Had a dream of lonesomeness and walking trees and winds careening down streams.
Tame for a nightmare but eerie nonetheless.
I wake to Ruvena sleeping beside me. Her skin still glitters from decorations, Even in sleep she entices me. Looking at the time, the morning has gone, the hour twelve mid day. That familiar cigarette craving emerges so I satisfy it.
The mid day sin plays upon my face as I bask in it. Been a while since I've enjoyed the sun. my cigarette already halved and I slowly become board. there never much to do in daylight.
" you're different" came a familiar cool voice from behind.
" is that so" I replied.
" Yeah, I've known many but you are unique. everything about you screams apathy. As though you're always ready to die, you're yearning to die" She Elaborated.
I turn to dace her with a smirk," so morbid, is that what I seem" covered in a sheet she leans on the doorframe, the sun too hits her petite face, such chubby cheeks tempts one to carve them.
" I see you follow the doctrin of never bringing nightly lovers home... am I not worth it" She randomly asks. her playfull smile displays intrigue.
" you're not" I bluntly replied. a wise man never brings passing pussy home. I continued" don't you like this motel. it's accommodations are better than most."
" and here I though you liked me, you're quite confusing, especially those eyes." She steps close. Her unwashed mouth releasing bad breath.
" such assumptions, overthinking is often a waste of energy" I replied. she chuckles" oh trust me, I don't overthink"
I smile as she smiles, from my pocket I produce my black card, " payment is due" I said to her.
" I enjoy you too much to demand pay, come, let's play some more. stud" She seductively leads me back onto the room. Like a sheep I follow excitedly.
We entangle from day to night, only stopping when I'm interipted by a call from a certain desperate official.
Pleasure is sweet but I'm a workaholic. Thus I left her with delivered lunch and my contact seeing that she plays quite well.
Always, I return to this purring enging. Through dimly lit streets and dark corners we lead.
Soon I arrived at my destination. A secluded spot mostly covered in darkness, there I see a black car parked conspicuously. Fatal mistakes are often made like this. Slowly I roll up beside it. The window winds down to reveal the chubby face of the official. He swiftly passes an envelope to me, black in color and plump with what I assume are documents. Instinctively I check it's contents to be documents. I look to him with a slight nod then drove off. Leaving him there in silent darkness. I find myself in another lonesome place, dark and secluded, Perfect for reading.
Sixth cigarette, untainted for concentration. Serious business requires a serious mind. Like this I stay, perusing through the dossier which tells of a man by the name kogen qenas, an interesting name. Average education, average hight, slender, handsome with effeminate features, especially in the face. a gambling addiction which once racked up substantial debts. But from his current lifestyle I'm guessing he's paid them off with whatever he extorts from our official. few family members means few to investigate his disappearance. A grand mother, a brother and a father. As of late he's estranged from them all. loves a meal of mushroom soup, a bit strange but to each their own.
Three times a week he frequents the gentleman's parlor. gets a massage once every two weeks, likes to take a dip in the bay whenever he gets the chance. quit his job around the time his blackmailing enterprise began. I see he's been taking foreign trips for vacation even in the Andies, quite the taste.
Overall an average life, somewhat dull.
He seems to have moved into an apartment in Red River district fourteen ago, so he'll be missed but that's of minor significance.
Seems like I'm going to Red river for a visit. " good place to end my vacation." it takes me a while more to finish combing through the information but it wasn't overly tedious, there are actually some interesting things about him.
Eight cigarette, I'm tired for the night so I'll head home for a proper rest, I've got a long drive and alot of stalking to do come morning.
Welcomed by a messy house, the work of Don's drunken activities. He rememberd to wash the car but not clean up after himself. Mother always said don't entertain messy friends, I obviously didn't listen. To tired to bother I immediately went to bed. Dinner can wait till morning.
I wake to silence and sunlight. In the air tiny dust particles float, illuminated by the bright morning.
A bath and food is all I need to get started. Cold water in the morning is best. It properly wakes the mind. Then to Harold's and I'm off.
Dumplings agen. A bit disappointed but it gets the job done. Eating in the car is messy but I prefer not to waste time in getting to Red River. the drive is already long. I should be there twelve hours later I hope. " ah shit," I curse at the fallen dumpling messing my clothes and car mat. Never a bright idea to eat in the fucking car but choices.
Driving down the highway is one of the most boring activities. already I've burned through five cigarettes. The radio playing mediocre music with a very chatty host. This culminates into a lowsy trip thus far. Here's to hoping there's some fun to be had when I arrive.
I arrive at night, glearing high lights and high beams irritates my eyes. this place is quite lively at night. People walking boldly in the night streets, partying. A district of controlled crime this turned out to be.
fifty-Sixth Booker street. Tulip residence is where my drive ends. patiently I observe the neighborhood, waiting for kogen to show.
