The short walk to Carlos was fairly silent, as Huck was focused on making sure Victoria’s head didn’t flop around. Once he reached the brown car, he placed Victoria in the shotgun and fastened her seatbelt. She murmured and used the seatbelt as a hammock for her head.
Joel quietly observed Victoria, no readable expression on his face. Huck wasn’t sure what to really make of the kid. The teenager seemed to have so many issues and he wasn’t any closer to opening up. Well, that was fine: if the kid wanted to keep to himself, that was just one less problem that Huck had to stress about. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJtvmVY8bQ
There was one thing that bothered him though. While he and Victoria were busy talking before meeting at Gustavo’s, Joel acted as if he had been resting on the couch. However, the mouse cursor was resting on the tab, when he specifically remembered right-clicking a typo in an email to Aaron. So either he had bumped the mouse somehow before his conversation with Victoria…or Joel had been snooping around. Huck looked down at the kid. The kid genuinely didn’t seem like a bad person; he was probably just curious about what a sheriff did.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTTHP3IW5I
Huck hopped into Carlos with Joel stepping into the backseat. Once ensuring everyone was fastened, Huck drove to his apartment, the window was cracked open to allow a cool stream of night waft into the car. The car ride back was silent, with the only sounds being the crunch of asphalt during every turn and Victoria’s snorks as she dozed off.
After a few minutes, they pulled up to the parking lot. Leaving Victoria in the shotgun, the guys climbed out and made their way to the apartment door. After a brief moment of fiddling with his keys, Huck let the teenager into the apartment. The sheriff pulled out the lukewarm bottle of Cola from the bar and handed it to Joel with a nod.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBbVacwvss
“Put that in the fridge, and help yourself to whatever drinks you want. I’m gonna drop Vic’ off at her home then I’ll be right back. Don’t dig through my stuff.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUckhZ7kz4d
Joel timidly grabbed the bottle and nodded, stifling a yawn. Huck returned to the car and looked at Victoria, whose neck was hanging worryingly against the seatbelt. However, seeing as she was still able to snore calmly, Huck didn’t feel the need to worry too much. He climbed into Carlos, and they drove off to the less desirable part of Blackerd.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHsgzfXVmo
...
As the car settled under a flickering lamp post, Huck climbed out and walked over to the passenger seat. Upon opening it, he shook Victoria’s shoulder.
“Hey. We’re home. Get up.”
Victoria grumbled as she nestled deeper into the car’s cushions. Huck sighed, unfastened her seatbelt, and carried her to the front door of one story house. The house was coated in sky blue paint, mildly chipped from sprinklers hitting the walls here and there. The garden in the front only had a few bushes that were half green, and half yellow. The bushes would probably have been fully yellow, if not for Ally’s efforts. At their feet lay a crusted doormat that once read “welcome”, but with some bristles being torn out now read “we com”. Huck reached inside the rusted mailbox to reveal a key tucked inside a hidden cloth pocket. Unlocking the front door, he stepped into the house with Victoria softly snoring into his back.
The house smelled like three day old pizza and perfume. A lady (who Huck believed was named Olivia) slept on the couch in the living room in only lingerie and shorts. A fan blew into Olivia’s face with a fairly loud roar, with the only other sound in the house being the loud ticking of the grandfather clock placed squarely next to the TV. Keeping his shoes on, he walked past the living room and into a hallway. He walked past two doors, and opened the third, revealing a young girl curled up in a small bed with a bright yellow bear. Huck placed Victoria on an empty spot of the bed, bent to the ground to pick up a blanket that Ally had most likely kicked to the floor mid-sleep, and placed the blanket on top of the sisters. Though Victoria’s eyes were closed, she huddled closer to the smaller girl and embraced her tightly, softly kissing her forehead. Huck softly smiled upon witnessing this, and turned to leave the room. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0QyJKdoBs
However, as he entered the hallway, a man in a white bathrobe stood to his right, yawning as he scratched his face. If not for the crusty white bathrobe, his dark skin would have blended into the darkness of the hallway. The man stuffed his hands into his pockets and didn’t say a word as he stared at Huck. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLNh0hKOkT
Huck nodded at him. “Good evening, Dante. Just dropping Vic’ off.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWrMRWOIgd
Dante nodded in response. “So it would seem. Kinda late, doncha think? Did you really spend that much time pounding her?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14n8SEMpb7
Huck narrowed his eyes. “We were drinking at-”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ510Ci5LFnX
Dante waved his hand dismissively, the shine of a pistol in his hand. “Yeah, I don’t care. Just know that if you ever break into my house again, I’m not gonna give you a heads up.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bz7Ps8KS3
Huck flexed his forearm instinctively. “I heard you raised the quota.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cfodkT90W
“Yeah, what’s it to you?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEp2dBdJMn
“Why? You know these girls barely make enough as it is.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YiLP4YQkr
Dante scoffed. “None of your business, cuntwad.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMCyQaWJl5
