Another day, another dollar or, in this case, another night, another dollar. I sighed tiredly as I slid my arm through the sleeve of my dark coat and checked if the outer pocket holds a small gun, ready and loaded as always.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcjaYQcGoi
Once I stepped out into the cool night, the wind-tossed my short red hair and took a deep breath of the cool night air, smelling the brine from the ocean nearby. At my leisurely pace, I headed towards one of many main streets that are still well visited by tourists and some locals enjoying tearooms and restaurants before calling it a day. Many shops around started to close up for the same reason. The 'Bookworm's Paradies' is a modern bookshop for all ages and genres and sells a few small tourist goods and snacks on the sidelines. Or that's what it looks like at first sight and upfront but at late hours such as now where shadow and night mingle, beneath the bookshelves and between the pages of large and thick books lies hidden old desirable goods. Some call it liquid gold; a few call it firewater. Sure, there are various kinds and tastes, but it became precious nearly overnight with prohibition going on. Simply said, it's alcohol.
I barely remember the city Xi-Tan how it was before the strict prohibition. Still, since it came, my old man got tight with money for some time until he founded this secret smuggling shop. Hell, it bends many rules, but in the end, I see it as profit, and it's better to work than what other gangs are undertaking. The only pain is trying to hold up to the big boss' expectation and provide the agreed amount of money, especially when he has his ideas and is a control freak. Any idea you provide him is dull as dirt, or worse, will take it and claim the credit as his own idea. I sighed on that thought and entered the shop, seeing miss Bai cleaning the pay desk and refilling the snack shelves. She gave a bow as I entered; I did the same as it is courtesy. "You're late, Hal. Were you chased by trolls?" She smirked over her shoulder to me teasingly. I smirked back. "What if I was? Still sipping on that bathwater all day to make you as charming as an eel?"
Miss Bai looked at me unimpressed and gave me the snake eyes. "That was a poor attempt Halvard, but I let this pass once."
Oh boy, if she says my full name, then it's serious. I cleared my throat. "Well, how was business today?"
"Was able to sell to few books as extra profit and had to haggle with an old rich man for a fair price about the 20-year-old single malt whiskey and top-notch Japanese Sakura sake." Explained Bai while she lit on her long slim pipe.
"That's great, Bai, but could you smoke outside? We don't want anything to catch fire here." I smiled.
She let the smoke out through her nostrils like a dragon. "Very well, telling you don't like it would have sufficed, you know," and walked out of the shop. "Do all Swedes dislike smoke?"
"Why don't you ask one on the street, that is, if you can find one," I smirked. I spotted her rolling her eyes before turning her back to me. I'm the first Swede Bai has met in her life, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I am the only Swede here in the city Xi-Tan; not even Swedish tourists come by here, but I don't mind. With my red hair, I can easily fool others with an accent that I'm Scottish, Irish or Dutch. I began on noting the inventory and storage as the usual routine while Bai closed shop and let a few late passers purchase a quick book. As on schedule, the mini-van delivery service came with our new order of books and oversaw the goods before being stored away by curious eyes and the police. Once I've done my calculations and counted the money that the boss wants, I've added into my bag as a generous gesture a rare vintage of an Irish whiskey, one of a few lost casks were rediscovered in an abandoned distillery. It was all in the news, calling it the 'Golden Shamrock'. I hope it's the boss' liking as I headed to his meeting.
Punctual I arrived at the boss' workplace which happens to be one of the largest malls in the city, sometimes we meet in his office and other places in the mall. This time at a cafe overlooking a small oasis with a built-in waterfall and a lake full of koi fish with a Chinese style bridge.
"Punctual as always, Halvard. Take a seat." Smiled the boss from behind the small dark round spectacles and gestured to an empty seat.
As I took my seat across the table, I handed him the money in a leather zipper bag on the centre of the table while handing the bottle of expensive whiskey under the table.
"My, how did you get a hand on this?" Wondered Boss as he inspected it.
"The usual how I do, but one of my partners was able to pull some strings on this."
"Hmm, can your partner get more? We can sell them at a very dear price; I know a few customers who are willing to pay anything to get their hands on it."
"Not sure if I can, but I will check, Boss."
"Why this one time they can and not more?" He looked at me coldly.
At this point, I began to regret having ordered the whiskey as a gesture of generosity. "I'll see what I can do, Boss."
He harrumphed. "Make it happen, Halvard, or would you care for a golf course?"
"You've made it clear, Boss." I remained calm and stood up. "I shall avoid any means your infamous golf course." With these words, I walked away but felt his bodyguards eyeing my back and felt a shiver run down my spine. Now I am backed in a corner, and not the first time. If he mentions the golf course, it means he is not pleased; it's a warning that I have one chance only and fuck up or ... Let's say the golf course will be anything but relaxing and no tickling contest either. I've heard stories that many went to his golf course and never returned. A few have returned, but they were so traumatized they won't speak of it. On one fellow, I've spotted him missing two fingers and no fingernails. I shook my head to rid the thought as I headed back to my small flat, taking the long way home to think properly through how to get the rare whiskey in case my partner can't. Maybe hire professional thieves, but they will know and want a huge sum, or worse, they might double-cross-
Suddenly I heard a gunshot not too far. I froze and gasped sharply while looking around and listened carefully to my surroundings. It's not uncommon to hear gunshots, but one nearby is. As silence was about to settle in, two bullets ricochet off the walls, and they sounded closer. Within seconds followed shallow breathing and running feet. Suddenly in front of me halted a boy with terror on his face as he stared at me. He looked away as two broad-shouldered men approached the boy and grabbed him by the arms. "There you are! Thought you'd give us the slip, eh?"
"Well, I was aiming to, but apparently, you're smarter than you look." Laughed the boy nervously.
"Why you-!" Bellowed one man and lifted his balled hand to hit the boy. Rapidly I sprinted in between and halted the fist aiming at the boy's face and now my solar plexus. The man grunted, angered, "out of my way, or you'll get a knuckle sandwich!"
"Not much into sandwiches," I smirked as I revealed and held the loaded pistol at the man's temple. I blinked in disbelief as I heard a similar click of a loaded pistol behind me and felt its cool metal resting at the back of my neck.
"I can fill with lead if you prefer," sniggered the second man behind me.
I sighed, annoyed over myself for making a rookie mistake, and as my old man used to say, a fool is never alone. As I was about to slowly remove my pistol, the man behind me suddenly yelped in pain and removed his pistol from my neck. I seized the chance by pressing my pistol to the first man's neck and walked behind him. "Drop the boy, now!" I hissed. He lets go of the boy. The second man began to recover from the boy's firm kick and notice my pistol and aimed at me, angered with a grunt. "Careful now; you might hit your colleague here." I reminded gravely. "Drop your pistol and kick it away." I turned to the boy. "Get behind me." He paced behind me without hesitation while the second man hesitated and slowly placed the pistol down.
Suddenly there was a bullet fire, and I felt a burning pain on my right cheek. Rapidly I pushed the first man onto the other so that they fell. Quick-witted, I grabbed the boy's hand and sprinted off. Taking various turns and kept looking over my shoulder to see if no one follows me and if the boy is alright. I slowed to a halt as we were a street away from one of the few main streets that the police guards daily. Rapidly I placed away my pistol as I caught my breath and turned to the boy. "Are you ok?" I panted and wiped away few drops of sweat, realising how far I ran.
"Yeah, but I could have handled them just fine, thanks." Panted the boy, bending slightly over his knees.
"Sure, wisecracks against guns is a definite victory for you," I remarked sarcastically with a smirk and looked at him from head to foot. He wore a white cotton shirt with a black Chinese silk waistcoat with long dark grey trousers and black leather shoes. If he was trying to blend in, it was a poor attempt for whatever reason. "I take it from your clothes and that mindset you are not a kid from the streets."
"Hey! I'm turning 15 in three months. I'm not a kid!" He remarked, angered and glared at me in the eye. I sensed bravery but also fear and being lost in those grey-blue eyes.
"Fine, looks like you can handle all on your own from here then." I turned and walked away. I've seen enough kids getting killed 'cause they got caught in a crossfire of gang fights. Since I was near my shop, I thought of making a brief stop for a drink, finishing things up, and seeing what my partner can do about the rare whiskey delivery before calling it a night. I sighed, relieved as I sat on the office chair and leaned back while looking up to the white ceiling. Strangely the kid's face and glace are imprinted in my mind. I groaned as I looked down and switched on the laptop. He was rude and didn't even thank me for saving him, but as he ran into the street and met he looked at me in terror as if I were some monster- Hell, I should get back to work. Another night, another dollar.
The sound of men calling and shouting got me distracted from my work, and I looked out between the blinds of the large shop windows. There was daylight, and I saw a blur of a handful of police officers running, chasing after someone. That's unusual seeing police officers at this time on the street, and who are they chasing? I couldn't tell why but looking at these officers, something felt off. Rapidly I headed out the back door and sprinted after them at a safe distance. My suspicion was confirmed as I heard them talking over the radio without any number codes or regulations. This must be the Black Mirror gang; they are renowned for their disguises hence professional when it comes to kidnapping. But who are they kidnapping in this district, and why during the day?
Suddenly there were gunshots and brief cries to men ahead of me. Quick-witted, I turned to an alley, climbed up the ladder of the fire escape to the roof and checked closer to the street where all that raucous comes from above. I blinked and thought my eyes were deceiving me as I recognized the kid from before. Two officers held him by the arms while one did the talking, which I assume is the group leader. Soon he drew out his gun and began to wave about it in front of the kid's face. Rapidly I checked my pocket and realized I've left my coat back in the store. I cursed under my breath, but I have my 'triplets' always covering my back, my three prized and special modified throwing knives. Alright, I have only three knives and make them count.
As the leader pressed the gun to the kid's temple, I seized the moment by throwing one of my knives to knock away the hand. "Pardon for my intrusion, but what did this kid cause that he needs to be fed with lead?" I swung in with the help of a washing line and landed close to the leader and the kid. I quickly stashed my knife away as it was within my reach.
"Halvard, interesting to see you during the day." I recognized his voice; it was Hye. One of few trade partners I get along well and sometimes drink together.
"I could say the same, Hye and why this get up?" I gestured my arms to the others in their uniforms.
"Stay out of this, Halvard and I'll let you pass; I'd like to maintain our trade and trust that we do."
"Then trust me now, and we can avoid a fight. What's the story with the kid?" I looked Hye in the eye.
"Hey!" Exclaimed the kid on my left-hand side, but the men holding him gripped tighter by his arms to shut him up.
"This is the boss Laobao's son; we're kidnapping him for a ransom." Whispered Hye gravely.
I laughed out loud. "You've got to be joking, Hye. In what century do you live in, and do you know who's Laobao?"
His silence and grim look confirmed it all.
"Laobao is no fool; if you kidnapped his son, he would come after you before you can say ransom, and secondly, I didn't know that he had a son. Oh, this is priceless." I laughed and whipped away the tears from the corner of my eyes, hardly remembering when I laughed so hard the last time. I rather considered him a control freak and a heartless son of a bitch unless it was sort of accident, but then again, it's none of my business.
Hye and the kid stared at me, bewildered at my reaction, and I continued to laugh. Their faces were priceless, and maybe I had a glass too much of the fine Swedish vodka. Rapidly in the element of surprise, I held a knife up to Hye's throat and another pointing to the kid's heart. I looked into Hye's eyes. "Nothing personal, but I can't allow it. Let the kid go."
