Loose Ends - Book One

Levi ~ Wake Up Sleepyhead

                                                                    *THREE MONTHS AGO*

I have been running forever. My feet are so tired, despite how fast I am. I'd destroy anyone in track just from the sheer five years of practice I've had. I can't believe I didn't see through this guy's ruse.

This goon that my father hired, sprinting just fifty feet behind me, has now taught me that I am not in control. He started off as a pothead wanting to buy dope off me, then showed his true colors. This isn't the first time I've found myself in this situation, and it won't be the last.

    I dip off of the streets and into the woods. The sun had just set, allowing me to use the darkness as an opportunity to hide. I saw the shiny, silver barrel poking out from behind the asshole's jacket. I wonder if any of them are ever aware that I have a gun, too. A little souvenir I picked up from my father when I was fourteen. That is why we're here, after all.

    I pick a nice, tall tree to hide behind while I dig through my bag for my defense. I hear, in the distance, the crunching of leaves under footsteps.

    "Come out and fight!" His voice echoes through the trees.

    I can tell he's close by. "You want a fight? Get rid of the gun!" I challenge him, grabbing my own pistol and shoving it in the hood of my jacket.

    "We can't fight if you're running. I thought I was gonna have to slow you down."

    "You want me to believe my father sent you to have a fist fight?" Now I'm following his voice.

    "People only run when they know things, and Dimi has some questions for you."

    Yeah, right. When I finally spot him, I slowly creep out into the open, arms down. I'm playing neutral. "If that's true, you shouldn't be pointing a gun at me, should you?"

    "Just a precaution; he said you don't go easy." He lowers his weapon and spins it around his forefinger.

    "If he wants to talk, he can come and find me, himself."

    "You know it don't work that way. Now, you can come peacefully, or you can lose function in your legs." He points the gun towards my knees. "Hands up, pretty boy."

    Sure. I slowly raise my hands up beside my head.

    He slowly approaches me, each step lowering his weapon a little more. I keep a straight face, and even try looking defeated so he thinks he's got me.

    "Hurry up," I stretch, positioning my hands towards my hood.

    He pauses and gives me a pissed off look. "Don't be a smart-ass, kid." He hisses at me, now dropping his guard all the way.

    I waste not a second, swing my gun over my head, and squeeze the trigger until it pops twice. I give him two gut shots, which echoes through the trees a split-second after each fire.

    He stumbles backward onto the grass and loses his grip.

    "I haven't been a kid since I was thirteen, buddy."

    I stroll over to his side, and we make eye contact. In the midst of his coughing and wheezing, he spits out a threat.

    "You won't get away with killing me."

    I press my lips together and shrug. "I don't know. Wouldn't be a good look for my father if his bullet is found in your gut." I kneel down, but not too close to catch the blood starting to sputter from his lips. "Besides, you're just as much of a piece of shit as me. We all know that's why you're working for him."