Rows of desolate buildings move faster and faster by us. I throw my head back, letting out a long breath.

Bloody Christ on a spike...

The aftermath of the drugs is kicking in, the last stretch and the jump were mostly thanks to the inhaler. But the combination wears off fast, and without it, an immense pain as if my lungs are old gunny sacks ripping itself open. Muscle soreness all over my body are all a hassle to deal with later.

But a familiar ecstasy surges around my chest, it's almost euphoric. And it made all the pain inconsequential for a moment, the kick of attending the impossible just to barely walk out, the rush of surviving.

I check if any shrapnel or stray bullets got me and find none, save for a wood chip on the back of my palm and a big hole ripped through the shoulder pad and the fabric above the pockets on my jacket. Even the 45 is still in its exterior pocket.

That should be enough to prove god is not fair nor just. Otherwise I'd be dead 5 times in the last 15 minutes.

I check the chamber and magazine to see if there's any damage before releasing the slide back and strapping it on my waist. I turn around and see Vera lights a cigarette in her mouth, brown eyes as clear as if it never changed.

She holsters the modified .40 back on her waist by crossing her right leg on the left in the crank space. While doing so she noticed half of the leather gloves turned white with hundreds of small worn-out cracks spreading like an ever growing tree branches. She sparsely closed her brows together while rubbing them.

"Your favorite pair?"

"No, but I liked it." She curl a smirk and took them off. Stuffing the once fine leather in the trunk.

"So......" Viviane lengthened the word to an unnecessary degree before inquiring. "Is anyone going to explain why y'all never called to update me this whole time?" I can see her raising her brow in the rear view mirror.

"They kept mine while confiscating."

"Mine must've felt off on the staircases." Vera takes a drag and leans the smoke by the cup holder on the door.

"Figures...Feels like I missed a whole lot." Viv complains while pulling the seat lever but it doesn't botch. I let out a cackle.

"Not much honestly, all went accordingly. Save that brick wall was taller than it looked in a binocular......." With a loud squeak, the lever is pulled upright and the driver's seat almost slams down on my face.

"Ohhh right. You looked like some Olympic champion." Viviane sang with a smile hung by the edge of her lips. Pretty sure I'll fail the drug test.

Vera puffs out a trace of white smoke, and the car's filled with the pleasant smell of burned Virginia tobacco. As she rolled the window down to dust off the ashes, doing so showed a small hint of stained blood on her neck while the rest were blocked with the black wool coat collar.

Which reminds me.....

"By the way. What happened after I jumped out of the window? I heard a.... series of screams." The older sister knitted her brows for a single second before she remembered what I'm referring to.

"I was in a hurry and couldn't finish the job." She said with a hint of disappointment in her tone and eyes. "But he can never walk again." I let out a hum and dust off small pieces of rumbles on my jacket collar.

"Sounds sufficient enough to me. Those guys made my ears bleed with those cracked riffles.... And whatever the hell kind of tongue that was. I was nodding my head like a woodpecker to whatever they say until you kill the light."

"Hey, who were those guys exactly?" Viv asks while accelerating past a lone, white mini van by the fast lane. The edge of Euforia is visible at the far-stretched end of the highway.

"I thought I told you a week ago at the market didn't I?" Didn't I?

"Nah. That was my sis. You know, it's kind of fucking rude to mistake us." Viviane hisses with her pursed lips and exaggerated expression visible on the rear view mirror.

"I wasn't at the market that day Viv. You were." Vera slowly exhales a long breath of smoke as she states the alibi.

"God damnit. Okay, I forgot alright?" The younger sister turns the mirror toward Vera, giving her an idle look while mumbling something about 'lack of solidarity'.

I roll down a seam on my side of the window, letting some fresh air in. The tin box smelled of sweat, gun powder, nicotine, overaged leather and I couldn't stand the last.

"Well. Short version, they were in the army, then defected to PMC for oligarchies in Eastern Europe, when that didn't work out as they imagined, they switched to arms dealing. Those Bulgarians are cockroaches that everyone wants to stomp on but none succeeded. About three months ago, they came to Faust to try their luck. Last week, they strike a deal with the mob which ended very badly....."

"Folks died?" Vera asked with a mild interest in her tone while cleaning the mess on the left side of her neck with a handkerchief from god knows where.

