WRENCH

Chapter 1:

This isn’t a good idea, Kay,” I whispered as I stood watch.

“What’s the big deal? It’s gonna be fine.”

“I would say that to if we weren't stealing gas from the one of the biggest drug dealers in Detroit,” I peered back at her while she began to siphon.

She spit the gas-saliva combination right on the front of my shoe as she laughed. I had to give it to her, she knows what she’s doing. I watched as the jerry can slowly began to fill up.

“What is the plan after we get the gas? He already knows that we stole the gas the last seven times.” She rolled her eyes

“We get the gas and leave, simple as that. Speaking of which, the can is full,” she began screwing the cap back on. “How are we looking?”

I turned my head around the corner and the barrel of a 9mm was pressed up against my skull. I looked back at Kaylee, she was wrapping up the siphon.

“Hey Kay.”

“It’s fine Jason. He’s too stupid to realize that we’re stealing hi-”

“Not stupid enough,” Daryl shoved me to the ground. I could feel the skin under my jeans tear, as I slid across the asphalt. I looked back to see to more guys appear from around the corner. “So now that I have you guys? What should I do?” He said as he began to walk around the back of Kaylee. “What do you say boys, take this one and leave the other in the gutter,” he looked at me. His fingers slowly ran through Kaylee’s hair.

“Keep your distance,” the two guys grabbed my arms and held me to the ground.

“What are you gonna do? Orphan,” he clenched his hand around Kaylee’s hair. Kaylee looked up.

“I really wish you didn’t say that,” Daryl cocked the gun as Kaylee’s elbow swung back into his groin sending a round into the air. He crumbled to the ground gasping for air, as his chest was met with her heel. I could feel the guy above me reach for his gun. I swung my head back meeting his jawline. Kaylee was already peeling the third guy off my back, and wrapping the siphon around his neck. I twisted my body around to see blood dripping from the guy’s mouth before no time he had his hands around my neck, digging his thumbs into my throat. I needed a weapon. I began to look around me for something in reach, nothing. I seen the gun that was in Daryl’s hand, just out of reach. I started stretching my arm hoping that I might be able to grab on. I could feel it grazing my fingers.

“Look out!” Kaylee shouted as she threw a trashcan at the guy. I crawled backwards and clenched the gun, Kaylee was backing away. I pointed the barrel towards the guy and pulled the trigger. The explosion of the gun echoed inside me.

“Holy shit!” I shouted

“I know his head popped like a water balloon, except it was full of blood,” Kaylee grabbed my shoulder. “Come on we need to deal with this dick,” she took the gun from my hand and pointed it at Daryl. “Let’s get this straight D, we let you live and we don’t have to see your face ever again,” she throws a kick into his stomach. He nods slowly. “Good, and if we do I’ll shoot the other one.”

“Other wha-” Kaylee immediately fires three rounds into his left leg before pushing the gun behind her back belt loop. “Like I said nothing to worry about,” Daryl held his leg, screaming. “Stop staring at him and grab the gas can before the cops show up,” she pulled down the ladder to the fire escape.

“How are you okay with this. I mean, beating somebody half to death is one thing, but pulling the trigger is a whole other thing.” I picked up the canister.

“I’m not okay with it. If I had a choice the wouldn’t be dead, but it was them or us, and I happen to like living,” she was already sitting at the bottom balcony. “Our lives are tough Jay, it’s kill or be killed.”

I tossed the gas can up to her and pulled myself up the ladder.

“Who’re we selling this to?”

“We’ll check in with Scrappy, see who’s buying,” she placed the gas on the roof and hopped up. I followed.

“As bad as Detroit is, you never get a view quite like this,” she grabbed my sleeve.

“Come on telescope,”she pulled me across the rooftop. “If we don’t get their before dusk then we might not get dinner this week,” we neared the end of the roof.

“So what’s your plan to get us over there?” I pointed at the building across from us. “That’s got to be a twelve foot gap.”

“I came prepared,” she pulled a board from the side of the building. “All we have to do is balance our way across this board and we’re free,” she stepped up onto the board and slowly started walking to the other side. Within a few steps she jumped down onto the other building. “See nothing to worry about.”

“I would say that too if.”

“If, what?” She raised an eyebrow.

“If you took the gas can with you.” I held up the can.

“It’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.”

I crawled onto the ledge and gently set my foot on the board. Nothing. I slowly place one foot in front of the other praying the board will hold. I look up. Halfway there, I whisper to myself. The board starts to creak.

“We still good?” I peered to Kaylee.

“Maybe if you stop standing in the middle.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me the rest of the way.

“You didn’t have to protect me back there.”

“Well I didn’t want you to fall,” she looked towards me with a grin.

“No,” I laughed. “Back with Daryl. I could’ve handled it.”

“I know it’s not like those 200 pound men could hold you to the ground,” she snickered. “And besides. I couldn’t deal with that comment he made. You already know that I never met my parents.”

“Yes I know. I just didn’t want you getting hurt.”

“Hey, cheer up. You know I can take a punch better than you can,” she pushed my shoulder.

“I seriously doubt that.”

“Doubt all you want,” we both laughed. Our eyes met.

“Come on we need to get this to Hank,” I gripped the gas can and we opened the roof door, making our way down the staircase.