Dirty Dealers

I have to let him go.

The rain has subsided, but the air is still heavy and smells of the sea. The streets are quiet, but I use my clicks to avoid walking into light poles or benches. Echolocation opened the world to me, especially since a cane would be a death sentence. Talking signs are another useful invention, helping me in the crosswalks without anyone’s notice. I count each block until I reach my destination. The reduced noise of traffic tells me I’m far from the busy center of town. I’m in a place were only homeless people or criminals would go, and I carefully proceed forward, off the pavement and onto what feels like vegetation growing over sand.

I continue walking, and I have to trust it’s dark enough for me to stretch out my hand. More clicks, and I start to get the echo. A tall structure is ahead of me, and it sounds like stone.

“This must be the place,” I whisper to myself.

Sure enough, in five more paces, my fingers encounter a wall covered in ivy. I place both hands on it and follow the perimeter, careful of where I place my feet as I search for the door. It isn’t long before I come to an opening.

Click click, I hear the hollow of a large, empty space. It’s the way inside, and I slide my foot forward to be sure there isn’t a fallen rock or hole to greet me as I enter. Solid floor is under my feet, and as I step inside, I smell moldering wood. A drop of water lands on my cheek, and I pull back, flicking it away in disgust.

“No telling where that’s been,” I mutter, looking up. I can’t see it, but I’m sure the roof is full of holes, or missing.

My boots crunch on sand, and in another step I kick what sounds like a board across the smooth floor. It’s helpful, because it allows me to hear how open and empty the room is.

“Now what?” I wonder, moving my head as if I’m looking around. “Blix!” I shout as loud as I can. “Blix are you here? It’s me Kass!”

For a moment, I wait. In retrospect I took a big chance coming here. Who’s to say he’s hanging around waiting for someone to find him? Still, it’s after eleven. Where else would he be?

“Blix!” I shout again. “I need to talk to you. It’s me Kass!”

The space seems quieter as the echo of my voice disappears. I’m breathing fast, inhaling the pungent scent of mildew, the earthy smell of plants growing over ancient rocks, the fresh scent of rain.

The complete and utter insanity of what I’m doing here tries to invade my mind. Fear rises in my stomach and my resolve slips. I fight my survival instinct pushing me to run away, to get as far as possible from Blix and his horrors. I fight my nerves telling me I can’t see, I’m not strong enough.

I’m here for Cameron, and in a way, I’m here for Logan. I can’t do what Blix wants me to do, and after his surprise appearance in my apartment today, I know the only way out is to do what I’m doing right now. I will be strong. I will get close enough, and I will finish this job my way. I’ll stop him… even if it means—

“What are you doing here, Kass?” Blix’s voice echoes in the darkness.

I don’t jump. I don’t scream in terror. I center my thoughts, control my breathing.

“I need to talk to you.” My voice is clear as a bell in the darkness.

“Is that so?” He’s moving closer, but I don’t hear footsteps. It’s unnerving to have him approach without warning. It reminds me of old stories about spirits or ghosts haunting abandoned castles. He’s a demon. “It must be very important for you to come here. Why are you dressed all in black?”

“So no one would see me come in, of course.” Cocky is my best attempt at confidence. “I’ve always followed protocol.”

“Protocol says you should call before showing up unexpectedly.” He touches the side of my cheek. “Otherwise, you might find yourself shot.”

“Shot?” Again, I’m doing my best at confidence. “That isn’t your preferred method of dealing with intruders. It’s over too quickly.”

He actually chuckles. “You know me so well.”

My insides are tight. I’m in physical pain from the fear gripping my muscles, but I hold my shoulders straight, my face level. My fingers tingle, and in my mind’s eye, I see my hand moving fast to my waist, curling around the short handle of the knife. One swift uppercut, and the blade will sink deep into his neck, ending his life. I focus all my energy on making it happen. I just have to get close enough so I don’t miss.

“Why are you here? What couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”

With a measured inhale, I allow a trickle of the nervous energy coursing through my body into my voice. “I-I screwed up. I didn’t know what to do, so I came here. I knew you’d tell me what to do.”

As anticipated, his voice flat lines. “What do you mean, you screwed up?” He’s back at my side, and I know he’s on th

e brink of clicking into torture mode.

“I got too greedy. I wanted Logan to spend the night with me, and I guess… I guess I pushed him too far. He said we shouldn’t see each other anymore.”

I’m blinking fast, wringing my hands together, waiting to see if he’ll take the bait. He’s quiet a moment. I can’t see his eyes, but I know he’s sizing me up, gauging my body language. My one advantage is Blix truly thinks my mental strength disappeared along with my sight.

He takes a step back. Another breath passes then he chuffs out a disgusted laugh. “More like he realized what a pile of shit he stepped in getting involved with a blind girl.” The words sting, but I go with them.