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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJydnSGSZo
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoowKxYF8Kv
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILrVYVWP8g
“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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenCgJvVUlS
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPtfA5e3oI
...
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6l7vP5B4U
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkrDkI8G2m
Huck nodded at him. “Good evening, Dante. Just dropping Vic’ off.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sICOM512D
Dante nodded in response. “So it would seem. Kinda late, doncha think? Did you really spend that much time pounding her?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQsJPcOhtY
Huck narrowed his eyes. “We were drinking at-”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBqSy4bDHJ
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllv4Y2fGRe
Huck flexed his forearm instinctively. “I heard you raised the quota.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQzO9HNfCI
“Yeah, what’s it to you?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxexMRF0uD
“Why? You know these girls barely make enough as it is.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EXNaVwKvP
Dante scoffed. “None of your business, cuntwad.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggmwUpsM6H
“You could always ask me for help without raising the quota.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRFJHbSpaR
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszQ1fod0wO
Huck clenched his teeth. “You-”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA8hFuzu20
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b7xNB01Db
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFDuw8FxNp
“You best do your job and protect those two.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN2CwT8vnQ
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm5cKGm5lY
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 shame79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDtB31DvvC
...79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmMBeNdwai
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8hcXh0rkD
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFCmiCKkbS
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7QWH33Umz
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenNg855A4n
...79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuEV9hYQK5
‘...Hi there, sir.’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2IZa21hNM
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11fHKFfkNt
‘Would you be interested in me? I promise I’ll do whatever you want.’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mXQdwBJGZ
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmu6GgZ6FF
‘You know I’m a cop, right?’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a6YPkR50O
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?’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSumhhooIl
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYS5uWu1lF
‘...You hooked on flicker?’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7oUyXWAKq
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.’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ef6dXqzh5
Her eyes began to overflow as she sniffed. She wiped both her eyes but the tears kept dribbling down her face. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqy7VAtina
‘...I…I don’t…’79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOWOsCawHE
The air slowly filled with heartbroken laughter, as the world around them collapsed to the sound of a repeating siren.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu13OtcGbZX
...79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJAx4ftmqh
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgLeFUDAiA
…Crap, he was running late to Aaron’s meeting.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1i8F53FcX
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU47hT2hkC
Huck scowled as he stared at the time. “Why aren’t you at school?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmtgsD3P8n
“I don’t know where it is, I thought you were gonna give me a ride.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhzTo7Ciij
“Didn’t Vic’ show you where it is?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoZsUa45Dt
“Yeah, but the crazy thing? I can’t memorize an entire town in a few hours.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnZlM2GT4v
Huck muttered as he rubbed his face with dry palms. “Alright, give me ten minutes. We’ll leave around 11:25.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx9kcbfdvw
...79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMsGCFF8yg
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0fY3DNGC6
The mayor noticed the chime of the front door and stood up. “....You’re late.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPRdykLAIL
Huck raised his arm. “That’s my bad, I slept a bit late yesterday”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0ZphGvLX0
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCVu2iM2yY
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LSoy8EQhV
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaSnbszUYP
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR56J3PQbpm
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy3j1KCi7g
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4WjukdcXd
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OPYk7Z50t
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgqAsmAmhI
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBDX6CqUp0
Huck shrugged. “He might have crappy intentions but he’s indirectly helping Blackerd. You can trust me on that.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW5oD1eHgc
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0ojIzqt2c
“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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChOEBKlRMr
Huck nodded. “You have my word. What else did you want to talk about?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ya8XZiUI
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHoHogKNmm
Huck’s eyebrows lifted. “That was fast. How’d you hear?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCIHXeq6sa
“...I’m the mayor. You’d be surprised how much information comes my way. So, what's up with that?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F4TsY4VSv
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi65G1YaQBR
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw5d3wuN1h
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMmmfITTi9
The mayor frowned. “Well, maybe don’t leave the kid on the streets. Find an orphanage or something, first.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGTfnMxVHB
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldHpvlHlSD
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynUSNn8ECn
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUiCpUXtAM
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVJrAkpRRW
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1jBctFZ2L
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5DM52aruA
Gustavo lifted his scarred eyebrow. “Didn’t think you were that big of an eater.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r5yuxqbEG
“Half of it is yours, and I’m paying double the price for last night.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwq9xxb1HS
Gustavo chuckled as he slapped his thighs. “Ah, beans. You remembered?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8wrG2qkfE
“It was literally last night, do you think that little of me?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxx3Bcvljf
“Yep.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDQOQBBu2N
“Ass.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zxpKmgepe
“I thought you were straight.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCIH6sGMLf
“Shut up.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStkHsQpUPi
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogbQ3iDaSa
...79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PwKDcwxhy
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKn4idppd7
“Ah…uh…hi sir! What can I do ya?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LsfiTOuL1
The sheriff jiggled the box of pizza. “I’m here for Dante. Can you tell him that I brought pizza?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrs1qj0WQV
Olivia blinked, obviously confused at the entire exchange. “S-sure.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bd4afL6k6
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiB7PMKxGo
Huck offered the pizza box. “Like I said, I’m here to deliver pizza.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTaZqgN4bi
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWRnoFhbtp
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvRTlAfxcU
Dante smirked. “...And what would I know about a flicker junkie?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoijdzxhfNH
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHhJtEL2UU
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR4e81tjmW
“I’ll deal with it, my way. You don’t need to be involved in this matter and complicate things further, got it?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwcFlrPUkA
“Couldn’t ask for more.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMYsjukpEa
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpk2PCnfcy
“Awww, you came to visit me?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKEegf83WP
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpplMmDZA21
“...Pepperoni, with ham and Italian sausage. Black olives. Am I right?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYsUvAyx49
“Did you walk Ally to school?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih7YdYWTst
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtBUQHKYJE
Huck sighed. “Yeah, it’s accurate. Go get changed, I have water in the car for your hangover. I’ll drop you off.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcBaVpYwGW
...79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmzFqQs03a
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.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5L1TxFGd0
“Thanks for the grub.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF1eJLIa71
Huck rubbed his neck, hesitating slightly. Before he lost the nerve, he cleared his throat and spoke. “Listen, Vic’, I-”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P88QhwUD8
Victoria stretched loudly, her grunting cutting off Huck’s thoughts. “Man, I just wanna sleep. Not in the mood to start work.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1WP1WPw6a
“Vic’, listen, you don-”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9od9wMXIV
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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgPzhqyVsK
“Vic’.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk3Mps92gs
She sighed and turned to look at Huck. She batted her eyelashes at the sheriff. “Yes, shnookums?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwFi2ABfhO
“I can cover you for today. Seriously, you don’t need to work. Hell, I could cover you in general. Ju-”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5hn3P7WJL
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?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yeleWfX8B
He scowled and shoved Victoria’s finger from his mouth. “Seriously? What would Ally think if she knew you were pr-”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCU6F4laJO
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. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkUuQQjdOw
“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.”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkicDB7sAW8
Huck said nothing, and watched as she turned around and walked to the corner of the street, advertising herself to the streets of Blackerd.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcjiUnKgdO
