Consumed - Chapter 4

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The jewelry store was in one of MayhemTown's most dangerous areas -- considering the whole town was dangerous, this was saying something. The green-haired woman, Glanni learned, was named Ásdís. She, too, was a junkie, and like him, came from an abusive childhood.

As they approached the store, Glanni looked to see if there were any security cameras. Luckily, there were not. Ásdís had come prepared with tools to pick the lock and they were inside in no time. Glanni loved the rush that came from a good theft. The adrenaline pumping through his veins was almost as good as the drugs he had been using to get by.

They quickly filled their bags with jewelry and cash, and were out the door just as quickly as they had come in. As they ran down the street, Glanni couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom he hadn't felt in a long time.

As they turned the corner, a group of police officers were waiting for them, their guns drawn. Glanni's heart pounded in his chest as they were surrounded. This was just part of the thrill.

Ásdís was quick on her feet, and before Glanni could even think, she had pulled out a gun and started firing. The police officers were caught off guard and scattered, some taking cover behind their patrol cars. Ásdís motioned for Glanni to follow her, and they took off down an alleyway.

As they ran, Glanni heard the sound of police sirens getting closer. They had to find a place to hide. Ásdís led him to a rundown building, and they quickly climbed the stairs to the roof.

They lay low, watching as the police cars passed by, their sirens blaring. Glanni tried to catch his breath, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. He had never felt so alive.

Ásdís turned to him, a grin on her face. "That was fun, wasn't it?"

Glanni couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, it was." His smile quickly faded though. "Look... I'm a solo criminal. If I'm committing crimes, I want to be alone. I'm dangerous, Ásdís."

Ásdís shrugged. "We all have our demons, Glanni. You're not the only one." She dug through her bag, pulling out a syringe.

Glanni watched as Ásdís indulged in their shared vice. He tried to resist, but found himself beginning to shake as he watched. Before he knew it, Glanni was grabbing the syringe from Ásdís's hand, desperate to feel something, anything. He quickly injected himself, silently cursing himself for falling back into his old ways.

As the drugs took over, Glanni's mind drifted back to Svanhildur. He thought about what his life could have been like if she had lived. He could have been a good father to her, he could have given her everything she deserved. But instead, he was a criminal and a junkie.

As the high took over, he felt a sense of temporary relief from his pain and emptiness.

But as he lay there, staring up at the stars, he couldn't help but wonder if this was all there was to life. Was he destined to spend the rest of his days in a never-ending cycle of addiction and crime? Or was there still a chance for him to turn his life around?

But for now, all he could do was lay there, staring up at the stars and dreaming of something more.

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