Jet pulled up outside the bakery in the heart of Dust Bowl, above which Candi Crush and her boyfriend, Ice Diamond had lived. Both had been good friends of the Killjoys and owed a particular debt to Party, who had not only saved their lives from the ‘Crows but also fed and housed them when they were starving and set them up in the trading and distribution of items liberated from BLI or Battery City during the Killjoys’ many raids. The Killjoys had trusted them; their lives and freedom depended on that trust and they had been betrayed for a promised 112,500 Carbons, of which they only saw 52,500. It was a huge amount of money for a Zone dweller but, as Jet stared up at the apartment, the thought that ran through his mind was: ‘What price friendship?’. Letting out a small, barely audible sigh; he realised that that particular question had been answered, but it didn’t make it any the less painful.

“You okay, man?”

Jet roused himself from his thoughts and turned a bleak expression towards Kobra sitting in the passenger seat. From the look on his face, it hadn’t been the first time the younger Killjoy had asked the question. It was then that Jet noticed that the van’s side door was open and he and Kobra were the only two remaining seated in the cab.

Forcing a smile, Jet nodded and patted Kobra’s arm before reaching for the door release. Jumping down from the cab on the opposite side, Kobra took advantage of Jet’s view of him being obscured by the van.

“Hey,” he whispered, tugging gently on Red’s jacket’s sleeve.

Red turned, smiling broadly as she did. Walking back to where Kobra stood, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close, kissing his neck but pulling back when she received no similar response.

“What’s up?” She asked, noting Kobra’s furrowed brow and concerned frown.
“I’m worried about Jet,” he confided. “He seems a bit... I don’t even know how to describe it.”
“He told me that killing someone you know... someone you thought was a friend... it takes a piece of your soul.”

Kobra exhaled deeply and slowly, his shoulders sagging as he did.

“I’ve never had to do that,” he replied in a gentle, thoughtful tone. “I can only imagine what I’d feel like and it’s worse for Jet.”
“Why?” Red asked, stroking his arm comfortingly.
“Me, Party and Ghoul... we all have a lot of hate in our hearts. Battery City and BLI nearly crushed us and we’re fuelled by anger. We kill ‘Crows or people who cross us and... well I’m not going to say we like it, but we view it as necessary and, yeah, sometimes there’s a real satisfaction,” Kobra admitted. “But Jet? He had a loving family that took care of him. Well, you know that, they took care of you too. Somehow he’s... well, let’s face it, he and your dad were probably attacked and he’s found in the desert by Doctor Death Defying who took him into his camp. The doc taught him how to fight, sure, even how to kill, but, you know, I don’t think there’s an angry bone in his body. Jet just doesn’t seem to understand hate. So, killing? He’ll never get used to it. It really troubles him, no matter what the justification.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Red nodded, her expression one of sadness and even pity for her brother. “He has a kind soul,” she added.
Kobra nodded. “Jet’s too good for this world; he deserves better. That’s why I’m so happy that you’re here.”
“Oh, that’s why? Really?”
“Well,” Kobra shrugged and smirked. “I have my own entirely selfish reasons too.”

Party appeared back at the van carrying two boxes.

“Hey! Do you think you two could stop that and carry some boxes? We got a lot of work to do, you know.”

Red turned her head and smiled; it wasn’t worth trying to explain that it wasn’t what he thought. It seemed that Ghoul had been right and the basement was stacked full of supplies - they did indeed have a full day ahead of them.

“Right with you, boss,” Red beamed a grin.

In reply, Party frowned and narrowed his eyes, wondering if she was mocking him. Before he had chance to speak, Red continued.

“What are we moving first?” She asked brightly.
“The blue edged boxes, in the far corner of the basement,” he replied as Jet arrived also carrying two boxes. “But...”
“Hey, Party, you better get down there,” he rolled his eyes. “Ghoul’s down there trying to pick up boxes. He’s gonna bust his stitches if he’s not careful.”
“Well, why...”

Jet dropped the boxes gently into the side of the van and pushed them backwards. Holding his hands up defensively, he continued:

“You know what he’s like and he won’t listen to me. You need to get him up here to stand guard or something, make sure it’s not stolen.”
“I was going to get Red to do that,” Party replied, pushing a hand through his hair.
“Hey!” Red pouted. “I’m strong, I can lift boxes!”
“Oh yeah,” Party grinned. “I know you can, but there’s no way you’d be able to see over the top of them.”

Red stared, eyes wide, lips parted and hands on hips, quite unable to believe that he had just said that. She was torn; on one hand, Party had just made fun of her height, and at only about five inches taller, he was barely able to comment on height! But on the other hand, had he just accepted her into the group? Her answer came almost immediately.

“How about helping Ghoul? If I ask him to guard stuff and anyone tries to take anything, there’s pretty much nothing he can do about it right now.”

Party didn’t have time to hear Red’s reply as a hand clipped the back of his head.

“I can still use a fucking gun, Party,” Ghoul grumbled, offering Red a cheeky wink.
“O...kay,” Party smoothed his hair back down and smirked at the pair. “Kobra, we’re taking the blue edged boxes. Red, you can arrange the load inside the van and Ghoul...” Party paused, “you can guard the van whilst looking devastatingly gorgeous.”

Kobra rolled his eyes and shook his head as he walked past to join Jet in the basement.

