Chapter 6: Chapter 6 (Arc 1: One Last Job)

 And there lay the body of a teenage girl named Jessica. Killed by a madman for stealing a van and a briefcase that she didn’t know what was inside of it. Did the man who killed her enjoy the act he had just committed?

It’s best not to answer questions you don’t want the answer to.

No one was outside at the time of her death that I could see meaning that no one had to see what I had just done. Well besides Al, Ghost, and Angela. 

But then did I really care about any of their responses to any of my actions? No. I did not. But this rock of a paperweight was covered in blood and cracked. Meaning I had to pay for a new one. Luckily my van was back so I had a good amount of money in a hiding spot in the van that there was no way they could find. With a single swipe of the keys that were in the boy's hand. A quick turn of the keyhole. And a few steps inside the van revealed that nothing had been stolen or even moved. 

The inside of the van fit a small twin bed, a rack of guns, and various compartments to fill in the bare necessities. The power for everything was hooked to the car’s battery so whatever hard liquor I kept in the cooler was still cold. Even a small closet fit inside.

I would say it's lovely for a self-made van home but I wasn't here to admire the view.

I’m going to need down a lot of bottles if I’m going want to forget the horrid shit I witnessed in the gang's camp. And this feeling of disgust in myself for beating that teenage girl and boy. 

Could that be justified in any way or was there really no excuse? 

Did I enjoy hurting people?

No that wasn't it?

Was it?

Was I just angry at the situation and I just…

Ahhh…Fuck it.

Some straight whiskey would solve that issue better than me thinking about it.

I needed to get the money for the food and motel rooms. and that damn briefcase needed to wait for now. Worst comes to work I just steal something from Angela’s father of equal or more value. Angela wasn’t my daughter after all so why would I give a shit about her and or her fath…

I just…honestly…need to stop lying to myself.

But why does a stranger’s life mean anything to me, especially a teenage girl?

It shouldn’t!

So why do I feel this sense of responsibility and…

…guilt.

Sigh.

Let me just get the damn money.

A quick glance under the bed in the van revealed a hidden compartment. It looked just like the floor but with a single press of an unseen button opened a small boxed area.

Exactly one hundred gold coins and a pistol. The bare necessities.

Before leaving I had to get a fresh pair of clothes and looking over everything left the other people in my party with clothing too big for them. Luckily I had exactly three belts so there was no need to worry about clothing. And even more lucky were the towels that I had washed before taking this damn job.

Just get the stuff and go. Just get the stuff and go. Just get the stuff and go.

Sigh, god, I hate dealing with being the Immoral person in front of moral people.

It’s always a pain in the ass.

CLACK!

Looks like they haven’t picked up the bodies yet. Al is probably going to need payment to get rid of the bodies.

DING!

As I walked into the front desk Ghost was flipping through a magazine, Angela was in a fetal position sitting upwards and Al was back to reading his comic book. That was real quick how they handled what just happened outside. 

TINK!

“This will cover the motel rooms for the night,” I said placing three golden coins on the counter.

TINK!

“This will cover the clean-up and blood stains all over the parking lot,” I said placing two golden coins on the counter.

TINK!

“And this will cover the paperweight and a tip for dealing with my bullshit,” I said placing one gold coin on the counter.

Al didn’t even want to look at me. All Al did was take the coins and handed me the keys to various rooms. Looking closer at his face I could see that his face was puffy, his eyes watery, and his body language showed signs of unease. He didn’t want to see or be involved in the murder of a teenage girl and boy that he didn’t even know. And even worse hire people to clean up the bloody aftermath.

Al seemed like a good person with how he treated people around him. Always smiling and being happy in a world that often had people eating each other alive both literally and metaphorically. 

And here I was to show a reminder that no matter how optimistic you were about the world being a good and happy place…

…there was always some fucker who wanted to do no more than bash in some heads.

“Thanks, see you around Al,” I said leaving the front desk as each of the girls followed suit. 

Looking at the keys numbers they were two o five, seven o four, and three o seven. I would take the lowest one two o five as if something happened I could stop anyone from going down the steps. Turning back to Angela and Ghost each of them looked at me with confusion as I handed them their keys and my clothes.

“So, Angela, you take room three o seven, and ghost you take room seven o four. I’ll be in room two O five. You guys get freshened up and I’ll take you out to eat and then we’ll come back here.  We’ll sleep for the night and tomorrow we’ll take you home Angela to your father. Sound good.” I said looking at both of them directly in the eyes.

