Chapter 17- An easy Mark (Craig)

[dakota]

Though he had tried to make a new start after coming to Miami, Craig had found himself right back in with the wrong crowd. " I'm telling you guys, this is gonna be an easy score." Vance said, trying to sell his plan. " We can nab this chick at the club tonight easily. It's the only time her pop lets her out of his sight, and she dumps her bodyguards at the door. and I'm telling you, her pop has to be loaded running that import business, just look at that yacht he got. He'll hand over whatever we ask for no sweat."

" What do you guys think?" The others, Kenny and Niel, looked at Craig with a shrug.

[tag]

[thagema]

How did I end up like this again?, Craig thought to himself. Every time he thought about taking the young girl, he kept having visions of his last failed attempt at a life of crime. Again, he was left to wonder how he ended up on the verge of crime.

Of course, the family was probably rich and could afford to provide from him and his associates. It's funny how Craig has never called these men his friends. Well, that would be something for later.

"Alright, I'm in," Craid answered hesitantly. "But, I'm in charge of the girl. No one hurts her... or does anything else to her."

After looking at each individually, Craig again looks at Vance and says, "What's the plan?"

[dakota]

" Fine you hold the girl, but just remember she's our meal ticket. So don't do anything stupid." Vance replied, pointing his finger at Craig. " It should be fairly easy. Kenny can keep the bodyguards waiting outside busy while you and me walk the chick out the side fire exit where Neil will be waiting with his van. Once we get her back here, I'll call her old man and see just how much we can squeeze out of him to get her back. Pretty straight forward. Just like the last time."

Neil and Kenny nodded in agreement, giving a hint that they'd go along with anything Vance said.

[tag]

[thagema]

This is so wrong.

That nagging voice was back. Craig's conscience spoke up a lot more now than when he first tried to be a super criminal. The looks on the faces of the people in the bank wasn't what he expected. It was that moment he realized he just wasn't mean enough. He didn't like striking fear in people. At least, not good ones. And yet, here he was again. About to take part in a plan to kidnap an innocent girl and demand a ransom.

This is so wrong.

Craig wanted to shout at his conscience to shut up, but he could only imagine how Vance and the others would react. Times were desperate and he was almost out of money. If he was going to survive another week in Miami he was going to need money and fast. This was his only option.

But, this is so wrong.

Pushing the voice to the back of his mind, Craig focused in on what Vance said.

"Anything stupid? Like this isn't already stupid." Shaking his head, Craig once again tried to be the hardened criminal he knew he wasn't.

"Let's just do this. I'm runnin' short on funds, ya know!"

[dakota]

Vance looked annoyed, judging by the look on his face. He stepped up and jabbed a finger into Craig's shoulder as he replied. " If youcan come up with a better plan, we're all listening, bub."

[tag]

[thagema]

Looking at Vance, Craig had to resist the urge of giving him a face full of sparks. Enough to hurt, but no permanent damage. This wasn't the time, nor the place.

"No, I don't have a better plan. But, that is the last time you touch me like that. Got it?" Craig wasn't much of a fighter, at least not in his mind. And he sure didn't think of himself as very powerful either. But, he was pretty sure he could take Vance and his lackeys if push came to shove. Everyone knew that to be respected in the criminal world you had to stand up for yourself. If not, you were just a punk. Craig wasn't a punk, that much he knew. Beyond that, it was anyones guess as to exactly what he was.

Maybe after this job, if he didn't end up in prison, he'd go straight. He'd try to find a real job. Of course, how many times had he said that in the past? Perhaps it was time to relocate again. But, to do that he needed money. What was the easiest way to get money? Well, right now it was following Vance's plan, however ill-conceived it may be. It worked in the past, according to Vance, but how greedy was he going to get? What factors had Vance not considered? The girl's bodyguards, the bouncers, a boyfriend, or one of a hundred bystanders looking to be the hero of a damsel in distress. Any of those could ruin Vance's plan, which really was one step above sheer idiocy.

If anything did go wrong, Craig knew he could blend into the surroundings and get away. It was every man for himself in the criminal world and Craig was equiped to take care of himself. The wheels in his head started turning. Perhaps there was a way to make this situation work to his advantage. It was time to see how this played out. If the chips fell the right way, then... well, this could be very prosperous for him. First thing's first. He had to let Vance feel like he was still in charge.

