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Joseph watches Madison slip on her shoes as she hops around his room. He wags his head back and forth ready to go and impatient.
“Come on Madison. Don’t you think we should go now? Natalia might try to join us.” Joseph says to her annoyed with her slow speed. “YO! Jas! Coming with you!” She yells through her door.
“Great.” “She doesn’t still have that little rabbit thing you bought her all those years ago does she?” Madison asks as she ties her hair into a ponytail. “Of course she does. Why would you ask a question like that?” “So I can stay as far ahead or behind her as possible. I don’t want people to think Madison Parks is a crazy person.” She tells him.
“What? I doubt there is a soul in this town who even knows who you are Madison.” Joseph says. “Please, I’m world renown. These people all know me. There isn’t a soul on this planet I have not met and they did not know me.” She says with a smile on her face.
“Come on. Nats! Let’s move it. Leave that dirty bear thing where it is.” Joseph yells. He leaves the room with Madison right behind him. They all leave the house together in Joseph’s brand new 2004 Acura TSX.
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They arrive into the oldest yet most beautiful strip of New Heights with its classic mom and pop’s shops all around. Joseph parks in a parking space designed back in the early to mid 50’s. He opens the door of his car and steps out looking around at the scene.
Across the newly built four lane street was a large park. It was the centerpiece of the old town.
Joseph wanted to cross over to the park, drawn to its beauteous nature. He was grabbed by the arm before he could even take a step. He looks at his best friend in the hold wide world wrap her arm around his.
“You’re going to escort me to the trendiest place in town correct?” she asks of him. “Jas. I’m going to the park with Fluffy Bottoms. I’ll catch up with you later.” Natalia says to him as she walks across the street. He reached his arm towards her hoping she would grab him and drag him into the park but she never once turned around.
Don’t leave me… park… he thought as he watched his younger sister get away. He looks at his best friend looking at him with a smile that tortured his insides.
“Why are we friends again?” he asks her. “You asked me to be your friend. Should have done that should you?” She plays at him. “Probably not.” He says pretending to look back with perspective.
“Ha, ha, ha. Find me some place I can sit down and gossip Jas.” She tells him. “Very well milady. Right this way.”
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They walk down the sidewalk about 10 feet then they see it. There were kids all up in the building they stood in front of. It was called Light Sweets. Madison looks at her friend with her playing eyes.
“Shall we?” she asks him. “No. I don’t know if you want to go in a place where there are only kids. I know I don’t.” he says. “Don’t be a fuddy duddy Arlington. You always get in on my fun. Now come inside.” She says to him dragging him in.
As they enter the building, the teens all turn their heads to the new people. Joseph instantly feels out of place. They stare at them for about 2 minutes before each one returns to their conversation.
“Well isn’t this a nosy old town?” Madison says to Joseph pulling to a table. They picked one in the corner. Joseph, being a gentleman, pulls the chair out for his friend and she sits down in it.
That’s when a woman in her thirties approaches them. She held in her hand a pencil and pad. She smiles at them both warmly.
“Welcome to our little ol’ town of New Heights! Where are ya’ll from?” the woman said in a big Texan accent. “Hollywood.” Madison says. “Really? You sure ‘bout that?” she asks. “She’s not kidding ma’am. We’re from Hollywood. By the way, my name is Joseph Arlington. I’m part of the new family that moved here.” Joseph says to the waitress.
“Well nice to meet you Joseph. And you are sweetie?” the woman asks. “Seriously? I’m Madison Parks.” Madison says with a little shock on her face. “Well sweetie, you say that like I’m supposed to know who you are. ‘Fraid I don’t. But it’s nice to meet you round these parts. What can I get the both of you? Oh! I’m supposed to mention we have a special for couples.” She says.
“We’re not a couple. She’s my friend.” Joseph informs his waiter. “Friend? You two are awful chummy for friends.” She tells him. “What’s the special?” Madison asks. “Madison!” “Sorry. I’ll just have a cappichino. Heavy with the foam, grated chocolate on top... no cinnamon at all, and a teaspoon of honey dripped in if you don’t mind.” She says quickly.
“We ain’t your fancy little Hollywood. I’ll try but don’t expect nothing. And you Mr. Polite?” she says looking at Madison with judging eyes. “Um, Cherry Pie, hot tea…lemon in the tea please. Thank you.” “That’s more like Ms. Hot Stuff. Keep it simple and to the point and try not to go to fast. Boy, you better be glad you ain’t with this one. She’s way too fast pace.” “No kidding.” Jas replies. Madison shoots him a stinging look. “I’ll be right back with your order. Try not to make a scene. The folks ‘round here will try and make one fer ya.” She warns them both.
She then leaves the too themselves as she prepares their order. Madison looks to her best friend. “So, what is it that your father wanted to talk to you about?” she asks. “Well, the old man says that they are ready to put me into service. They are ready to turn me into an assassin. The IOSTA finally wants me. He thinks they want me to replace him.” Joseph says.
“But that’s not what you want to do Jas. You don’t want to be a killer.” Madison says. “No Maddie. I don’t want to be a killer but I don’t think I can avoid it. The IOSTA is a very dangerous organization and to say no equates death. I don’t want to die either. So what choice do I have?” Joseph asks more for himself than for her.
“I know that you can’t do it. You won’t end a soul. It’s not in you. When you choke, at that moment, what will you do Jas? How will you explain it? How will you make your way out to live? You’ve got to think about this. Your life is in the hands of people that can make you disappear from any record.” Madison tells him.
“I know what they can do. I think I will get over it. I think I will adapt as needed. And what is needed is a killer. It’s in me. I just have to release it.” Joseph says to his friend. “Don’t. Don’t even try to release. It’d be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made. Once you cross that line you can’t come back.”