Angela didn’t want to look at me and Ghost looked at me with a dead stare. I figured she didn’t know how to make use of who I was or why I was trying to help her. Nonetheless, both nodded and both went up to their motel rooms climbing the stairs as I watched them go up. As each of them entered their rooms I myself went to mine.

With a quick turn of the key knob, I found the room to look exactly how it was every single time I had been here. White bedsheets, fluffy pillows, and a tv that worked but never had anything on. The walls having a cabin-like look and texture, freshly cleaned carpet, a dresser, a mini fridge, a microwave, a phone, and a fully cleaned stocked bathroom. It was lovely for what it was.

Looking in the minifridge I could see that it was indeed stocked with snacks and drinks. But most importantly it was stocked with alcohol and not that tiny bottle crap. But that would have to wait till later tonight, I needed to shower and change into a fresh pair of clothes. Were they the same pair of clothes I had worn before the other pair got ruined by blood, fire and a giant claw…yes, yes they were.

SCRIIIIIIIIISH!

As the blood washed off my body I could do nothing but look straight down. Looking as the water took the blood down the drain felt peaceful. It felt peaceful…

…

“You’re not taking my daughter you FUCKS!”

…

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! 

…

SCREEEEECH!

CRASH!

…

“Andrea, are you there, Andrea?!? ANDREEEEAAAAA!

…

It was quite peaceful.

Shutting off the water and putting on the clothes left me feeling refreshed. As I looked in the mirror I could see that I looked like I did every time in the mirror. Nothing had changed. 

And nothing will ever change.

Walking out of the motel room as the night came over the land meant that enough time had passed for me to collect the girls. Heading upwards to room three o five and with a single knock on the door out came Andrea all clean and looking refreshed. The clothes looked big on her but tucking in the shirt and using the belt made the clothes fit well enough. She may have looked refreshed but the moment she saw my face her look of calmness deteriorated into a look of fear. I could tell with the twitching of her fingers and the fact she would take in large breaths made her look like she was ready to break down or run. But she knew that there was nowhere she could run that would get her to her father as soon as possible. If that was her father anyway.

“You ready to go?” I said looking down at her from my height.

“Yes…I’m ready.” She said stuttering without looking directly at me.

“Good, let me get Ghost and we can get some food, you can have anything you like. As much as you like, you deserve it with what you’ve been through. Now come on, let's get Ghost and we can go.” I said walking away and motioning to her to follow me.

“What are you going to do with her?”

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“With who? Ghost?” I said going up the stairs with Angela following suit.

“Yeah, she’s not your daughter is she?” Said Angela as she began to rub the side of her face.

“No, she’s not. Once I drop you off then I’ll try to find her parents and she won’t be my problem anymore.” I said taking a small breather on the fifth floor only going back right after.

“Oh, ok.” She said as she took in a deep breath.

“Why, why do you care what happens to her?”

“I was just curious…”

“Well keep your curiosity to yourself. The last thing I want is someone annoying me after what happened an hour ago, you got that.” I said in a harsher tone than usual.

After what I told her I could feel that she wanted to cry. To her right now crying was showing a sign of weakness. And when you are afraid of someone or something showing weakness was never good. 

She looked like she clearly understood that sentiment wholeheartedly.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

CREEEEEEEK!

“Is it time to finally get some food?” Said Ghost as she held the door with one hand.

“Yep, no come on, it’s down the street so it’s best we get going now before the dinner rush,” I said motioning for both of them to follow me as I walked to the stairs.

Down the seven flights and back to the parking lot left me looking for the good old greasy American diner. And low and behold it was across the street from the motel. A neon sign stating “Frank’s Diner” was what made the restaurant stand out the most. Silver walls and nineteen-fifties roots were apparent to anyone who understood any kind of information. The world may have ended but with civilization trying to get back into a shape having some semblance of the better days was better than having none.

DING! DONG!

“Welcome to Frank’s Diner, how many people are in your party today?” Said the hostess with a smile even more fake than mine ever could be.

The hostess herself was a five foot five slightly chubby woman who looked like she had been doing nothing before we got here. She had to be In her fifties because with the amount of makeup she had on she was definitely trying to hide her age. I mean might as well embrace that you are getting old, I’ve done it, and I look fine. But maybe she wasn't ready to give up her youth.  

Or what was left of it anyway.

“Three people today,” I said holding up my hand with three fingers.

“Very well, follow me.” She said grabbing out three menus and leading us further into the diner.