Night turns to day and day to night, it has been two days and I've seen many characters but not him. I'm on the verge of running out of cigarettes. Already he's causing me trouble. our meeting will not be pleasant. Forced to rashen, I smoke each cigarette in segments.
Another day passes, my cigarettes supply has halved, my mood is sour.
Luckily he shows early in the morning, fifteen minutes past nine. Should have packed more cigarettes.
Confirming his whereabouts, I leave for a while. Surely someone has noticed my presence to be strange. As of now I cannot leave the car, Best way to not make footprints is to abstain from walking. The less I'm seen the better. I've come unprepared but I'm accustomed to long periods of fasting and immobility. There's enough water to last a week. So job I observe and wait.
Fourth day, I return to the vicinity of the residence at night. Waiting for his movements.
The hour is ten o clock, He strolls out of the apartment complex dressed in neatly, His hair stiff and shining with jell, a simple green shirt and an ancle length pants show his intentions of leisure. He drives off in his grey water powered car. Self driving I presume. it's body streamlined, soothe edges copied from old psudo sci-fi styles, outdated to say ghe least but still asteticlly pleasing.
Patiently I follow far behind as he drives leisurely. we grow from resting streets to lively ones cornered by tall high rises and daunting skyscrapers. People rushing about, disturbing the night as artificial light drowns out the moonlight. It's merely religated to a decoration in the sky. Un-needed and unappreciated.
True to the dossier, the attends the gentleman's club. I wait while he has fun.
Patiently I watch movements of many people. one inarticulate played like a drama movie. Two lovers quarreling over the man's infidelity. a bystander took it upon himself to intervene on the woman's behalf. Funnily enough, he did not win the fight neither her favor.
In five hours I've seen twenty-eight enforcers. some walking the streets, others patrolling in vehicles. Such high security is bad for business.
Finally he comes out, his shirt stained with what I assume to be alcohol. with disunity he wobbles into his car. An upside to automation, a man is free to get drunk as he pleases.
I follow him back to his apartment. slowly he struggles to home.
Seeing him finally enter, I leave for a secluded and distant spot to rest.
Morning comes and I'm fucking hungry, even grumpy from the lack of cigarettes. without options I call Don earlier than intended" I'm in red River, bring food and cigarettes. I'm going to send a picture, get five men to impersonate the company. let them come two days after you" I immediately got to the point. In the background of the call I hear incoherent screams of a woman. Don responds" fuck!, bitch!, shut up or you'll join him. hey man, you dissappear for four days then call me up like this, you're on a job arm't you?" I respond with a bland yes and urge him to be quick about it. After giving him a place and time to meet up I reminded him to move discretely.
With that I wait. In the mean time I resumed my stalking. He hasn't been up to much for the day. Fancy dining and a visit to the park.
Don arrived late midnight. He came like a shadow from the dark with life saving goods in hand. "this job must be something for you to be here. Fucking Red riverback water hicks. where the streets are always busy with enforcers... here, I got it from Harold's. left the old man having it out with the wife. he's finally leaving the bitch." good for hi..." I tare into the bag only to find a box of dumpling soup. I sigh tiredly" useless fuck. I've not eaten in days and you bring me fucking dumplings. Bitch!" I began to loose my temper. Anguish chokes my throat.
" calm down, geese, it's still food. at least show some gratitude."
"fuck you!" Without a choice, I eat the food begrudgingly.
" dick" clicking his tongue and shaking his head he changes the topic. " so, what is this job?"
"a magic trick" I said holding while back tears while eating this filth.
" who's the target." he enquired.
" you'll see... Dipcon called the hit. A pretty boy who was fucking his wife got more than just pussy." I answered.
" Dipcon, that fat fuck." He laughed " mister big shot minister finally got himself in trouble. the pay must be sweet"
" friends." I said
" you're seriously trying to rope him in. Dangerous business."
" he'd be a useful ally to have"
" more like a bacon. high profile connections are dangerous."
" not much different from our other connections."
" guess you're right" I smell cigarette smoke, the kind synonymous with the pixi brand.
I lift my head away from my food only to find him smoking one of my cigarettes. " you! fuck... give it to me!"
" fuck!. what's you're problem." He protests as I snatched the lit cigarette from his mouth, Outing it on the dashboard and putting it back into its box.
" Don't fuck with me Don, you brought them for me." I reminded.
He clicks his tongue and scoffs " greed bastard, didn't your mama Ann teach you how to share"
Mother never had such wholesome teachings.
He reclines the sead, leaning to relax himself. " Roger, Marv and those other two shitheads will be here in at least three days." He informs me leisurely.
disappointed, I replied" didn't I say two days."
" come in, they have other shit to do. can't fault them. youre the one who called without notice."
I say nothing and resumed my lunch.
Day came with us having slept in the car. Kogen goes about his day. we follow patiently.
This time he visits a lady friend. A skinny young thing, pale with the visage of a classic addict.
" so this is our extortionist, quite unprotected. he's confident." Don stated as he observed.
