u/Jumpo_the_Clown

"Mason?", I asked him.

The company I had brought in with me last night then suddenly had a quick scream. She jolted and twitched for a hot second from panic but held tight to the blanket to keep it wrapped around her naked body.

"Who the fuck is that?", she asked tucking her arm around my own.

"That's my cousin. I think it's time you should go sweetheart."

I thanked her for the great evening with an empty promise of possibly calling her. I could still smell the juicy alcoholic beverages she consumed the night before as we kissed and the elevator doors closed. Once I had her escorted out, I went back to the random bedroom I chose and that's where Mason still stood.

"Mason! I see your walking man!"

I stride towards him with my arms wide open. As I went to embrace him, he held out his free hand to halt my pursuit of affection.

"Oh. That's right. You weren't never much of a hugger were yah."

"Never have been Fredric."

"Ehh. Fuck did I tell you. It's Fred or Freddy. Thought I got you to stop calling me that when we were twelve?"

His eyes darted to the side. "Sorry, Freddy. You'll have to forgive me. I was in a coma for over the last year."

"Yeah. Mason, I'm so sorry. I wanted to come see you as soon as I got into town. Your head stooge, Deacon, wouldn't give me any information. And, I didn't even know you were awake until I got here! What's up with that? Why didn't you want me to see you before bro?"

"Freddy, you have to understand. It was all too much for me to bare. I suddenly wake up, once my mind settled then I was told everything. I needed time to grieve on my own and strengthen my mind to move forward. But right now, I'm here because there are manners to discuss with one another."

I stood there still adorned in the silky bathrobe I found hanging in a closet a few nights before.

"You mind if I refresh myself before this day gets started. It is today isn't it?"

"The funeral? Yes.", he answered me as he gently rubbed the obscure side of his face.

I looked to him and felt the need to say something.

"You look good by the way. Looks like they did a real good job."

"The doctors said it was a hard process for the skin grafts to heal over with me being the state I was in. So don't be so coy with me cousin. I know I look monstrous. It matters not anyways. You go ahead and attend to yourself. I shall await you out in the living area. Grandfather's wake isn't until the middle of this afternoon, but still don't be too long. We need to talk."

I took the next twenty minutes to shower and prep myself for the day. What I couldn't stop thinking about was how Mason got into that room without making any noise. Now I'm a very light sleeper and that door to the hallway makes a distinctive sound when opened and closed and I would have, no, should have heard it. This apartment does seem to me like it's a lot bigger than what it appears to be. It wouldn't surprise me if there were hidden passages and closed off rooms. With the wealth my grandfather apparently accumulated, why wouldn't he make his home safe like that.

Mason sat at the one sofa peering out over the sunlit city. The skies were clear and barely a white cloud out there leaving it all blue. I sat down to the sofa next the one he was on.

"So what do you plan to do with your share, Freddy? I hope to assume it won't be wasted on strong liquors like it was for your father."

"Hey now. No need to be harsh like that. Whatever problems my dad and our grandfather had was between them and my dad handled it in his own way, though his choices weren't the best to be made. I loved my dad, but I'm not him. Sure I had my fun in high school, but I'm tame mostly these days."

"Well, that's reassuring to hear. So what would you plan out then for your life after this week and your awarded more money than anyone can count?"

I sat there stewing it over in my thoughts for a few moments.

"I guess, go back home, buy some land, build a house, help out some of the folks I grew up around, good people, hell maybe even donate some it...."

I could plainly hear the sigh of disgust burst from his lips and nose.

"Such wasted potential cousin. What if there was no need for you to go back home? Why not live it up for once in your life?"

"YOU, want ME, to stay here?", I couldn't believe he want anything to do with me. Was I even talking to same cousin who once told me he wouldn't piss on me to put me out if I was on fire.

"That's the matter in which we need to discuss. The company is a 'family business' and as the both of us being the only sole aires to our family's business empire, I was groomed to be the next in line as chairman once father had his time. But as you know his time was cut too short and I was left a disfigured mollusk that no one will give a second glance to. I'm giving you the opportunity to play as my face in the company."

"Your....face?!"

"Come now cousin. It was a cosmic coincidence us being who we are. We were both twins separated by our fathers. We should have been bred from one but we split off in some weird witchcraft way to both. Our father's being twins themselves, it was bound one of them would also spawn twins to one woman, but our father's got our mother's pregnant at the exact same time and we were born on the exact same day. We both have the same face. The same as our father's...and our grandfather's."

He handed me over a framed picture of a man standing tall in a three piece pinstripe suit. The grittiness of the photo's quality said to me around the 1960's possibly. It was as if I was seeing a picture of myself. We had the same face.

"Maxillion Mason Corvix at the same age as you and I, 1965. It's odd the face of our forefathers is passed down through the generations. I'm sure it wasn't much effort for you bring back that woman from earlier."

"No, not really. But back to what you said before Mason. What did you mean by 'play as your face'?"

"As I said, we are long lost twins with the same face, and I do detest to having to publicly show myself to others when matters that demand my attendance are in order. You are the one I need to go do such things for me."

"So, you want me to act as if I'm you? Go to board meetings? Tell yes-men in fancy suits what to do? Play the boss when needed?"

"I'm glad you see the gist of it. Yes. That's about it. During anytime between that, you more than welcome to spend your time and half of the money as you wish. The city, no the world, is your playground. Explore the city, enjoy its vices and entertainment, hell travel the world for all I care. Enjoy every city. Our name reaches to every corner of the globe is what you never realized. Our family doesn't just run a multi-billion dollar company, but every business out there. The Corvix name reigns over a conglomerate of every major business in the world."

I took every word he said with a grain of salt.

"So, what would happen if anything were, you know, happen to you or me? Say I'm on flight to Paris and it crashes leaving me dead. What then?"

"Well, if you died by chance I would just have to go with the flow, as they put it. If I were to suddenly pass, you could move on your way and someone else in the company will take over instead. But as for now, I would like if we could play things off so the business I am in charge of now goes a lot smoothly than intended. I fear I won't get much respect looking like a half dead shell of a man. I need you for this cousin."

"It just seems like too much to me cuz. Give me some time to think it over. I'm not too sure how I feel about deceiving people like that. I understand your self conscious about your face and all..."

He suddenly stood up to his feet and tore open the white robe he wore exposing his upper body. It was the same mess as his face. The bubbled scarring from third degree burns ravaged the left side of his chest and torso branching over into the untouched half of his body. It looked like it continued on down his left leg.

"It's not just my FACE Freddy! My entire body is mangled beyond repair! I can barely feel my leg and foot! I CAN'T.....", he yelled out then slumped back into his seat. I could tell he was fighting back the sorrow.

He wouldn't shed one tear to me, but in all my years of knowing him, I was surprised to see one leak from his good eye. He hid his whole life behind our family's wealth thinking that's where true strength lies. But in this moment, I think he finally realized not even all the money in the world can protect you from the inevitable. He was overwhelmed with powerlessness. I felt for him, but at the same time, we may have been twins separated, but we were not the same. I never wanted power over people ever. I was offered an assistant manager's position at my job and I even turned that down. Told them I didn't want all that responsibility.

Before anymore of the conversation could carry on, we were interrupted by stooge in red who glided his way over to Mason and whispered something in his good ear.

"I'm sorry dear cousin, but it seems I'm due to attend the final arrangements at the wake. I will see you there shortly. Please give what we talked about a hard thought. Just know that you would never have to want ever again just to help your crippled cousin.", he said as the stooge assisted him back to his feet. After shuffling a few feet away he turned back to me to say, "And mind yourself. There are sure to be very important people that will show up. Famous media people in fact. Faces you may know from the movies you watch and music you listen to. Just behave yourself if you feel a little starstruck. Grandfather knew a lot of people and they're only there to pay their respects."

