the parks lake among the dead fish. The small bodies of the deceased wildlife were bloated with their natural gases, resembling pregnant women or teenage girls of this fucked up generation or dare I say era? They looked as if they were ready to pop at the tiniest provocation. Bursting their insides for all to see, as if it were a pinata.
I walked toward the pier overlooking the drainage of Caesars home. Hoping the legend found refuge else where or passed in peace. Man just thinking about it, that must have been one of thee best days I had. Just thinking about it now draws vivid memories about grandpas tall tales. He'd take me here all the time for ice cream and tell me stories about their adventures. But all that is gone now, I looked at the murky water as I heard the trucks turn on their pumps. Watching the lake go down by the sixteenths. Wishing Caesar the best of luck, if only I could see him one last time.. That would be great.
Ah City Park Lake.. It was once a nice and beautiful park in its prime, now turned into a graffiti marked haven and a litter stricken monument to the city's unkept promises and unfulfilled visions of the city's future. After all who the fuck in their right minds would tag on trees, rocks or even the ground? Don't these fools know what the repercussions would be for us all in the long run? I guess one voice isn't enough anyways.
A reminder of the city's decline hit us two days ago. When coach Wittenburg, a well respected middle school and high school basketball coach was shot several times in the parks parking lot. Some people called the legendary coach dumb, or even mentally challenged for being there at the wrong place at the wrong time. At the night he was shot Coach Wittenburg stopped at a place where even city officials considered an emblem of urban and environmental decay. City Park Lake, or just City Lake as most of us referred it too. Poor bastard was scratching loto scratchers hoping to hit it rich and he didn't even know what hit him. Last I heard he's in critical condition, hope he makes it after all he is my friend.
"Hey Arnold you ready for the movies?" I heard a voice with just a touch of a hispanic accent, guessing it was Lorenzo I nodded as the lake was nearly empty. Revealing the lakes sludgy sediment and algae covered rocks and about a dozen nearly decomposed bodies. Most of their flesh dripped off, their faces are now unrecognizable. "Yeah man in a minute I'm just saying goodbye to Caesar." He nodded as we looked at the now empty lake, looking for the remains of prehistoric fish. Only to look down down tires, baby strollers, syringes, broken beer bottles and rusted cans. "Eight bodies, they found eight bodies" I whispered to myself as he stood there is silence. Mumbling something almost inaudibly in spanish as he held a rosary.
I looked around in hope wishing the legend escaped the drainage. Guess he died, all legends come to an end. As we're about to leave I saw a greenish-grayish like bag, but not made of the same material. It's texture looked a bit different. I looked on in awe as it slightly rose and fell. Almost as if something alive were in it. "Hey Lorenzo what do you know about prehistoric sealife? Can some of them survive without water?" I asked, "Well what I learned in 8th grade science is that some fishes have the ability to hibernate, creating a semi thick and thin protective layer of cartilage like material. If given the circumstances, depending on the variable of that species alone."
I nodded my head, knowing he was alive and well. "Cool, lets start mobbin' it to the theaters then."
Lorenzo's
Point
Of View
I looked around uncomfortably as I entered the theater. I swallowed the frog forming in my throat as though I might croak. Losing Arnold in the crowds outside just made me get a lil more on edge. From the corner of my eye I saw two black guys dressed in black and red eyeing me up and down. I really didn't get a good look at em. "Aye man where you from nigga? You bang homie?" One of the black guys shouted in a sincere demanding tone, almost spitting on me as he spoke. He had a fro while his homie wore a doo-rag, both wearing conspicuous gold jewelry.
I'm never this nervous just that being in Damma-Heights Bloods territory with no support from the homies is just sending me over the edge. "I got homies from the Counts and JMK why wazup?" I replied stubbornly as ever. "Nah we cool G, just thought you wuz from the Gardens. You know your far from any support.." I nodded, weighing the options if I were to start some bullshit gang war over some dumb shit if they try to start some shit. "Look I know where I'm at and I know my place alright Loc?" He nodded as I walked away, looking around I saw overweight moviegoers with their dates and friends. Clutching their bags of popcorn and cups of soda with dear life. Forming up in big ass line waiting for the midnight premier of Evil Twin III, while crowds outside waited endlessly for their tickets.
