VALERIE

Thirty One

Ammonia, bleach, and chemicals wafted up their nostrils as they continued to walk down the second flight of stairs.

"Stop." Marco called out in the dark, with the sound of his hands clapping the fluorescent lights flickered until the entire warehouse basement was illuminated.

A smug grin widened on his face as he continued to walk down the stairs with Valerie happily strolling along behind him.

It was Nick who couldn't believe his eyes.

Against the furthest wall stacks of medium sized packages wrapped in clear plastic graced the wall, beside them was a large scale with various packages stacked on it.

To the wall next to it up to 200 plants of the same type lined up on glass tables underneath heavier lighting grew in a beautiful and healthy green shade.

In the center of the room were six stations.

All of them a few inches away from one another, each station had a large black garbage can, a small stove with two burners, and sitting on the top of the table were gallons of sulfuric acid, jars of potassium, baking soda, urea, gasoline, bowls, gas tanks, spoons, etc.

"Valerie we're leaving." Nick said sharply, his eyes landing on her as Marco showed her a smaller version of one of the larger plants.

She turned back to look at him, a nasty scowl on her face.

"Nick we need plane tickets." She said politely turning her attention back to the small plant.

He shook his head, "We'll figure it out. You're not getting involved in this."

Marco merely chuckled as he grabbed onto Valerie's wrist and held it up.

"Let her go." Nick took the last two steps down the stairs and stomped over to both Marco and Valerie. He stood in front of Marco, both of them face to face with stifling tension in between them.

Valerie laughed, "Just kiss each other already."

They ignored her.

"Valerie," Marco looked down at Valerie who was the only thing in between the two, "Why don't you tell Nick here that you actually owe me money?"

Nick's gaze locked onto the girls guilty expression.

She turned away, biting her lip in thought to see what she'd say but couldn't come up with anything, Nick was just to intimidating to lie to.

Nick shoved Marco away which broke his grip on Valerie's wrist, Nick grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him defensively.

"Tired of being dragged." She mumbled under her breath, her arm was red from the strong pull, she lightly massaged it with her other hand.

"Just fucking tell me what money." Nick asked impatiently, he placed his hands on her shoulder, the girl huffed but gave in with a loud sigh of embarrassment and regret.

"After I bet all my money on a fighter and lost it, I borrowed 5 thousand from Marco to keep gambling." She admitted.

Nick ran his hand through his hair in desperation he cursed under his breath.

"It's easy money guys." Marco mentioned.

Nick glared at him hard, "I'm not letting her touch this bullshit."

"You're not the boss of me Nick." Valerie spoke up firmly, she had her arms crossed against her chest.

"Yeah Nick." Marco sneered sarcastically,

Valerie walked closer to them again, "I'm doing it, you don't have too but I am. I'll get us home."

"What if she doesn't pay you back?" Nick asked Marco,