Sacrifice

Chapter One

Roadie's motorbike speeds down the narrow street, swerving round cars and between lanes with a fervent mania. The wind rushes through my hair, making my eyes water. Invigorating. My metal arm is wrapped around his middle as I sit on the seat behind him, my other hand high in the air, feeling the air flow like water through my fingers.

" 'appy birthday, Roadie!" I screech, smiling so wide my face feels like it'll split in half. "Can't wait to show you yer present, mate. Think you're gonna love it."

Roadie of course says nothing, but I can tell he's happy from the way he almost hits a ute as he changes lanes. He's only reckless at the best of times, when my personality gets into his head. The driver lays on the horn as we ride past, and I flip him off, grinning.

I direct Roadie toward the outskirts of the city. I'm barely able to contain my excitement. I try standing up on the seat as he drives, but he reaches round and yanks me down by the arm.

"I like you," he says. "Don't kill yourself."

I stick out my tongue at him behind his back.

I tell him to park several streets off, just to be sure we'll still have the bike when we get back. Roadie locks it up and we set off down the road, him lumbering at a steady pace, me practically skipping ahead of him on my peg leg.

"So," I say, turning round and walking backwards, "y'know how you were mentioning you wanted some new gear?"

I can hear the grin in his voice. "You didn't."

"Not yet," I say. "See, this is more'n just a present. It's a heist. We're gonna blow up the biggest, toughest stash in town, and I'll give you first pick on everythin. How's that for a special birthday, eh?"

"You realize my birthday isn't for a month," he growls.

I shrug. "Whatever, mate. I had the idea and I couldn't just sit on it for another four weeks. So? You excited?"

He grunts, which is pretty much a cheer from him. I giggle and turn round again, loping ahead on my uneven legs. "You won't believe the kinds of stuff they've got in here," I say. "I been collecting rumours and this is bound to be a good haul. We might be able t'upgrade that scrap gun a yours. Hell, you'll be able to get a snipe if you want!" I scratch my head roughly, sending flakes of ash raining onto my shoulders. "It'll be a blast."

"You're nervous," he says softly.

I shrug. "It's yer special day, mate. Just hoping I don't mess it up."

Roadie chuckles and that in itself makes me feel a little better. "Mess it up and it'll be more fun for me," he says.

"Lovely," I say. "I'll be sure and try to screw things up for you then?" He snorts and I stifle a giggle. "Only joking, Hog. C'mon. Step it up."

The place doesn't look like much. Like a warehouse, with huge garage doorways and grafitti splattering the walls. Old crates and moldy boxes are stacked feet high around the building. I stop in front of it and Roadie halts beside me, taking it in.

"Beauty, ain't she?" I say. "I'll blow open the front and distract 'em, and you grab whatever you want."

He nods, and pulls his gun from its side holster.