Runaway

Posted on Sun Feb 11th, 2024 @ 1:52pm by Theodore (Theo) Winters

1,289 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 0: X Lang Syne
Location: New York City
Timeline: August 1, 1990

Theo stepped into the lobby of the Hamilton Hotel. In its heyday, it strived to be one of the most elite hotels in New York City, even bragging that the the Alexander Hamilton had stayed there. There was little evidence that he had, but it had worked quite nicely as a draw for the upper-crust tourist. However, it may have had more to do with their impeccable service and luxury accommodations. For a certain set of native New Yorkers, it was at least an afternoon's destination because of their discretion and promise of privacy.

It had started to go through a transition in the late seventies when new management came in after the son of the previous owner had taken over. By the early eighties, it had become a transient hotel, and most of its high-end fixtures had been sold off. Now, in 1990 it had closed permanently and become a haven for runaways and homeless. So far, most of the junkies had been kept out.

It was slated for demolition, warning poster had already been put up. But given the city's bureaucracy that was months down the road. Most of its temporary occupants had to pry back the plywood covering a window and crawl through, being careful not to cut themselves on the glass. But Theo was not like most people. He didn't need a door or an interest of any kind.

He could make his own by just teleporting in.

"Hey Mutie Boy," Andrea a Latina teen, who was sitting on a sagging couch said to him when he appeared, but there was no heat behind it, or insult intended.

"Hey bitch," he replied. Six months ago he would never have used words like that, not around his parents anyway, now he used those words far more than he should have."

She shot him the middle finger and he replied in kind, another thing he wouldn't have done when he was living with his mom and dad. But, he wasn't with them anymore. Not because they had kicked him out for being who he was, but because he had run away because he didn't want to be reprogrammed by his father's boss. William Stryker.

He's survived on the streets for the past six months, not a bad accomplishment for someone who had just turned fifteen in May. He'd kept himself fed by using his powers to steal from other people. It was nothing that he was proud of, but he had to eat didn't he? In his defense, he tried to take only enough for a few meals at a time. And it was better than some of the alternatives like hustling, or dealing drugs.

"You know you're my bestie, right?" Andrea asked as he moved toward the staircase.

He smiled at her knowing that wasn't true, that they barely knew each other. "What do you want?"

"I don't want anything doofus. I was just messing with you. You're so predictable. But Amos wants to talk with you and he'll probably want something from you."

"Did he say what he wanted?" Theo said rolling his eyes.

"I have no idea, but knowing him, well I'd watch my ass if I were you."

Amos was 18, three years older than Theo. He thought he was in charge, and tried to lord it over the younger kids. Theo was used to dealing with bullies and didn't put up with any of his shit. That didn't make Amos happy and the two had argued more than a few times and gotten into physical altercations twice. Even with what went on between them, the hotel was still safer than being on the streets.

Amos had commandeered what had been a suite on the third floor, and Theo headed there knowing that if he didn't Amos would just come looking for him.

"Hey, Theo, my man> Amos, a tall African American teen said as Theo stepped into the room. "Glad you could make it."

"Did I have a choice?"

"No, no you didn't."

"Let's get this over with. What do you want?"

"I want you to grow a pair that's what I want and pull your weight."

"Pull my weight? Last time I checked it was everybody for themselves You've never contributed to me why should I give up any of the little I make to you."

"There are ways to make more money."

"I've told you before I'm not interested in any of these things, I'm not into any of them. No amount of money is worth it to me."

"Ah, relax. I'm not talking about any of those ideas. I've got something else in mind. It doesn't involve standing on a street corner. In fact, it's right up your alley. Mickey found a nice crib on the Upper East Side. He cased the joint and the homeowners are gone for the weekend."

"With your talents, you can pop in open the door for us and we'll do the rest. We'll cut you in for 10%."

"Not interested."

"Look I know you, Mr. Boy Scout you don't like stealing stuff."

"And yet, you're asking me to steal."

"You're right, but these are rich assholes, it's not like picking someone's pocket every other day. You'd be set for a month or more. And you could move in with me."

"That's not exactly an incentive."

"Fine, how about 15% and I'll see to it you have your own private room and you can do whatever it is fundies do."

Theo tilted his head. "And nobody's home?"

"Nope."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I am sure."

"I know I'm going to regret asking this but how much?"

"Ten, fifteen grand for sure maybe more. Your portion is like $1500 or maybe $2,000. "

"Twenty-five percent and you stay out of my way for a year."

"Fine. You've got a deal. Be back here in an hour."

Theo had second thoughts on the way back to the room he shared with three other guys, all of them older than he was, none of whom he cared for, and he was pretty sure that the feeling was mutual. By the time he'd arrived on the eighth floor, his second thoughts had been laid to rest.


There were two boys and a girl, all around his age. "We're taking the 88 Cutlass," Amos said.

It took almost an hour to get to their destination. A red brick building that looked as if it had been in the twenties, though it was immaculate and well-maintained.

Everyone except Theo got out of the car smiling. Amos' smile was the biggest of them all. Little alarm bells started going off in Theo's head, but he put it down to just nerves.

"Go make us some money," Amos said hitting him on his shoulder.



"Go for it," said the older boy.

"I'm going to see a picture of the inside. You know that right? I just can't go in blind."

"Oh, right. There you go," the girl, April, said."

Theo focused on the picture, then gathered the shadows around him and teleported. Before he could orient himself., he was hit by three bright spotlights, leaving him with no shadows or darkness.

"It's good to see you again, son." he heard his father say. "Amos saw the reward posters for you and came to me. Frankly, I didn't think you'd fall for his little trick, but I was wrong. You're coming to see Reverend Stryker with us."

"Fuck you," Theo said, not regretting his tone or his words, and fuck them too. How much did you pay them?"

"Reverend Stryker will beat some sense into you Theodore, but if you must know we, well Stryker paid them ten thousand each."

"But enough questions you're coming with us."

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