Celestia and DealerAnon Pt. 22

>Your thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice yelling at you
>''Ey, Anon! Tyler! What's up, boys?''
>You both pick up the pace, walking quickly towards the Latino man standing in front of the well-lit liquor store
>''Hey, Santiago! Long time no see, brother.''
>Santiago pulls Ty into a brief hug, both wearing warm smiles on their faces
>He moves towards you, adopting a mask of concern upon seeing your bandages
>''Hey, Anon. What the fuck happened to your face, ese?''
>You chuckle briefly and reciprocate the offered hug
''Got robbed when I was walking home yesterday. Guys went a little fucking overboard.''
>''Yeah, no shit, homes. Any idea wher the motherfuckers at, eh?''
>You give a small shrug and toss your cigarette into the snow, the cherry quickly fizzling out
''No idea. Young, black, puffy jackets. The usual.''
>''Shit bro. You need any help finding them?''
''I might. But right now, I got other things to worry about.''
>Santiago nods, his face a mask of concern
>''Like what, man?''
>Ty interrupts you, clearly shivering
>''Sorry to interrupt the family reunion, but I'm kinda fucking freezing, bro. You mind if we head anyplace warmer?''
''Oh. Sorry, Ty.''
>Ty grunts in response as Santiago motions towards the Impala, the red chassis already blanketed by snow
>''Jump in, amigos. Car's always warm.''
>Ty grunts in thanks as you both trudge towards the car
''Thanks, Santiago.''
>''No problem, ese.''

>The Impala rumbles to life, and Santiago starts fiddling with the stereo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkFNg1VxJ6U
>''So-''
>Santiago turns his attention to the A/C, warm air promptly filling the car
>''Now that Ty don't die of hypothermia anymore, what's that you said 'bout other things, ese?''
''Well, it's a really long story, alright?''
>You sigh and rub some life into your hands
''Well, you remember when I told you about my old principal?''
>Santiago nods briefly and pushes down the gas pedal while fiddling with the black-and-blue bandana covering his neck
>''Yeah. Bitch lost her job, so she had to stay with you. Ain't that how it went, ese?''
>You suppress the jolt of anger going through your body at her being called a 'bitch', and nod instead
''Yeah, pretty much. This morning, though, she found out I sling. Didn't go down well.''
>''Shit homes, I can imagine. So, what happened?''
>You scratch your neck and take a cigarette from your pocket, putting it to your lips
>In a split-second, Santiago pulls the cigarette from your mouth, voice taking a dangerous tone
>''Not in the fucking car, ese.''
''Alright, alright. Sorry. Anyway, we had a bit of a fight, and she left.''
>Santiago smiles, the threatening tone completely gone
>''So, what's the problem, vato? One less bitch to worry about.''
>At this moment, Ty's gravelly voice interrupts your conversation
>''Yeah, brother. But the problem is, Anon's got a feeling she might snitch.''
''I don't-''
>Santiago's eyes narrow, and his tone takes a turn for the dangerous
>''So, bitch gonna snitch, eh? I can help you with that.''
''Aright, just chill, okay? I just need some help finding her, you know?''
>''Uh-huh.''
>Santiago's voice trails off, leaving you with a small ball of fear in your stomach
>The tense silence permeating the air did nothing to make you feel more at ease
>After what almost feels like an eternity, you finally continue
''But no killing, okay? She and I go way back, and I think she'll listen to me if I just talk to her.''
>''Sheeit, okay, okay, bro. No worries, ey?''
>Ty mumbles something in agreement, clearly a few sheets to the wind
>''So, Anon?''
>Santiago speaks up again and absent-mindedly pumps the gas, the engine roaring in protest
''Yeah?''
>''Where do we start, man?''
>You shrug and give him a small chuckle
''What, you wanna go now? As in, right now?''
>Santiago nods in response and opens his mouth as if to say something, but is quickly cut off by Ty groaning
>''Santiago, Anon, y'all can't be serious! Weren't we supposed to go to your place, man?''
>Santiago shrugs, turning his head to look at Ty
>''Yeah, yeah, I know, okay? But this shit's important, okay?''
>You nod fervently in agreement, hoping Ty would come with you
''Yeah, she could be anywhere, man. That place ain't fit for a lady like her.''
>Ty sighs in response and cradles his head in his hands
>''Yeah, I know, man. I know. But nigga, why don't you just call her?''
''I- I don't have her number.''
>You trail off sheepishly, not sure why you're feeling embarrassed all of a sudden
>''Great, man. Just gre-''
>Santiago promptly cuts him off
>''Homes, we can either sit here and talk all night, or we can get rolling. Which do you choose?''
>Ty sighs and takes a deep pull from his beer
>''Fine. Let's go.''
>Santiago and you share a smirk as the engine rumbles to life once again, the Impala rolling smoothly forward
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGh99cweF-U

>Slowly rolling down the road, heads swiveling, you notice that the streets are even emptier than before
>You'd already been driving for ten minutes, Ty's sullen silence quickly spreading to the rest of you
>Finally breaking the tension, Santiago opens his mouth
>''So, ese, what this chick look like?''
>You shrug without taking your eyes off the street, darkened alleyways slowly moving by
''Well, she's got a business suit, for one. Uh, her hair is really weird, but in like a pretty way.''
>''What's the hair like?''
>You shrug again, unsure of what to say
''Well, it's really colorful. Like, blue, green and red, only it's pastel. Really long. And soft.''
>Santiago glances over at you, a smirk tugging on his mouth
>''Soft, huh?''
''I guess.''
>The silence settles again, and you peruse your brain for more identifying traits
>You're not sure if it's just the beer making you tired or if it's the cocaine wearing off
>But you know that everything would become much clearer after one little bump
>God damn
>You sigh and rub your eyes, desperately trying to remember anything helpful
>''So, you got anything else that could help?''
''Shit man, I'm not sure. There was something-''
>You trail off, snapping your fingers in frustration
>Then it comes back to you
''Oh, right. She had a handbag. Light brown, with a sun or something on it.''
>Ty finally breaks his silence and points out of the window
>''You mean like that one, brother?''
>Your head snaps to where he's pointing, a brief flash of hope flaring up in your heart
>Seeing the crack fiend wrestling with the handbag extinguishes it just as quickly
>From the light of the streetlamp above, you see the golden sun embroidered on the beige leather
''Stop the car!''