“If I don’t, I won’t come back from overseas.” Joseph says. “Wouldn’t you rather die knowing you kept your morals than live knowing you betrayed every sense of good in your body?” Madison asks him. “I don’t know. Looks like we’re going to find out.”
“Here’s you orders.” The waitress said bring it to the two. Joseph smiles as she puts them down. “I didn’t catch you name ma’am.” Joseph says. “Lucy Penterfost but you can call me Big Lucy.” Big Lucy tells them. “Alright then.” Joseph says.
They quickly finish off their orders as they converse over the matter of Joseph finally taking his place as an assassin, as he was trained to do. Of course, Joseph was on a hill that he couldn’t go up or down. He was torn between protecting his family from the most dangerous organization on the planet earth and his own morals, which were just as strong as his familial loyalty.
Finally he just cut himself off. He needed to think to himself for a moment. So he told Madison that he was heading into the park across the street. She of course had no problem with it as she looks into the eyes of all the boys in the store just waiting for Joseph to leave. As soon as he was out of the door, they surrounded her completely out of sight.
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In the park, Natalia sat on the bench kicking her legs up and down like a little kid with her bunny Fluffy Bottoms sitting right beside her. She stared at the people running by as they looked at with strange looks.
“Fluffy Bottoms, these people are nosy… … … Yes, some are very handsome… No, I’m not interested in these guys. They seem too homely… … … (laughs) You’re funny Fluffy Bottoms. It’s a wonder you’re not married yet. … … … Well you can tell your parents to… oh here comes Jas. Just a minute.” Natalia says to the bunny beside her. “How are you doing princess?” Joseph asks his younger sister.
“I’m doing fine. The people here are slow. By slow I mean, the atmosphere by the way.” She tells him. “I’m not an idiot. I know what you are talking about. YOU BROUGHT THE BUNNY? Do I have to throw the thing away?” he almost shouts out as he looks at her company.
“Not it is any no your business but he didn’t want to stay in the car. He wanted to watch people. He says that there is someone special here.” Natalia tells her brother. “Someone special? What in the world does that mean?” He asks her looking at the stuffed bunny. She scoffs at him. “How in the world am I supposed to know? He’s the know it all. Ask him.”
“Oi.” “Well, go on, ask him.” She says. “Fluffy Bottoms…what is so special?” he asks the bunny. Natalia’s eyes widen and she nods. She blinks a few times then looks at Joseph with a smile on his face. “Isn’t that great?” she says.
Joseph nods slowly then backs away from his sister. “Sure?” he responds. “You didn’t hear him did you? He says you need to turn around.” Natalia says.
Joseph turns around and sees a man in a hoodie running with a book in his hand. Behind him was a woman chasing after him. She was yelling at him from the top of her lungs. Joseph was dashing at the man before Natalia could open her mouth.
“There he goes Fluffy Bottoms… hero… what? Savior of Truth, Justice, and the American Way? (laughs) Aren’t you cheesy Fluffy? Bird?” she says. She ducks under the flying hummingbird that was blinded by the sunlight as it looked into the sky. She comes up and smiles at her bunny.
“Thanks for the warning.” She tells it. She then watches her speeding brother run at the robber.
Joseph watches him run into the tree line of the park. Joseph leaps against a tree, then against another, climbing his way up to the top. He gets on a branch then starts running forward from branch to branch until he was right above the robber.
He falls out of the tree right on the guy and rolls him on his back. He brings his fist up to strike the surprised man. He just snatches the book away from the guy and gets off. The man gets up quickly then swings his fist at Joseph.
Joseph leans to the right, out of the way of the swing. He slams his elbow into the man’s side making him fall over. Joseph places his foot on the man’s neck and bends down slightly right in his face.
“I wouldn’t think about trying to get up.” Joseph warns him tightening his foot on his neck. The woman finally catches up huffing and puffing, with more angry than tiredness on her face. She looks at Joseph with a smile and he gives her a blank stare, stunned.
“Thanks for getting my book back. Billy here has been after it for… I don’t know, ever since first grade? Next time, clock him good.” She says to Joseph. Billy looks up at Joseph telling him he could be released.
Joseph lifts his foot and swallows. Billy looks at Joseph with a dirty smug frown on his face. “You gonna pay new guy. Trust me… you gonna pay.” Billy says shoving through him. Joseph watches him walk away, feeling his hand ball into a fist and tighten.
“Don’t worry about Billy. He’s pretty much harmless. Thanks for the save again. You’re in town aren’t you?” She says to him. He continues to give him a blank stare. A stuffed Bunny hits him in the head and Joseph looks at it.
“Jas! Sorry. You wouldn’t look at me.” Natalia says. “Nats! Really? Was that really necessary?” he asks her. “Who is this?” Natalia asks with a smug look on her face. Joseph almost freezes up again.
“Annabelle. My name is Annabelle Lightman. I’m guessing this is your brother?” she says. “Yep. This is my brother Joseph Arlington. I am Natalia his little sister.” Natalia says for her brother. “Well nice to meet you Joseph and Natalia. I’ll see you around town.” Annabelle says to them. She walks off holding her book close to her.
“Fluffy Bottoms says that the book in her arms is important to her. He says that it’s not a normal book, that it holds secrets she doesn’t want anyone to know.” Natalia says picking the thrown bunny up. “What does Fluffy Bottoms know? Jack diddly! He’s a stuffed bunny!” Joseph yells. “Well, he told me to come bail you out. Not that stuffed is he?” she says walking away angry at her brother.
“Oi. Come on. Let’s get Madison and go home.” Joseph says catching up with his rather iffy sister.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7YN4OnNzo
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