Blood 4 Blood

Start

Cold and wet. That is the only way to describe the streets of Seoul. The beautiful night sky is tainted by the ugly colors of the city lights. Or at least that's what Niki thought. As she leans against the cold wall of a 24/7 convenience store. Her dark figure was illuminated by the neon red lights of the open sign above her. Puffing out smoke, she once again brings the white stick towards her lips, breathing in deeply as she inhales. Before simply breathing out again, “You know smoking kills right.” The girl glances at the boy beside her. His naturally dirty blonde hair and tan complexion made him stand out as much as her olive one. To the outside world, they simply looked like two foreigners on holiday. But if only they knew the circumstances of their being here. The boy takes a long sip of his drink. “One day, you’re going to find a guy and I hope to god that he can get you to stop that awful habit.” The girl simply glances at the boy, as he continues to sip on his drink. “You know that energy drinks can kill you as well, right.” The boy halts his actions looking at the girl, with a raised eyebrow. “I know but at least I won’t have to suffer through lung cancer. I will die in a matter of minutes.” Niki lets out a scoff of disbelief at the boys' logic.

‘Hypocrite’

She thinks to herself.

Niki pushes herself from the cold convenience store walls. Straightening out her clothes, she pulls her hat deeper onto her head, making sure to hide her eyes. Sighing, she pulls her mask over her mouth and nose, making sure to show the bare minimum of her face.

“Let’s go”

“See you at the club.”

Separating the two heads in the opposite direction. Niki shakes her head. Turning to head down the next street.

‘Stumble. Stumble. Giggle.

Stumble. Stumble. Giggle.

Bump.

“Sorry.”

Nice a phone and watch.’

The girl continues her drunken performance. Bumping into people. Being a stumbling, giggling mess. Suddenly, the girl straightens up, as she enters an empty alleyway. Opening a door, the girl is suddenly consumed by flashing neon lights and loud music. Pushing her way through the masses of sweaty body. A buff man, wearing plain black, glances down at the girl as she stops in front of him.

“I’M WITH LUCAS!”

She yells at the man, hoping he can hear her. The taller man looks over to the boy in question. Lucas simply nods. The bouncer opens the rail for her to enter. Earning her some jealous glances from the girls that tried to get into the VIP section.

“Hey!! Niki back early?”

Lucas says removing his arm from the two girls on either side of him.

“Left you alone for a few minutes and you’re already jumping on some girl’s wagon.”

Niki removes her hat, letting her short black hair down in the process. She runs her hand through it, making it fall into place perfectly. Removing her jacket. The mass of stolen watches that litter the girls’ arms is revealed, not even surprising the boy anymore. Handing her a medium-sized paper bag, the girl starts to remove the goods from her arms. “The rest are in the pockets of my jacket." She says, handing the boy her jacket. Lucas sticks his hands into the jacket's pocket, pulling out five phones from each. “Only Ten?” “No, there’s more on the inside.” Walking into the bathroom, the girl starts to remove her black hoodie, her oversized black t-shirt falling out.

Sighing as she finished redressing herself, the girl stared at her figure in the dirty mirror. Her skull t-shirt reaches mid-thigh, hiding her black shorts beneath it. Her black thigh-high boots start where her t-shirt ends. The girl gives herself one last look over before picking up her bag and walking out. Pushing her way past all the dancing bodies, she makes eye contact with Lucas, nodding her head off to the side. The boy excuses himself from the group of girls that surrounded him. Earning the girl some jealous glares again. Stopping in front of the girl, the boy gives the girl a disapproving once-over. “Revealing much?”, Lucas addresses his younger friend. “Setting appropriate.” The girl retorts. Causing the boy to scoff in annoyance. Silently the two walked, alongside each other. Stopping in front of a large brown door. Two buff men in black guarding each side. "We have an appointment," Lucas says, showing the men a QR code. The man on the left scans the code, the light of his watch flashing green. “He’s been expecting you.” The man says. The man opens the door, and the inside of the room is dimly lit.

Stepping inside, Nikki notices that the room is rather bare. Only a few things stand here and there. A potted plant on either side of the door. A few random paintings decorated the wall. A large drawer on the left side of the room next to the window. The other side of the room was bare, except for the large couch that stood against the matte plum-painted walls. "Lucas, how are you?!”

Jackson Wang was one of the sketchiest men in Seoul. The Chinese American man is known for having friends in shady places. How Lucas knew him was still a mystery to the girl, but she trusted him enough that if he was willing to do business with him, he had to be okay.

“Hyung, it’s good to see you again.” Lucas greets the man. “Please, take a seat.” The man mentions you both to sit down. “I see you brought company this time." Jackson gives the girl a look over. Her face was void of any emotion. "How are you dear?" The man asked. The girl doesn't answer. Instead, she stares the man dead in the eye. "In the bag, there are 25 phones and 30 watches and 5 iPods, and 1 wireless charger.” The girl says not entertaining the man opposite her. “Well, aren't you just charming?" He opens a drawer, pulling out 4 stacks of cash. “Here’s your money. It’s clear to see you’re here for business and nothing else.”. ‘You think I’m stupid? You want me to give you the value of those or….?" The man sighs, reaching back into the draw and pulling out 3 more stacks. "These are second-hand." The man says. “iPhones aren’t cheap. Even secondhand ones.” Lucas says chucking. “Well, until next time Hyung, it was good doing business with you.”