“You could always ask me for help without raising the quota.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPfZtD2FaG
The man’s grip on his firearm tightened. “I’ll be damned if I’m in the debt of a filthy pig. Plus, you wouldn’t know the first place on how to help. Once I resolve everything, the quota will go back down.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl5igolWDn
Huck clenched his teeth. “You-”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ058BqA5Eow
Dante walked up to Huck’s chest. Despite being a foot shorter than Huck, Dante held his chin up. “Whatcha gonna do, swine? Arrest me? Kill me? Try me, fucker. You know damn well what’ll happen if you do.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiOTHrszFo
One on hand, there was the sheriff of Blackerd. He stood a foot taller than most and had a very well built body. On the other hand was a dark skinned man wearing a crusty bathrobe. With his thin body and scragly limbs, he was not physically intimidating in the slightest. However, as Dante stepped up to Huck, the air of the house became silent. The ticking of the grandfather clock rang loudly throughout the house. After a minute, Huck sighed and turned around, with Dante walking him to the door. Once he reached the entrance, he turned around and glared at Dante.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZojCLH5Usn
“You best do your job and protect those two.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAJL3yUmzG
The dark man laughed as he placed his firearm on the living room’s coffee table. “You think they get special treatment? No. They get the same treatment as everyone else.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn28y15tikZ
As Huck exited the house, the door closed behind him with a solid click. As he headed home, all he could feel was anger, with a tinge of frustration, sadness, and shame104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwok4R4AVDv
...104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTUZsTlFd6
When Huck entered his apartment, he was greeted by a pair of shoes at the entrance. He frowned and looked over to the sound of soft breathing. To his right he saw Joel, curled up against a cushion and barefoot. Huck wasn’t too certain on why the kid’s shoes were at the doorstep. Probably was some sort of Asian culture. Well, whatever made the kid comfortable.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJRTStTEUw
Huck went to the fridge to pull out the Cola he had gotten from Gustavo’s and popped it open. He then walked over to his work desk in the living room and woke up his laptop. As he sipped his Cola, he scanned his most recent email from Aaron, the town’s mayor. Aaron wanted to meet up with him tomorrow at the local cafe about some concerning news. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVjsUvI8M4
Huck frowned: to Aaron, everything was concerning. Well, the mayor’s orders couldn’t really be ignored, so he sighed and finished up his response from earlier. He then went on to check multiple different messages from different sources, city funded and independent. There was some concerning news about some homeless woman hooked on flicker, with complaints rising up around varying parts of Blackerd. Dante probably knew where to find this woman, so Huck could visit him after Aaron’s meeting.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ETXsyH5F
Huck spent the rest of the night quietly sipping from his bottle and typing away at emails with Joel’s soft breaths filling the air.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGSSCCCx54
...104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h48sZWXfy
‘...Hi there, sir.’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6V0LiYeR0
Huck turned around and saw a woman in a trenchcoat. Her eyes were twitchy, and she hugged her stomach as though she were about to throw up. The mist of the morning air rested on their skin, but she was still sweating regardless. She tightened her lip and swallowed hard. As he stared at her beautiful face for a second, she opened the trenchcoat to reveal she was completely bare. With trembling lips, she offered a smile.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2QYRFlFuC
‘Would you be interested in me? I promise I’ll do whatever you want.’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmLdIidkkn
Her chest’s movements increased as her breathing sped up. Her eyes had tears in them, but she did well to not let the tears fall.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWJmwwE3Ts
‘You know I’m a cop, right?’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyPthfJ7rZ
She stiffened and slightly closed her jacket, before catching herself and slowly opening it up again. ‘A-And? Cops deserve pleasure, too. You saying you’re too good for sex?’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirMkzSHL21
Huck stared at her eyes. She flinched, and immediately looked down, but kept her jacket open. A small tear escaped her eye, causing her to quickly wipe her face with her palm. Noticing something, he grabbed her arm, causing her to yelp and squirm. Huck rolled down her sleeve and noticed various scars around her wrist and elbow.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4zeXFGLnq
‘...You hooked on flicker?’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn5eEZLUck
She quickly pulled her arm away and unintentionally closed her jacket. ‘What does it matter to you? I’m just here to empty your balls. Same price as a cheeseburger. Just buy me and move on.’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhUwewNNvH
Her eyes began to overflow as she sniffed. She wiped both her eyes but the tears kept dribbling down her face. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU90rO1GF1T
‘...I…I don’t…’104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLko6M3tHmW
The air slowly filled with heartbroken laughter, as the world around them collapsed to the sound of a repeating siren.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQzRpqMOdO
...104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdm1eqyF3i
Huck quickly inhaled as he suddenly sat up, blinking rapidly as he checked his surroundings. Joel was standing over him, hesitating, as Huck’s phone alarm kept buzzing on his desk. Huck squinted at the daylight pouring through the living room window, and the crick in his neck only grew in soreness. It seems as though he had knocked-out while typing something out. He grabbed his phone, and checked both the alarm and the time.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pB3xZ8GSz
…Crap, he was running late to Aaron’s meeting.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBttxpYBY0
Joel cleared his throat. “Uh… morning? Well, it’s actually 11:13 so I guess it’s closer to noon, and your alarm’s been going off for a while. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to wake you up or not.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDdbUIzBhj
Huck scowled as he stared at the time. “Why aren’t you at school?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD27XnpSmXg
“I don’t know where it is, I thought you were gonna give me a ride.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8gJy6REEt
“Didn’t Vic’ show you where it is?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5GSUPKMZg
“Yeah, but the crazy thing? I can’t memorize an entire town in a few hours.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRshzH4bs8
Huck muttered as he rubbed his face with dry palms. “Alright, give me ten minutes. We’ll leave around 11:25.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFwsvRLc3H
...104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KVuMbh0QC
After dropping off Joel at the school, Huck drove over to Gustavo’s bar. The bar was usually open from the morning all the way to the night. Since the bar was known for its night time atmosphere, it was usually empty the entire day, making it a decent place for meetings in the morning. He pulled up in the parking lot and then entered the building to Gustavo wiping down a table as Aaron drummed his fingers impatiently at a table with a glass of water in front of him. Aaron was wearing a three-piece suit and was equipped with a brown briefcase. It was an attire completely foreign to a bar, yet Aaron held a sense of superiority around him that only made his outfit seem proper and standard.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsBfRr4rFN
The mayor noticed the chime of the front door and stood up. “....You’re late.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwIDCiiQ6J
Huck raised his arm. “That’s my bad, I slept a bit late yesterday”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbYdRVJeD4
Aaron sipped from his cup as he sighed. “Yeah, I know. You responded to my email at 3:00 am. Why’d you sleep so late?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwmsJzubtG
Huck waved at Gustavo, who nodded in response. He then pulled out a chair and sat down in front of Aaron. “I was responding to some messages and looking into the homeless woman you were talking about. I lost track of time, so that’s my bad.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsc7PS7vKY
Gustavo walked over and placed a cup of water in front of the sheriff, who nodded in appreciation. As the bartender returned to wipe down more tables, Aaron pulled out some folders from his briefcase as Huck took a sip of water to wet his lips.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ydTjthpeg
The mayor slid a folder over to the sheriff. “Yeah. Honestly, this news is a few weeks old because I figured she would vanish, but she apparently decided to stay. I’m not even sure where she came from, but she’s been harassing citizens for some spare change. People have reported jitters and multiple nicks on her arms, so the woman’s most likely hooked on flicker. I imagine you know more about this case than me, though?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWxu76EIJQ
Huck opened up the folder and scanned its contents quickly. For the most part, this was information that only verified the contents of the other messages he received on the matter. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhkLHTJvn7
He closed the folder.“Nah, some of this is new. I’ll look into this more. Anything else you want to talk to me about?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Wnnme58E
Aaron leaned in, resting his arms on the table. “A few things, actually. First off, when are you going to do something about Dante? I can’t prove it, but I’m almost certain that he’s responsible for the uptick in flicker usage. Hell, I’m pretty damn sure that he’s responsible for a lot of bad things that happen in this town, be it directly or indirectly.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydyegK1KWV
Huck drummed his fingers on his water cup as he thought for a second. “You probably aren’t wrong, but I don’t think there’s anything I can do about that. Even if he’s causing a bunch of ‘bad’ things, he’s also doing a decent amount of good in the Ghetto. Taking him away would only make Blackerd worse.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBv2cXA7jw
The mayor scowled. “Seriously? He’s the one making Blackerd worse, and you think removing him will hurt the town more? What type of logic is that?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKzco5m6uL
Huck shrugged. “He might have crappy intentions but he’s indirectly helping Blackerd. You can trust me on that.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7mXGRpINy
Aaron grit his teeth and looked as if he were about to cuss up a storm, but he caught himself and took a deep breath. After he took a sip of water and composed himself, he spoke.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVfp9pta8K
