Toxic City

Chapter 2

Impatience races through his body, his knee bobbing up in down with irritation. "Where is he?!" He asks, slamming his hand down on the wooden table. It shakes under his fist.

"Woah, man. Calm down! Trust me, he has what your looking for. Just wait a little longer." Pete places his hand on his shoulder, calming the rising anger of Nicolai.

"The longer you make me wait the more-" He's cut off by the approaching Furrow. The clinking of supplies catching Nicolai's attention away from his aggression.

"Finally," Pete sighs, no longer being able to handle Nicolai. "Where have you been?"

"Stealing is not an easy job. You of all people should know that." As he jogs up, he sets down his jingling bag, pulling out a paper bag. "They woke up, had a more advanced alarmed compared to the other houses. Here, your drugs pretty boy." He holds the bag out to Nicolai, frowning.

Nicolai snatches the bag out of his hand, tossing his last bit of cash back. "Thanks." He mumbles not making eye contact.

"Moody much?" The thief says with exhaustion after Nicolai.

"He's always been like that when it comes to his personal life. He's actually a very playful and fun guy. Trust me." Pete shakes his hand. "Thanks man, Nicolai has been impatient all day."

"Can I ask who it's for? It's hard getting a hold of that stuff." The thief asks.

"Sick younger brother. Bad news." Pete replies.

Nicolai leaps off the the board walk from uptop the meeting place. Landing on the next roof over, smoothly on his feet. He books off towards mid down town, hopping from roof to roof.

When reaching the end of the houses, he slides down one of the metal roofs. Catching himself with his hands on the bridge of it, to slow his fall. His gloves protect his palms from being cut open by the sharp edges. Then landing in the gravel road, he slips down the closest alley way onto a side street leading towards the edge of town. His movements fast and agile.

It takes him only minutes to arrive at his hidden home, lifting off the rusty hinged door. "Meo!" He calls quietly through the small apartment.

He grabs a jug of water when entering, and sliding a glass beside it as he pours a cup. He takes the container of medicine out of the paper bag, reading the small label on the outside before grabbing a pill.

Carrying the glass and medicine up the creaking stairs, Nicolai crouches down when reaching the top of the loft. "Meo..." he says, stopping upon the mattress covered in patched sheets.

A small cough and rustle notifies Nicolai of his brothers presence. Limply, the covers are lifted off to reveal the pale young boy.

Bags hang under Meo's icy eyes, sweat covering his white skin. Pain aches at his bones as he slowly sits up.

"Meo, I got you medicine.... Here, drink this." Crushing the pill into the water, Nicolai hands the glass to Meo, cupping his hands around it. He guides his weak brother, by tilting it to his small lips. Relief washing over him when seeing Meo swallow down the water.

"Thank you...." Meo says softly, handing the glass back.

"Get your sleep. You need it." Nicolai ruffles a hand through his brothers hair, a smile rested on his face.