The Shredder

Dear Readers,

Unlike a lot of my stories, this one came from something quite boring. Last month, I decided to get rid of old receipts and tax records, so I took out my shredder and made three boxes of paper disappear. As I was feeding those old records into those teeth, I thought, “I’m getting rid of so much of my life. My expenditures. My projects. Anything job-related.” And that’s when it came to me. So, here’s The Shredder, Part 1. I hope you enjoy it.

Image by Hans from Pixabay

Georgio Pencala had made the biggest mistake of his life, and now he was paying for it. With no experience stealing, why had he thought it was a good idea to join Lopez and the others in that heist?

“We’re in and out. Twenty grand each, guaranteed. We only do this once, and then we go back to being the good guys, but without all that credit card debt and student loans hanging over our heads.” Lopez had slung his arm around Georgio’s shoulder. “Look, you can pay off your mom’s funeral and start saving for that kid you and Trina want. Come on. We need a driver. You’re it.”

Now he was on the run. When he went to Trina’s for help, she’d thrown her engagement ring at him and shoved him out the door. “Just how stupid are you? Get out, and don’t come here again!”

If he didn’t show up for work, he’d lose his job. He couldn’t return to his apartment. The cops had that staked out. Lopez or one of his buddies must have informed on him for a lighter sentence. Georgio was screwed.

He stayed out of sight until after dark, then made his way to the end of town and the homeless camp he saw every day on his way to work. As he crept down the embankment, he almost cried. How had he come to this? He needed the money, sure, but... He heard his mom’s voice and what she always said when he came to her with a problem.

Oh, Georgio, sweetheart. Of course, I will help you.

But she wasn’t here anymore. He was on his own.

Inhaling the stink of unwashed bodies and garbage almost made him change his mind. But in this camp, nobody cared what you’d done or who you were. It was a perfect place to hide until he could figure out how to get out of town.

He found a space under the bridge and sat against it with his knees drawn up to his chest. He’d be cold with only a light jacket, but at least he had a spot where his back was covered. The only protection he had on him was a pocket knife, nearly useless where he’d wound up.

“Hey, new guy!” The man’s voice came from out of the shadows, making Georgio jump. He hadn’t seen anyone nearby.

Laughter preceded the man as he stepped into the pale light of distant street lamps. Tall and slender, with the look of someone in good health, he squatted across from Georgio. “Where’s your stuff?”

Georgio shook his head, puzzled.

The man nodded. “Really new to this, then. No bags. No cart. No...stuff.”

“No.”

The man reached out his hand. “Baylor. And you?”

He hesitated, then shook hands. “Georgio.”

“So how’d you wind up at the bottom of this barrel called society, Georgio?”

In the dim light, Baylor’s eyes were focused and clear. He wasn’t a drunk. His skin didn’t have the wasted look of a druggie. With a haircut and decent clothes, he’d pass for a successful businessman. And there was something in his voice and the easy way of sitting that confused, but comforted Georgio. He’d expected to be attacked, maybe forced to leave. Now, he relaxed.

“I made a mistake. A big one.”

Baylor nodded. “Big enough to land you in jail?” He waited, his hands folded in front of him. No rush. Take your time. Tell me or don’t. Up to you. His message was clear without words.

“Yes. If they catch me, I’ll do a few years, for sure. It was big enough to cost me everything. My fiancé. My job. Probably any friend I ever had.”

“It sounds like you need a new friend”—Baylor pointed at his chest— “with connections. How about I introduce you to someone with exactly the help you need? You up for that?”

If it’s too good to be true, it’s too good to be true. That’s what Georgio’s mom always said.

“Why do you want to help me? You don’t know me.”

Baylor smiled. “Oh, but I do. I’ve met you for centuries.”

This was getting weird. Georgio looked around for a way to escape. He was talking to a psycho.

“Here.” Baylor held out a business card. “Go to this place.” He stood and started away. “Or not. Your decision.” Before he vanished into the shadows, he said, “They’ll expect you.”

Part 2, Coming October 1

I wrote last week that I have a new book coming out, so as I get nearer my publication date, I’ll be sharing some of the characters and maybe a few scenes here on My Weekly Dose of Fiction. And then, of course, my favorite holiday is fast approaching, so I’ll join and others on the Halloween Team.

We’re in for some spooky October fun!

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