Chapter 3 - Starry Night

Enzo escorted Wazir through dreary corridors, into a large storage chamber. The walls were a dull ochre with the paint flaking off. Hues of brown rose along the edges. Every square inch of the room was covered in one artifact or the other, ranging from large cabinets to what Wazir recognized as a miniature obelisk. Enzo shifted to a corner of the room, leading them both to a tiny wooden door. Etched in the sides of it were glowing texts Wazir couldn't decipher. Probably some Asian language, Wazir guessed. Enzo turned the knob and the door complied letting them both escape into a scene Wazir had never seen. Firstly, Wazir discovered that it was already night time outside. The days passed by so quickly. The streets were congested and covered in people, animals and stalls. Dogs barked, cows mooed, moped engines screamed and the vendors did a permutation of the same sounds. The blonde boy felt out of place amongst the tanned people with potbellies and women in attires he'd never seen before.

'Welcome to India, or rather, my hometown.' Wazir found it hard to believe Enzo who looked so lavish was living in such a place. He imagined Enzo to be more of a condo-in-beverly-hills kind of guy.

'We're in India. You're telling me in three days, I've suddenly shifted all the way from New York to... this!'

'Don't get lost.' Enzo continued their walk out into the bustling street. A crusty road with potholes and fliers spread around. Smell of roasted, spicy meat and soda emanated through the air. Their walk ended at a pink moped parked inconspicuously on the side of the road.

'Thanks for looking out for my beauty, Abhi.' Enzo said to a young boy no more than five seated in the bookstall next to them. Enzo reached into his pocket and gave him a money bill, which Abhi readily accepted. Enzo took off his coat, handing it to Wazir for safekeeping. Wazir couldn't help but notice the sleek, near feminine figure of Enzo's. The net hid nothing, as his toned body stayed exposed. Wazir also noticed stares of older people as they walked past them Enzo put on one of the helmets hanging off the side of the moped, handling the other to the blonde. Both mounted the vehicles, and Enzo started it up.

'Don't drop that coat. And oh, you can hold on to me if you want.'

'I don't think I need to.' Wazir said, a sentence which he near instantly came to regret as Enzo rushed the moped at a crazy speed. Wazir nearly tumbled back off the pink vehicle through inertia, if it wasn't for his tight grip on Enzo's flailing net which saved him and that elegant coat. Enzo hollered into the air in excitement, drifting through the crazy traffic as if he were skiing. He sped around corners at sharp angles, Enzo brought the moped out on the more crowded, bustling main roads. Wazir could only scream "not that fast" in protest, but his words met deaf ears.

Just as high-time traffic came bustling their way, Enzo swerved the moped at bizarre angles, avoiding the large machines and larger speedbumps at a hair's width. Wazir would've passed out from the anxiety if it weren't for the thrill of unending scenes passing by his eyes in instances. The once drab world of his was now glimmering beautifully. Was this world always so colorful?

The crazy trip ended at a mountain top. With only a small break at a shopping mart for Enzo to collect some supplies, they had made it to some dense hillside. Enzo parked his vehicle at the edge of the road, reattaching the helmet straps to the hooks, and instructing Wazir to do the same. A small trek later they had reached a small cliff. And Wazir got to see a view he'd never experienced. They both had the view to the massive metropolis in front of them, bustling with heat, light and sound. Sparkles of photons shimmered all around them as both of them basked in the dull yellow hue of the massive city. Breath-taking and mesmerizing.

Enzo took a seat on the dusty ground. He placed the polythene containing the groceries next to him. Wazir followed, taking place next to the adult. Both of them sat, admiring the view. There was no talking, so action, just eyes swerving left and right.

'Is this where your home is?' Wazir had thought of a different getting-some-fresh-air moment.

Finally Enzo took his eyes off the scene and pulled out his "supplies". A pack of six beer cans, with a sale tag, as well as roasted peanuts. He handed Wazir a can which the boy hesitatingly accepted. Enzo, seeing his expression, smirked, proceeding to take a large swig out of his own can, before sighing out loudly.

'One of my favorite spots in the world really. This city sure is a hidden gem. But yeah, no. My hometown as in my place of birth. My parents live in this city.'

'And?' Wazir could obviously sense the resentment in Enzo's whispers. The bitter taste of the alcohol was getting to his head.

'And nothing? Just that we are't close…' Enzo flopped backwards onto the muddy floor. Small clumps of grass surrounded them. There definitely were bugs in there.

Turning his gaze to Wazir, who now was fiddling with the peanuts in his palm, he continued his sentence, 'Enough about me, I wanna know more about you.'

