THE ALLEY RUNNER

AURELIA

“Piss off you little piece of shit,” The biker yelled, giving me the middle finger as he narrowly missed crashing into me, he spat in my direction, zooming off. I stared at his disappearing profile, holding back my insults. I needed to get to where I'm going before 9:30pm and this was already 8:54.

I stood by the edge of the road, fumbling for a cigarette as I checked my phone. I'd just lit it when my phone rang with a notification.

‘Deliver it directly to Sparrow and you're going to need to pay Jeremy a visit, boss needs you to take care of him.’

I read the message from Slade and I sighed. I haven't even finished one errand and they already had more for me. I threw the cigarette on the floor, stumped on it with my foot and covered my hair with my hoodie as I maneuvered my way around the dark alley.

Vincenzo trusted me enough to carry out his work perfectly. He sent me on errands he could have gone himself but couldn't make it. I was proud of how he held me in such high regard. I've been with the Greco Mafia gang since I was fifteen and I'm proud to say I was quick to catch up with the training I got from Vincenzo.

“Watch it,” I snarled as a drunk man who swayed on his feet rammed into me.

“You're too pretty to be a hot tempered bitch,” he slurred as I hoisted myself up on a fence. I ignored him and carefully scanned the area for anything that's off before I jumped down at the other side.

“You're late Nova,” a thick voice grumbled from the shadows. Only people close to Vincenzo call me by the code name, Nova.

“Boss sent me on another errand, surely I'm not a robot.” I retorted, bringing out some cash from my pocket. I separated it from the wallet I had picked from the drunk man I ran into seconds ago. I peered into the wallet and tossed it aside dismissively when I didn't find anything important in there.

What was I expecting to see from a drunk man anyways?

“Running errands for the boss and also doing your thing are you?”

“The drugs, Derek I'm running late.”I sighed, running my fingers through my hair as I handed him the thick bundle of cash.

Derek gave a dry humorous laugh as he reached for a parcel on the floor beside him.

“Tell him to only take one shot so he doesn't pass out in the boxing ring, this shit is strong, take just a little too much and you're gone.”

“Well that's his fucking problem, my job is to deliver.” I replied and watched as he swiftly counted the cash while I confirmed the package. I nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.

“I'm not done counting the cash Nova,” Derek spoke from behind me.

“Get a counting machine you dumb fuck, I'm not waiting here for you to count all that money I have to deliver this to Sparrow and I'm late.” I hissed as I lifted myself over the fence.

“If a dime misses out of this…”

“Then go meet Vincenzo yourself. I might pick-pocket but I won't steal out of Boss's money, Derek.” I jumped down at the other side of the fence with a huff and pulled my hoodie back up again, scurrying down the alley that has even gotten darker. The air was filled with the thick smell of cigarette and alcohol. I longed for another cigarette but I was trying to quit. Vincenzo doesn't like me smoking on duty.

I arrived minutes later at a bar. I pushed open the door and walked towards the counter, grinning at the bartender. He looked at me dryly as he mixed whiskey with an unknown substance in a dirty cup.

“Sparrow is losing his shit down there because the match is about to start…”

“He's fucked, he thinks he can't win a flimsy match unless he takes a shot of this?” I scoffed, picking up the cup and gulping down the contents. I gagged and pushed the cup away back to him.

“Hey! That was for a customer,” he snapped.

“That tastes horrible,” I said, brushing past him and pushing open the door hidden behind the fridge that led to the illegal fighting arena.

“Why the fuck are you just coming Nova?” Sparrow yelled, his temple breaking out with sweat as relief washed over his tensed features.

Fucking addict.

Shouts echoed from within, a match was going on currently and the air reeked strongly of sweat, blood and liquor. I wrinkled my nose.

“Relax, I'm here now.” I reached for my pocket and brought out the parcel.

“Derek said one shot, not two.”

“He can't tell me what to do,” Sparrow sneered, snatching it from my hand as he ripped it apart, taking out the syringe.

“Suit yourself,” I said with a shrug extending my hand.

Sparrow stared at my outstretched hand as he filled the syringe with an unknown substance that was definitely looking like an overdose.

“The money you pussy!” I yelled at him.

“Tell Vincenzo I'll pay him, this little shit he sells to me costs a damn fortune.” I took my second hand out of my pocket and grabbed Sparrow by the arm before he could inject himself, slamming hard against the nearest wall. My arm pressed against his neck.

“Pay me the damn money or you wouldn't get to play that match in one piece,” I said calmly, my voice laced with ice. Sparrow's eyes flashed with fear. We've fought one on one before and he knows I'm not someone to be messed with.

He groaned and reached into his pocket and brought out a bundle of cash. I pinned him with a glare.

“That's nothing Sparrow… I'm not taking this measly amount of cash back to Vincenzo…”

“ I told you I'm going to pay him later, I need to win this match first to get more cash,” he said, frustration etched into his voice. I stared at him hard before I released my hold on his neck and turned to leave.

“Don't let me come asking for it before you pay Sparrow, you know how much the boss hates delay.” I tore through the thick crowd of people bursting inside as I made my way out.

“Giving Sparrow another tough time?” The bartender asked as he lit up a cigarette.

“That dude doesn't like to pay up,” I said, taking the cigarette from his fingers. He grinned, flashing me brown dirty teeth.

“Sounds like Sparrow,” he said as he mixed another drink.

“Gotta go, Boss sent me on another mission.” I took a long drag from the cigar and returned it to him.

“If I don't know better I could have said you're Vincenzo's favorite,” He laughed. I ignored him and walked out of the bar heading to Jeremy's house.

I took a deep breath as I stepped outside, embracing the cold air that hit my face.

I made my way out of the alley before I received another text message that made me pause in my tracks.