No Two Flakes

No Two Flakes

By Mist

Chapter VIII

“Come on, you can’t take me, short stuff!” Called out the voice of the younger brother of CJ to his close friend, Rainbow Dash whom had been playing basketball with him.

Rainbow’s pygmy height was certainly making the game far more challenging. She had always been short for her age, but she kept hoping that maybe she’d hit a growth spurt by 18 and be ready to join a basketball league. “It’s easy to talk smack when you are closer to the hoop naturally. Just wait, I’m gonna get jacked and tall and you’ll be bowing down to me, right Light?” The preteen spoke to her brother who was working on his car not too far from them.

Light laughed. “Home girl, I think you better settle on another sport. Ma was short and I think that’s your destiny.”

“Fuck that.” Rainbow pouted. “Y’all can suck it when I become Oprah rich.”

“I didn’t know they gave people money for losing the games.” Her friend teased.

Light just chuckled and returned to his task, he had been trying to fix up this old car for years in the hope that he could give it to his little sister when she turned 18. His mind focused on how his 18th birthday went and how he wanted Rainbow to actually have something to show for it unlike him.

“Y’all a bunch of haters.” She gave a dismissing gesture as she signaled for the ball to be passed to her. “My court, my ball. I’ll show you.”

Her friend tossed the ball to her, and with a quick catch, she jumped and threw it landing it flawlessly into the hoop from all the way across the driveway. “That’s how you do it homies, take notes.” Rainbow smirked.

“You got lucky.” He rolled his eyes.

“That’s what you’re supposed to say in a year or two when I’m banging your girlfriend.” She joked.

“You’re full of smack today.” He replied.

The young Rainbow adjusted her small ponytail before retrieving the ball. “When I’m famous I’ll make sure I sign a ball or something for you.”

“I don’t need it, just when you’re bagging Beyonce, save a bit of it for me.” He replied.

Light rolled his eyes as he listened to their conversation. Next to him, his longtime friend Gale Wind was under the car, covered in grease and oil as she assisted him with his car project. To avoid getting anything onto her own clothing, she had on one of Light’s undershirts over just a simple bra. Her black dreads tied up in a ponytail behind her head to keep from getting caught. She had so much oil on her, that even her dark complexion seemed darker with it upon her.

Gale and he had gone to school together until Light had to drop out. She was so devastated about what happened to him, she followed suit and dropped out with him. Ever since she had been by his side supporting him in everything he did. The two were impossible to find apart for very long.

“She’s dreamin’ big at least.” Gale commented to Light as she twisted a wrench.

“My lil’ sis is going to do big things, Gale. You’ll see.” Light responded.

Gale pulled herself out from under the car and looked up at him with a smile. “You are too, Light.”

He shrugged and then shook his head dismissively. “Nah.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know what you’ve been doing. CJ told me about how you’re stashing away money and your plan of moving to the city for a new life for you and Rainbow. I know you’re planning on leaving us, Light.” She grew a serious expression.

Light paused; unsure of how to confirm to his friend he was planning on getting away from this place.

“I understand, Light. I never dreamed of living here forever either. My mom always talked about how we were going to save some money and get a nice place in the city and how I’d marry a good man and start a family.” She smiled. Bringing herself to a stand, she looked up at Light meeting his eyes. “This isn’t the place to raise a family, Light.”

He finally spoke up. “You’re my family too, Gale.”

She grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. I want to go with you two.”

Light wasn’t sure how to answer.

“Gale…”

“We can all get a better life outside of this place. We’re not going anywhere here.” Gale said.

He nodded and offered her a hug which she took. “It’ll be better, I promise.” He comforted.

“No more bullshit, that’ll be nice…” Gale fantasized.

“Rainbow can move closer to the school, get into college, she’s smart you know?” He spoke of his sister with pride. “Shit, I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave her a scholarship.”

Gale nodded as she listened. “And you and I can get real jobs and we can get out of this shit hole.” She reached up and petted his short hair playfully.

“It’ll be good.” He replied.

The two were interrupted by another friend of theirs whom was talking with a client of his near the untidy hedges close to the house. Today he was a little slightly better dressed than usual, sporting a button up shirt over his undershirt, but he had neglected to button up a single button. His goatee was probably the most untidy bit of facial hair anyone had ever seen. Unlike Light who was clean shaven, he hardly knew how to work a razor.

With his expression turning to a panicking face, he pointed as her hollered. “Yo, Light, Gale, check it!”

