Untold Deception

by William Staikos

  She flipped off her sheet, “You don’t understand! You’re just a kid!”

  “I’m sorry mom,” I mumbled.

  “I have to wake up early tomorrow to earn money. I don’t need this Salan!” She snatched the notice away, ushered me out of her bedroom, and slammed the door.

  I ran into my room, then shut the door before climbing into bed. A tear rolled down my face. She can’t do it on her own. I was only trying to help. My door creaked opened, and I attempted to cover up my sobs. The light from the hallway lit up my room, and I heard footsteps coming toward the bed. I felt her sit on my bedside. She patted me on the head. I didn’t want her to see me. She tucked the sheets over my shoulder.

  “Son, always know that no matter what you do, your mother will always love you.” She held onto me, but I did not face her. “Come on Salan, look at me.”

  I turned around, wiping my face, “What is it?” I mumbled.

  “I’ll play you a melody. Will that make you feel better?”

  I nodded in agreement, and she pulled out the wooden flute from my bedside drawer. She always did this to cheer me up. My mom played a gentle lullaby that I always found beautiful. My tears subsided, and during the soft melody, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

  4- Bargaining

  “We cannot expect people to have respect for law and order until we teach respect to those we have entrusted to enforce those laws.”

  ― Hunter S. Thompson

  When I awoke, my mother had left me a note on my bed. It read:

  ‘Dear Salan,

  Be sure to do the house chores and always stay positive. You are my pride, and joy. Your mother is crafty, so don't worry about that landlord’s notice. Seraculus is a nice friend, so be sure to send her my best wishes. I’ll try not to poke fun at you too much around her but no promises. Love you Salan. Have a fun weekend!

  Sincerely, your loving mother.’

  I tucked the note in my back pocket before heading downstairs. My chores would begin with cleaning up the house to the best of my abilities. It’s hard to clean as everything was falling apart. I had to be gentle with the furniture and washing my family clothes. I hung the clothes on in the backyard.

  Next was homework, which I managed to finish in about two hours – around 11 a.m. I probably should study for Mr. Lox’s test on Friday. I used to try my hardest in school, but I soon came to realize that he would never give me a good grade anyway. The highest grade I got was a C, and I answered every question perfectly. They deducted marks on the short answer questions on purpose. The school hated my guts. A lot of teachers give better marks to those they like the most.

  As my thoughts drifted, I realized that I couldn’t fool around as my mother instructed. That landlord’s notice bugged me too much, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. My only remaining option was to start hunting in the forest for coins. When I grabbed my military knife, I tied it with the sheath around my ankle to keep my hands free. I carried the brown sack like a backpack; there was a rope at the top to tighten the bag. Then, I went into the forest and searched for animals as if my life depended on it. Anything I could find would do, even squirrels were fair game. Desperation was a great motivator.

  Burning through my aura, I searched from one branch to another. Eventually, I found two squirrels side-by-side. My aim with the wooden throwing knives had gotten better, and the aura allowed me to throw a greater distance. I hit both at the same time. Squirrel’s barely sell for 15 gold coins. I tightened the rope around my pouch so that they wouldn’t fall out. The aura exhausted me, so I deactivated it. It kept me from burning out my stamina.

  Keeping my pace up among the trees, I saw a bird in a nest keeping its eggs warm. I threw my wooden knife at the bird. An explosion of feathers confirmed the kill. The bird flopped to the ground from the tree. At least I won’t waste the meat, unlike Human hunters. The bird, along with its eggs, was tossed in the leather sack. I wrapped the eggs in the squirrel pelt to keep them from breaking. From the sun’s position, I could tell that it was about one in the afternoon.

  I had only managed to scramble enough for 30 gold coins, that’s assuming the best-case scenario in bartering. ‘How am I going to do this?’ My breath quickened as I climbed down the tree. I put my shaking hands over my face. The idea of losing the house was getting to me. I turned around and punched a tree as hard as I could, leaving a massive dent in it. The crackling sound scared some birds in the distance.

