Thoughts Of The Mind

The Exchange

The Exchange

The cool air wisped around Keith's car as he pulled his car into park. He made sure it was hidden enough by the tree, but still enough in view in case he needed to make a speedy retreat. Doubts cascaded his thoughts, making him unsure of what he should think about this deal. In the past he had been tricked, and deceived by this girl, so now it just seemed foolish to trust her. However, putting everything to rest now seemed to be the brightest of ideas.

Coming to a halt by the wooded edge Lena let of a gentle breath as she contemplated what she was about to do. Every knew there was minimal chance of the two rivals ever making peace, but she knew she had to try. Kicking open her car door with a grunt, Lena pulled her jumper further down her arms to ward of the slight chill in the air as she slung her back pack over her shoulder in the process. Allowing the Autumn leaves to crunch under foot, she made her way to the meeting point, the Oak in the centre of the wood.

Keith let himself crush the leaves that littered the forest floor as he continued to make his way through. He tried his hardest to keep his breathing stable, and constantly had to reach into the pocket of his trench coat to reassure himself he had what he needed for this meet up. Squinting his eyes, he was able to see himself getting closer to where the deal would be made. Where the hatchet was soon to be buried.

Lena paused to catch her bearings as she stumbled some what blindly in her bid to be the first at the meeting point. She was never one to be late and she had always liked the advantage of scoping out the ground before her rival was to arrive. Ready to move on, the snapping of twigs caused her to stop in her tracks once more, Keith must be close by.

"I see you've learnt your lesson" she muttered to no one but the nipping breeze "Get there early, or you become the prey" she recited, picking up her pace.

Now, Keith was only a moment or two away from the towering Oak tree. The scene was eerily quiet, which he was able to find comfort in. Things seemed to be going good for him this time around, and he approached the tree, checking one for time to make sure the cash was in his pocket. Around him there was no sound, besides the whistle of the wind. He stood for a moment, taking a chance to examine his surroundings. However, his gazing came to a sudden halt when his eyes met another pair only a few feet away.

Locked in his gaze Lena took the moment to access the posture of the man before her. Upright and proud an air of confidence emanated from him, but she knew it was all an act. If she knew Keith well enough, she was sure he wanted to be here just as much as she did, but of course everyone had to make sacrifices. Repositioning the bag on her back, she took a few tentative steps forward, bringing the two of them only a few feet apart. Lena swung her bag round so it hung in her hand loosely in her hand. However, the two of them stayed in a stale mate neither of them prepared to make the first move.

Keith allowed his eyes to roam down to her bag for a split second, but soon regained eye contact with Lena. Not breaking that contact, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the thick wad of money he bought with him. It was the exact amount she had asked for. He knew she would never make the first move, so pulling in a deep gasp of air, he nodded.

He pulled the was high enough in the moonlight for her to see the shaded outline of what was to become the base of their merger, all she had to do was hand over the sacred chain and they would call a truce.

Nodding to her bag at her feet he uttered "You got the goods?"

Lena cleared her throat, but no word came forth after, all he saw was the nod of her head dimly made out but the light of the moon. Throwing the money down between them Keith sucked in a breath hoping this would go smoothly. He knew it was a risk just handing over the money like that, but so was him coming here. Now the ball was in her court throw over the bag and things would go smoothly, any other way and he hoped she was prepared to fight.