Lake shore drive the short story.2

Lake shore drive the short story

Mich pulled up to his Wells Fargo bank. He usually does not like going to the ATM this late. The fear of being robbed was always in the back of his mind. The .38 snub nose he keeps in his glove box makes him feel a little more easy. He looked around to make sure no one else was in sight as he put his card into the ATM to withdraw $200.

Before he could pull his card out the slot, he felt the cold shaft of a gun on his neck.

"Be cool and give me the cash and everything will be fine"
"I got a wife and two kids, just take the money please. I don't want any trouble"

Mich tried to turn around. But before he could fully turn around, the assailant gun butted him in the back of his head. (Mich face hit the screen of the ATM with a thud). The assailant grabbed the money out of his hand and backed away. Mich stumbled over to his car and went straight for the glove box. He grabbed the.38 and cocked it. The assailant was running down the block. Mich fired a shot in his direction. It hit the lamp post a few inches from his attacker, who then turned around and opened fire on Mich.

The first shot busted through his window, the next one went into his car door. The third shot hit Mich right in the chest, sending him into his car. Mich dropped his gun and held his wound. The assailant ran off into the darkness. Mich pulled out his cellphone and dialed 911. When the operator answer, he pleaded for help as he passed out.

Opening his eyes the lights hurt his cornea. A white paramedic was standing over him, telling him he would be ok you just have to hold on. The sound of the siren was so loud; as they sped through traffic. His head was spinning and hurting. He couldn't believe this was really happening to him. The image of his wife and kids flashed through his head. A tear dropped down his face from the thought of never seeing them again. Mich blacked out again.

With a gasp, Mich woke up in his hospital bed. Tubes were all over him. He tried to move but felt too weak, looking around he realized he was alone in the room. In his dreams he heard his wife and kids talking to him.But in reality they were nowhere to be found.

Mich tried again to sit up but the pain in his chest made him lay back down. He pulled up his hospital gown and saw the bandage over his wound. It looked as if it hadn't been changed in months. He peeled off the bandages and saw his closed wound. He still couldn't believe he had got shot. Yet he didn't have the strength to think about it. Mich laid back and fell asleep.

The sound of dogs barking and a women screaming woke him out his sleep. Mich sat up and looked around and noticed it was night now. The hospital seemed eerily quiet to him. He pressed the call button and waited. After a minute he pressed it again.

A weird feeling started to rise in his stomach. No one responded to his call and he didn't see anyone in the hallway. There wasn't a sound other than his machines going in the room. Mich used all his strength to sit up. He pulled off the tubes on him and the ivy out his arm. Even though his chest hurt Mich found the strength to sit up and get off the bed.

Immediately Mich hit the floor. His legs were numb as if he hadn't used them in months. After a few minutes of rubbing them, he started getting some feeling back in his legs. Mich stood up and wobbled to the door. He opened it and looked out. The hospital was completely empty. It looked as if everyone left in a hurry.

Mich used the rail on the wall as support and started down the hall. The nurse station was empty. A half drank cup of coffee sat at the desk. He stumbled over and found the remote for the t.v. and turned it on.

"This is an emergency broadcast. Clayton County is being quarantined. All citizens are asked to stay in their house. All efforts are being made to contain the outbreak."

The broadcast just kept repeating. Mich changed the channel over and over again, only to receive the same message. With that Mich went into the medical supply found fresh bandages and changes his bandages. He took some pain killers as well and went back to his room. He opened his draw and found fresh clothes. This reassured him that Angela came to see him. He got dressed and headed back out.

Mich went back into the medical closet and grabbed some supplies; more bandages, alcohol and pain killers. He didn't understand what was going on but he knew he had to get home. Whatever was happening he had to find his family and make sure they were ok. He turned and grabbed a face mask just in case and put it on his face.

The streets outside the hospital look like something out an apocalypse movie. Mich couldn't believe what he was seeing. Cars were over turned and a few bodies were just lying in the street. Mich pushed the surgical mask over his face better. He slowly started making his way away from the hospital. He lived on the complete other side of town; it was going to be a long walk for him.