Hye grunted before he ordered his men with a roll of his eyes. His men freed the kid. Slowly I pushed Hye closer to the kid while looking around me, trying to find an exit. Suddenly I spotted on Hye's belt a handful of smoke bombs; quick-witted, I grabbed two and smashed them. Rapidly I took the kid's arm and ran as fast as he and I could. Taking various turns and at an alley spotted another fire escape and headed up; once on the roof, we halted to catch our breaths and laid our backs against the tiles of the roof with the morning sun on our faces. For a long while, we laid there, catching our breaths. Hell, I'm starting to get old for this. I blinked in realization but soon smiled as it reminded me of my old man saying these words and starting to understand him better.
"You're crazy." Panted the kid as he started to catch his breath.
I scoffed, amused. "Maybe I am and had a little too much to drink." I slowly sat up and felt the cool breeze tossed my short hair.
"Why did you laugh back then? Do you know my father?" Asked the kid curiously.
"Come, best find a safe place first, then we'll talk." I walked ahead, heading towards further roofs.
I heard the kid sighing, annoyed and maybe did the occasional eye roll but soon followed me. I had to pull the kid into the shadows at some points as I spotted some of Hye's men searching through the streets, looking for the kid and me, but they never dared to look upon the roofs. Once they were gone, the kid and I paced cautiously over various roofs, tiles and balconies before reaching a building with a flat roof and a small coop filled with purring pigeons. Some flapped their wings in our presence. I leisurely pulled out from the shed beside it a handful of bird feed and opened the door of the coop. Many came flapping onto my hand, picking feverishly as if they are starving; all except one landed on my right shoulder and gently picked at my hair. I laughed, but soon my fun got interrupted as the kid cleared his throat, glaring at me, angered with arms crossed. I saw there a likeness to his father for a moment, but something tells me he is different. "So you were saying?" I turned to him with a grin while feeding the pigeons.
"I want to know why you laughed as you found out who I am and who's my father."
"You really want an answer to that?" I scoffed. "Let's say your father is my boss, and I never heard him say anything about you, nor did it ever pass my mind that he would have a son." Pigeons flapped their wings vigorously, and I winced as the soft feathers brushed new gusts of wind against my face. "What's your name unless you want me to keep calling you kid."
"It's Wu."
"Alright, Wu, what's your story ending up in Hye's hands?"
"Why do you care?" Spat Wu, "go and attend to your chickens or whatever; I'm out of here." He was about to turn away from me and take the stairs.
Rapidly I sprinted to him and gripped him by the collar of his white smudged shirt. "Choose your words carefully when you're on the streets, Wu, as I've easily saved you, I can hand you over to Hye within a blink of an eye, or you tell me your story, and you will remain safe here. Secondly, these birds are pigeons, not chickens, Kid."
"Stop calling me Kid!" His face flushed.
"Then show some gratitude and respect," I smirked at him.
Wu stared at me bewildered but then looked away with a softer gaze. I let go of his collar and took a few steps back. "You're not in your usual safe place; this is the streets, and not to mention gangs run it when the police aren't watching. At home, it may all run by your rules but here are different rules or none, meaning anyone can back-stab you when you turn your back." Hell, I sound like my old man, and why am I concerned about the boss' kid?
"Then why did you save me?" Asked Wu.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Then you're really crazy," Wu muttered under his breath, but I heard it alright and chuckled.
"It helps me get along with that I'm dealing with every day." I waved a hand as a gesture for him to follow me as I took the stairs heading down to my small flat. "I bet you're thirsty and perhaps hungry."
He hesitated but soon followed me, and the kitchen is hard to miss while I put the kettle on to boil water. "Do you want coffee or tea?" I asked without turning to him.
"Err, whatever you have."
In about five minutes, the kettle whistled and filtered the coffee ground before pouring into two mugs of black coffee. As I turned to head to the table with a mug in each hand, I noticed Wu leaned against the counter and hadn't moved an inch. He looked at me curiously, but there were slightly darker rings under his eyes, hinting of a restless night. So he does have manners. "You may take a seat." I pointed with my glace to the table. "Do you want something to bite?"