  While I was lost in thought, I didn’t notice Seraculus. She was on crutches and seemed concerned.

  “You OK Salan?” Seraculus asked.

  I paused for a moment, questioning whether I should tell her.

  “I read my mom’s landlord notice….” I said while looking off.

  “And?”

  “If my mom and I don’t scramble 2000 coins together in three days our assets will get liquefied. We don’t have enough to liquefy, so if we don’t pay, we’ll lose the home. My mother even paid the normal amount, but he asked for more. She tried keeping it a secret from me, so when I snuck into her room to find out…” I gritted my teeth in anger.

  Seraculus’ face was more concerned as she limped closer to me. “So, you’ll lose your home if you can’t pay by the end of Monday?”

  “Yes,” I lowered my head.

  She paused for a moment, “I don’t think my dad will give you any gold coins.”

  I smirked, “I doubt he would too.”

  “Sorry about last night. I don’t know what came over my father. He’s been cranky lately with work.”

  I stuck my hand out, “Spare me the speech, I’m used to the treatment, but I did find it odd coming from a parent of an Abomination.”

  “What if I stole some money from him?”

  “I can’t ask you to do that. This is my responsibility. Let me solve it.”

  As the words left my mouth, I realized how much I had become like my mother. I started to move back to the house with my minuscule catch.

  “Let’s go inside to think.”

  Seraculus agreed. It took longer to move through the forest due to Seraculus’ injury; my patience wore thin.

  I turned around, “You move too slow; I don’t have time to waste.”

  I picked her up, racing to the house at top speed.

  Seraculus smirked, “You enjoy doing this don’t you.”

  “It’s good weight training.”

  Seraculus face contorted. I was on thin ice. “Are you saying I’m heavy?”

  I called my mom this once before as a joke. Golden rule – never say a woman’s heavy even if she has the weight of a hippo.

  “Uh…of course not, you’re uh,” I paused to stop stuttering like an idiot, “very easy to carry.”

  “Nice save Salan.”

  We made it back to my house, and I heated well water for tea. I realized that I had used up the mint packages, so I handed her a mug of hot water, and I drank mine. It tasted dull without anything in it, but she didn’t complain. We both sat down and tried to figure out what to do – how to make money, so my home wasn’t ripped away from me. After twenty minutes, I suggested the best course of action.

  “What if I sold the Macrovinae hide? The horns attached would be useful for cash. However, I’d have to ration what I sell with the meat,” I said.

  Seraculus sipped her water, “Your mother said the hide was illegal.”

  Out of anger, I shouted, “I don’t have a choice!”

  My aura flourished out, and Seraculus looked at me like a monster. I calmed myself down.

  “I’m…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take it out on you,” I mumbled.

  “It’s OK Salan. I understand.”

  We both sat in silence. Still trying to find another answer, but we found none.

  “It’s endangered, so that means the hide is rare. It will sell high,” I repeatedly tapped my finger against the table. “I need to find someone who will buy it.”

  Seraculus leaned back, and folded her arms,
“How will you find someone?”

  I stood up, “I got it!”

  “What?” Seraculus’ curiosity grew.

  “Haiba has connections to the Red Skins gang. He must know some black market buyers.”

  Seraculus shifted in her chair, “Seems risky though Salan. You know how the law is with our kind, even worse if you’re a Felis. Cops would stop you even if you did nothing wrong. How will you get away with carrying that?”

  My excitement ground to a halt.

  I sat back down, “You’re right Seraculus.”

  I stared at the table for a few minutes as we both thought of what to do. When I looked up at the glass window in the kitchen, I saw my reflection. In it, my head showed, but my cat ears out of view. I seemed Human, an idea occurred to me.

  “I got it. I will hide my tail and cover myself in a hood.”

  “That’s not a bad idea, but it still looks suspicious.”

  Frustrated, I stood up, leaving the brown pouch on the table. “Let’s walk around the block for a bit to get some fresh air.”

  Seraculus and I walked around the old cobblestone road to clear our heads. We came across a worn-out brick wall where homeless people were lying around. I saw one Felis with a stick and a leather pouch on the back for food.