"Hey Lorenzo!" A familiar raspy voice shouted as I felt a hand touch my shoulder. Turning my head slightly I saw Gerald with Phoebe, who waved meekly at me avoiding eye contact. As if she were trained to look at the floor, while I reached around my back for my wallet. "What up Gerald? Evening Phoebe you look stunning as always." She blushed, I smiled as I tried to look for the rest of the gang. "Were those niggas bothering you? I can tell Ja-"
"Look foo it's cool, I know your brother is in high places in the Heights but it ain't nothing me or my people can't handle alright G?" Gerald nodded as he clutched the side of Phoebes upper arm. "Here's a couple twenties go buy some popcorn and drinks for us and the gang. They should be here soon." I handed him the money and in an instant the crowds swallowed them whole, disappearing without a trace. I smiled to from ear to ear obliviously, thinking all of these people were wasting their time. Obviously Evil Twin III won't be as good as part II!
Most of the openings were for Evil Twin III, the last film installment for the franchise. Just another overly-hyped Hollywood flop. How could they make a third film if the evil twin died in the second one? I didn't give it much thought anyway. With time to myself I just stood there, staring at their theatrical poster. Not Much was really on it just a castle like Chateau with green pastures surrounding the beautiful building and a grave stone enlarged in the very front. "The movie's still gonna suck anyways." I whispered to myself as I walked around in search of my friends.
Within seconds I see Rhonda and Arnold off in the distance. Wearing the same clothes as always. Both of them laughing, I watched as she leaned beside him holding onto one of his arms. Hhhmmmm I wonder if Harold would flip if he sees this. He doesn't even deserve her anyways..
Rhonda's
Point
Of View
Gosh I hate being alone. Just walking through the crowded theater without running into anyone I know makes me feel like a loner. Everyone's hateful gazes just makes me feel more unwelcomed nonetheless, as I walked toward the line. Just because I'm a Lloyd and live in the Northern End where Lorenzo and Peapod kid resides instantly singles me out. The walk was silent and painful. No one even speaks to just to know the time.
Wealth sure has it's perks but it can't buy happiness. I can't even go to high school with my friends due to my dads fear of me becoming a target due to my parents wealth. I'm - I'm such an imbecile to even agree to come see the midnight premier of Evil Twin III. Just knowing that I would be singled out in public. I feel disgusted with myself.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to blink back the tears that wanted to shed. Wishing this all would just go away. I turned on my heels ready to run when I saw a pair of piercing green eyes. So familiar, his vivid green eyes with dashes of golden flecks, speckled with chestnut brown. "Rhonda are you okay?" He asked with a smile, his voice seemed so.. so familiar and genuine. God I couldn't help but look into his eyes. Only if his blonde hair didn't cover them so much.
"Um yeah I'm okay," I fibbed, gosh thinking of something to say to him is so much work! God I gotta think of something fast before he leaves, I just don't wanna be alone. Without thinking I grabbed his arm, it was all sweaty and hot. As if he ran all the way over here. Ew ew ew ew, just the way he smelled made me wanna vomit. There is no way going back. Just focus Rhonda you're doing just so you won't be alone in public. You don't even like this freak. Got it?
Peapod kids
Point
Of View
Come on fuckers, you guys invite me and I don't even know where you guys are at for fuck sake! It's like finding a needle in a haystack man. I walked around trying to find a familiar face, anyone in particular. The more I walked around looking like a retard the more I grew impatient. I just don't like it when they pull some shit like this. They know I hate it when they waste my precious time like this.
"You alright kid?" A voice called out from behind, "Uh yeah man just a little pissed off." I replied almost automatically not turning to face the source. "You look a little sweaty you sure? Ya look kinda sick." Will this son of a bitch shut the fuck up! Why would I even begin to waste my breath on this guy. "You don't look to well, I think you should leave." That it's I had enough of this shit. I whirled around to look, only to discover that who or whatever was there had vanished, leaving nothing but a faint black mist dissipating slowly.
"Peapod you made it." Gerald called out, I nodded looking around a bit irate. "Did you happen see anyone that was talking to me?" I asked as a scratched my neck rapidly, turning my head rapidly to find anyone suspicious. "No not at all, why you waiting for someone?" I shook my head, dismissing it as my hyperactive imagination. My watch made a slight beeping noise, that almost made me jump outta my skin. Knowing it was time for my meds I grabbed two pills from my pocket and swallowed it whole. Gerald furrowed a brow, thinking i'm some sort of mental patient.
"I have ADHD, and I've also been diagnosed with manic depression. The meds evens me out." I said in hurry, feeling my meds kick in, in an instance. He nodded as did Phoebe. "Everyone else bitched out on coming man, they called saying they were either busy or some other bullshit."
Chapter 2 isn't meant to draw you away from what you believe in religious matters. I plan on sharing different "cultures" in other words, to prove we can co-exist as one. It's rather hard explain it in text. Each chapter has a moral if you can catch it. Some of them you'll have to "read between the lines" to fully understand/catch it. Any questions PM me and I'll gladly respond. Cya soon. And yes Hillwood is definitely a shit hole.