Thick as Thieves
It was a muggy night.
Eric tried not to smile at that. He thought he was going to throw up and the weight of the humidity bore down on him. His face was oozing great big drops of sweat so profusely that they collided and ran down his face.
Tonight, he was going to mug his first victim.
He didn’t feel good about it, but Mum needed to cover the rent. Everyone in town was feeling the pinch. Even Daniel was asking where to find a prop gun, just like the one Eric had in his pocket.
The air was hazy, hot from the wet summer’s day and the cool breeze had not yet swept through. In this heat, the streets were empty, save for his target.
His target was a gangly man, walking hunched with his hat pulled low over his face, trying not to draw attention. He was shy, easy prey.
That’s what Eric was hoping.
He quickened his pace.
The man ahead of him hesitated, his gaze darting around, and he dipped into a side alley.
Eric breathed a sigh of relief. “Perfect.”
He rounded the corner, his footsteps echoing within the narrow street, mixing with his victims, both quickening.
He took the last three steps at a run and pulled his weapon.
“Give me your money!” He said.
But the victim turned, pulled his own weapon and said, “Empty your pockets!” at the same time.
They both froze there for a moment, two wiry attackers, kids really, holding fake guns at one another.
Both had even forgotten to remove the orange tip from the barrel of their props.
“Well, shit!” Eric paced the alleyway. “Daniel?”
“Oh, hey Eric!” Daniel lowered his weapon and smiled. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I told you there were muggers here. I told you to keep your distance. The muggers were me planning to mug someone tonight!”
“Well, that’s why I thought it would be safe to hunt here without accidentally getting anyone I know.”
That’s why I came to this part of town, Eric lamented.
He scrunched up his face and smacked his temple with his prop. “Look, we need the money. Why don’t we just try another night? No one else is around, anyway.”
“Yeah man, sounds good. Tell your mum I said hi.” Daniel pocketed his toy and turned away, then he hesitated and turned back, “. . . ah, do you have any bus money?”
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