The Gift
Edward's Storyline, Chapter 5.1
copyright comidacomida 2018
My work days at the junk yard usually started at 7:30 because the owner, Brent wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to check for theft before we opened at 8:00. Sure, most people don't think that anyone would have a reason to steal from a junk yard but you'd be surprised at the price some people can get for scrapped metals. Other than that, most of the crew wanted to take it easy for the first part of their shift and Brent was content to use us five workers for prep.
I've always been an early riser so getting up at six hasn't ever been a big deal. On any given week three of us worked four ten hour days and the other two worked five eight hour shifts; that week was my turn for four tens, which meant that I'd be there from 7:30 to 6 with a half hour lunch. I'd been used to ten hour shifts by that time, but when George called in I had a feeling that nothing was going to be easy. I was right.
Not only were we short-handed but it was a busy day. The lot serviced our share of private used parts hunters but we also had some dedicated customers among the auto mechanics in town; everyone wanted us to look for parts and most of them wanted us to pull em out and refurbish them. Brent ended up working us with short breaks and even then we didn't actually get inventory or scrap removal done until after we'd closed at 5:30. Sure, it was a long day, but I never minded those because Brent made sure to give us extra pay to make up for the harder work.
The four Spirits had joined me for my work day. Medved spent most of my extra-long shift standing by, diligently watching the comings and goings of the customers, delivery guys, and my coworkers. If Medved was the outdoor guard then Tom had the office completely handled; he passed the day observing the goings-on of the paperwork and administration BS that I could never personally handle dealing with. Treboada and The Ancient One, unlike the two Guardian Spirits usually kept pace with me.
The Wolf would trot ahead, more often than not guessing correctly where I was headed, while the Ancient One alternated between 'swimming' through the air behind me, flying on rainbow wings, or lumbering along in my wake. I usually liked my space, but the Spirits were surprisingly well behaved and it didn't feel like I was being crowded. Treboada even helped by doing a surprisingly good job of tracking down parts I'd been asked to go retrieve from the lot.
Still, even with the extra spiritual help that day was particularly painful because Roy had to bug out after we closed, leaving just me, Carlos, and Brent to clean up. We didn't end up getting out of the shop until almost ten. In addition to promising me time and a half for the extra four and a half hours I'd worked he pulled a hundred dollar bill out of the till and thanked me for my dedication. Sure, junk yard work is not the most glamorous and it's anything but easy, but being appreciated helps and I left content, more than ready to end my day and get to bed. The others were just as eager to get home too, I think.
The junk yard didn't have the best parking; it was located in the industrial section of town, which meant very few parking lots. Bret wanted the five spots along the curb to be for paying customers which meant that the best place for employees to park was about three blocks away. Normally I'd just shrug my shoulders at the inconvenience but after such a long day I was more than ready to complain. Tom beat me to it. "Why should you have to walk so far? Roy parked his automobile in the back behind the office."
Having to defend a coworker breaking the rules probably should have made me angrier but somehow helped calmed me down. "Well, to start, Roy is almost sixty and Bret takes it easy on him since he's worked there for over twenty years. Second, he's kinda a prick."
I smiled at my own humor; Treboada joined me as his tail wagged. "Sides... jest cuz someone else does somethin' that ain't okay dunnae mean that it's okay fer everyone t'do."
The Rhino snorted. "Yes. I know. If everyone jumped off a bridge--"
Medved interjected, speaking over what seemed to be every parent's favorite saying. "This short walk is nothing. Not long ago men and women would walk miles ever day."
The Bear did have a point, but, then again, I didn't live 'not long ago'; I lived 'in the modern world'. "Well, we're almost there, so I guess it's no big deal. Besides-- some people have to pay money to talk on a treadmill. I get this exercise for free."
As we continued walking, The Ancient One spoke up; I was surprised when Ch'upikaq actually targeted Medved with a question rather than me. "So, will you be joining us in the vehicle tonight, Bear?"
Medved responded with a string of what I assumed to be Russian profanity under his breath, cutting a growl short as he said simply. "No. I will walk."