  ‘What should I do?’ I kept thinking as I walked by the homeless Felis.

  An idea occurred to me, and I turned around, “I got it, Seraculus!”

  Some of the homeless men were startled by this. I reached into my pocket for a gold coin and gave it to the Felis lying down. The homeless man with the pouch stared at the coin and looked up at me, still confused.

  I knelt beside him, “You just helped me out, thank you.”

  The confused Felis took the money nonetheless and thanked me. I ran back to the house, and Seraculus followed suit with her crutches.

  “What if I took the hide and stuffed it in a leather bag with a stick as if I’m homeless. Haiba even said cops wouldn’t bother you as much you seem broke. So, when I make the deal, that’s what I’ll do,” I said.

  “That might work Salan.”

  I was so happy; I hugged Seraculus. She seemed shocked.

  “We might be OK Seraculus! They won’t get my home! I got to go find Haiba.”

  Seraculus and I left the house, walking with purpose to the alley where Haiba had been before. The alley was near the town square, Haiba was holding up a cardboard sign that read:

  ‘Won’t lie, give me money for booze.’

  He disguised himself as a Human with an old iron cup. The cup had four coins.

  “Haiba, I need your help,” I said walking up to him.

  “Woah, hold on, not so loud,” he said clutching his head with one hand and holding up his sign with the other.

  I crouched down where he was lying down. His back was against a brick wall, and his mouth reeked as always of whiskey.

  “Do you know any connections that will buy a Macrovinae hide,” I whispered cautiously.

  Haiba was still dazed, “Macrovinae hide isn’t that ill–”

  I put my hand on his mouth. “Not so loud Haiba.”

  Haiba understood the situation now even in his hungover state. He brushed off some garbage as he got to his feet. He took his cup and looked me in the eye. “Follow me.”

  This was the first time I was going to meet the Red Skins gang. My mother told me to stay away from gang members, but I was desperate. He led us down multiple alleyways to a thick wooden door that seemed broken down. Haiba knocked in a specific rhythm. Surprisingly, the door gave off a metallic sound with each knock. Must have been painted to appear like wood. We waited for a few seconds until a small rectangular hole slid open. Cautious eyes suddenly appeared through the hole.

  “I need a favor,” Haiba explained to the pair of mysterious eyes.

  “Who are the other two?” the man asked.

  “They’re Abominations. They’re trusted friends of mine. This boy needs the help for black market connections,” said Haiba.

  “Were you followed?”

  “Of course not, I’m not a rookie.”

  “Come on in.”

  The door opened, but we couldn’t see anything in the room at first. My night vision didn’t have time to adjust to the sudden change of lighting. The room seemed empty when we walked in, but slowly lit up with Hymers. They turned from black to bright red. The door shut behind us and all the lamps were relit. The room was massive and filled with people.

  “Haiba!” exclaimed one of the members, running over to hug him, but quickly backed off. “You reek! Save some money to go to the bathhouse.”

  “Then I wouldn’t have any for ma booze,” replied Haiba.

  One woman in the background yelled, “That’s Haiba for ya!”

  The whole room laughed, including Seraculus and I. They seemed friendly for gang members. A tall Red Skins Hymer walked up to us.

  The tall Hymer put his arm around Haiba, “Any friend of Haiba’s is a friend of mine. This retired old man has been with us too long.”

  Haiba put his arm around the tall Hymer, “Who ya calling retired? You still can’t beat me in an arm wrestle Kiongozi.”

  Kiongozi put his arm back at his sides, “Five years and you’re still clinging to that burn.” Kiongozi turned to face me, “All jokes aside, what brings you here?”

  I paused for a moment before beginning to explain my situation.

  “My mother received a notice from our landlord saying that we have to pay 2000 gold coins in the next three days for Abomination fees. I feel guilty; my mother wants me to go around playing like a kid. She got angry when she caught me looking at the notice. I killed two Macrovinae in the forest. I didn’t know until afterwards that they’re endangered. I plan on selling the hide and can’t afford to get caught. Can you help me?”.