I tuned back to lock eyes with him. "Yeah. Sure cuz."

"Mason?", I asked him.

The company I had brought in with me last night then suddenly had a quick scream. She jolted and twitched for a hot second from panic but held tight to the blanket to keep it wrapped around her naked body.

"Who the fuck is that?", she asked tucking her arm around my own.

"That's my cousin. I think it's time you should go sweetheart."

I thanked her for the great evening with an empty promise of possibly calling her. I could still smell the juicy alcoholic beverages she consumed the night before as we kissed and the elevator doors closed. Once I had her escorted out, I went back to the random bedroom I chose and that's where Mason still stood.

"Mason! I see your walking man!"

I stride towards him with my arms wide open. As I went to embrace him, he held out his free hand to halt my pursuit of affection.

"Oh. That's right. You weren't never much of a hugger were yah."

"Never have been Fredric."

"Ehh. Fuck did I tell you. It's Fred or Freddy. Thought I got you to stop calling me that when we were twelve?"

His eyes darted to the side. "Sorry, Freddy. You'll have to forgive me. I was in a coma for over the last year."

"Yeah. Mason, I'm so sorry. I wanted to come see you as soon as I got into town. Your head stooge, Deacon, wouldn't give me any information. And, I didn't even know you were awake until I got here! What's up with that? Why didn't you want me to see you before bro?"

"Freddy, you have to understand. It was all too much for me to bare. I suddenly wake up, once my mind settled then I was told everything. I needed time to grieve on my own and strengthen my mind to move forward. But right now, I'm here because there are manners to discuss with one another."

I stood there still adorned in the silky bathrobe I found hanging in a closet a few nights before.

"You mind if I refresh myself before this day gets started. It is today isn't it?"

"The funeral? Yes.", he answered me as he gently rubbed the obscure side of his face.

I looked to him and felt the need to say something.

"You look good by the way. Looks like they did a real good job."

"The doctors said it was a hard process for the skin grafts to heal over with me being the state I was in. So don't be so coy with me cousin. I know I look monstrous. It matters not anyways. You go ahead and attend to yourself. I shall await you out in the living area. Grandfather's wake isn't until the middle of this afternoon, but still don't be too long. We need to talk."

I took the next twenty minutes to shower and prep myself for the day. What I couldn't stop thinking about was how Mason got into that room without making any noise. Now I'm a very light sleeper and that door to the hallway makes a distinctive sound when opened and closed and I would have, no, should have heard it. This apartment does seem to me like it's a lot bigger than what it appears to be. It wouldn't surprise me if there were hidden passages and closed off rooms. With the wealth my grandfather apparently accumulated, why wouldn't he make his home safe like that.

Mason sat at the one sofa peering out over the sunlit city. The skies were clear and barely a white cloud out there leaving it all blue. I sat down to the sofa next the one he was on.

"So what do you plan to do with your share, Freddy? I hope to assume it won't be wasted on strong liquors like it was for your father."

"Hey now. No need to be harsh like that. Whatever problems my dad and our grandfather had was between them and my dad handled it in his own way, though his choices weren't the best to be made. I loved my dad, but I'm not him. Sure I had my fun in high school, but I'm tame mostly these days."

"Well, that's reassuring to hear. So what would you plan out then for your life after this week and your awarded more money than anyone can count?"

I sat there stewing it over in my thoughts for a few moments.

"I guess, go back home, buy some land, build a house, help out some of the folks I grew up around, good people, hell maybe even donate some it...."

I could plainly hear the sigh of disgust burst from his lips and nose.

"Such wasted potential cousin. What if there was no need for you to go back home? Why not live it up for once in your life?"

"YOU, want ME, to stay here?", I couldn't believe he want anything to do with me. Was I even talking to same cousin who once told me he wouldn't piss on me to put me out if I was on fire.

"That's the matter in which we need to discuss. The company is a 'family business' and as the both of us being the only sole aires to our family's business empire, I was groomed to be the next in line as chairman once father had his time. But as you know his time was cut too short and I was left a disfigured mollusk that no one will give a second glance to. I'm giving you the opportunity to play as my face in the company."

"Your....face?!"

"Come now cousin. It was a cosmic coincidence us being who we are. We were both twins separated by our fathers. We should have been bred from one but we split off in some weird witchcraft way to both. Our father's being twins themselves, it was bound one of them would also spawn twins to one woman, but our father's got our mother's pregnant at the exact same time and we were born on the exact same day. We both have the same face. The same as our father's...and our grandfather's."

He handed me over a framed picture of a man standing tall in a three piece pinstripe suit. The grittiness of the photo's quality said to me around the 1960's possibly. It was as if I was seeing a picture of myself. We had the same face.

"Maxillion Mason Corvix at same age as you and I, 1965. It's odd the face of our forefathers is passed down through the generations. I'm sure it wasn't much effort for you bring back that woman from earlier."

"No, not really. But back to what you said before Mason. What did you mean by 'play as your face'?"

"As I said, we are long lost twins with the same face, and I do detest to having to publicly show myself to others when matters that demand my attendance are in order. You are the one I need to go do such things for me."

"So, you want me to act as if I'm you? Go to board meetings? Tell yes-men in fancy suits what to do? Play the boss when needed?"

"I'm glad you see the gist of it. Yes. That's about it. During anytime between that, you more than welcome to spend your time and half of the money as you wish. The city, no the world, is your playground. Explore the city, enjoy its vices and entertainment, hell travel the world for all I care. Enjoy every city. Our name reaches to every corner of the globe is what you never realized. Our family doesn't just run a multi-billion dollar company, but every business out there. The Corvix name reigns over a conglomerate of every major business in the world."

I took every word he said with a grain of salt.

"So, what would happen if anything were, you know, happen to you or me? Say I'm on flight to Paris and it crashes leaving me dead. What then?"

"Well, if you died by chance I would just have to go with the flow, as they put it. If I were to suddenly pass, you could move on your way and someone else in the company will take over instead. But as for now, I would like if we could play things off so the business I am in charge of now goes a lot smoothly than intended. I fear I won't get much respect looking like a half dead shell of a man. I need you for this cousin."

"It just seems like too much to me cuz. Give me some time to think it over. I'm not too sure how I feel about deceiving people like that. I understand your self conscious about your face and all..."

He suddenly stood up to his feet and tore open the white robe he wore exposing his upper body. It was the same mess as his face. The bubbled scarring from third degree burns ravaged the left side of his chest and torso branching over into the untouched half of his body. It looked like it continued on down his left leg.

"It's not just my FACE Freddy! My entire body is mangled beyond repair! I can barely feel my leg and foot! I CAN'T.....", he yelled out then slumped back into his seat. I could tell he was fighting back the sorrow.

He wouldn't shed one tear to me, but in all my years of knowing him, I was surprised to see one leak from his good eye. He hid his whole life behind our family's wealth thinking that's where true strength lies. But in this moment, I think he finally realized not even all the money in the world can protect you from the inevitable. He was overwhelmed with powerlessness. I felt for him, but at the same time, we may have been twins separated, but we were not the same. I never wanted power over people ever. I was offered an assistant manager's position at my job and I even turned that down. Told them I didn't want all that responsibility.

Before anymore of the conversation could carry on, we were interrupted by stooge in red who glided his way over to Mason and whispered something in his good ear.

