A time of despair

The winds echoed alongside a cold eerie breeze, at the time of 10 pm. all that could be seen is hundreds of neon signs, and buildings that stretched farther than the eye can see.

And People who're living inside those buildings going about their lives, happy, and feeling fruitful coming home to a family welcoming them with open loving arms.

And amongst all these people stood one individual. One sad destroyed husk of a man, who had simply wanted to end it all But before he did, he started to

Reminiscing upon his childhood. Maceo than remembered his hard cruel upbringing. Of that little 13-year-old kid who wanted to grow up and become someone who he could rely on only himself.

Maceo was a great kid. Smart, decently athletic. He had a great talent for memorization. And could memorize anything the moment he saw it. Some were jealous of his talents and gifts. While others simply watched in astonishment how he could memorize an entire passage with a single glance.

"WAKE THE FUCK UP MACEO, BEFORE I COME UP THERE AND BEAT YOUR ASS"

"I'm already ready for school dad," Maceo said back as he covered up his burns and bruises with an oversized hoodie and went down the stairs.

"Every single day I have to take your retarded ass to school. Why the fuck did your mother, have to die, at least she could've left us some money." Maceo's father said while glaring down apon him

Maceo furiously held his hand in a fist, hands now bleeding from his nails. He was now shaking with fury.

Maceo than whispered as quiet as a mouse "I wish it was you instead"

Maceo just couldn't hold it in anymore.

"The fuck did you say to me you little shit?"

Maceo's father got real close, and he could practically smell the booze on his breath.

"YOU GONNA ANSWER BOY"

"NOTHING, I SAID NOTHING" Maceo now losing his cool

"Hah, that's what I thought. You're just a bitch like your mom. Well, you're a little bit better she was just a whore" Maceo's father said while slurring his words.

Maceo simply cried. Wishing he could be with his mother again.

Macros mom's name was Elise, and she loved maceo so much that his name meant "gift of God" in Spanish.

Maceo's mom was a stripper. And that's how she got pregnant with Maceo. A simple one-night stand for money. With the worse scum.

Elise had died in a shooting at the club, protecting an old man. Who could hardly walk.

She was a kind soul who helped everyone no matter the circumstances that she is currently going through in life.

"Get your shit together, and stop bitching. I need to get you to school before I'm late for work."

Maceo's life wasn't any easier at school either. He would be bullied saying how his mom is a tramp and a whore, Who deserved to die. Simply because Maceo was smart and poor.

After his hard days of struggling with school and his father.

Maceo simply liked going to the park reading comics and playing basketball from time to time.

When he would get home, his father would burn him with cigarette butts and beat him while he was drunk.

Every single day was a struggle, Every single day was just a repeating nightmare for Maceo. Like a fever dream that just wouldn't go away.

Maceo eventually succumbed to being alone all the time. Found salvation in solitude. Eventually, the only time he was happy was when he was alone.

5 years later Maceo had finally turned 18. He had done just enough to graduate high school. He worked part-time throughout high school, gradually saving enough money for some sort of college savings. And he did. He graduated from a mediocre college, with mediocre grades. And found a mediocre job.

Maceo still lived in solitude, he had no friends. No family, and zero people who cared about him.

Maceo is now 24. Without ever once having a friend or a girlfriend. He truly had never felt alone before.

Every single morning he goes to get coffee and breakfast from his favorite breakfast diner.

There was this gorgeous woman, brunette hair woman, with an hourglass figure. And a heavenly voice that sounded like angels singing.

Maceo was charmed by her and went to see her every single day.

Eventually, she even started welcoming him every day. And talking to him on breaks.

But after years of bullying, he knew better. He knew she was only doing her job.

But one day she said after months of greeting her, and talking to her one day she said

"Hey Maceo, are you free Friday?"

"Holy shit no way. Oh my god. Is she? No, she can't be. There's no possible way she's asking me out" his mind had raced and eventually cooled down.

Ahem, he Cleared his throat "Uh I believe I am, why what's up Sarah?"

"Smooth very smooth", Maceo had thought to himself

"I was wondering if you would like to go to my favorite restaurant?"

Maceo was flabbergasted, mind boggled, perplexed even

And his jaw had practically hit the floor

"Ar- are you sure? Wit- with me??"

"Well duh, dummy who else is named Maceo here?"

Sarah now got close to him

He could now smell her perfume.

She always wore this Rosey perfume that turned your brain into mush, that and her natural beauty. He felt like she was a goddess who descended from heaven.

"I uh would love to go with you" he stuttered and his face now blushed.

"Perfect, how about you pick me up around 3 pm. We can meet up at Lincoln Park. It's only a mile away from my house." She gave a smile and her contact information number than went back to her shift giggling.

"Oh my god"

Maceo had said out loud Causing everyone around him to burst into laughter but he didn't care. In his mind, he had scored himself a beauty.

And all he could hear was.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

It felt like everyone in the entire diner could hear his heart beating. But he couldn't stop it.

after a long period, he had finally eaten his food and went to work