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Calm Before the Storm

   "Today's the last day kid. We'll arrive at the port harbor later at night", Eddie said.

   "You ready?"

   "You bet!"

   Eddie and I took extreme caution as we checked out of the motel. We were constantly looking behind us in case there was someone there. 

   There was a convenience store close to the parking lot of the motel so we bought a bit of things to bring on the road. Water bottles, pre packed sandwiches, and two energy drinks. Eddie bought himself a coffee as well.

   We ate the sandwiches while Eddie drove. We still had a whole day of travelling. But this was the final stretch, and I really felt it. 

   We were getting close.

   Eddie told me to rest up before we get there. I tried my best to relax in my seat but I just woke up and I wasn't really in the mood to sleep. Also I was incredibly nervous. This last day of travelling felt so tantalizing, we were so close to the port harbor yet so far. 

   I was doing my best to relax myself in the car, but my mind was racing at a thousand miles an hour. I just kept thinking of different scenarios of what might happen when we get there. 

   My breath became faster, I felt like the seatbelt was choking me. It felt like I was being constricted. I was still trying my best to calm myself down. 

    "Eddie?" I call out meekly. "Can we maybe pullover? I just need to pee"

   Once Eddie found a good spot to pullover, he stopped the car. I hopped out and took a deep breath in. When I woke up earlier I was fine. I don't understand why I have to freak out at times like this. 

   "You good kid?" Eddie asked.

   "Yep, just give me a moment" I reply. I had to get my s**t together, this was the last stretch  I can't be wasting time now when we were already this deep in what we were doing.

   I think it was a stroke of luck that I was able to fall asleep after awhile. For the first time in many days, I dreamt of nothing. Everything was just black, I was vaguely conscious that I was dreaming, it was weird yet somewhat peaceful. 

   The nightmares about Head Hunter have been a pain in the ass recently so it was a change of pace that I kind of appreciated.

   When I woke up, it was already dark out. It felt like I only closed my eyes for a bit. Before I even looked out the window I already felt it. We had the windows down and the cold winds greeted us as we arrived. 

   The wind brought a weird briny smell. It was unmistakable we have arrived at the port harbor.

   Eddie told me that since we were only be staying for two days tops we would be treating ourselves. He checked us in a relatively nice hotel. Compared to the shady motels that we've been staying at, this might as well be the Four Seasons hotel as far as I know. 

   At first I thought Eddie was f*****g with me. I thought we were tight on our budget. But apparently this was money he  already had stashed away, even before our past month of working part time. He brought that money in case of an emergency and according to Eddie since we were about to go on another incredibly death defying mission, might as well enjoy the night before.

   And the night after if we're lucky enough.

   When we entered our room I thought to myself "man we are balling tonight". The beds were so comfy, the bathroom was nice, and the view outside was beautiful. It was a view of the harbor at night, the distant lights of the ships was so beautiful.

   Eddie stepped out for a bit. He told me he was going to get us some stuff from the convenience store. While Eddie was out, I took the opportunity to enjoy myself in the bathroom. 

   I got the bathtub all nice and warm and soapy. I prepared my robe that I got from the closet. As I lay in the bathtub I knew, this was what it was like to live large. Now I want this kind of life. Once all this s**t gets sorted out, I'm gonna work my hardest to live a life like this.

   If I could talk to the me from two or three years ago he wouldn't believe that I be experiencing this now. For most people checking in a hotel like this was probably something that happened when they're on vacation or something. 

   But to me that has never experienced anything nice in my life. This was nice.

   After I got done with my bath, I got dressed. But I still liked the robe so I kept it on. Eddie was already here and he bought chips and sodas for the both of us. Apparently he also ordered room service for the both of us. 

   The day started off s**t but I was genuinely happy, for the first time in a long time.

   The room service burgers were good. But they definitely went down for me once I saw the price. As much as I give Eddie s**t for liking those stale ass burgers that he buys from that fast food place. Those burgers were beginning to feel like home.

   We discussed our game plan. 

   It was a bit daunting. We pretty much assume that as soon as we arrived here, Head Hunter already knew we were here. So with that in mind Eddie thought of a plan that was very, very risky but if we could pull it off correctly we might live to see another day. 

The hotel was located relatively near to the port harbor. If we were both headed there to infiltrate it they would already know by the time we get there. So Eddie proposed that I'd go on ahead and that he would create a distraction with the doormen and security guards.

A large enough diversion would draw a crowd around the hotel. I could use this to slip away. Also since we're planning on a huge distraction, Eddie said that he also wanted it to bring the cops attention to me.

These guys under Head Hunter probably have access to the police radios so with this distraction I could definitely get in without getting caught. 

Eddie on the other hand will buy as much time and lead the cops around the city as much as possible. Once he's wasted their time, he'll just use his first form to dash in and follow behind me.

   It was extremely risky, and stupid, and we might as well sign our lives away, but I might as well risk it all if I want to have the life that I yearn for once things are over.

   Eddie and I toasted, this was our biggest  challenge yet. But tonight we feast.