Mich stomach stated to growl. He wished he had raided the cafeteria too before he left the hospital. It felt like he hadn't eaten in months. Looking at himself he noticed that he lost like 30lbs. His face now had a beard.the questions of what happened while he was asleep seemed endless to him. With not another person in sight which it seems like for miles. He figured he would just have to find his family and figure it out later.

Passing a diner with the Windows busted out, Mich stepped through it and went in. The sound of glass breaking under his feet echoed in the empty shop and gave him a creepy feeling. Looking around cups of coffee and food were just left around. It looked as if everyone just left in a hurry. Exactly like in the hospital. Mich started to get a weird feeling then when he walked in.what could make people run like this.

Mich heard a rumble in the kitchen. He slowly turned and walked toward it.

"Hello is anyone there. I'm unarmed."

That weird feeling he got started to creep up into his throat. the noise stopped and a small growl began. Mich stopped dead in his tracks and waited just listening. The growl was getting closer.the kitchen for swung open with force banging into the wall.

A black pit bull walked out with a wild look in his eyes.his tail was not wagging and his mouth was foaming.Mich looked closer and saw dried blood all over its face and body. Mich slowly started to back up toward the glass windows he came in.the dog sniffed the air as if it couldn't see.then pointed it's face straight to him and gnarled showing its fangs. Mich almost pissed himself at the sight.he turned and tried to run but bumped into a table toppling it over.

The dog charged and ran into the table top.it jumped over and stood only a few feet away from Mich, who was still on the floor.he slowly tried crawling backwards never taking his eye off the dog. A few inches from him he noticed a broken table leg. Mich grabbed for it and gripped it with all his strength.the dog sniffed the air again and returned towards him. once again he charged at Mich.

With one swing of the table leg Mich struck the dog in the face sending it flying to the ground. The dog bounced back and let out a bone chilling howl. Mich gripped the table leg again ready to strike the beast once more. As the prepared to pounce once more.Mich took a huge gulp of spit his throat felt so dry. The dog jumped and in mid air a shot rang out.it knocked the dog into the counter of the diner killing it.

Mich looked around and a man that looked like crocodile Dundee stepped into the store.he kept his gun trained on the dog.he looked at Mich and then turned the gun to him.Mich immediately dropped the table leg and put his hands up.

"Are you bite."
"Am I what?"
"I'm only going to ask once more then I'm going to blow your head off.we're you bite"
"No. I dint even know what's going on.thank you for saving my life.I'm not bite I swear."
"Take off your shirt"
"What"

The man cocked the gun and Mich got the idea.he immediately took his shirt off to show him he was being honest.the man eyed the wound on his chest.Mich assured him it was a gun shot.the man made him spin around.making sure to keep the gun trained on him.

"Let's go we already stayed here to long"
"Can you tell me what's happening.I don't understand"
"We don't have time.if we don't move now we won't move ever again"

Mich took the man for his word.he followed the man trying to put on his shirt at the same time.the man was running through alleys and ducking behind cars.like he was behind enemy lines.it was actually hard for Mich to keep up.his side hurt, the wound burned more with every step.Mich wished he had listened to Angela and went to the gym.

The man never even looked back to see if Mich was keeping up. he must of been military Mich figured. Finally they came to a boarded up building. The man cracked the board back and went in. Mich filed behind as he closed it quickly and hammered nails in to seal it back.

The building was dimly lit and had a sort of soul odor.Mich followed the man upstairs to the second floor and into the third apartment to the left.the man had five different locks on the door including a dead blot.Mich couldn't believe he needed all this security for dogs.

"So now can you tell me what is going on"
"Shhhh"

The man went to the window and peeked through his black blinds at the street. He turned and went into the kitchen.Mich followed and watch him fumble through a packed cabinet.it seemed like he had sucked enough can goods and posts for a year. seeing the food Mich stomach began to growl. The man prepared them a meal. Moments later they sat in the dining room in silence eating.

"Where are you from you can't be from here"
"I'm an investment banker at wells Fargo. I live in valley head"
"What were you doing in that diner your a far way from home.with no gun"
"I was shot and in the hospital I woke up to this.I'm just trying to get home and find my family" "what day is it"
"Maybe the 4th or 7th of June. I've lost track of the days"
"June...I've been asleep for three months.that can't be right."
"Well it is"

Mich began to get irritated by his short answers.this man who saved his life.seemed to be a recluse or something.his answers were short and blunt.he kept looking at the window as if something would burst through.it made Mich feel uneasy and worried about who his company really was.the apartment was impeccable neat and organized.it made Mich feel like his house was junky.he prided himself on being a neat freak having everything in its right place.yet this man made him question how organized he really was.

