11 Bleed (1/2)

I suppose somewhere in my head I still felt like I couldn't die. I feel like a lot of teenagers develop that mentality. As a teen in high school and even going into college it's hard to imagine your own death. It's hard to think past the weekend let alone far enough into the future to even consider death.

With the pull of a trigger my life changed. The same went for Johnny. It could have easily gone the other way for us back in that garage. Hell, with all the bullets flying it's amazing we didn't die. I guess that could be traced back to Johnny's stupid luck if you happen to believe in that kind of stuff.

Of course, I didn't feel lucky. I felt scared. Scared and very mortal. It was a wakeup call for me that we all bleed. We all bleed and we all die. Young or old. Rich or poor. Smart or stupid. We all bleed.

That wakeup call wasn't the only thing I took away from the garage in Chicago. I came away with a guilt id carry for the rest of my life, and nightmares enough to last for the next ten years. Once again, I didn't feel lucky. Just like I stated before however I never stopped to realize that being lucky might mean simply making it out alive. That was another thing I learned during my time with Adal. One last odd thing I learned was how much Adal seemed to genuinely care for Johnny and myself.

On Adal's orders we were taken straight to his house from Chicago. When we finally arrived he greeted us with hugs and fresh tea. Before we could get into any kind of discussion about what had gone wrong Adal was questioning us about our health. He wanted me to go to the hospital for my nose, but I insisted we didn't need to. When he was satisfied we sat down to talk.

”I'll start”

Adal began sipping his tea. He sat across from us in a straight back chair in a black sweater, and khaki slacks. His hair was uncharacteristically messy, and those predator eyes of his held a spider web of red lines.

”I assure you two this situation has not been a walk in the park for me either. Though I'm more than aware it's been harder on you two”

He lowered his tea cup onto his small table in front of us before sitting back up. Actual sadness filled his expression for a moment.

”I never intended for you two to end up in a situation like that. I'm sure you understand that death is only one wrong move away from nearly anyone in this business, however”

I couldn't deny that I was aware of the hazards going into this. It was my own lust for adventure that pulled me in despite the risks, but I'd never admit that to anyone.

”Four of my people in Chicago where murdered. I can tell you exactly who did it too. It's the same person who tried to trap you two”

Adal ran a hand through his hair attempting to tame the wild strands that tried to break away. The sadness was replaced now by a fiercely serious look.

”It was Ricky. Turns out our little loose end had more contacts then we thought. Not so many here in our little town, but he has a little more influence outside of my territory”

Ever since I pulled the trigger in the garage I was alternating between extreme fear and extreme anger. After hearing Ricky's name, I leaned more on the anger side.

”You're telling me that Ricky is still a problem for us?”

Adal nodded and crossed his arms. Johnny stayed oddly still and silent beside me.

”Ricky is still very upset at you two for helping me secure our new contracts, and very upset at me for getting said contracts. Ricky maybe smaller time then myself, but he is what you would refer to as a tweaker. He commits the cardinal sin of using his own supply. This makes him very unpredictable”

”It's not like we didn't understand there was risk involved. In a line of work like this I assumed we would run into people like him”

”Yes of course, but Ricky is different in the fact that he is gunning right for you two. You do well to remember that as you go about your day from now on”

I stopped for a moment considering Adal's words on the subject.

”Adalwolf, are you saying you can't protect us from him anymore?”

”Those words never left my mouth. However, things have changed. You aren't simply children laying low anymore. You're drug runners and you have his men's blood on your hands. People like Ricky operate on the eye for an eye principle. As it stands now you've taken many eyes from him and he hasn't taken a single one from you”

I gave a frustrated noise as the extreme anger swung to extreme fear. Adal stood up and motioned for us to do the same. Johnny followed almost robotic in how stiff his movements where.