Farbe - Black Family

Part 4 - Step One

Click.

In goes the magazine.

He pushes his thumb out and the slide goes down.

Dustin raises the gun to his target.

Bang!

Outside the warehouse is Hunter. She doesn't talk much when it's just the two of them. It's a silence both prefer. They make their way to a sleek black Mercedes, Hunter climbs in the driver's seat and Dustin is in the passenger seat.

As they drive away from the warehouse, a flood of police cars flashing blue and red pool in behind them. Hunter spares a look into her rear-view mirror but doesn't say a word. Neither does Dustin as he sees a man with red hair – a man that fuels the fire of hate inside him.

Hunter stops the car outside a small café with the name Cuppa Coffee written in cursive on the board outside. It's the only café to open at 5 in the morning and the treats there are guilty pleasures for most families.

Once more, it is silent as they walk in and people's eyes follow them as they sit inside a small booth. Granted, it would be odd to most people if two tall figures, dressed in black suits and bruises, come into a café where students mainly inhabit.

"Have you heard the rumour?" Hunter's legs fall open as she sits down, her one arm resting over the couch's backside.

"Yes," Dustin sits with his back straight and his hands resting on his thighs. "This place's donuts are the best, but the cream is made with corn starch and not real cream."

Hunter's lips twitched, "No... The one, about our lovely Mr Pink, who has seen the end." She placed two fingers against her skull and pretended to shoot herself. "He and his wife."

"Is that why there is a family meeting and a Rainbow Hall meeting?"

"You got that right. But Mrs Black is saying they are having a meeting because they believe the Brown and Green families should collide. I bet she's scared the family would start flipping out like did a few years ago."

"But isn't that why we have the Death Deities in the first place?"

"Fuck if I know. I bet there is a war brewing between the families and the Blacks are not the most loyal fuckers..."

A group of college students stumble into the café. All of them are bones and flesh, with thinning hair stuck to their skulls. The woman leading their little posse goes up to the waiter behind the counter. The poor boy - hiding behind his glasses – tries to ask for the woman's order, but the woman snaps and reaches over to the waiter, grabbing him by his shirt and forcing him closer.

The woman whispers something in his ear and the waiter quickly tries pushing her off, crying 'I don't do that!' and 'It's illegal!'

Dustin watches the scene unfold until Hunter grinned. It was never good when she grinned.

"See their hands?"

Dustin narrows his eyes to see. All over the group's hands are burn marks, like blotches of acid were dripped onto their knuckles.

"They are trying to look like they are in the Pink family. Fucking posers. Clear the mood, won't you."

With a sigh, Dustin takes out his handgun and fires two shots into the roof. Screams fill the café, and the gang of druggies are sent running out into the street. The waiter turns to Dustin with a pale face and his glasses hanging loose over his nose.

From the backdoors, Thomas comes running out. The waiter tries to explain his part, but Thomas marches over to Dustin and Hunter's table.

"Grease," he greets Hunter, "and Metal."

Dustin gives him a small wave with his handgun.

"Put. That. Away."

Dustin does as Thomas orders and sits a little more upright in front of the café's owner.

"I am aware that you both are... different people. But for the sake of my café, my sanity, and the safety of others. Please do not shoot in my café." Thomas sighs and runs his hand through his blond locks. "But thank you. They have been messing around here since a few days ago. I don't know what going on with your families, but please try to keep the peace. We cannot have Farbe in ruins... not again."

Hunter and Dustin both give a slight bow to apologise, and Thomas orders the waiter to bring them both an Americano, black.

After a few minutes, the waiter brings them their coffees and they are off.

"You think they were trying to stir up something?"

Dustin looks to Hunter. He never knows what to say when she asks him stuff like that.

"Those fucking Pinks. They are going to cause a lot of chaos. And now without a Head, they are acting out."

Dustin grins at the image in his head, "Like chickens."

Hunter laughs, "Headless fucking chickens. Yes! Let's hope they fall soon. I have a few friends who would be happy with a new family to own. But for now, let's go to our little spider. Their web might be useful."

"Why not Johnny?" Dustin quickly frowns at his own words. "Never mind... I don't want to work with him more than I need to."

"I couldn't agree more," Hunter says as she clicks the key into the ignition.