Two months ago the news started reporting about the RMB virus in stray dogs.don't ask me what it stands for I never been a college man.but slowly more and more cases of dog attacks became frequent.people were taken into the hospital for treatment. They did the first symptoms were blindness. then with a few hours an unpredictable rage finally would set in.the last stage was a breakdown of the cognitive abilities.

Most people thought it was just going to pass over.then the sick people broke out the hospital holding.they tore up down town.then it seem as if they called more dogs to town.cause they started flooding the streets in packs.the national guard came but between the dogs and people it started to get out of control.

People fled the city by flocks.those that didn't get out by the time they quarantined were stuck here in Hell.that was last month now I can't tell you how many norms are left.that's what I call the people who haven't been infected. I've been patrolling this area to find others but your the first person I found all week.your lucky I usually don't go down that way.it's to highly populated by those Damn demons.

Personally I enjoy being here alone.no more sirens keeping me up.no more loud neighbors.just silence just like it was in the Vietnam jungle.it's just me and my guns waiting for back up. If you ask me though they ain't coming in.it's been a month since the quarantine.I haven't seen a tank or heard a shot.I know how this goes it won't be long before they just nuke this turn of the Fucking map and cover it up.that's what they do they bomb places and don't think twice. I've seen villages eradicated and no one even think twice about it.

Mich Sat in silence listening not wanting to believe this man's tale.flashes of that dog coming out the kitchen and sniffing then it's howl ran through his mind. He didn't think this man was lying but he just couldn't accept.the government would just blow their town if the map.they were in America not Vietnam or Afghanistan. People would find out people would riot.

Mich tried to convince himself of these things.then his family ran through his mind.there was a chance Angela and the kids were in the house waiting for him.maybe she got out before the quarantine.took the kids to her parents place in California. He couldn't just sit and wonder he had to know.if they were in the house they would have to get them and get out.

Mich stood up and headed to the door.he began to unlock the locks.then froze when he heard the cock of a pistol. Mich tried around and the msn had the gun trained on him.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing"
"I have to get to my family""If what you say is true they could be in our home. I have guns and angels knows how to use them."
"They could also be one of those demons out there.What ever the case being you ain't going anywhere"
"What are you going to shoot me"
"I would rather shoot you then let you let one of those Damn things in here"
"I can't stay here my wife and kids are out there"
"If you gotta go you can go in the morning.sunrise will come in a few hours.it's easier to travel during the day and you want to go half way across torn with no gun"
"Why don't you come with me or give me a gun"

The man out down the pistol and turned back to the dining table.he didn't say a word just say and continued eating.Mich angrily understood and say back down but he didn't eat.he had lost his appetite.he watched him closely and devised a plan in his head.one that old man went to sleep he was gone.Mich refused to be held hostage even if he saved his life.

In a few hours the man was also on the couch with his shot gun in hand.Mich arise and slowly creeped around the dark house.he grabbed the men's pistol and unlocked the doors and left.Mich made his way down stairs and credited the board out his way.he carefully checked the street.when he felt certain it was clear he made his way out.

The chill in the morning air woke him up.he walked at a fast pace Mich didn't want to run and make unnecessary noise to attract attention to himself.within an hour much made it up the hill and was almost home.then suddenly he heard growls and what sounded like a panting man. Mich ducked into an alley and observed the street ahead of him.

Dogs and people stood among each other.just standing in the middle of the street like zombies.he grows his gun and was about to try and run across the street to the next alley.maybe he could move around them without being noticed.he only had many 15 bullets in the 9mm. every shot would have to count even though he was clearly out numbered.

Mich realized a shoot out would most likely lead to his demise.he had to come up with a plan. As he began to just get rest and run for it.the cold steel of a pistol touched the back of his head.he turned to see the msn standing behind him.Mich jaw almost dropped in surprise. The man took the pistol out his hand and motioned for him to get up slowly.Mich did as he was commanded with both hands in the air. the man slowly started to walk backwards down the alley and further away from the street.

