MW6

BEFORE

Nic throws me a pack of cigarettes and I catch them midair. She wears all black and her blonde hair is pinned back into a ponytail. Her shoulders are wide and she wears her Russian background with pride. 
Were driving a truck we bought off her father earlier this year. Its exterior is completely black and the windows are tinted purple. The light peeking in reminds me of my best friends house, where her bedroom was filled with stained glassed windows. That chapter has drifted far away in my life. But I smile at the thought and wonder what she would think of my current job. We haven't spoken in a while due to me always being on the road and her relocating to the island. She had told me her fiance cheated on her the last time we spoke.
She now works in psychology. She moved closer to the ocean a while back. It sure is funny how life changes. I breathe out and stop thinking of that part of my life. I lock it away in the back of my mind as Kane starts the truck. As if it were on cue music starts to rattle through the speakers. We are headed out of the province today. Running a mission to the east side of the country. Its the biggest group trip we have ever made. Without any stops it would take us three days but we have a delivery halfway. which adds a night stay and drop off time. Kane reminds us that we're going to have to go pick up our fourth partner Kash before proceeding to the warehouse. Nic makes no reply and continues flipping through music. Not phased on our usual Kash pickup routine. Kane is usually seen, like today, in a hat and sunlight catches off its brim as morning begins. Nic finally picks a song and reaches over the middle to kiss his face. They have been together for as long as I have known them. They are the kind of couple that equally fit each other like a puzzle piece; While also making me question sometimes how exactly those pieces fit. But they are strong couple and I admire their love to one another.

Kash is a different kind of being. You could say that he walks a different path. Nearing the place he resides we start driving up a short hill. The rows of houses trigger a feeling inside me. I'm reminded of how close Kash and I had once been. Our first encounter was at his house. We ended up living together with my ex who broke both our hearts. Since then we have ran into each other plenty of times and now work together. Our lives seem to overlap a lot and I find it odd. Throughout everything we've been though together, you would think we would be prepared for what was so follow after this day. We pull into Kash's driveway and he runs out. His style has always been questionable but today he wears simple black. He trips on his own two feet and stumbles into the ground before joining me in the back. He greets us with his usual overly dramatic self and we begin our travels to the warehouse. We are picking up a big package to deliver to the East. Normally its done with two people but it was decided for us to group up. Its our first time dealing with these new customers and its supposed to bring in lots of money. Nic and Kane were assigned as drivers. Kash was to be an extra man in the hand off and I was assigned to communicating with the client. A cell phone is apart of the luggage were on our way to grab. 

***

We were each given a handgun.

Having one with me on the job is something I have gotten very used to. Its different than holding a gun back home. I know these won't be used for cans and quails in the backyard. Three larger fire arms were hidden in the cab of the truck. The guns are just one item among many illegal things to be entering our luggage today. I'm glad to be staying in the country for the duration. Our bosses didn't bother with coming in and we are the only people on site other than Randy and Randy JR. Son and father. Who stay full time at the warehouse as its head guards and caregivers. They are jolly men for the life they live out here. The warehouse is on a large piece of property across the main bridge of our town. Its a very old castle-like house but the inside has been completely redone. It is extremely open with our bosses offices and a conference spaces. It is nowhere near a normal house. There is a lab tucked away and the guards living quarters. On property I have counted three garages, two gardens and I've heard tunnels criss cross beneath our feet. Most of it is restricted. Meaning codes accompany every entrance, door and window. Randy hands Nic and I two duffel bags each.

"JR overheard they've got you guys heading out east. We've got cousins out there you know. They tell me the great lakes are beautiful. I must say though the list they gave me for this trip is intense. It has me wondering if you guys are ambushing?" He ends his words with a chuckle and JR chimes in walking over with Kash.

"They aren't sending them over there for the view pops"

Randy continues his laugh and Kash pushes his glasses up. They are square and have thick lenses. This causes his eyes to appear larger than normal and they always slip down his childlike face. After his momentary pause he stands beside me. I notice a grey backpack straps over his shoulders and can only assume its contents. He is excited to be coming along with us. You can read it in the way he is moving. Kane and I were both surprised they accepted his request in joining. He and his partner got into a messy situation with one of our bosses. It must have been cleared up. "What makes the lakes over there so great anyways?" Kash asks making me roll my eyes. Nic does the same before answering him "Oh Hunny...They're some of the largest in this part of the world. We'll be driving by one of them. You'll see. I promise" She faces Randy adjusting the bags. "Also, its none of your business! But Its not an ambush. Thank you for the luggage. We better get going now. Kanes waiting in the truck"