I watched as Tristan turned a corner out of sight, allowing me to finally sigh in relief. I was lucky she didn’t notice anything, I wasn’t accounting for the fact she would rummage through my bag this morning. Luckily enough, I had some foresight in having a bag full of “work stuff” to follow my story. A tip out of Ben’s book that I put into use recently.

In recent years, no amount of jobs and work either Tristan or I put in can keep up with the amount Roden demands from his tenants. In reality, It isn’t three thousand paper backs due. It was six thousand. Not wanting to stress Tristan out I took it upon myself to make up for two thirds of the money. Knowing that I looked elsewhere for big payouts.

Tristan, my sister, doesn’t know about how I make my money. She believes that I work at a bar, having pulled some strings from a friend of mine whose father owned one. Tristan has a sense of justice, a trait that always gets her in more trouble than it’s worth. Most say it gives her character, but in our little poverty story It would have her killed. Knowing that, I decided to keep my nightly escapades a secret, for all the good that Tristan is made up of I really can’t see her dealing with dirty money.

I quickly gathered my things and headed out, I’ll have to make an early start If I want to get back home early. Can’t make it back at the same time as last night. Before leaving the bookstore I called home, I first secured the floorboard on top of the windows at the storefront. Only then would I lock the door behind me.

Deciding to take a different path out of the mall I brought my green backpack, along with a couple of trash bags. The hallways in the mall were as murky as they’ve always been. Water slowly dripping from broken pipes overhead along with flaking wallpaper gave a haunted feeling. Dirty furniture lay overturned along the walls, nothing seemed out of place. Good, I thought, giving a small smile amid the faint flickering lights ahead. These unnavigable pathways were all I knew, during my free time I enjoyed exploring. Nowadays there isn’t much I haven’t seen, and less that I haven’t been.

The hallway soon opened up into a small lobby with glass scattered on the floor. Above was a shattered glass ceiling with a rope that fell to the center of the room which I took and climbed. Reaching the top I surveyed my surroundings, hundreds of makeshift shelters lay for miles amid the corroding buildings. In the distance, past the suburbs were a wall of skyscrapers. The start of many grand architectural marvels that make up the city of Redeemer. Taking my eyes off the scene I walked my way to the nearest ledge and started my way down, making sure I didn't drop my bag in the process.

It was around eight in the morning, leaving me a couple of hours to meet up with Rob and everyone else at the garage. It was an hour-long walk to the meetup point, so I had a bit of time to spare. I quickly made my way to the old AC unit where I stashed my “work clothes” and other necessities. I changed clothes, and with the trash bags I brought with me I replaced the tarp that kept everything dry. I had the tarp hang on a nearby clothesline so It can dry out from the rain the day before. Afterwards, I continued on my way.

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Before I knew it two large garage doors stood in front of me that made up one side of a building, between them was a door covered by a security grill. I knocked twice on the metal sheet, a sign that’s short and simple. Rob isn’t one that can remember complicated signage which annoys Dolion to no end.

It wasn’t long before three knocks on the other side echoed back, quickly, I responded with one more knock. Stepping back, I watched as one of the garage doors slowly opened up, leaving only enough room for someone to crawl under. Great, and I just washed these clothes a couple days ago.

Once I crawled through the lights flickered on revealing Rob, Dolion, and a few others sitting on some old steel oil drums. Dozens of crates were stacked up on one side of the garage where two gray vans were parked beside it. Men of varying sizes were unloading such crates and stacking them onto the ever growing pile. Dolion was slouched over some stacked crates which were a makeshift desk, he was busy doing some paperwork beside Rob.

The garage was an old meeting point between Rob, his cousins, and “employees”. It used to be a mechanic shop that was bought out by Rob himself which he used as a cover when planning hits. It still is a vehicle maintenance garage but Rob has been neglecting the whole story, which explains the dusty unrepaired cars on the other half side of this place.

“Alrighty!” Rob said as he clapped his hands together, “Rowan’s here, everyone huddle up so I can start”.

Hearing Rob's voice everyone started their way towards him, but not before grabbing an oil drum to use as a seat. Situated, they all watched as Dolion passed an extremely thick envelope to Rob. “Last night was ye largest job we’ve yer done. Ambitious and risky” Rob stated, Smiling at the heavy envelope in hand. “And with it, come yer larger rewards”.

Opening the envelope for all to see, we watched as Rob took out the whole stack of One Hundred Dollar Northern Bills. “As per usual we’ll split yer amongst ourselves depending on the contribution each of ye gave.” Rob said as he took a few bills from the stack and handed them out, “once ye get yer share get the fuck out”.

An untold agreement between all who work these underhanded hustles. Once a successful job was completed, especially one as large as the one last night. It is imperative that everyone stays low and out of sight, to have things blow over.

These meetings are short with no discussions, no mention of any jobs in the future either. That way if any one of us are caught the next job wouldn’t be compromised. Dolion is in charge of making those calls in the future, to hire anyone whose skills were needed. You receive the call for the job, no requests or put in.

Watching as the once stuffed envelope dwindled after every passing person, It finally was my turn. Everyone else had already left the building, so all who were left were Rob, Dolion, Myself, and a couple of others who were unloading the vans.

Giving Rob my full attention, I watched as he slid out a good thick piece of the stack and handed it to me. It was more money that I have ever seen, I drooled at the thought of what I could do with so much. I slowly reached over to receive it but Rob withdrew his hand along with the cash leaving me confused.

“Before I give it to ya, I just want ye let ya know personally” He began. “Yer out”