The Alex Box: A Tale of Loss and Legacy

In the Loop

Ryker should be ashamed, but for some reasons, he was boiling with terrific vexation as he had kept enumerating endlessly, what should stay as friends' confidentiality.

"Broke rascal, I wonder why you shouldn't consider that living on someone else's expenses by this stage of your life is a shameful thing." Jude expounded.

"Yeah. Very!" A boy added sharply.

Ryker knew for sure, he could get all offended right now but he'd lost the energy to pick on anyone, as he could sense a current of derision flowing through the arena, causing the atmosphere to grow heavy with contempt.

He was weakened with undue rigor as stars of unprecedented demeanor woefully flash before his eyes.

"Maybe you did not realize," Jude kept on piquing himself and slaughtering his sanity with sufficient verbiage.

"But I'm sorry for your actively struggling mom, relentlessly catering for all three kids, she deserves a well matured, self-driven young man for a first child, to help ease the unanticipated burden of single parenthood, not an inconsiderate lazy glutton and a troublesome dunderhead like you; you must be a pain in the ass for not thinking like the eldest you are, I must say..."

" Nah, man! Cut the crap." He was trying to cut him off as most of the boys now sniggered at him disparagingly,

"She won't say such! And the last time I checked, she had employed no propagandist. Watch your filthy mouth." He riposted, quite furiously but with a quivering voice.

"She won't say it, no.

But how are you sure she won't think about it?"

"Which of course, is of no difference. Whatever brought it into consideration, determines.

Mind you, your dad would have advised you to man up by this stage of your life and not heave you on his shoulder all day like you always dream."

He was irked. His fingers throbbed with extreme anger, but he concealed the murderous thoughts.

"And honestly," he continued anyway,

with a neutral look. "You're becoming a pebble in my shoe too! He added.

And receding towards the isolated stool on which he sat earlier. "Here, and this is how, I mean the way I choose to make my dough, of which you are one of the greatest beneficiaries" he proclaimed, gesturing with his hands like he was claiming some imaginary accomplishments.

"You've got to man up Ryk..." He continued in an easy tone like he was some genius advisor. "You're are to fend for yourself, don't be a---"

(That was it. I mean, he did successfully hurt me, down to my very bone marrow, and never planned to stop, not today.

He knew no boundary, and neither did he care. But I'm not surprised though.

I happened to be an injured Jew, desperately at the mercy of any good Samaritan by chance, unfortunately, mine was not the case, but a total opposite and ill luck.) Ryker reflected, but rather stoically.

"Alright then, I guess..., no need fulminating against my plights onward, I apologize for all the stress I might have caused you and all the troubles I have brought your way okay, as a matter of fact; you would be relieved henceforth I promise, but I must commend your prowess of philippic lectures." He managed to complete those words in an attempt of cutting him short of his berating speech, amidst the unnerving feeling of being downcast.

Cracking his knuckles to soothe the building uneasiness inside of him seems to work the magic but not to his satisfaction.

He began to project his feet in a bid to exit the arena when he heard someone declare from the west assembly,

"He just won't grow up. Robert is way cooler than he is, the boy is getting recognized these days; he spends a lot!" Recognizing Kyle's voice, his utterances were of no stimulus to him.

Perhaps he thought Ryker's younger brother's commission to cybercrime, and despite how likeable the boy is, should leave an impression on him. But to Ryker, that was his brother's choice and his cup of tea.

Nonetheless, loads of thoughts played through his head but the only one I very much withheld is the thought of disappearing from the emotional battlefield forthwith!

How can a harum-scarum like the one and only notorious Jude think so highly of himself and spit such inanities? He must be feeling accomplished right now gloating about his friend's misfortune.

He overheard many vague discussions on his way out, he felt stings of inferiority and hatred. (What a bunch of impolite clouted punks glorying in their discourteous zone!) Ryker seethed as he proceeded to go home anyway.

Getting past blonde-haired Riley, a loveable carefree six-year-old, the youngest of the Hartleys.

He wore a grey round-neck with his favorite red cardigan, with his obsessive army trousers and a fitted Nike shoe, barely bigger than the fist of an average man.

