“I’m sorry, I was….” I started to stammer. My hands started to sweat. That’s it, I was done for. The man shook his head and pointed to the right.

“Just drive over there, he’s getting pissed.” I followed the man’s directions. I pulled into the warehouse. It was larger than I thought, there were stairs on the right that led up to a small office. The rest of the space contained rows and rows of crates, labelled as ‘sugar’. Around fifteen or more men were hanging around the entrance, observing as I parked into the loading bay. I couldn’t see Sebastian anywhere. Maybe, I wouldn’t have to face him. I’ll quickly jump out of the truck and walk away. From what I have observed of his personality so far, I don’t want to encounter Sebastian when he’s mad.

I switched off the engine and stepped out of the truck. Once my feet hit the floor, I could feel all eyes on me. One of the men, the skinniest of the bunch, glared at me and whispered something to his co-workers. If he only he had the balls to say it to my face. The man who spoke to me earlier came up to me again.

“What were you trying to say to me, a few minutes ago?”

“I was hijacked by someone in a grey car. They followed me from downtown and started shooting at me when I was near here. I managed to lose them.” I quickly explained, carefully choosing my words.

“Did you see who they were?” I shook my head. The group of onlookers was now sniggering, looking in my direction. Assholes. I’m back in high school with men that are twice my age. I was going to say something to them but was yanked by my collar.

It was Sebastian, and he was furious.

“All I asked you to do was drive a fucking truck, and you couldn’t even do that right!” He growled. I attempted to shove him off. For a lean guy, I underestimated his strength and he gripped my throat and slammed my back onto the truck, “Why are you late?” He snarled. I was starting to lose my breath. Was he going to kill me? I remembered that moment when Derek was shot in cold blood. Sebastian could kill me at any time he wanted. But I couldn’t die, not now. I had a family to protect, I couldn’t leave Yasmina.

“I’m sorry...I…was hijacked.” I choked, that was all I could breathe.

“He told me that too. Some guys attacked the truck on the way here, and he was trying to shake them off.” The man I spoke to quickly explained. More like pleaded. Sebastian glared at me but loosened his grip and threw me on the floor. I violently coughed and gasped for air. The older guy saved my life, he quickly helped me up on my feet, “Are you OK?” I weakly nodded. All the men in the warehouse were watching me, I felt so weak and useless. It was humiliating.

“Do you want us to get rid of him, Boss?” Someone asked. It was the slimmer one who laughed at me earlier, he was smirking at me. What is his problem with me? Sebastian glanced at me before letting out a sigh and walked to the back of the truck. He unlocked the doors and opened it. I was finally able to look inside. It was filled with cardboard boxes. When he opened one of the boxes, there were black packages inside. My mouth almost dropped to the floor. The whole truck was filled to the brim with drugs and I almost messed it all up. Sebastian picked up two packets and handed them to me.

“I appreciate that you didn’t destroy the truck, so I guess you can take this. I was going to pay, but you screwed up big time. Understand?” I nodded. I’m not complaining, I can still make some good money off this. I took the packages and looked at them.

“I’m really sorry. Thank you.” I was surprised that he would give me anything for this, so I was grateful. Sebastian didn’t say anything else, he turned on his feet and walked off. Dammit. What if he never gives me work again after this? My savior patted my back.

“Don’t worry about it, bro. He’s always harsh with the new guys. He normally gives people nothing for their first job, so he must really favor you.” I liked this guy, he seemed different from the others, “The name’s Tyrone.” I shook his offering hand.

“I’m Nathaniel Reeves.”

“Yeah, I heard all about you. The one who hijacked our deal, right?” Tyrone asked. I looked to see if the others overheard and sighed.

“It wasn’t my idea, trust me.” Tyrone laughed at my words.

“Don’t worry about it. Sebastian seems to have taken a liking to you.”

“Are you kidding? He just strangled me!” I hissed, rubbing my sore neck. I’m sure he left a bruise.

“Seriously, don’t worry. I’ve known Sebastian since he was a kid. He normally doesn’t listen to people who messed up a job, and still reward them.” I guess he was right. He didn’t kill me straight away. So, maybe he was giving me another chance. I could feel a hole burning in my face as the skinny asshole continued to glare at me.

“Who is that guy who keeps looking at me?” I muttered to Tyrone.

“Oh, you’re talking about Kieron, right? He kisses up to Sebastian all the time, probably senses competition.” I looked over at Kieron again. How can an older, experienced guy like him compare himself to me and be jealous? Tyrone chuckled and patted my shoulder, “Don’t worry about him. You did a good job today; you survived your first hijack. You can go now. Just make sure that you’re not followed this time, by those hijackers or the police with your earnings.” I looked at the two black packages in my hand. They were heavy, probably weighed three kilos each. I could make a good living from this for a while.

“I won’t. Thanks for helping me back there with Sebastian. I thought he was going to kill me.”

“That’s OK, man. Make sure he doesn’t have you by the throat next time. I might not be around to save you. See you around.” Tyrone smiled and walked off over to Kieron and the rest. I quickly left the warehouse before I could hear what they could be talking about. It was obviously about me.

I didn’t have anywhere to hide these packets. So, I hid them under my coat. I pray that I won’t encounter the police on my way home. I was relieved to see that Jay was still waiting for me and didn’t abandon me. He was smoking a joint around the corner. There was no sign of the grey car, so for now, we were safe.

“What took you so long?” Jay murmured.

“Got in trouble for being late. Sebastian strangled me, almost killed me!” I hissed, rubbing my neck again. Jay shrugged and took another inhale.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you about working with these people. They’re a whole new level. You saw how Derek got killed at Kingsford.” I knew exactly what he meant. Derek was only provoking someone as calm and collected as Sebastian, yet no time was wasted in shooting his brains out. Sebastian was dangerous. I seriously needed to watch out for his temper, or I could be next. I pulled out a packet from my jacket and handed one to Jay.

“Here.” Obviously, his reaction was slightly delayed, and soon realised what I handed to him.

“For me?” I nodded and pushed the packet into his hand.

“This is my pay, and I want to share it with you. I don’t think I’d be alive, thanks to you.” Jay smiled and pulled me into a hug.

“Thanks, man. That means a lot to me.” He pulled away and inspected the package, “Damn, I can make some good money off this and pay the rent.” I chuckled and looked at my bag too. I wonder what it was. Whatever it was, it was good quality, “I think it could be H.”

“Yeah, I think so.” I was lying, I had no clue. I have never taken drugs before, just been around them. I would never want to end up like my mother, “Anyway, we can look at this later. Let’s get out of here. I want to get home in time to walk Yasmina to school.”

“Yeah, sure. Let’s go.”