CHAPTER THREE

BROTHERHOOD

As soon as I got home I threw myself on the couch because of the way I was exhausted. I suddenly caught sight of the piece of paper on the coffee table as I reached out my hand and grabbed it as I noticed there were a few bank notes underneath it.

“Please take that money to Mrs. Shem after reading this note” I read the note out loud.

Great, I thought.

I got up and went inside my room. I quickly took off my skirt which I rapidly noticed that its zip was getting loose

“Great” I said between my teeth.

I then wore my old pair of jeans then took off my tie and went out of my bedroom. I took the few bank notes from the coffee table and went out locking the door and placed the key inside my jean’s pocket.

I then walked up the stairs slowly. The way I was so exhausted it was as if I had taken a whole year to finally get to Mrs. Shem’s door.

I knocked three times as Mrs. Shem’s twelve-year-old granddaughter cute face appeared on the door. She had the most beautiful straight nevy black hair that wasn’t ignorable.

“Hi Lola” I said.

“Hi” she replied leaning against the half open door.

That was when I noticed she had mascara on which made her eyes appear shady.

“What are you doing?” I asked her trying to make our conversation long so I could be able to figure out what was up with her.

“Nothing” she replied.

That was when I noticed that her eyes were suddenly filled with guilt.

“Where is your sister?” I asked her.

“With grandma in Miss. Claws place” she replied trying to wipe the guilt from her face.

Suddenly the door opened as Mr. Volt appeared. Well Mr. Volt was Mrs. Shem’s boyfriend. He was in his early forties, shaved head and tanned.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“I... I was sent to Mrs. Shem” I answered.

“She’s not here” he replied. “She’s downstairs in Miss. Claw’s place.”

“Yes sir” I replied.

He closed the door as I stood there confused about what had just happened. I then moved back down stairs. Lola’s guilty eyes never left my head.

What’s going on? I thought.

I walked down the stairs until I got to Miss. Claw’s flat. I could hear people laughing and chatting as I approached her flat. I knocked on the door. Cherry, who is Lola’s sister opened the door.

“Siren” she said in joy while hugging me.

“Hello big girl” I said picking her up.

I walked toward the two adults who were sitting on the couches talking as I placed Cherry down.

“Weapon’s daughter!” yelled Miss. Claw while drinking beer.

Miss. Claw was one of those old women who still lived like youngsters. Not to mention that she was a prostitute.

“So, what brings you here?” asked Miss. Claw.

“My mother sent me to Mrs. Shem” I replied while handing her the few bank notes. “She said I should give you this.”

“Tell her thank you very much” Mrs. Shem said while taking the few bank notes from my hands.

The child sleeping on the opposite couch suddenly started crying.

“Hey damn it! Shut up!” yelled Miss. Claw while taking a sip on her beer. “Siren can you please bring that bitch here.”

I felt my heart go cold after she had said the word ‘bitch’.

No matter how naughty a baby could get but calling her a bitch was inexcusable.

I walked toward the two-year-old baby as I gently picked her up. She suddenly stopped crying as she clung on me. Crazy enough I felt her precious life in my hands.

“She likes you” Miss. Claw said in disbelieve. “You must really know how to take care of a baby.”

I smiled as I handed her the little baby who didn’t want to let go of my shirt.

“It clear, she wants to leave with Siren” Mrs. Shem said with a little laughter.

“Maybe you should go with her” Miss. Claw said while taking the little baby which kept screaming at the top of her lungs.

There was something sad and hollow about the little baby which I couldn’t ignore.

“Cherry go get her dummy” Mrs. Shem ordered as little Cherry ran inside Miss. Claw’s bedroom.

“I have to go” I said in effort to dismiss myself.

“Okay Siren” Mrs. Shem said.

I walked out as I leaned against the door behind me before moving up the stairs.

~ ~ ~ ~

I unlocked the door as I went inside. I picked up my schoolbag from the couch and went inside my bedroom. I placed it on top of the chair as I unbuttoned my shirt then took my oversize red short sleeve T-shirt and wore it.

