Wild Rose And Vanilla

Homesick

The van wasn't nearly as welcoming inside; It stank of sweat and something India couldn't quite put her finger on. The seats were ripped, blotched with stains.
India couldn't quite figure out why such a woman as Susan Garlands would come anywhere near this heap of metal, let alone drive it.

The journey wasn't a particularly short one; it took longer than was expected though, because one of the main roads was blocked causing mass confusion around the area.

"God, how long is this going to take? Its been half an hour already! We should be there by now!" India just sat there gazing out of the window as the woman sat there, slamming her hands down on the steering wheel.

She had tried resting her head on the side of the door, but it had given her a head ache, so instead was leaning on her hand. The scenery pasted slowly in the traffic jam, so she tried counting trees rather than talking to 'Susan'. She did find it rather amusing watching this woman lose her temper. She just hoped it wouldn't happen to her either, although she'd faced worse with her family before. Everything was worse when family was involved.

"Do you want some gum?" She looked over to see Susan holding out a packet of Extra gum.

She shook her head. "No." And continued looking out of the window.

"All righty then."

The rest of the trip was silent, only punctuated by the occasional chewing noise from Susan.

-----

The knife cut through Simon chest, leaving blood dripping down his body, above the tattoo on his left bicep shaped like a sun.

"You... Can't... Do this... To me..." He muttered, his jaw clenched he spat the word out.

Foot steps were heard from the man in the shadows. "Um, yes, I can." The authority in his voice was unmistakable. "You signed the contract, so I technically own you."

"So this... Is what you decide to do... With me." It was a clear statement although from the way he said it,it sounded more of a question.

"Uh, yes, it is. Well done, boy." Ownership was not something Simon bowed down to, but being treated like a dog, that just made the anger directed at the man in the shadows a real threat. He lurched forward before realizing what he was doing.

The chains gripping his hands together had spikes digging into his wrists, drew blood. He had already realized that they were there, but with all the adrenaline circulating his body, they went unnoticed.

The dull one, necklacing him, dug in even deeper, suffocating him.

"Ha! Well done! Better luck next time!" A short, inhuman growl came from deep inside Simons chest. "I think, hum, someone might need punishing for that. Don't you agree Jay?"

The buff man who had sliced his chest, once again steeped out of his place in the shadows to greet him, dagger held high toward the face of his victim. He walked forwards until the tip of his weapon was pressed against the dirty cheek of his subject. Simon's eyes trailed to his face in annoyance, only to widen them as he took in what he saw. The highly original cover up.

Simon hadn't noticed the ski mask covering his face before. He hadn't noticed the way he was dressed all in black. He hadn't noticed the attempt to make himself look tougher.

"Oh, come on. Really? Are you serious? Are you fucking serious? This must be some kind of joke."

A slight chuckle was heard from the shadows. "Oh, I really must disagree with you there. This most defiantly is not a joke. In a matter of fact, this is, what one might say 'business'. Am I wrong? No? Well then lets get back to business shall we?"

"Lets."