The Six Keys

Black Lagoon Part One

I awoke to the smell of sea salt and the sound of lapping waves. Still sleepy eyed, I stretched, taking in my new outfit: steel toe boots, shorts and a black tank top. My hair was back in its usual sidecut. I felt something in my back pocket as I sat up. For some reason, my phone came here with me.

"Looks like our new hostage is awake," a familiar voice said. I looked up to see Dutch, Revy, and Rock seated around me, drinking beer and smoking. I locked up, starstruck.

"We found you passed out on a pier," Revy said, flicking her cigarette ashes to the ground. "Spoiled brat like you could use some work."

I just stared back at her, encouraging an awkward silence to stay for a few minutes.

"Is she okay?" Rock asked.

Taking shallow breaths, I stood up, surveying the Black Lagoon and water surrounding it. I started squealing and running towards Revy.

"Oh my gosh!" I shrieked, knocking her out of her chair. "It's really you!"

"Have we met?" she asked, shoving me off and taking another drag from her cigarette. "I think I'd remember someone as annoying as you."

"No, but I know you," I said, whipping out my phone and pulling up a picture. "See? I cosplayed you once."

"Cosplay?" she scoffed, waving the phone away. "Fuckin' nerd."

"I know a lot about you," I babbled excitedly. "Your real name is Rebecca, you used to be an officer, you killed your abusive father- Oh! I have pictures of you!"

She quickly pulled out one of her Baretta's, aiming right between my eyes. "Alright, missy" she spat. "You have three seconds to tell me who the fuck you are or I blow your fuckin' head off!"

"Revy!" Rock intervened. "She's just a kid!"

"Like I care," she argued. "And what the hell is wrong with your hair?"

I blushed, combing some of it over with my fingers to cover my sidecut.

Benny came out of his headquarters. "I just got a call from Balalaika," he said. "We gotta head to The Rip-Off Church for a drug bust."

"Alright," Revy said, lowering her gun and stretching. "What do we do with the runt?"

"We can't just leave her here," Dutch said, shoving his Remington towards me. "Let's see how she handles a gun."

Dutch's prized Remington 870 was so heavy that I shook holding it. I shot aimlessly on accident, getting thrown back and falling on the deck. Revy howled with laughter.

"What a waste," she giggled, teary eyed.

"It was too heavy!" I said defensively, getting back up.

"No time," Dutch said, handing me a pocket knife. "Eda, Yolanda, and Rico will only be out of the church for so long. Let's move!"

Benny handed me a headset. "We'll communicate this way," he told me.

We docked after a few more minutes of sailing, and they all shoved me into the car, forcing me into the middle.

"They've smuggled in over two tons of cocaine," Dutch said, his eyes on the road.

"Greedy little pigs" Revy scoffed.

"My thoughts exactly," I agreed. "How exactly are we going to fit all of that in the car?"

"Benny will hotwire a truck for us while we locate the drugs," Dutch explained. "You can help with the search, but if things get messy, you'll just hide in the back rooms. Use the knife if someone gives you trouble."

It was silent after that, except for Benny typing away on his laptop in the front seat. Out of boredom, I cut away the lower half of my shirt.

"Revy, look," I said, smiling proudly. "We're twins!"

"You don't have any tits, kid," she said, rolling her eyes. I pouted.

When we arrived at The Rip-Off Church, everyone immediately fanned out to do their job. Revy silently took out the few men who were guarding the building.

We searched for a good while, opening every door and ripping paintings off the walls, but still finding nothing.

"Dammit!" Revy growled, taking a seat on a pew.

"Benny isn't even here with the truck," Dutch sighed. "Eda and the others could be back any minute now."

I took a seat next to Revy and noticed the seat slid a little. "Get up," I told Revy.

"I don't know who gave you the memo," she snapped, leaning back. "But I don't listen to spoiled little shits like you."

"No, seriously," I said. "Get up. The drugs are in the pews." She stood without another word and we took the seat off the pew, revealing heavy bags of cocaine.

"Good eye, kid," Dutch said, causing me to beam up at Revy, expecting praise.

"Comin' atcha with the truck now," Benny's voice rang through our headsets.

"Nice timing," Revy said, gathering up some bags.

Benny pulled up with a semi, opening it for us to transport the drugs and then returning to his equipment in the car to keep watch.

We ran back and forth to the truck, Revy constantly scoffing and remarking on how little I could carry. Eventually, Benny's typing became so furious that it was all we could hear.

"What's goin' on, Benny?" Dutch asked.

"I'm picking up some activity on the cameras," he said, sounding distressed. "My guess is Eda and the others are aware of your presence. I'd wrap it up over there, guys."

We moved faster, only for Benny to come through again, frantically saying, "Scratch that! They are headed your way, and fast!"

"Shit!" Revy growled again. "Get in the office back there, kid!"

I ran to the nearest room, poking my head out the door to keep watch.

"Got the knife?" Dutch asked. I nodded, scared. "Good," he said.

Eda, Yolanda, and Rico burst through the doors, along with their preferred weapons and a few more goons.

Dutch, Revy, and Rock stood across from them, bearing their weapons. They stood off for a bit, unsure of who had the first shot.

"Now, Revy," Eda giggled playfully. "Here I thought we were friends. Keep stealing from me and I'll have to take your precious Rock."

"Oh, shut up you whore," Revy snarled. "Rock belongs to us. And did you seriously think you had such a small chance of winning that you had to bring a dozen more men?"

"You talk a big game for someone who's about to get their ass kicked," Eda retorted.

Yolanda started scanning the room, making me crawl out of sight, deeper into the office.

"We'll see about that!" I heard Revy yell.

I jumped in shock and hid under the desk when I heard weapons being fired.

Author's Note: Wow I am sooo sorry this took so long. Never again, I swear! If you liked this chapter please give it a vote and as always, I follow back! ^_^