A World without String is Chaos

Fred scowled. He was in no mood to deal with Rick. Not right now, and not ever, really. Not anymore.

"Fucking Fred. So, you want to smoke some weed? I got sour."

Fred ignored him. There was a time when he felt scared of Rick, but Fred didn't feel afraid now. Strange. He would usually respond to Rick, say he had no money or something like that, apologize, and scurry away back home. But, for some reason today, he felt nothing.

"You ignoring me, man. Look at people when they talk to you, motherfucker."

Fred looked at Rick, and said, "Leave me alone."

Rick looked surprised. Then he sneered.

"Alright, Fred. I see how it is."

Fred actually didn't hear him say that, because he saw something. It was a string, again.

Fred actually didn't care about Rick, or his fate. But he did feel curious. He didn't want to reach over to touch the string above Rick's head though. It might start something.

So, Fred just tried to see Rick's fate.

Fred saw an old looking Rick in a prison cell, with a blank look on his face. He had a shaggy beard, and his hair was unkempt.

Fred was back in the park, and Rick looked mad. Fred felt bad. Rick did sell him drugs, and Fred really wanted the drugs back then. He willed it, and the string snapped above Rick's head.

Suddenly, Rick shoved him in the chest.

"Listen man, you buying this or not?"

Fred was pissed. He just got this bastard free from jail, and the guy pushes him?

"Give me the cash."

Fred was bewildered. Is he serious?

"I'm dead serious. Give me the money." Rick shoved him again.

Fred was furious. He put his hands into his pockets, ready to walk away. But oddly enough, the knife was in his pant's pocket, out of nowhere.

"A man has his limits, Fred." The knife advised.

Fred took out the knife, and Rick backed off. He looked scared.

"Leave me alone, Rick, and don't bother me again."

Rick was about to say something, but Fred moved the knife casually, and Rick shut up. He grit his teeth, and ran away.

"You can cut ties with him. Just think it." The knife told him.

Fred saw a string that connected him and Rick. It looked thinner than usual. He flicked it, and the string snapped.

He knew somehow that Rick won't bother him again.