Page 27

It’s been one week since I started working for Damien. One week and I’ve been able to collect enough money to substantially help my family. Have I thought about how I’m going to actually give them the money? Unfortunately, no.

I can’t just go up to Xander and say ‘Hey, bro. I’ve been helping the local drug dealer sell drugs, but don’t worry, I’m making good money.’

If I did that, I’d be digging my own grave in the backyard next to the hamster I had when I was 8.

The school bell rings, signaling the end of the school day. My jaw is sore from the number of yawns that came out of me today. It’s been mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting sneaking around behind my brothers’ backs. I can’t find it in me to feel bad about the drug dealing. What I’m doing is to help my family. That has to count for something, right?

I’ve been lucky enough not to have dealt with that creep the first night again. Just the thought of him makes my skin crawl.

After shoving my belongings in my backpack, I step out of the classroom and make my way to the bus.

“Sarah, wait up!” Colson’s voice reaches me over the wave of students in the hallway. His bookbag bounces against his back as he weaves in between everyone in his path. I slow my steps, allowing him to catch up.

He drapes his arm over my shoulders and leans close to my ear. “There’s a fight tonight.” Excitement coats his voice.

“Where? When?”

I’m supposed to be meeting a buyer tonight. If there is a fight, that means my brothers will be out. There is no way I’ll be able to sneak away without at least one of them noticing.

Shit.

“Starts at 11, over by the old Adam’s farm.”

Double shit.

I’d need the power of teleportation to make this deal. The Adam’s farm is in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention on the complete opposite side of town than where I need to be.

“I don’t think I’m going to go.” I make a show of being in pain and place my palm on my stomach. “I’ve got cramps and just want to stay in bed.”

With an amused scoff, he ruffles my hair before releasing me. “Yeah right. You never miss a fight. You went even after getting food poisoning from the sushi you bought at the gas station.”

“That was one time.”

We push the doors open and step into the bright afternoon light.

“Who buys sushi from a gas s –” He grunts when I punch him in the arm.

He’s right though. I basically never miss a fight or a race. I live for the energy that pulses through my body when I’m there. I need to come up with a plan. And fast.

* * *

I’m all but sweating bullets. Every muscle in my body aches with tension. My brothers have stuck by my side like damned glue. There are a lot more people than they anticipated, and so because of that, my brothers have taken it upon themselves to be my shadows.

“You guys don’t need to follow me everywhere,” I huff in annoyance.

Xander shakes his head. “There are too many people here and if shit hits the fan or the cops show up, I’m not going to risk any of us getting lost or arrested.”

Okay, his reasoning is valid but the time I have to make this exchange is depleting, and Damien has already texted, asking for an update.

“Why don’t you want to stick with us?” Ronny tilts his head, studying me. “You usually have no issue.”

The number of lies I’ve told my brothers is nauseating. I’ve always been able to share everything with them. Not being able to share this is chipping away at me despite knowing its necessary.

“I told you guys I didn’t feel good, but you dragged me out here anyway.” My arm swings around, gesturing to the crowd of party goers.

My face burns from their assessing stares but I keep the guilt from revealing itself. I’ve never been the greatest liar but I’m hoping because I mentioned it to Colson earlier, they’ll believe me.

“I can take you home.” Tommy finally breaks the awkward starting contest. My body subtly relaxes.

I might just be able to pull this off.

Xander nods then pulls me into his arms. “Get some rest, kid. Lock the doors and we’ll be home in a little while.” He presses a kiss to my temple. Shame grabs hold and I swallow tightly.

“I will,” I reply. Ronny and Colson hug me good-bye then Tommy and I make our way toward the parking lot.

“Do you need me to stop at the store to get you anything?” He asks, sliding into the driver’s seat. Closing my door, I shake my head and buckle my seat belt.

“I have stuff at home. I think I just need to sleep.”

Each mile we drive I wonder if the shame and guilt I feel will go away once the deal is done. Maybe I can talk with Damien and figure out a way for someone to help me when I can’t get away. I hate lying to my brothers.

You know that’ll never happen. He’s just going to tell you to kick rocks.

Can I keep this going when it’s only been a week and I’m slowing beginning to hate myself?

Tommy pulls into our cracked concrete driveway. Our house stands with all its peeled painted glory, solidifying my answer. I can do this.

I’m opening my door before the car is shifted into park. Staying in the confined space with Tommy is suffocating me. I need to put my dark feelings aside to get this done. Being in his presence is making that impossible.

“I’ll see you later.” I shut the door and head toward the house.

My phone pings. I already know it’s Damien without pulling it from my pocket. Tommy finally pulls away from the house when I’m stepping inside.

The click of the door shutting echoes in my ear. The silence inside sends anxiety spiraling inside my chest.

Another ping.

“Fuck. Okay, get your shit together, Sarah. You can do this.”

I pull my phone out and quickly reply to Damien, letting him know that I’m on my way. My eyes flick toward the clock above the old stove. I’ve got an hour before I need to make the exchange.

Shoving my emotions down, I steel my spine and release a deep breath.

I’ll stop once I’ve raised enough money to prevent us from struggling.

Sometimes doing bad things for the greater good is necessary. At least in this case it is. And I’ll be damned if I risk my family losing our home when I have been given the chance for giving us a better life.

Regardless of the consequences.

* * *

“About fucking time,” Damien barks when I step into view. The orange glow of his cancer stick shines bright as he takes a drag before blowing out the toxic smoke.

