Chapter VIII: Twilight ride part 1

MATTHEW CROSS

                Again, I find myself inside the familiar darkness. The eternal void swallowed everything, only the sound of my voice inside my head kept me company. The sense of time had gone out the window—I felt what they call eternity. Is this death? I couldn’t really tell.

                The memory of what happened during the last moments of my consciousness suddenly comes back like a flaming train wreck. The shooting pain was all in my head this time, yet I could distinctly feel a charred hole the bullet made on my Armani suit as my fingers ran through the fabric. There was a hole inside my heart no painkillers could ever get rid off—and like the bullet hole itself, I felt hollow.

               

Chapter VI: The Ball part 3

                “Babe! Look what I got for you!” Matt said as he hurriedly ran while his palm gripped the rings inside his coat-pocket. He saw Marian on the other side of the room, a smile on her face as she conversed with someone Matt can barely make out who. The crowd seemed to thicken.

                He saw her fiancé look at her, a pumped-up smile on her face as she excitedly waved at Matt. It seemed comical for him, the girl waving at the other side as the boy desperately tries to make his way across the sea of trials—only to find his worst nightmares waited for him behind the shadow of his lover. Matt found half of the truth on his thoughts for Marian was having a conversation with none other than Jack Santino.

Chapter VII: The Ball Part 2

               Standing by the bouncers, sipping what looked like some sort of cocktail, was none other than Frank Moreno. He wasn't in his regular tropical tourist look—he looked sharp as ever, just like any other gentlemen inside the party.  He glanced over each person that passed. The bouncers were doing their jobs, checking the invitations, frisking the guests. Some were a bit too happy copping a feel as their sleazy hands wandered over silken feminine skin.

Chapter VII: The Ball Part 1

                The night sky glittered like black velvet above the busy streets of Manila. Inside one of the oldest and grandest hotels in town, distinguished guests gathered like moths to a flame. The night was young and busy; valets took care of their guests as one by one, people dressed in silk and velvet treaded across the red carpet.  The streets sparkled more than the stars above as countless cameras flashed, capturing moments of what could be the grandest gathering of the year. Alphonse Santino, the head of Santino Corporation and rumored mob boss, hosting a charity ball attended by names everyone knew.

Chapter VI: Past and Present

                It was a lazy Sunday morning for the reunited couple. Marian, just in her night gown, was still asleep underneath the covers of the bed. A smile was etched on her face as she gripped the pillow beside her. The steady humming of the air-conditioner resonated inside the bedroom. Matt’s baggage laid carelessly by the foot of the bed.

Empire Streets Chapter V: Emperor

 The sun barely began its course lighting up the sky yet Sunday morning was already busy down at the plaza. Families and friends gathered as they entered the cathedral. Its massive church-bell atop the tower rang for miles, both becoming a wake-up call and alarm to the nearby residents. The children with their parents played, running around as they were scolded to behave inside the hallowed grounds of Imus Cathedral.

Empire Streets Chapter IV: A Working Detective

 Darwin stared down a glass of cold piss-colored beer like it was suspect during one of his interrogations. He took the glass with one hand and held it near his face. His brows furrowed as he observed the bead-like sweat running down the transparent glass. Darwin placed the tip on his lips and felt the cool and bitter liquid run down his throat. It was his refreshingly third glass.