"give me one reason why i shouldn't blow your brains out right here" he said in a soft but angry tone almost in a whisper"

"i have to get to my family. you left me no choice"

"you could of just waited and i would of helped you. you put my whole operation in danger"

The sound of growls getting closer made both of them turn around. the group of infected and their dogs had moved to the entrance of the alley. they sniffed the air and trained their focus on them. howls and growls sent chills up their spines as they prepared to run. the man started to pull a trash bin off the alley wall. Mich noticed him having trouble and gave him a hand pushing it horizontal in the alley. giving them a few moments to make their escape. once again Mich found himself following this old vet running for his life. the cut up court street and ran down an alley. the old vet stopped suddenly and Mich bumped into him. he immediately turned and looked around the alley. seeing a fire escape he pulled it down and started to climb as if fire was on his heels. Mich looked down the alley and noticed another group of infected. they were turning and moving quickly towards them. he followed the  old man up the ladder and to the roof.

the old vet without a second thought in his head ran to the edge of the roof and scouted out the location. to the east he saw infected closing in. to the west i saw the same thing. without saying a word to Mich he ran halfway to the center of the roof. then with a deep breath he started to run toward the edge and jumped to the other building. he cleared it as if it was nothing but a hop. the vet turned and looked at him and then continued onto the next building. Mich went to the edge and looked over there was a cool ten feet between the buildings. he figured if that old man could do it so could he. Mich backed up and started to run he jumped and barely made it. his hands gripped the edge of the building and he pulled himself up quickly once he looked below him and saw the mass of infected aimlessly walking around the alley.  it took Mich a moment and a few buildings but he finally caught up to the old vet on the roof of a building. huffing and puffing Mich watched the old vet scouting the street as if not phased by the work out.

They descended the final building and Mich realized they were on Martin Marx Drive only a few blocks away from his subdivision. a smile broke out on his face. he was almost home Mich could almost picture his wife and kids smiling face to see him. all this building hoping seemed so worth it now. his nightmare seem to finally be coming to end and this was the final lap before he got his reward. they climbed down the fire escape once the vet felt the coast was clear.

Suddenly the sound of a loud siren began to blare. which sent the infected into a wild frenzy. it seemed to them as if the whole town went crazy. The sound of fighter pilots coming into the area. drowned out most of the background noise. from the look of horror on the vets face. Mich knew what that siren meant, and he took off running with all his might. this time the old vet found it hard to keep with him. 

Mich ran all the way to Lake Shore Drive his chest burned as he turned into his cul de sac. his five bedroom home stood within feet of him. the smile on his face could never of been bigger. seeing the tire swing hanging from his tree almost melted his heart. as he got to the porch he took a second to compose himself. as he went to open the door. a whistling sound broke over the sound of sirens and howls and growls of the town. the door was locked Mich kicked in the door as if a beast had arisen inside him.

"Angela i'm home Lucas Cindy where are you we have to go"  Mich shouted into the house searching desperately with his eyes around it.

Owned the short story

Detective Vince arms walked into the shady apartment building. The sound of sirens blaring outside and the noisy tenants gave him a headache. He walked up the steps to the five floor apartment building. On the second story his foot made a splash in a puddle. He looked down with disgust at the piss he stepped in. Just another day on the job, he thought to himself as he continued up the stairs.

Even though the stairway smelled of piss, it wasn't the worse smelling place in the city. Chicago was a cold town and foul smelling things lurked around every corner. After ten years of being on the force Vince was use to it. One thing that he never did get use to was what he was about to see.

On the third floor, Vince opened the door and immediately noticed the other officers huddled around at the scene. He nodded and made his way inside. He checked out the scene and put on his plastic gloves.

The apartment was a small one bedroom. It looked much nicer on the inside than the building itself. It made him chuckle a little at how the most beautiful things could be inside the ugliest places. The carpet was fresh white. He could tell that the victim was a clean freak. All the books on the shelves were in order, beside the apparent struggle that went on. Vince was starting to gather a picture of what the place looked like before. The crime scene members were moving around like busy bees in the apartment taking pictures.

The hallway was rather small and Vince being 6'2 and a solid 275lbs made it a bit cramped for him personally. He noticed a hand shaped trail of blood leading to the bedroom. It was most likely from the victim trying to avoid going into the room. Making assumptions in his field of work was usually a bad idea. Yet more times than not, Vince was right.

