FoA S3 Chapter 19

You aren’t sure what you expected for the aftermath of something like the 24 hours you have just had. What were you hoping for? A hug?

You return to the bar, where there’s no sign of Tanya and Caroline was the one who drew the short straw and had to wait for you. She immediately starts texting the others.

“Get out of here,” she says to you, helping Vicky into a chair. You wanted to take her to the ER, but she refused.

“What?” you say blankly as Joey hovers awkwardly behind you.

“Get out of here. Do not come back until someone tells you to. You have to lie low,” Caroline snaps. “Go! Now. Leave her.” She points at Joey.

It feels surreal. All of it felt surreal, but this part more than anything. You Vicky. You’re just so tired. Connell and Z and whoever else they work with don’t know you and Nancy, not yet, but the Free Gurls were just out in ****. You’re an unknown, but Stef and Carla are out there. If someone was recognized, it’s a safe bet that cops will be turning up here.

You, Vicky, and Joey cannot be at the bar when that happens.

“Is she going to be OK?” you ask as you walk backwards toward the door.

“Yes! Go!” Caroline is freaking out. Not because of Vicky, but because of all of it. The hit on your shipment. Now this. Things just escalated. There will be consequences, and Caroline has a clearer head, a better view of it, and is a smarter person. If she’s worried, it’s for good reason.

Feeling sick, you leave the bar and hurry to your apartment, where you have to ask your neighbor to let you climb out his window to break into your own place. This is sad.

Home at last, you are able to shower properly. That’s worth something. You just aren’t sure what to worry about first. Vicky? What will happen to Joey? It’s not your fault or Vicky’s that the deal got fucked up, but… it’s not good. You owe Fang so much. You don’t know how you can ever pay back a debt like this. Sexual favors aren’t going to do it.

You don’t have a spare phone. You won’t have one until… what? Fang will probably put one in your mailbox, and that’s how Stef will tell you what to do next. Something like that. But you do have a little cash at home and spare keys for everything. You still have your bike.

Even though you’re deeply worn out, you’re also deeply energized. Now you’re clean and properly dressed. Your body and brain are buzzing. You can’t just sit around at home, even if you should. There’s something that you have to do.