“So, it’s okay for you and Ghoul but not for me and Red?”
“That’s right, li’l bro,” Party grinned. “Glad we got that straightened out.”
“There’s nothing straight about you,” Kobra grumbled in return.
“Oh, you are so wrong!” Ghoul laughed, throwing his head back in helpless amusement, allowing his pure joy to flow through him.

Party’s grin broadened at the slight flush of pink blooming on Kobra’s cheeks as he sloped off towards the basement muttering under his breath as he walked.

“There’s something very perverse about you,” Red shook her head disapprovingly, poking Ghoul in the arm.

Ghoul merely grinned, still trying to keep his laughter under control.

“That’s what he said,” he added nodding toward Party drawing an immediate chuckle from the red head.

Red closed her eyes and shook her head despairingly; Ghoul was incorrigible.

“Boxes,” Party chuckled, clapping his hands together and heading toward the basement once more. Passing Jet on the way out with two more boxes in his arms, he added. “It’s great to be free, eh, Jet?”
It’s the best,” Jet smiled back, glad to see Party happy and well again.

Reaching the steps, Party glanced up as Kobra was returning with two more boxes.

“What’s up?” He asked, drawing Party’s attention.
“Can’t help wondering if they actually got paid. I remember Ice and Sorby talking about payment after he drugged me, but I don’t recall whether he handed any money over.”
“You wanna look?” Kobra asked.

Party was thoughtful for a moment before nodding. The blood money was rightfully theirs to do with whatever they wanted and there was a lot they could do.

“Yeah, you and Jet carry on,” he nodded, realising that Jet would almost certainly not want to revisit the scene, where, he expected, two dead bodies still lay on the floor. “I’ll have a look.”

Kobra nodded, his expression serious and set in earnest appreciation of Party’s respect for Jet.

Heading upstairs, Party didn’t even notice Jet approaching once more and was already near the top and out of earshot as he stopped Kobra, a frown firmly fixed on his face.

“Are we...” he began, pointing up the stairs.
“No,” Kobra shook his head. “We have to keep loading the van. He’s gone to look for money.”

Jet drew his lips into a thin line before nodding and without further words passed Kobra on his way to collect more boxes.

*

Party opened the door to the apartment and pulled back immediately. The stench of the now decomposing bodies filled the room and the only sound came from the buzzing of flies. It was an overpowering and nauseating smell. Immediately, Party’s mouth filled with water and he fought the urge to be physically sick. Steadying himself as the nausea induced dizziness threatened to push him out of the room altogether, he pulled his bandana over his nose and mouth and stepped into the room, careful to close the door behind him to prevent the smell from spreading.

Stepping over the body of Ice who lay near the doorway, he grimaced at the sight of Candi, slumped near the wall. He didn’t need to inspect her further to see that the left hand side of her face and jaw appeared to be missing. Jet had done them all a favour, and yet, a swift death seemed too good for them. Shaking his head, Party’s eyes began to scan the room.

The apartment wasn’t large, just a living room, bedroom and bathroom. He paused for a few moments; if he were hiding a large quantity of money, where would it be? Where would he put it?
First step - how much room would 52,000 carbons take up? Of course, it depended on the denominations of the notes, but he guessed there would be nothing higher than a 100. He was looking for a minimum of 520 bills; at least a few inches thick. Most likely, the smallest space would be the size of a shoe box, probably larger.

Looking around the sparsely furnished room, there seemed nothing obviously holding a large quantity of cash. Of course, there was the possibility of it being hidden under a floorboard, which might slow him down, but it seemed unlikely. They were expecting Jet, Sorby was coming back to collect him presumably. They were almost ready to run. Walking towards their bedroom, he found two small suitcases bulging at the seams, accompanied by a smaller holdall. Was it really this easy? Opening the holdall, Party’s eyes widened at the sight of the money lying in haphazard bundles, obviously hurriedly stuffed inside. The sight of it made him simultaneously angry and sad. Angry that their two friends had turned on them for such a small bag of money and curiously, sad for exactly the same reason. Pulling the zipper closed once more, he slung the bag over his shoulder - he had plans for the money. Heading back through the living room, he scowled at the two bodies.

“Fuck you!” He growled bitterly. “I would have done anything for you!”

Closing the door behind him, he shuddered as if shaking off the stench of death, cleansing himself of their treachery. By the time he stepped out into the sunlight once more, he was surprised to see the van door closed and the others waiting for him.

“Loaded up and ready for the first run,” Kobra announced.
“Thanks,” Party replied, his voice more subdued than even he expected. “Just one more thing,” he added throwing the bag to his brother.

Opening the zipper slightly, Kobra whistled, his eyes widening at the sight of the quantity of carbons stuffed inside.

“That should fund a new hospital,” Party offered a slight smile.
“Well then,” Kobra grinned. “Let’s get all this delivered and go find us a couple of doctors.”

*

It took the better part of the day for the majority of the boxes to be sorted, loaded and delivered to various establishments including, schools, clinics and shelters, but eventually the Killjoys were on their way once more.

With Ghoul, Party and Jet in the trans am and Kobra and Red in the van accompanied by a selection of boxes they had kept for themselves, they set off, heading for Odeby.

Notes

Hello, lovely readers. I know I promised you an ending soon, like 4 chapters ago, but we are nearly there, I promise! :D Unless, of course, something goes wrong... :P

I hope you’re still enjoying it and not completely fed up and screaming ‘Aaarrrgghh!!! Just end it, already!!!’ If you fancy a new tale, why not have a look at ‘Before They Were Fabulous’?

Best wishes
Sas xx