Ineffable ꕥ Joost Klein ꕥ

12.

Roan paced in front of his garage. The night was cold but all he wore was a white, baggy t-shirt and sweatpants. His arms were riddled with goosebumps and his hands had gone numb, but he wouldn't spare a moment to go back into his unit to grab a jacket.

A Mitsubishi Lancer roared towards Roan's driveway. He paused in his pace and faced the headlights that burned through his eyes.

Pulling to a stop just off the curb, the passenger's door opened while the engine continued to run. The driver stayed put, the handbrake on and the key still in the ignition.

Smoke curled out of the exhaust from the cold. Roan tried to get ahold of his nerves as he walked to meet the man standing in his driveway. The alcohol he had emptied once he got home powered his fury.

Roan couldn't believe that Elke had just broken up with him at the most crucial time. He needed her and yet, she abandoned him, completely unaware of what was at stake. He was angry, but more than that, he was scared.

'She broke up with me. The fucking bitch,' Roan spat, walking to meet the man who left the Lancer's door open. 'I'll get her back, though. Don't worry-'

'Where's the bag?'

Nathan deadpanned, his eyes half-lidded and uninterested in Roan's drivel. With the car still running, it was obvious that he wasn't planning on staying long. His hands sat in his jean pockets, his hair was messy and his patience ran thin. Nathan didn't have time to pull up to Roan's house and hear about his panicked rambles about the girlfriend he treated so poorly.

'It's there. I hid it. I-I'll get it back, I swear. I have a plan,' Roan rushed. He was pratically shaking under Nathan's stare, the alcohol wearing off with his confidence. His tongue felt thick in his mouth and he tried to swallow, feeling a pain tear at his throat.

'You better,' Nathan said tonelessly before pulling his hand out his pocket. 'Take this and get your head on straight. I need you to drive tomorrow.'

'Really?'

Without an answer, Roan took the statement as truth like he took the mini bag from Nathan's hand. The two pills inside excited the man and he anticipated the night ahead.

Knowing that he was trusted was riveting and whatever sadness he had from the breakup faded. Elke was replaced with the thought of tomorrow where he would be responsible for something important, something far more interesting than anything he had ever done.

Roan waited with the pills in hand as Nathan got back into the Lancer. He retreated back into his house only when the build of the engine sounded down his street.

---

'You've got twenty minutes. You go over, I'll make the call. If it gets to thirty, I'll be on Ootje street. Any later, you're on your own.'

It was a ritual that they never failed to perform. With Joost twisted in his seat, he layed down the rules as Apson, Stuntje, Tantu and Daan readied themselves.

The old bowls club sat in darkness but it was far from empty. The scarce street lights let the silver Impreza sit on the side of the road like any other car. A pick-up truck was parked up ahead having been left there when it's owner had too many drinks at their afterwork dinner. It made the street less deserted and if a patrol car were to drive past, they would think the Impreza had been at the same event.

'Got somewhere you need to be?' Stuntje teased with raised eyebrows. He adjusted the switchblade that was in his pocket while leaning forward in the backseat. This made it easier for him to see Joost's twitching lip under the ceiling light. It wasn't hard for Stuntje to know why Joost resisted to respond.