Fives and twenties were stuffed at the bottom of a black, brown stained tote bag. Little J adjusted his hood to keep his face hidden from any security cameras.
Shit, they don't have any fucking money in this damn store! Where's the rest? His head whipped back and forth before he stared at the back door that led to the small office. Of course it's in a fucking safe.
Reliably, Little J believed he could dent it or do enough damage to open the safe, but the idea died once he detected the sirens. Shit.
No time perceived, Little J leaped over the counter and flew through the glass window with the tote bag over his shoulder. Shards littered the concrete and reflected the moon.
Underfoot, the glass crunched as he sprinted out of the parking lot and into brick alleys.
Somewhere, a car screeched its tires on the pavement. A couple of times, he glanced back as if expecting officers to appear and start shouting commands with guns drawn. Little J had no intention of testing if his body could withstand bullets. Indeed, he felt much stronger, but not invincible.
Abruptly, he came to a halt. Wait... maybe they were farther than I thought. Unintentionally, Little J relaxed his breathing to listen. A man and a woman laughed together. A storefront's bell above the door rang. Water shot in an arch and into a fountain.
His back hit the wall as he peered around but there wasn't a man or woman in sight. There wasn't a water fountain either. Is it because I'm hyper aware of everything right now? The other getaways we were able to make clean escapes but... shit, I think I stayed a little too long this time and panicked for no fucking reason.
His eyes widened as he separated from the wall and looked around, hearing shoes hit gravel
inconsistently. Police? No. That sounds like... a stalker? And...
Instinctively, Little J sniffed but he couldn't quite catch the scent clearly. Who's tailing me? Little J continued until -
A figure blocked the street. The moonlight highlighted the man's emerald eyes and fair skin. Compared to Little J, he would've been in a lower weight class. Is this guy insane? Little J adjusted the strap.
"Get the fuck out of the way." Little J demanded but the emerald eyes didn't respond. Instead, they squinted into tunnel vision. Damn deaf idiot!
Little J charged and... the man charged at him!
Gritting his teeth, Little J lowered his body for a shoulder ram. His opponent didn't meet him head on but pivoted. Before he smiled at freedom, Little J felt his body stumble forward slightly before falling to his side. His cheek stung sharply, his tongue checked if all teeth were still fixed.
"What the...!"
As a boot came toward his face, Little J scurried to regain balance and pushed the kick aside as he adopted an alert posture.
"Who the fuck are you?" Little J trembled. The past week, he never encountered anyone who could disorient him like this.
Does he also have some of the drug? Tss! The attacker jabbed. Little J leaned back. Tss! He weaved to the side, slipping a punch.
Despite the clear strength advantage, Little J noticed the man's attacks were refined. Sure, the brass knuckles made him more dangerous than usual, but clearly his opponent had trained intensely. Whether the training took place over two years or five years, Little J couldn't determine.
He grunted as his stomach absorbed an impact, not bending over completely thanks to his durability.
Little J barely intercepted a strike at his jaw and threw an elbow. Though it was blocked, the man
staggered a few steps, heaving. I can kick his...
The sound of sirens got closer. Not a couple miles... but two streets away! Desperately, Little J shoved the man into the wall as he disappeared into the street.
~
Cheers nearly deafened her and beer spilled on the counter. Isha groaned as she scrolled through her phone at a table. Every now and then, she'd watch the club goers move their bodies to the rhythm... if they weren't completely wasted.
She reached for her back pocket and didn't feel anything. Fucking... one of the only things that's more bearable than this. I should've just told Ulyana to go with her friends. Isha went back to scrolling through her phone, checking her calendar and wondering if she could improve any assignments that were about to be due.
Ulyana walked up to the table with two cups of liquor. Hennesy? Ulyana sipped out of the cup before addressing her friend.
"You sittin here all night?" Ulyana yelled above the music.
"Maybe." Isha said but not loud enough for Ulyana to hear. She pushed the alcohol in front of Isha, motioning for her to start drinking.
"Do you want to be stuck here all night?" Isha asked with furrowed brows. Ulyana caught a few words but not the whole sentence.
"If you aren't having fun, how am I supposed too?!" Ulyana's arms outstretched, exaggerated.
"Just one night." She mouthed and inched the cup closer to Isha. Not waiting for her, Ulyana rose and jogged to the dance floor to find partners.
Alone again, Isha stared at the Hennesy. It's been a while since I've had Hennesy. Any type of liquor or wine really. This is the exact thing I wanted to avoid though. Descent starts here but... I'm probably being paranoid. A little bit doesn't hurt. And I'm not exactly young anymore.
Wrapping fingers around the cup, Isha kicked the drink back and gulped it down. Some of it hit her tongue, causing her face to twitch at the taste. Lightly, she set the cup down and covered her mouth as she let out a miniature belch.
Leaning back on the couch, Isha searched the crowded dance floor and found Ulyana dancing with a man with an open shirt. Impressive chest.
Soon, her head became a little cloudy. It was annoying but it wasn't bad and rather comforting. I think I can stomach a couple more.