The diner itself looked clean enough with no one but one person eating inside of it. A counter area with a kitchen hole for slipping orders in and out. Red booths with silver tables with a birth cake sprinkle design on top. Pink neon lights littered the ceiling with various ceiling fans that already had light bulbs. The floor having black and white tiles was the icing on the cake for the full look of the diner. 

I couldn't remember anything besides my daughter's kidnapping but this feeling. This feeling of the past, a happy past in a diner was all I could go off for a memory. I guess some memories aren't as strong as some feelings of the past are.

“You three will be seated here, A server will be with you in one moment.” Said the hostess placing the menus on the tables before she left.

“Thank you,” I said right before sitting down placing the menu in my hands.

But even before I could look for what I wanted from the corner of my eye I could see that neither Angela nor Ghost had sat down. At least not yet anyway.

“Something on your mind?” I asked putting down my menu looking directly at them.

“Yeah, I have to use the restroom.” Said Angela grabbing the side of her arm without looking at me.

“So do I?” Ghost said with her face looking at me with a dead eye look.

“You couldn't use it back in the motel?” I said pinching my forehead looking back down and back up.

“Well, we didn't have to go till now.” Said Angela speaking for Ghost and herself.

“Sigh…ok then, just scream if you’re in danger or something happens, I’ll be here waiting,” I said completely frustrated since I myself was hungry.

Probably not as hungry as them but still pretty hungry.

“Ok, be back in a bit,” Angela said walking to the bathroom as Ghost followed suit.

“Cya,” I said grabbing the menu looking right at the lunch section.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Someone was tapping me on my shoulder but I could tell who. It wasn't the hands of someone I knew. Their hands were too thick and not too small. Too soft to be any of the girls since they had small and boney hands. So who the hell was tapping my shoulder?

Looking upwards I could see that I was looking at young adults’ face as their small stubble, unkempt short blonde hair, and sweaty exterior showed that I was dealing with a man. Wearing nothing but a black shirt, a button-up red and black dress shirt over his shirt, and jeans with black converse showed they were indeed a male civilian. But what looked like feminine breasts on their body and a mix of feminine and masculine facial features said otherwise. 

“You some kind of transvestite?” I asked not putting down my menu.

“Where have you been living? The eighties? We call ourselves transgender now,” He said with a sarcastic smirk.

“Yeah, well, tomaeto tomato, what do you want?” I said putting down my menu as I rolled my eyes.

“Mind if I join you?” He said pointing at the booth seat in front of me.

“Yeah, actually I do…” 

“I don’t care, I’m joining you anyway.” He said plopping himself down in front of the seat in front of me.

“Kid look I’m busy waiting for others to join me could you please bother someone else…?” I asked as politely as I could right before they cut me off.

“Those kids you murdered outside an hour ago, they stole a briefcase from you If I’m correct?” He said crossing his arms as he leaned back on the booth.

“What’s it to ya dipshit,” I said now becoming more frustrated as he sat in front of me.

“Well, they said they took their friends which I assume you killed to a hospital and gave that briefcase as payment. I assume you don’t know where that hospital is. Now that I got your attention I’m here to make you a deal.” He said crossing his arms as he spoke.

You know for a guy who just witnessed two children get beaten to death by one guy with a paperweight and proceeds to make a deal has got to have guts. 

I like him already.

“So what kind of deal are you proposing?” I said putting my hands on the back of my head as I leaned back.

“Well pal, I can take you to the hospital since you clearly don’t know where it’s at. I break you in and you steal your precious briefcase… but there’s a catch.” He said pointing his left index finger at me.

“There always is, what is it?” 

“I want your RV, I want the keys and whatever is in it. Judging by you entering the black van only to come out with clothes I would assume that that RV doesn't have that much value to you. So partner? Do we have a deal?” He said giving me his hand to shake.

Really? The RV? That’s all you want? Not money or guns or half of whatever is in the briefcase? 

That's fine. 

I was just going to sell it for spare parts anyway.

“We have a deal mister…??” I said as I shook his hand looking to see if he could at least tell me his name.

“Bugboy.” He said gripping harshly right before letting go of my hand.

“Bugboy? What kind of stupid name is that?” 

“Well, what’s your name mister?” Asked Bugboy with a snarky attitude and a devilish grin.

“Well…its…” I said realizing I had just fallen into a trap.

“Spit it out.” 

“Grim,” I said putting my head down and back up for a second.

“An equally stupid name sir.”

“Touche.”

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