Chapter 50 Making Money (1/2)

Laz stopped thinking about Malene almost as soon as he left the store. As far as he was concerned, she was just a immature girl. Laz didn't have any thoughts about himself being some mature grown up, but he also wasn't ignorant. He felt like Malene could best be described as a small furry animal, like a bunny. Sure, it could bite you, but it wasn't about to go stark raving mad and try to kill you.

At least not normally. Although currently, even Laz had to admit that the world was far from normal.

As for scarring her, he didn't feel bad about it. If anything, he would blame whoever raised her for allowing her to grow up in a green house, protected on all sides from the wind and the rain. Only once someone was challenged, could they find real growth. Laz had been a part of the wide world before his parents dropped him off here, in the middle of nowhere, to live with his Grandpa.

In some of the places he had been, girls like Malene would have been taken advantage of long ago. Since she was going to have to face the world from the outside from now on, he might as well do her this one favor and let her understand that there is actual danger in the world. It might save her life.

As far as anything else went? That was her problem.

Walking along down the street, Laz quickly came upon the pool hall and walking past it, he turned down the alleyway where he was suppose to meet with Kennedy. He was right on time for their meeting.

Strangely though, he didn't see her in the alley.

It wasn't some sort of dark and dismal place that was littered with trash and smelled bad. That kind of alley was reserved for deep inner city and Hollywood movies. It was just somewhat dark with only an overhead street lamp that dimly lit the area. The back was blocked off by a chain link fence that served as a deterrent to someone using it as a short cut, but other than a dumpster and a few trash cans that probably belonged to the coffee shop and the pool hall, it was pretty empty.

Walking back into the deepening darkness, Laz focused himself and sent his sense ability flowing outward. He could make out a range of almost 30 meters now in a circle so if Kennedy was around, he would find her.

Strangely, he noticed her aura was coming from in the pool hall. She was standing in front of a locker on the wall that ran parallel to the alley and was taking something out of it. After closing it up and locking it, she made her way to the door that would bring her right next to him.

As she walked out the door, Laz was able to get a clear view of her, despite the lack of light. She had a handbag that wasn't really a purse, but wasn't like a backpack. It was something that would look nature for either a guy or girl to have, which considering her tastes, wasn't natural.

She also basically had on a bunch of dark clothing and was wearing a somewhat tight fitted petty coat. The whole get up reminded Laz of a female spy. She couldn't stand out more if she tried. In a similar sense, she blended in quite well with the surroundings and didn't look anything like a teenage girl.

'Maybe this was intentional?' Was Laz's thought.

Without making a sound, he walked up to her as she turned to face him.

”EEPPP!” Kennedy couldn't help but be surprised.

'Did she just eeppp?' Laz actually thought it was somewhat cute.

”Damn it, couldn't you have at least said something?” Kennedy said as she took a deep breath.

”It's not like you didn't know I was out here somewhere,” Laz responded, his meaning indicating their resonance.

”Well it's not like I know you're standing right behind the god damn door now do I?” Kennedy shot back before walking over towards the dumpster.

”What now?” Laz asked, looking up and down the alley.

”Now, I wait and see.. If my buyers are interested, they will show up, tell me what they want and pay on the spot. I send out one message each week for whatever time and date I do this, so it's up to them to show up or not. After that, I leave what's left and the money in the locker. At some point, someone will pick it up, leave a new stash and my cut and we repeat to process. Simple right?”

Now Laz was convinced this was some sort of spy movie and almost felt like looking around for hidden cameras.

Kennedy, noticing his actions, couldn't help but giggle.

”It's not what you think. The less a handler touches the goods and the cash, the less problems there will be. Unless I need something special, I don't want to store this stuff anywhere near me. Afterall, this kind of business is like a bomb. It's going to blow up at some point, it's just a question of when and if you will make it out ok.”

Laz was a bit surprised. From the sounds of it, she didn't seem to enjoy doing this.

”Then why?” He couldn't really voice the question, so he just asked what was in his head.

”We don't have a choice sometimes, do we?” Kennedy looked up and stared straight into Laz's eyes, and he could feel the pain she had inside, reflected in those shimmering irises. He had seen this kind of pain in others before, but he had no idea what to do or say about it. Inner demons aren't something that can be solved by others.

”As for you, go make yourself scarce, but keep an eye on me and on the street if possible. I don't like surprises. Even though the cops in this town are about as useful as sunglasses as night, it doesn't mean they are complete idiots.” Kennedy said, waving Laz away.