"I'm sorry dear cousin, but it seems I'm due to attend the final arrangements at the wake. I will see you there shortly. Please give what we talked about a hard thought. Just know that you would never have to want ever again just to help your crippled cousin.", he said as the stooge assisted him back to his feet. After shuffling a few feet away he turned back to me to say, "And mind yourself. There are sure to be very important people that will show up. Famous media people in fact. Faces you may know from the movies you watch and music you listen to. Just behave yourself if you feel a little starstruck. Grandfather knew a lot of people and they're only there to pay their respects."

I tuned back to lock eyes with him. "Yeah. Sure cuz."

"Mason?", I asked him.

The company I had brought in with me last night then suddenly had a quick scream. She jolted and twitched for a hot second from panic but held tight to the blanket to keep it wrapped around her naked body.

"Who the fuck is that?", she asked tucking her arm around my own.

"That's my cousin. I think it's time you should go sweetheart."

I thanked her for the great evening with an empty promise of possibly calling her. I could still smell the juicy alcoholic beverages she consumed the night before as we kissed and the elevator doors closed. Once I had her escorted out, I went back to the random bedroom I chose and that's where Mason still stood.

"Mason! I see your walking man!"

I stride towards him with my arms wide open. As I went to embrace him, he held out his free hand to halt my pursuit of affection.

"Oh. That's right. You weren't never much of a hugger were yah."

"Never have been Fredric."

"Ehh. Fuck did I tell you. It's Fred or Freddy. Thought I got you to stop calling me that when we were twelve?"

His eyes darted to the side. "Sorry, Freddy. You'll have to forgive me. I was in a coma for over the last year."

"Yeah. Mason, I'm so sorry. I wanted to come see you as soon as I got into town. Your head stooge, Deacon, wouldn't give me any information. And, I didn't even know you were awake until I got here! What's up with that? Why didn't you want me to see you before bro?"

"Freddy, you have to understand. It was all too much for me to bare. I suddenly wake up, once my mind settled then I was told everything. I needed time to grieve on my own and strengthen my mind to move forward. But right now, I'm here because there are manners to discuss with one another."

I stood there still adorned in the silky bathrobe I found hanging in a closet a few nights before.

"You mind if I refresh myself before this day gets started. It is today isn't it?"

"The funeral? Yes.", he answered me as he gently rubbed the obscure side of his face.

I looked to him and felt the need to say something.

"You look good by the way. Looks like they did a real good job."

"The doctors said it was a hard process for the skin grafts to heal over with me being the state I was in. So don't be so coy with me cousin. I know I look monstrous. It matters not anyways. You go ahead and attend to yourself. I shall await you out in the living area. Grandfather's wake isn't until the middle of this afternoon, but still don't be too long. We need to talk."

I took the next twenty minutes to shower and prep myself for the day. What I couldn't stop thinking about was how Mason got into that room without making any noise. Now I'm a very light sleeper and that door to the hallway makes a distinctive sound when opened and closed and I would have, no, should have heard it. This apartment does seem to me like it's a lot bigger than what it appears to be. It wouldn't surprise me if there were hidden passages and closed off rooms. With the wealth my grandfather apparently accumulated, why wouldn't he make his home safe like that.

Mason sat at the one sofa peering out over the sunlit city. The skies were clear and barely a white cloud out there leaving it all blue. I sat down to the sofa next the one he was on.

"So what do you plan to do with your share, Freddy? I hope to assume it won't be wasted on strong liquors like it was for your father."

"Hey now. No need to be harsh like that. Whatever problems my dad and our grandfather had was between them and my dad handled it in his own way, though his choices weren't the best to be made. I loved my dad, but I'm not him. Sure I had my fun in high school, but I'm tame mostly these days."

"Well, that's reassuring to hear. So what would you plan out then for your life after this week and your awarded more money than anyone can count?"

I sat there stewing it over in my thoughts for a few moments.

"I guess, go back home, buy some land, build a house, help out some of the folks I grew up around, good people, hell maybe even donate some it...."

I could plainly hear the sigh of disgust burst from his lips and nose.

"Such wasted potential cousin. What if there was no need for you to go back home? Why not live it up for once in your life?"

"YOU, want ME, to stay here?", I couldn't believe he want anything to do with me. Was I even talking to same cousin who once told me he wouldn't piss on me to put me out if I was on fire.

"That's the matter in which we need to discuss. The company is a 'family business' and as the both of us being the only sole aires to our family's business empire, I was groomed to be the next in line as chairman once father had his time. But as you know his time was cut too short and I was left a disfigured mollusk that no one will give a second glance to. I'm giving you the opportunity to play as my face in the company."

"Your....face?!"

"Come now cousin. It was a cosmic coincidence us being who we are. We were both twins separated by our fathers. We should have been bred from one but we split off in some weird witchcraft way to both. Our father's being twins themselves, it was bound one of them would also spawn twins to one woman, but our father's got our mother's pregnant at the exact same time and we were born on the exact same day. We both have the same face. The same as our father's...and our grandfather's."

He handed me over a framed picture of a man standing tall in a three piece pinstripe suit. The grittiness of the photo's quality said to me around the 1960's possibly. It was as if I was seeing a picture of myself. We had the same face.

"Maxillion Mason Corvix at the same age as you and I, 1965. It's odd the face of our forefathers is passed down through the generations. I'm sure it wasn't much effort for you bring back that woman from earlier."

"No, not really. But back to what you said before Mason. What did you mean by 'play as your face'?"

"As I said, we are long lost twins with the same face, and I do detest to having to publicly show myself to others when matters that demand my attendance are in order. You are the one I need to go do such things for me."

"So, you want me to act as if I'm you? Go to board meetings? Tell yes-men in fancy suits what to do? Play the boss when needed?"

"I'm glad you see the gist of it. Yes. That's about it. During anytime between that, you more than welcome to spend your time and half of the money as you wish. The city, no the world, is your playground. Explore the city, enjoy its vices and entertainment, hell travel the world for all I care. Enjoy every city. Our name reaches to every corner of the globe is what you never realized. Our family doesn't just run a multi-billion dollar company, but every business out there. The Corvix name reigns over a conglomerate of every major business in the world."

I took every word he said with a grain of salt.

"So, what would happen if anything were, you know, happen to you or me? Say I'm on flight to Paris and it crashes leaving me dead. What then?"

"Well, if you died by chance I would just have to go with the flow, as they put it. If I were to suddenly pass, you could move on your way and someone else in the company will take over instead. But as for now, I would like if we could play things off so the business I am in charge of now goes a lot smoothly than intended. I fear I won't get much respect looking like a half dead shell of a man. I need you for this cousin."

"It just seems like too much to me cuz. Give me some time to think it over. I'm not too sure how I feel about deceiving people like that. I understand your self conscious about your face and all..."

He suddenly stood up to his feet and tore open the white robe he wore exposing his upper body. It was the same mess as his face. The bubbled scarring from third degree burns ravaged the left side of his chest and torso branching over into the untouched half of his body. It looked like it continued on down his left leg.

"It's not just my FACE Freddy! My entire body is mangled beyond repair! I can barely feel my leg and foot! I CAN'T.....", he yelled out then slumped back into his seat. I could tell he was fighting back the sorrow.

He wouldn't shed one tear to me, but in all my years of knowing him, I was surprised to see one leak from his good eye. He hid his whole life behind our family's wealth thinking that's where true strength lies. But in this moment, I think he finally realized not even all the money in the world can protect you from the inevitable. He was overwhelmed with powerlessness. I felt for him, but at the same time, we may have been twins separated, but we were not the same. I never wanted power over people ever. I was offered an assistant manager's position at my job and I even turned that down. Told them I didn't want all that responsibility.

