It was a long walk back home from school for Mark. As the artificial sun died down and the fake moon emerged from the sky, signifying that it was around 5:30 pm. He wondered why some old people who made the realm created a day-night cycle when there was no need to. Though yet again, to him he believed the creators of the realm of Olympus were virgins and were just flexing their intelligence over others.
When he arrived at the entrance of his new home, on the roof of the complex lay Frank drinking a bottle of Irish whisky by himself, gazing at the stars with a drunken smile. Next to him was a small pocket mirror that was open that he would whisper to it.
‘Frank, what the fuck are you doing up there?’ Mark shouted at the drunken Brit.
Frank looked down and scratched his mutton chop beard and smiled as he noticed Mark. ‘Hey, I didn’t expect you to be back early. Should you be somewhere else?’
‘Answer the question.’ Mark sharply replied with a smug tone, though deep down he was worried about Frank. Even if he came off as insincere.
Frank in response shrugged and drank from his bottle, putting it to the side to open the second one. ‘I am having a good time looking at the moon. It just so happens that this roof provided me with the best view.’
Mark knew better, he could tell Frank wasn’t well. Though he was more surprised that he could string a sentence after drinking an entire bottle of whisky to himself. Yet behind that alcoholic smile and looking at the fake sky above, Mark noticed a sadness behind his voice. One that had a pain that never healed.
But he knew he couldn’t help Frank. Not when he was on the roof and drunk, he needed an out and a reason to get him off there. ‘Hey, you English prick! You also ate the last of the cake, why?’
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Frank chuckled, ‘I was hungry… very hungry.’
‘Well, you hairy bastard. You owe me a slice of carrot cake, and I would like it now since I got exams this week.’
‘You do!?’ Frank mumbled, leaning back and rubbing his face with regret. ‘Bugga, I am sorry mate. I didn’t know… ah shit man! I really did fuck up.’
Mark smiled, seeing that part of his plan was working. ‘Well, how about you stop sobbing and get off your fat ass and get me a new slice of cake.’
Frank groaned, ‘fine, I will. Just after I close my eyes and sleep for a bit.’
‘No, you will get it now. If you don’t, I will go to your lab and mix the chemicals, maybe ruin that project you were working on.’ Mark folded his arms, preparing himself for Frank’s reaction.
‘Fine! Fuck!’ Frank leaned up and put his mirror in his pocket before gathering everything together to get off the roof. Mark knew Frank would walk back into his room to fall asleep in his drunken state, but he didn’t care. As long as Frank hopped off the roof and was safe it didn’t matter if he didn’t get the cake or not.
With a smile, Mark walked inside the barracks to call it a night. While he would be annoyed that the people he was living with were to their core unsavoury and strange characters. He liked them to some degree. Frank was the only one in the unit who would willingly talk to Mark about anything, while Jackson… well, let’s just say he would have a more productive time talking to a brick wall on most days. Yet he could tell that the reptile had some kind of heart, or at least, he owed Jackson for saving his life and getting payback for his betrayal.