He entered the room to a crowd of officers surrounding the bed.  Lying on the bed was a young girl. It looked as if she were just fast asleep. Vince knew better though. She was as dead as a door nail. Officer Carter came over and gave Vince the rundown of what they knew already.

The victim was a 22 year old student. From what the neighbors said she was a quiet girl that stayed by herself. She was strangled to death. Vince noticed the dark marks around her neck. There were no finger prints to be found in the apartment or any sign of forced entry. The perp must have cleaned up good after himself. She could’ve even known the killer.

Vince walked closer to the girl. She was so young and this was such a pointless crime. Yet there wasn't much he would know until the autopsy was finished. Vince turned towards Officer Carter. “Keep me posted”, he said. Vince gave the apartment another once over for his own mental records and then headed out the door.

At 3 am Vince’s phone rings. He looks at it and pushes the decline button. The phone rings again and he does the same. On the third ring, he finally answers. It’s Officer Carter calling him to report another victim. Vince jotted down the location and hung up. Within thirty minutes he was at the scene of his latest victim.

Squad cars blocked off both ends of the alley. Vince walked past the yellow police tape and headed toward the crowd of officers. They were standing around a dumpster. Vince walked up and noticed a leg protruding out the side of the dumpster. As he got closer he spotted the victim. It was another girl who looked to be in her early twenties. She was thrown amongst the trash.  Her white panties clung down her legs as if the killer wanted to send a message.

Vince knew this area well. It was a popular place for hookers. This girl didn't look like a street walker though. Yet after all this time on the force Vince knew better then to underestimate people and their lifestyles. She was blonde, about 5´2, maybe 120 or 130lbs. Officer Carter made his way over and gave him the run down.

A homeless man saw the perp drop her off and then drive off. Out of curiosity, he came over and found her just as she was. He called the cops expecting a reward. It made Vince sick to know that people didn't help because it was the right thing to do anymore. They just wanted a hand out for doing the moral thing. This girl has a mother and a father who are probably worried sick about her.

The homeless man was of no help to Vince. Officer Carter had already interviewed him and got nothing but the description of the car, which was reportedly black. In this dark unlit alley a blue car could look black. Carter also told him that he smelled of a gallon of liquor. He obviously wasn't the most credible witness, Vince thought to himself. Even so, Vince knew that sometimes people knew more than they thought they did. A few small unimportant details could be very valuable.

Vince walked over to the man who went back to the alley across the way. He continued to drink and watch the excitement.

 “I’m detective Vince arms. I know you already spoke to some officers but maybe you wouldn't mind running down your story again to me."
"I only saw the car drive up. The driver got out and threw her from the back seat into the trash. He bent down and did something to her. He then got back into his car and drove off."

"Was he a big guy or small guy? Was he a black man or a white man?"
"He was white for sure’’ maybe a little smaller than you. It looked like his car wasn't big enough for him. I noticed he struggled to get out"

"If it was dark how do you know he was white?"
“When he threw her down and did what he did, I saw a watch he had on his hand. It looked nice and expensive."
"Is there anything else you noticed maybe the license plate or you're of car"
"The plates were custom I couldn't really catch what it said. He drove off pretty quick. The car looked like a bmw or something like that. I’m not really into cars. Am I going to get my reward now?"

"Thanks for your time.’’ 

Vince went into his jacket and pulled out his wallet. He handed the drunk a $20 bill. He turned and walked back across the street. Half way he looked up and down the road. Looking at the stores on the strip most of them were run down and locked up tighter than fort Knox. Yet maybe one of them had a camera facing the street and got something. Just a glimpse of the perp or his car could break this case wide open.

Vince's phone started vibrating in his pocket. It snapped him out of his thoughts. He picked it out his pocket and answered. It was the medical examiner calling to tell him he had something interesting from his first victim. Vince hung up and told Carter to finish up and keep him posted.

Within minutes Vince was pulling into the medical examiner's parking lot. He had been there so many times he had a spot he always parked in. It seemed as if he was on auto pilot going straight to the examiner’s office. Within minutes he was again looking at his first victim. The examiner confirmed she was strangled. He picked up a plastic bag and handed it to Vince. Vince looked at it curiously. It was a piece of paper with the letter M written on it.