“I heavily disagree with you, but I see that I can’t change your mind. Just know that he’s on my radar. If I catch him slipping up for even a single instance, I expect you to ‘deal’ with him, understood?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6w71uPPhP
Huck nodded. “You have my word. What else did you want to talk about?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s3pAziwht
Aaron frowned as he tugged at his cuffs. “Something of a bit less importance, but something that should be talked about. I heard you brought a kid into Blackerd?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjUd2BqZhk
Huck’s eyebrows lifted. “That was fast. How’d you hear?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPx8LTTk4h
“...I’m the mayor. You’d be surprised how much information comes my way. So, what's up with that?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbsYSH6TET
Huck rubbed his neck. “I just saw the kid on the side of the road and took him in. That’s all, nothing more to the story.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfiOgF2OYX
Aaron sighed. “I suppose you can’t leave a kid on the streets, fair enough. Still, I don’t need to tell you to make sure he doesn’t get up to no good, right?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEHkgtHPWQ
Huck rolled his eyes. “I promise you, any excuse I can find to kick him out, I will. If he slips up, he’s gone.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDhbEqmfLm
The mayor frowned. “Well, maybe don’t leave the kid on the streets. Find an orphanage or something, first.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzwUVaUIEk
Gustavo walked up to the two and wiped his hands on his apron. “So, fellas? Could I interest you in some food, or are you gonna head out soon?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OFtgmYM0e
Aaron stood up from the table. “I wish I could eat, but I have another meeting I must attend. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality, Gustavo.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHxFNE4BPt
Gustavo cheerfully waved as the mayor straightened out his suit and gave Huck a firm handshake. Aaron then checked his watch as he strode out of the bar. Once he left, the bartender sighed as he plopped down where Aaron once sat. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8ItQiDPRz
He scratched his moustache. “I get he’s the ‘big boss’, but he’s so damn stuffy. I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around him.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFKzq64fGP
Huck downed the rest of his water cup. “He ain’t a bad guy. Someone has to be stuffy, right? Best it be the guy in charge. Plus, I can respect a guy who’s willing to say what he’s thinking.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdAlIKw8vZ
The sheriff’s stomach rumbled, reminding him he didn’t eat breakfast. “Care to cook me up a twenty-four piece of wings? Give me habanero this time.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipo6L5EvKj
Gustavo lifted his scarred eyebrow. “Didn’t think you were that big of an eater.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGvcOcGrsF
“Half of it is yours, and I’m paying double the price for last night.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ2UrM74WR
Gustavo chuckled as he slapped his thighs. “Ah, beans. You remembered?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqltosVo6y
“It was literally last night, do you think that little of me?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOvJHJwu1M
“Yep.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAeme6o0DX
“Ass.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5zTucxnn9
“I thought you were straight.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MCovzk8Va
“Shut up.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBCC9Fnqrb
Gustavo laughed as he walked into the kitchen, leaving Huck alone with his thoughts as the sizzling smell of spices wafted through the air. Once the wings were finished, Gustavo brought them out on a platter along with two plates. The two men then silently ate the wings, enjoying each other’s company and only making occasional remarks about the spice level.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG64wavpgz
...104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgFZBFTM46
After the men finished the wings, Huck went on his way to Dante’s house. Remembering their tense conversation the previous night, Huck decided to pick up a pizza as a peace offering. He walked up the cracked concrete driveway and knocked on the door. After a minute, Olivia opened the door wearing the same attire as yesterday, rubbing her eyes and muttering. Once she saw who was at the door, she immediately flinched and tried to straighten out her improper outfit. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyG5RqHcXU
“Ah…uh…hi sir! What can I do ya?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjM3x0PwBn
The sheriff jiggled the box of pizza. “I’m here for Dante. Can you tell him that I brought pizza?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLKRUe2JzC
Olivia blinked, obviously confused at the entire exchange. “S-sure.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLNEGI26HJ
She scurried into the den, and after a few seconds, Dante walked up to the door muttering swears as he scratched his head. “The hell you want? You here for blondie?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYnYxsSqex
Huck offered the pizza box. “Like I said, I’m here to deliver pizza.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW4rMhalhr
Dante flipped him off. “And like I said, I ain’t taking shit from a pig. Now, if that’s all you’re here for, get the hell off my property.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBGERadME4
Huck sighed as he held up his hand not carrying the pizza box in retreat. “Fine, don’t take the pizza. Look, I’m here about some homeless woman who’s been hooked on flicker. Apparently she’s been harassing the city here and there, I was hoping to get some info on her.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHfbcWRh04