Light and Gale both turned to the direction he was pointing, Gale taking a quick look back at their friend, whom they had always referred to as “Charm” to see him drawing his firearm from the back of his pants. Gale did likewise and started to crouch down.

In the distance Light could see a car pulling by with one of the passengers leaning out the window with a ski mask on his face. Given that it was the middle of August it was suspicious to say the least. Light knew what was happening and he too retrieved his weapon and knelt down to make himself a smaller target.

“Fuck!” Charm shouted as he started to open fire on the silver car.

Within seconds gunfire was being returned to them. The shooter was carrying a fully automatic machine pistol that Light could just barely make out in the distance. Light let off a few shots as he began to move.

“Gale, get inside I gotta get Rainbow!” He called out as he moved towards Rainbow and her young friend who were just frozen in confusion.

“I got her!” Charm exclaimed as he grabbed Gale’s arm and pulled her behind the car her and Light were working on for cover.

Moving quickly, Light grabbed Rainbow and covered her up with his arms as bullets flew in their direction. He didn’t have enough time to react, so he just shielded her from the incoming fire. Pain overwhelmed him repeatedly as he felt the metal shards connect into his back over and over. He grunted as he kept his grip on his younger sibling tight.

Rainbow had kept her breath held and her eyes shut tight through the whole ordeal. When the sound of gunfire ceased and everything fell quiet, she opened her eyes to her elder brother collapsing, blood leaking out of several holes freshly made. She froze at the sight, unable to speak.

“Shit! They got Charm!” CJ whom was still inside when it was happening cried out as he ran to the lawn.

Gale pulled out from behind the car and pointed to Rainbow and Light as she rushed over. “Oh fuck! Light!”

CJ’s attention quickly turned to that direction as he and Gale bolted over to try and get Light up. Light coughed and hacked up blood as the two tried to lift him. “Oh shit. Let’s get him inside come on.”

Two of CJ’s friends whom had been with him inside were now out on the lawn. One of them pointed to Charm before speaking. “What about him?”

“FUCK HIM! HE’S DEAD, COME ON AND HELP US GET LIGHT INSIDE, HE’S BLEEDING OUT FAST. AND FOR FUCK’S SAKE ONE YOU CALL 911!” CJ screamed as he and Gale dragged Light whom was struggling to keep his eyes open.

“Come on, Light stay with us!” Gale yelled.

The other friend helped them along with Rainbow who was choking on tears as she assisted.

With their combined effort they managed to get him inside and propped him up onto the kitchen table which they cleared by just pushing everything onto the floor. Light grunted and coughed some more.

Gale was trying to cover up some of the holes with her hands before one of the other girls retrieved a first aid kit from the bathroom. “Come on home boy, keep your eyes open.” CJ commanded as he tapped Light’s cheek to keep him awake. “Don’t die on me.” He added.

Rainbow took note that Light turned to her and extended his hand. “R-rainbow…” He spoke between coughs.

She stepped forward and took his bloody hand in her own, she could hardly breathe she was so terrified.

“Y-you…” He started but began coughing again.

“Don’t talk.” Gale hushed him.

He shook his head and tried to speak again. “Y-you… Have… to be… Strong…” He instructed.

“O-okay… I promise…” Rainbow felt the tears starting to fall down her cheeks.

“D-don’t be like… Me… Please… I don’t… I don’t want that for you… To be a thug… Like me…” He managed to get out between coughs and attempts to breathe.

“I promise…” She held onto his hand tighter.

“I… I never wanted you to be… A killer like me… Promise me you won’t be… Promise me… You’ll do better than I did…” He stared into her eyes as he delivered his message.

She took a step closer and nodded. “I-I promise…”

He nodded and smiled before going into another coughing fit. CJ and Gale attempting to bandage him up as fast as they could; however within a few more seconds his coughing ceased and his movement ended. Light’s hand that Rainbow had in her own went limp and fell.

“Light?” Gale tapped him.

No response.

She tapped harder and began to get hysterical. “LIGHT!? LIGHT COME ON!”

Rainbow was frozen, her eyes wide open, locked onto her brother’s motionless body. This couldn’t be happening, it couldn’t be real. All of those plans he talked about with her about leaving this place and finding a better life began rushing to her head.

CJ sighed as he lowered his head. “He’s dead, Gale... We weren’t fast enough…”

“NO HE ISN’T! GIVE HIM CPR UNTIL THE AMBULANCE GETS HERE DAMN IT!” Gale commanded.

