No cops. That's a good sign.

My eyes quickly scanned the scraggly building in front of me. It wasn't on fire. Also a good sign.

It was dark, but I was still able to make out the crumbling paint of somebody's vulgar mural that covered half the door. The alley I was in smelled like half rotten avocado, along with some other foul scents that I'd care not to mention.

I reluctantly drew my hand up towards the door. It was dented near the bottom, scarred from an angry boot trying to penetrate its security.

A second passed.

Another.

Taking a deep breath, I lost my nerve and doubled back a few steps.

Come on, my brain went, do you want the stuff or not?

I closed my eyes, turning away from the door. The consequences if I got caught...

I sucked in another breath and turned to face the door again. My hand was just inches away from knocking.

"No no no no no no no, no. I can't. I can't do this." I turned around again, and began walking down the alley back towards my apartment.

Ok, I'm not proud to say that I ran back to the door like a fly chasing a flashlight, but who could blame me? I was hooked on the stuff, and I'd rather be damned to a life of a cactus, than live in abstinence from the cargo I was currently seeking.

Giving myself a few good slaps in the face I turned back to the door. Only it wasn't closed.

"Ah, woah!" My hands shot up, as did my blood pressure.

The man in the doorway lowered his gun a bit.

"Whattayou doin' here kid?" He said.

"I-I'm here to see Rico"

His gun shot back up.

"Howdaya know Rico?"

"I'm supposed to meet him... for the..." I swallowed the lump that decided to take shelter in my throat.

"The stuff..." I trailed off again, hoping this man knew what I was talking about.

"Yure tellin' me that yur James?"

"Yes! Yes, I'm James."

The man lowered his gun again. He cocked his head in a way that must've meant "come on then." I followed him inside, straining to keep my heartbeat at a normal rhythm.

The inside of the building was your standard grimy, scummy, inner-city shithouse. Tattered walls that were so battered, the interior was not only visible, but also crumbling.

My guide stopped to look into a room, speaking some foreign language into it and then laughing before continuing on down the hallway.

I peeked into the room he'd been talking into and noticed a couple of guys sitting on a low slung couch, playing some kind of old videogame. Strange considering that the only sound coming from the tv was white noise.

Eh, they were probably doped up, considering what this building is used for.

Apparently I had lagged behind, because before I knew it, the man came back in my direction

"Hey, comon'," he said, grabbing my shoulder and turning me to face him.

He started walking again, turning his head ever so slightly as to make sure I was keeping up.

I followed the guy over to a door that he needed a key for.

Glancing around, I saw one of the few rooms that had its door closed. There was a blinking red light coming from the cracks between the wall and the door. I was tempted to look underneath, but ultimately decided against it when my guide opened the locked door.

We entered an office-like room.
Now, when I say "office-like," I don't mean it was organized like a clean workspace. No, it was be exact opposite of that with paper and clothes scattered all around the room. The only thing that really sealed the "office" look was a large black desk and red chair that was facing away from the door. Well, almost, the chair itself slowly spun around.

I guess I expected more of a supervillan-esque man in a dark suit stroking a cat, but I was sorely mistaken. In the chair sat a big fat load of nothing. Not even a cat. My guide made his way to the couch and sat down.

"Well, comon," he said, motioning for me to sit next to him.

I reluctantly made my way over to the edge of the tilted couch and sat.

"So-"

"We're gonna wait 'ere for Rico," he cut me off.

He muttered something else, but I wasn't able to decipher what he had said in his gruff voice.

I let out a slow sigh. If only my last dealer was still available.

"Ahem..." my guide shot me a warning look. "S-sorry, I was just wondering if you knew what happened to Benjamin?"

"He's dead."

"O-oh. When did he die? I thought he was healthy, but I guess he was getting up there in age too huh? Hey, you think-"

"Shut up."

I promptly closed my mouth. Benjamin had been a good guy, we had gotten to know each other the many times I'd gone to him for my supply. He'd told me that he had two sons and his wife had divorced him. He was struggling to pay his bills, and gotten into organized crime to make some extra cash. And for what he charged for what I bought from him, I knew he must've made a killing.

My thoughts raced on what could've killed him. I mean, he WAS 87, so it's not hard to imagine a fatal stroke or heart attack taking the guy. Though it's a damn shame he's gone. Now I have to deal with his boss, Rico.

Now I have to wait for his boss, Rico.

The new man from now on.

I just hope he's not some crazy murderous freak.

After what felt like hours of waiting, the door we had come through finally opened.

Rico, or so I assumed, waltzed in.

"Hey Freddy, who's the new meat?" He gave me a twisted smile as he made his way to the desk.

"He ain't 'ere to be meat, he's 'ere to buy it."

Be meat? Eh, he probably just meant that I'm not here to join their ring of gangs and criminals.

"James! It's good to finally meet you. Poor Benny had lots of great things to say about you.

I was silent as Rico stared at me, his smile unwavering.

"So, um, about my stuff..."

"Ah, of course boy! I'll get you your meat. But payment's upfront." Rico held out his hand.

I reached into my pocket, pulling out the usual amount, and placing it in his open palm. He started counting the money.

"Woah, woah, woah," Rico started, forcing me to snap my attention back to him. "This ain't enough."

"What? But that what Benjamin always charged me.." I replied, feeling a little unorthodox. It also happened to be all I had. "And it's all I brought."

Rico laughed suddenly, making me jump again. Man I really am a wimp aren't I?

"Alright, ma boy, I'll take this, but next time it's gonna be double."

"Double? But-"

"Ey man, I'm cuttin' you a deal here, don't screw it up by runnin' your mouth."

I stayed silent as Rico glared at me.

"You don't have any more do you?"

Silence again, and he shook his head.

"I'd look the other way on all of the times you shorted my guy, but considering that you have no empathy for my simple business, I'll have to collect your debt in other ways."

Rico pocketed the cash, looking back up at me with a malicious grin.

I involuntarily took two steps back. The heel of my foot colliding with something behind me.

I flinched, and two massive hands wrapped around my arms.