He was playing with some kids his age in the placid and contented neighborhood, a boulevard pitched on predominantly by wealthy denizens throughout almost all of its byroads, smaller paths, and to it brinks.

The extremely vast famous Ring's estate with an appealing tropical picturesque vicinity almost throughout all of its coast.

A coastal area of land that spread towards the west of Balltown borderlands, divided into two major geographic settings, 'The Ring's island and of course, the Ring's mainland.'

And very popular for its waterfront park, the community park that also features a wide range of events and an exclusive golf course.

Though, it is originally and formally addressed as Harold Harrington's estate area.

Residents must have found a way around the age-old wealthy family name to save them stress.

One might wonder how the Hartley's nuclear family and a few others, conspicuously not as financially posh than or at least, as they do, manage to acquire an asset in one of Balltown's top elite quarters.

Well for starters, it is a high-class domain, with well-organized and categorically classed premises.

Making it possible for any interested applicant who earns enough to find affordable apartments.

Though less expensive spaces are few.

Alex Hartley, Ryker's dad did pay the price saving his family a spot on one of the least liveliest neighbourhoods on Ring's mainland, Randolph's boulevard off Highway 17; and away from the world of pesky, piggy landlords.

"Hey, Rye!" He was unaware Riley did sighted him, perhaps lost in his thoughts but he was startled by the usual hearty welcoming that always got Riley himself a return of though cheap, but gratifying cookies and in most cases, popsicle and candy treats.

Whatever the game yield of Ryker's stakes determines, though susceptible to the spending spree, he never runs out of perseverance to keep on gambling.

Always hopeful about hitting more jackpots in days to come, as well as he hopes it would be such that can satisfy his whims.

"Hey, little man." Turning to him with a fake smile, "you good?" He asked.

"Uhm yeah!" He nodded livelily.

"Mom back yet?" He inquired, trying to maintain the fake smile as Riley looked up into his face, casting a contorted glance due to the effect of the sun.

"No, not yet," he replied. "Is everything okay?" he probed.

He must have studied the unnatural look on Rykers face and his dull unusual body movements.

(This brother doesn't look okay, I don't think I'm getting any cookies today) Riley stared at him with puzzled looks.

He move backward but toward the house

"I've got something to deal with, okay... See ya" he said dismissively.

Riley gave him a melancholic look, still, on the spot, he had planted his foot awhile, then it crossed his mind, he must be planning on coming after him.

About to enter into their moderate detached residence, he looked his way "I would love to be alone for now, okay?" He requested.

And Riley nodded in affirmation, and dropped his gaze to his feet.

Jamming the door like it would make him feel any better and less worried, he took a deep breath and headed to the kitchen,

He found the cereal carton sitting on the counter, walked past it, and went on to open the cabinets, nothing special, just canned, raw, and other types of unprepared but preserved foodstuffs.

He jammed it close and turned to look at it, "goddamn cereal again" he mumbled to himself.

Just then he saw Robert coming out of the room and with swift sage strides, was about to dash out the front door, neatly dressed in Nike's oversized hoodie, loose joggers, AIR sneakers and well hidden behind his glasses.

His sleeves were drawn up his forearm a bit, revealing the personalised bracelets with his initials, as he pocketed his hands like a gentleman.

The growth spurt he was experiencing, made him appear bigger than a twelve-year-old is expected to, as young as he was, his personality echoes 'I listen a lot, but I don't speak much'.

Robert might be a cool boy, but he can be uncouth at times due to his less sociable status.

"Looks like someone's going on a date," Ryker whined.

Not that he meant it nor did he see it as any of his concern, he was just trying to evade the use of proper greeting as apropos of boyhood.

Robert has had a penchant for computing most of his activities revolve around cyber engagements...

Robert has been a script kiddie right from nine years old and growing into an obsessed computer genius, he might end up being a grey or even black hat hacker for the company he keeps is just as corrupt.

Standing by the door now; he acknowledged his elder brother's presence,

"No, not really, I've got to be at Mike's, got some things to catch up on" he replied with a serious face.

"Surprised you're home this early though." "Anyway, I bought some Mac n' Cheeseburger on my way from school today. It's on the desk in the room, you might be interested"

He barely completed his speech, he winked and hurried out with his bag hugging him tightly.