CJ grabbed her and shook her violently. “GALE! SNAP OUT OF IT! HE’S DEAD.”

She knelt down and buried her head into his chest sobbing. “No… He can’t be…”

CJ embraced her and looked over to Rainbow. “Rainbow… I’m… I’m sorry…”

Everything went black to Rainbow. She could hardly hear his words, the room around her turned into nothingness. She could only see a face appear before her. A sinister and evil one, the face of a man she had only seen in photos. The face of a man named Ice who grinned as his giant floating head looked down upon her.

“You’re next, Rainbow…” He bellowed.

With a gasp and a shout Rainbow Dash burst out of bed and awoke from her nightmare. She placed her hands upon her face to make sure she wasn’t still dreaming. Everything seemed to be in place. Panting, she looked over at the clock to see it was just past midnight.

She had dreamed about her brother’s death before, but not like this. She threw her covers off of herself and quickly threw some PJ bottoms on before rushing out the door to meet her friend.

Almost instantly she found herself pounding on Rarity’s door.

With a yawn, the disheveled beauty opened the door and gazed upon the messy and clearly worried Rainbow. “Rainbow? It’s just past midnight… What are you doing here?”

After some time and tea prepared by Rarity, Rainbow told her story as she attempted to sip the tea. She wasn’t a big fan of it, but was attempting to down it as she understood it was a part of Rarity’s culture to offer tea to guests.

It was unusual to see Rarity with her hair in such a mess, and not dressed formally, but she honestly didn’t expect her to be ready to be viewed at a moment’s notice at this hour, so it was understandable. She had thrown on a bathrobe on over herself. When she answered the door, she was in little more than a pair of boy short underwear and a big white T-shirt. It seemed that even Rarity allowed her fashion sense to slip when she was slumbering. Rainbow imagined what she may look like lounging around her apartment or if she was the type who got up and instantly became showered and presentable.

Her apartment was adorned with an incredibly creative modern set of furniture and artwork. Most of her things looked more expensive than Rainbow’s entire apartment.

Setting her cup down on the mahogany coffee table, Rainbow sighed. Rarity nodded and sipped again from her cup before relaxing it in her other hand which was carrying the saucer for said cup. Her makeup-less face contorted to one of understanding.

“I see… I’m sorry that happened to you, Rainbow. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” Rarity comforted.

Rainbow had her feet on the couch as she held her knees. “I’m going to make him pay for what he did to Light.”

“You can’t kill him, Rainbow. You promised Light you wouldn’t become a killer.” Rarity reminded.

“That would imply that this guy is human.” Rainbow attempted to justify.

“Those who kill will suffer the curse only known to killers. You live the rest of your life with that burden; it’s not worth it for revenge.” Rarity scolded.

Rainbow shrugged. “I don’t want him dead just yet anyways. Not until I find out, why.”

“Why what?” Rarity raised a brow in confusion.

“Why did he have Light killed? Or Charm for that matter. Why did he put a hit on our house? Light never hung around Ice’s territory and he definitely didn’t do business with him. Light was trying to get off the streets; he was keeping his nose clean.” Rainbow explained.

“I’m sure we’ll find out, Rainbow but the answer may not bring you much comfort…” Rarity sighed.

“I’ll be fine when I see him pay for what he’s done…” Rainbow spoke.

Rarity knew that trying to convince Rainbow to release her determination to seek out revenge was a waste of time. Instead she just sighed again and leaned back in her seat, taking another sip of her tea.

With his hands buried deep into his jacket pockets, Spike tried to resist the never ending cold of the December month. He was bundled in a dark blue winter cap and an old scarf that Twilight had given him years ago. The young teen sighed as he walked down the sidewalk, enjoying one of the few days off that he had. Pinkie had insisted that he shouldn’t be working so hard on his winter break, despite his protest.

His mind fell onto thoughts of how he was going to get Rarity’s gift now. It seemed rather hopeless to even think about it at this point, there was no way he was going to get that kind of money without another (more than likely failed) stunt like he had pulled a few days ago at the school. Rainbow’s words were still ringing in his head.

The truth was though that he was a punk. Just some kid who was in way over his head. With his mind racing, he almost didn’t hear a gentle voice behind him. With a delicate British accent, the voice was accompanied by a tap on his shoulder. “Well hello there, Spike. I didn’t expect to see you today.” She said.

