Chapter 2

She noticed after a few days Trevor hadn't come around again, she spoke to Janet about it who found it odd that he seemed to be MIA. His presence was palpable to anyone around him, so it did invite a couple of whispers around town to where he might be, most suspected he found his way into a grave.

Natalie didn't necessarily care that he was gone, but finding it strange if he truly did die. In the short times she had seen him, Trevor looked like one of two things; either near death or close to bringing death. Usually it was bringing it, which often left people to give him his space.

Meanwhile Nat had been trying for jobs all around, but it just wasn't working out, the positions were either filled, or the area was too dangerous, or the boss was just a downright creep and she'd much rather go without a car than let them know where she lived. She even vaguely considered moving back with her parents for a bit up in Paleto Bay, but she knew if she went back she could very well be stuck up there indefinitely.

So she just pressed on, sitting in her trailer, trying to beat the heat as summer began creeping in, working through her laptop and going through various sites with the intent to be some sort of survey taker, it was poor money and after a long period of frustration she found it was just a scam, and with a exasperated sigh she shoved her laptop to the side and called into work to see if she could come in.

Janet luckily had some work for her so Natalie made the trip to her place of work, wearing as little as she could without being stared and, carrying a large bottle of water she firmly held on her neck to cool herself off. She thankfully made it to The Yellow Jack and immediately went behind to bar to help out Jan with an usually busy lunch hour. Natalie usually liked her job, the people her interesting and her boss was nice, but today wasn't one of those days. All the customers were too drunk for her liking, Natalie having to fight tooth and nail to get everyone else to behave themselves, which they rarely did with such a young, pretty girl. It wasn't until Janet decided to but in when everyone was properly chastised and sent on their way with their pockets a little emptier and their livers a little more damaged.

It wasn't long after the rush died down that Natalie begged for a break that she was given. She sat just outside the bar with a pack of cigarettes clutched in her hand. She rarely smoked, but when she was this stressed it was only natural for her to take comfort in a vice, something anyone in Sandy Shores was all too used to. The heat was still bothering her, but the taste of nicotine and the smell of fresh air was worth it, she was almost glad there was no wind today, so she didn't have to smell of rotting fish that the Alamo Sea often produced.

She laid back against the concrete patio, letting herself relax for a second that was too short lived for her liking when she heard what was undeniably Trevor's massive Bodhi, her able to tell from the engine roaring near or the deafening sound of Channel X. It was a wonder he could even hear, she thought to herself. She slowly heaved herself up when the engine cut not far from her to greet him.

She looked him over, in his normal attire of fading jean and his dingy off-white tee, thought looking a little rough. She took the cigarette out of her lips, pointing to a small trail of blood near the neckline of his shirt, "Is that yours?" Natalie inquired while grabbing the hair tie from her wrist and putting her hair up to help cool her off better.

He glanced down, apparently only noticing the stain just then, "Er, no." He mused, before shaking his head, "You're looking for a job right?" He said immediately after, her realising he perhaps came here other than to get shit faced.

She looked him over, lingering a little longer on his biceps like she's done before, "Yeah... why?" Was he offering her a job? She was tempted, but she knew it would most likely be illegal.

Trevor shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "I might have some work for you." He said simply, too vague for her liking.

She sighed, ashing her cigarette on the ground, and slowly getting up, her back popping a few times from the stress "And what would this work require?"

"I would just need you to hide some things for me for awhile." He said simply, Natalie not convinced.

"And what would those things be?" She raised a brow and crossed her arms, noticing that Trevor gave a not so subtle glance at her chest.

"Nothing you need to know about to keep it safe." He said shortly, Nat wasn't sure why he seemed impatient, her caution was justifiable, but then again he didn't seem all too reasonable, "If you don't fuck with it, and no one else takes it, then I'll pay you by the end of the week." He didn't sound like he was going to go further, just looking for a yes or a no.

Natalie frowned, looking at him for a long moment, weighing up the pros and cons before nodding her head, "Alright, fine, sure." She finally conceded. She had no criminal record, so there was no reason why the cops would be knocking on her door, and any cash was good enough.

He made a grunt in triumph, clapping his hands together, "Great! I'll get Ron to send some stuff your way tomorrow."

She frowned, her brows furrowing, "Ron?"

He nodded again, already turning back to his truck, "Yeah, Ron, you'll know him when you see him."

Before Natalie could muster out some form of thanks or anything, T was already pulling out and heading down the stretch of dusty road. She was suddenly met with doubt, wondering if risking what could very well be jail time for a little extra money. But no turning back now, she had a hidden urge to prove she was capable to Trevor, though she couldn't quite figure out why. Even then, he didn't look like a guy who took kindly to anyone who chickened out.

Janet caught her attention from the bar's front door, "Hey, kid, you gonna sit here all day? We need you to pick up some ice for us."

Natalie sighed and nodded, giving her a small wave before taking the long trek down to the convenience store, hoping the ice wouldn't melt all the wall in between trips.