Zero to Zero.
The sky was bluish grey with the low blanket clouds being dragged along its length. Under it a red brick building turned amber by the penultimate rays of the sun, and in it a jaded teen wore faded jeans and a washed out t-shirt that was more fitted to wipe windshields than be worn. He worked with a smirk of fearful anticipation on his Face, sweeping from side to side, mopping his brow more out of some nervous reaction than actual effort in his labour. With the chairs overturned and placed unto the tables he limped off to retrieve an aged hoodie from an oddly placed hook in the Wall. Finally he stooped to tie his laces, and with a sigh slouched then keyed the exit door and locked it behind himself as he passed.
He stopped, "knew you were here," he said whispering and unsure. "Told you to stop bothering me...when I’m working"
"Being a cockroach in a dirty bar is not, it isn't working!" she said, as bold as her red jacket, almost as menacing as the obscure skull logo embroidered into it. Her top was pitchblack and with her satin lipstick and navy pencil jeans an unsettling contrast pervaded her look.
"I want more from you" she continued softly, expressionlessly.
He slouched more, leaning on the rough brick wall as if for breath itself, sighing again.
She did not appear to notice, " there used to be something worth caring about in you, you just want to waste away here... in this crap?!" She said pointing at the bar sign above.
Stepping close she laid her arm against the wall as if to trap him. "I know what you're trying to do," she said, half nodding with emphasis. "You’re trying to be Jesus to those people, aren’t you?"
Charging past her He made to stairs which led up to the Roof of the building. She followed doggedly for three flights and upon arrival almost skidded on the small gravel as he made a sudden stop.
It was the only building for hundreds of yards and an eveloping forest was cut by a road on the west side which the empty parking lot spilt into.
It was the only building for hundreds of yards and an eveloping forest was cut by a road on the west side which the empty parking lot spilt into.
"I'm not," he said while turning to face her. "They already have Him, don’t need another saviour, like I don't need you."
Her face flushed as she yelled "What the...-Hell does that mean?!" Her posture and expression revealing incredulous shock.
He stood unmoved, still with a light shrug. His eyes then leaking more resoluteness than his stance or his costume.
"You're not even trying, I knew it, you're a zero! Not even- You're the grass those people wipe their shoes off in when they step in crap!" her voice creaked with insecurity, "Nothing."
"Well that was obvious" He said staring distantly at pebbles the roof "Lucky you ."
"That’s it then, You'll always be an ultra-mega-super-retard." she said, expecting a response.
He turned to the Edge of the roof, and planting his foot on the concrete rim he bowed to tie his shoelace seemingly oblivious to her entreaties.
"You can't do this" her eyes finally showing some emotion "not to me"
He stepped up upon the edge with both feet. Threw on his hoodie, a large black circle like a target on his back, and pulled the hood over his head.
Out of desperation she pled "Don't" and becoming slightly indignant with clenched fists, "You don't have what it takes."
He stilll stood on the edge silently silhouetted by the now faded sunset. His open hoodie fluttering widly in the breeze.
"you're wrong." he said.
With that any concern she had to show died.
He inhaled strongly and confidently, he raised his left heel.
Then flew away.
Copyright © 2011 Rancid Potato
Image: "balconies-7n3q.jpg" © Bigfoto.com
Image: "balconies-7n3q.jpg" © Bigfoto.com