"I'm not sure what that means but I found it shoved down her throat."
"Your guess is as good as mines".

Vince left and headed home. As he pulled into his driveway his cellphone rang. It was Officer Carter calling. He answered and got the news of another body being found. This time it was on the side of the highway. A truck driver with a flat tire found the body of a young girl. They were on the west side of Chicago.

Within 45 mins Vince was at the scene and waking past the police tape. Officer Carter came over and gave him the run down.

"I think we have a serial killer on our hands."
"What makes you say that"
"The victim has the same mo as our last victim"
"What MO Is that"
"She had something shoved down her"
"How did you know about that"
"George called me to give me an update"

Vince walked towards the body. The victim looked to be about 22. She was black and skinny with a small waist. The shrubs and brushes were still over her frail body.

A normal driver would've never noticed her driving past. It could have been months before the highway patrol found her. Officer Carter tapped him on the shoulder bringing Vince back to reality. In his hand he held an evidence bag. Vince took the bag and seemed to be mesmerized by the paper. A bold letter N was in the paper. Carter snapped his fingers bringing Vince out the trance.

Vince walked back over to the victim and took in the scene. He told Carter to keep him posted and headed to his car. Driving home Vince mind raced. He wished to know what the M&N stood for. What message was this psychopath trying to send? Before he could answer his own questions, his phone rang again. It was George the medical examiner.

"I just finished on your second victim. Her panties were clean he must have used a condom. I did find another letter in her throat. It was I this time. Carter told me you found another one on the highway."
"Yah we did she should be coming to you shortly. Thanks George"

MIN what is he trying to tell us? Why are these bodies coming so rapidly? I have to get a lead on this guy before he really gets out of control. He is starting to get bold and taunting us. It’s not going to be long before the media finds out and spins this out of control. Vince arrived home and finally made it to his bed. It seems like he hadn't been in it for years. Slowly he started to drift to sleep.

The house phone in Vince’s apartment rang. He turned out his sleep but didn't want to get it. Nobody important ever called him. When his cell phone rang it was always work related. He turned over and tried to get back to sleep, letting the answering machine get it.

"I know your there detective arms. Do you like my work? Do you think you’re close to catching me? I have one more gift for you detective. I’ve been watching you. I see how you look at my work. I see how you burn inside. You and I are not much different. I know you hear me. I know your home. I can see you sleeping in your bed."

Vince jumped up and grabbed his gun from the dresser. He ran to the window and looked out. There was no one outside, at least no one that he could see or anything that looked suspicious. He closed his blinds shut and ran to the phone.
"What do you want you sick freak"
"Nice to finally hear your voice Vince. Can I call you Vince? I feel like I know you so well now. I have a gift for you. She is so young and beautiful. She isn't my usual type but I figure you would get a kick out of it. Say hello to detective Vince arms sweetie."
"Hello please help me please help me"
"Naughty girl see that's why your here you can’t follow instructions. Such a naughty bad girl"
If you hurt her I'll kill you myself you psychopath"
"Note detective you hurt my feelings not I'm really going to have to put some work into her to make her just right for you"
"I'm sorry you don't have to do this. What do you want? I’m sure we can help you. Just let her go"
"To late detective she is already MINE"

The phone hung up and Vince was still shouting into the dial tone. He was so angry he slammed the phone down and cursed himself for letting that maniac take control of his emotions. He threw all his years of training dealing with guys like that right out the window. She was alive though and he had a chance to save her. Vince grabbed his gun and threw on some clothes and ran out the house.

Before I self destruct

Sitting in this empty hotel room
Another night alone
The liquor done
The girls are gone
I'm screaming out loud
The neighbors banging on the wall
I'm screaming fuck all y'all

I ain't wrote a thing in days
Writers block got me stressing
My phone ringing
But I ain't even looking
I'm thinking of a new angle
A new story to evoke emotions
Like a rollercoaster
Laughing into tears

These walls stare back at me
Holding the secrets
Of the night before
Silently laughing at me
I'm paranoid about every shadow
That passes my room
As I sit and rock slowly
Fetal position for the night

Will i ever find euphoria
Jumping from her to her
Trying to fill a void
That only God can fill
Thinking with one head
Rather then the other
Drowning in sorrow
Telling everyone their
Well be a better tomorrow
Such an ironic horror

Shattered mirrors

Jerome jumped up and slammed his hand down on his alarm clock. He didn't even have to look at it.the alarm went off every morning at 3am.his car was warmed up and pulling out its parking spot by 3:30. His life was very habitual he hated it but couldn't change it.if you don't work you starve was what his grandmother always told him.

