Halloween Night

Chapter 35

When they got to a creepy looking back alley garage Austin and Ally made their way to the door hand in hand, while Dez woke up the others.

Austin's body ached. He knew he should go to the doctor, but he just couldn't figure out how to do it. Maybe when they got money they could go to the store and get things to fix them up with. Ally was pretty beat up too, wearing Austin's baggy sweatshirt to cover all the cuts and gashes in her shirt and back.

Austin knocked on the door, waiting for someone on the other side to answer it. Ally stood behind Austin slightly. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. even though this man was going to help them, the way Jimmy described the man to Ally made her a little nervous. After a few minutes, footsteps were heard on the other side. A skinny, bald man who was wearing a food stained shirt answered the door. "We're not open on Saturdays." He said in a low scary tone, trying to close the door once more.

"Wait!" Ally yelled, while Austin placed his foot in the door frame, stopping it from shutting completely. "We're friends of Jimmy. We were told you should be expecting us..." Ally told him, "You're Richard, aren't you?"

The man nodded and opened the door, raising an eyebrow but making it clear that they were able to come in, "You're the kids who need the six seater?"

Ally and Austin nodded, "Well, this is all I got." He pointed to what looked like a camp van. "It seats eight. Your SUV out there is worth a hell of a lot more though, so I'll pay you the difference." He nodded. "Also, here's this."

He handed Ally an envelope and she opened it up to count it, "I took a twenty to get some McDonalds on the way... you'll get over it."

Austin glared at the man, "How much?"

"I just said Twenty." The man shot back.

Austin shook his head, "How much are you going to give us for the Yukon?"

"What year?"

"2009."

"Condition?"

"Take a look, it's pristine. A little dirty, maybe?" Austin said nervously.

"How about ten thousand."

Ally choked a little, "Excuse me? Ten thousand? Dollars?"

The man took up his lip in disgust, "No, pennies. Of course dollars." He spat.

Ally winced, shrinking back behind Austin again.

"That's bullshit." Austin spits. Ally nudges him in the side. He ignores it and continues, "That vehicle is worth 42,000 easy. That piece of crap is worth maybe $6,000. Obviously we'll give you a deal because you'll have to do a couple things to it. But, don't try and screw us over."

"You're smart kid." The man glared.

"$30,000 – that's a great deal." Austin told him.

"$5,000" The man said back quickly.

"No way." Austin yelled. "Don't mess with me today. $29,000 – not a cent less." The man readjusted his jaw as he thought. Ally had never been so terrified or turned on by Austin. "28." He said, "Because I've got a feeling I'll have some blood stains to work out."

Austin thought for a moment, "Fair enough."

And then they shook on it and Ally was left thinking about what had just happened. "Don't stay in this town, you hear me? Drive for at least an hour before you get a motel. You kids look like shit."

As they did the trade Austin leaned down to whisper in Ally's ear, "Don't tell a soul how much money we just got."

The tone in his voice scared her, but she wasn't scared of him. "Why?" She said shakily.