-Dans perspective-

  The Red Steel gang erupted like a fire that consumed the entire building. The group was insane, each step they took seemed to erupt more flames as they partied hard. I slowly took a step back, progressively distancing myself from Joe and Algea.

  As I walked backward, I bumped into person after person. Each one gave me praise and a pat on the back. My heart hammered against my chest, and it was becoming impossible to focus. I kept swimming my way through the crowd until I eventually made it to the huge metal doors, and then I slipped out. As soon as I was out, my heart started to rest. I moved beside the building and pressed my back against it, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

  Thank god, that was way too much…

  “You must be the blue ranger.” A soft voice spoke up.

  I jumped and looked over, restarting the hammer that had rested against my chest. There beside me was an older woman. She had long black hair, and caramel skin that seemed to shine in the moonlight. A cigarette rested between her fingers and she looked upon me with curiosity in her eyes.

  “I umm, yeah. I guess that's me now.” I said and scratched the back of my head.

  She chuckled. “Sounds like you've had a rough one.”

  She went into her pocket and pulled out a cigarette box. “Here, it looks like you need one.”

  As I stared at the box, a warmth came over me. A memory of high school came to mind, the first and last time I ever smoked. I grabbed a cigarette from her and put it between my lips, then she held out her lighter.

  I chuckled. “Wow, feel like some kind of celebrity now.”

  “Well, blowing your boss's brains out is kinda hard to forget.” She said and flicked her lighter on.

  Slowly she lit my cigarette and I saw the smoke rise from It. Then I took a deep breath in, and for a moment. I felt like a kid again. The smoke soon scratched at my throat and I yanked the cigarette out and coughed hysterically.

  The women stumbled back and started laughing. “Can the great killer not handle a smoke?”

  I cleared my throat and stood up straight. “I haven't smoked since I was in high school.”

  “What?” She chuckled. “Then why'd you take a smoke?”

  “I don't know, I just felt…like I needed it.” I put it back to my lips and took another breath. The same nostalgic warmth filled me again, and so did the familiar grazing at my throat. “Like I was a kid again.”

  “You're…not what I expected. Mr. Blue.” She teased.

  I took another breath of fresh air and looked from the cigarette to her. “And what exactly did you expect?”

  “A cold sinister killer, maybe with a cool scar across the face? Smoking cigars, carrying bags of cash. Something like that.” She said

  I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Well, sorry to disappoint. But I'm just a washed-up accountant.”

  I put the cigarette back to my lips. As soon as I took another breath, it immediately led to a coughing fit.

  “And what exactly made a boring accountant blow his boss's brains all over the walls?” She asked.

  “You're oddly comfortable, I did kill someone after all. Who's to say I won't attack you next?”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Because Joe brought you in.” She said as if that should've been common sense.

  “Is that so? That much trust in such a young man?”

  “Oh! Is someone calling me old?” She said and playfully shoved me.

  Which bubbled some joy in me. “No, no, you don't look a day over thirty.”

  “Suuure.” She huffed.

  I glanced at her and saw she was pouting.

  “Hey, question. Can I trust Joe to follow through with his promises?” I asked.

  She glanced back at me and then back to her cigarette

  “Yeah, he may be young. But, Joe is a great leader. When he says he'll do something, he'll do it. I'm living proof of that.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah, what is it he promised you?” She asked with a smirk. “New wife? Penthouse overlooking the city?”

  “I want my son.” I sighed. “Nothing else matters, not women, not money. Just my little boy.”

  There was silence for a moment between us. Her eyes were trained on the floor and eventually, she took another hard puff of her cigarette. She finished it and tossed it to the floor.

  “How old is he?” She asked.

  “He's seven,” I mumbled.

  “Hhmm, I'm sorry. That's gotta be a lot for him right now.”

  I balled my fist. “I know…”

  “My son, David. He was born with an infection in his throat. Doctors said it was a miracle he survived. His dad ran out when he found out he knocked me up, I was just a kid then. Barely in college. My parents didn't want to have anything to do with it. So I was stuck.”

