Missing The Mark ✔

6

"You just got yourself into a world of trouble, and there's nothing you can do about it," Bird said to me with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes at him, not saying anything in response because, deep down, I feared he might be right. Getting out of this mess seemed impossible. These wealthy people would gladly throw me in prison for something I barely had a hand in. I had merely orchestrated the scheme, and never laid a finger on anyone.

Bird and I had just left the local supermarket, empty-handed because neither of us had brought money. We depended on each other to cover the expenses, which kind of worked well for us, given that it was just a short trip back home and back here.

"Oh shit, is that Monster?" My eyes immediately snapped in the direction Bird was pointing, and I froze in my tracks. A chill ran down my spine as I recognized him - the drug lord I owed a substantial sum of money to. Monster, they called him. He was walking with an air of authority, flanked by his two imposing bodyguards. Just the sight of him sent shivers through me. Monster was a notorious player in the drug industry, a kingpin in every sense. At one point in my misguided youth, I had worked under him, and somehow, I had accumulated a staggering fifteen thousand dollars in debt.

I had lied when I claimed I hadn't done anything illegal. The truth was, I had dabbled in a few drug runs here and there. But, I convinced myself it wasn't that bad, especially considering I had only worked for him when I was fresh out of school. Back then, it felt like I had no other option but to turn to drugs. Desperation had driven me into a world I never thought I'd be a part of.

As I walked alongside Bird, memories of those days tugged at the corners of my mind. I recalled the tension in the air, the constant paranoia, and the fear that at any moment, everything could come crashing down. But it had been easy to convince myself that I was just a small player, doing what I had to in order to survive.

My heart began to race, and my palms grew sweaty. I quickened my pace, trying to put as much distance between myself and Monster as possible. The memories of the debt I owed him came rushing back, and I couldn't help but wonder if he still remembered me, the small-time runner who had crossed paths with him years ago.

Bird must have noticed the change in my demeanor because he glanced at me with concern in his eyes. I shot him a quick, uneasy smile, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in deep trouble. Monster's presence was a stark reminder that the past could catch up to me at any moment, and there might be no escaping it this time.

Bird didn't have any outstanding debts. He'd managed to clean up his act and garnered some respect among the people in the business. It was strange, though. You'd think that since we were best friends, some of that respect would extend to me as well, but it never quite worked out that way. It seemed like everyone found fault with me, often accusing me of talking too much. Of course, I didn't agree; I was just a fun-loving and witty guy who couldn't help but engage in conversation.

That constant chatter and banter were part of my charm, or so I believed. But in the drug trade, where silence and discretion were often prized, my penchant for conversation had earned me a reputation as the guy who couldn't keep his mouth shut. It was frustrating and demoralizing, and it was one of the reasons I decided to leave the world of drug-carrying behind. I had grown tired of being the odd one out, the one who got little respect from anyone.

I'll admit it without hesitation – I was absolutely terrified of that guy. Well, not him per se, but what he was capable of. He had the kind of power that could make a person disappear without a trace. The mere thought of what he could do sent chills down my spine. He was the type who could turn murder into an art form, making it look like a suicide or an accident, and he could do it without ever raising suspicion.