Mychael was at the bar, a glass of some liquid in his hand, listening to the music that was blaring on the juke box near him. With a sigh, he drained another glass. Always looking ahead and trying to hold back tears. He promised himself that today of all days he would not shed a tear. But, if you have been friends with someone for a rather long period of time, that is beyond easier said then done.
Ignoring the outside noise, he took the glass that had a few drops left and raised it above him.
“Here’s to you fallen comrade.” He said as he gulped down the remainder of the drink. Slamming his glass down, he ordered another one. The man behind the bar, looking at him, scoff at the sight.
“Kid,” he said. “You look like shit. You okay?” Mychael looked at the bartender and removed the gun that was by his side.
“Unless you want to keep your mother fucking life, just feel the glass and be happy that someone is keeping you in business.” Without saying a word, the man filled Mychael’s glass and returned to his job.
Chugging the drink, Mychael put his head into his hands and started to silently weep. All the while, he was talking to himself in his head.
“Goddamn it Ratliff! Why the fuck did you have to get involved in this shit? I should have been there with you. I should have helped you like how you helped me before. I tried to warn you that this was wrong. I tried. But why the fuck did you not listen to me?!?!?!” Mychael yelled in his head. Then, there was a few moment’s of silence until he heard a voice in his head.
“About one thing I never told you my friend: I actually listen to some classic rock once in a while.” Ratliff said. Mychael jumped back in shock.
“Ratliff?!?!?! What the fuck? How the- What the- FUCK?!?!?!?!” Ratliff chuckled under his breath.
“Yeah, I am here. Yet I am not. You see, when I died, part of me lived on in you. My guess is that due to us being friends our hearts became intertwined. Basically, I am you as you are me as I am you as we are all together.”
“Okay, I have had too many drinks.”
“Yeah, that I will admit. But, one thing also is that this is not due to you drinking too much. So, yeah. You can kind of count me as being your conscience.” Mychael just stared off in shock.
“Okay, this I am going to get use to in a bit. But, as of now, I want to know what the fuck you are wanting from me?” He heard Ratliff sigh.
“I was honestly hoping that you would have guessed that by now. But, apparently you have not. Well, due to me wanting to take this to my advantage, I will only say this: I have caused a lot of hell in my life when I was alive. I want to fix all the hell I have caused.” Ratliff said.
“But - but - how?”
“Good things to those that wait, my friend.” Ratliff replied.
“Hey, kid.” Someone said. “Hey! Kid! You alive?” Mychael shook his head after a few seconds.
“It’s alright people!” The bartender said. “ The kid is still breathing. Probably had too many drinks.” Once Mychael got to his feet, he looked around at all the people staring at him. Throwing down some money, he quickly left the bar without turning back at all. In all the embarrassment, he heard some people complaining about the law that allows anyone fifteen and older to drink.
Once on the streets, he walked around trying to clear his mind. He had no idea what had happened when he had apparently passed out. Just, he had heard that some people do hallucinate about former friends, but this was just outrageous! Along the way, he took out his cell phone and called up Lee.
“Lee? It’s Mychael.”
“Hey man! Yeah, what’s up?” There was some heavy bass blaring in the background of the voice when Mychael called.
“Long story short: can I come over to your house for a bit? I kind of want to speak with you.” There was a moment of silence.
“Uh, yeah sure. What’s wrong?”
“I will say once I get there. Just, have a few drinks waiting for me. I am going to need them.” Mychael hanged up his phone and walked towards Lee’s house.
One of the few good things about Lee’s family: All of their jobs are far away at their town. His mother, to a lot of people’s shock, actually works as a middle school teacher teaching biology. His father, on the other hand, works as a police officer. Having a parent work with the school board and one working with law, a few people can learn a thing or two.
Once at Lee’s house, Mychael just walked right in like he owned the place. Looking around, he saw the television on and just plopped himself in front of it, looking to see what was on. He did not care what was, he just wanted something other then the news blaring.
Lee brought two beers with him and started drinking one once he sat down opposite of Mychael. They sat in silence drinking their drinks. At first, neither of them wanted to say a word. It was like that for about fifteen minutes. Once the silence was getting on Lee’s last nerves, he decided to start talking.
“Okay man.” He said, putting his empty can on the table. “What’s going on? Who do we need to kill.” Mychael closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
“Do you believe that the dead can, once in a while, return to talk to you?” Lee stared at Mychael.
“Does this have to deal with what today is? If so, I already paid my tribute to our fallen friend.” Mychael shook his head.
“No, not that. Well, maybe. I do not know.” Mychael thought about what he said and took another swig.
“Then, what?” Lee asked.
“I know what today is. But what I want to know is: if you were friends with someone for a rather long while, can they return in form of spirit to talk to you?” Lee let out a laugh.
“Only when you are more drunk then some whore on twelve avenue.”
“That is the thing.” Mychael said. “I have been more intoxicated then this before. Way more. My thing is that while I was at Tech Noir, I started hearing Ratliff’s voice.” Lee leaned back and exhaled loudly.
“Two words: Bull and Shit.”
“I am not joking man!” Mychael raised his voice a bit. “I heard his voice. Basically, he said that he wants to correct all the wrong he has done in this world but needs us to do it for him!” Mychael was trying to convince his friend that this was true, but there was no such luck.
“It is official: either you have gone ape shit or you do not want to do the job that we have been ordered by Donnie to carry out.”
“It is not like that Goddamn it! I know I am not fucking crazy! Why can’t you just see that!” Mychael was now yelling.
“I do. It is called you being drunk. Here, go into the spare room and pass out for a while. Who knows, maybe you will wake up and feel better.” Mychael got up and walked to the front door.
“I know what I heard. I know he talks to me. Maybe because you were not as close friends with him as I was you can’t see that. But, I am telling you now: I know what I heard and I believe that he is talking to me. Maybe you do not see it now, but sooner or later you will.” With that, Mychael stormed out and did not look back.
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