"Yeah. Lots of them. The mobs were to sell them few craters of rifle in exchange for bearer bonds those roaches couldn't handle. Problem was, the guns are..."

"Prehistoric trash," Viv states plainly. Vera makes nothing of it.

"To put it mildly. And either they weren't happy with the merchandise or they were setting the mobs up from the get-go. The good people of Nach were furious, but they already got a full plate of problems with the Qins...."

"So they found you again."

Vera says in a dry tone. The train station at the far east of Little Italy appeared for a second under the dozens of highways overlapping each other, as the giant billboard with the words 'Welcome back to Faust' come to view at the exit, though the last syllabus had a big X on it and 'suckers' graffitied under them.

"And I found you two again." A twitch happens on the edge of the cleaner's eye as the last lamp light on the highway momentarily lights up her face through the sunroof.

"But for the record. I swear to all that is holy, I'll never, ever do this blackout shit again. In fact, I'm going to sleep with lights on tonight just because I can." Vera let out a hearty laugh resting her elbow on the door and leaning her head in her palm.

"Long is the way and hard, that out of dark leads up to light." She recalls in a playful tone while the driver roll her eyes.

***

Viv parked the car at the ghetto by the lanes. We cleared all the personal belongings and possible evidence off before Vera stuck a No.73 on the engine and pulled the pin. The thing went off ten seconds later, a blaze from within shattered its glass and swallowed the car and a pair of leather gloves.

It was just past four in the morning, Vera straight up refused to have a drink this time since the blood stains all over her coat were pretty noticeable under light, I concur in lack of wallet. Naturally, Viviane was as glooming as it gets.

Half an hour later I crash on their couch for the night as suggested, and I was too tired to dream.

The next day I wake up to severe muscle pain as expected, what's not, is seeing Viv poking the black case I'd gone through hell to acquire. Vera's sipping coffee on the left end of the counter, her eyes not bothering it a glance but I felt like I saw something in them, an impulsive emotion, close to anger but not quite..... I shake my head and categorize it on chemical's side effect fucking with my brain.

"If you fellas want to jack it just know that our employer is a sadistic fuck.....and I want a cut." My voice sound disturbed and gruff as I slowly got up from the sofa.

"Morning."

"Afternoon." They said in union as I check my watch. 2:09 pm

I made my way over to the kitchen and grabbed an empty mug on the table, raising it towards Vera who does the same to me. With permission, I opened the faucet.

"So," Grabbing a stool by the kitchen counter, I ask. "What were you doing?"

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I want to take a look." Viviane exclaims while jumping her gaze between me and Vera.

"You'll get your share, Viv. I'll make sure of it when I turn it to the Russkies right? Don't worry." I chug down the mug of water in my hand as my throat stings simultaneously.

"Yeah, yeah...half of what you get right? But aren't you curious about how much is in here." I massage my eyes and shoot Vera a distress signal, she shrugs. I let out a sign.

"From what I've heard.......positively more than 1.2 million worth of bonds." I answer reluctantly as Vera puts down her coffee and the younger sister sits motionless, staring at the suitcase.

Black leather surface and handle, adorned with silver edges and corners. Three plugs by the left side for unknown purposes. Two glinting metal file locks by the sides of the leather handle.

"Lee," Vera calls as she gets off the stool and walks by the suitcase as well.

"Just open the damn thing would you?" She said, dragging her line of sight to stare directly at me like a tank turning its barrel. The edge of her lip is slightly lengthened, the faint sign of black eye tells she hasn't done her morning routine after waking up, and her sharp brown eyes see things as clear as ever. They convey a calm demeanor but not quite like Enzo's, hers are much more steady.

Screw it. At audience's request.

I place my thumb on the cold lock hinges as Viviane wordlessly squeezes next to me and Vera leans her back on the counter with her head turned at the suitcase as well.

The locks release with a metal colliding 'clunk' by a slight push it's amazing it wasn't accidentally opened during the ruckus last night, I thought to myself.

I gave the twins a quick glance and finally, with a pull on the handle I open the suitcase.....

"What the hell?"