“Sorry, I couldn’t get away from my brothers any sooner,” I huff, utterly spent from the run over here. Instead of answering, Damien tosses me the bag which holds the product I’m selling. I quickly swing my backpack off my shoulder and shove it inside.

Without another word, he walks away. After catching my breath, I lift my pack and head toward the drop-off location.

I can’t help but repeatedly glance at the time on my phone when I feel too much time has passed. Again, it shows only 1-2 minutes pass each time. I’m so paranoid I won’t make it back in time to be in bed before my brothers are home.

A chill runs up my spine when I arrive to the abandoned house on the opposite side of town. Tendrils of scattered vines climb up the cracked foundation. The windows are busted. The steps are damned near collapsing.

Who the hell decided this would be the meeting spot? It’s creepy as fuck.

I frown when I have yet to see any evidence of someone else being here. I’m right on time, so someone should be waiting. Dried leaves crunch beneath my feet as I trek through the overgrown lawn toward the side of the house.

No one.

No one in the backyard either.

Headlights coast down the street when I round the front of the house before coming to a stop just at the end of the driveway.

My stomach rolls and the hairs on my arms stand on end. The engine is cut off, but the lights remain lit. The muscles in my throat tighten and I swallow. When the doors to both the passenger and driver’s side open, I stand taller.

Make the exchange, then get the hell out of here.

The silhouettes of two men move to the front of the vehicle. One is built like a fucking bus. Shoulders broad and, from what I can see, a bald head. The other is lanky but tall, with an air of arrogance that wafts off him.

“We meet again, hermosa.”

Every atom in my body turns to stone.

Fuckfuckfuck.

Not this creep.

Remaining silent, I slide my backpack off my shoulder. Hands trembling, I reach inside and pull out the bag that holds the product. Standing, I yelp when I realize they’ve stepped closer, and I didn’t even hear their movements.

“No need to be scared.” His eyes are just as lifeless as I remember and it’s petrifying.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m not. I just wasn’t expecting you to be so close.” I swing my backpack on, taking a small step back. He immediately tracks the movement. The smirk that lifts the corner of his mouth is spine-chilling.

The behemoth of a man says something inside and they both chuckle darkly.

“Here is your product.” I hold the bag out in front of me, hoping this entire interaction will end soon.

The man doesn’t spare it a single glance, keeping his eyes trained on mine. “You know. I think I need to inspect the contents. Last time, it was… lacking in quality.” His hands twitch and the other man widens his stance just the slightest bit.

The moisture in my mouth evaporates and I feel myself paling.

I need to get out of here right the fuck now.

Screw the money. I don’t want to be around these guys for another second.

“I’ll give my boss a call and have him come so he can work something out with you.” When I reach for my phone, the larger man moves unbelievably fast. The hold he has on my wrist sends shooting pain up my fingers. My phone clatters to the concrete.

“Now, now Chiquita. I’m sure we can work something out among the three of us. No need to involve anyone else.”

I make myself dizzy from how rapidly my eyes move to find someone, anyone who can help me. My heart shrivels at the sound of my phone cracking under his foot.

“P-please let me go,” I plead through quivering lips. My arms are pulled behind my back, my shoulders scream in pain.

“Scream y te voy a matar.” I don’t need to speak Spanish to know what he said is a threat.

I flinch when knuckles caress the side of my face.

Think, Sarah. Think!

I don’t know any actual self-defense moves other than what I’ve learned from rough housing with my brothers. My backpack will make it too difficult to try and slide out of the hold I’m in.

I’m a fast runner, so I just need to find a way to get loose, and then I can bolt.

In the distance, a car honks and it pulls the men’s attention away for a split second. As soon as I feel the hands gripping my wrist loosen the slightest bit, I move. I rip myself out of his hands and swing my bag off my shoulder, hurling it at the guy’s face. The weight of my textbooks only adds to the momentum.

With a pained grunt, he stumbles backward. I take advantage of his disoriented state and take off.

“?Puta!” The lanky guy shouts. “Get in the fucking car and go after her!”

The sound of doors slamming followed by an engine starting fills the air. I can’t breathe. I’m being led by pure instinct to survive a predator.

Faster! Run Faster!

Instead of staying on the roads, I dart toward the nearest backyard. It’s impossible to outrun a car. I need to take advantage of the structures around me.

The lack of streetlights is a comfort I didn’t know I could come to appreciate. It’s much easier to avoid being seen.

I slip on a wet patch of grass and my body goes flying. I crash into a bush; it tears at my flesh.

“Ow,” I groan, then wince at the sharp sting I feel along my right cheek. Touching the area, I feel the wet sensation of blood. It’s too dark for me to confirm, but I doubt it’s anything else, especially since it’s not raining and there are no sprinklers running.

When I hear the screech of tires on pavement, I scramble to hide. Not even caring that I’m covered in twigs, leaves, and dirt. The bush is just thick enough I feel hopeful they won’t see me.

Peering through a small opening, I spot their car coasting by with the windows down. I can just barely make out their voices.

“The little puta is long gone, Eddie. Let’s just head back,” the behemoth complains.

Eddie growls in frustration, scanning left to right while hanging out of the passenger window. “I’m going to find her and make her regret taking off.” He settles back into his seat then nods to his friend who steps on the accelerator and drives away.

“Holy shit.” I slump down onto my ass and try to slow the aggressive beats of my heart.