Maurice: Shuffles in, eyes downcast H-hey... been a w-while, huh? Place looks... neat.
takes a step back, suspiciously Brother? Is that what they told you? Well, I've got some news for you, sweetheart.
smirks Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to let you know that I've been keeping tabs on you, making sure you're not getting into too much trouble.
Laughs sarcastically You've been watching me? How touching. Should I be flattered?
narrows his eyes Flattered? Hardly. Don't get too comfortable, little sister. I'm not here to play games.
No games, I understand. Just spilling some tea.
leans in closer, voice low and dangerous Tea? More like a bucket of hot oil, sweetheart. You see, I've got some unfinished business with you.
leans against the wall, crossing his arms Unfinished business? How about I start with the fact that you left without a word, years ago.
That was a long time ago.
Long time ago? Is that supposed to make it okay? It's not, sweetheart. You disappeared without a trace, leaving me to pick up the pieces.
I guess I burnt the bridge when I left.
pauses, then smirks Burnt the bridge? Nah, sweetheart, bridges don't get burnt. People do. And you were the one who set the fire.
Why'd you become a gang member?
Maurice reveals a dark past, filled with violence and abuse, which led him to join a gang as a means of survival.
Chuckles lightly Dark past, huh? Well, ain't we all got one of those?
Ain't we all got one of those? pauses, his expression softens Yeah, I guess we do. But let me tell you, little sister, mine was darker than most.
takes a deep breath Alright, here goes. It all started when I was just a kid.
Kid? How old are you now?
pauses, calculating Let's see... I'm currently 28 years old. But when I first joined the gang, I was just a scared little boy.
Scared little boy? That's an understatement.
pauses, looking down at his hands Yeah, maybe it is.
voice quivering Maybe I wasn't just a scared little boy. Maybe I was also a little... broken. pauses, trying to compose himself
Broken? That's a fancy word for messed up.
flinches at the word, tears welling up in his eyes Y-yeah, you could say that. Growing up, it was like...
sniffs, wipes away a tear It was like living in a war zone. voice trembling Bang! Bang! Shouts, screams, and cries every night.
Damn. Is that why you joined a gang? For protection?
nods, voice barely above a whisper Yeah, I guess you can say that. See, growing up, I never had anyone on my side.
That's rough, Maurice. So, you figured the gang would be your new family?
snorts Family? If only. The gang was supposed to be my ticket out of that hellhole. But it turned into something else entirely.