“What do you mean I'm out?”

The silence was deafening, as even the unloaders stopped moving with crates in hands.

“Rowan, look, I understand you have been working with Rob the longest. However, As Rob said. You are out,” Dolion said firmly. Having noticed my silence he continued, “You will no longer be receiving any more calls for jobs with us Rowan.” Dolion finally looked away from his paperwork and made eye contact with me. “ok?”

Utter disbelief washed over me, I was both confused and shocked at the fact that I was being let go with no explanation. Dolion knew that too, watching my expression as it went from calm and controlled to something more ugly. Dolion let out a sigh as he motioned towards Rob, “give him the money and knock some sense into him before he does something stupid”.

On que, Rob got up from where he sat and placed an arm around my shoulders, leading me away from Dolion. Outside, Rob gently pushed me out into the ally, watching me as I struggled to catch my balance.

I cautiously turned toward Rob as he stalked his way towards me with his massive six foot figure, causing me to take a step back in nervousness.

“This isn’t fair Rob, you know this.” I complained, taking another step back. I flinched when he raised his arm, thinking he was preparing for a physical warning. Only for it to brashly rub my head.

“Ye know Rowan, fr’someone with a head like yers ye surly can’t see the picture aye.”

“What are you even saying?” I huffed, taking a seat on a nearby trash bag.

Rob didn't say anything immediately, he just took out a pack of his favorite cigars and lighter before giving it a puff. “tis was my idea to toss ye out so don’t ye get sore with what Dolion said.” Rob slowly leaned down toward my eye level before handing me an envelope “Take yer cash Rowan, ye gunna need it”.

“Why?” I asked.

“Why?” Rob questioned, “because It’s not like yer have ye job anytime soon”.

“Why are you dropping me? I’ve worked for you for years. I covered you! I did the grunt work, I kept my mouth shut…” I froze for a second before reality struck me. “You think I killed Dunce, don't you.”

Rob let out a deep sigh as he grabbed a nearby crate and sat beside where I stood. Even when sitting he still towered over me. “Rowan, yer no longer an asset, yer a liability now,” He chuckled darkly before continuing. “If I had thought yer the killer you wouldn’t be talkin, ya scrub” Rob said with a weak smile.

A liability?

“Dolion told me ya had a run’in with those boys’n’blue. They saw yer face. Tis not hard to connect ya with the job last night, more so with yer little stunt with the cones and tape,” Rob explained. “A great idea, but yer made it too easy to see through”.

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So that's why. The cops are out looking for me since I was the only one they actually saw, I thought. A liability, I thought staring at the ground in silence

“The rain covered my tracks though, that’s why we did it during the storm. They have no way of tailing me anywhere.” I desperately countered, “I can wear a mask, I'll go back and do the grunt work, I’ll…” Before I could even finish my case Rob got up from where he sat, giving a last puff from his cigar he said, “Tis final scrub, Tis was a good run with ye.” Before I knew it Rob walked back into the garage, slamming the metal side door behind him.

I punched the brick wall beside me in anger and frustration, ignoring the sharp pain inflicted by the rocky pavement. “Damn it”. My whole situation just got even worse. Once clearing my head, I noticed something gray at the corner of my eye. Looking at the spot where Rob sat lay the stack of cash Dolion deemed necessary for the cost of my services.

With a bruised hand I walked up and retrieved it before leaving the garage behind. Looking at the cash In hand, I was shocked to discover that it was almost twice the amount I had originally expected for the job. A better form of apology than most could ever receive I suppose.

Rob and his crew were the best prospects in making a modest and consistent flow of money in this shithole. Losing those connections was a blow larger than what I can afford right now, and the money I have in hand can only last so long. I can't get a regular job due to not having a record in the system, and doing a heist without a team is far too risky. I looked down at my hands, it’s becoming more hopeless every passing day. What am I going to tell Tristan?

Before I knew it I was past the slums and into a more modernized part of the city. Facing the place I hated visiting the most. Nevertheless, whenever I'm at my lowest my feet always tend to bring me here. Without my consent.

“Why am I even here?” I grumbled.

The hospital was white and decently sized with a good amount of greenery surrounding it. The building was located a few blocks past the slums, in an area recently renovated for the ever growing city. Entering, a small petite woman who sat behind the front desk greeted me.

“Well I'll be damned, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes” The secretary said.

Rolling my eyes and walking past her, I made my way over to the doorway where the stairs were located. Before I was able to push the door open the secretary took it upon herself to remotely lock it. With a click, the magnetic locks fell into place causing me to spin around to face her irritating smirk.

You think you’re so smart, huh.

Walking in the opposite direction, I made my way to the elevator and pressed the up button and waited. “You know he’s been wanting to see you for over a year now”, the secretary said from her desk. “Also, where is your sister Tristan? Wouldn’t she be the one dragging you in here?”.

Today was not the day for messing around, so I ignored her. After a few seconds, I heard the elevator touch the ground floor. But oddly enough the doors never opened.

“They aren’t opening!” I heard her yell in glee behind me, "Got myself a new toy since the last time you came, like it?”.

Letting out a sigh I turned around and faced her. She had brown hair and brown eyes that matched with her tanned brown skin which just gave her a single plain pallet. Her all white secretary uniform did her no justice as she sat in her chair, legs on the desk.

“What do you want, Ruby?” I asked, avoiding eye contact.

“You know exactly what I want, then I’ll let you go,” Denise said, crossing her arms in mockery.