I Want to Die in New Orleans // $uicideboys

24: A mother. Fucking. Keyhole.

What I thought was the light at the end of the tunnel was actually just a train, now having to remove myself from the situation before getting fucking hit. Either way, I did get hit.
My mind shifted into another stage, somewhere between falling through a void and hitting rock bottom. Though just like anything in my life, I never get enough time to recover. My endless thought cycle was interrupted by a buzz every couple seconds.
My phone began to constantly go off, I peeked over to see an unknown number calling me. I hesitated answering as I opened my drawer to pull a pack of cigarettes out.
I stuck one of the five left between my lips, grabbing my phone and exiting my room to find a lighter. I grabbed my keys then went outside to my car, opened the door and got in to search for one. My phone began to ring again. I answered, retrieving a lighter and sparking the cigarette.
"Hello?"
"Who's this?"
"You did business for us last night, didn't you?"
"Possibly," I replied as my anxiety began to spike.
"Yes well Mr. Marley is requesting to have a talk with you," The person on the line stated.
"We have nothing to talk of," I said, taking a drag of the cigarette.
"Whatever business left between y'all is none of my concern, your payment will not be granted for your entertainment if you do not speak with him soon," The voice raised.
I sat in silence, "Ma'am?" the voice quietly asked.
I slammed my car door and stuck the keys into the ignition, "Talk where?"
"Whatever's conviennent."
"Mothers Po-Boys, in thirty minutes," I answered, hanging up the phone.
I backed out of the driveway, making my way towards town and dialing Ruby's number into my phone.
"Hey!" His voice exclaimed.
"I'm going have a chat with Marley-,"
"Why??"
"You want your money or not?" I striked.
"I want you to come back here and have a chat with us instead of that fuck stick," He said sympathetically.
"Ruby, i'm going get the fucking money," I claimed unapologetically.
"You're going to him?"
"He's meeting me,"
"Where?"
"A restaurant, I'll swing by after, if there's not a bag waiting by the mailbox then I'm not throwing you any money," I monotonously replied, hanging up the phone and continuing my journey to the restaurant.
It had taken me about twenty minutes to get there, leaving me ten minutes to spare if Marley decided to be exactly on time. I got out of my car and made my way into the diner, taking a whiff of the nostalgic smell. It gave me déjà vu.
I found a little table for two tucked away in a corner and made my way to it. I scrolled on my phone for a little while, then decided to
go to the counter and order a drink. As I arrived at the table with my sweet tea, the entrance door bell jingled, Marley walked in. He made his way to the table, taking the seat across from me.
"Not concussed i see," I picked.
"Wouldn't know," He dryly responded.
"Well you made it through the night," I coughed as I took a sip of the tea, "So?"
"So." He mocked.
"So what you need to talk about?" I asked.
"I was expecting an apology," He replied.
I scoffed at him, "me too."
"I'm sorry," He said.
A laugh broke loose from me, "No you're not, and I'm not either, it's cool."
"That's not true on my part," He stated offendely.
"Well generous of you to be sorry, but I don't forgive you, and I won't, I'm sorry if that won't help you sleep at night," I answered smugly.
He looked at me plainly, then let out a huff, "Well i guess that concludes our talk."
"I thought it was going to be harder than this, even having a drink with you has to be complicated, i'm hoping you're paying me in cash?" I smirked.
Marley stood up and took the bag off he was wearing, dropping it on the table, turning to make his way to the exit. I grabbed the bag with a smile on my face, feeling the weight of it and hoping that this would satisfy me enough to excuse the trauma I endured.
Though the more I felt it in that moment, the lighter the bag felt then it should've. I stood up and unzipped it as I began counting the bills in my hand. My hands began to tremble as I realized he cut me short, I shot up and bolted out the door.
"Marley! What the fuck is this?" I yelled in the parking lot as I jogged to his car that was parked in the complete back of the parking lot.
"What?"
"You think you're gonna rip me off?" I hissed.
"That's enough for you, you didn't even apologize," He snarled.
"The work that I did, along with a whole crew of people and performers? That has nothing to do with your personal concern and this is not enough to pay them all," I answered.
"Hmm.. that's all I got," Marley answered insincerely.
"You're gonna pay me what you owe me," I sternly replied.
"Or what? What you gonna use this time, a car mirror?" He began to ridicule.
I stepped back for a second, taking a deep breath in as I stared at the ground. I looked up at him and nodded. He turned to get into the car as I kicked his knee as hard as I could. He fell to the ground as I climbed over him, making my way to the driver seat of the car.
I got in and tried to pull the door shut while Marley pulled trying to keep the door open. I kicked at his hand, loosening his grip to where he'd eventually let go, to which he did. The door slammed shut as I pressed the lock, rummaging hastily through his glove box and center console. I turned in my seat to see if there were any bags, there were none. The last place there could've been any money hidden would be the trunk.
I turned and looked out the window to see Marley on the concrete, cursing me. I climbed into the passenger seat and unlocked the door, running to the trunk of the car.
"What do you think you're doing?" He asked as he pulled himself up. I pulled on the latch, ready to take whatever was in there and leave but the handle didn't unlock. I bent over to study the trunk door, and saw a keyhole.
A mother. Fucking. Keyhole.
"Of course," I sighed to myself, "Just throw me the keys Marley, I know you brought the rest of it with you."
He chuckled.
I looked at him and then the car. My brain clicked, my legs sprung, leading me back to the passenger side, Marley racing me to the driver. I swung the door open as Marley pulled on the locked handle, and ripped the keys out of the ignition. I ran towards the trunk as Marley had come around from the front to catch me.
I quickly stuck the key into the trunk, twisting it to hear the pop of the unhinged door. The trunk rose as more money gleamed in the sunlight that fell upon it. I threw my back onto the car, stashing as much money I could. I felt a presence come behind me as I approached the end of the cash grab I was participating in.
"No need to rush," Marley said as a hand crept up my shoulder.
I quickly turned, meeting Marley face to face. I stepped back to create room until my legs began to hit the rear of the car. His hand, still resting on my shoulder, moved to my collar bone and then to my chest.
I looked up at him confused, as that same damn smile rested on his face.
"Cover your head," He said, with a forceful push into my chest. My head flew back, hitting the car and leaving me halfway in the trunk.