"No, thank you." Answered Wu calmly; it was nearly a tired sigh and followed me to the table. As I placed the mug on the table, Wu held it closer to him with both hands and took a whiff of the steam. "It smells different."
"I don't drink that hogwash so-called instant coffee," and took a sip of the hot coffee. Not too sour nor bitter, perfect balance when it's black and strong.
Wu took a sip but grimaced and placed the mug carefully on the table, but his glace was glued to the mug. "Thank you for the coffee and sorry for my rude behaviour."
Where's this coming from? I stared at him silently.
He looked up, and our glances met. Those grey-blue eyes didn't look so lost like before. "You saved me two times in one night, and I feel like I owe you more than big time." He paused. "What can I give you?"
"Phooey." I sighed, amazed and fell back on my chair while looking at him. "Well, I appreciate your gesture, but there's nothing you can give at the moment."
Wu stared at me, confused with knitted eyebrows. "No promotion or a raise?"
"Nah, my business is running fine as it is. I don't mean pry, but out of curiosity, how is your father treating you?"
"You can bring me home, and you'll see." Wu sighed and stood up from his chair, ready to leave.
"If that's what you want." I took one last sip of my coffee before standing up.
Wu said nothing, but I sensed movement from his eyes from my remark before giving a confirmed nod.
We headed up to the roofs again and took even a shortcut. I have a feeling Laobao wouldn't mind us entering through the balcony of his office. There were a few shouts of angered men from the streets below, men from Hye's gang still looking for Wu. Maybe on the way back, I'll send a clear message to stop this.
Although I am still in shape and nibble on my feet, nothing felt more assuring than standing on firm ground or, better said marble floor of the balcony. Wu leaned over his knees to catch his breath as we came to a halt.
Two bodyguards at the door tensed with narrowed eyebrows, and one held his hand near his belt where the gun was strapped. I'm beginning to doubt this was a good idea until Wu stepped up in front of me. "Hold it! He's with me. A worm can find its way through garbage."
Immediately the men eased and dropped the hand. What kind of a lame phrase is that, but then again, that's Laobao. One of the two men gestured with the index and middle finger to follow as he walked into the building. Wu walked ahead, and I followed. Behind me walked the second man; I swallowed to the thought that there's no escape, I'm double fucked.
The loud shouting from my boss nearly made me wince, and his expression looked anything else but content with the narrowed eyebrows, flushed face and balled hands with white knuckles. As he paced up to Wu furiously, I nearly was about to step up, but I froze at the sight of seeing my boss embracing Wu. I blinked to be sure this is no illusion.
Suddenly Laobao pushed Wu away and approached me with an angered glare.
"Don't punish him, father! He saved me-"
Laobao held up his hand, and Wu fell silent immediately. "Is it true what my son says?" He hissed and glared straight into my eyes like daggers, trying to read my mind.
"Yes." I gave calmly and looked back at him.
He gave an annoyed scoff. "Very well, the least I can do is keeping you far away from my golf course but don't think of pushing your luck." He walked away and snipped his fingers.
Immediately one of the men walked up to me with a tattoo needle at hand and another held from behind my left arm. Before I could struggle, the man with the needle gripped my right arm and pulled back the sleeve. "Hold still, and it will be over soon. It's part of the boss' gratitude for saving his son's life."
"Yeah, right," I noted on edge through clenched teeth. Please don't be some cheesy unicorn or fantasy motive. It did sting twice as the needle was near the bone and inner side of the arm, but it went a whole quicker than I thought. Two simple black bands around my right wrist like a bracelet.
"You get two rings because you saved the son twice, and the boss likes your business." Informed the men while stepping back and cleaning the needle. "No one can touch you from now on."
So these are the black bands just like the name of Laobao's gang that I'm in.
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