The news was calling our escapade, “First Terror of the New King”

  The cab changed after that report, It felt like a glass box, like everyone outside coud peirce the metal and tinted windows.

  It wasnt just me either, everyone around me seemed to be effected by the report, our cabbie stoped playing automatic messages and a nervous voice delivered all news to us its nerves and worry making it almost, human.

  Cilck “Mr.Lamont, we here at meta rides are so grateful, that someone such as, yourself would chose us for your, transportation needs.” there it was again, that fear.

  “And, If there is anything we can do to make your travels more, pleasant then please dont hesitate to ask.”

  Alexander however was hard to read with his black armoured suit, but he had become ridged his spine erect and his gaze locked on the screen once my new classification had been announced, for a while he stayed that way, until finally he mutter something and slumped back into his seat far lower then was possibly comfortable.

  The strangest change however, was that of the atmosphere outside, billows of fog had begane to roll across the world outside smothering us and dipping the world into obscurity.

  Click, “Mr.Lamont I, aponlogies but the fog will slow us down a bit, hopefully tho this donst negatively effect your meta cab experience…”

  He continued his fearful rambling becoming synonyms with the slow hum of the engine, my mind becoming a stage open witch memories dance, old ones new ones, forgotten ones, they all moved in the dim light and I watched, I was one two shadows observing the stage, i was, the small one, the one who didnot laugh who didn't cheer, I was the one left with the bitter tast of laughter i could not share in.

  A lurch, broke my melancholy, the quick acceleration of the cab coming to me as a consistent humm.

  “We will be arriving within two minuets sir, and you will be moved to the VIP customer list as an apology for this delay.”

  For a moment I waited hoping the cabbie would clarify a bit more, maybe i missed something when he was speaking.

  I turned meaning to get Alexanders attention with the best what happened face I could without feature,. But I found him already staring back at me, he was sitting upright again his shoulder now pressed to the glass, creating a knocking sound with every little deviation on the road.

  Why was he pressed against the door like that, there was plenty of…… ah

  A forest of jagged black spikes grew from the edges of my seat leaving just enough room for me to fit in perfectly, as tho it was made for me alone and no other was meant to sit within the frame.

  Click “We have arrived at your desired destination Mr. Lamont, I hope your ride was enjoyable and should you have need of a cab anytime soon Meta Ride would be extacatic to provide you with such services.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Our doors immediately popped open despit the fact we hadnt even come to a full stop causing them to slam into the cab and start there return trip.

  So without hesitation I grabed my briefcase muttered a quick “Thank you.” and exited the cab with Alexander.

  We made our way in what I believed to be the right direction, but in truth the only real anchor i had was the fading sounds of our departing cab and alexeneds metallic steps on my right until thoes to was muffled by the now all consuming fog.

  “Do you know where we are supposed to meet her.”

  “I’m not sure alex, but miss blackwood inteneds to sell this tonight so I would assume she will either meet us here or have Moretti bring us to her.”

  Sure enough a set of lights appeared a few yards ahead becoming our ligthouse and revealing the lovely lovely sight of what could only be the shadows of several armed Riccardo clones.

  “Thats far enough.” one of the clones barked across the distance he voice cutting thru the fog as tho it bowed before his words. “You got what she asked for.”

  I stepped froward hoping my words would cut through half as clearly “Yes, we have the requested item…”

  The yards stillness was only broken when the headlights that had acted as our warning began to slide towards us, the rumble of the engine growing clearer until a black passanger van came into veiw mere feet away.

  It sidedoors opened with a muffed click and six Moretti clones stepped out before what must have been the true Moretti himself closely followed by a cloaked individual clinging to his side nothing but fog visible in the hood.

  Moretti however was wearing his typical flashy suite and holding a bulky silver briefacse.

  “Alright then let's do business.”

  Moving with care I set my case of the ground nelt down and popped it open retrieving the stone for the mess I had created in the rush from the safe, house….

  “Before we conclude our deal, Mr. Morretti I do have a question about the safehouse provided by miss blackwood.”

  There was a light scrape to my side, a shifting alexander was all i caught in my porifualvission, he had changed his stance, feet wide and head straight he had turnd standing slightly angled in a way that hid his right arm.

  Similar scrapes and shifting of shadows needeled the fog around us demanding my attention.

  “And, what exactly do you want to know Mr. Lamont.”

  purposefully, cautiously, I picked up the crown its stange magics seeming to react to me, riples of its gems pulled towards my fingers as tho it was curious of what i am, “I was merely currouse as to how she came into possession of the safe house.”

  More scarping and shifting shadows “It was a gift, from a friend of miss blackwood, now lets get business taken care of shall we.”

  I closed my case setting it upright and stood, clasping the crown in one hand “Very well, and will we be receiving full payment apon completion.”

  “You will get half now, and half after we authenticate the crown alright, after all, we know where to find you.” a light click came from my right.

  “Yes, that will be fine Mr.Moretti, as long as the agreed-upon amount is paid there will be, no, complaints.” another sliding click

  “Good, then let's get this done.” Riccardo walked out of the fog silver briefcase in hand

  He stoped standing no more than a foot away as he opened the briefcase, proving it was what he claimed it to be, once he had made his point he closed the case placed it on the ground and slid it over with a light kick.

  “Out of courtesy I whent first, Now hand over the crown and lets be done with this.”

  stepping forward, the crown oustreched I did my best to sound assuring “Your courtesy is appreciated.”

  Richardo took it, looking it over as tho he could discern the authenticity of the crown himself “Be seeing you around Mr. Lamont.”

  He turned walked the few paces back to the van and steped in his companion still following close behind, his clones falling in after, then they vanished into the wall of frog around us until it to retreated disaperaing behind them.

  “That was stressful.”

  “GA!” my body jerked and i nearly fell as my balance whent out the window, alexander had apparently stepped up right next to me at some point. “Alex why are you so close.”

  He just shrugged “So can we go home, and when do you think my money ganna arrive.”

  He wasn't wrong tho, that was oddly stressful, blackwood typicaly handles buissness herself

  “The money should be delivered within the week and we should be able to head back to the estate, as soon as we can get another cab.”