HIS ADDICTION

20: tattoo shop.

We kept walking deeper into the streets and it felt like the houses were closing in on us, we could barely pass two at a time but it wasn't enough for me to let go of Damian's hand. We got to sharp ending and I abruptly stopped. Damian turned to look at me with a concerned feature.

"is this some joke or what" I asked both of them.

"what is it?" Joe asked in a flat tone.

"i can't cross there with you guys. This is a suicide mission, have you seen the kind of people that are there" I threw both my hands up in the air.

Seven guys stood at the end of the Street all looking tattered and unkept with a lot of markings and drawings on their skin, they all had dreadlocks on their heads and earrings on their nose and ears. They were as skinny as the cigarette in their hands.

"those guys are really freaking me out"

"hold my hands" I held his hands tighter than before "uhm atleast give my hand a little space for blood to pass through" Joe laughed at that and held my second hand which made Damian frown a little.

"hol it there" one of the guys shouted but Joe didn't stop he kept moving closer to them

"you no deh hear!" another repeated but Joe didn't stop. The seven guys moved forward to us and blocked our path "you deaf for hearing" I was a trembling mess.

"what do you want?" Joe asked them.

"you deh speak like Yankee. Oya drop something for us" I didn't understand what he meant until Damian brought out a bundle of five hundreds and gave it to them. Their faces changed and a huge smile grew on each of their faces. An idea popped up in my head.

"do you know the famous tattoo guy here?" it was risky but I had to give it a try.

"what are you doing" Damian whispered softly to my ear

"yes we know him. His name is choko." one of them replied proudly.

"people been looking for him a lot. Some just left a while, then you come." one of them who looked a bit healthy and educated added.

"do you by chance know why a lot of people come visit" they exchange glances amongst themselves "i mean we are here for the same reason, to get the same tattoo__"

"__ she wants to know how frequent they come here and if you know any of them with the tattoo personally or have any information about them". They were hesitant to reply until Joe removed his gold wrist watch and waved it front of them.

They smiled brightly though it looked like a wild grin, their teeth had brown stains, a reaction of excessive use of hard drugs.

"every Monday or Friday they come but they different Everytime. Their boss come with them Everytime".

"thanks" Joe handed the watch to them and we continued our journey.

We got to the tattoo shop and I heard Joe sigh deeply. "here goes nothing". He opened the glass door and we walked in. The smell of cigarettes hit my nose so bad that I had to cover my nose for a while, Damian didn't seem to be having a problem.

"why don't we turn back and go home. I'm hungry" I pleaded with my eyes.

"I am not buying that" Joe said dryly.

"but I need to use the toilet. I have a small bladder" I whined.

"there should be a restroom inside" Joe motioned inside the shop

"uhm I might also be getting a cold soon, I need a thick jacket and socks and a head warmer" I tried desperately.

"but we are in summer and the weather is nice and warm" Damian eyes me carefully "what is wrong with you.?"