I tried to fall asleep but between the scratchy blanket and the spring poking me in the back, sleep evaded me. After the hundredth time tossing and turning, I finally got up to my feet and just sat on my bed.

  Sat on my bed and thought about my life.

  What was I going to do? Escape seemed as impossible as flying back home without a ship, but I somehow had to figure out how to escape the clutches of this crew and survive long enough that the other two crews didn’t kill me first.

  I had to admit being with the Junk Yard Dogs was an adventure, something that had put a bit of sparkle into my life, but I couldn’t help feel this was all just smoke and mirrors to allow me to drop my guard, so they could get what they wanted.

  Shaking my head, I got up and opened my door as quietly as I could. Making my way down the first flight of stairs I heard hymn music coming out of a door to my right; flickering shadows danced under the door and told me to move on. I waited till I was sure no one was coming out of the room before I moved off again and made my way down another flight of stairs.

  I slowed my descent as I heard the unmistakable tones of José.

  “You sure this thing ain’t gonna blow up in our faces?”

  I made my footsteps as light as possible, holding my breath as a floorboard creaked underneath me.

  Shit.

  I held my breath waiting to be found, but when no one came to investigate, I slightly relaxed and continued downward.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “I know this is a big payoff for everyone involved but right now, you have other shit to worry about. Arun from the Laughing Hyenas tried to jump him in the toilets and some military slash mercenary cats tried their best to use our brains to redecorate Jerry’s bar The Office.

  “I thought this a simple mission?” asked José.

  I couldn’t hear any response from the person José was talking to, which could only mean he was on a phone call. Phones had gone the way of every other gadget with the rapidly increased need for human technology. Why have a phone when everyone had a personal computer attached to their wrist that could do the job just as well and more? The only downside was they could be hacked and monitored, which gave rebirth to mobile phones in the underground market.

  Disposable mobile phones or burners as they were called on the underground gave the user a level of security that computers didn’t. They were cheap to buy, easy to use, and disposable.

  “Listen, mi Se?ora,” I know you have huge plans in play here—

  “Come on, the borough’s been going crazy with rumours concerning you, and what you’re planning, I can still remember the last war that ravaged these streets, but if you’re involved in what I’ve been hearing is going to happen, then me and my crew want no part in it. We’re runners, smugglers, collectors.

  “We ain’t hitmen.”

  I continued to creep until I was only inches away from the door; I tried to steady my breathing as I rubbed my sweaty palms down my leg.

  “Also it appears you have a leak in your organisation. Someone told Arun and his goons we were collecting the data-stick, and where they could likely find us, so I would be careful right now who you trust.”

  As the conversation came to an end I had turned and was walking back upstairs when José’s voice caught my attention.

  “By the way, what plans do you have for this ni?o after you get what you want?”

  A chill went through my spine as I stopped in my tracks, while two people casually discussed my fate.

  “Good, because I have plans of my own that involve him, plans I don’t think he’ll like. We’ll see you tomorrow at the meeting point.”

  José fell silent and it left me contemplating my brief future and how I was going to escape before tomorrow’s meeting.