Before anymore of the conversation could carry on, we were interrupted by stooge in red who glided his way over to Mason and whispered something in his good ear.

"I'm sorry dear cousin, but it seems I'm due to attend the final arrangements at the wake. I will see you there shortly. Please give what we talked about a hard thought. Just know that you would never have to want ever again just to help your crippled cousin.", he said as the stooge assisted him back to his feet. After shuffling a few feet away he turned back to me to say, "And mind yourself. There are sure to be very important people that will show up. Famous media people in fact. Faces you may know from the movies you watch and music you listen to. Just behave yourself if you feel a little starstruck. Grandfather knew a lot of people and they're only there to pay their respects."

I tuned back to lock eyes with him. "Yeah. Sure cuz."

"Your cousin, sir?", the red suit asked me.

"How's his condition? I was told he was in a coma, correct? I want to pay a visit."

The red stooge stood there as if he was pondering what to tell me. I took notice to the ear piece wire protruding from the side of his head. We weren't the only two having this conversation.

"Your cousin is no longer in a coma sir. In fact he awoke the day after your grandfather's passing. Like some miracle."

"Well, why wasn't I informed before? The lawyer on the phone said he was still a vegetable!", I asked with some annoyance in my tone.

"You were informed, now, sir. Your cousin thought it best not to make a big announcement about the ordeal. Let him get his recovering underway. I'm sure your cousin is more than happy to want to see you as well. He didn't take the news of his own parents not making it from the accident quite good I'm afraid, not only is he mourning for your grandfather, but for them also. He has to undergo through some physical therapy for now until he can start walking on his own again."

"Well hell, can I at least see him then."

"Arrangements can be made, but not today. You only just arrived and I'm sure you want to get settled in. You are welcome to anything here. I will leave you to it Master Corvix."

"Please, don't call me that. Fredric is what my dad named me. Most people call me Freddy. And you are...?"

"I am Deacon. I'm head of your family's personal security."

As I watched him walk away to the elevator doors that brought us up, I had one more question to ask him.

"Hey, uh, so weird question before you go. With my cousin awake now, is there going to be a split of the inheritance?"

"No, sir. The amount you were told IS your half.", he said as the elevator doors closed leaving me the only one alone in the ever large penthouse apartment.

1 WEEK AGO

Since I arrived in town, I took full advantage of my new wealth, but not in the sense you would think. I didn't go crazy with greed and vanity with shopping sprees to night life partying. I never found myself to be one wanting everyone's attention. I did get myself a new set of clothes. Nothing too flashy. Just something standard enough to blend in to New York's fashion tastes. I got myself a nice, clean suit jacket with dress pants, black of coarse, but no tie. I have my own standards to hold. Keep it simple but snazzy. I couldn't resist buying an expensive watch to match the attire though.

I think once the funeral is over, I can make amends with my cousin, take the money and head back home to buy a few acres and build a dream home for myself. Maybe even share some of the wealth with my fellow trailer trash. I wouldn't be able to spend it in ten life times. I still have not been able to see him these past couple days approaching the funeral. The employees at the building are sure kept on a short leash. I couldn't get any information about what hospital he was at from anyone.

And that's where it gets weird. Anytime I would ask anything concerning my cousin or grandfather, I'm shot off or the subject is quickly changed with those fake smiles. Only Deacon would talk to me and like always give me the run around bullshit. Even during my free strolls on the streets of the city, every so often I would catch a red suited figure in the crowds or off in the distance. Like they were keeping a close watch on me. I only ever felt this paranoid when I tried pot for the first time.

Last night I had a strange experience. I found myself lost walking through Central Park by the time dusk set upon the sky. I was seeing less people around by the minute. They must know better not to be in this large open area after dark. Trying to find my way back to the streets, I came up on an underpass hearing the echo of a melody sung by an unknown person.

"....the secret king....he spreads his wings....from blood to blood....he rules all things...."

Her voice was dry and crackly, but her words moved me in some odd way. That tingling feeling you get up your spine by a swift chill that had passed through your body. I slowly approached the songstress as to not alarm her. She had modified a somewhat decent homestead of a tent and some wooden parts madeshift for walls. Her layered clothes were tattered and torn covered in dust. Her hair was matted and lacked luster. The grime on her face shined in the dim light left over in the sky. We were both in polar opposite boats of society's spectrum. But something told me deep inside, she was a lot richer than I was about to be.

"....the secret king....he spreads....his...wings..."

As she sung, I could see most her teeth had vacated her mouth and her left eye was as white as a blank sheet of paper.

"...from blood....to blood....he rules....alllll.....things."

As I got closer, she paused her verse then sniffed deeply into the air.

"...someone's there?"

"Yes. Hi there. Didn't mean to intrude. That's an odd song you got there. Who's the Secret King?"

She creaks her neck in a twisted way to look at me. Her other, good eye, appeared semi-blind itself with a thick foggy filming overlapping it.

"...heh heh...he is the one who rules over all of us and no one knows it. He manages man's love of warfare....corruption. He keeps the rich fat, plump and their pockets filled while the masses beg him for more. We are all at his mercy! ...heh heheheee..."

I thought best not to ask anymore. To me at that moment, she was a crazed loon in my eyes. I thought maybe she was on a variety of drugs. Still, I couldn't shake what she had sung. Those exact words my father said before he was gone. I went back the next day to catch her in a more sober state, but the underpass was cleaned out. Not a trace of her was left anywhere, like she was erased.

The next morning I was caught completely off guard. I was awoken in bed by a somewhat familiar face. I didn't even hear him come in. He scared me not only by his sudden presence in the room with me, like he watched me sleep, but also by the malformed faults of his face. It was like looking at the villain Two-Face from a Batman comic. His right half was smooth and crisp while the left half was a melded mess of grafted skin. The scar tissue bubbled out and blotched red spotting's all over. There was a fair chunk of hair missing from his scalp as well. But still, it was almost like looking in a fun house mirror. He stood there leaned against a cane.

"Hello, cousin."

"Your cousin, sir?", the red suit asked me.

"How's his condition? I was told he was in a coma, correct? I want to pay a visit."

The red stooge stood there as if he was pondering what to tell me. I took notice to the ear piece wire protruding from the side of his head. We weren't the only two having this conversation.

"Your cousin is no longer in a coma sir. In fact he awoke the day after your grandfather's passing. Like some miracle."

"Well, why wasn't I informed before? The lawyer on the phone said he was still a vegetable!", I asked with some annoyance in my tone.

"You were informed, now, sir. Your cousin thought it best not to make a big announcement about the ordeal. Let him get his recovering underway. I'm sure your cousin is more than happy to want to see you as well. He didn't take the news of his own parents not making it from the accident quite good I'm afraid, not only is he mourning for your grandfather, but for them also. He has to undergo through some physical therapy for now until he can start walking on his own again."

"Well hell, can I at least see him then."

"Arrangements can be made, but not today. You only just arrived and I'm sure you want to get settled in. You are welcome to anything here. I will leave you to it Master Corvix."

"Please, don't call me that. Fredric is what my dad named me. Most people call me Freddy. And you are...?"

"I am Deacon. I'm head of your family's personal security."

As I watched him walk away to the elevator doors that brought us up, I had one more question to ask him.

"Hey, uh, so weird question before you go. With my cousin awake now, is there going to be a split of the inheritance?"

"No, sir. The amount you were told IS your half.", he said as the elevator doors closed leaving me the only one alone in the ever large penthouse apartment.

