The song for this chapter is Devils - Say Hi.
*TRIGGER WARNING: this chapter contains themes of extreme violence and mentioning of drugs. If any of these themes trigger you then please don't read on & stay safe.*
Celeste
The concept of playing a game of life and death with my own life wasn't something that was new territory for me. I knew the rules of the games inside and out; death was a gamble that I took every single time I made an impulsive or irrational decision.
This time was no different other than the fact that the decision wasn't irrational, even though it could be considered impulsive.
Heisting the drugs was an impulsive decision; we didn't plan to go out and do a drug heist and shoot up an entire gang headquarters, however, we didn't seize the contraband from people who didn't deserve it. Our targets were thought out and executed with the principles set solidly in stone.
I can't speak on behalf of Harry and Zayn when discussing principles and morale when it came to selecting our targets, but I can sleep soundly at night knowing that I took from people who attempted to take directly out of my pocket in a sleazy and serpent-like manner.
Honesty is the value that I hold very close to my heart. If you can't be honest then what can you be? If you can't look me directly in the eye and tell me the honest truth then why should I dish you out my respect?
None of those people in the tattoo parlour that night were honest people.
They were vermin.
I wouldn't feel a slither of guilt from putting a bullet through their skulls.
Staring down the barrel of a gun for what I did that night felt like an honest way to die to me.
"What would that be?"
Harry's voice rang through the air and broke me out of my dazed state enough to focus my eyes on the figure that was stood directly in my line of vision. I wasn't shocked that they were trying to deliver us consequences, and what they believed was the ultimate punishment, for the damage that we did to The Young Knives. I was shocked that the chosen time and place was where we were.
The figure clicked their tongue in a condescending manner; a manner that made my blood instantly boil and curdle in my skin. I didn't dare drop my gaze and indicate a sign of weakness to the scum that was attempting to mock us, I kept my eyes focused directly on them and let them know that I wasn't there to fuck around. They leaned against the container that I read as 26C, twirling the keys that we needed between their fingers as they altered their gaze between the three of us.
"I'm not talking to you, boy. I'm talking to her."
I felt Harry instantly step forward in a protective manner; I held my hand up to signal him to stop as I stared intently into the figure's irises, my eyes narrowing in anger as I tried to maintain my calm composure.
"Speak," I commanded, folding my arms across my chest as I awaited the response.
A low, patronizing chuckle left their lips as they continued to twirl the keys between their fingers. Another tongue click left their lips as they shook their head from side to side, the result being me gradually losing my shit as the vermin continued to believe that I would tolerate such disrespect.