I'm not sure if that was me or Viv who has the face of one of those screaming statues of Ancient Greece. Her mouth was apart, eyes wide open, squints and wide open again. Vera ain't much better, her left eye bags twitched for more than once before shut tight for a moment, though unlike Viv who's in shock, hers is closer to disappointment. Those two are the composed ones, as for me... Fuck!

"Isn't that your...."

"It's a vinyl player," Vera says. I felt like my tinnitus was coming back.

An empty platter, carbon fiber tonearm, cartridge attach to the stylus, couple of turners by the side for whatever the fuck they're for, a pitch control next to the play button.

"No built-in speakers, that's good." Vera adds after walking a circle around it.

"Lee....did you grab the wrong case?" Viviane asks with a sullen and deep voice. Eyes drilling a hole in the full black interior of the suitcase.

"No, it was the only one in the room. And I have spent an extra fucking minute in the dark making sure it's the one Pytor described!" I lashed out and closed the case before I smash it. Viv kicks back the counter and gets off the stool, burying her face in her palms while walking aimlessly in the living room. Honestly, I want to join her.

"Do the Russians have a thing for records?" Falling on the sofa where I slept, she asks hopelessly. "You know.... The kind that would...."

"You will buy it." Vera, who's been quiet this whole time utters with a matter-of-fact tone.

Tabbing the leather surface of the case she states.

"What’re you talking about?"

"You agreed to split whatever we get. And since all we got is the record player, you're going to buy off the half that belongs to me and Viv." She's almost commending as her voice adds a weight unlike her usual intone. So are her eyes, reading her eyes had become easier after all these time, and right now the cold glint in them are not for show.

I inhale and exhale, thinking back at the whole thing and as hard as it was, I reach to the conclusion that I owe it to them. It was me who fucked up.

"How much?"

***

We settled on 50 large. I took the cursed attache case and left with the promise of brining the money tomorrow. To which, Vera gladly agreed.

I took a cab, went home, threw the record player on my porch, and went to the third floor. Hours later my knuckles were as red as ripe fruit and a couple of small cuts from rips on the punching bag, but I wasn't feeling better. Though I had a more pressing matter to worry about, Pytor called just when I got out the shower.

Forty minutes later I meet the fellas on second floor underground of Icebreaker. With two puffs of inhaler and a last-minute drink by Yulia's courtesy, I told them I screwed up in the most believable and detailed way, save for the record player. I told them there were no suitcases of description, and I can't understand a single word coming out of those sons of bitches mouths.

What's strange is they act like it's no surprise. Pytor looks pretty upset though.

"это сделать, то." He waved aimlessly at the seated members on the board table. Igor, who was silent this whole time strides out of the room as soon as Pytor finished the sentence.

"не пропустите вечерние газеты через два дня, девчонки!" He exclaimed at the door with a grin.

I shoot Ivan a confused look, he returned with a nod to confirm my suspicion. Three black vans will take the eastern highway to ghost town in two days, paying them a friendly visit. The whole meeting lasted 15 minutes and naturally I got jack shit. Naturally as well, I went back to Yulia and drank myself to oblivion.

The next morning, I woke up in the first-floor bathroom of my apartment with less of a headache than yesterday. Still, the itch in the back of my head still bugs me, reminding me how absurdly I fucked up. Thinking back on all the little details before the blackout I still can't see any other possibilities.

If not in the box then where was it? And if not in the box, why would they tried their damn hardest to hunt me down?

By the drive of anger, humiliation, and simply couldn't stand a fucking monument of my fuck up in my house. I was going to sell it at Vieja tórtola, but a beep by the porch drew my attention. Opening the cabinet, I switch on the cams. Vera's standing at my doorstep with a cardboard box in her hands.

She got a wayfarer shade which contrast her pale skin in a good way. Oddly, she's not wearing her wool coat, but a blended skinny scarf over a white crop sweater and jeans. As weird as the pairing, she's still stepping on the same red bootie.

I need to change my gate lock. I thought while opening the door.

***

"Oh. There it is." Vera's eyes jump around my apartment before stopping at the case, and the edge of her mouth rises. "I was worried you had sold it." She jokes and put the old cardboard box on the coffee table.

"I was about to, though I'm not sure if I could get a price as good as your bargain." I toned sarcastically as I climb upstairs to disarm the alarm about to go off and get the fat envelope.

