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@The SavantHe wanted something filling because he had not eaten breakfast yet. He could have eaten at the restaurant where he had done the deal, but was not in the mood for Asian food. He wanted something greasy. The closest restaurant that served greasy food was a few blocks from where he was. As he was walking on the street, he would occasionally stare above him, imagining the lights were the night sky stars. He stopped for a moment to close his eyes, imagining there was rain falling on his clothes. A recurring dream of his was lying down outside and stargazing. His daydreaming was interrupted when he felt someone bump hard against his shoulder.
βGet out of the way ya druggie freak.β The voice was coming from a tall, pudgy man. Jonathan opened his eyes to see the man standing beside him. He nodded, muttering something that sounded like an apology before walking off.
The area was definitely a busy one with a variety of misfits andβ¦ not as friendly individuals as some could put it. However, there was a small group of individuals funneling around the strangers, pickpocketing, exchanging pleasantries with, and so on. Nothing out of the abnormal behaviors of this area of Dominion β β
Ey, boss,β one of the dirty scoundrels gave another man a light below.
β
What?β The man shooed his elbow away while playing cards with the other guy. They had been taking a break until this point.
A groan from the original man, somewhat uncertain, β
Dat guy looβ a lilβ funny to yah?β he asked while making a gesture with his hand towards the individual he was watching.
Spitting to the ground, the boss shrugged, β
Look a lilβ bit oβ sewer scrap to me,β he went back to what he was doing.
β
Iβm gonna see if he has anyβtink gud on imββ the man patted the third manβs shoulder playfully before those two were off. Heading towards the Ratman with casualness. Nothing that pointed them directly at him except the ones curious eyes.
Jonathan didnβt seem to notice that he was being targeted. He seemed to be in his little world. As he walked down the street, his huge backpack jiggled up and down with each step he took. His breath was heavy and raspy. A side effect of being burned. And because of his maladaptive daydreaming, he would be an easy target for thieves. As he was walking, Jonathan whistled a song, wondering where he could get something greasy to eat. Or thinking perhaps a light snack would be more suitable.
The man that was shorter than Jonathan and his companion grabbed something from Jonathanβs backpack as if he owned it. No regard for personal space or caring what the situation might get him into or the other people around him. β
Disβ look a lilβ brokin,β the man chattered while gesturing the object to his friend.
β
A! We haβa rat,β the other man joked while taking the item. It was definitely something that Jonathan most likely scavenged up during his usual routes of trying to find something to sell or what not.
They were definitely trying to pick on him like schoolyard bullies. Nothing better to do. Seeing someone that they thought was an easy target to poke fun at.
Jonathan suddenly felt something jostling his backpack. At first, he thought it was an earthquake, but he noticed two men walking before him. His eye quickly saw something inside one of the menβs hands. Instantly recognized the item that was in his hand. β
Hi, thatβs mine, give it back you you thief!β Jonathan yelled, moving forward and reaching over to try and grab the item. However he tripped, causing him to fall face first onto the ground. β
Owie.β Muttering and sitting on the floor. A rush of pain filled his body as Jonathan held his elbow, having scraped it.
The taller man had the object and he took a few steps back when Jonathan tried to grab it. Neither of the men had the dignity or care to even stop the robotic man from falling onto his face. They both busted out laughing as if it was the funniest thing they have seen all day. The shorter one added, β
He canβt walk dat one!β While pointing.
As the taller man came near, he crouched down with a chuckle, β
Why should eβ give it back?β He dangled the scrap in his hand. β
Isnβt it findβr keepβrs?β The man continued to egg the man on.
β
Itβs mine, though. I found it first. You stole it from me.β Jonathan looked at the crouched man with tears welling up in his eyes. He could feel the tears soon running down his cheeks. The loss of the object he had spent so many hours finding was extremely stressful. His whole body was shaking now. Again he tried to grab the scarp from the manβs hand, but he could quickly move it away.
β
Thief, thief itβs mine not yours. ITβS MINE MINE MINE!!! I FOUND IT FIRST.β Jonathan screamed as he tried standing up, albeit very slowly. If one of the men could, they could push him back down if they wished. He could barely see through the fog caused by his crying and screaming.
