Free Gyaros Book One: The Mice Eat Iron (YA 17+ Sci Fi Adventure) by Rohan Healy, Alex Healy Page A

shift.
    “Here you go man,” he said as he tossed Miles his uniform from across the counter top.
    “Thanks ,” replied Miles with a subtle nod. He buttoned up his shirt and began his regular duties around the cinema, alone once again as the hours slowly rolled by with little to distract his mind from his current situation. It was becoming harder and harder for Miles to believe that everything was going to be okay, the everyday struggle of life in the Yellow District was wearing him down. The constant sound of pouring rain, the dirty, cracked up streets and the often violent people who inhabit them, was this a life that Miles could ever get used to? As much as he tried to convince himself that things were getting easier, the fact remained that he was not built for this kind of life. An already shy and sensitive guy, he had spent his entire life cocooned in the Green Districts making things that much harder. A few days had been bad enough, to think that this was going to be the next six months of his life made Miles wish that he could take it all back. 'I could've been a better husband, a better worker, a better father. If Hellen just told me there was something wrong I could have changed! I could have made things work God damn it!'
    Miles was snapped back to reality suddenly upon hearing an aggressive argument outside. He could make out at least three different voices, one of which sounded like Ryker's. Miles dropped his broom and quickly made his way out of the empty theatre and into the lobby. Through the glass doors of the cinema Miles could see Ryker outside confronted by three large, tattooed men under the unrelenting downpour. Reluctant to get involved in the argument, Miles watched from inside the cinema, peering from behind one of the faux Grecian pillars.
    “Look, I gave you the shit last week, what's the problem!?” Ry ker shouted in a panicked tone of voice.
    “The problem is that the stuff you sold me is complete shit, fuckin’ useless, couldn’t get my fuckin’ granny high!” replied the largest of the group as he took a step towards Ryker.
    “How is that my fault!? I don't fuckin' make it!”
    Miles watched on anxiously as the debate escalated, part of him wanted to help Ryker but involving himself in potentially illegal business or violent behaviour was far too big of a risk at this point. He was skating on thin enough ice at it was, one slip up meant a one way trip to Gyaros. After several seconds of shouting, there was a brief silence. Miles sighed, ‘looks like things have settled down.’ But then, without warning, the large man threw a punch at Ryker's face, to Miles' surprise, Ryker blocked the attack and delivered a heavy blow to the thug’s ribcage. He doubled over in agony. The other two members of the group quickly burst into action, attacking Ryker simultaneously. Miles struggled to make out exactly what was happening, but as he caught a glimpse of Ryker’s bloodied face it became apparent that Ryker was losing the fight. Without thinking, Miles rushed out the door in an attempt to break up the conflict but soon realized what he had gotten himself into as he was instantly struck hard in the face, seemingly out of nowhere. Miles collapsed onto the wet sidewalk with a splash, joining Ryker as kicks and punches fell upon them like the unending rain.
    “Hey! Get the hell outta here you damn punks!”
    The three attackers quickly fled as Miles heard a familiar voice yell from the cinem a doors. He looked up to see Mr Grayson wielding a large wooden bat with several long nails hammered through it. Miles and Ryker stumbled to their feet and stepped through the door which was held open by Mr Grayson.
    “Shit... you guys okay?” he asked uneasily as the two men dragged their bloodied bodies, dripping with water, into the lobby.
    “I think so ,” answered Ryker through bleeding, swollen lips. Miles assessed his injuries before replying.
    “I'll be fine ,” he coughed.
    “Hey, listen ,”