Page 56 of Whisper

I’m tempted to get out of my car to see what he’s up to, but that’s risky. If he caught me how would I explain what I’m even doing here? How would he react if he knew I was following him? No, I better not. In fact, I’d better get the fuck out of here in case shit goes down.

If anyone asks, I didn’t see a thing.

I start my engine and pull away from the curb, passing Whisper’s van and peering out the window to see if I can spot him, but it’s just darkness.

While navigating back to my part of town, I turn my music up, bopping my head to the catchy pop song playing until an urge hits me. It’s been a while since I’ve had something to ease the stress. Decision made, I head towards downtown instead, to the spot where my favorite dealers hang out. It’s almost midnight but that shouldn’t make it hard to find them. Worst case, I can text them.

I turn down Whitacre Drive, then down MLK, and I spot Lil K standing by one of the corner bodegas. He’s talking to a woman I’ve seen him with before so I approach, slowly lowering my window.

“Hey, Lil K.”

He looks over at me, assessing for a second with his tough guy face, then when he realizes it’s me, he relaxes. “What up, B?”

“All good. Just need a little pick-me-up. You got the goods?”

“Always got what you need. Whatcha looking for tonight?”

“Some blow if you got it. I could use a few pills too.”

“Got blow. Got some Addy and Oxy too.”

“I’ll take the Addy. Just a few and two grams of blow.”

“Three hundred.”

I whistle as I dig in my pocket. “Damn, Lil K. You raising prices out here?”

“I’m giving you a deal ’cause you one of my best customers.” He grins, revealing several gold-capped teeth. “I cut fifty bucks off.”

“Alright then. Appreciate it.” I count out the bills and hand them to him. At least the tips have been solid at work lately. A pang of guilt stabs my chest. I could be saving this or using it for the family, but I need this to keep my energy up so I can work as much as I do. I’m pretty sure if I keep performing well and bringing in more customers, I’ll get a raise in my base pay at work, then I can back off the drugs.

Lil K hands me the stuff and I give him the money, thanking him before pulling away. I like Lil K. He’s not as dangerous as some of the others around. He has a smaller quantity of stuff but I only need a little anyway.

I lock the drugs in my glove compartment at a stop light then continue home. Now I have something to look forward to tomorrow before my next shift.

And if I’m really lucky, I’ll get to see Whisper again.

I’m even more curious now about what his job is, if it actually is a job. Knowing him the way I do now, I refuse to believe he’s out there hurting people. He wouldn’t be a rapist. No fucking way. He’s not a pedo either. I know it’s naive to think that way, but my reads on people are usually solid, and Whisper doesn’t give off bad vibes at all.

It’s hard to imagine him stealing, but what else could he be doing, creeping around in the dark wearing gloves?

Unless he really is a serial killer.

Wouldn’t that be something?

A super hot, charismatic man with calming energy and an impressive dick stalks victims and kills them. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.

I try to imagine it but I can’t see it. Not Whisper. He’s too nice. He must be doing something else.

The car behind me honks and I snap out of my thoughts, driving forward until I’m back on the path to home.

Once I get there, I step inside quietly. The house is peaceful, thankfully. No drama, no bullies, everyone is safe, which is all that matters.

I toe off my shoes and creep to my bedroom, slipping inside as quietly as possible. Then I peel out of my clothes, tuck my purchases away under the mattress so no one stumbles upon them, and climb into bed.

Exhaustion slowly takes over, pulling me down under the waves of sleep, thoughts of Whisper swirling in my mind.

CHAPTER 18