1 WEEK AGO

Since I arrived in town, I took full advantage of my new wealth, but not in the sense you would think. I didn't go crazy with greed and vanity with shopping sprees to night life partying. I never found myself to be one wanting everyone's attention. I did get myself a new set of clothes. Nothing too flashy. Just something standard enough to blend in to New York's fashion tastes. I got myself a nice, clean suit jacket with dress pants, black of coarse, but no tie. I have my own standards to hold. Keep it simple but snazzy. I couldn't resist buying an expensive watch to match the attire though.

I think once the funeral is over, I can make amends with my cousin, take the money and head back home to buy a few acres and build a dream home for myself. Maybe even share some of the wealth with my fellow trailer trash. I wouldn't be able to spend it in ten life times. I still have not been able to see him these past couple days approaching the funeral. The employees at the building are sure kept on a short leash. I couldn't get any information about what hospital he was at from anyone.

And that's where it gets weird. Anytime I would ask anything concerning my cousin or grandfather, I'm shot off or the subject is quickly changed with those fake smiles. Only Deacon would talk to me and like always give me the run around bullshit. Even during my free strolls on the streets of the city, every so often I would catch a red suited figure in the crowds or off in the distance. Like they were keeping a close watch on me. I only ever felt this paranoid when I tried pot for the first time.

Two nights ago I had a strange experience. I found myself lost walking through Central Park by the time dusk set upon the sky. I was seeing less people around by the minute. They must know better not to be in this large open area after dark. Trying to find my way back to the streets, I came up on an underpass hearing the echo of a melody sung by an unknown person.

"....the secret king....he spreads his wings....from blood to blood....he rules all things...."

Her voice was dry and crackly, but her words moved me in some odd way. That tingling feeling you get up your spine by a swift chill that had passed through your body. I slowly approached the songstress as to not alarm her. She had modified a somewhat decent homestead of a tent and some wooden parts madeshift for walls. Her layered clothes were tattered and torn covered in dust. Her hair was matted and lacked luster. The grime on her face shined in the dim light left over in the sky. We were both in polar opposite boats of society's spectrum. But something told me deep inside, she was a lot richer than I was about to be.

"....the secret king....he spreads....his...wings..."

As she sung, I could see most her teeth had vacated her mouth and her left eye was as white as a blank sheet of paper.

"...from blood....to blood....he rules....alllll.....things."

As I got closer, she paused her verse then sniffed deeply into the air.

"...someone's there?"

"Yes. Hi there. Didn't mean to intrude. That's an odd song you got there. Who's the Secret King?"

She creaks her neck in a twisted way to look at me. Her other, good eye, appeared semi-blind itself with a thick foggy filming overlapping it.

"...heh heh...he is the one who rules over all of us and no one knows it. He manages man's love of warfare....corruption. He keeps the rich fat, plump and their pockets filled while the masses beg him for more. We are all at his mercy! ...heh heheheee..."

I thought best not to ask anymore. To me at that moment, she was a crazed loon in my eyes. I thought maybe she was on a variety of drugs. Still, I couldn't shake what she had sung. Those exact words my father said before he was gone. I went back the next day to catch her in a more sober state, but the underpass was cleaned out. Not a trace of her was left anywhere, like she was erased.

The next morning I was caught completely off guard. I was awoken in bed by a somewhat familiar face. I didn't even hear him come in. He scared me not only by his sudden presence in the room with me, like he watched me sleep, but also by the malformed faults of his face. It was like looking at the villain Two-Face from a Batman comic. His right half was smooth and crisp while the left half was a melded mess of grafted skin. The scar tissue bubbled out and blotched red spotting's all over. There was a fair chunk of hair missing from his scalp as well. But still, it was almost like looking in a fun house mirror. He stood there leaned against a cane.

"Hello, cousin."

"Your cousin, sir?", the red suit asked me.

"How's his condition? I was told he was in a coma, correct? I want to pay a visit."

The red stooge stood there as if he was pondering what to tell me. I took notice to the ear piece wire protruding from the side of his head. We weren't the only two having this conversation.

"Your cousin is no longer in a coma sir. In fact he awoke the day after your grandfather's passing. Like some miracle."

"Well, why wasn't I informed before? The lawyer on the phone said he was still a vegetable!", I asked with some annoyance in my tone.

"You were informed, now, sir. Your cousin thought it best not to make a big announcement about the ordeal. Let him get his recovering underway. I'm sure your cousin is more than happy to want to see you as well. He didn't take the news of his own parents not making it from the accident quite good I'm afraid, not only is he mourning for your grandfather, but for them also. He has to undergo through some physical therapy for now until he can start walking on his own again."

"Well hell, can I at least see him then."

"Arrangements can be made, but not today. You only just arrived and I'm sure you want to get settled in. You are welcome to anything here. I will leave you to it Master Corvix."

"Please, don't call me that. Fredric is what my dad named me. Most people call me Freddy. And you are...?"

"I am Deacon. I'm head of your family's personal security."

As I watched him walk away to the elevator doors that brought us up, I had one more question to ask him.

"Hey, uh, so weird question before you go. With my cousin awake now, is there going to be a split of the inheritance?"

"No, sir. The amount you were told IS your half.", he said as the elevator doors closed leaving me the only one alone in the ever large penthouse apartment.

1 WEEK AGO

Since I arrived in town, I took full advantage of my new wealth, but not in the sense you would think. I didn't go crazy with greed and vanity with shopping sprees to night life partying. I never found myself to be one wanting everyone's attention. I did get myself a new set of clothes. Nothing too flashy. Just something standard enough to blend in to New York's fashion tastes. I got myself a nice, clean suit jacket with dress pants, black of coarse, but no tie. I have my own standards to hold. Keep it simple but snazzy. I couldn't resist buying an expensive watch to match the attire though.

I think once the funeral is over, I can make amends with my cousin, take the money and head back home to buy a few acres and build a dream home for myself. Maybe even share some of the wealth with my fellow trailer trash. I wouldn't be able to spend it in ten life times. I still have not been able to see him these past couple days approaching the funeral. The employees at the building are sure kept on a short leash. I couldn't get any information about what hospital he was at from anyone.

And that's where it gets weird. Anytime I would ask anything concerning my cousin or grandfather, I'm shot off or the subject is quickly changed with those fake smiles. Only Deacon would talk to me and like always give me the run around bullshit. Even during my free strolls on the streets of the city, every so often I would catch a red suited figure in the crowds or off in the distance. Like they were keeping a close watch on me. I only ever felt this paranoid when I tried pot for the first time.

Last night I had a strange experience. I found myself lost walking through Central Park by the time dusk set upon the sky. I was seeing less people around by the minute. They must know better not to be in this large open area after dark. Trying to find my way back to the streets, I came up on an underpass hearing the echo of a melody sung by an unknown person.

"....the secret king....he spreads his wings....from blood to blood....he rules all things...."

Her voice was dry and crackly, but her words moved me in some odd way. That tingling feeling you get up your spine by a swift chill that had passed through your body. I slowly approached the songstress as to not alarm her. She had modified a somewhat decent homestead of a tent and some wooden parts madeshift for walls. Her layered clothes were tattered and torn covered in dust. Her hair was matted and lacked luster. The grime on her face shined in the dim light left over in the sky. We were both in polar opposite boats of society's spectrum. But something told me deep inside, she was a lot richer than I was about to be.

"....the secret king....he spreads....his...wings..."

As she sung, I could see most her teeth had vacated her mouth and her left eye was as white as a blank sheet of paper.