He pivoted so quickly he almost made himself dizzy. There before him was the always gorgeous Rarity donning her clean white peacoat. Looking down for a second he noticed that her Ugg boots were different from the ones he had seen before, implying she owned multiple pairs.

She was tucking her iPhone away into her expensive purse as she gave him a smile that he could only describe as “picture perfect”. He imagined that Rarity even looked great in her passport photo.

“H-hey! It’s good to see you.” Spike bowed.

She giggled at his over politeness and nodded. “I was heading to the park, would you care to accompany me? A lady like me could use the escort of a gentleman like yourself.”

He couldn’t even manage to get words to leave his mouth. Accepting non-verbally he just nodded his head politely. She offered her hand for him to take, which took him a moment to register before gripping it gently in his now sweaty palms, thankfully he had gloves on so she wouldn’t notice. Though they weren’t effective at keeping his hands warm.

Walking together he tried his best not to stare, but found himself taking note of every icy breath she exhaled. Up close she was even more stunning than from far away. Her soft looking hair almost bounced as she walked, and it looked like she spent a long time taming it.

“It’s been awhile since we hung out…” Spike commented, trying to destroy the awkward silence between them.

She nodded. “Yes, I’ve been busy lately is all…”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I’ve been going through a lot of changes lately. My whole world feels like it’s been turned upside down to be honest with you, Spike… I feel like I’m actually seeing the world for the first time and it’s almost frightening but… Exciting at the same time…” She rambled.

He wasn’t exactly sure what she was talking about, but assumed it had something to with the time she was spending with Rainbow lately.

Rarity took notice of a small child ahead of them crying to which she gave Spike a hand gesture to tell him to wait up. She bolted ahead and crouched down and appeared to be communicating with the child. After a few seconds of talking she reached into her purse and gave her something and had her close her hand around it. The small child jumped into a hug before Rarity petted her hair and sent her along.

She trotted back over to Spike and took his hand back with a smile. “Sorry about that.”

“What was that about?”

“She couldn’t get her mother a Christmas present. She was trying to get something from that shop over there but she didn’t have enough money. She saved her allowance for two months.” Rarity explained.

“So you gave her money?”

She nodded.

“How much?”

“Two hundred dollars.” She replied.

Spike blinked. He knew Rarity was wealthy, but not that she was wealthy enough to drop two hundred dollars so easily. That was a good chunk of Spike’s rent that he could hardly afford.

“For real!?” He exclaimed.

“I’m in a place where that’s not a lot of money to me, and she isn’t as fortunate… I’ve been realizing that some people aren’t as lucky as I am… I just want to give back to the world as much as I can now…” She smiled.

“You’re a noble person, Rarity.” Spike complimented.

She blushed and giggled. “So are you, Spike.”

It was hardly true, but he accepted the compliment. “Thanks.”

It wasn’t long before the two arrived at the park. Spike took note of how deserted it was. Everyone was probably out Christmas shopping more than likely. “It’s like we have it all to ourselves.” He commented.

Rarity nodded and gave him a gentle nudge in a playful manner. He responded with one of his own, but not realizing how strong he was, Rarity tipped and fell backwards, landing on her rear in the snow. Panicking he quickly offered her a hand to help her up. “Oh crap! Sorry!”

Rarity blinked and looked down to the snow before looking back up at him. With a smirk she scooped up a handful of snow and tossed it at him, hitting him in the shoulder. She helped herself up and scooped up another and tossed it, this time Spike ducked.

Finally realizing what was happening, he grabbed a snowball of his own and hurled it at her. When it hit she let out a girlish shriek and returned fire, hitting him in the stomach. He hurled his own and missed only to be pelted in the face by a big snowball.

Wiping the snow off of his face he saw Rarity standing in horror, clearly frightened that she may have hurt him. With a blink he grinned and bolted towards her, tackling her into the snow. She let out a playful shriek as she fought back. With a little luck she smashed his face into the snow with a giggle. Grabbing a big wad of snow he gave her a noogie with it as she laughed.

Finally Rarity fell on her back in the snow and sighed happily. She patted next to herself for Spike to join her. Listening to her request, Spike laid down next to the girl he admired in the soft snow. The two looked to the heavens happily.

“A lot is changing in my life, Spike…” She started. “I feel like there is this whole other world I knew nothing about that I’m just discovering.”

“Oh?” He listened.

She nodded. “Yes… And it’s got me to thinking… I want to be someone who makes a difference. I don’t want to just keep a blind eye to it.”

