The night air felt colder than it really was. My heart hammered so loudly I feared anyone nearby might hear it. Chest tight and senses alert, I turned into the dark alley behind the tavern.
I found them there, gathered in a loose circle around a table playing draughts beneath the glow of an old lantern. A bottle of expensive bourbon that no honest labourer in town could afford sat between them. They were loud and careless as though the world owed them something.
Cal saw me first. Before I could think better of it, I stepped into their circle and they went quiet.
Vaughn leaned back in his chair and gave me a crooked grin, displaying yellow, uneven teeth. “Well, well,” he drawled, “if it isn't the forge boy.”
Cal rose slowly, a toothpick hanging from the corner of his mouth. “Maybe he's come for another beating. Boy, is that it?”
My jaw tightened as I wiped my clammy hands on my trousers and fisted them. “Don't call me that,” I said through clenched teeth. “You said to bring coin.”
“And have you?” Vaughn asked, standing now, giving me a once-over like he could see inside my pockets.
I hesitated. “No.”
Cal barked a laugh and the others joined in, except Vaughn. His face had turned serious, studying me, seeing more than I wanted anyone to see.
He stepped closer until we were almost nose to nose. The stink of liquor clung to his breath. “Then you've wasted your time and…ours.”
“I've come for something else.”
The laughing stopped. “Yeah? What's that?” Cal asked from behind him.
I was quiet for a moment, my gaze darting between the two of them. They led the others; that much was obvious, and whatever happened here would be decided by them.
“You don't earn your coin in there,” I jerked my chin toward the tavern. There was a heavy silence as Cal's expression darkened. He moved to step closer but Vaughn held out a hand stopping him.
“No, we don't,” Vaughn replied, “so what?”
“Then show me how you do.”
For a second, no one spoke and then they all burst into laughter. Cal removed his toothpick and drew closer to me. “Careful what you ask for…boy,” he sneered and I started to see red but Vaughn clamped his hand on my shoulder, giving Cal a look.
“Are you sure about this, mate?” He asked, his gaze boring into mine. Suddenly I saw it all again: empty kitchen cupboards, mama's trembling hands, the tired sorrow in her face, Jeremy asleep in our room with no idea how close hunger stood at our door.
I gulped and nodded. “I'm not looking to turn back."
Vaughn studied me before giving a short nod. “Good. Because we have work tonight.” He took the bourbon and shoved it at me. “First, have a drink.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "patent lie".
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