A bit of concern came over both of the men when Jonathan began to scream and it caused them both to back up. β
Settle! Settle!β the shorter man gestured his hands as if that would help Jonathan calm down at all. β
Eβre playinβ with ya,β the man glanced at his taller companion as if to see what the other man was going to do.
β
Itβ a piece of scrap! Whyβd ya care about it so anyβay?β the taller man kept it in his grasp and this time he kept it near his side. Not toying with Jonathan but determining how much more he should push and prod at this man before it became an issue though they were not against issues or fights.
β
Cuz i sent three hours looking for it. Itβs apart of my collection.β He looked at the two men before sitting back down. Bending his tall knees over his face while using his long arms to wrap around his legs. β
Your not playing a very good game. Momma always said to treat others how you want to be treated.β This last sentence was said in a breathy sort of whisper. Lifting up his mask and using his jacket sleeve to wipe away the tears. Putting his mask back before looking back at them. β
I would like my scrap back please and thank you.β He said licking his chapped lips.
A laugh came out of the taller man, β
Collectβen junk? Does it work?β he glanced down at the item in his hand and he doubted that it did work. Why were scavengers soβ¦
weird. Shaking his head in the negative, β
Ya listβen to yah mamma?β Both of the men began to laugh.
The smaller one, β
Mamaβ boy β mama boyββ They were having their laughs and fun with Jonathan. Before the smaller man waved him off, β
Cβmon Hits. Eβ donβt have time fβr dis,β he began to walk away.
Hits shrugged his shoulders and waved Jonathan off, β
Go cry to yah mamaβ bout it,β then he began to walk off.
β
But but you stole itβ¦itβs mineβ¦give it back.β Jonathan could feel the tears coming back. Small droplets of tears seemed to run down his cheek. His whole body was starting to shake again. He started whimpering and crying softly, remembering how he was bullied as a child. Just then he heard someone speaking to him. β
Donβt cry Jon i got this.β And as if a switch had been turned around Jonathan took off his backpack seting it down on the ground. Next her removed his mask placing it neatly on top of his pack. His hand moving to inside of his jacket to retrieve something.
Starting to follow them, he quickly caught up and tapped one of the men on the shoulder. β
You got something that belongs to me pal.β He spoke sounding much different then the other men remembered him sounding. The object he had hidden was now in his hand, and with a press of a button the other thief could tell it was a knife. β
Give back what you stole YOU CUNT!!!β Yelling as the theives could fully see Jonathanβs horrifically burnt face.
The larger one seeming to not want to trouble and somewhat shocked about the overall attitude of the man, he dropped the item, and raised up his hands. β
Dere ya go! Yars! Keep yaβtrash!β He wasnβt wanting to get stabbed and the look of the face that was exposed to him was quite haunting β something he didnβt want to play around with.
Seeing his larger friends reaction the smaller man, for a second, tightened up, and looked like he might try to brawl with Jonathan. That was until their boss, from across the way, whistled, and gestured for them to come back over. This caused relief in the smaller manβs form, β
Cβmon Hits,β he gestured to get away from Jonathan.
β
Come on fellas i just wanna play a gameβ¦β He called to them with a loud sadistic sounding laugh. A few moments later he looked down at the ground and picked up the scrap, putting it into his jacket pocket. His eyes looking over at the person he assumed was their boss. With a smile that exposed the few yellow teeth that were in his mouth and a wink, Jonathan was signalling to him not to mess with him again.
Walking back to put on the backpack and mask. Letting out a few breaths before muttering something. β
2.4.6.8.10.12.14.16.18.20.22.24.26.28.30.β And as he finished counting Jonathan looked around being extremely confused on what just happened. Shrugging his shoulders before walking away.
A few hours later Jonathan was standing at the mouth of one of the many tunnels. He had gotten to eat some food and decided to go scavenging for something valuable. Holding onto something as he felt the earthquake starting. β
Oh no.β He muttered feeling conflicted if he should go in or not. But the thought of finding treasure was too tempting. Slowly he started walking into the tunnel.