Wazir tried but couldn't guess what Enzo was referring to.

'What were you doing on that roof?' Enzo balanced the beer can on his flat chest as he tried to take in another swig.

Enzo's eyes suddenly couldn't see the charm in the scene in front of him anymore. The grey clouds in the sky made him sweat, His breathing shallowed. His skin felt taut, his heart pumped too hard. His trance was only put to an end when Enzo got right into his ear and whispered the boy's name out. Enzo had a curious look in his eyes.

'I'm- I'm not sure if-if this is the r-right time to talk about it.' were the only words Wazir could muster out.

Enzo caressed the boy's back. The touch deprived boy only felt goosebumps on his fiery skin. He sniffed the dusty air hard, breathing out his mouth.

'Alright if you can't tell me about that then, well… tell me something. Biodata, hobbies, likes, ya know, stuff to talk about.' Enzo pulled the boy by his shoulders, the boy didn't resist. They both fell to the ground, a bit of the beer spilt on Enzo's chin.

'W-well, I'm Wazir Wazanski. I was brought up in New York.', the boy slowly opened up, letting out a sniffle after every sentence. 'I never knew my parents, never saw their face. I live in a small flat in New York, these mysterious parents pay for my rent and bills. I went to Higgs High, decided to ditch plans for college. I don't have any hobbies, I don't dislike anything.'

A mild wind blew past them. As night fell, few lights slowly disappeared. Enzo gulped down his beer, reaching out for another one.

'Well that's something. My turn. I'm Enzo Elziel. I was brought up in Mumbai city. I moved to France to learn design. My parents abandoned me after highschool, so I abandoned them I went to become a legend. My hobbies are red wine, orchestra conducts and worshipping Lady Gaga. I like men with chiseled, washboard abs.'

Wazir couldn't help but stifle a laughter at that last sentence, 'Quite an interest you've got there.' Enzo shrugged with a goofy smile on his face.

They both lay in the exact spots, their chests rising up towards the barren sky, before falling back to the ribcage. Wazir didn't want the conversation to stop. This felt nice. Enzo, coincidentally complied.

'Well, now that we know each other, I suppose this won't count as kidnapping.' Enzo's glasses drooped onto his forehead. Wazir count only snicker in response. Enzo continued, 'Alright then. I'll get straight to the point. Would you mind if I asked you to join G.E.A.R.'

Wazir's eyes widened in surprise, he sat right back up. More beer spilt, this time on the floor next to him. 'Why would I want to join G.E.A.R.? I barely even know anything about this G.E.A.R.'

'I thought you heard Finnegan earlier. It's a place for outcasts like us.'

'So you're telling me Finn, Beast and Revan are all outcasts. There's no way that's true.'

Enzo sat up widened eyes and furrowed brows, 'I'd rather not reveal their personal information but boy trust me, they've been through some shit and here's the thing, we are outcasts. If our reality became known to the world we'd be hated and chastised all the way to hell. Only truth leaves my mouth, whether you believe me or not.'

A short pause of silence followed. The city showed no signs of dimming.

'What even am I gonna do?' Wazir groaned. His thoughts were too tangled for him to process.

'You'll know when the time comes. But something I can assure you is that with us, you will find purpose.'

'What?'

Enzo hesitate swerving his can around by the tip of his fingers, 'Tell me if this feels familiar to you. You're alone, or rather lonely. The world has lost most of its color, and the monochromatic sights, sounds and tastes are driving you to craziness. You can't trust anyone, because who's there to lay your trust on. You question your existence and sometimes wish you weren't born, because what difference would that make? Your life has lost all drive, if it had any in the first place. Hmm?'

Wazir didn't reply, his lips clinging to the hole in the can as liquid sprayed out ever few seconds. His eyes were wet, his nostrils widened and his grip on the can tight.

'That's depression. Its hopelessness. It's when you see your measly little hopes and dreams crumbling apart, if they even existed. We don't offer therapy, but something we do is, as I said, give you a purpose. Who knows, maybe you'll form your own path then.'

'Fine.' Wazir's cheeks were flushed, 'What do I have to do to enroll into your organization.' He threw the can off with as much force as he could muster, and down the cliff it soared.

'Nothing. Your agreement is enrollment enough. Let's go over the details later. Wanna go get some ice cream?' Enzo stood up. Wazir only nodded in response. Enzo knew that enrollment wasn't any random drunk decision. Wazir needed that push, even if it was just as tiny as the one Enzo had just given him. A small hope, that tiny fire which could maybe bring back his will to live.

The city lights still shone bright.