Carlos Ch.1: The encounter
Author's note:
Dear Reader, This is my favorite story, and I am excited to showcase it. This is the first chapter of a series, and as such, it is a buildup for future events involving Carlos and a succubus in the series. Upcoming chapters
are
going to be more spicy, alongside the plot. If you love power fantasy stories, you are in the right place.
Thanks to the volunteer editor for the valuable help with my story.
Constructive critique and feedback are always welcome. Please vote, as it is an important source of feedback for me.
Also, I would like to thank my Volunteer Editor for helping with my first submitted story.
All characters are fictional and above the age of 18.
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Jason stood in front of me, blocking my path. "Look, Carl, you'd better hand over whatever you have, or else!" He said in a cool, calmly collected manner, yet emphasized, "or else."
I was already covered in sweat from the June heat, especially in the middle of the day when the sun was hammering down on us. I had to be back at my shift before two o'clock.
I was utterly surrounded at this moment. Jason, the local thug, and his lackeys stood beside him, staring at me like hungry wolves, while I was the prey who stood in this alley surrounded.
"Jason, stop this! I am not giving you my money," I yelled back, clutching my fists as I tried to put on a brave face--which I knew wasn't fooling anyone. My hand went to the back of my pocket without even realizing: if I gave them this, I would have to go on a fast. Eating one meal a day at best or none at all.
I need to get back to work. Baron will chew me up if I don't show up, and the break only lasts 30 minutes.
All this was whirling around in my mind. I couldn't be late for my shift. I would rather be beaten than potentially have my boss fire me. So I tried to walk past them stupidly, believing they would let me, but the harsh reality settled in when Jason grabbed onto me and threw me right against the wall once again.
"I was being nice and giving you a chance to just hand over your stuff and walk away. Boys, make him understand what opportunity he lost."
My heart fell to my stomach as the gravity of his words sank in. I couldn't fight back with this flailing, skinny body. All I could do was close my eyes as they closed in, with menacing stares into my soul.
The wind in my lungs was knocked out by a punch squarely landing on my stomach. The next thing I knew was the cold, unforgiving concrete. Covering my head, trying to minimize the injuries, I curled myself into a ball.
My consciousness waned with each passing moment.
After what felt like an eternity, they stopped. Jason, rummaging through my clothes, finally took my money too, sneering as he turned away from me.
"Throw this trash where he belongs," was all I heard, my eyes blurry with tears and pain, when I was picked up and hurled into the pile of trash.
Jason had practically dragged me to this place when he saw me coming out of the ATM. Groaning and laying there, my perspective of time slipped by, not caring about the awful smell of garbage. I couldn't even work in these clothes.
I finally got back on my feet and made my way out of the alley, deciding just to go home, ignoring the disgust and stares of people who walked past me.
There goes my food for two weeks--that's just great! And Baron will definitely humiliate me and deduct the day's pay.
I kept clenching my fists every time the thought crossed my mind. On my way, I stood at the intersection of the pedestrian crossing. Standing there all I could feel was the forbearing thought of just ending it all in this traffic. What good did I have in this life?
A body that would not gain weight no matter what, a life with no friends and family to speak of, being bullied by the neighborhood crooks, a decaying apartment, and my loneliness--this is my life.
I am used to it now, I guess. I fought tooth and nail to get out of life on the streets.
I trudge my way up the stairs that creak beneath my feet. My life seemed to mirror the decay of this old building at the edge of the bustling community. I still never could understand how the owner was able to keep this building from falling apart. The neighborhood had already gone through renovations and looked a stark contrast to this mess.
The building is really a mirror of my life, huh?
Shaking off all these thoughts, I stepped into the dimly lit apartment and went straight to the shower. I couldn't stand the smell of the trash anymore, so I cleaned myself up as quickly as possible. The aches had gotten a bit more bearable. Nothing new. Nothing has changed in these 22 years.
A sudden ring of my cell that I had thankfully left at home jolted me out of my meandering thoughts as I stepped out of the shower.
No one would call me except my boss or the apartment owner anyway.
Sighing, I reluctantly picked it up. It was my boss.
"Carlos! Where the fuck were you? You left after the break without informing anyone!" He bellowed from the other end.
"Sorry, Mr. Baron. I had an emergency, and my phone died." I answered with the best soft and polite manner I could.
There is no point telling him the truth. He'll blame me for it like last time.
"Well, now you can take care of the emergency with all the time in the world." My heart tightened. I was not ready for the next set of words that came through. "You're fired!" he shouted, and all I could hear was the beep of the call being dropped.
FUCK.
This announcement took the day from bad to catastrophic. I had neither the time nor the qualifications to get a new job; work with easy entrance was already packed, and this was the only job I had that paid the bills. I was done.