By 4am jerome was walking into his job.the local hotel he worked at wasn't the nicest but it gave him spending money.from there he left and worked in the back of Jason's deli.where he washed the dishes and prepped the food.it wasn't the most glamorous life but he lived it.making it work day by day even though he prayed for better.

Jerome never went to college or trade school.after high school he just started working and never even considered anything else.school didn't come as easy for him as it did for others.he had barely made it through high school so college just seemed impossible for him. He didn't hate his life he just wished it was comfortable.with over forty hours at  Jason deli a week and another thirty or so at the hotel.his days were mostly filled with work.he slept in his bed and did it all over the next day.that was his routine for the past three years.

Now though more then ever he wanted it to end, the years of hardship were catching up to him. jerome was only 23 but felt like 45. Two years ago he saw his first strands of grey hair.now a bald spot had began to form in the top of his head.now thinking about it Jerome realized that was the least of his worries. All his life one thing had made his living so hard for him.his face was hideous he was always teased and picked on.all his life for that sole reason.

Jerome's teeth were crooked and chipped from years of fighting.the memory of his first chipped tooth still haunted him.Jerome could remember fighting a bully in middle school.he fell on the floor with his face on the curb.the bully stomped on his face.The impact of his teeth on the concrete pushed his two front teeth into his gums. It took a few months at the dentist to repair his teeth as best as they could.he was naturally a quiet person but never ran when he had to defend himself.his nose was long and narrow.He had been told many times it looked like a hound dogs nose.

Jerome had dark brown eyes his left eye though was in a constant state of blood shot.in high school during another fight the guy punch him so hard.the blood vessels in his eye burst.the doctors told him that he would never fully recover from it.he was almost blind in that eye, then to top it off he always struggled with bad acne.from birth he was born with eczema.it had cleared up as he got older but his skin was almost two toned.

All these factors made it hard for him to find a job.most places didn't want him in the front of the store scaring customers.so he found jobs that needed minimal contact with others.which hurt him since he was a very social person, with the people who gave him a chance to be.

Now jerome stood in front his mirror looking at himself.the anger inside him grew by the second.without thinking he punched his mirror.the glass shattered into a million pieces cutting his hand with it.he looked down at his bleeding hand and slammed it down on the counter-top. pulling it back and holding it.he opened the cabinet and found some bandages. Within a minute he had his hand all bandaged up.

Jerome turned the water in and drew a bath.he just wanted to soak and listen to the radio. His favorite dj Got-u was on.it was the perfect way to relax.classic blues with r&b mixed perfectly on his ones and twos. As Jerome listened in he ducked his head under the water.how good it would be to just hold himself under.who would miss him? No one he thought to himself.

His mother died giving birth to him.His father left and was never seen again since he was born.Jerome was raised by his grandmother who now had Alzheimer's.most days he went to visit her she didn't even know who he was.she either thought he was the help or chastised him for his looks.it hurt him but he knew that wasn't how she was.he remembered her always holding him and telling him he was beautiful when he came home crying from school. His grandmother was his best friend growing up they did everything together.now it was just him and he was alone in the world.

Jerome looked at the radio in its stand.His hand reached over and he was ready to just push it into the tub with him. As he did an ad started that made him stop.

'Are you unhappy with your looks?do you wish you could have a beautiful smile? are you depressed? Stop living in shame. Call Dr.Zizmor plastic surgery that will change your life. Accepting all insurance and even payment plans. Call NEW-LIFE.we're only a phone call away from changing your life.giving you the new look and smile your deserve.

Jerome jumped up out the water almost falling back in the tub with the radio.he regained his balance and found his phone. He dialed the number as fast as he could. It rang a couple times then a sexy sounding lady answered.They spoke for a while and set an appointment up for the coming Monday.Jerome hung up the phone feeling rejuvenated.