"...from blood....to blood....he rules....alllll.....things."

As I got closer, she paused her verse then sniffed deeply into the air.

"...someone's there?"

"Yes. Hi there. Didn't mean to intrude. That's an odd song you got there. Who's the Secret King?"

She creaks her neck in a twisted way to look at me. Her other, good eye, appeared semi-blind itself with a thick foggy filming overlapping it.

"...heh heh...he is the one who rules over all of us and no one knows it. He manages man's love of warfare....corruption. He keeps the rich fat, plump and their pockets filled while the masses beg him for more. We are all at his mercy! ...heh heheheee..."

I thought best not to ask anymore. To me at that moment, she was a crazed loon in my eyes. I thought maybe she was on a variety of drugs. Still, I couldn't shake what she had sung. Those exact words my father said before he was gone. I went back the next day to catch her in a more sober state, but the underpass was cleaned out. Not a trace of her was left anywhere, like she was erased.

The next morning I was caught completely off guard. I was awoken in bed by a somewhat familiar face. I didn't even hear him come in. He scared me not only by his sudden presence in the room with me, like he watched me sleep, but also by the malformed faults of his face. It was like looking at the villain Two-Face from a Batman comic. His right half was smooth and crisp while the left half was a melded mess of grafted skin. The scar tissue bubbled out and blotched red spotting's all over. There was a fair chunk of hair missing from his scalp as well. But still, it was almost like looking in a fun house mirror. He stood there leaned against a cane.

"Hello, cousin."

My nails rip and break backwards from the relentless clawing on the wood in front of me. The sharpening pain is followed by crimson flowing down my arm to my elbow much like the piss running on my legs. Dryness overcomes my crackling throat from tireless screaming. I wiggle and thrash inside this compacted space trapped like a naive rat. I hear their voices above and the crumbling of dirt hitting the surface on the other side of this box. With balled up fist, I pound with weak arms and plead for release with no answer in return.

"LET ME OUT YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!! LET ME OUT!!!"

2 WEEKS AGO

I got a phone call the other day. I didn't know the number but was curious nonetheless on answering it. It was a lawyer from New York City. He called to announce the passing of my estranged grandfather, a man I knew nothing about. There's seems to be a lot of death clouding over my family line as of late.

Last year it was dad's twin brother, my uncle, and his wife survived by their son. They died from a horrible car accident. There was a massive pile up on an inner city freeway. My uncle, aunt and snob cousin were being chauffeured to an event somewhere and were caught in the middle of the catastrophe. My cousin was life flighted in a severe state and has been left in a coma ever since.

Strangest thing is my cousin and myself could have been mistaken for twins as well. We were actually born on the same day and looked exactly alike. My father and uncle were somewhat close. He would visit with my cousin from time to time. My uncle living in the big city across the country being the sole heir of my grandfather's company didn't act like the kind of person fed with a silver spoon all his life. He wasn't condescending or high on his mantle so to speak. My cousin on the other hand couldn't be said to be the same. He was one to take full advantage of his privilege being a snob and a kiss ass to our grandfather. I remember him always telling me when he would visit:

"Grandfather loves me most. I will be getting a full inheritance and you loathsome curs will be left with nothing. Ah, how I live such the good life. I don't see why father is so persistent on visiting with you dregs. Your father wants nothing to do with the company or grandfather."

I was my cousin's polar opposite. My father fled the luxurious lifestyle he was born into and found a more comfortable life at a random corner in Nebraska. We didn't live under the bright rich spotlight like my uncle and his family. The double wide trailer and middle America wages was suitable enough for him. My mother left after I had turned 16. She just wanted my dad to sign the divorce papers and set her free of trailer trash like himself. Their relationship hung by a thread for most of my life so it was inevitable. I wasn't as close with her as I was with my father anyways so it didn't bother me much to watch her go. She said she loved me, but she felt trapped and whatever other excuses she had locked and loaded to use to get away with no regrets.

It wasn't long after she left dad started getting ill. The constant smoking and drinking finally caught up to him. He fought for a couple years against the cancer in his lungs, but it was too far along for any treatment to help and the liver failure he developed near the end made matters worse. He used up a lot of whatever strength he had left to whisper something to me:

"You...are the...secret......king's...", was all he could muster from his lips.

I never knew what he meant by that. He was gone the next day. That was two years ago where as now I'm at the age of twenty-one.

With the new knowledge of my grandfather's passing, I realized then I was alone now in this world being the last of my family lineage. Guess my cousin could count, but he's in a vegetative state though. The lawyer, a Mr. Oliver Weinstein, had informed me of what I already knew. I was the only living/competent relative of my grandfather, there was some paperwork to sign, oh, and I was left a very large sum from his estate which was what caught my attention the most.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I'm not sure I heard that right."

The lawyer clears his throat. "Mmhmm. Yes. You are inherited the amount of one hundred fifty four billion, nine hundred and sixty-seven million, seven hundred and eighty-eight thousand, four hundred and twenty dollars from your late grandfather's numerous accounts."

My skeleton wanted to jump from out of my fleshy meat exterior. I thought for a moment there I was going to faint. It took a few moments for me to process what he had said. I knew my grandfather was very wealthy. I always thought he was just a millionaire with like, maybe, a couple hundred worth. But his wealth was abysmal, you would say damn near impossible.

"Mr. Corvix. Are you there?", the lawyer desperately trying to grab my attention.

"Yes! I'm here. Sorry. It was overwhelming hearing such a number."

He completely understood then carried on the conversation that I was to attend the funeral in New York the next week and be in the office to go over the paperwork to receive my inheritance. There was nothing involving me concerning the company. With my uncle's passing, the company was well under control. They wouldn't want trailer trash such as myself taking over. He then assured me of preparations made for my transportation being already compensated. All I had to do was go the nearest airport, give over a serial number and I would be good to go.

I would hope so. Being the overnight clerk at my local gas station can't really afford me to just up and leave for a plane ride to the one end of the country. At least with my discount, I could afford the gas to get to the airport the next day. Just as the lawyer said, the lady at the desk put in some numbers I told her and I was escorted to a private jet in a lone hanger. The furniture inside was worth more than dad's trailer that was now my trailer. We took off as smoothly as we landed a few short hours later.

I never been to New York before. Never been outside of Nebraska actually. Dad always kept me fearful of the outside world. That staying where we were was safe and being humble was a gift of grace. Living a simple life made you richer than having gold and diamonds in your hands. Guess his idea of a simple life was being at the bottom of a bottle in a backwoods bar.

The limo that was awaiting me at the airport was a first for me. I had no idea where were going. I was just in awe of everything outside it's tinted windows. Seeing the bustling city made me a tad claustrophobic. The tall, glass covered towers clustered next to one another and the endless streets crossing over in every direction left me in a daze. I have never seen so people in one place before but only on television. My neighborhood, or trailer park, consist of maybe thirty others and we all got along for the most part.

We arrived in a parking garage and I was escorted to an elevator.

"Do have any luggage, sir?", some random suit had asked me.

"No. Just what I got in my pockets. Figured I'm about to become a billionaire, so I can just buy new clothes."

He pulled a wide grin at me and bowed his head. I went walking on but kept my eye on the stooch as he raised his head back up and lost the fake smile fast. His stone cold stare back at me kind of gave me a chill. I took a long ride up with another stooch in a suit who was awkwardly quietly the whole way. I could barely hear him breathing. Strangest thing was his entire suit was red. Everything from the jacket, vest, undershirt, the tie, his pants, and even, his shoes.

