"Kid! What are you doing?" I hear the grave robber yell. Well shit… He found me. I step from behind the dumpster, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Nothing… I was just.. curious about it all..." I say softly. He smiles and takes a step closer to me. He smelled like graves and alleys and it was comforting.
"Curious, huh? What about, kid? Its just business." Blood market… Black market… I remember his words of wisdom. I laugh bitterly to myself and try to shake the thought away. I look down at my boots. Black, knee high combat boots. The toes are covered in mud from the alleys but I could care less. I look back up at him.
"My father, my god mother, my mother… all dead. I need money. I need a way of business and I was wondering..." I said looking into his deep blue eyes. Such a contrast with his heavy make up and dyed hair. His face grows serious.
"No way kid. You are too young and pure." He says, all humor drained from his eyes. I cross my arms and glare at him.
"Too young? Too young?! I will let you know, graverobber, that I have been through more shit than half of the skanks in these alleys. I had to deal with everyone I loved dying, slowly dying every day, and there is no way of happiness in this city. You are the only one I can trust here, Graves. You have protected me before. Got me out of some rough situations. Please take me under your wing." I say sternly. His expression softens and he cracks a smile.
"You trust me? Do you know who I am?" He says with a chuckle. He goes to the dumpster and starts loading the zydrate guns. I follow him over.
"Yes I do know who you are, Graves. And you were there when no one else was. I just need to get on my feet then I'll get off your back. Please." I say, resting my hand on his arm. He glances down at it and grins.
"Fine, kid. I'll help you. But no chickening out. You help me get the zydrate, sell the zydrate, and carry the bodies if they die of overdoses." He closes the case and hands me a gun. "Don't give anyone a hit unless they pay. A vial is worth a hundred, a half is worth fifty. You cannot accept sex as payment and do not let that gun leave your sight. You administer the hits not them." He says seriously. I smile and take the gun from his hands and turn it over in my hands. Its slightly smaller than his, still silver, but different. The needle is sharp but looks clean.
"Here." He grumbles handing me a couple of vials of zydrate. I look at them softly and slip them into a pocket on my corset.
"I will get you a case soon. Can't risk you breaking my precious drugs." He says with a grin. I smile. This may work out for the best. I may be able to become independent. I look up at grave robber and quickly wrap my arms around him. He tenses before he slowly hugs me back. He is surprisingly warm and smells sweet. His hair falls into my face and I laugh as it tickles my nose. I pull away and smile up at him.
"Thanks Graves." I say softly. He looks at me curiously before he shakes his head.
"KId, you must be confused in the head. Trusting me… I swear, kid-" I cut him off.
"My names is Shilo, not kid. Try using it sometime." I say sharply. He laughs and a smile spreads across my lips.
"Fine Shilo. We start work tomorrow. Meet me at my place tomorrow." He says before handing me a piece of paper. His address. I tuck the piece of paper in my corset and look back up to him.
"Do you keep everything in there?" He says smiling wickedly. I take a step closer to him and put my hands on his chest.
"Only the things that really matter." I say softly, looking up at him. He looks so startled and it is quite amusing. I take my hands away, and take a few steps back.
"See you tomorrow, Graves." I say with a purr-like voice. I run off without a second glance back. Time to go back home, though I wish that it wasn't mine.