" or stupid," I added." we'll have a chance to collect him tomorrow. His weekly dip is overdue, Gives his neighbour's some time to miss him."
Like wolves we wait from day to night. Finally he leaves with satisfaction in his walk.
" have you seen Drace since you got back." Don abruptly asks, breaking the silence.
"no," I reply.
" you should make the time, with the way he worships you, don't be cruel."
" Yeah" I reply.
" so, you going to tell me exactly what happened for all those months?"Don enquires of the details of the past six months. Details I'm not inclined to share. " no, the rats are dealt with, my vacation went well. that's all there is to it."
He's not convinced, that look of suspicion lingers on me for a while. But he accepts my guardedness in time.
Kogen has arrived home, not much activity from him tonight. We assume he's gone to bed.
Morning comes before too long. The orange hue of the shining sky irritates the tired eyed. Bright mornings are often uncomfortable.
He stays in for the morning, only leaving at mid-day wearing light clothes. A breezy shirt and soft short pants. We follow him patiently to the bay.
Third cigarette, droppy eyes morphs my face onto an apathetic expression.
Parked under the nearby bridge, we watch and wait as he baths. swimming laps back and forth.
Don changed his attire to mimic one of going for a leisurely dip as he waits for kogen to walk back to his vehicle. In a while kogen finishes and proceeds to walk back. Don leaves the car, his shit on his head, covering most of his face, he walks barefoot with a jovial smile.
I watch silently, the cigarette nearly burned to a bud. Kogen and Don draw closer until they meet, fact to face I see Don produce an object from his trousers. Kogen reacts with shock. His head darts around looking for help. Sadly for him there are no witnesses. It's a delegated side street after all. Not people going to the bay would take this road. Perhaps those who want free and readily available parking would take the change to come here where the horrible graffiti passes for art. where garbage blowing in the wind and there's a musky stench of piss and shit.
He is coerced into the driver's seat. Don sits behind him. They are yet to drive off after a few moments. Through the cars back glass I see Kogen presumably drying to dissuade Don. But with a blow to his head he swiftly drives off. I follow a distance away.
At sunset we arrive at an abandoned factory district at the outskirts of the district. Smelling of sut and salt, this place has clearly become a dumping ground for unwanted chemicals all.
Kogen and Don leaves the car and enter a large warehouse. I follow after dawning a black mask.
" you're boss wouldn't want this, trust me." I hear embolden warnings.
I see Don watching him silently, his face partially covered. A black pistol in hand. His presence menacing, scaring the life out of the poor fellow.
My footsteps echo through the place. kogen abruptly looks in my direction. From the dark I came like a shadow. My face hidden, my movements slow. I arrive before him, tears flowing from his terrified eyes. " thi..." I silence him with my finger. " don't... I couldn't care less about that fat fuck. we don't need those documents but we want it. Do you understand. " I said amicably.
He demeanor portrays surprise soon changing to fear. His leverage has disappeared. understanding my meaning he promptly he betrays himself. Telling us of where he hids the ministors things.
Disappointingly, it is in the hands of his brother which lives far, two districts away. He tells us that in the event he fails to make his daily check in with him, all the documents are to be released to the press. Strange that he would involved his estranged brother so I enquired. Turns out he had hired his brother knowing that he'd not be suspected on account that they'd not spoken in years and hated one another.
Thus we set out for his brothers place. After he made his daily check in of course. Following behind them as we leave the district. I call the 'moving crew'. Giving the green light.
For a long drive I played some Maurice, His album playing over the radio tells the stories of his adventurous youth, young love and anticipated betrayals. Some of it makes me want to cry.
We leave red River behind as we drive down the highway stretching through seemingly endless fields of tall yellow grass and uninterrupted nature. It'd take us near two weeks to arrive in Picallow. I'm hoping there's enough cigarettes for this.
Rain fell to earth on the third day. Giving a chance for kogens car to refuel. The concept is outdated but the engineering is nevertheless extraordinary. You tend to appreciate the work when you knew the world before it.
The rain didn't stop as it beat upon my car for the following two days. Spreading darkness and rustling the grassy field. such a sound reminiscent of horror movies. There had been no adverse weather report recently. This weather came at a shock but the weather has always been unpredictable. regardless of technological advancement. like an unfettered dress it ebs and flows as it pleases.
My mind drifts as I stair at the water droplets falling upon the bonnet, the headlights dimmed drastically under the cover of continuous rain.
Fifth cigarette for the day. My thoughts run on what's being said on the radio. A new provost regurgitating what's already been said five hundred years ago. Screaming about the immanent genesis. Warning of the dangers of not supporting 'the lord'. I can't help but wonder who he's trying to convert. There's no one alive that doesn't know the truth about history.
Tired of the spewing shit, I turnnoff the radio. Leaving myself to ride in the ambiant sounds of this raining nature.
'it gonna be a long drive.'
Sixth cigarette.