For Shits and Giggles [2024]

Chapter 04

"Goodbye, Gracie," Paola said, pulling her into a hug. "Great work today."

"Get home safe," Gracie hugged her back and waved at Henry inside of his truck, smiling warmly. He smiled back, happy to help Gracie and his girlfriend.

Paola and Henry were the longest-standing couple in their friend group. They began dating during Paola's freshman year of college, even before Felix and Fior (who were the first to get married, but not the first to get together). Paola and Henry chose to hold off on marriage until they could get both their businesses off the ground—Henry with his construction company, Paola and the Café. However, if it were up to Paola, they would be married very soon. But Henry's business still needed a little more time, despite him having had a headstart.

Henry went directly into the construction industry after high school, decided college wasn't necessary for him. A few years into the job, a freak work accident left both of his arms mangled just below the elbows. Luckily, Henry's brother stepped in to hold down the family business while Henry adjusted to life without his arms.

Since then, Paola and Henry learned to be very creative. Especially in helping Henry retain his autonomy. The truck he drove now was modified with a foot steering system and custom controls; the ability to travel independently helped his spirit tremendously. However, Henry was still one of the first to commit suicide after the Tree. He prayed that whichever God had gifted them the Tree was benevolent and would restore both of his arms. Henry woke up the next day exactly how he had died the previous one, a double amputee. That's when Henry decided that whatever that Tree was, it wasn't God.

"If we keep it up, I think we can finally reopen next week!" shouted Paola as Henry pulled off.

"I can't wait," Gracie waved at her and watched them go. That was the truth; she couldn't wait to return to her regular routine. She was running out of ways to keep busy.

Gracie turned around and took the longer route home. Along the way was her favorite little bookshop, and she needed another word search to get her mind through the weekend. She was getting tired of puzzles, and fucking Camilo could only keep her busy for so long.

"Now, what's a lovely little lady like you doin' out here all alone?"

Gracie's blood ran cold at the unfamiliar voice coming from behind her. She tried to keep walking; maybe it wasn't meant for her. She did not feel the urge to turn around and confirm. He spoke again, this time centimeters next to her ear. A rough hand grabbed her shoulder and twisted her body to face him.

"Hey, we're talkin' to you!"

There were three of them, all wearing the same jean jackets. Although, they all wore them a little bit differently. The brute who touched her had broad shoulders, you could tell by the way it stretched that the jacket was two sizes too small. The tall, slender one wore a jacket that wasn't quite long enough, cropping just below his belly button (an 80's fashion icon). The mean looking one in the back, with the sunglasses, well— he wasn't wearing his at all. He was turning it around in his hands, inspecting it.

"Shit," the mean one said, "There's blood on this one too. At this point let's just make it part of the uniform."

The other two laughed, though Gracie wasn't sure he was joking. Their jackets were stained and adorned with different patches or pins, but they all had the same, unmistakable wings stitched into the breast pocket.

Vultures.

"Alright, stop messing around. Grab her so we can go," said the mean one again.

It was Gracie's first instinct to call for Santiago. But as soon as she filled her lungs to shout, the Broad man's hand wrapped around her neck.