Faded With A Stranger

Chapter 2: The Drive South

Chris Randall's mind was still reeling from the events of the previous hour. The once-familiar rooftop bar had given way to a chaotic, uncharted adventure. As he sat in the passenger seat of a beat-up van, the city lights of Austin faded into the distance behind them. Doug Harrison, the old man he'd met earlier, was driving with a blunt dangling from his lips and a look of intense focus on his face.

The van's interior was a mix of clutter and decay—empty bottles, fast-food wrappers, and a faint, lingering smell of cheap cologne and cigarettes. The hum of the engine and the low thrum of bass from the radio created a backdrop of dissonant tranquility as Chris tried to make sense of the night's developments.

"So, where are we headed?" Chris asked, leaning forward to make himself heard over the roar of the engine.

Doug exhaled a cloud of smoke and glanced at him with a wry smile. "We're heading south, my friend. Gotta make a few stops before the night's over."

Chris raised an eyebrow, curiosity getting the better of him. "Stops? What kind of stops?"

Before Doug could answer, Chris reached for the glove compartment, his fingers brushing against the edge of the lid. The moment he opened it, a small, shiny object tumbled out onto the floor. Chris's eyes widened as he saw it was a gun.

Doug's reaction was immediate and intense. "Don't touch that!" he barked, his voice sharp and urgent.

Chris quickly pulled his hand back, his heart racing. "Jesus, Doug. What the hell is going on?"

Doug's face hardened as he retrieved the gun and stashed it back in the compartment. "Just... don't worry about it. Let's keep moving."

The air in the van grew heavier with tension as Doug focused on the road. Chris tried to shake off the unsettling feeling creeping up his spine. This night had quickly escalated from a simple act of empathy to a full-blown escapade into the unknown.

They drove through the darkness, leaving Austin behind and heading towards San Antonio. Doug's demeanor shifted as he spoke, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We're making a pit stop in San Antonio. Gotta pick up some more blow, Molly, and Xans."

Chris blinked, struggling to process the information. "Holy shit. You're serious?"

Doug chuckled darkly. "Serious as a heart attack. You wanna have a good time, don't you?"

The van's tires hummed steadily on the highway, the scenery outside slipping by in a blur of shadow and light. Chris found himself drawn into Doug's world, though he wasn't entirely sure how or why he'd ended up here. The strange sense of camaraderie with Doug was both thrilling and alarming.

When they arrived in San Antonio, Doug guided the van to a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of town. The place was dimly lit and looked abandoned, but a few men waiting outside greeted Doug with familiarity. The exchange was quick and discreet, and soon Doug had a stash of drugs that would make even the most hardened party-goer raise an eyebrow.

Back on the road, Doug's next stop was equally unexpected. They picked up a couple of women—hookers, judging by their appearance and the casual way Doug interacted with them. Chris watched in a mix of disbelief and fascination as they climbed into the van and made themselves comfortable.

The journey continued, taking them further south towards Laredo. As they drove, Chris couldn't help but feel increasingly out of his depth. Doug seemed to be on a mission, and the van had turned into a makeshift party zone.

"Damn, Doug, don't we have enough?" Chris asked, noting the growing pile of drugs and supplies.

Doug just grinned, seemingly unfazed. "We're stopping anyway. Gotta see a guy named Diego. He's got connections."

The mention of Diego piqued Chris's interest, but before he could ask more, Doug's next revelation sent a jolt through him. "He's in the cartel."

Chris stared at Doug, stunned. "Wait, what the fuck?"

Doug's grin faded slightly, replaced by a look of grim resolve. "Yeah, he's in the cartel. We're gonna need his help to get across the border to Mexico City. I'm on the run, Chris."

The admission hit Chris like a ton of bricks. The realization that he was entangled in something far more dangerous than he'd anticipated left him feeling both exhilarated and terrified. Doug's reckless abandon had pulled him into a world of criminality and chaos, and there was no turning back now.

As they neared Laredo, Chris's thoughts raced. The thrill of the night was tempered by the stark reality of the situation. He was in way over his head with this crazy old man, but the drugs and the promise of adventure kept him hooked. With every mile, the boundaries of his world expanded, and he couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay ahead.