3 All Within Thirty Seconds - Chapter Three

Our work hours were long and miserable as usual, we didn't even have time to drive down YoYo Yummy's and grab some baked goods because our fucking boss was up our asses with shipment lingo and his haemorrhoids, mumbo jumbo. I swear, that asshole loves the sound of his own bland voice, every five minutes it was "I'm working with ya, so get me some money, alright!" or "Jesus! There're more shipments coming in, move your asses!" and, the odd "My Mother could move these faster than you, ladies!" I tell no lie, he called Matt a lady about ten times; I think he has a crush on him, or should I say, her.

If it were up to me, I'd make Matt the boss of this harbour, he worked harder than all of these guys and wanted the best for people who worked here. Most of them were working to feed their families, pay off the mortgage their wife left them or something to do with drug debt; a few of them were casino regulars and Larry had a major cocaine, drug problem. He had a cancer scare a few years back and that made him stop the coke but, old habits come back faster than ever when you get some good news. He didn't have cancer and the doctor said it was a minor flare up, but nothing to be worried about. That's when he hit the coke heavier than ever and ended up here to get enough cash for the hard labour, to follow through with his bad habits.

Most of the guys around here tried to get him off the coke, but, he was a persistent little shit and bumped them all off by telling them how fucking pathetic they were. Now he works on his own with earphones in and goes home alone, no one wants to be that guy, not even me and, i'm the invisible one in most social circles. People always miss me out, they don't choose me as the guy who can get the next round or the guy who can run to the store quick and grab some snacks. I'm the guy you see in the corner doing his own thing, in the corner of your eye; a ghost until you finally catch a glimpse. Which is very helpful in supermarkets or when I'm out and about, people just don't bother me - i'm happy with my invisibility shtick.

I grabbed Matt's bag and put it in the boot, hoping he wouldn't take too long to head out, the boss had called him over and I was a bit uneasy to hear what he had to say, that was so important. The old geezer can talk your ear off if he really wants to, so, naturally I stay away from him just before our shifts end and have Matt collect my pay check. He doesn't mind doing it for me because I always buy him a beer or late night drive-thru dinner - every time he tells me that it's against his workout diet, but, eats his meal and then steals some of my chips after he's done. Although he's a great guy, he is a fast food thief.

"Blane, you'll never guess what just happened?" he called out, jogging over to my jeep and opened the passenger door, grinning from ear to ear like a little kid.

"You alright there, Goldie locks! What did old man winkle say?" flipping on the engine I backed up and turned around, waiting for Matt to disclose the information, as he got on his belt and sorted himself out.

"Well, the assistant shipment manager quit last Tuesday, remember?" I nodded and indicated right. "He said i'm motivated and good on the job, so, if I come in early tomorrow, i'm game for the position!" he smiled, and put his arm loosely around my shoulder.

"It's about time he noticed your impeccable work ethic, congrats, man!" being the inexpressive type, I tried to sound more happy and even cracked a small smile. I honestly wanted Matt to bask in his glory and gain some pleasure from his new promotion.

Most guys at the docks are fucking useless. There's a few who are on the brink of getting kicked to the curb and most of the work is volunteer, get cash and be on your way, you can come back at anytime, but, most guys try to get out of there as soon as possible. It's a hard time on the people who can't get out of their, or just enjoy working with shipments, moving precious cargo and processing fish.

"You know, man. You should try to get up in the world! You're doing well for yourself and I couldn't be prouder but, you're good with people, you know how they work, and can tell what someone's going to do just by looking at them. It's your talent~" he smiled. Being happier than usual, he was saying all this positive and overly complimentary stuff; buttering me up.

"Thanks, man. You're a great guy, and I can't wait for you to beat perry winkle's ass for the manager position, some day.", keeping things casual but sincere, I went through the drive-thru nearby and ordered us some burgers and extra fries, due to Matt being a little touchy with my fries, after he's ate all of his.

Even though Matt and I are similar in a few ways, I can't see my past being something he'd accept. He's a good guy, caring and passionate. But, that makes him a little soft and morally inclined to lay down the law when he sees fit - you don't have to agree or listen; most of the time, i'd tell the guy who spouted shit about the law to fuck off, but Matt is someone I can talk to without issue and it wouldn't feel right to tell him the truth and lose him as an alibi.

After finishing our meal, shakes and lengthy conversation about random shit that was on Matt's mind. I drove him home and said I'd be by in the morning to pick him up, after all, that Russian prick wasn't around. I know what I have to do, even if it's against the law, sketchy and out of my comfort zone; i'll get this guys jobs done and carry on with my life.

