THE VICKERS

Chapter 9

"Wow you guys are in some deep shit," Tino said leaning back in his chair.

"Yea we know, what can you tell us about Fitz? Why is Gills after him?" I asked, eager to get what we came for and leave.

"Whoa slow down little man. I don't know anything about Fitz or Gills!"

"Bullshit! You do know!" I said getting annoyed at Tino. Just minutes ago, he was ready to let his henchmen slit my throat.

Devin put a hand on my shoulder and I reluctantly retracted. Tino was his ex-friend. I should keep my mouth shut.

"Tino, we have an understanding here," Devin said referring to the money we had given him after his henchmen had left for the three of us to talk privately.

"You're talking that measly $350?" He snickered.

"I got something for you boys," he said getting up from his chair for the first time.

He circled around us, taking his time with his steps and his words.

"News travels fast in this city. You see I heard about your little run-in with Juno's buddies. He wasn't too happy about it" he said over Devin's shoulder. He continued in a smooth voice.

"He was angry, naturally. And he knew with that all the questions you were asking, that eventually, you'd come to me."

"So what?" I piped up. Devin glared at me. I was clearly not following his lead, but the familiar sweat was moistening my palms.

"So he wanted a heads up that we were here. Cause his bullshit entourage couldn't find us." Devin answered for Tino.

"Yes! Right!"

"So, we gotta go Devin!" I said backing towards the door. I tried to be brave in front of Devin every day of my life, but I feared Juno.

"Not so fast I haven't called...yet. Out of courtesy to your brother," Tino said nodding towards Devin.

"But he paid me a hell of a lot more than $350."

"What do you want?" Devin asked.

"I'll tell you all you need to know about Fitz and Gills if you get something for me," he said clapping his hands to his lips, gleeful that he would be getting his way.

"We don't have fucking time for this Devin! We have a day to get Dahlia and this asshole is wasting our time!"
There was a reason they weren't friends anymore and I'm not sure I didn't want them to get into business with each other again.

I was already on my way to the door, determined to leave while we still could. I was positive Devin would follow. But, I was stopped in my tracks when he asked an unbelievable question.

"What do you want us to do?"

~~~~

Later that morning, we entered an old dilapidated warehouse that we had discovered just over a month ago. This place was a bit removed from the toxicity of the city centre. Though the roof had collapsed in some sections, the concrete walls were still standing strong.

When we found it, we had intended on eventually making it somewhere we would stay. It was amazing that the addicts hadn't found it yet. There was a disgusting bathroom in the back, but water still dripped through the pipes. We'd clean up a room, put a lock on its door and make it ours. But Dahlia didn't want to leave the house we were in. She claimed it was too far from everything in the city. But, that was the point.

Devin and I wanted to go, Dahlia wanted to stay. But she knew we would never leave her, and she used it to her advantage. After constant arguing between them, we decided to just let it go. The Vickers kids would never separate.