Chapter 2 - Listen

: Listen

Sira found a remote to the stereo and pressed the power button, sending vibes through the airwaves. Clearly she's made herself at home! “Well if it isn’t,” She says as her smile turns to a straight face. Ezell looks at the dire sense of expression in her stare-or lack thereof. It was like someone or something took over her very soul.  “…you’ll probably die.” A moment passes before she smiles to herself and say,“But lucky you are your father’s son!” she ignites the lighter and began to intake smoke as the blunt burns. As she holds the smoke in, pink markings began to sprout on her right cheek. They spread like vines until they form an indica leaf. She exhales the smoke through the air, humming a low tone as her high was intensified ten-fold! "Oh yeah, you taste the difference in this." Sira passes blunt to Ezell while advising, “I prefer to take one puff only for this “Shotgun”, but after all...” Sira turns to the man as he was still staring at her cheek.

Ezell quickly took the blunt interrupting,“Yea yeah, father son bullshit; I have my name don’t I? At least I know I’m not gonna run out on my kid." he says as he stares at the girl, and she just smiles and nods, as that was answer enough. He then looked at the blunt that came from this girl. He raised a brow, because he can't even catch a smell. This is very odd, surely, he would've caught a scent by now. It must be perfectly rolled, as if she had more to spare. Yeah that's it, or could it be something fatal? Hell, this girl said it could kill him if he doesn't watch his intake. He totally forgot about his build, because it didn't really matter if the insides get damaged! How ironic would that even be if "The Truth" kills him?!

Or could it be something completely different as she said, she couldn't have meant it in a good way. Ezell gave a deep sigh knowing he's baby sitting on something unknown, and took a decent hit from the mystical wrap; he let the smoke loft in his lungs as he concentrated. He could taste how different the taste was compared to the one he had; this was so pure, so potent, and so strong! Though he couldn't identify the taste, so unrealistic but yet he's french inhaling its smoke back into his nostrils; allowing the sting of his nose-hairs to tickle his nose. Ezell’s vision suddenly blurred, as a green hue over fell his retinas. The iris in his pupils sprouts a symbol just like Sira’s, but with more leaves and shimmering neon green in the sunlight through the window. The lad exhales slowly in a low hum, feeling a level he’s never reached before and it's still climbing! “…Whoa,” he stared blankly until he turns to Sira, noticing her pupils are hot pink and evaporating as she sways out of sunlight. Even the feather she was sporting was illuminating by itself, like a lava lamp or Rorschach liquid! “You’re eyes are fucking pink,” he began to chuckle, which in turn made Sira chuckle. They both suddenly burst with uncontrollable laughter as they somehow knew what was coming. Though his thoughts began to rationalize that those markings weren't seen before, this shit is so unreal! 'Was it the ganja itself?' Ezell thinks as he went for another toke by second nature. He had to taste this again, maybe it can set him free, like the sayings go.

“Once again Aires of Earth, you just proved to be just like your father.” Sira said as she leans closer to Ezell with her eyes lower than usual. He looks at her with a squint in his eyes as she continues, “Instead of following my tip, you have to up the ante.” speaking as if she knew that would already happen!

“Not really ma, it’s just the rules of the unwritten,” he said as he held the smoke in as he conversed, smiling as he played it off. “You haven’t heard of “puff puff pass” before?” he began to French inhale the smoke, using it to its full extent, before shooting it out of his nose again. Convincing the girl he knows how to handle smoke, but man did that flare up his nostrils! “What do you mean by calling me “Aries of Earth” anyway? I’m an Aries alright, but I know I’m not THE only Aires out here. Not to mention the rest of 7 billion and counting remember?” Ezell said as he passes it back to the girl, rubbing his nostrils a little.

“Yes indeed, but none are destined to save the world from under us. Not like you though…” She says as she began to hit her blunt. She sways to the music as she idly gets her groove on.

He smirks as he looked at her dance, wait what did she-“What did you-Whoa now…What are you talking about?” his chuckle seems to fade a little when she didn't laugh with him this time. The ways she said it sound like it wasn't a big deal, as if he already knew this was going to happen! What the hell is this woman talking about? “Are you f’real Sira, or are you just pulling my chain?”