Weighing out my options was the hardest part of my current situation, I had Matt, money coming in, a work atmosphere I enjoyed and a feeling of financial stability. Yeah I worked my ass off to make money, every day. I got no thank you in return, I had to shower every night due to smelling like a harbour, and woke up super early; it wasn't all bad, i'd gotten myself out of crime and done something productive and normal the past few weeks. Which felt refreshing, my only problem was that Russian nancy boy - he'd been AFK ever since that break in, I wanted to know his plan.

I parked up for the night, jumping out of the car and locked it; my bag over my shoulder. It was late and I was beat; tomorrow I'd be working up a sweat because, Winkle was being a right dick with how many shipments we were taking in, he made more cash if he took in more - our backs didn't thank him for it but, it gave us a pay at the end of the day.

'I might have a beer, i'm not that tired, though, i'm stuffed. Those burgers and shakes are no joke!' unlocking the door with my key and heading upstairs. I noticed the elevator had been painted, it must have been done after I left for work, my apartment complex isn't fancy but, the elevator needed a fresh lick of paint - lime green wouldn't have been my first choice.

Every time I go up these stairs, I regretted moving into a cheap apartment complex, they are nice and all but, the flights of stairs are annoying after a while. The minute I see my front door I feel a weight be taken off my shoulders, lifting all day, pushing shipments around and doing so for hours, only to be greeted by the stairs from hell - my door starts looking as good as a wife after a long day, I can't wait to get inside. Turning my key I pushed the door open and dropped my bag to the side of the door, before closing it gently. My attention was simultaneously turned to the bathroom, something was moving around in there.

'Did someone break in?'

Closing the door and sliding my key into my pocket; I silently shuffled over to the bathroom and slipped my hand into the cupboard to the right. Freezing momentarily, I realized the crowbar wasn't there and wondered if whoever broke in was waiting for me to walk through the bathroom door, to strike me down.

"You missed my call, little lamb." the familiar accent took me by surprise, the second I went to turn I was grabbed by throat and dragged into the bathroom by some adolescent bodyguard.

"Take your fucking hand off of me!" hitting the kid as he swept my legs and forced me into the bath, holding me down by my throat I watched the one and only psycho, Russian twink version of Rocky pick up the shower hose and hold it in his right hand.

"Why'd you miss my call?" he asked calmly with this look in his eyes from that night -turning the shower on and spraying the water into the shower drain.

"I was at work, I can-" he sprayed the ice cold water at my nose and mouth. 'He's going to waterboard me for missing a call?' struggling, my head was held straight.

"Why didn't you answer my call?" he sounded the same, but he was smirking now.

"Huh… okay! Listen, I was working a long shift and! We don't get lengthy breaks. I didn't hear the phone go, I would have answered, alright!" I wasn't lying and still he sprayed water on my nose and mouth. I tried to move but the little shit holding me was a tough fucker. "Hah!... ugh… what the fuck, I told you, why did you spray me?" coughing and shouting as my head was let go and I took a deep breath - he chuckled quietly.

"Ha, that was for my own enjoyment. You're not upset, are you?" he really pissed me off. "Good! If you miss my call again, I won't give you the luxury of drowning in your own home, understand?" he caressed my cheek before dropping the shower hose into the bath.

"Yeah, I got it. Won't happen again!" pushing my hair out of my face and sitting up. He stared at me for a moment, his eyes always gave this look like he was staring right through me.

"Good, Mouse~ Get some rest and take an early leave from work tomorrow!" the way he talked to me was so creepy, it sounded like he got pleasure from fucking with my life. I wanted to know more about him, he wasn't your usual illegal businessman, the way he looked, did things and took what he pleased - was strange.

Hearing his bodyguards feet gently press into my wooden floor as he walked steadily behind Mr Model, I leaned back against the bathtub and took a deep breath. 'Fuck!' like usual, I had to go and fuck something up. He wasn't the kind of asshole that played around - though he did sexually assault me the first time we met. Waterboarding someone over a missed call is fucking insane, I didn't hear it nor did it have any missed calls when I opened the glove compartment.

'I expected the twink to know where I lived, but, not get in without a breeze. Did he get a key made?' overthinking how he got into my place, I pulled off my shirt and put it in the sink as I got out of the bath; removing my clothes as they'd been soaked. 'I must be careful. If he for a second thinks i'll give him the satisfaction of killing me - he's fucking wrong!' sighing as I walked out of the bathroom naked, I headed to the kitchen and opened the fridge grabbing a beer.

Picking myself up after years of stealing, stalking and making a living by selling those goods. I got out of it, I had a good thing going with Matt, we were work buddies and got along great. If I was ever in a tight spot, he'd help me out and be there for me without a doubt; why did I enter that house, why did I meet him and get stuck in this situation? I've robbed people blind but, I don't deserve this shit. No matter the crime, I shouldn't be made an underling to a Russian wannabe gangster with no respect for anyone but himself. Tonight seriously went to shit, all within 30 seconds of me walking through my front door.