Beneath the Floor

Jake had never felt he’d messed up so strongly before. Now, however, the blood drained from his face and his stomach churned as he knelt on the floor. Sure, he’d heard others’ descriptions, but he’d thought they’d exaggerated. Now he knew they hadn’t.

Mind whirring, he stared at the stash hole. He had to say something. He could say nothing. Words had abandoned him.

“You said it was here,” Morris roared behind him.

“It was here.” Jake knew his words were weak, inefficient. Twisting, he peered up at Morris, the man’s flushed face grew redder with each moment.

“If it’s not here, where is it?” Morris demanded. Bits of spittle struck Jake’s face.

Jake peered over the floor. There weren’t any other stash spots. Nowhere else he could’ve left the supply. What had happened?

“He had a stash hidden under the floorboards,” an unwelcome, third voice chimed in. Jake groaned and glanced at the window. Alyssy sat with one foot on the seal and the other outside. “Had being the key word.”

“You!” Jake hadn’t thought Morris could sound angrier. He’d been wrong.

Alyssy smirked. “Me,” she said, glibly. “And I told you, to get the materials you’ve got to deal with me.” With that, Alyssy jumped out the window as Morris surged after.

His wide girth wouldn’t fit through the narrow frame. A single arm and hollers were all that followed Alyssy.

Now seemed a good time to extract himself. Jake and Alyssy would have words later.