[ WP ] Faking Your Demise ( replies must be 1,000 words or more )

`` See, there are a thousand ways to be dead. Real dead, fake dead, undead.'' He chuckled mirthlessly at his own joke. Myra rolled her eyes. 
 
 `` In your scenario, though, thinking about fake dead, it's easier and harder than you think. Easier because all you need is a fat wad of cash and the right contacts -- which I am offering you -- and harder because,'' Mr Black paused to take a breath, lips pulled against his remaining teeth. `` Because giving up everything from your old life is a real son of a bitch.'' 
 
 `` That'll be no problem for us,'' Josh replied. Myra loved his smooth voice. He could convince anyone of anything. He could sell the proverbial ice to eskimos. She nodded, hoping she did n't look too enthusiastic. Or desperate. Mr Black was n't even looking at them, though. His gaze was fixed to the far wall of the KFC, at a cheap pastel print framed in brass. 
 
 `` Yep. Harder than you think.'' Myra glanced at Josh, feeling his impatience. 
 
 `` Look, Mr Black. We understand exactly what we're getting into here. We called you because we want to do this, not because we want to fuck around over shitty food. Can we dispense with the boring shit, and get on with the practicalities?'' 
 
 Mr Black's gaze returned to Josh's face, and he grinned suddenly. It did n't make him look any nicer. His eyes were set so deep in his head, Myra saw only a hard glint in shadowy sockets. Combined with the rotted stumps of the last three or four teeth in his mouth, she would have been happy to run out of there screaming. But Josh needed to do this, so she needed to, too. 
 
 `` This is what you need. You need to meet me tomorrow morning at the park bench on the Grove Street side of Fenster Park. There's a letterbox beside it, so you know which one. I'll pick you up in a Honda Odyssey. Bring nothing, except one hundred fifty thousand cash. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. Only the clothes you're walkin' in.'' 
 
 Josh nodded as Mr Black spoke, taking it all in. He did n't flinch at the price. But he had expected it; his associate Kronfeld had warned him, had divvied up the proceeds in advance so Josh was prepared. Myra's breath hitched, but she kept as quiet and agreeable as she could. She did n't want to mess this up for them. 
 
 `` What will happen next?'' Josh asked. 
 
 `` Passport, social security, drivers licenses -- all the ID you'll need to travel. My crew will take care of that. Then we take you south as far as we can. You'll end up in South America, but you wo n't know where until you get there. Once you're there, we're gone.'' Josh and Myra nodded. Myra felt butterflies flitting around in her stomach. It was a good thing she had n't touched her chicken; she did n't think it would have stayed down. They needed this. Keep cool. 
 
 They spent that evening at the movies, sitting near the back and whispering under the cover of the film's soundtrack. 
 
 `` What about my parents?'' 
 
 `` What about them? Forget them! They'll figure you ran away. That's true.'' 
 
 `` I want to say goodbye.'' 
 
 `` No. No goodbyes.'' Myra slouched sulkily in her chair. She knew what would happen if she disobeyed Josh. She could n't be left behind. She could n't live without him. She'd already quit high school and spent every night out with Josh and his associates. They looked after her as well as her parents had. And school was pointless, anyway. 
 
 Although maybe she should have taken Spanish classes. 
 
 They stood together the next morning, Myra gripping Josh's arm tight enough to leave a red mark when she let go. He had a cheap suitcase in the other hand. It was full of neat piles of twenties, straight from the ATM. Kronfeld had set them aside from the last job, the one where Josh left his flashlight behind. 
 
 A grey Odyssey pulled up down the street and Myra jerked on Josh's arm. 
 
 `` Is that it?'' she hissed. He shook her off. 
 
 `` No. Shut up.'' 
 
 They waited on the seat for another twenty minutes before a silver Odyssey came to a stop in front of them. The back door slid open and a hand waved impatiently. Josh pulled Myra in after him and closed the door. Mr Black sat in the passenger seat in front of them, stonefaced, and another man with a shaved head drove. Myra could n't see his face, but his eyes in the rearview mirror were blank, staring straight ahead. 
 
 `` You ready?'' Mr Black said to Josh. 
 
 `` Ready.'' He leaned back and fastened his seatbelt so Myra did too. Josh sat with one arm draped across the seat back, touching Myra's shoulder in what she figured was reassurance. Josh was so caring and protective. She loved him so much. 
 
 `` Let's do this, then.'' Mr Black gestured forward and the driver pulled away. 
 
 Myra did n't pay attention to their surroundings -- she was imagining herself and Josh lying on beach towels somewhere in Brazil -- until she realised they were deep in the redwood forest. The road had gotten narrower, really only one lane wide. She guessed there was a cabin out here where they would get ready to go south. 
 
 She was right. They pulled off the road when the woods were so thick there was no sun, only shadows. The van followed a bumpy dirt track for a mile or two, then stopped at last in front of a hunter's hut surrounded by the trunks of vast trees. They climbed out, Myra first, Josh close behind. The driver got out too and went to the trunk to get something. 
 
 Myra was looking up at the treetops swaying, seeing the sun just hitting the tips of the conifers and slanting a little ways down, when she heard a popping sound. She had n't even processed it when she felt the pain in her chest. She looked down and saw red on her t-shirt, and touched it. It was wet, and warm. She looked at Josh, standing beside her. He looked apologetic. 
 
 `` Josh?'' 
 
 `` I'm sorry, babe. It was n't going to work.'' 
 
 She collapsed to the ground, feeling soft needles under her. Eyes open, she saw the driver standing over her with the gun pointed at her face. 
 
 Before he shot her again, she heard Josh say, `` You're right, Mr Black. It *is* harder than I thought.''
