The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 35

The afternoon sun hung heavy over the lot, casting long shadows between the moving vans and delivery trucks. The place was alive with workers loading and unloading, clipboard-wielding supervisors barking orders, and the occasional frustrated customer arguing inside the rental office. It was the kind of organized chaos that made sneaking around a challenge—but not impossible.

Yaga adjusted the brim of his cap, glancing at his team of teen girls. Boe looked relaxed, hands in her pockets, while Rin bounced on her toes nervously with her fingers fidgeting in her pockets. Shoko took a slow drag of her cigarette, unimpressed with the whole situation.

Yaga nodded toward the smallest of the moving vans where a man was inspecting the tires. "Shoko, go talk to that guy by the van. Stall him," he said, his voice hushed.

Shoko flicked the ash to the pavement. "Yeah, yeah," she sighed, exhaling a plume of dark smoke, "No problem."

She sauntered over, her movements lazy but intentional, stopping just short of the man who was leaning against the van, eyeing the lot like a watchdog.

"Hey," she said, blowing out another slow stream of smoke.

The man looked at her suspiciously before he asked, "Can I help you?"

Shoko gave him an easy smile, shrugging. "My dad's inside renting a van," she lied, "Said it might take a while. Figured I'd get some fresh air."

His eyes flicked toward the rental office. His shoulders eased just a fraction. "Yeah? Lotta people renting today. What's he hauling?" he asked, placing the pen in his hand behind his ear.

She exhaled, feigning boredom. "Some furniture. I dunno, he just told me to stay put. You work here long?"

The man grunted, his suspicion dulling under the weight of small talk. Shoko kept him distracted, throwing in a laugh here and there, making sure his eyes stayed off the rest of her team.

Meanwhile, Yaga gestured to Boe and Rin. "You're up," he muttered.

Boe gave him a two-fingered salute before slipping off with Rin. They moved swiftly through the maze of vehicles, reaching the back door of the rental office without drawing attention. Boe crouched, pulling out a small kit, and with practiced ease, worked the lock. Rin stood close, keeping watch while biting her lip in excitement.

With a quiet click, the door gave way. They slipped inside, moving fast but careful. The office was small, mostly paperwork, a desk, and a wall lined with hooks holding dozens of keys. Boe scanned the hooks, but Rin was faster.

"Got it," she whispered, eyes locking onto the right set. "Number 42." She reached up, plucked them from the hook, and handed them off to Boe with a triumphant smirk. "Let's go."

They retraced their steps, slipping back out just as effortlessly as they had entered. By the time they reached Yaga, he was already near the driver's side door of the van. Boe handed him the keys, and Yaga wasted no time unlocking it.

"In," he ordered.

Rin and Boe climbed into the truck, Rin practically bouncing in her seat while Boe just stretched out like it was a casual Sunday drive. Yaga started the engine, the low rumble drowned in the noise of the busy lot. He glanced up, meeting Shoko's eyes out the passenger side window.

She caught his cue instantly. "Anyway, looks like he's almost done. Catch you later, yeah?" She winked at the worker before casually strolling toward the van. The second she was close enough, Yaga gunned it, and she hopped onto the step, yanking the door shut behind her.

The lot erupted into shouts. A man near the gate, startled by the sudden movement, scrambled to slam it shut.

Too late.