We got to the tower's penthouse suite and it was the most amazing layout I had ever seen. A New York apartment fit for a king. I strolled in to what I assumed was a living room forming into a dining area. The massively large open windows showcased the cityscape outside. It was such a sight to behold. Almost like reaching the top of a high mountain and looking back over the lands below and beyond. The red suit followed from behind me.

"I assume you're tired from your travels. There's a kitchenette through the doors over there if you are famished.", he said pointing over to his left. "You're more than welcome to any leisure's in the apartment. There are bedrooms and bathrooms down that hallway. It will be a couple more days until the funeral." He then approached me and pulled a black credit card from his pocket. "You are welcome to come and go as you please. This will allow you enjoy New York, unlimitedly.", he said with an odd wink from his eye. He then handed me the card.

Without much care, I pocketed the card then lit a cigarette to calm my nerves. "Well, I am kind of hungry. But, there is one thing I would like to do afterwards if you could help me out with that?"

"And what is that sir?", he asked with that same fake smile.

"I would like to see my cousin."

My nails rip and break backwards from the relentless clawing on the wood in front of me. The sharpening pain is followed by crimson flowing down my arm to my elbow much like the piss running on my legs. Dryness overcomes my crackling throat from tireless screaming. I wiggle and thrash inside this compacted space trapped like a naive rat. I hear their voices above and the crumbling of dirt hitting the surface on the other side of this box. With balled up fist, I pound with weak arms and plead for release with no answer in return.

"LET ME OUT YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!! LET ME OUT!!!"

2 WEEKS AGO

I got a phone call the other day. I didn't know the number but was curious nonetheless on answering it. It was a lawyer from New York City. He called to announce the passing of my estranged grandfather, a man I knew nothing about. There's seems to be a lot of death clouding over my family line as of late.

Last year it was dad's twin brother, my uncle, and his wife survived by their son. They died from a horrible car accident. There was a massive pile up on an inner city freeway. My uncle, aunt and snob cousin were being chauffeured to an event somewhere and were caught in the middle of the catastrophe. My cousin was life flighted in a severe state and has been left in a coma ever since.

Strangest thing is my cousin and myself could have been mistaken for twins as well. We were actually born on the same day and looked exactly alike. My father and uncle were somewhat close. He would visit with my cousin from time to time. My uncle living in the big city across the country being the sole heir of my grandfather's company didn't act like the kind of person fed with a silver spoon all his life. He wasn't condescending or high on his mantle so to speak. My cousin on the other hand couldn't be said to be the same. He was one to take full advantage of his privilege being a snob and a kiss ass to our grandfather. I remember him always telling me when he would visit:

"Grandfather loves me most. I will be getting a full inheritance and you loathsome curs will be left with nothing. Ah, how I live such the good life. I don't see why father is so persistent on visiting with you dregs. Your father wants nothing to do with the company or grandfather."

I was my cousin's polar opposite. My father fled the luxurious lifestyle he was born into and found a more comfortable life at a random corner in Nebraska. We didn't live under the bright rich spotlight like my uncle and his family. The double wide trailer and middle America wages was suitable enough for him. My mother left after I had turned 16. She just wanted my dad to sign the divorce papers and set her free of trailer trash like himself. Their relationship hung by a thread for most of my life so it was inevitable. I wasn't as close with her as I was with my father anyways so it didn't bother me much to watch her go. She said she loved me, but she felt trapped and whatever other excuses she had locked and loaded to use to get away with no regrets.

It wasn't long after she left dad started getting ill. The constant smoking and drinking finally caught up to him. He fought for a couple years against the cancer in his lungs, but it was too far along for any treatment to help and the liver failure he developed near the end made matters worse. He used up a lot of whatever strength he had left to whisper something to me:

"You...are the...secret......king's...", was all he could muster from his lips.

I never knew what he meant by that. He was gone the next day. That was two years ago where as now I'm at the age of twenty-one.

With the new knowledge of my grandfather's passing, I realized then I was alone now in this world being the last of my family lineage. Guess my cousin could count, but he's in a vegetative state though. The lawyer, a Mr. Oliver Weinstein, had informed me of what I already knew. I was the only living/competent relative of my grandfather, there was some paperwork to sign, oh, and I was left a very large sum from his estate which was what caught my attention the most.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I'm not sure I heard that right."

The lawyer clears his throat. "Mmhmm. Yes. You are inherited the amount of one hundred fifty four billion, nine hundred and sixty-seven million, seven hundred and eighty-eight thousand, four hundred and twenty dollars from your late grandfather's numerous accounts."

My skeleton wanted to jump from out of my fleshy meat exterior. I thought for a moment there I was going to faint. It took a few moments for me to process what he had said. I knew my grandfather was very wealthy. I always thought he was just a millionaire with like, maybe, a couple hundred worth. But his wealth was abysmal, you would say damn near impossible.

"Mr. Corvix. Are you there?", the lawyer desperately trying to grab my attention.

"Yes! I'm here. Sorry. It was overwhelming hearing such a number."

He completely understood then carried on the conversation that I was to attend the funeral in New York the next week and be in the office to go over the paperwork to receive my inheritance. There was nothing involving me concerning the company. With my uncle's passing, the company was well under control. They wouldn't want trailer trash such as myself taking over. He then assured me of preparations made for my transportation being already compensated. All I had to do was go the nearest airport, give over a serial number and I would be good to go.

I would hope so. Being the overnight clerk at my local gas station can't really afford me to just up and leave for a plane ride to the one end of the country. At least with my discount, I could afford the gas to get to the airport the next day. Just as the lawyer said, the lady at the desk put in some numbers I told her and I was escorted to a private jet in a lone hanger. The furniture inside was worth more than dad's trailer that was now my trailer. We took off as smoothly as we landed a few short hours later.

I never been to New York before. Never been outside of Nebraska actually. Dad always kept me fearful of the outside world. That staying where we were was safe and being humble was a gift of grace. Living a simple life made you richer than having gold and diamonds in your hands. Guess his idea of a simple life was being at the bottom of a bottle in a backwoods bar.

The limo that was awaiting me at the airport was a first for me. I had no idea where were going. I was just in awe of everything outside it's tinted windows. Seeing the bustling city made me a tad claustrophobic. The tall, glass covered towers clustered next to one another and the endless streets crossing over in every direction left me in a daze. I have never seen so people in one place before but only on television. My neighborhood, or trailer park, consist of maybe thirty others and we all got along for the most part.

We arrived in a parking garage and I was escorted to an elevator.

"Do have any luggage, sir?", some random suit had asked me.

"No. Just what I got in my pockets. Figured I'm about to become a billionaire, so I can just buy new clothes."

He pulled a wide grin at me and bowed his head. I went walking on but kept my eye on the stooch as he raised his head back up and lost the fake smile fast. His stone cold stare back at me kind of gave me a chill. I took a long ride up with another stooch in a suit who was awkwardly quietly the whole way. I could barely hear him breathing. Strangest thing was his entire suit was red. Everything from the jacket, vest, undershirt, the tie, his pants, and even, his shoes.

We got to the tower's penthouse suite and it was the most amazing layout I had ever seen. A New York apartment fit for a king. I strolled in to what I assumed was a living room forming into a dining area. The massively large open windows showcased the cityscape outside. It was such a sight to behold. Almost like reaching the top of a high mountain and looking back over the lands below and beyond. The red suit followed from behind me.

