Chapter 1: Life changes before my eyes (continued)

Chapter 1 continuation.

(Ch1 continuing)
Marcus Elliot's Story:
Life's beginning to the end


I had to make it stop. Not realizing on where I was going, I bumped into something or someone.

"H-hey!" I heard the voice as I stumbled back and fell on my behind. I looked up to see it was nick.

"Whoa, watch it Elliot. You could end up going off the curve and into an accident. You okay?" He asked me, offering his hand to help me off the ground.

I turned away from him, I didn't want to look at him. I felt like he be mad with me going home early, not telling him I was sick. But I just felt like I didn't know him or trust him.

"Marcus?" He asked again, as it look to wake me up from my cold anger I was still holding onto.
"....Nick?" I said, confused on why he was standing there and offering his hand.
I took it as I was lifted by his strong pull.

"You feeling okay, Marc?" Nick asked, his eyes show worry.
"No....I--" I stopped myself from saying anything else and looked away from Nick again. I didn't want to tell him anything, it was odd. I usually tell him my problems, but not this time. I turned and began to run away from him. As I ran, I heard him call out my name, it was fading out, the more I ran.

Nick was worried and ran after Marcus, he wanted to know if everything was okay.

I skid to a stop to an alley back way and started to spit up. I felt awful, I had to get the taste of this anger and pain out of my mouth. I spitted, instead of throwing up, nothing came out.

Nick caught up to Marcus and saw him, leaning over to spit.

"H-hey. Marcus." Nick said and ran to him, placing his hand on his shoulder, which caught Marcus off guard.

I was panting a bit heavily, trying to hold back my moans in pain and trying to force myself to throw up.

Nick held Marcus and turn him around to face him.
"What's going on? Seriously, your worrying me." He asked as I looked up at him, my eyes a bit red.

"I---I'm sorry..." I croaked out, trying to swallow my pain.

"For what?" Nick said. Then blinked and lightly smiles. "Aww don't worry about it, you know I won't be mad if you had to go home."

I looked up at him, stunned really.

"Let's say a little bird told me you had to go home, because you aren't feeling well." Nick said, smiling, trying to cheer me up.

"But, what's happening Marcus? Is everything going okay at home?, someone picking on you?, coming down with a sickness?" He began to ask many questions, it started to hurt my brain.

"Shut up! Nick!" I said forcibly shouted in deep gasps.

"E-easy, Marcus. I just wanna know..." Nick said, his voice lowering.

"I'm sorry, Elliot. I didn't mean to ask many questions at once, honestly." He continued

I looked up at him and clenched my fists tightly.
I started to tremble, I was filled with so much pain of hating what I went through and not wanting any help. I was suffering a meltdown I didn't want anyone to find out, if I tell, I may not be able to do what I want, to join the unit.

I huffed and ran past him.
Nick watched me run past him, he felt like he was to blame. He gripped his cross, looking to where Marcus ran.

I ran and ran, until I heard a sound of a car honking at me. Waking me up as I ran out of the way.
"Hey! Watch it stupid kid!" Shouted the passing car.

I glared at his insult. I quickly got up and held out what I made, it was a prototype of my weapon, the bomb.

I then sprinted forward, chasing after the car.

Watching Marcus was a man, with his wife and son taking a walk down the sidewalk.

"What he has there is dangerous, right dad?" Said the boy who was named Ben. The man nodded and not paying attention to his son.

"Deven?" Asked the wife.

"I'll be back, Jean. Watch Ben, head back to the house." He said and ran after Marcus.

I chased the car down the road, I was determined to stop that guy who insulted me.

The man was pulling to a red light. And looked to see Marcus running up behind him.

"What the---!!" Said the man, lifting his sunglasses to notice Marcus had been running after him.

"Hey, stupid kid, why are you out here?! You can get yourself killed! You stupid or something!" Said the man.

I was catching my breath, I felt my pain grow worse and I looked to be angrier than usual, but I was thrilled to have him in my sights. I smirked slowly.

"Stop right there..." Said a voice behind me.
My eyes turned to the side to see a man, standing behind me.

"Put the bomb down, son." Deven said calmly.

"Oh crap-!" The man drives off, noticing the light changing color and also the fact, Deven Artim was a special guy, that most thugs stay away from.

"You!" I shouted in rage. "I had him in my sights and you ruined it!!"

I glared, my red eyes burning from the tears I held back.

"Your not feeling well, kid. Let's be calm and take you home." Deven instructed.

"You don't give me orders!" I said back, and I hadn't realize my bomb had fizzled out, let alone be crushed by my hand.

I then clutched my stomach, and tried to suck in the pain.

"What is your name?" Deven then asked.

"....who are you first!" I barked.

"Deven." He responded.

I lightly gasped, hearing the name. He was apart of the unit. But I didn't act too amazed meeting one of the crew members, I just shifted my expression to rage.

"So, what is your name son." Deven asked yet again.

Before I could say anything from my mouth. I heard Nick's voice yet again.

"Marcus!" Nick called out, as Deven nodded slowly, looking at me.

Nick was catching his breath.

"H-hey Marcus---" he said in breaths.

