“It’s time, soldier boy.”
Mark tore his gaze from the pram that had just turned a corner. Sid was growling, front legs stretched in attack mode. Mark felt exactly the same way.
“Spider. I’m busy, alright?”
This brought a smile to Spider’s lips. Not to his eyes. “Oh yeah? Off to spend my money, were you?”
There were 3 of them, all roughly the same size as Mark. He didn’t know the other 2. He’d seen them around, but hadn’t spoken to them or heard their names. His only interaction with them had been the night he’d arrived in Camden, when they’d jumped him over by the train station, all 3 of them hitting him from behind, knocking him down, laying into him as he lay curled on the ground. They’d taken his food that night, but had thankfully left his boots and his jacket. Small mercies.
Mark kept his back straight. “I thought we’d come to an arrangement, Spider. You stay the hell away from me, and I don’t come looking for you. What’s changed?”
Spider rubbed a hand over his bald head, briefly obscuring the 8 legged tattoo that gave him his nickname. The other 2 also had shaved heads, with smaller prison tattoos smudged across them. Nothing that stood out and suggested snappy street names, though.
“Nothing’s changed, bruv. This is still my street. Still my neighbourhood. And you ain’t paid rent in a while. You’re about to be evicted.”
Mark’s eyes didn’t move, but his heart beat faster. He still hurt from their first encounter. Cardboard and concrete hadn’t given him a chance to heal. He might stand a better chance now, face to face, but he couldn’t take another beating.
“Tell you what. Keep the money. You could use a decent meal. She’s got a case of wine stashed away in there,” Spider nodded across the road. “Saw her carry it in yesterday. Make yourself useful, and I might let you stick around for another few days.”
“Sod off.”
Spider stepped back, raising his hands. He looked up and down the street. Then he spat at Mark’s feet.
“I want that wine tonight, soldier boy. Or we’re coming for you. Then we’ll go over there ourselves. There’s worse things than robbery, you know.” He winked. “And there’s worse things than me on the streets. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. But you will, bruv. You will.”
Dancing in Valhalla – 13 twisted tales of music, magick & mayhem – will be released at all your normal online retailers on 21 April – and in paperback – but only a few retailers currently list the pre-order edition. They can be found at Books2Read.
Read the full first story in the collection at Barnes & Noble. Or download it here in ePub or Kindle format – no sign in, no email tracking, no forms to complete, just click, download, and read.
If you enjoy these stories, feel free to check out my other published work on Amazon or other retailers.
Follow work in progress and upcoming releases on FaceBook or on my blog.
To simplify matters – check out my new Tree of Links for all of the above links and many more, showing where to find interviews I’ve endured, events I hope to survive, FREE STUFF, paperbacks, and even some Dutch folk music. Hey, who am I to judge?
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Cheers.
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