Irregulars by Various

Author:Various [Various]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blind Eye Books
Published: 2012-01-27T16:04:26+00:00

Chapter Eight

When they emerged from the construction tunnel, filthy and exhausted, Deven saw city lights twinkling in the darkness. The smell of sewage and lime permeated Deven’s senses, reminding him he was in Mexico once more. A sick, nervous grief tore at his throat and left him ragged. If he’d only dropped...

“It wasn’t even noon when we entered the warehouse!” August complained, scowling at the soil stains on his designer suit jacket.

“Time locks mess things up,” Deven said, too exhausted to explain. The Aztaw bodies littering the entrance had already started to desiccate from the dry summer heat. He felt drained and realized he hadn’t eaten anything since last night’s burger.

“Food. Now,” he mumbled. His tongue still smarted when he spoke.

August nodded. He pulled out his phone, frowning at a new crack across the screen. “Damn it!” He punched numbers angrily. When he got someone on the phone, he issued orders, mentioning the pile of Aztaw bodies at the tunnel entrance, the two that had gotten lost in the darkness, and something about how they could be tracked by glamour bomb residue. Deven heard August’s tone change, becoming apologetic as he asked for another cleanup team. August finished his call, gave Deven an irritated look, then led him to the nearest taqueria.

The place looked dirty, but the rotisserie near the entrance smelled wonderful and the restaurant had chairs, which was all that mattered at the moment.

They both collapsed into plastic seats. August ordered two beers.

“Maybe I don’t want a beer,” Deven complained.

“You need a drink as badly as I do,” August replied. He rubbed his hands over his face. “Why, you want a soda?”

Deven waved off the issue. He rested his head on his arms. “If you’re going to control everything, order me one of whatever you eat as well.” He yawned and closed his eyes.

August spoke to the waiter in broken Spanish, then switched back to English as he made several phone calls. At first Deven listened, but the warmth and delicious smells of the restaurant made him sleepy, and he found himself unable to do much more than long for his hotel bed.

A heaping platter of tacos al pastor arrived. August dove into the meal like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. Deven took one of the small, soft corn tacos and fell in love with the first bite.

The flavor was hearty, sweet, and tangy with lime and cilantro. It seemed even richer after his brush with the underworld. There was a familiarity about the flavor, something that reminded him of his Mexican mother and his childhood, but like all thoughts of her, he couldn’t pinpoint anything more than a generalized good feeling.

He took a sip of his beer and was shocked by how good it tasted when combined with a corn tortilla. And as far as he could remember he’d never eaten a radish. The sharp taste fascinated him, although it caused the cut on his tongue to burn. He loved the radish’s colorful pink skin. It was beautiful, really.

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