6 YEARS LATER
I leant back against my seat, leather stretching with me. The glass was as warm as the whisky against my lips, but that was no surprise. 1 time, I had been given ice in my drink. It was a few winters ago, the barman's roof had frozen and he chopped it up as an extra helping. It double the price of the drink of course, but I was curious. And boy was it worth it.
Simple pleasures, huh?
I tipped my hat over my eyes and rested my head back, enjoying the burning sensation that rippled down my throat when I swallowed. The bell screwed into the door jingled and I tracked the footsteps all the way over to my table. Something heavy thumped, scattering against the rough sticky wood. I knew what it was. And I hated that it peaked my interest.
I tilted my head up, pausing when those wrinkled grey eyes stared back at me.
"Been a while." He grinned. I reached for the dagger hoisted at my side but he was quicker, leaning close to my face and I felt the pistol dig into my stomach. I let go of my weapon. "Smart choice." He complimented.
I pursed my lips, glancing at the bag of coins split all over the table. It was reckless to carry around money like that in this area. But if there was one thing this man was, it was reckless.
"Stand up for me, girly." He cooed, toying with the trigger and I gritted my teeth as I stood. He grabbed me quickly, arm around my neck, pressed against my back as the gun was shoved under my throat. Likely so no one would see what was going on. It's not often you run into the hero type in the underground, especially not amongst the few lifeless souls that were scattered around this empty tavern. But you never know.
"What now?" I spat quietly. He chuckled, pressing his mouth to my ear and I grimaced at the flammable moist air that wafted over my skin.
"You know the drill." He said smugly, grabbing the back of my neck and shoving me down face first into the table. The coins scattered, some rolling off the table and bouncing on the floor. Someone in the bar laughed and cheered us on and I growled, struggling a little but his grip was firm and after a moment of evaluation, I took a breath and relaxed against the table.
He wasn't exaggerating. I knew the drill. This wasn't the first time Kenny had hunted me down in the underground. And I was sure as hell convinced it wouldn't be the last. This position of me, ass up and helpless, as humiliating as it was, was almost tradition by now.
But as pissed as I was, I knew I didn't have to be afraid. He had no intention of hurting me.
The gun stayed pressed against my nape as his hands patted my body, searching for weapons. I had more than a few but the bastard always managed to get every single one. They were shoved into a duffle bag and only then did he let go.
Kenny threw the duffle at the end of his booth and slid in against the red leather, picking at something in his teeth with one of my daggers. I grimaced at him and he gave me a "what?" look that was specifically designed to antagonise me. And on another day it might have worked. But one, I was exhausted, and two… that bag of money was a lot bigger than usual.
I sat down and waited. Kenny made himself comfortable, taking off his hat and ordering over two beers. Neither were for me but I didn't expect them to be. He chugged the first and nudged it away with his elbow before taking a measured sip of the second, sighing. Pleased with himself, it would seem.
"So," He leant back, arm resting on the top of the booth. "You in?" He asked, eyes narrowed glinting with mischief. My eyes betrayed me, flicking down to the money before back up to him.
"You haven't told me the job yet." I pointed out. He laughed, picking up a coin, observing it for a moment before flicking it over to me. I caught it in one hand.
"Does it matter?" He asked, tilting his head.
I looked at the coin in my palm, disspointed in myself. Because it didn't matter.
With a big enough payday… nothing was of limits.
"No." I admitted and he cracked a grin and chugged the rest of his beer.
"That's my girl." He stood, picking up his hat. "Three days. Dawn. Stair gate." He said, starting to walk away. I stood up, surprised.
"It's a surface job?" I asked, shocked. Kenny glanced back, sucking on his teeth, considering.
"The less you know, the better, girly."
The bell jingled as he left and I sat down, feeling a little dizzy. But the eyes that burnt into my face, the money on the table sobered me up quickly. I grabbed the duffle and made a show of rearming myself before shoving the money into the empty bag and leaving the bar. I ducked into an allyway and watched the entrance, waiting in the darkness. If someone was planning on following me, I wanted to know it.
But 10 minutes passed and no one left the building.
I supposed somethings were more important in life than money.
My bones were aching by the time I got back, tired and grouchy. It had been a long day with an unexpected end.
I looked down at the bag, pursing my lips. I supposed though it was unexpected it wasn't entirely unpleasant. Kenny was reckless but something of a habitual critter. He always paid twice. Once before the job and once after. Which meant this would be the biggest payout I had ever received in my life. Even before when I was working with…
I paused, squeezing my eyes shut tight. Counted.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
I let out a breath and let go of that feeling in my chest. Greif, anger, pain. I wasn't sure anymore. All I knew was it hurt like hell and I didn't let myself feel it for long. Didn't seem productive. Not with what I had to accomplish.
I turned onto my street, taking a quick glance around to be sure no one had followed me. I dipped into the alley and slung the bag over my torso, jumping up and grabbing the rusty metal ladder, letting my weight drag it down. I climbed up, step by step, grimacing at something grey and sticky that smeared onto my palm. I rolled my eyes, wiping it on my pants and kept climbing.
When I got to the window I pulled the key out from under my shirt and unlocking the padlock. I pushed the heavy thing up and stepped inside with a breath of relief.
