Prologue to Book 1: Existence

This is the prologue to Book 1, The Community: Existence 

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Mikey and Stevie met at the corner in downtown Pellman and waited for J.J. to finish up with the young girl buying her stash from him. After about a minute J.J. planted a deep kiss on her red-painted lips and sent her across the street to stand under the street light. He motioned for them to come closer. Mikey took a look at the girl across the street and smiled, “Damn J.J., that one is sweet!”

J.J. laughed and knocked knuckles with his two friends. “You have no idea, man. Time for her to start earning her keep though, y’know what I mean?”

“I hear dat, man.” Mikey casually glanced around. “You got my shit?”

J.J. nodded, “How much you got to spend?”

“Forty, between the two of us.”

“You havin’ a party I don’t know about?” J.J. asked.

“Nah, man, just meetin’ some honeys later and wanna have a good time.”

J.J. nodded, “Tell you what I’m gonna do Mikey, I need some new rides for the new business, older models, nuthin’ too fancy. You get those for me and we’ll work out some deals in the future.”

Mikey looked at Stevie who nodded back. “Yeah, man, whatever you want.”

As they made their exchange, a large, white sedan pulled up next to J.J.’s new girl across the street. They watched her get into the car before it drove away. “That didn’t take long,” the pimp said with a smile.

*****

Amanda fastened her seat belt and tried not to look at the old man who had picked her up. Instead she concentrated on how nice the car was, thankful that he didn’t try to talk to her. When she got to wherever they were going, she would slip away to the bathroom and allow the drugs she had just gotten to take over. In the morning, tonight would barely be a memory.

The old man drove the car through a pair of iron gates and down a long driveway before stopping in front of a large home on the water. Amanda had never seen a house so immense. She had been so awed by it that she hadn't even noticed that the old had gotten out of the car and was now opening the door for her. She couldn’t help but smile at the gesture. At least he had class, maybe tonight wouldn’t be so horrible after all.

“Come along, my dear,” he said when he offered her his hand.

Amanda hesitated but took his hand and let him lead her into the house. “Um...” she started, “I should tell you... I’m sorta new at this...”

The old man laughed a little and patted her hand still in his. “Don’t worry, my dear, tonight I only look for someone to share a warm cup of tea with.” He walked Amanda into a parlor where there was a small round table set up with expensive looking tea cups. He held out a chair for her. “And perhaps some nice conversation.”

Amanda smiled and sat down, wondering if it was real gold that was trimming the rims of the cups and saucers in front of her. “Well, just so you know, Mister, it’s still the same price– ”

“Yes, yes, I know.” He waved a dismissive hand in the air as he took his own seat. “And please, call me David.” He poured them both some tea. “Do you take milk, or do you prefer honey?”

Amanda shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She really didn’t know which she preferred since she couldn’t recall ever having a cup of tea before. She shrugged her shoulders, somewhat embarrassed.

David smiled kindly. “Surely, someone as sweet as you must prefer honey.”

“Thank you,” Amanda said softly. All this kindness was starting to make her feel a little on edge. She wondered where the bathroom was as she thought of the drugs in her pocket.

David placed some biscuits on a dish and gave it to Amanda. She took it gratefully and vigorously ate two of them without looking up. Food didn’t come easily these days, and any money she made went toward supporting her drug habit or J.J., rarely ever food. “How old are you my dear?” She heard him ask.

Amanda looked up, suddenly remembering where she was. She swallowed a mouthful of cookie before answering, “Fifteen.”

David shook his head and sighed. “So young,” he said almost inaudibly. He looked thoughtful then, and just for a moment there was something in his eyes that seemed to tell Amanda to run away before it was too late. But just as quickly, it was gone and David lifted his teacup, motioning Amanda to do the same. She did so and never noticed that David simply watched her from over his own cup, never drinking it himself.

Amanda thought that she had never before tasted anything so good as the tea and she quickly finished it along with two more biscuits. It warmed her from the inside and she felt more relaxed, not even worrying about how she was going to sneak away to do the drugs J.J. had given her.

David stood and held out his hand to her once again. “Come, my dear, there’s something I would like to show you.”

This time Amanda took his hand without hesitation, marveling to herself at how there really were kind people left in this world. People who didn’t always want something from you. She stood and was surprised when she wavered and fell against his chest. Instead of wondering why she was so lightheaded she found herself thinking about how strong this old man felt under his white suit jacket.

David didn’t seem to notice her clumsiness, but quickly steadied her, guiding her into the kitchen. He walked slowly and deliberately, as if he expected her to not be able to keep up otherwise. “Did you know, my dear, that I can make a light bulb as bright as the sunlight?” He opened a door that led down a flight of stairs. "That's how I made all my money, by grabbing hold of power and making it even more powerful.

Amanda got dizzy just looking down the staircase that seemed to lead into an unending abyss. Her head was swimming now and she felt herself walking those steps, rather, practically being carried down them. She once again thought of how strong David was for someone his age. He was saying something about light bulbs and movies. Suddenly she reached the bottom and David flipped a switch. The hallway they were in lit up so brightly that Amanda needed to shield her eyes.

Amanda felt a startling urge to flee, run right back up those steps and never look back, but she didn’t seem to be in control of her body anymore. She was streetwise enough to realize she had been drugged. Somewhere deep inside, her flight or fight mechanism was kicking in and there was nothing she could do about it. She felt panic rise in her throat as she watched David unlock a metal door.

“Tell me, my dear,” he said as he faced inside the extremely brightly lit room, gently pushing Amanda ahead of him into it, “do you believe in monsters?”

Amanda heard the metal door slide shut behind her. Groggily she noticed a young man standing inside a square of darkness. “Hello?” she slurred.

The lights went out.

Outside the door David stood and listened until the screams died down to nothing.