Errand Runners

Chapter 21

Nole instantly became nervous. Whoever he’d been talking to, they were unpredictable, and he didn’t like that. When he thought back to when he’d first encountered Marco and Tyrone in the alley, he remembered them saying they were almost gang members. Was bringing me here their intention all along?

Judging by the way Marco had referred to the voice as ‘boss’, Nole could only assume the obvious – he was meeting with a gang leader.

His mouth grew dry and a lump formed in his throat. He couldn’t help but think back to his last encounter with a gang leader. Not only had he almost been killed, but Suri as well. Although it was a relief to know that his siblings weren’t involved this time around, he still worried for his own safety. He’d never been to the Northeast Factory, so the building was unfamiliar ground, which didn’t pose well for a potential fight and getaway. Even if they apparently did not intend to harm him, that didn’t mean they would let him go.

A few minutes of nervous speculation distracted him long enough for his company to enter the room. Nole had expected to see a few lackeys accompanying the big shot gang leader, but he was surprised when he saw only one figure entering the room. He was even more surprised to see that it was a woman.

It was difficult to discern at first due to her muscular physique, but when she got closer, he realized it right away. Even at a distance she was very tall. Nole could already assume her height to be around six and a half feet. Her ebony skin gleamed in the fluorescent lighting, accentuating the chiseled shoulders and brawny arms underneath the length of her charcoal colored braids. She reminded him of an amazon.

Just like their brief conversation, her expressionless face gave no indication of her feelings toward Nole and he couldn’t help but get intimidated when she stared straight at him with her striking hazel eyes. There was a sense of intensity in her presence that he couldn’t describe. All he could really compare it to was how it felt when he judged an enemy’s strength to be beyond his own.

“Nole, right?” she greeted, extending her hand toward him.

“Yeah.” He shook her hand hesitantly, but didn’t take his eyes off her.

“Unhurt I presume?” she deemed, scanning him from head to toe.

Tell that to my back, he thought to himself, recalling the encounter with Tyrone earlier that day. “So the new recruits seemed to have treated you well.” She chuckled, “Well, I won’t go as far as to call them members yet. They’ve got a ways to go in the combat department.”

He didn’t know how to respond. “Don’t be so tense,” she stated, halting his internal dialogue. “Like I said, we’re not going to hurt you. Just the opposite actually.”

“Stop speaking in circles,” Nole said. “If you know about me, you should know I don’t have any time for this.”

The woman grew silent and crossed her arms, her eyes boring into him.

"Yes,” she replied curtly. “I know this is a little abrupt Mr.…”

“Vale,” he finished.

“Mr. Vale, I desire to offer my assistance with your situation. Of course, with myassistance comes the help of my gang.”

Her words ceased after revealing that she was indeed the leader of a gang. Nole had already inferred the information earlier, but she appeared to be looking for a reaction in that moment. What she didn’t know was that he had already scanned her appearance for a gang tattoo, and had failed to find one.

“I don’t need any help,” he declined. “Least of which from a gang.”

“I figured a guy like you would not readily accept our kind of help, but I urge you to accept. There is much more to this situation than you can even begin to comprehend.”

“It’s my situation, so I think I comprehend everything fully. It’s all my personal business anyway.”

“Yes, to you, but your personal life is being used to manipulate Nova City’s entire populace.”

“What are you talking about?” he snapped, frustrated by her vague replies. The tiredness was setting in and making him grow easily agitated. The truth was, her words had intrigued him to a degree, but he was still annoyed with everything – fighting with Suri, hurting his back, being chased by Enforcers, letting Taro get away, leaving Caden at Central Station.

Aware of the tense situation, she sighed before speaking again.

“Were you close to Dr. Murphy?”

Nole’s rotten attitude dissipated and confusion set in. Did she know him?

“I didn’t kill him,” he blurted out.

“I know.”

“I was framed for his murder and I was his best friend. I know the Enforcers think they have some sort of evidence-” He stopped mid-rant once he realized what she’d said. “You know I’m innocent?” he reiterated with a hint of doubt in his voice.

“Yes.”

Despite his skepticism, he was relieved to hear that he wouldn’t have to defend himself further. He decided to skip the interrogation about how she knew he was innocent, and instead opted to hear her out. “I’m sorry for your loss. He was a good friend of mine as well.”

“Y-you were friends with him?” Nole was dumbfounded. She deemed his question rhetorical and went on.

“Listen Mr. Vale, I know a lot; even more than the clueless mayor of this hopeless city.” The woman reached behind her and revealed the manila envelope she’d kept tucked in the back of her tan cargo capris. “What you’re looking for is in here. Share it with the old woman as well.”

Betty? Just how much does she know about me? Nole tried to keep a straight face, but he was beyond astonishment. So she’s not all talk.

"What is it?” he asked, carefully taking the folder from her. The expectation of a last minute ambush was still lingering in his mind.

“Answers.” The compact file wasn’t heavy in the least. Nole even wondered if there was really anything in it. “That is all,” she said abruptly, turning her back.

“What are we supposed to do with whatever’s in here?”

“Do with it as you please.” Rolling his eyes, Nole was prepared to leave. It had been a long day, and he was surprised with how long he’d been able to stay awake in his current state.

“Wait,” he called, “why are you helping me?”

Despite having her back to him, she remained at his question.

“The doctor was a good man. His true murderer should be dealt with.”

“But you didn’t need to save me to do that,” he challenged.

When she grew silent, he assumed she would begin walking once again, but she didn’t.

“Another mutual friend put in a good word for you.”

“Mutual friend?” he repeated. “Who?”

“That is not for me to say,” she replied evasively. “Goodbye Nole Vale.”

“Okay…”

“Asteria,” she finished before disappearing into the darkness of the doorway.