Dante smirked. “...And what would I know about a flicker junkie?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPQ6dWU9dZ
Huck leaned in mildly, causing Dante to snarl. “Look. I didn’t come here expecting information about the lady, but I’m here to tell you that news is circulating about her. If this keeps up, then I’ll be forced to make this a case with official paperwork and an investigation. Having a woman hooked on flicker on my radar? Is that really good business for you?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnLIWbVOyy
Dante’s snarl softened as he took a small step back. He stayed silent for a second, considering the weight of heeding the sheriff’s advice versus his detestment of law enforcement. After a minute, he looked up and stuck his chin out at the sheriff.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKdGg7ZOm6
“I’ll deal with it, my way. You don’t need to be involved in this matter and complicate things further, got it?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbYeKH239C
“Couldn’t ask for more.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7xJyLWYcd
Suddenly, the sound of flip flops slapping against the ground rang from behind the two, with the slapping getting louder and closer. Huck then felt a weight tackle his waist accompanied with a laugh.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIreC3jZJH
“Awww, you came to visit me?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qqbhqsSNd
Huck turned around to see Victoria’s face grinning with notable bags under her eyes. She peeked over to the man standing at the doorway, scowled, then flipped him off. Dante rolled his eyes in response, and headed back inside. Victoria then peeked at the box Huck was holding, and furrowed her brow.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu40kUvbLXo
“...Pepperoni, with ham and Italian sausage. Black olives. Am I right?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxucWzGsau
“Did you walk Ally to school?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo7ExyDo8m
Victoria winced. “Yeeeah. We both woke up a bit late, and I had to walk her in. You ever try running with a hangover? It ain’t pretty. Now, how accurate was my guess?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedThHMKhoD
Huck sighed. “Yeah, it’s accurate. Go get changed, I have water in the car for your hangover. I’ll drop you off.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0ImFg22V6
...104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjhg26Jsgj
Once they reached their destination, Huck and Victoria silently snacked on pizza. Since he had already eaten, Huck selectively chose smaller slices. Meanwhile, Victoria ate as if she hadn’t eaten in days, scarfing down slice after slice. After her fourth slice, she quietly burped and downed the entire bottle of water Huck had offered her. Wiping her hands on a napkin, she smiled at Huck.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS3fmkZwW4
“Thanks for the grub.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPMTAdIu6e
Huck rubbed his neck, hesitating slightly. Before he lost the nerve, he cleared his throat and spoke. “Listen, Vic’, I-”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWk1ttYJOT
Victoria stretched loudly, her grunting cutting off Huck’s thoughts. “Man, I just wanna sleep. Not in the mood to start work.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgqxYpFVX7
“Vic’, listen, you don-”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMQjUNQ5pZ
She removed her brown flats, and strapped in some sparkly high heels. “Hate these things. They kill my ankles and it sucks to stand up with them.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv9TnvuQgm
“Vic’.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmxRvNUpuG
She sighed and turned to look at Huck. She batted her eyelashes at the sheriff. “Yes, shnookums?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMjDzS92M6
“I can cover you for today. Seriously, you don’t need to work. Hell, I could cover you in general. Ju-”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPWufzBGRT
Victoria rolled her eyes and held a finger to Huck’s mouth. Huck closed his mouth in frustration. Victoria smiled and winked. “Hucky, we’ve played this song and dance multiple times. Relax. You’ve already helped me like crazy: can’t expect you to do everything for me, right? What would Ally think?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfwAZJAmE3
He scowled and shoved Victoria’s finger from his mouth. “Seriously? What would Ally think if she knew you were pr-”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1BY24km1N
He caught himself, but she understood and raised an eyebrow. She didn’t respond. The sheriff stayed silent, his heart being pulled apart. Victoria’s face was unwavering, but her eyes were dead. She silently wiped her lips, reapplied a fresh coat of lipstick, and got out of Carlos. As she stood up, she stretched her legs, high heels clacking against the pavement. She straightened out her tight pink dress, the fresh curls in her hair flowing in the wind as she did. Once she was presentable flesh, she looked at Huck with softer eyes. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsq4RsRPsC
“I know I’ve said it multiple times, but this isn’t your fault, alright? I made this choice, not because you were lacking in any way. If it wasn’t for the help you gave me, I…” She shook her head. “...I’m bad with words, sorry. I just wanted to show my appreciation and wanted to be independent. Seriously, thank you for everything. Don’t worry about me, alright? Compared to what you have to do, this is nothing.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8evMTb0ZlM
Huck said nothing, and watched as she turned around and walked to the corner of the street, advertising herself to the streets of Blackerd.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3C3Zq9jFW
