Well, here's the second installment. The story shouldn't actually start till the third or fourth "chapter". Sorry.
x
"Graverobber, Graverobber," a raspy voice called, filling the alleyways and backstreets. These dry whispers were punctuated by soft moaning from the drug addicts and prostitutes hiding amongst the shadows. Some hid behind garbage dumps and others under fire escapes- hassling any other person who happened to come by those dreadful slums. Small animals scurried by as the sound of sharp stilettos clacked against the concrete, an uneven beat the result of uneven steps.
A petite figure soon appeared from behind a brick wall, stumbling slightly as two larger figures reached out to steady her. Upon closer inspection, the smaller shape was that of esteemed (the term used loosely) businesswoman and fashion icon Amber Sweet. The larger two, with their broad muscles and detached persona, were undoubtedly that of her bodyguards.
The faltering Amber Sweet took another tremulous step forward, once more crying out, "Graverobber, Graverobber". She gave the alley a once over before spotting a dumpster near a back door to a cheap Italian restaurant. Sometimes she wondered why she even bothered, Amber had all the free Zydrate she could ever need back at the GeneCo labs. When her father was alive, there was no way he would allow her to take the precious painkiller, so she was forced to sneak out for more than the recommended doses after and before surgery. So what if she was addicted to the knife? It wasn't like anyone really cared. The only one who cared about Amber Sweet was Amber Sweet. Everyone else was just a suck-up hoping to get in her good graces. Except, maybe, the Graverobber.
Amber smiled fondly through her haze, the Graverobber. He was always willing to fuel her habit, never once denying her the salvation she needed- even when she couldn't pay. Though, there were other ways of buying the drug than with cash. Many other Zydrate junkies tried this method, but all failed with Graverobber. He seemed to be above all other dealers, respected by them for refusing to bend, only giving the goods to those with the gold. Amber was his only exception. She didn't care to wonder why, all that mattered was he seemed to hold her in higher value than the other faceless customers.
She hurried over to the dumpster, before beckoning her bodyguards to open the lid. Sure enough, inside laid the Graverobber, lounging around reading a gossip magazine by light of the glowing Zydrate vials. His nonchalant expression flickered up to meet Amber's annoyed one, before it curled into that of a smug appearance.
"Well, if it isn't the Queen of the Scalpel Sluts," The Graverobber chuckled. "Wonder what she could want now."
Amber Sweet wordlessly threw some coins into the dumpster, and watched with impatience as the scruffy man leisurely pulled out a little glass vial. She stared with increasing urgency as he slowly stood inside the metal bin, and snatched it as soon as he brought it into range.
Chuckling, he observed as she loaded the Zydrate into a spare syringe with shaking hands, it seemed he wasn't the only dealer she had hit up tonight. Even he would only give her so much, he had to keep some supplies for others.
It had become easier for Amber to get her hands on Zydrate since her father had passed, so naturally she got her hands on more and more. Her addiction had branched out, and already one could see the effects of multiple painkillers coursing through her system. The many surgeries she had did a good job of concealing it, but all a person had to do was look into her eyes to tell she was troubled.
To tell the truth, the Graverobber cared a bit. Not that he was concerned about Amber's well being. But if she got a stronger addiction besides Zydrate, his preference to sell, or went and did something stupid because of the drugs; Graverobber would be plain out of luck then wouldn't he? Amber Sweet was his main source of income. Without her he'd still be able to get by, sure, but he'd have to cut down on a few of the lavish luxuries he had grown to love. So of course it was natural that he felt a slight twinge in the bottom of his stomach when she nearly fainted after injecting the Zydrate. It was perfectly, and completely normal.
Right?