Three years into the dark times, as the people now called it. With the elderly population more or less wiped out along with the majority of small family run businesses the city of Kindred has become a dark corporate run place where it’s citizens have all but given up. Controlled by a shady figure only known as Mister S. The citizens continue to work for little pay and abysmal living conditions, just to survive. Mister S. runs a new designer drug that keeps the people docile. A hallucinogen called ‘A Fix’ puts you into a deep trance while your fantasies play out for you. The unfortunate side effect being that many fantasies take it too far and there are many accidental deaths as a result.
~ ~ ~ ~
Fraz’s size eleven, well worn, Army Surplus boots splashed through the water pooling on the street. Streaks of neon blue lights reflect off the window fronts of Pickerton Avenue. Fraz walked with authority as his dark green trench coat became drenched from the constant downpour. “Why is it always raining.” He mumbled to himself as he turned into a darkened alley. There was a singular dim light over a side door halfway down, the figure of a woman stood huddled next to the door, trying to stay out of the rain. As Fraz approached she spoke. “Do you have some?” Her voice was scratchy like she needed a drink. “Yeah, I have some.” Fraz said coming to a stop in front of her. She held up her right index finger. “I have credits.” Fraz shook his head and sighed. “Sweety, you can’t pay for a fix with credits. They are traced back to you. So unless you want to spend time downtown in a holding cell, I suggest you come up with something else to trade.” The woman reached behind her neck and unfastened a gold chain that held a heart shaped locket. “Is this enough?” She asked, holding her hand out to Fraz. He picked up the necklace from her wet palm and looked it over. “Yeah that will work.” He put the necklace in his pocket and handed her a small yellow pill. “Only one?” “Yeah, only one.” Fraz said turning and walking back towards Pickerton Avenue.
Fraz pulled a slightly crushed pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one and placed it between his lips as he found his Zippo and lit up, taking a deep drag and exhaling slowly. Pickerton Avenue was a main drag of sorts containing a convenience store, a strip club and a pawn shop. Fraz entered Buck’s Pawn, the door buzzed as he entered the small shop. “Whatcha got for me now?” The big burly man behind the counter asked. “Today Gus I have something special for you.” Fraz said as he approached the counter and pulled out the necklace. “Hum.” Gus said as he looked the locket over. “I can do seventy-five in credits.” Fraz gave a slight frown. “Well that’s better than nothing.” Gus took Fraz’s fingerprint and signature. “It should go through in about five minutes.” Gus said putting the necklace in the display case.
~ ~ ~ ~
Detective Joseph Sullivan reached over turning off the blaring alarm. He laid in bed for a few more minutes contemplating what it would take for him to be motivated enough to leave the comfort of his bed. He stared at the grimy stained ceiling of his small one bedroom apartment that had a consistent smell of Chinese take out. Joseph missed his old house, and his wife. Nancy was his world; they had been married for thirty years when she passed away. The cancer had riddled her body making her a shell of who she had been. It pained him to watch her decline, even with treatment, it took over her poor broken body. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and decided to face the day. Detective Sullivan was up for early retirement when Nancy was diagnosed, after losing her he decided to keep working. He felt that he needed to keep a routine and a purpose, so he sold the house and moved into the city. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror, the heavy dark circles under his eyes along with the streaks of grey in his goatee added a good five years to his age. Joseph dressed for work, dark slacks, button down shirt with navy blue tie, and black oxfords. He checked his Glock .22 placing it into his shoulder holster and put his badge and credentials into his jacket pocket. He grabbed his tan trench coat and umbrella from the front closet and headed out into the rain. After grabbing a coffee and breakfast sandwich from the food vendor outside of the Kindred Police Department Joseph headed in to start his day.
~ ~ ~ ~
Max awoke to his pager vibrating across the concrete floor next to his head. Without opening his eyes he reached over and picked it up. He sat up rubbing his eyes so that he could focus on the message. Pick up 2746 North #4, Drop off 1457 West Ridge. “Guess we’re going for a drive.” He said to the basement of an old rundown house that he had taken up residence in with his tarantula Charlotte. Max crawled out of his sleeping bag, pulled on a pair of jeans and high-top tennis shoes. He dropped a handful of crickets into Charlotte’s tank, then ran his finger along her hairy ridged back. “Be back soon.” He said to her, replacing the lid of the tank. Max got into his 99’ black Buick regal, a car that was on its last legs, complete with slight body damage to the front right side and rust that ran along both sides. Max slid the key into the ignition, patted the dash and whispered, “OK girl one more time.” He then pumped the accelerator and turned the key. The car gave a grunt and then started. “Good girl.” He said as he pulled out onto the street.