I'd long-since learned to not question the Guardian Spirit's personality quirk involving cars. It was a shame to think that the Bear didn't like cars; I'm not a gear head by any means, but I have always been able to appreciate the mechanical workings of a well tuned machine. Coming to a stop, I turned back to him. "You'll meet us at home?"
He nodded. "Of course, Edward... but first I will walk you to your automobile."
Although Ch'upikaq had been winging in lazy circles around us I almost jumped when he was suddenly replaced by Green; even the other Spirits seemed taken aback by the rapid change. The Dragon's scales had flared out slightly giving the illusion that his bulk had increased by a good 10%. The ridge atop his head rose to more clearly reveal the membrane-like sail that trailed down his neck from between his horns and I could tell he was agitated. Green's teeth were visible, scaled lips pulled back as he clearly enunciated. "Quiet. I can hear... something."
Everyone fell silent and I did too, focusing on the sounds around me. The industrial area in Cherry City usually got quiet around eight at the latest so everything I heard was from the commercial areas which were still closing up. Off in the distance I heard a siren, a honking horn, and what could have been a particularly loud argument between two thirty-somethings waiting for the bus several blocks over. Right when I was about to speak I caught what I thought Green had meant: there was a much closer sound from nearby-- the sound of flesh hitting flesh, and that time it was accompanied by a cry of pain.
Green's scales remained on edge as he spoke, his voice rumbling with intent. "Someone hunts tonight."
My first thought was to get involved, and so was my second, but, right when I was about to put a plan into motion the more logical part of my brain reminded me that I didn't have the slightest idea of what I was getting myself into. I've never been afraid of confrontation, and I've never been the kind of guy to just sit by and let an unjustice be done but I also realized I didn't have all the details of what was going on.
Treboada, who had the best hearing out of all of us helped fill in the blanks. "Three NEDs just cowped a lad... gonna batter 'im in th' close."
It was hard to really understand everything the Wolf was saying but I got the basics: some guys were about to beat the crap out of someone and, judging from the way Treboada's ears were focused on a nearby alley between a warehouse and a metal fabrication shop I had the information I'd been lacking.
There was an eagerness in Green's voice as he spoke up, his snout almost resting on my shoulder as his breath warmed my ear. "You want to do something. I can hear your heart beat speed up and you are breathing quickly."
My hands turned to fists; I'd never liked unfair fights, but I still didn't know what I was about to get into. "Gang beatings are shit."
Tom preached caution. "Be careful, Nehed... we cannot protect you from other Humans in the ways we can protect you from Spirits."
Medved was a little more pragmatic. "You can still help without getting involved, Edward... cowards run when confronted and only cowards fight uneven battles."
Green countered that idea bluntly. "Pack hunters are smart to chase prey in groups."
Treboada rolled his head one way, then the other; his neck cracked with each movement. "Ahm with yeh, whateveh yeh decide, boy-o."
The spirits had mixed advice, but I already knew what I needed to do. I--
a) --waded right into the alley and engaged those fuckers with my fists.
b) --walked into the alley and called out my challenge. "Hey! Shit heads! Fuck off, or you'll get it twice as bad as you give."
c) --stepped up to the edge of the alley and called in. "Say cheese, ass hats-- I have a cell and you're being recorded."
d) --pulled out my cell and called the cops.
Voting is now open, and will close as of midnight (pst) on Saturday, September 1st-- yes, on BOTH sites! Happy voting!
......................................
D Brains before brawn. Then pick up the scrap iron and work off the mad.
The end result of what's going on may surprise you.
;)
I'd say that a combo of (D) and (A) to use the element of surprise would be good. Call 911 give them the cross-streets and tell them someone is being beaten to death (yes, get the seriousness in there) and that you're going in to try and stop it until the police arrive -- set the phone down, grab something hard and heavy and start bashing people when they're otherwise occupied.
The first thing any police dispatcher would tell a bystander is to NOT get involved, so calling 911 with the intent of THEN going to help could be counter-productive, but it isn't like the dispatcher could force him to stop. lol
Assuming all you can guide is Edward's NEXT action, what would be your vote?
That's our first A vote.
A vote for C.
And yes, that is a good hope to have.