"Nick...stop it..." I groaned a bit, not only from this pain, but the fact he was following me, it felt like I was being stalked.

"Stop what?" Nick said, easing his breathing.

"STOP FOLLOWING ME!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, tears falling from my red eyes and the pit of my meltdown reached to the point of no return, I couldn't control it any longer as I death glared him.

Nick was shocked and felt his heart break into two, as he heard Marcus's frustration.

"Marcus..." Nick said, his voice starting to crack. "What in God's name...has--" he felt disappointed.

"Oh shut up about your God!" I huffed, stomping my foot.

I was then held back by Deven's grip on my arm, as I struggled. I closed my eyes tightly. I brought myself to the ground, grunting as I hit the floor, crying silently, making only small sniffles here and there, while coughing a bit, trying to get out of Deven's grip on my arm.

"He's not feeling well, Nick. I'm sure he doesn't mean it..." Deven said to reassure Nick's and Marcus is friendship.

"I'm worried about him..." Nick said. "But--I understand...he's got it rough, but he's only 11..." "...he could get hurt or someone shoots him in cold blood. I can't see anyone get taken, not yet while they got a future, dreams..."

I heard nick's words, but I mumbled to myself to try and shut him up. "S-shut--up!" I forced from my throat as it was hard for anything to come out while I cried.

"Shut...up.." I said, to Nick, breaking down. "I hate you...I hate you...I h-a--" before I could say anymore,I suddenly passed out.

"Marcus!!" Nick said, and ran to his side, next to Deven.

"He needs a doctor now!!" Nick gasped looking at Deven.

Deven nodded and carries Marcus.

I later wake up in a strange place, it was blurry at first. But my vision regained itself.
I was inside a hospital bed. I looked up to see Nick sleeping on the chair, holding onto his cross, Deven with his son and his wife, all resting in the seats.

I then heard the nurse walked in.

"Good morning Marcus Elliot." She said, with a smile, checking my condition. "How are you feeling?"

"....like, crap..." I responded.

The nurse looked at her chart.
"Do you feel nauseous? Sore throat?"

"Both..." I said.

She escorted me to the restroom, and waited outside, closing the door.

Hearing the door closed, woke up Nick.

"Is he okay?!" "Where is he?!" Nick said, nearly falling out of his seat.
Nick then heard me in the bathroom, which he seem to look more worried.
The toilet flushed as I walk out, nearly losing my balance to walk.

Deven woke up and saw the nurse help Marcus to take some medicine.

"Don't worry, Nick. He'll be alright." He said to Nick.

"Shouldn't you be heading home, sweetie?" Asked Jean to Nick. "Your parents must be worried about you, and you didn't let them know about staying out late."

"Oh..." Nick lightly rubbed his head, nervously smiling. "Well, thank you mrs. Artim. Please do take care." He said and walked out.
Ben woke up and saw me drinking another medicine.

"So, is he sick too dad?" Ben asked his father.

Deven frowned. "Yes...but, it's different...from yours, Ben."

I was done taking the medicine, and looked at Deven's son, he didn't look sick, but from Deven's words it was something serious.

"Thanks..." I said, huffing, not to admit how thankful I was that he brought me in just in time.

Deven nodded. "Your welcome, your friend was here, but he had to leave."

"Hmph...I don't need to worry about, him. But I guess it was nice of you all." I responded.

I looked down to see Ben standing in front of me. I wondered why was he staring at me?

"So, you wanna be in the unit like my dad, Marcus?" Ben asked me.
I was surprised, how did the little runt know I wanted to be in the unit? Turns out, Deven saw something in me, it was strange, but who knows, I may be of use to the unit with my skills. He maybe told his son, or....maybe that kid just sees me in the unit.

I didn't respond to him, but nodded my head.

"You take care of yourself Elliot." Said Jean to me.

I saw Ben and his mother walk out, I was left with Deven and the nurse.

I looked up at him. He stared at me.

"See you soon, Marcus." Deven said and walked out of the room.

I lay back on my bed and the nurse was making sure I was well enough to be sent home.

Later on that evening, I was well, and I had to take some medication for my unstable state of mind, the doctor made sure my father and mother know of my "special illness". We all went home, it was quiet yet again.

But my parents could care less if I ended up dead in some alley, they didn't care, as did I.

For the past few days, I mainly stayed in my room, since I was still recovering, I didn't need to go to school, but that means Nick would be worried. Not like it mattered...

But, I know medication is bad if taken wrong, but I know I didn't need them.

I normally snuck into the kitchen to eat a decent meal when my parents were sleeping or dosed up to the eyeballs. It was nice to eat real food and not scraps or from the trash can.

I decided to leave that night and do something.
I was about to head out the door until I was caught.

"Where are you going, boy?" Said the father, who noticed me with about to head out.

"Oh, around, gotta keep active ya know, doctors orders." I said with a smirk on my face, lying.

"Hmph, pick up some cigs will you." Said the father, leering at my smirk. "If you do that, I'll give you what you want."

"Oh, sure." I said, my fingers crossed behind my back and left.

I had a good plan brewing and I wanted to make sure it went well, this new feeling I had, it felt good to be in.

I guess my mind finally snapped, as I left that night...