I then went out into my mother’s bedroom as I took her hand sewing machine and headed for the balcony. I placed it down near the six potted plants.

I suddenly heard people arguing and a baby crying and I knew it was from the flat below which belonged to Miss. Claw. It was no secret that Miss. Claw and Tydo always fought but their fights got worse when Tydo dropped out of school.

I saw Tydo standing on the balcony smoking as I could hear Miss. Claw yelling in the background and the baby crying.

I took the watering kettle and started watering the six potted plants.

I suddenly heard the knock from the front door as I walked back inside.

“Who is it?” I asked as I pulled the door open.

“Akira” I said staring at the black boy before me who had tears in his eyes.

Akira lived upstairs with his two big brothers, Jack who was seventeen years old and Mesmick who was fifteen years old. I had been good friends with these two boys for as long as I remembered. Even after their parents were murdered I still remained close to them and treated them like my own brothers.

“Ja…” he struggled to talk.

“What wrong?” I asked looking concerned.

“He took my money and now he doesn’t want to bring it back” explained Akira as tears ran down his cheeks.

I sighed as I placed the watering kettle down then stepped out locking the door behind me.

“Come, let go get your money” I said walking up the stairs as he followed me.

~ ~ ~ ~

I violently knocked on the noisy room number eighty 87. The door was kind of wrecked up. It was as if someone had been throwing stones at it. The door clicked open as Mesmick’s sharp face appeared.

“Sister Siren!” he yelled in joy.

“Is Jack in?” I quickly asked.

  “Of course, he is” replied Mesmick while pulling the door open. “Come on in!”

I walked inside the small messy room which had the television at its highest volume. My nose suddenly caught the cigarettes smell as I realized there were five unfamiliar faces sitting with Jack on the couch smoking while watching a soccer match.

“Guys! Sister Siren is here to see you Jack!” yelled Mesmick walking toward the six young men.

They all turned their face toward me as Jack let out a smile.

“Where is Akira’s money?” I asked impatiently.

Jack got up from his couch while stretching his arms.

“Jack I’m talking to you” I said still with my eyes on the tall young man before me.

“What money?” he asked in his deep voice.

“The money you borrowed from me!” snapped Akira.

“Don’t yell at me like that you piece of shit!” snapped Jack with his finger pointing at Akira who was behind me.

“Jack, please” I said lowering his hand.

I had known about Jack’s short temper but every time he got this way I didn’t know how to react. 

“Fine” he replied going through his jean’s pockets.

He took out a few bank notes and shoved them against Akira.

“There!” he said in anger. “I’ve paid you, your five Gems.”

I watched him stamp angrily back to the couch.

“Thank you” said Akira heading me a few bank notes.

“No, it’s fine” I quickly replied with a smile.

“Come join us!” yelled Mesmick.

“Not today Mes” I replied heading for the door.

“Come on sister Siren, it will only be for a few minutes” begged Mesmick. “Anyway, it has been a whole week now since we haven’t gotten a chance to hang out.”

“Someone has a boyfriend” Jack said through gritted teeth.

The five young men burst in laughter as I took the cushion behind Mesmick and threw it at Jack.

“I’m warning you Jack” I threatened him.

“I’m joking” he said still bursting in laughter.

“Plus, you can meet my pals” replied Mesmick who also seemed amused about what Jack had said.

“Fine” I finally replied after a moment of silence.

I took the wooded chair which was lying around as I placed it beside their couch with my eyes on the television.

“I hate the black eagles” I said still with my eyes on the television.

“No way, these guys are the best” said one of the five unfamiliar faces sliding the pizza box toward me.

I noticed that his hands had purple bruises. They looked fresh and swollen.

“Thanks” I quickly said picking up one slice of pizza from the pizza box.

“This is Heat, Geno, Cord, Ten and Sin” introduced Mesmick.

They all waved at me as I nodded with a smile on my face.

My phone suddenly thrilled as I rapidly withdrew it from my jean’s pocket.

“Sorry guys I’ve got to go” I said getting up. “See you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow it is!” Jack yelled sarcastically as I walked out with my eyes focused on my phone.