“So, you guys watch Vampire Diaries?” I start up a conversation and they look at me as if I’ve just escaped the funny-farm. Great, exactly what I want.
“You know, I feel for Stephan. I mean, Elena was his girlfriend first, then she chose his brother in the end. But you can’t choose who you love, right?” I look at the guy closest to me, as if I’m waiting for his opinion, but actually, I’m looking for signs that I’m affecting him the way I hope. I need to get them talking about their plans … maybe I can find a loophole somewhere I can use to my advantage.
“Shut the fuck up.” Yep, they’re on edge. “Not a fan, huh? Okay, then tell me this, why are you guys working for Scarface.” One of them snickers, probably because of the nickname we gave Harry.
“It’s the best option.” The one I’m secretly calling Guppy, cause of his thick fish-like lips, rolls his eyes and grunts.
“It’s the ONLY option.” This time it’s the driver talking to me while eyeing me in the rearview mirror. Think I’ll call him Hitler due to his thin mustache and even thinner hairline.
“At least our families can get out of that hellhole.”
“Huh, I see. And I guess all you have to do is …” I look at Guppy, hopeful that he’ll finish the sentence for me. I need to know everything I can about Harry’s plans.
“Mm. Suppose since you’re going to be dead soon I can just as well tell you. We need to be the scapegoats when Garcia gets killed.” Guppy’s already bulging eyes pop out a little more, the man is scared, that’s for sure.
“So, let me get this straight, you three are going to get blamed for Garcia’s death, then executed while Harry plays the hero. And all this just to help your families?”
“More or less. But Darren is going to be the hero, not Harry.” Let’s just name the last one Trash, because, by the smell reeking from him, he probably sleeps in a garbage bin.
“Man, we have two choices … one we unwillingly get blamed for Garcia’s death and die. Two we willingly get blamed for Garcia’s death and die, but … you know man … willingly … at least our families are getting a hundred thousand dollars each. It’s better than nothing,” Hitler explains.
“Dude, my sister can move to New York,” Guppy is the most talkative of them it seems.
“My wife and kids can also get out of there,” Hitler continues. I look at Trash, but he just stares at his feet.
“His brother needs an artificial limb after they shot off his leg.” I’m almost tear-jerked by the unselfishness of these gangsters – guys most people would look at with a frown.
“So that’s it. Either they kill our families and we still get the blame, or we do this and at least the people we love can be free. There’s no third option.”
“But I secretly sent Garcia a heads up …” Guppy confesses.
“You did what?” Hitler seems shocked. “You know that creepy bastards will kill us if they find out?”
“We’re dead anyway. At least I die with a clear conscience,” Guppy pouts. Hitler tops for a moment.
“Yeah … you’re right. I feel better now too,” he says. Trash nods in approval with a strict face.
Fuckit, they are willing to give their lives to help the people they love. That’s freaking courage. And maybe I can help them and myself in one blow.
“How sure are you he’s going to hold up his end of the deal? I mean you would already be dead or in jail and he’s not the most trustworthy person …” I give some time for my words to sink in, and I can see that they’re suddenly worried. Then I continue with my plan.
“What if there is a third choice? One where you can be on the right side without putting your families at risk? And as a bonus … you will be the heroes. And I will pay you a million dollars each.” They look at me as if I’m from another planet, talking in a whole new language they don’t understand.
“Okay, just hear me out … if we help each other … we can take Harry down. Then after this whole mess … you guys get to choose your own paths. Garcia and the rest of us will be in your dept. Your families will be safe forever. How’s that?”
Please take it, please take it, I chant in my mind.
“Keep talking,” Hitler’s eyes catch mine in the mirror again.
“See, Harry thinks he has the upper hand. But, because of your message … thanks for that by the way … Garcia pulled in a favor from a very powerful man. We’re going to destroy Harry. But to do that, we need your help.” My eyes are pleading with them.
“And you promise that nothing will happen to us and our families.”
“I give you my word … on my sister’s grave. I will give you all the money you need.” Guppy has been quiet for some time, his bulging eyes staring at me as if he’s trying to figure something out. Then his thick lips pull into an ugly-ass smile. The three look at each other for a little while.
“We’re in.” Guppy then says, Hitler and Trash also nod in agreement. Great.
“Okay, first we need to make a phone call.” They hand me a phone.
Date = 21 January
Place = San Francisco (Haunted house)
POV – Damion
Guppy winks secretly at me before he slams the door of the van closed. They’ve handed me over to two other gang members, looking like Homer-Simpson-twins. I adjust my hands behind my back slightly, making sure the loose ropes don’t fall off prematurely and ruin the plan. Turning my head to the right I give the guy my cockiest lopsided grin, the one that makes girls weak in the knees and wet between the legs. Guess it won’t have quite the same effect here though.
I watch as the van drives off, and my smile turns slightly sinister. I hope the meeting between the boys and our new allies works as planned.
But even though I know they’re ready to infiltrate the house at any moment, I’m not totally relaxed – I have a bad omen about all this. I need to play my part collectively … no place for errors. I need to create a distraction so the boys can move in secretly. It’s probably the only advantage we have …
“So do you guys watch Vampire Diaries?” I try my luck.
THUD!
Homer-on-the-left’s palm connects with the back of my head! Now I know how Harry and Ron felt in Snape’s class. The once impressive door is cracked and weathered by exposure, the surface slimy, covered by moss and other fungi. I come here every year on my sister’s birthday and put some flowers in the place she died. And every time I notice the decay taking over more and more.
“You won’t be cocky for long, Mack.” The moron fists his partner on his upper arm and both laugh as if they know something I don’t. Well, I got a surprise for them, I know something they don’t.
The hit squad that Harry organized … well, instead of killing Garcia and Uncle John, is going to help save them. And as soon as Mel is safe, the Old Man’s people will attack the unloyal gang and finish this whole nightmare once and for all.
“Yeah, Darren is going to push his plonker into that skank and make you watch. Little ice queen is going to get it good,” he shits his mouth off. I never knew that it was possible to muster up such self-control. The fact that they are not dead right now surprises even me. My nails dig into my palms – the only indication of my not-so-calm interior.
“Hope we can also get some action,” right-sided Homer interrupts, pushing my nails even more into my flesh, but I stay in control. If I mess up now, Mel might die.
“I’ve been hard all day, I need a good shag.” Pushing his hand against the front of his pants he pulls me into another dimly lit room – the one where my sister died. I swear fate is pulling a fast one on me.
I quickly scan my surroundings – and then my heart stops – she is tied against a pillar as if it’s the only thing keeping her from falling onto the floor – her arms pulled back in an awkwardly uncomfortable position.