“Sir, you don’t even have a chain on…So why should I pull something that isn't there?” Sira said as she passes him the joint, as she then stood up, feeling a chill in the back of her neck. “Put that blunt out, I've think we've wasted enough time here…Let’s you say um “skedaddle?” She smiles as she motions her head towards the door as she uses the remote to cut off the radio, at least she's the responsible type of pothead. 

Ezell squint his eyes as he notices she was hiding something, but she doesn't seem like the type to hide anything. This wasn't making any kind of sense. What does he have to do with the whole world? His own country doesn't give a shit about him, what makes this girl thinks he's that important? Now she's definitely hiding something, and the best way to find out is...Find out. He put out the blunt after his toke time and put it between the fold of his ear, “You've been hanging around my dad too much since you’re using that ridiculous word.” he follows her through the hallway, to find his mom standing by the door with her arms crossed. 'Aw crap.' He thought as they drew closer to his mother, he was high as a kite let go by an innocent. He's not coming down anytime soon! Though his mind wasn't on that, he was worried about Sira in front of him! 

His mother looked like she had just had a battle in her head, trying to find a right choice. Ezell was about to say something, but his mom stops him with a finger in front of his open mouth. She then turns to Sira and mutters, “I know you guys don’t have enough time, but I need to make things clear here,” she stepped closer to Sira, who wasn't budging either, “If anything happens to my son, anything at all…” A threat was being ensued as if she was still fighting the decision in her head. It's always hard for a mother to let her child wander off without them. 

“Trust me; I’ll look after him as if my life depended on it. Oh wait, it already is…” Sira looks at the caring mom with a smile. “Nice seeing you again Madame…” she passed his mother as she went through the door. 

“Damn Right.” She then looked at her son, then kissed his forehead and gave him a big hug. “Be careful okay? I’ll tell your sister that you went with your father.” She hugs him with the utmost of care, trying to get the most of him while she can.

Ezell is still trying to grasp the concept of the situation, but halts to calm his mother as he hugged her back, “Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m gonna be fine alright? Don’t worry too much,” he broke the hug as he gave her an assuring grin, “I’m coming back mom…” He looks back, completely ignoring the fact that his mother stand in the sunlight and doesn't cast a shadow away from the sun. He's just watching her tough smile before he turns toward the door and exits. Something serious is going on here. 

After touching the wind chimes he forgot to touch on his way in, he passed Sira towards the parking lot asking “So we’re taking my car or what?”     

“Nah man, we’re taking mines...” Sira pulls out her car keys and pressed a button on her alarm system. A sudden Rev of an engine roars as the car beside Ezell’s began to start. The man looks at the car beside him as he known this car wasn't there when he pulled in; Of course, he did try to escape "nag central" from "motherly lane" so he couldn't have noticed. The make's a muscle car, but still unfamiliar with anything he’s ever seen before. So sleek, the shine reveals secret inscriptions covering every inch of the automobile's finish. “And we’re conversing on the way there. So get ready to hotbox this baby!”

“Ha-ha...” Ezell laughs at he went towards the passenger’s door. As he pulls the door, it went up diagonally until it made an arch and waits until he got in the car and lowers back down. “Are you from the future or some freaky shit? I’ve never seen this car before…” he said as he looks at the insides of the automobile while pulling the joint from his ear, yellow neon held the trim of the vehicle as they wait for it to warm up. Ezell lit the joint and continues the session they've started in the house. 

Sira pulls the gear in reverse replying, “Nah, I just had a lot of time to soup it up is all,” As they face the road ahead, they both notice a huge rig speeding down the driveway they’re on. “Odd…I don’t think that 18-wheeler can pass us while we’re here, yet it isn't slowing down…” Sira mutters as they watch it grow closer, honking as it rams into an unsuspecting car as it keeps on coming!

