The Sinner (kellic)

chapter 1

I walk down the crowded dark street with my eyes glued to the cracked sidewalk. I know these streets like the back of my hand so I don't need to look where I'm going to get to where I need to be.

I finally look up when I get a certain distance from my destination. I have to make sure there's no cops around or we're all in deep shit. After scoping out the area for cops, I continue on my way until I reach the dark alley beside the popular night club. This has been my meet up spot for clients for a while. It's the safest place to exchange goods.

I spot the guy I'm supposed to be meeting smoking a cigarette next to the large dumpster, standing just outside of the street light so that I can only see his silhouette. I cautiously walk up to him, looking around to double check my safety.

"Austin?" I ask to be sure. The guy drops his cigarette and steps into the light so that I can see him fully and nods.

"Yup. You got my stuff?" he asks sizing me up. I stand my ground even though I'm pretty small and not very intimidating

"Depends. You got the money?" I question. Austin chuckles and reaches in his pocket. I can't help but flinch, but he only pulls out a wad of cash. I let out a sigh of relief. I don't even want to count all the times someone reached in their pockets and ended up pulling out a gun. Not fun times let me tell you.

"Great ok. Let's do this then." I say, eager to get this over with before we're caught. Austin nods and comes closer. We swap quickly, him taking the drugs and me taking the money. I count it all to make sure he paid the full amount and Austin checks out the product until he's satisfied.

"Nice doing business with you Vic. I'll see you around." Austin promises, before leaving me alone in the alley. I wait a few minutes after he's left before I leave. Now that I finally have enough money I go to the cheap motel I've had my eyes on for a while. A church took over it or something so it's almost like a homeless shelter but you get your own motel room for a couple dollars. It's also the perfect place for getting new costumers. I stride into the run down place and up to the front desk.

"Good evening sir." A finely combed little preppy kid greets me with a wide white smile. I roll my eyes and toss him $2o. "I need a room for the week." I say impatiently. I have no interest in talking to this rich little boy, although I have to admit he is kind of cute, in a clean cut goody two shoes kind of way.

"Alrighty. If you're interested there's a free breakfast tomorrow for everyone after the morning service. It starts at 7." The boy says, as chipper as ever as he hands me my keys.

"Sure kid whatever." I mumble snatching the keys from his pale clean hands and going back outside to find my room. I'm not usually that much of a dick but I'm tired and I've spent the last couple of nights on the streets. I find my room easily enough. Once inside I turn on the light and have a look around. It's small and relatively clean, with a warm looking bed in the center. I immediately strip naked and go to the bathroom where I start a shower. After failing out of college and losing all contact with my parents, a good hot shower is far and few between so every opportunity I have I take. When the water is hot enough I climb in and sigh as the warm water beats down on my dirty, tired body. I stay that way until the water starts to get cold. I pull some semi clean clothes from my backpack and slip those on and hop in the bed excitedly. Not only do I get a bed, but I get it to myself. My eyes feel like led as I let them fall shut for some much needed rest.

I'm awaken with a jump when an alarm starts going off. I jump out of bed startled and on guard, looking around for the source. I laugh at myself when I realize it's just the alarm clock. I turn it off and stretch. It's only 6:30 am. Who the hell sets an alarm this early? As I ask myself that, the desk boy's words come back to me. Church at 7. Of course they would set all the clocks in each room to go off at 6:30. I'm not a religious guy, far from it, but there will be free food and I kind of have to save my money. So with a sigh I throw on the most decent clothes I have. A clean white button up shirt, and black skinnies. I know that the church across the street is the one that now owns this motel so I head over there, squinting against the morning lights. It's too early for this nonsense. Inside I'm greeted by an older guy with salt and pepper hair and a big friendly smile.