Chapter Six

Andie

My friend, Emily, is working with me today. I can actually talk to someone while working and not stand here all day alone.

“So how was he?” Emily asked me, regarding Benson.

I looked at her, not sure if I even want to say, or say everything. “Amazing. However, I woke up at one point and he was gone.”

Emily replied to me, looking intrigued, “gone? Like gone from your apartment?”

“We were at his place, which made it even more weird.” I stood there prepping fruit while I talked to her.

“Wait, you were at his place and he left?” Emily, the interrogator, continued.

“Yes, I didn’t get a chance to ask him where he went but I’m assuming it was important to just leave me.” I replied. I continued to cut up fruit. “This morning was amazing too.”

“I’m sure it was, must be why you were late getting here,” Emily said. Thankfully she was opening with me today and was here on time.

Emily got a notification on her phone and of course, being the girl that she is, had to check it. “Wow.”

“What?” I asked her, now intrigued. I walked over to her and looked at her phone. She received a text from her sister that her brother had just been shot and killed overnight.

Emily started crying and being the friend that I am, I had to give her a big hug. I removed my fruit covered gloves and embraced her in my arms as she fell to the ground. I don’t really approve of what her brother did but he’s my friend’s brother and he’s always been nice to me so I’m torn.

“Emily, if you want to go home, you can. I’m not going to make you stay here.” I said to her as we sat on the floor, her tears covering my shirt. “I will call for a car, Em.”

Benson

Sometimes my job makes it hard for me to do when they’re giving me the worst time of day, the worst place, how do they expect me to do this without getting caught? I finally came up with the best case scenario for the upcoming unaliving. I head on out to the location to get set up.

I finally got a text back from Andie, “I had a great time last night. This morning was amazing too. I will let you know about later, I might have to go spend some time with Emily. She’s going through something right now.”

I take it all in and reply, “I hope she’s okay. Just let me know, she’s more than welcome to come out with us.”

I didn’t want to sound too desperate to see her again, but this is my girl. It’s not too early to claim her. She’s mine.

I tighten my grip on the trigger and take the shot. One bullet to the head is all it ever takes me. One shot and I’m out. This is why everyone comes to me. No questions asked, one shot and done.

As I begin to walk back home, I get another text from an unknown number. “I need a favor.”

A favor? No, Ben doesn’t do favors for people. Ben does jobs. “What?” I replied.

“I have someone I need gone. This will take some time to get done though because he will be returning soon. It’s my husband.” Replied the unknown number.

Your husband? Really? I said I would never ask questions but, really? “Text me details and payment.” That is my reply always. I don’t do anything for free, I don’t do anything for payment afterward.

As I head back into my apartment, I place the rifle back into my closet. I head into the bathroom to grab a shower. I’m thinking about heading down to Williamsburg to visit Andie. I feel like she needs it now.

I head into the closet and pick out a nice pair of jeans and a light blue v-neck t-shirt.

Andie

Emily is waiting for the car to take her home. I feel so bad for her right now, there's nothing I can do to help her and that hurts my heart. Whoever did this to Edward, why? Yes, he was a bad man. Yes, he hurt women. Did he deserve to die? Does my friend's heart deserve to hurt? No.

Emily waits at one of the tables so that she doesn't have to deal with the morning customer rush. I have it handled. Did I expect one of the customers to be Benson? No I absolutely did not.

I turn around from our juicer and begin to say, “Welcome to Andie’s Juice, what can I get you today,” when I see none other than the hot man that I spent the night with.

Benson replied, “well I really enjoyed that strawberry banana smoothie yesterday so I will take that.” Benson stood there with a smile on his face.

“Absolutely,” I replied with a smile.

“I figured since I might not see you later, I'd come see you now.” Benson was determined to see me today as much as he could.

I glanced up from cutting fresh fruit and smiled. I nodded my head toward Emily as if to say without words, that's my friend with the issue.

Benson glanced at Emily, “would you like me to talk to her? I'm usually pretty good with people.” Benson still had no idea what Emily's problem was, should I let him find out?

I started to reply in a quiet voice, “she might not talk to you but you can do whatever you want.” I finished up his drink and he walked over to her table.

Benson

“Mind if I sit down?” I said to Emily.

Emily looked around noticing that all of the other tables were full. She shrugged her shoulders and replied, “sure, whatever.” She continued to sit there looking sad, fighting tears back as well as she could.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I asked her as I took a sip of my drink.

Emily glanced up at me and back to the door waiting for her car to pull up. “My brother was killed last night.”

I almost choked on my drink as she said that. Was I his unaliver? Did I just unalive my girl’s best friend’s brother? For the one time in my life I started to feel some remorse. What did I do? As I sat there in shock, listening to all the voices in my head, I finally was able to speak, “I’m so sorry to hear that. What happened?”

“Shot. Murdered.” Emily replied in short, one word responses.

“Wow, who would do such a thing?” I would do such a thing. Ben, not Benson, but Ben would do such a thing. It’s all about the money and the one shot for me.

Emily glanced over and saw her car pull up. “We don’t know. I gotta go.” Emily rushed to the door. I felt so bad that I caused this poor woman the pain that she’s in right now. Had I known this man was this close to the connection of my woman, would I have continued this job? Honestly, probably.

I sat at the table and finished up my drink. I received a text from an anonymous number. “I need a job completed tonight.”

As I sat here thinking about what I wanted to reply, should I reply? Ben never skips a job, but this one hit hard. I replied, “send me details and payment.” I headed on out without saying a word to Andie. Why?