Stereo Blast Volume 1 [MxM]

Chapter 1.4

He turned back to the road, trying to focus carefully on his steps. A flicker of sunlight shined through the windows of fallen buildings, crumbling glass and sheet wall crashing down below. The lights, blue and bright pink, faded as gray clouds moved in over the blazing sun. The thick humid air made his skin itch, sweat building at his temples, but it was too cold to take off his jacket. The sky called for rain. It was a blessing, the only hope he had for the city to be cooled and be cleaned of the wretched smell coming from the sewer. Though it was fall, hot days always popped up here and there. The heat boiled the waste under the city and stank the entire district to hell and back.

The metal sheet of the shed rattled behind him. The sound echoed and Ryan’s heavy footsteps followed after. He jogged up to Taylor, his boots pounding against the forest floor until he crossed over onto the broken road. The chain hanging from each boot clinked. As he fell into step with Taylor, he wrapped his arm around him.

Silence fell over for the rest of the walk. Out from the forest, following the broken road, and into town, their silence conveyed all the things Taylor never wanted to say. A lot crossed his mind. His dad didn’t give a s**t about him, the Wolves were like broken groups scattered across Kitro, and he had no motivation. He’d dreamed of being here, the best on the street, and the next to rule the Wolves. He sold the most, beat up anyone who tried to disrespect him and had grown his leadership. Life should be easier now. No one was above him. His dad was becoming second to him and he had someone to keep his back at all times.

He trusts Ryan. Trusted him with his life. But now, he was starting to think it was all pointless.

***

Tike’s, the only tattoo shop in Kitro that promised no blood poisoning, was located on the edge of Ruthen. Taylor was familiar with it, had practically grown up here. It brought back bittersweet memories, all too faded to conjure of a clear picture of it all. Ryan visited a few times when he wanted to get inked and besides those visits, Taylor only ever came here anymore for one thing. Tike, the owner, a man with shaggy brown hair and liked to walk around shirtless even in winter, dabbled in more than tattoos. He was a source for the Wolves, a dealer who crossed to Silic to trade with feds, police, and anyone who lived there. The back of the shop was attached to the next building, a fake warehouse that was actually a loading dock.

That’s the reason why he’s here. Drugs.

The shop stood out against the fallen buildings. A hand-painted sign sported a busty female vampire staked through the heart. Across her chest in bloody lettering was the shop’s name.

They walked in, Ryan leading them through the front door. Taylor stood back for a moment, taking in how many people crowded inside the store. A girl with ripped black fishnets, a leather skirt, and a black stained t-shirt cut to show her cleavage stood at a small make-shift counter. Beside her, a tall lanky man with broken glasses and dirty light brown hair smoked, watching the girl fiddle with a phone that wouldn’t turn on. It was surprising there weren’t any others. Tike’s was the only tattoo shop, besides hobbyist who charged five bucks for anything and wasn’t just a place for anyone to get work done, it was a social spot. Taylor avoided the place because of that reason, but this was business that had to be done. He didn’t get to opt out because it made him uncomfortable.

Those who came to Tike’s were either kids who were “cool” in their head but didn’t have the guts or grit to join the Wolves. They liked watching from the sidelines instead of being involved. Black was in-style, as was dirty make-up with a hint of red. Most were school drop-outs which said a lot more when the school system in Kitro was utter bullshit.

Tike’s was okay. Besides all of the above, it was a hundred times better than any other hangout spot. Didn’t smell like s**t either so that was a bonus.

Taylor shut the glass door behind him, giving it a little shove so it closed all the way. A large neon sign leaned against the far wall. It was made up of random metal parts and neon lights pieced together by wire and melted metal. The letters, the fonts, and colors, didn’t match, but the junkyard look went well with the rest of the decor. The counter where the girl and guy leaned on was littered with graffiti, scribbles and scrawls alike. From d***s to signatures, the counter was a collage of black and blue artwork. The original color of the counter barely showed through.

The two at the counter looked from Ryan to Taylor, their black smudged make-up making their eyes look larger in a chilling way. Their eyes followed them as they walked right to the counter.

“Tike!”

The girl and guy exchanged glances. The girl stabbed her finger at the phone and slammed it on the counter when it didn’t turn on. She licked at the corner of her mouth, fiddling with the snake bite piercing. It was bloody and raw, a sign she’d been messing with it for too long and it was a nasty habit she hadn’t even tried to stop. The guy only watched in amusement. He and Taylor knew trying to get the phone to turn on was wasteful energy. Cellphones hadn’t worked in centuries. Government interference and technology advancement no one in the districts knew anything about.

A metal door behind the counter swung open and Tike stepped out. He was a tall man with dark skin and short curly hair dyed a deep purple. His violet eyes lit up when he saw Ryan at the counter.