9 November

Sitting around in Adal's tea room became the norm for us. Tea and some sort of cake was usually on the menu. Provided by Adal himself strangely enough, and it was always good. Johnny sat beside me on the plush couch sipping away on his tea. I had my arms crossed in mock defiance of the run we were about to go on. Usually it was just fake defiance but this time I had a real reason.

Adal was asking Johnny and I to leave the state this time. East to Illinois. The target was Chicago. We were to make the drive and drop off a package with some of Adal's men. No other gangs where involved so it was a no risk run, but the drive was still going to be a long one.

"You really shouldn't looks so upset about this Jack. I mean look at the upside. No risk and a big pay off."

I groaned and pulled one leg up over the other.

"Yeah but Jess is coming back for thanksgiving break tomorrow. I wanted to be here when she came home."

"Why? She's going to be here when you get back. Round trip this is only like two and a half days"

"Don't ask me to explain myself"

I said with a childish pout forming. I sucked in a breath and turned away from him as Adal entered the room.

"Ok Fox. Time to ship out. You and Hound really don't have to worry about carrying but I would prefer my two most precious assets had something to protect themselves"

I pulled my piece from my waist band and sat it on the table. The polished 45 I had got from Ricky's bag. I liked it enough to keep it around when he became a non-issue. Johnny sat his Glock nineteen on the table next to mine. A little something, he picked up after the first few paychecks.

"Good but not good enough. Chicago is a dangerous place."

Adal leaned over the table and sat down a black box. undoing the latches and opening it up revealed a shotgun. One I hadn't seen before, but then again, I wasn't a gun nut. It was incredibly short with a pump action.

"Mossberg five-ninety. One of my personal favorites. Sprung a little of my own cash for you guys. Keep it hidden and in the car. Got it?

"Ten-four Adal. Glad you're looking out for us"

"Of course I am. Someone has to look out for my little Fox"

I rolled my eyes at the nickname and took the case. Adal handed off a box of shells, and waved us off.

"Don't worry your head about Jess Fox. My men will be waiting for her when she gets in. She's in good hands"

"I wouldn't trust anyone else with the job"

Except the police maybe, but I didn't tell Adal that. Johnny took shotgun and I slipped in the driver seat. I tossed the case in the back and slipped the compact shotgun between my seat and the center console then tucked the box of shells into the center armrest.

"Ready for a road trip Fox?"

"As I'll ever be Hound. You got your piece?"

He nodded and took it out slipping it way in the glove box. I stowed mine in there to so I could get comfortable for the long road ahead.

It's sad how we got use to the life. I went from hardly seeing a gun in my life to carrying a 45 with me at nearly all times. It was coming up on mid-November, and this life had become my norm. Same for Johnny. He frequented the shooting range tuning his aim. I tagged along a few times, but most of my time was spent getting better at my end of this team.

My driving abilities had measurably increased since I started this. Every free moment I had was spent tearing up back roads and dodging the local police in town who never stood a chance. Johnny and I apparently became pretty good at all this because we became Adal's pocket picks.

This wasn't the first time we had been sent out of state. We had been to the big cities all over the area. As far as our parents knew Johnny and I had been lucky enough to get picked up as drivers for a car parts company that operated as a front for Adal's cocaine business.

The crazy thing is if you asked me if someone else doing the same thing was bad I'd say yeah. Running a cocaine empire is generally a bad thing. That's the answer you're looking for. Now if you asked me if I was a bad person for helping said cocaine empire I'd say no. I'm just a kid running the stuff for some extra cash.

Even though I now carry a gun every day. Even though I now have a high-powered shotgun tucked between my seat and center console. Even though I have enough cocaine in my trunk to fuel a night club in Florida for a week.

I wouldn't say I was a bad guy. Then again, someone shooting up heroine once a week would hesitate to admit they are addicted. This for Johnny was for money. His family really needed the money. My family needed money too, but there was a clear difference between Johnny and myself. A difference I was seeing clearer and clearer every day.

I wasn't doing this for the money anymore. I liked the high. The rush. Better than any drug I could get my hands on. Pushing my car to its limit and risking my life daily. It was something I reveled in.

Whenever those thoughts creeped up Id tuck them away in the back of my head. Id shove them away violently, and turn a blind eye to the truth. After all, at the core I was a good person despite everything. Right?