"I assume you're tired from your travels. There's a kitchenette through the doors over there if you are famished.", he said pointing over to his left. "You're more than welcome to any leisure's in the apartment. There are bedrooms and bathrooms down that hallway. It will be a couple more days until the funeral." He then approached me and pulled a black credit card from his pocket. "You are welcome to come and go as you please. This will allow you enjoy New York, unlimitedly.", he said with an odd wink from his eye. He then handed me the card.

Without much care, I pocketed the card then lit a cigarette to calm my nerves. "Well, I am kind of hungry. But, there is one thing I would like to do afterwards if you could help me out with that?"

"And what is that sir?", he asked with that same fake smile.

"I would like to see my cousin."

My nails rip and break backwards from the relentless clawing on the wood in front of me. The sharpening pain is followed by crimson flowing down my arm to my elbow much like the piss running on my legs. Dryness overcomes my crackling throat from tireless screaming. I wiggle and thrash inside this compacted space trapped like a naive rat. I hear their voices above and the crumbling of dirt hitting the surface on the other side of this box. With balled up fist, I pound with weak arms and plead for release with no answer in return.

"LET ME OUT YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!! LET ME OUT!!!"

2 WEEKS AGO

I got a phone call the other day. I didn't know the number but was curious nonetheless on answering it. It was a lawyer from New York City. He called to announce the passing of my estranged grandfather, a man I knew nothing about. There's seems to be a lot of death clouding over my family line as of late.

Last year it was dad's twin brother, my uncle, and his wife survived by their son. They died from a horrible car accident. There was a massive pile up on an inner city freeway. My uncle, aunt and snob cousin were being chauffeured to an event somewhere and were caught in the middle of the catastrophe. My cousin was life flighted in a severe state and has been left in a coma ever since.

Strangest thing is my cousin and myself could have been mistaken for twins as well. We were actually born on the same day and looked exactly alike. My father and uncle were somewhat close. He would visit with my cousin from time to time. My uncle living in the big city across the country being the sole heir of my grandfather's company didn't act like the kind of person fed with a silver spoon all his life. He wasn't condescending or high on his mantle so to speak. My cousin on the other hand couldn't be said to be the same. He was one to take full advantage of his privilege being a snob and a kiss ass to our grandfather. I remember him always telling me when he would visit:

"Grandfather loves me most. I will be getting a full inheritance and you loathsome curs will be left with nothing. Ah, how I live such the good life. I don't see why father is so persistent on visiting with you dregs. Your father wants nothing to do with the company or grandfather."

I was my cousin's polar opposite. My father fled the luxurious lifestyle he was born into and found a more comfortable life at a random corner in Nebraska. We didn't live under the bright rich spotlight like my uncle and his family. The double wide trailer and middle America wages was suitable enough for him. My mother left after I had turned 16. She just wanted my dad to sign the divorce papers and set her free of trailer trash like himself. Their relationship hung by a thread for most of my life so it was inevitable. I wasn't as close with her as I was with my father anyways so it didn't bother me much to watch her go. She said she loved me, but she felt trapped and whatever other excuses she had locked and loaded to use to get away with no regrets.

It wasn't long after she left dad started getting ill. The constant smoking and drinking finally caught up to him. He fought for a couple years against the cancer in his lungs, but it was too far along for any treatment to help and the liver failure he developed near the end made matters worse. He used up a lot of whatever strength he had left to whisper something to me:

"You...are the...secret......king's...", was all he could muster from his lips.

I never knew what he meant by that. He was gone the next day. That was two years ago where as now I'm at the age of twenty-one.

With the new knowledge of my grandfather's passing, I realized then I was alone now in this world being the last of my family lineage. Guess my cousin could count, but he's in a vegetative state though. The lawyer, a Mr. Oliver Weinstein, had informed me of what I already knew. I was the only living/competent relative of my grandfather, there was some paperwork to sign, oh, and I was left a very large sum from his estate which was what caught my attention the most.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I'm not sure I heard that right."

The lawyer clears his throat. "Mmhmm. Yes. You are inherited the amount of one hundred fifty four billion, nine hundred and sixty-seven million, seven hundred and eighty-eight thousand, four hundred and twenty dollars from your late grandfather's numerous accounts."

My skeleton wanted to jump from out of my fleshy meat exterior. I thought for a moment there I was going to faint. It took a few moments for me to process what he had said. I knew my grandfather was very wealthy. I always thought he was just a millionaire with like, maybe, a couple hundred worth. But his wealth was abysmal, you would say damn near impossible.

"Mr. Corvix. Are you there?", the lawyer desperately trying to grab my attention.

"Yes! I'm here. Sorry. It was overwhelming hearing such a number."

He completely understood then carried on the conversation that I was to attend the funeral in New York the next week and be in the office to go over the paperwork to receive my inheritance. There was nothing involving me concerning the company. With my uncle's passing, the company was well under control. They wouldn't want trailer trash such as myself taking over. He then assured me of preparations made for my transportation being already compensated. All I had to do was go the nearest airport, give over a serial number and I would be good to go.

I would hope so. Being the overnight clerk at my local gas station can't really afford me to just up and leave for a plane ride to the one end of the country. At least with my discount, I could afford the gas to get to the airport the next day. Just as the lawyer said, the lady at the desk put in some numbers I told her and I was escorted to a private jet in a lone hanger. The furniture inside was worth more than dad's trailer that was now my trailer. We took off as smoothly as we landed a few short hours later.

I never been to New York before. Never been outside of Nebraska actually. Dad always kept me fearful of the outside world. That staying where we were was safe and being humble was a gift of grace. Living a simple life made you richer than having gold and diamonds in your hands. Guess his idea of a simple life was being at the bottom of a bottle in a backwoods bar.

The limo that was awaiting me at the airport was a first for me. I had no idea where were going. I was just in awe of everything outside it's tinted windows. Seeing the bustling city made me a tad claustrophobic. The tall, glass covered towers clustered next to one another and the endless streets crossing over in every direction left me in a daze. I have never seen so people in one place before but only on television. My neighborhood, or trailer park, consist of maybe thirty others and we all got along for the most part.

We arrived in a parking garage and I was escorted to an elevator.

"Do have any luggage, sir?", some random suit had asked me.

"No. Just what I got in my pockets. Figured I'm about to become a billionaire, so I can just buy new clothes."

He pulled a wide grin at me and bowed his head. I went walking on but kept my eye on the stooch as he raised his head back up and lost the fake smile fast. His stone cold stare back at me kind of gave me a chill. I took a long ride up with another stooch in a suit who was awkwardly quietly the whole way. I could barely hear him breathing. Strangest thing was his entire suit was red. Everything from the jacket, vest, undershirt, the tie, his pants, and even, his shoes.

We got to the tower's penthouse suite and it was the most amazing layout I had ever seen. A New York apartment fit for a king. I strolled in to what I assumed was a living room forming into a dining area. The massively large open windows showcased the cityscape outside. It was such a sight to behold. Almost like reaching the top of a high mountain and looking back over the lands below and beyond. The red suit followed from behind me.

"I assume you're tired from your travels. There's a kitchenette through the doors over there if you are famished.", he said pointing over to his left. "You're more than welcome to any leisure's in the apartment. There are bedrooms and bathrooms down that hallway. It will be a couple more days until the funeral." He then approached me and pulled a black credit card from his pocket. "You are welcome to come and go as you please. This will allow you enjoy New York, unlimitedly.", he said with an odd wink from his eye. He then handed me the card.

Without much care, I pocketed the card then lit a cigarette to calm my nerves. "Well, I am kind of hungry. But, there is one thing I would like to do afterwards if you could help me out with that?"

"And what is that sir?", he asked with that same fake smile.

"I would like to see my cousin."