“That’s because…” Ezell’s voice turns urgent as he passed the blunt, and then turn back to the metal beast. “That fucking idiot’s trying to ram us! BACK UP! BACK UP!” Sira kept the car in reverse as she hit the gas, causing her wheels to screech as she began to drive backwards. The rig was closing the gap between them, and it looks like she wasn't reversing fast enough! Ezell began to curse as they watch their impending doom; which seem to begin in between a few seconds! Suddenly with a quick turn of the wheels, the view changed; from the 18 wheeler coming towards them to just missing them by a hair! Crashing through a wooden gate that was previously behind them and kept going! Ezell's heart was beating like it was trying to talk! What even freaked him out the most that he recognized the driver as they made eye contact! “Was that the fuckin’…Maintenance man?” 

Sira’s voice was deep as she held the toke in “Well they ARE allowed to possess anyone that seems weak enough. Make them followers and all…” she put the car in drive and drove beside the semi-sized hole, trying to view the attacker’s wreckage. Exhales and smiles spurting, “Safe to say that won’t be happening again…” she turn and gave the blunt back to Ezell. She seems pretty calm in all this, which kinda made the boy release some worry.

His mind was relieved as her mind was in the right place. If want a sound driver you have to know your car, and this girl seems that it grew on her. “Oh that sounds so good, let’s get outta here…wait a minute…” He took a toke and spoke in a deeper voice, “Who is allowed to possess people?” 

“Demons…” Sira drove out the apartment complex and down the street. Seem to know the place well, or at least where she was going. “Are we getting somewhere son? This isn't some fairy-tale bullshit, this is real.” Her lit tone shine through her smile.

Her intent was serious, but her voice was so calm; so direct that there was no choice but to understand perfectly. He just nods as he stares at the vixen from the passenger seat. “Alright, let’s get on with it.” This turned so dire in an instant, thinking more for him. Enlightenment helped this man, because a man who couldn't handle this kinda responsibility would've sent him insane. Ezell is going to fight demons, for his family, not only that-the world. Well, you only live once right?

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Noticing her surroundings by peripherals, Sira checks the scenery, all too quiet.  “Coast seem clear…Oh Shit.” she looks to her roof mirror and notices a motorcycle closing in as silent as it can be. A figure in an all-black clad leather motorcycle suit complementing an all-black helmet was in tow of the two. “Elite, shit their escalating quickly!” She pressed her foot to the pedal and they zoom off! Tires screech as they follow the endless asphalt. Their lanes switch as cars beep at the unknown whip catching them off guard as they zoom by. It's good to know it's only the afternoon and the schools weren't out yet, she wouldn't be able o travel so freely in rush hour; but then again, so wouldn't the cyclist tailing them. 

Ezell looks at her, then looks backward at the ‘cycle behind them; chuckles, “It looks like just another asshole on a motorcycle…” he smiles as he began to mock, but his paranoia began to kick in. Heeding that he should remember Sira's words before he get cocky! “That means we’re gonna die if we fuck up right?” He gulps as his smile lowers.

“That’s right, but I’m not fucking up.” Sira said as she sped through the streets towards a ramp to the freeway. “We need to find a wide area before we’re dragged to limbo too soon.” she spoke as she slid and sped on the freeway and looked for oncoming cars. They seem free for miles, kinda odd traffic isn't backed up, especially any cops. Maybe that rig had something to do with it, but Sira's thoughts were in the now as she mutters, “Perfect, this will have to do…I have to tell you something…Ezell, take the rest of this roach and listen to what I have to say.” 

Ezell finally turn to her; he watched the 'Elite' gave chase like it wasn't a sweat. She said Limbo, she wasn't serious was she? From stories and readings, Limbo is NOT the place he wants to be heading. “What? I’m hearing you.” he sat back in his seat and received the blunt back to the girl. Man this is turning out to be a bad idea, what the hell is he getting into?!

She turns to him relaxed in her comfy seat chuckling evermore, “This is what those blunts were for…You ready for what Half-Hell looks like?” 

He chuckles a little, and then got serious for the second part, “Fuck, alright I’m ready.” he took two more puffs and passed it back to Sira. With a deep breath he turned the radio on, and then both looked forward as they drove; Waiting for the show to start.

"Dude..." Sira suddenly muttered out of her serious tone "You so shouldn't have done that..."