How Things Are

twenty nine

These cameras showed more than I wanted to see. Every floor of the pleasure houses was visible, and saying I was surprised at what happened in his hotels was an understatement. It's not like there's a legal system anymore. Shoot, the Mafia mind as well be the legal system, but privacy is privacy. These screens showed corners and streets I never noticed while staring out of Lucas' building. I thought I could see everything. From the cameras, it seems that most know about Lucas' view and try to take advantage of that by hiding in places only the cameras can see.
I'm having too much fun people-watching that I only remember why I'm here when a little boy comes in to bring me water and sits down to eat something crunchy. He looks about twelve. Not a word. Just watch the screens for the present times. Just crunches away.
I take the remote Lucas showed me how to change my screens to the day Anna went missing, and like magic time goes backwards. If only there were cameras in the boss building. Speeding up the time and zooming in on so many places and people all while hearing this little boy crunches away. It's not helpful. He had already taken the water he had given me. I didn't even care. I just wanted him to leave. Switch places with a guy who does something else to annoy me. Like cracks his knuckles or whistles. I don't care if he farts.
As my rant continues in my mind I spot something on the corner screen. Someone I really didn't wanna see. Derek. Rewinding it, then pausing, I say something out loud that stops all the crunching "Oh $%&t"

The boy gets up and looks at where I paused "Who's that?"
"Derek" crunching continues
"Oh yeah? Derek who?" more crunches
"I'm not sure boss Lucas knows he's here," I say more to myself

The boy takes the remote from me and we follow Derek's move throughout the city. He keeps to himself as he moves through Mafia City. In a bar, he speaks to one man and then enters Russian territory. Half a day later he comes out with a large crate and leaves Mafia City.

Me and the boy look at each other then he gets up and leaves. I've stopped the time on Dereks' face on that screen then started looking at the recordings near Russian territory on the others. It's not very big. Teedo said they were thieves, which I can respect. If you want something, take it. However, too much greed gets you into trouble. They're subtle when they move in and out. The boss doesn't have many cameras there so I'm stuck watching the street views. The ones he does have for the night lets you see like a wolf.
After a few more minutes of playing with the magic remote, I finally found what I was looking for. Though I'm not happy about it. What was in the crate was none other than the boss's missing slave Anna. How much does Derek know? What's going on?
Before I could get up to tell Lucas myself, he walks in to see what I've found. I get up so he could take my seat and hand him the remote. Lucas keeps watching it, along with his one territory. His replays things I've watched what feels like hundreds of times. He stops on screens and me and the boy are looking at each other because we both have no idea why. We're both clueless and useless at the moment. Whoever was on watch at the time these things were happening are probably dead. Ironic, the boy isn't hungry for crunchy chips now. Pft. Who knows how long it's been by the time there are seven faces on the screen.
Seven faces at seven different buildings in the bosses territory. Everyone will probably be questioned. Many will die. The buildings will be reoccupied with new more reliable "employees". And our boss will make sure the City knows. He's already sent several text messages and by the time me and the boy are in his main sitting room there are several well known men ready and armed. Lucas looks at the boy and he leaves. At least this time I look presentable. The others seem to have been given an order via text message I wasn't apart of though Lucas never dismissed me so I'm standing here clueless. As much as I want to ask, I've harshly been reminded my questions get me in trouble and he's already mad. There's a few head nods now and then or short orders as I lean against the wall like always because I have nothing else to do.
Teedo, Joey or Leo aren't here. I'd figured one of them would be. We still have to find Anna.
Guilt has been eating at me for helping but I already excepted I'm no hero a long time ago. Plus, better be with Lucas who might bruse you up a bit then Derek. The amount of bedwarmers he's had since he became leader of his gang are countless. He'll use her, then when he doesn't want her she'll get passed around until they find something new, then they'll put her to work. The women here think I'm awful but I've tried the hero thing. It never works out. Most of them that try to be rescued only ended up accusing me if they got caught. That's why I heald Winwrey so close. She was the only one out of our group who never blamed me. So this Anna chick. If she doesn't keep fighting and just blames me she'll be just like the rest.
I didn't realize how long I was daydreaming when Lucas was right in front of me saying my name.
"Tibby!" I blinked "are you done yet? We're leaving. "
"Huh? Done what?"
"Whatevers in your head I don't want to know." He turned "Come. We're going."
"Where?"
"You would've known that if you were paying attention." He states

After that he pushed the button on the elevator. Once we're on I realized I can't remember the last time I slept. My body has a weighted feeling to it. I can keep going just hoping this isn't going to be a full-time thing. When we get out of the elevator the sun was already high in the sky. It had to at least been three days. The night at the casino I only got a few hours then walking through the tunnels it was dark when we got out. I'm not even sure how long I've been in the security room. Rubbing my face, I'm starting to think that coffee stuff Joey got everyone had a reason other then to taste bitter.
The boss exits the building first and there's yet another car ready for us. The door is open for him. I hurry and open the other side so I don't have to ride in the trunk again. At least these things about this life give me energy.