011: A Kiss, A Gun, A Promise

The bus had taken us to a huge warehouse situated in the middle of no where. There were thick trees around the huge storehouse that surrounded it in a circle with just a clearing that formed a road to the outside that the

Bus had come from. As we each highlighted the bus, I was able to get a good view of the storehouse. Only then did I realize that we had come alone. The other buses where no where to be seen. The sun was out already, allowing us to see the people who were already waiting for us.

A lot of people were gathered, mainly men with only three women in the midst, amongst which I knew Estella. The men on the other hand were so many, with some carrying bags containing a white substance that my heart knew deeply was cocaine. Amongst the men I recognized an officially dressed Pedro in a black three piece suit, a casually dressed Enrique and Liam whose eyes I met unintentionally.

"I'll kill you". He mouthed off making me stagger a bit in fear. His body was still bandaged up but the way he held his gun in his right hand told me all I needed to know.

It wasn't a threat, but a promise.

"What a fine specimen". Said Maja behind me, I finally averted my eyes from Liam's and instead looked at The person she was speaking about, Pedro.

"Form a line of two!". Ordered Estella the second the last girl, Adriana had stepped down. Immediately we scrambled around to find our lines, and by the reason of highlighting first , Olga and I found ourselves at the front of each lines. I hated being in the front because my eyes would roam around but still find itself somehow meeting that of the man with a murderous glint.

However as soon as we formed the line, The men and woman began walking into the store house, passing a bunch of black cars that were parked which I had only just noticed. They soon disappeared into the warehouse leaving just Estella behind.

There were some chatter as the scene unfolded causing Estella to yell at us.

"Be silent, The boss wants to speak with you all inside so compose yourself, or you risk loosing your heads!".

That was enough to silent us completely. She began walking ahead and we took the initiative to follow behind her. Soon we were walking into the huge warehouse structure. I was marveled by the sheer size of it.

As we entered I noticed how much it resembled a classroom's arrangement- that is without the blackboard. There were at least twenty tables lined up in the warehouse, on it were two big bags of the same white substance, the tables were arranged in a way that faced a bigger table where the men stood. Two men were sat by the table just looking ahead Like a teacher would.

As I stood there amazed, the other girls left me behind and began trooping into the all too familiar place for them. I and Maja watched them pick a table each and almost immediately got to work opening the bags. There were some tools on the table and another bag that contained transparent bags probably used for bagging.

"You both are new here especially ms Stabber here". Pedro, stepped forward and began addressing us, "This is Baghdad's own Coke storehouse where most of our products for this state comes from. Your job is very simple. Try to meet your daily quota and most importantly try not to get high or worse addicted." Pedro explained.

"You might ask why?, well it's simple, A seller never gets high on his products as it leads to addiction. Addiction leads to losses and that is what the Don hates. So it will do you well to try not to... because if you do, your head will cease to be yours, is that understood?". Asked Pedro looking at us but more so at me.

"Yes, we understand!". We replied fast, barely waiting a second.

"Good. You !" He called pointing to Maja, "pick a table and start, but you Miss Stabber, you are called to the front". He ordered. I immediately felt my heart leap all the way to my mouth. My feet took its time to move as the fear engulfed my body completely. Nonetheless feeling all the different eyes on me and catching every single weapon they held, I knew it was better to move my legs. I walked slowly until I got to the table , standing at the center, in front of Pedro.

"How are your wounds?", He asked softly making me look up to him in shock, the minute our eyes met I felt my stomach fall somehow. It wasn't butterflies, but it certainly wasn't far from it. Pedro didn't help me at all when he grabbed my face softly by my chin to examine it. "Are they better?!", he asked again this time more demanding to snap me from my trance.

"Ye.....yea.....yes it is". I replied meekly. That was enough for him to drop his hand and place it back into his pocket.

"Good. Liam wants you dead". He said calmly oblivious to how painful my chest became from the revelation.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I know he wants me dead". I pried my eyes away from Pedro to see Liam Frown while his hand gripped his gun.

"Good. Will you give into his wishes to take your life?". Pedro asked stoic as ever.

I could see Liam chewing his teeth, he was determined to take my life, but was I determined to die?, no I wasn't, and even if I were to die I would rather do on my own terms.

"No, I cannot give him the right to end my life". I said confidently. Liam's anger was through the roof as he began marching towards where we stood all the while cocking his gun. I was immediately alarmed as I watched him get nearer, I immediately looked for solace anywhere, looking for help, but I saw no one moving. Desperate, I sighted a gun, one that hung loosely from Pedro's waist, considering it was at arms length with how he stood I knew it was possible to get it . After all I survived that long With Aunt from my pickpocket Nature. I was quick with my hands and I knew with the adrenaline pumping in my blood, I was only going to get quicker.

I knew I looked too determined when Pedro's stoic nature faltered, he was getting suspicious, I thought. I needed to act fast.

With Liam getting closer I knew I had only one way out, So I went ahead with the plan that had come to to my mind. In one quick motion I closed the distance between Pedro and I by reaching for his face with my left hand and connecting our lips together. Ignoring how soft his lips were against mine, I quickly reached for his gun and pulled it out of his belt. Acting fast, I placed the gun on his head and cocked it.

There was no way in hell that I was dying without a fight.

Bang!