“That’s pretty noble of you.” He complimented.

“There’s nothing noble about it… It should be what we all are doing… I don’t want to be just another cog in this machine we call society.” She responded.

Spike merely nodded understanding her all too well, but unsure of what brought this on.

“Spike… If someone you cared about died… Could you bring yourself to kill the person who killed them?” She asked out of the blue.

Sitting up Spike looked over to her confused as to why she would ask such a question. “I… I don’t know… I guess I never thought of what I’m capable of.” Spike paused before asking what he really wanted to ask regarding her question. “Could you?”

“I don’t know, Spike… Killing comes with a burden… I don’t think I could carry that burden unless it was for the right reasons…” Her voice grew quiet as she spoke. “But I don’t ever want to have to come to that… I don’t know if I’d be strong enough.”

“If you were protecting someone you cared about, you’ll find the strength.” Spike reassured.

She smiled and looked over to him, taking his hand. “Thank you, Spike… I needed to hear that.

The timing was so perfect. If Spike could just get the words to come out of his mouth, he knew that this would be the perfect time to tell Rarity how he felt. For that moment he felt they were close enough to where it would give him the confidence to say something.

However his opportunity was robbed from him by a ring on Rarity’s cellphone. Retrieving the device with a sigh she peeked at the number calling before answering. “Hello? Rainbow, how are you?”

Rarity grew silent as she listened to her friend. “Calm down, what happened?”

Spike couldn’t hear what was being said to Rarity from the other end but he assumed it was important.

“Relax, where are you?” She said.

Finally before hanging up she gave her final instruction. “Okay, meet me at your apartment, I’ll be there soon.”

Rarity pulled herself up and offered a hand to help Spike which he took. She frowned as she dusted some of the snow off of him. “I’m really sorry Spike… I have to go… I was having a very nice time too.”

“I understand… Duty calls.” He shrugged.

“We should do this again sometime.” She suggested.

“You know where to find me.” He replied.

She patted him on the shoulder and ran off.

With a pair of expensive headphones on her ears, Rainbow found herself jamming out to her favorite music as she approached her friend CJ’S house. She kept it a secret that she listened to Biggie as well as Tupac as it was often viewed as heresy to enjoy both. She found she had a soft spot for both of their music though. Though she regularly was known for defending her music tastes, she often just got tired of doing so.

She wanted to go and discuss their next move with CJ before they got too ahead of themselves.

Knocking on his door, she waited for a response. To her surprise though, she was greeted by silence. It was far too early for him to be sleeping and CJ wasn’t much for daytime naps. It was only a bit past 1PM, so she knew the only reason he wouldn’t answer is by not being home.

Letting herself in, she could already hear the TV on, which CJ never left on if he wasn’t in the room. When she was young she remembered him constantly complaining that power doesn’t just grow on trees.

Stepping to the direction of the sound of the television she noticed a few drops of blood on the ground.

Quickly she retrieved her gun from her waistband and held it in front of herself as she walked cautiously. “CJ?” She called out.

No response.

With another careful step she brought herself into the living room where she lowered her weapon and found herself stunned by the sight in front of her. The young girl backed up and almost lost her balance as she tried to get away from what she was seeing, but found it impossible to look away. “Fuck…” She cursed.

Quickly she retrieved her phone in a panic and called her friend Rarity, the first words out of her friend’s mouth were “Hello? Rainbow, how are you?”

Rainbow was fighting back tears as she talked. “Rarity… They got him, they fuckin’ got him… Oh my fucking God… I can’t believe this…”

“Calm down, what happened?” Rarity asked for clarity.

She shouted into the phone. “CJ! He’s fucking dead, Rarity! They fucking killed him… Oh my fucking god… There’s blood everywhere…” Rainbow was stepping closer to the body CJ in the middle of the room on top of the coffee table when she noticed a note on top of him that she read over quickly. “They left a note saying we’re next if we don’t back off… Shit… This can’t be happening…”

“Relax, where are you?” Rarity asked.

“I’m at CJ’s house… I can’t believe they did this…” Rainbow responded.

“Okay, meet me at your apartment, I’ll be there soon.” Rarity requested.

Rainbow replied with a simple “Yeah, okay…” Before hanging up and placing her hand on CJ’s shoulder. Trying to look away from the blood she wiped her tears and looked to his face. “I’ll make sure Ice pays for this… I promise…”