"I'm glad you didn't." She smiles with her teeth out, god her smile still gets on my creeps sometimes. "Otherwise, I've wasted lots carrying this thing across the city." She sat on the couch and nodded at the cardboard box with tapes wrapped around the wrinkles preventing it from crumble, on the side there was a small marker that had faded over time, it looks like a number.

I put the envelope on the table, by the box and sat down next to her. As she takes the envelope from the table I open the cardboard box, accompanied by the smell of mold and ashes, is a bundle of vinyl covers.

I turn and raise my brow, to which she returns with a shrug. "I thought they would be of better use at your place instead of gathering dust."

"These are all yours?" I ask while going through the records. Most of them are from the 60s and the amount is quite astonishing.

"Part of mine. I can't bring all of them by myself." She sits back, leaning her head on the couch.

"Never knew you're an enthusiast." Vera let out a small cackle.

"Was.....I only remembered having them after seeing yours." Her slender fingers brush through the unorganized pile, stopping from time to time upon a particular one. Her eyes seemed quiet. My brows knitted before I notice.

"I'm not used to see you being sentimental." She frowns while smirking at my comment.

"Am I? I'll have you know I'm not a fan of reminiscing or nostalgia." She announced while tilting her index finger at my forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot, Viviane said she forgave you." A small shiver ran down my spine before I chased it away.

"For messing up the work?"

"For yelling," Vera states and raises her thumb... "And denies a drink with her two nights ago." I almost choke on laughter while Vera raises her index finger.

"For the first reason, I'm deeply ashamed despite being pissed at the time," I raise my thumb mimicking her. "For the second one." I raise my index finger. "I would like it to be known. It's never just 'a drink' with her. And I didn't want to end up in the middle of nowhere while the employer calls."

Vera tilted her side of the brow, as her eyelids unnoticeably lowered, narrowing her eyes.

"And how did that go?"

"As expected. They're a bit dissatisfied and decided to torch ghost town alongside the Bulgarians as they did Moscow." Vera stares at the cardboard box she brought for a moment, can't read her face, she was going to say something but didn't. Instead, she sits back and bends her right arm above head while the right pushes it.

Pale skin leads the stretch of her sweater as she does so. Her arms are the same color as her face save some aged scars and stitch marks that made the tissues around it glisten.

"So what's up with the get up? Stewardess selection or you're going out for a walk later?" I ask jokingly while not having a single clue.

"It's hot today." She answers dryly with a nod. Honestly, that's more plausible.

"Well, my work's done. Sadly, I can't stay for long. I have some other business to attend to." She signed and deliberately got off the sofa with her hand on handle.

"Too bad. We were just getting to know each other." I drag a melancholy smile on my face and get off the couch to see her out.

"All the more reason for me to leave."

With a hand holding the envelope, Vera made her way past the porch and opened the door. The second she's leaving, a sense of Deja vu hits me. Might be the way she walk or the scenario playing out just the same as the first time we met. After finding the similarities in these events, a chuckle escapes my throat.

Vera stop and turn her head around on the spiral staircase down. Her inquiring brown eyes dip into hazel under the lamplight by my doorstep.

"No worries, just..... feel like you always find me in the strangest timing." She stops for a moment, completely stops. Thousands of emotions ran through those eyes as her lips opened and closed. Her line of sight darts to the side and back. And then, Vera let out a smile, almost sarcastic but it did draw a faint crow's feet by her eyes.

"Likewise." She said, a bit mischievously, and a touch bitter. Before walking down the spiral stairs, red boots on old wooden stairs pen no sound.

***

The Bulgarians was resolved as expected but Igor's man didn't find anything of note. No signs of bearer bonds either, guessing they've moved it right after the arms deal.

I pay uncle a visit later that day nonetheless, to get a set of speakers half the market price. Since the record player cost me a fortune, I might as well make the most of it. In the next few days, I go through all her records since I needed a break after the last job. I started adding mine to the bunch afterwards. Viviane joked about how I spent 50 thousand to pick up a hobby.

Ivan laughed his ass off the first time he saw the thing, calling me a pretentious hipster. To which I got nothing to retort.

The thing I find hilarious is, Vera got back in records a week or so later.