  “I’m sorry that's-”

  “I dropped out of college and worked three jobs. Tried to do everything for my Mijo. But he couldn't talk, the medication wasn't working. And he started to get worse. So…I got worse.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Joe, I tried to rob him. Just a dumb kid with too many nice clothes. I figured his mom could just buy him new ones. But I didn't plan on the gang grabbing me. Instead of beating me up and taking what I had. He asked me, why?” She laughed. “Can you believe that? A squirt barely out of high school gave me a talk. And I don't know if it was the fear, the desperation. But I poured my heart out. Next thing I know, I had full groceries, and I got a message that the medication my son needed was available for free.”

  “What? The kid did all that?”

  “The kid did, he's a man now. Still young, but a man. And thanks to that man, my son is in school. He can talk. Joe always keeps his promises, and more.”

  “What he ask in return?” I asked.

  “Just help where I can.” She said, “Feed some people, clean some clothes, and come to rallies. Be a pretty face for deals too.”

  She flicked her hair and smiled proudly at that last statement. I rolled my eyes at her.

  “That's…good. Then maybe things will be okay.” I sighed and leaned back against the wall.

  “What happened with your boss?” She asked.

  “He was sleeping with my wife.”

  “Damn, you just crashed out, huh?”

  “I what?”

  “....lost it.” She snickered. “Just because we are old doesn't mean we gotta act like it. Learn slang. The youngsters use it a lot here.”

  “I guess then, yeah. I crashed out or whatever.” I slid down the wall and sat on the floor. “It's more than that. He's always been a thorn in my side. I endured it for my wife, every day, I just kept telling myself. It'll be okay, it's for my family. And here is my wife, sleeping with the vein of my existence. That piece of lard had the nerve to say my son was his.”

  “Damn, I'm sorry.” She said and sat down next to me. “That's rough, I can…understand why you reacted like that. Guess the guy didn't know you were packing.”

  “I've…never been like this. Never fought anyone, never yelled, never spoke out.” I said and looked up at the night sky. “They said my life could change. And honestly? I don't regret anything. Except for messing up my son's life, and hurting my wife.”

  “Well, we can't change the past.” She said, “I can't change who my son's father is, and you can't change what you did. Whoever told you your life would change, they were right. So, look ahead. What kind of life do you want? Joe always tells me my life isn't over, every day can be a start. So, how are you gonna start?”

  I looked over at her and she gave me a big smile. And I felt a smile tugging at my lips too.

  “Yeah, maybe you're right.”

  “I'd say we start with getting you some fashion. Less serial killer vibes,” she said nudging me.

  “What I need is a shower.”

  “That smell is you!?”

  “Oh shut up.” I laughed.

  “You two look pretty friendly.”

  Joe's voice suddenly rang into my ear. I jumped and looked over, finding him standing there with a smile.

  “O-oh Joe, hey.” I stammered.

  “Hey, guess the partying wasn't your thing?” He asked.

  “Not really,” I said.

  “I guess it makes sense for the old folks like you, right Maria?” Joe sighed.

  Suddenly a blur flew past my face and I froze. Joe flicked his finger towards it and the object flew away to the ground beside him, and I could tell it was a shoe. I looked back to Maria and saw she was glaring at him, with one less shoe now.

  “Who you calling old!” Maria yelled.

  Joe laughed. “My bad, anyways. Hey, he's looking for a place to crash. Since you two got all friendly, you up for it?”

  I sat up. “Well, I don't know she's got a kid and-”

  “I don't mind.” She said over me. “I'm sure David would love to see a real blue ranger. He loves Power Rangers.”

  “Oh!” Joe said. “Been buttering him up for a costume party?”

  “Seriously?” I huffed.

  “Yeah, he's a sweet kid. Plus he'd love to see you transform.” Maria giggled.

  “You're not…worried at all?” I asked. “I've done some bad things.”

  She shrugged. “Joe trusts you, I trust you. Besides, I need more friends my age.”

  “Really? You sure?” I asked.

  “Yeah, it'll be fine.” She said.

  “Well! That settles it! Whenever you wanna leave, come find me.” Joe said and started walking away. “Will escort you home.”

  “Right! I'll need a budget for food!” Maria yelled back.

  Joe raised his hand and waved as he kept walking away. “Sure, whatever.”

  I looked over to Maria and she looked back at me. Then she gave me a huge smile and for some reason. My stomach felt like it had butterflies in it.

  Goddess, is this the path you were wanting me to take?