SO BAD [MXM] [MAFIA] ✓

10: ANYONE BUT

Skylar's using habits get much worse after that, to the point where he goes through most of his supply in a matter of days. Even though he still has some left, he doesn't want to run out completely and deal with the absolutely insane withdrawal. So, before he knows it, he is once again having to make plans to steal from Crimson. It's about a week after Jessie leaves that Skylar embarks on the mission.

Skylar drags himself out of bed and showers and everything, taking note that his father actually has the day off today. He only sees that as even more reason to get out of the house, grabbing his bag and his car keys and wasting absolutely no time. He stops and gets gas before heading straight to downtown Bayton, tunnel vision clouding just about everything. Seriously, his addiction has gotten much worse.

Except, when Skylar does finally reach the car yard where Crimson keeps his stash, he finds that the vehicle isn't there. They must've taken it out somewhere. Skylar briefly contemplates actually searching around the city for them, or maybe trying to break into Crimson's apartment, though that's much less safe, however, he's not sure if he's in the right state of mind to take either risk. So, he waits.

And waits...

And waits.

Crimson doesn't actually arrive back at the facility until it's going on 9 PM. It's dark outside, and Skylar has basically been playing games on his phone all day while he waits.

He watches Crimson and a few guys exit the vehicle before heading inside, and they're dragging a guy with them. The man is beat to hell, genuinely looking on the verge of death, and it does send a surge of fear through Skylar. It reminds him what will happen to him if he's caught, or honestly just is he sees them again.

They will kill him once they get the chance, and that's something he knows for a fact.

However, before Skylar can actually do anything, he feels his phone buzzing in his pocket. Skylar frowns, looking down and pulling it out so he can see the caller ID.

Wes

Huh. Wonder what that guy wants.

Skylar answers the phone and is met with the voice of one of his best friends, which sounds quite panicked and stressed. "Skylar? You there?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Carlos cancelled on me," Wes tells him, and it takes Skylar a moment to remember what the guy is even talking about. That's right, Wes had invited Skylar a few days ago to another stunt he was planning. However, it sounded too dangerous and Skylar really does not want to be homeless. So, he'd turned it down. Carlos agreed to help instead.

But, if he cancelled...

"Oh, shit," Skylar says, beginning to realize where this conversation is going—but Skylar needs more drugs! Sure, he loves his friends, but his addiction is getting really fucking bad. He's cannot afford to go any length of time without hi supply. He can't allow himself to run out.

"There are so many people here already, and I can't do this by myself. Please tell me you'll change your mind."

Skylar winces, knowing that he really can't afford to do this. If he gets hurt, which he always does, he's so fucked. Skylar always gets the most injured of everyone involved in any of Wes' stunts. He just has bad luck and a distinct lack of self preservation, which he can only do so much about. He seriously can't afford to do this. Literally and figuratively.

"Okay, where is it?"

Ugh, seriously? Why is Skylar such a goddamn pushover?!

"The community pool, you know the one in Overwood?"