That Monday morning Jerome woke up at his usual time at 3 a.m. today though he didn't have work.he had called out from both jobs.His appointment was for 8a.m. and he was ready.trying to sleep the night before was almost impossible.His alarm shocked the hell out of him today.it felt like he had just closed his eyes.

A week later he was looking up at a bright light counting down from ten.by the time he got to 6 hits eyes closed.Jerome woke up with his face covered in bandages. Dr. Zizmor was standing over him with a smile.
"The surgery went through without a hitch.in two days well take off the bandages.I hope you will like what you see.

"im sure i will"

Jerome sat in a wheelchair as the nurse unwrapped his bandages. thread after thread his excitement became to rise. first he noticed his eyes and how they were back to actual size. the blood shot look in his left eye was gone  everything looked so clear to him now. his eyes kinda hurt getting adjusted to the light but the world wasn't the fuzzy blur that he was use to without his glasses. finally the nurse finished taking off the wraps. Jerome couldn't contain his smile he was finally beautiful now. his teeth were straight and no longer crooked. his jaw was well rounded and supported his new teeth very well.
"do you enjoy what you see" the nurse asked
"yes my god thank you so much thank you so much" Jerome said breaking into tears

The nurse leaned over and hugged him allowing him to cry on her shoulder. it felt so good to have a women touch him. the way she looked at him was not with disgust but with compassion. as if she actually saw a real person and not some hideous monster. when she let go his heart almost didn't want to release her but he did. the nurse left the room and left him sitting in the wheelchair just looking at his face touching it and admiring it. by the next day Jerome was packing his clothes up from the hospital and ready to head home. getting into the cab outside the hospital they drove off with Jerome smiling. half way home jerome stopped the car and paid him. he got out the cab and decided to walk the rest of the way with his suitcase.

it was a beautiful day outside the sun was shining and birds were singing. to Jerome the sun had never looked so good. people walked past and he made eye contact with them. which was kinda unusual for him, he usually just kept his head down and went where he had to go. Now he received smiles from ladies who walked past him and he smiled back. passing a electronic shop. all the cameras faced the streets on every monitor their he stood. Jerome couldn't help but admire his new face, he screamed thank you god so loud people walking past, looked at him weirdly as they walked around him. catching himself jerome began to head back to his house. he was only a few blocks away. his suitcase hardly bothered him. it only held in a few pairs of clothes.

walking up to his building door the super's wife was hanging out the window just getting some fresh air and people watching. something Jerome passed her doing everyday he came home.
"jerome te ves tan bien i didnt cast te reconozco. you look good now good for you. if i wasn't married i would come after you"
"thank you Bonita" Jerome said with a smile

Jerome walked into the building and into his apartment. he dropped his suitcase down and went to the fridge jerome grabbed a beer, then went and opened his blinds to let the sun in. he over looked the street and felt an overwhelming feeling of things beginning to change in his life. this was the first day of the rest of his life. Jerome took a swig of the beer and just smiled. he went and found his radio took it into the bathroom. placed it on its fold out tray and began to run the water. it had been a couple days since he took a real bath. he grabbed his bath soap and poured it into the tub. when he went to put the bottle back on its shelf. some of the gel fell on the floor. jerome placed it down and went to get a towel to wipe it up off the kitchen floor.before he came back he took off all his clothes and threw them in his room. a classic song by curtis mayfield- pusher man came on the radio.

Jerome loved the song he began to sing along. sipping his beer with his bathrobe over his shoulder. the second chorus was coming on, Jerome ran to the radio to raise it up he loved this part. once he got into the bathroom, that glob of bath soap caught his foot and he lost his balance. Jerome slipped into the tub with the radio. the lights went out with the circuit blowing as Jerome and his radio fried in the tub.

Blessed

I've been to the tier
Hung my head in shame
Stood up to depression
Like it was a tank in tiananman square
I've turned my back on God
More times then I'm proud to say
Yet he keeps blessing me

I've loved more girls then I should
Brooke hearts to mines broken
Rose from the depths of despair
Like a Phoenix out the fire
Now I'm a better me

Stronger then I was
Wiser then I was
Filled with a passion
To turn words into stories
Blessed from my head to my toes
Only Lord's knows