Chapter 4 DETENTION

After the robbery, the black van has been parked into an abandoned warehouse which is empty. Only a black SUV is upfront. They all start removing their gear and changing into new clothes, so as to cover up any evidence to their crime. The driver, Mickey removes his mask, revealing him as a black boy with dark eyes, initial face tattoos and dreadlocks. He stands alongside Terrence; white muscular man that had blue soft eyes, light colored hair with natural blond streaks on it, and wonderful skin.

Terrence removed his belt and speaks to the group. "We almost got caught."

"But we didn't. That's the job. You should have stayed home if you didn't have the balls for it," said Mickey. Standing tall, all high and mighty in his face.

Then Harris walks over to them, in his same attire.

"Hey, cut it out Mickey. We're all on the same team," he said. There was a soothing in his voice. Everyone was silent for a few seconds.

This was a gang kept together by money, fear or loyalty. But they were all conniving thieves, ex - cons and criminals. Scums of the world. Mickey had served some years in the federal prison for bashing a guy's head in with a spanner because he saw him hitting on his sister.

Terrence was a low level pill pusher trying to get a street credit and make a few bucks in the process. Clearly he was drowning in debt after using up his stash from his dealer for free.

A little or nothing was known about Harris. He was an independent contractor working for the highest bidder. But he was a force to be messed with.

"How much are we getting paid for this?," replied Terrence.

"50 grand. We all could use the payday," said Mickey, smiling.

"That's a lot of money...."

"What'd I tell you. We're twenty minutes away from the rest of our lives. No more looking over our shoulders. Start afresh. The American dream yo," said Harris.

"I hear ya," said Mickey. His phone rings. "It's the boss."

"Well, pick it up," said Harris.

Mickey answers it as an unknown male voice speaks over the phone.

"Do you have the package?"

"Yeah. Where's our money, where do we meet?," asked Mickey.

"Schneider Drop yard. Be there at 4:00. Don't be late. We'll be waiting for you and the rest of your crew."

Suddenly, Harris takes a gun out of his back and shoots Mickey in the chest twice. The phone slips out of his hand and falls to the ground. Terrence is startled and pulls down his black T-shirt and runs toward the door with a duffel bag. Meanwhile, Harris who walks over to Mickey that is struggling to breathe and gushing out blood everywhere sees Terrence and shoots at him several times.

"Oh, shit!," said Terrence.

He misses. Terrence runs out of the warehouse furiously which enrages Harris.

"Dammit!"

Harris walks over to Mickey's side, grabs the phone and places it next to his ear.

"Change of plans. You'll be dealing with me directly."

"What about your crew?," said the voice over the phone.

"They're dead or soon will be. I'll be in touch."

Once Harris hangs up the phone. He points his gun at Mickey who lies on the floor. There is gunshot.

At school. During class period, Harper holds Heather's hand and storms into the Men's Room. Skeptically, Heather walks by with Harper who looks around. A look into her eyes reveal she's a bit scared. A brief flash of vulnerability, but it doesn't last.

"You're sure it's empty?," asked Heather.

"Yeah. There's no one here," Harper answered. "Hello? You see, no one."

"This is crazy. What if we get caught?"

"Then it'll be worth it." Harper stroked her cheek gently and cups her face in his hand and kisses her.

They start making out, Heather jumps up and wraps her legs around Harper's waist. The door opens.

"Oh, no! Someone's coming," said Harper. He grabs Heather's hand and disappears.

They hide in a toilet. The door is slam shut, revealing Eric Stanton has just walked in. He is on the phone with someone while walking towards the sink.

"Look man, it's not a problem. I'll get it done. Hang on a sec. I'll call you back."

Two sets of legs can be seen by Eric. So he walks towards the exact toilet and starts knocking on the door which Harper barricades with his hands.

"Smoochy - smoochy. Come on, open up!"

Though Eric continues banging on the door, Harper holds it still, he turns, eyeing Heather. Heather catches his stare. The looks begin....

Suddenly, a white male in his late forties walks in, dressed up in a suit. Eric is startled so hard that he gasps and turns to see who just walked into the Men's Room. It's the principal.

"Holy shit! Principal Keating?"

The toilet door opens. Heather and Harper come out. Eric stares at them, with a weird look on his face. Then, principal Keating speaks up.

"Detention. All of you."