Silence

{5.2} Ringing

{Arlo's POV}
{The Elegant Chicken Wing}

I walk inside the warehouse ready for my next shipment. I completed Alani's challenge with ease. Shouldn't even be called a challenge, it's f*cking child's play.

"Arlo." Alani greets, leaning against stacked up crates. The dark lighting makes for an ominous atmosphere.

"Alani." I reply, walking towards him.

"I see you've completed the challenge." He comments.

"Indeed I have." Why the f*ck am I talking like this?

Alani snorts and gets up from his leaning position.

"Indeed." He mocks under his breath. "Listen, you're our best dealer and if you're up for a promotion, we have one with your name on it."

"What is it?" I ask.

"We want you controlling the shipments, organizing not just weed, but all the sh*t. Hand out orders to dealers and train others to be like you." He says, bringing out a paper from on top of one of the crates.

"That's your job." I comment, confused.

"It is, but I will be away on business for a while in Canada, so we need someone to deal with all this." He says, waving his hands around lazily.

"You want me basically in charge of the warehouse?" I clarify.

That's a big ass promotion.

"Yes, you get my office, the keys, everything. You also make orders, accept them here. Needless to say, the pay will be sufficiently higher."

"I'm also 16 with school." I comment.

"And I was 15, your point?" He says, uninterestedly.

"15?" I ask, slightly shocked.

"Yes, I'll spare you the sob story, but I was 15, on the streets when I met my bestfriend. He introduced me to this world and now I work a job that pays for well more than the bills, friends that would kill for me, and more joy than I had the first 15 years of my life. This life isn't for the faint of heart Arlo, but from your lack of family and disregard of school, you may just be the perfect candidate for it." Alani pauses, making eye contact. "Be a statistic man, sometimes it pays off and in this case, it pays millions."

I think over Alani's words. This life is risky and most come out dead.

But damn.

It would be one heck of a life.

"I accept the promotion."

Alani smirks.

"Glad to hear it." He comments, pulling the papers from the crate. "I have the paperwork here, all you have to do is sign."

"Should I read it?" I ask.

"It just says we'll kill you if you expose anything or try to leave." He says simply.

"Lovely." I comment, grabbing the pen from Alani's outstretched hand.

I look at the highlighted line hesitantly. I place the tip of the pen on the paper and begin my signature. I can feel Alani's eyes on me. I get to the end and lift the pen.