"Sorry Vance. Man, I didn't mean that. I'm just a little nervous, ya know. No matter what happens, bro, I got your back. Cool?" Craig held out a hand to Vance, hoping he would take it so they could get on with the 'great' plan.

[dakota]

" That's better." Vance replied, glancing at Craig's outstretched hand but otherside ignoring it. " Okay guys, we got a couple hours to kill. We'll meet back here before we go, and nobody do anything stupid like Carl did." Neil chuckled as Kenny explained to Craig as he picked a six pack from a cooler. " You took Carl's place. Dumbass decided to boost a car just before our last job and got nixed."

The pair of them walked to the other end of the room where they had an Xbox waiting to go.

[tag]

[thagema]

"What an idiot," Craig said. Honestly he wasn't really interested in the group's history. If things were going to work out, then he would have to play along. Checking his watch, Craig noted the time.

"I'll be back in awhile."

Heading out, Craig ran down to the nearest store and grabbed a drink and something to eat. It was going to be a long night, possibly, and he wanted to be ready.

About an hour and a half later, Craig made his way back to the meeting spot. It was almost time. Craig could feel something big was about to happen that would change his life forever. Honestly, he couldn't wait.

[dakota]

" Turn that blasted thing off!" Vance shouted, with spurred the others to grumble as they got up from the spot Craig had last seen them. " One last thing before we go. craig, I better tell you that I'm not exactly normal. All you have to do is keep an eye out for me, I'll do the rest of the work. I've got a bit of a knack for smuggling people without being noticed." He walked over by Neil, who began to complain. " Aw come on man, do it to Kenny for a change."

"Shut it." Vance replied much to Kenny's delight. then Neil just seemed to disappear as if Vance had sucked him into his body. " You just watch my back. I'll do the hard part."

Neil reappeared just as easily, cursing Vance up and down ., causing the two others to burst out laughing.

[tag]

[thagema]

I underestimated him it seems, Craig thinks. I wonder what else he can do?

"That changes the aspect of the plan. Maybe I didn't give you enough credit, Vance," Craig says. "I got your back, boss."

Looking at Neil, Craig says smiling, "So, where'd you go?"

[dakota]

" that's right, you didn't" Vance gloated as he and kenny walked towards the van.

Neil shrugged. " I don't know where it takes me. It's like being shut in a locker or something and not being able to do anything. It really sucks."

" Come on you two." Ordered Vance.

[tag]

[thagema]

Craig stares after Vance, but doesn't say anything.

"I bet," Craig says to Neil though his attention was still mainly on Vance.

At least the girl won't be harmed by the... whatever that was, he thinks.

Craig then follows Vance to the van, still fomulating his plan, as well as a contingency plan. He was honest about one thing. Vance's ability did change the landscape. But, it wasn't going to be enough to change his own secret agenda. That is, of course, assuming the pieces fell somewhat near where he needed them.

You just have to stay calm and be patient, Craig reminded himself.

[dakota]

Once Neil got in, Kerry started the van and pulled away. Vance turned around and looked at Craig. " You act like you've never seen anything like that before. Stick with me bub, and you'll see that Miami's got lots of surprises for you."

[tag]

[thagema]

Taking his seat in the van, Craig inhales deeply. After his personal promise to never to this kind of thing again, here we was getting ready to aid in the kidnapping of a girl.

"It's been interesting so far, Vance," Craig says in reply. "As long as I get my share, then I'm good."

Debating for a moment, Craig decides it'd be safe to ask Vance more about his abilities. It seemed Vance was a show-off and would enjoy the chance to demonstrate his powers. Afterall, he was showing he was superior to his thugs and any way to reinforce that superiority would be welcome.

"Just curious, Vance, but is that all you can do? Or do you have more abilities," Craig questions. "I'm not saying that your power isn't impressive, 'cause it's totally cool, but I bet you got more tricks up your sleeve."

Hoping he hasn't made a mistake, Craig waits patiently for an answer as the van heads towards the future scene-of-the-crime.

[dakota]

" you're right, I do." Vance gloated. " But I can't really show them off in the van. Let's just say crossing me isn't a good idea."

The other two nodded enthusiastically.

[tag]