The Ragdoll

False Trail

In memory of David Bowie~

Jake and Andy sat on their couch, eating Funyuns, watching television, and sharing a joint like they always did on week nights.

"Dude, can I ask you a question?" Andy asked.

"Yeah."

"Who do you think would win in a fight, Predator or Batman?"

"Batman for sure."

"Bullshit, dude."

"No, Batman has cloaking abilities. All he would have to do is throw a smoke pellet and then he would choke Predator out from behind."

"You can't choke out Predator. Besides, all he would have to do to see him is look at his body heat."

"Yeah but Batman could cover himself in mud. He's an expert."

"Well, I guess you're right. I didn't think of that."

"That's because you're a dumbass, Andy."

The two sat in silence for a long time, smoking and watching Scooby-Doo.

They heard a loud crash, and their door was kicked open.

A man and a woman walked inside.

Jake screamed and jumped behind the couch, and Andy was frozen in fear.

They didn't have any money, so the intruders must have been after their pot.

"Calm down guys, it's me," the man said.

Andy relaxed when he focused and realized that the man was Oliver.

Andy, Jake, and Oliver went back a long time. They had met in The Fork when they were about to be killed by someone whom they had owed money, and Oliver cut his throat open, saving them.

But Oliver took advantage of knowing the two. He found out that they knew people, dangerous people, people wanted by the government for crimes against humanity.

"Get up, Jake." Oliver said. "My friend and I are looking for somebody."

***

It was cold on the way to wherever Oliver was taking them. Emily zipped up her jacket, locked her arm in Oliver's, and leaned her head on his shoulder while they walked.

She hadn't known him for long, but she felt that he was someone she could trust.

He understood her and she understood him, there was little else she could ask for.

If they went down, they would go down together, and they both knew that.

When they arrived, Oliver insisted on kicking down their door instead of knocking like the average person would.

"Always fun to scare a junkie," he shrugged before he kicked the door in.

They both jumped straight into the air before they realized who he was.

"Calm down guys. It's me. Get up, Jake, my friend and I are looking for somebody. Emily, this is Andy and Jake. They're gonna help us."

"You want our help?" Andy asked.

"That's why we're here."

"Well, that depends on who you're looking for," Jake said as he dusted himself off.

"Who's the girl?" he asked.

"I'm Emily."

"And why are you here?"