~
Spitting a wad of blood on the ground, Sean gritted his teeth while he seethed to the point where he thought they'd crack. The distant hum of engines and the sirens approaching failed in breaking him from judging his performance.
He wasn't as strong as Azhir... or Daniel. Maybe a few hairs weaker than Zuri but... I still felt it. He's not ordinary and I... Sean's earpiece beeped a couple times, snapping him back to the current situation. Lightly, he tapped it.
"Where are you?!" Carson's worry was projected.
"I'm alive and I have all my limbs." Sean groaned, still feeling a little disoriented. I can't take too many hits. Otherwise...
"That's not what I fucking asked!" Carson shouted, causing Sean to flinch at the volume.
"I heard all of that you asshat!"
Sean heard Zuri laughing over Carson's scolding.
"He's alive, isn't he?" Zuri spoke up in Sean's defense though Sean felt she'd prefer he'd have serious injuries.
"No shit he's alive! And he's lucky to still be alive!"
Sean breathed slowly and straightened. He checked his pockets. Still got my keys.
A flashlight shined a couple feet away. His eyes fixed on a female police officer whose hair was tied in a bun. Her eyes widened at the sight of
Sean. Brass knuckles in each fist and a little spot of blood on his lip. Not wanting to give her a difficult decision, Sean dashed away.
"Hey!"
The female officer ran after him, equipment moving slightly as she kept a firm grip on her duty firearm.
Somehow, she held a button on her personal radio.
"Found a suspect!" She yelled then stopped. Sean was no longer in sight. Faster than I thought.
Taking a breather, the officer spoke into the radio once more after catching her breath.
"Lost the suspect. Description: white male, around five-nine or five-ten, black hair."
~
White creamy chicken bled into hashbrowns and green beans. Azhir drank out of a small glass of pineapple juice. The chatter of other students and adults were cheery, curious, excited.
Granting himself a little liberty, Azhir imagined his mother the best he could. His eyes went tranquil as he conjured a scene of his mother smiling at him, asking him various questions about his tests, what major he seemed interested in, friends that he's made.
"Is she okay?"
"Isha's..."
Across the cafeteria, Azhir heard two women speaking. Another joined the conversation.
"Didn't she say she was only there to drive you back?" Forks clinked against plates and bowls clacked when people set their trays down.
Drowning out the others, Azhir's eyes shifted in the direction of the discussion, listening keenly.
"Yeah but..."
"But what?"
A woman parted her black hair from her eyes. "I want her to loosen up. Sure, college is an important step but it's also important to explore and find yourself.
"I barely see her around campus and when I do, it's either her shift starts in an hour or she's about to go bury her face in some textbook."
"Well she's a late bloomer and she's moving at her own pace." A woman with purple highlights in her hair and a piercing in her bottom lip shrugged rather aggressively.
A late bloomer? Azhir highlighted the phrase. The individual who described Isha, Azhir assessed her appearance. Looks like her face needs a couple of years to catch up with her age. Hair is straight and the
way she speaks... sounds like an optimist or a vibes kind of woman. Azhir couldn't help but scoff.
"So, Ulyana, what exactly did you do?" The one with a whole arm tattooed with flowers and skulls asked lightly. Ulyana held up her hands in mock surrender.
"I didn't do shit. I just... gave her a drink so she'd stop being all dopey."
All of them raised their eyebrows, waiting for Ulyana to elaborate.
"Is there a reason why she isn't here?"
"She's a little... hungover. Threw up two or three times."
Azhir nearly laughed but bit his tongue. Why did she want me there anyway? Seemed like she had enough fun herself. Scraping some cream onto his fork, Azhir spread it on his chicken and cut a piece off.
"That happens."
"I just feel it's kind of my fault. Am I being a little too selfish?" Although Ulyana sounded sincere,
Azhir had heard that tone before, followed by selfish deeds. Nevertheless, this wasn't the program nor the Enlightened Agency. I think that's enough of that. Azhir actively stopped listening as he continued
eating.
I still didn't forget your little selfish act last night. You weren't necesary, so you'll be fine where you are. Just wait and there may be an opportunity. Once we properly identify the supplier in the area.
Azhir felt a small throbbing pain at his forehead. A couple thumps and the pain left.
Are you... are we alright? We're fucking fantastic! Mr. Drab and Boring here just doesn't know how to lighten the hell up. Why don't we talk to some people? Maybe have a conversation with those bitches you were listening to.
"You're too loud." Azhir said aloud before he even realized it. He forked more chicken and chewed.
Should we check on... Don't bother. Isha not handling her alcohol well is none of our busines. We're in college you dumbass drywall! The mision isn't that important to where we can't live a little. Besides, when have we ever gotten an opportunity like this?
Noticeably, Azhir frowned.
We aren't going through this again. The consequences then were... no, they were the same. I've barely been out since the island! Where were you when you were supposed to deal with her ...?
Silence.
That's what I thought.
Azhir finished his meal and wiped his mouth. He glanced toward Ulyana once more, taking in her
profile.
As if sensing him, Ulyana's head turned and their eyes connected. Despite being yards a part, Ulyana visibly shuddered at Azhir's dull expression.
Standing, Azhir picked his tray up and put it on the line before exiting through double doors.