~ ~ ~ ~
Seeing that Fraz had a few extra credits to his name he felt due for a night out. He walked down Pickerton Avenue coming to a stop outside of Club Knocks. He placed his finger on the doormans tablet paying the cover charge. “Thanks.” The doorman said opening the door to the club, the hot air that smelled of sweat hit Fraz as he entered the club. Music screamed from the large speakers scattered around the room, as flashing green and blue lights flickered across the dance floor. Bodies pushed up against each other jumping up and down in rhythm to the music. Fraz made his way over to the bar, taking a seat and ordering a drink. “Haven’t seen you in here before.” A male voice said from behind Fraz. He turned facing a tall well built guy, with dark reddish hair that was beginning to reach the top of his ears in length. “I’ve only been in town a few weeks.” Fraz answered. “Can I buy you a drink?” The tall guy gave Fraz a once over and took the seat next to him at the bar. “Names Max.” Max said as he extended his hand towards Fraz. “Fraz.” He said, shaking his hand briefly. “What’s your poison?” Max looked at the bartender and said, “Vodka, straight up.” The bartender nodded and turned to get his drink.
~ ~ ~ ~
Detective Joseph Sullivan sat at his desk thumbing through a case file dated December 5th 2022. “How has it been four months and still nothing.” He mumbled under his breath as he opened the case file.
Rachael Nelson, 15 year old, struck by a car while walking to school on December 5th at approximately 8:10am on the corner of Bates and Valley Drive. Witnesses say the car was a four door older looking dark colored Buick that didn’t slowdown, struck the girl and sped off. Investigation into regenerations matching the description and a canvas of all local garages looking for a Buick with front end damage had been exhausted during the first two months. Rachael had been taken to the closest hospital but later died from her injuries, never regaining consciousness. Detective Sullivan closed the file, let out a sigh and got up to find more coffee.
~ ~ ~ ~
Fraz awoke to Max sitting cross legged in his boxers on the concrete floor holding a tarantula spider in his hands. “And who’s this?” Fraz asked sitting up. Max looked over at Fraz and smiled. “This is Charlotte, would you like to hold her?” Fraz grinned. “Sure, although I haven’t held many tarantulas.” “It’ll be fine.” Max got up and walked over to Fraz, he kneeled down and let Charlotte crawl from his hand to Fraz’s. Fraz let Charlotte’s fuzzy legs slide along his palm and up his arm. “OK, Charlotte you’re lovely but I’m good.” Max took Charlotte back to her tank trying not to laugh at Fraz’s reaction. As Max was feeding Charlotte his pager went off. He looked at it and asked. “Do you want to take a drive?” “Sure, I’ll tag along. As long as some coffee is involved along the way.” Fraz said, slipping on his boots.
“Nice car.” Fraz said as they got into the Buick. “Yeah she’s kinda stubborn but I like her.” Max said as he ran through his ritual of patting the dash and pumping the accelerator. After doing the pick up and drop Max parked in the lot of Club Knocks. “I need to take a meeting. Do you want to come in and have a drink? It shouldn’t take too long.” Fraz shrugged. “Sure I got nowhere better to be.”
Fraz was two drinks in when Max returned to the bar with an older gentleman dressed in a three piece dark suit in tow. “Hey, Fraz this is my boss, Mister S.” Fraz stood and extended his hand towards Mister S. “Nice to meet you.” Fraz said, giving his hand a quick shake. “Yes, nice to meet you. Max here says you’re new to Kindred.” Mister S. said with a bit of an italian accent. “Yes, Sir been here for just a few weeks now. Still getting my bearings.” “Well welcome, and if you have any questions I’m sure Max here can help you find the answers.” Mister S. said putting his hand on Max’s shoulder and giving it a little squeeze. Mister S. continued on his way out the door of Club Knocks, Max took the seat next to Fraz and ordered a Vodka straight up.
After Max had downed his drink Fraz said. “Well he’s intense. Been working for him long?” Max grunted. “Yeah he is, been running for him for about a year now.” “Nothing against your abandoned basement living, but would you and Charlotte be willing to keep me company in my apartment? It’s not much just a small one bedroom but it has heat and running water.” Fraz looked at Max, reached over and gave his hand a quick squeeze. Max smiled. “Sure, as long as you help me out doing runs for Mister S.” “Deal.” Fraz said.
~ ~ ~ ~
Detective Sullivan picked up his desk phone and dialed out.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Fraz how’s our friend doing?”
“He’s fine, I convinced him to move in with me.”
“Good. Are you any closer to finding out who was driving the Buick?”
“I’m almost positive it was Max although without confirmation I’m not sure we can move forward.”
“Well keep at it. I’ll check in with you again soon.”
“OK, Sir.”
Fraz put down the phone and started out his apartment window. He’d been on assignment for two months now and was no closer to obtaining a confession that he was that first night with Max. It was after midnight when Max entered the apartment. He shed his clothes and fell into bed next to Fraz. Fraz turned over and rubbed Max’s shoulders. “Long night?” “Yeah, long drive and the car was acting up.” Max mumbled as he enjoyed Fraz’s hands working along his shoulders and down his back. As Fraz massaged Max’s back he asked. “So what happened to the front of the car? Why haven’t you had it repaired? She might run better with a good once over.” Max mumbled something that was incoherent. “What was that?” Fraz asked gently nuzzling the side of Max’s neck. “Stupid girl.” Max said as he started to drift off.
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