Chapter 3. Petite Psycho

Smell of gunpowder rose just like smoke from the metal in lifeless hands of the big man, who laid there like a small mountain with an ocean of red flowing from it. The parking lot was partly silent but a heavy drum was booming inside Lyle's chest. His eyes stared wide at the frail-looking girl.

She had short hair that reached her neck. Her face was very simple just like her clothes. She had pulled up the sleeves of her jacket, but it only made the cloth look baggy on her biceps.

"Don't worry, I won't harm you," she said with a smile on her face, but her hands were hiding behind her back, tightly gripping each other and slightly shivering. "I just need to erase your memory."

To Lyle, she looked like a creepy slaughter psycho. He drifted his head diagonally upwards. And he turned to run towards his taxi.

The girl's smile lessened and just as she let go of her hands, something unaccounted for happened. A large hand grabbed her leg and mercilessly pulled. She crashed face first on the ground and blood gushed out of her nose.

The taxi's engine roared and its tires screeched. Lyle reversed his vehicle in a move like fashion and sped out of the parking lot. Just as he got on the road, he turned to see towards the brightly lit parking lot. The girl with a bloody face was staring straight into his eyes.

He screamed loudly inside his mind and slammed on the brakes. The taxi slid down the street and finally stopped. He lowered his head in defeat, but just at the moment, his eyes saw the opened glove box. A certain thought crossed his mind. He slammed on the steering wheel with one hand while the other rapidly changed the gear.

The taxi moved again. Lyle let out a breath of air, but then his eyes saw a lean shadow in the side mirror. Just like his heart, the accelerator screamed in the same second.

He looked into the mirror again, but the street was empty. The heaviness of the situation dawned on his soul. He looked at the rear-view mirror. There was no one in the back seat. He turned to look. Not a soul.

At last, looking into the side mirror, he concluded that it must be an electric pole. What am I doing right now? he thought. His conscience was clear, his instincts made him run away just as a chance appeared.

He closed the glove box and strapped the seatbelt. The taxi was not passing through the night lights of illusive advertisements and simulated fun. He reached out his pocket and took out his phone. 20:19 was when he was wondering if he should call Sayeno. The numbers changed to 20:20 when he decided against it.

The symmetry solidified his resolve. He lowered the window and tossed out the junk piece of metal. But despite parting with the phone, he had an urge to know about the world. Usually, he never turned on the radio, but tonight, he did.

"… apple and greens. Yum and plums-

(buzz)

… that's what we need for better outreach-

(buzz)

… than 85% feel overwhelmed by it and the bank refuses to put out an official statement. This just might be the greatest robbery of all time. Mike, I will tell you what, bring me six buses full of people and we will rob every bank in this city. -laughter-

(buzz)

…"

***

Little further from the city full of life, the sea swayed with serenity. The old harbor had now turned into a semi junk yard. But it was still a respectable place because one couldn't see this place littered with garbage. Instead, it was mostly full of large containers.

A metal junk ward that was pretty well maintained. A few people wondered why, even fewer visited this place. It was a private property and definitely had over 20 signs saying - 'Trespassers will be prosecuted.'

At this exact moment, one of the signs was lit by the lights of an incoming vehicle. But the driver ignored it and drove ahead (only to see more warning boards). Further ahead was a small parking space with a 1990 BMVV 325i, all black.

Lyle sighed in relief at seeing the vehicle and parked his taxi parallel to it. He got out and looked around the place. On one side were the large containers and on the other an open field with a road leading up to this parking lot. A few street lamps lit up the solemn area.

The pole right next to the small parking space had a security camera. He looked at it for a few seconds, then leaned on this taxi. After a while, a man dressed in a charcoal suit with maroon vest, red tie and a dim shirt, approached him.

"Yo, Mr Lyle, its been a while." Cash said. He looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s. His hair was tightly swept back and his gloved hands were carrying a block shaped device.

"Where is Sayeno?"

"Sayeno? No, I got to go," Cash waved the device on Lyle. "You are clear, but I don't know where he is dear."

"Yesterday, he took my taxi to drive a man. To you. Now my dash cam's video is missing, and I got people after me. I need…," Lyle paused and took a deep breath. "I need protection."

"Me 2, me 2, who doesn't need protection. Its about reputation. But you already know the list of things I do. Also, don't forget about the payment due."

"Cops are on me-"

"Why would they come to you, don't tell me you are already screwed? I still have nothing to lose, anyway did you hear the news?"

"Bank robbery?" Lyle thought back to what he heard on the radio.

"Well business is closed cause I don't wanna be exposed. Now excuse me I have a date, don't wanna be late." Cash walked towards his car.

"Cops were in my apartment complex. I don't know if they will let me off easily."

"If you scared of cops night and day, you better read the book, top 10 things to say." Cash rolled out in his 1990 BMVV.

Lyle stood in the same spot for a while. Soon the engine's sound was far off in the distance and later it vanished. He closed his eyes now to feel the cool breeze. It felt like the cold sea was calling out to him.

In this state, everything was dark and peaceful until he heard something off, something that was trying too hard to blend in. He snapped his eyes open! It was a damn wolf in sheep's clothing, it was that petite psycho from earlier tonight!