CHAPTER 1
The night air smelled of rust and gasoline. A single flickering streetlight cast a weak glow across the cracked pavement outside the warehouse, the only source of light on the lonely street. Parked nearby just under the light, a black sedan idled, its low growl filling the silence. Three men in dark coats stood by the rear bumper, smoking, their shadows stretching long against the wall of the warehouse looming like a blackened giant against the skyline.
On the hood of the car, sat a steel briefcase, it's polished look, a twinkling, reflecting the little light the streetlight had to offer, silver and clean against the dirt and decay of the neighborhood, taunting anyone desperate enough, in this case Riley, from her position, she could see it, the case; inside; cash, bundles and bundles of it.
Across the street, behind a broken rundown van, abandoned, rusted, its paint peeling, windows spidered with grime, begging to be used for scrap, Riley his, crouched down watching and planning her move, She'd been there for about half an hour, carefully planning and drafting out her entry and escape route, observing for the slightest change in situation. Luckily for her, they hadn't been any.
'1,2,3' she counted the 3 men, the only present obstacle to her swimming in sweet, sweet cash, she'd already started planning how she'd spend her cut. They chatted in Italian, laughing long and hard. "Good. They aren't looking."
She tied up her blonde hair in a bun, adjusted her jacket, hood, checked her lace ensuring ntn was off, she had done small jobs like this before, pickpocketing, quick lifts, jam and scram but this had a different feeling to it, the air seemed unusual, her gut telling her something was wrong somewhere, though her heart hammered with a mix of nerves and thrill, she was gonna do it anyways
She peeked out again, all sense in her sharp and alert. The men were still oblivious,
Well even if something did go wrong, I could take out the three of them right??? She thought to herself "f**k, don't jinx yourself"
The street was still. The wind carried the faint clatter of a loose sign and the buzz of the old street light. Perfect.
“Alright,” she whispered to herself, steadying her breath. “In and out.”
Then From behind the vehicle, she crept. Her breath was shallow, eyes locked on the case. Light on her feet, like a ghost, she was fast, small, and desperate, one step, two steps, everything that made her dangerous, but also reckless. She pulled the hood of her jacket lower, whispering to herself 'just grab it, just grab it and run
She darted forward, in one swift motion, she grabbed the handle, her heart pounding, it was hers, she spun to run, then.....
HEY!!!
A thick arm grabbed her by the jacket, 's**t' she muttered under her breath, she twisted, driving her elbow straight into the man's throat, he stumbled back, dropping his cigarette. Another man charged at her, but she slammed him hard on the face with the briefcase, he fell to the ground, the third man smiled, pulling out a knife, advancing towards her, he slashed, but she ducked low, sweeping him off his feet
'Bam' he landed on the ground, hitting his head in the process, "AHH" he cried out in pain, Riley didn't flinch, her eyes, blazing with fire, she was hyperventilating, still at alert, two were down, one gasping for air. She smiled, impressed by herself.
'not too bad..... for a girl' he the first man said between breaths, she gave a smile of satisfaction, while turning to make a run for it, a fist cracked across her jaw, she staggered, blood dripping down her nose, she clutched the case still in her hands, standing tall, chest heaving, turns out several men inside the warehouse heard the chaos outside and had rushed out to come aid.
The two men down, rose up, she was surrounded, 'so many of you, men against one little girl like me, that's sooo not fair' she joked, almost mocking them
"You've been cornered lady.....hand the briefcase and we'll let you off alive" A mighty man who seemed to be the leader offered her.
"Yeah right, like you'd ever let me off the hook that easily, come at me" she said gesturing them to come.
They swarmed, Riley fought with fire, slamming the case in people's faces, throwing knees and elbows around, one by one men dropped to the ground until eventually she was overpowered, her small body wasn't built for fighting, a fist sent straight on her jaw, she staggered like a drunk, fist again landed on her belly, she was down,boot crashed into her guts, she still clinged to the the case, the leader reached low, snatching it from her.
'You're done lady...... Quite a handful though, little princess....you almost had it' voice mocking her, Riley spat blood, glared at him, he lifted up the case, 'but no one steals from us'
Just then an engine roared, a black car raced across the street, windows rolled down, a masked man reached out, grabbed the briefcase from the leader's hand, the driver, also masked on the other side not even pausing for a brief moment
A dopo, sfigati(later lame-os) the masked man yelled in Italian while droving off.
'WHA THE.......??
For a moment everyone froze, puzzled looks on their faces, including Riley, they all turned around looking at each other, expecting an explanation for what had occured
Reality hit 'AFTER THEM', The leader roared, the men dispensed, disappearing into cars all around the warehouse, engines roaring, trees screeching, the cars punished the streets chasing the thief and disappearing into the darkness of the night.
Riley in the midst of all the chaos, also perplexed, they were others after the case too?? She thought, seeing a chance at freedom, Riley got up, trying to run away
"Oh, no, you don't" she heard from behind her
Suddenly a giant arm pulled her back by her hair.
"Ahhhhhh" she screamed in pain, but he didn't stop.
He pulled her by her hair, 'you are coming with me' he said and dragged Riley along with him into the dark warehouse