  “How old are you?” Kiongozi asked.

  “16, Why?”

  Everyone in the room seemed astonished like I was lying about it.

  “I could have sworn you were older,” Kiongozi said.

  “He’s an Abundan. He has had to support his mother and has pressure since he was little. Hardships make someone mature faster,” slurred Haiba.

  Kiongozi crossed his arms, “A man who cares for his family. You have our support. That landlord can shove that notice back up his ass.”

  “Was it a Human?! Those guys are selfish assholes,” yelled the same woman at the bar.

  “No; he’s a Cyclops,” I chuckled just a bit.

  “Not much better!” she yelled.

  The whole room laughed again, and the talking grew louder. Kiongozi clapped his hands together for the place to go silent.

  “So, you need a black market dealer to speak to? Well, Inasaidia here can hook ya up. Right Smith?” Kiongozi reassured.

  One of the Red Skins wore glasses and was reading a newspaper. He slowly folded it up to address us.

  Inasaidia cleaned his glasses as he spoke, “Of course, that animal hide will sell high, as the material is light and strong. So will the horns. There’s a reason it’s an endangered creature.”

  I wondered if they would come by to take it off my hands. It would be easier for Inasaidia to go to my house anyway.

  “Great! Can you come to my house to pick it up?” I asked.

  Inasaidia’s shook his head, “Listen, the reason why I’ve been a black market dealer so long is that I don’t take chances. I’m wanted so this is practically the only safe place for me. Plus, if any officer saw me on the streets, they’d inspect the bag. Then I’d be a dead man.”

  “Alright, I’ll bring it here. Don’t worry. I thought this through. I’ll go back and pick it up.” I turned around to face Seraculus, “You stay here. I have to do this alone, so my disguise will work.

  She moved her mouth open to object but realized it was for the best.

  “OK, just be careful.”

  Kiongozi walked up and put his hand on my shoulder, “Salan, we’d help out, but the officers are
getting smarter. They know our faces, and even if they saw Haiba, they’d immediately inspect the bag. Recently, an officer killed one of our own. I’m sorry, but if any of us get caught out there, we’ll be tortured. We can’t afford to get caught. I’d make the trip for you if I could.”

  I understood their position. This was my problem anyway, so I was determined to fix it myself. I headed out the door and jogged home. After opening the door to my place, I emptied out my brown pouch and put the two hides inside. The horns attached to the leather barely fit. I couldn’t bring anymore, so the meat stayed behind. I tied it shut. Then I found a stick in the backyard and tied the pouch to the end. Going back into my house, I went upstairs, took an old piece of clothing, and tore it in half. I made the cloth into a hood, this hid my ears. Walking over to the washroom, I stared at the cracked mirror. Still didn’t look homeless enough. I took off one of my shoes, dirtied up my clothes, and slumped down my shoulders. After picking up the stick, I stood in front of the mirror. My walk was convincing enough.

  The distance wasn’t too far, but this was going to be a stressful 15-minute walk. Walking down the stairs, I took a deep breath, “I can do this.”

  My walk began with hunched shoulders and my head down as I had practiced. The sidewalk was littered with broken beer bottles. I blended so well that people quickly avoided eye contact.

  ‘So far, so good.’

  Homeless people looked like their life was drawn out through their mouth, and only a vessel remained. I let my jaw hang down, trying my best to mimic their lack of expression. I walked for five minutes, but still had ten minutes to go.

  A Cyclops’ family walked by me, “Disgusting, why don’t those people work for some money.”

  Continuing my stressful walk, some local food vendors yelled over each other, “Get some cabbages!”

  Another one yelled, “Freshly picked tomatoes!”

  As I walked by, they continued yelling but kept their eyes on me. They were worried I might steal something. My slow pace didn’t help, but I had to keep up my disguise. I saw an officer on duty talking to a civilian. My heart skipped a beat, but I just kept moving to be inconspicuous. Sweat dripped from my fingertips.