Light glistened, caressing the blade’s edge.

  “I’m not Jaromir,” Otie said.

  “You knew Jaromir?” Cherry asked.

  “Yeah, your friend over there introduced us to each other,” Ben Krow replied. “Horst…”

  “I was beaten bloody, till my eye couldn’t work…” Horst said.

  “And it didn’t even take two hours for Jaromir to turn up at our club,” Ben Krow added.

  Eight months ago:

  Jaromir took to dark steps that led him to a boorish man standing guard. “Hey, this is members only,” the man said, shooing Jaromir. “Kiddos should fuck off—” Like a log he flattened, stiff with arms and legs hovering, his chin locked to his chest. The boorish man flew. Jaromir casually strolled through the snapped door to a room full of pool tables. His hands inside his hoodie. Torn jeans dragged as his overcoat fluttered on his turn.

  Readying his shot, Ben Krow focused his aim, his pool stick as steady as still water. “Who’re you?” He asked.

  “Jaromir E. Eighth grade, Ontiganel mountain academy.”

  “So, your friend good?” Ben Krow asked after listening to Jaromir’s tale.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “His left eye is unusable.”

  “I’m sorry, truly…” Ben Krow smirked. Pop! Shooting the white cue like a gun, a puff of blue vapor fizzled down.

  Jaromir snatched the eight-ball, crumbling it within his grasp. “I’m not here to play games. I’m putting my damn life on the line, and I demand some damn reaction!”

  “Pff, check out those guys. Look around, acting tough… If you were nothing but some faker you’d already be done for. You got game.” The gang members surrounding the room held their breaths. “They keeping cool because they know you're telling the truth. Don’t matter your age, you’re a real man. I’ll take responsibility. Ya see this scar, it comes all the way up my neck, from my cheek to my wrist, they connect.” Ben Krow opened his ornate knife. “I’ll add a few touches to it.” Pulling from the inside of his mouth to the bridge of his ear; blood spurted as the top of his left ear fell.

  “What?” Jaromir asked in surprise.

  “This is my atonement for my men’s lack of self control,” Ben Krow’s eyes grimaced with fiery passion. The bridge of his nose scrunching up as his pupils shook.

  “Boss!” Many men shouted. “Calm down!” “Fuck!” Some rushed over, but he made them face the hand.

  To the present:

  This fucker, he’s crazy! Nautilus thought after hearing the whole tale.

  “That was the first and last time I ever met Jaromir. Two months later, he died at the Zodiac Palace. And since your Jaromir’s match…you’re the one I have been waiting for, Otie Ayihcah!” Ben Krow’s eyes lit up. “Jaromir proved he’s a real man, so prove it in kind. One of your buddies sent our men to the hospital. How are you going to repay us?” Krow pointed his blade in Urjohar’s direction.

  “You want me to repay you for that?” Otie asked. “Don’t fuck with me!” Cackling like an itchy balled donkey. Showing his pearly whites, Otie stood his ground with an overbearing aura emanated forth.