Shoving the window back down I secured the padlock on the otherside and stood back up, scraping the hair out of my face and looking around at the dark room. It was a small place, but I had earnt it through my blood sweat and tears. It was mine and I had earnt it.
Mine.
I picked up an oil lamp and scraped the match against the wall until it lit, holding it in the small metal box until it started burning and shadows danced around the room. Walked over to the kitchen, that happened to be in the same room as the living room and the dining room and set the lamp down, grabbing a metal cup and dipping it in the bowl I had used to collect fresh water from the well this morning. I gulped it down eagerly, rubbing my mouth and neck as little droplets escaped and streamed down.
I considered how much was left before having another half a cup, pretty sure we would make it to the next afternoon before I had to get more. Shoving off my boots, I set them by the door, which was reinforced with steel and nails. I had learnt the hardway that the neighbours weren't the friendly type. And if you valued your life and your money and your diginity, you wouldn't use the hallway. Or leave the door unlocked at any time.
Rubbing my face, I rolled the rug away and pulled up the floorboards, shoving the Kenny's duffle into the gap with the rest of the valuables, and there weren't many. But that didn't mean they shouldn't be protected.
I brushed my teeth and washed my face, using as little water as possible before quietly stepping into the bedroom. But as stealthy as I was, she was a lighter sleeper.
"Niko?" She mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes with a fist. I smiled softly and walked over to the single creaky bed we shared, crouching down.
"Hi, nightowl." I stroked some hair out of her eyes as she blinked slowly, waking up.
"Where were you? I made dinner." She pouted. A winced a little, guilty. I shouldn't have stopped at that tavern. Not while she was here all by herself. But it was a long day. And I really fucking needed a drink.
"Sorry, kid. I got hung up." I apologised and she huffed, turning on her side.
"Yeah right." She said under her breath. I sighed and stood up to get changed into some sweats, flopping down on the bed next to her with a slight grimace. I was sore all over.
I turned my head, cracking a smile as the stubborn girl turned away from me again. I poked her shoulder. She said nothing. I poked her again. Nothing.
I poked her 10 times in a row and she growled.
"Quit it!" She snapped, annoyed. I huffed a laugh and rolled onto my back, arms behind my head, staring at the damp looking ceiling. We were going to get mould at this rate. How does one even deal with mould? Scrape it off with a knife?
I sighed and put an arm over my eyes, not wanting to think about that right now.
After a few minutes I heard the creak of the bed as she shifted back to face me.
"Hard day?" She asked, softer now. I swallowed, but managed to smile, not able to look at her.
"I'm fine." I breathed.
Finny sat up a little and I lifted the arm off of my eyes as I heard the match light and a warm glow filled the small bedroom. There was barely room for anything but the bed. We had two trunks in the corner for our clothes, a bedside table I had managed to snatch from a store when no one was looking. The walls were covered in Finny's drawings. Charcoal, paint, whatever I could find her.
Before I could stop her the girl grabbed my chin and move it to the right, gasping at the bruises around my neck. There was a cut above my eyebrow that had stopped bleeding. My clothes hid the rest.
"Nik." She breathed, upset. I sat up so my back was too her, not wanting ther to worry.
"I'm fine." I repeated, serious. The match burnt out and the room settled back into darkness.
"You said you weren't going to get hurt again." She whispered. I sighed, laying back down.
"I know I did." I mumbled, sorry. I shouldn't have told her such a thing. It wasn't true when I said it and it wasn't true now.
Silence.
"Please… would you just let me-"
"No." I cut her off, not about to start this conversation again. She was too young for jobs. If I had it my way she would always be too young for jobs. The underground was a brutal industry. I wasn't about to put her against it. Because I was sure she wouldn't survive.
Finny was quiet again. She laid back down on her side and I closed my eyes, regretting snapping at her.
"I'm sorry, okay? But I'm fine. It's just a few scrapes, you should see the other guy." I said gently. Fin didn't say anything, but I heard her sniff and my eyes widened. "Fin, don't-"
"You're going to die one day. You'll die and you wont come back and I'll be alone. Ill be all alone." She whispered tightly, terrified. My face softened and I sighed, sitting up to pull her into a hug. The kid whimpered, clutching at me, crying quietly. I rubbed her back in calming circles.
"Shh. Shh, it's okay." I soothed, feeling her relax. If there was one thing I knew, it was how to calm this kid down. I had been doing it for 5 years. I got us settled back in bed and pulled the covers over us, helping her get comfy. "I'm not going to die." I whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm not going to die."
"How are you so sure?" She choked out quietly. I bit my lip, unable to answer. I looked up at the ceiling, wishing I could get her out of this shit hole. Wishing I could get her on the surface where it was safe and warm and she could hang out with kids her own age without worrying about being mugged or raped if she stepped out of the house.
My mind drifted to that man with the wrinkled silver eyes. The bags of cash, the opportunities he presented me from time to time. Sometimes they were the only thing that sustained us. If I were to ask him for something more permanent…
"Just a bit longer, Fin. I'm going to get us out of here, you just have to hang on a bit longer." I mumbled softly but Finny had already drifted into an uneasy sleep. "Just a bit longer." I whispered to myself, closing my eyes, ready to pass out.
A.N. Thanks for reading! X