The Package

By Fallton Havenstonne

David dashed outside of the apartment building, surprised by the frigid temperature. The wind swept across his body, and he shivered instantly. David saw Lenny’s sedan parked in the middle of the road with the emergency lights on, and he made for it hurriedly. He had on jeans, a flannel shirt, but had forgotten to bring his jacket.

David got in the car, grateful for the heat that was blasting through the vents. Lenny was texting someone when he got inside. Lenny had blond hair, blue eyes, a stocky build, and wore a black leather jacket. He looked relaxed, comfortable.

“Did you just wake up?” Lenny said.

“Yeah. Sorry I’m late.”

“This is for you,” Lenny said, handing him a cup of coffee. It was steaming hot.

“Thanks,” David said. He sipped it through the opening of the plastic lid, and felt the hot liquid course through his body. “It’s unusually cold for October,” David remarked.

“It’ll be thirty-five degrees tonight,” Lenny said matter-of-factly. “It might as well snow.” He looked David over. “Why didn’t you bring a jacket?”

David blushed. He had rushed out of his apartment after a two-hour long nap, which he took after he got home from his psychology class. In addition to getting five hours of sleep last night, he had forgotten to turn on the alarm on his phone. He was spent after staying up to finish a paper, since he had to submit it online by noon.

“Should I go back inside and get one?” David said.

“No. There’s no time now. We gotta go,” Lenny said irately.

Lenny turned off the blinkers and drove down the streets of Arlington, Virginia. Both he and Lenny were juniors at Glebe University, and they had been roommates during their freshman year. David lived on campus now, and enjoyed the convenience of walking to his classes (though he had trouble arriving on time), whereas Lenny lived in Fairfax, driving to the university each day.

David put his hands up to the dashboard vents, letting the hot air circulate through his fingers and palms. He wished he had grabbed his gloves and beanie on the way out, though he had left them in the pockets of his jacket, sadly.

After his hands warmed up, he leaned back and took another sip of his coffee, feeling less cold now.

Lenny turned the volume up on the stereo, blasting rock music through the speakers. The music pounded in their eardrums, obviously intended to psych them up.

“So, we’re getting ten grand for the job, right?” David asked.

Lenny turned down the volume. He asked David to repeat his question.

“Ten grand, right?”

“That’s right,” Lenny said.

“For each of us?”

“No. We’re splitting it, David.”

“So . . . what will be in the package?” David asked curiously.

“I don’t know. They never tell me what’s inside the packages.”

David sipped his coffee fretfully. His right knee bounced up and down.

“Having second thoughts?” Lenny blurted.

“I’ve been thinking: how come you didn’t go solo on this job and collect ten grand for yourself?”

“Because they’ve never paid me this much before. It’s usually four or five hundred dollars, not ten grand. And what makes this unusual is that the buyer is paying us, not my boss. So if anything goes wrong, I have you as backup.”

David shook his head. “I can’t strong-arm anyone, Lenny.”

“You told me once that you used to practice Taekwondo.”

“Yeah . . . years ago.”

“See. You got some experience.”

“Sure, Lenny.” David’s sarcasm rubbed him the wrong way.

Lenny cranked up the rock music again. He bopped his head as the electric guitar and bass drum pounded through the speakers.

David agreed to the job despite knowing next to nothing about it. Five grand would help with the down payment toward a car at least. He hated depending on Lenny and his friends to give him rides around town, especially since he had started dating someone.

He had sold his car last year to pay off his tuition, but he felt like a burden whenever he asked anyone for a ride. Now he owed people favors—like Lenny.

“How much farther?” David asked.

“A few miles,” Lenny said as he glanced at the GPS on his cellphone.

“Where’s it at?”

“Downtown Alexandria.”

“It’s nice there. The harbor is great.”

“Don’t get any ideas. We’re just there for business.”

***

David looked around at the street, which was bustling with people going to and from stores and restaurants. The streetlamps cast a soft glow on the sidewalk, and the signs and windows of the shops glittered in the night. The rock music was off, and the vents hummed softly as Lenny texted back and forth with the man with whom they were meeting.

“When is he coming?” David asked.

“Soon,” Lenny said.

“Do you know what he looks like?”

“No.”

“No? Is this a new guy or something?”

“Yes.”

David shook his head. He finished his coffee and felt jittery, restless. It was 6:40 p.m., and the man was ten minutes late.

“I don’t like this,” David said. “Are they usually this late?

“No,” Lenny said. “Just be patient.” He received another text and replied to it.

“What did he say?” David asked.

Lenny put the phone in his jacket pocket. “Said he’ll be here any minute. He’ll text me when he’s here.”

“For ten grand, what do you think will be in the package?” David asked.

“It’s better if we don’t know.”

“So you never peek inside?”

“No. And no matter what, don’t look inside the package. All right?”

“Yeah.” David bit his lip. “I don’t know, man. This sounds sketchy.”

Lenny sighed. “Come on, David. I thought you needed the cash.”

“I do.”

“So stop griping,” he said harshly.

David leaned back in his seat, didn’t say another word.

Lenny drummed his fingers on the steering wheel noisily, obviously irritated by all the questions. After a moment, his cellphone vibrated. He drew out his phone and saw the text.

“The package is here,” Lenny said.

“Here?” David said in confusion. “I didn’t see him come by, though.”

“He dropped it off.”

“Where?”

“By a fire hydrant on this street. Let’s go and pick it up.”

They went outside and searched for the fire hydrant. A couple strolled past them arm in arm, laughing together. The people around them seemed happy on this Friday evening, enjoying their night out. But not David nor Lenny. Their expressions and movements were serious and tense.

They walked for a minute until they saw the fire hydrant at the street corner. A brown package, the size of a textbook, lay against.

Lenny snatched it up, then scanned the street to see if anyone was watching them. He didn’t see anyone.

They paced back to the car and got inside. Lenny texted the man back, and soon after, he received a text with an address. Lenny turned on the engine and pulled onto the road.

“Where are we going?” David asked.

“To D.C.”

“How many more stops after this?”

“This is the last one,” Lenny said.

David smiled, relieved. Part of him was glad that this had been smooth so far, but what if they were walking into a trap? He couldn’t help but wonder, considering how much they were getting paid.

“Where in D.C.?” David said.

“I don’t know. Could be an alley or a warehouse . . . .”

“How come these people use a middleman?” David asked.

“You ask a lot of questions, David.”

“Because this is all new to me. Besides, you asked me to come along at the last minute.”

Lenny nodded. “They want to remain anonymous—to protect their reputation.”

“But what if something goes wrong?”

“Nothing will go wrong, all right? Just keep your eye on the prize.”

“But I mean . . . what if there’s . . .” David eyed the package in the backseat. An idea dawned on him. “Hey. What if there’s money in it?”

“What did I say earlier about not looking?” Lenny said in a grave tone.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“If we open it, they’ll think we tampered with it, or worse, sabotaged the package. Know what will happen to us?” Lenny said, casting a harsh eye on David.

David bit his lip. “Come on, man.”

“No.”

“I swear that I won’t—”

“No!”

The light had turned red, but Lenny didn’t see it since he had averted his eyes from the road. Lenny ran the red light and nearly clipped an SUV as he zoomed across the intersection. He swerved the car and the package fell off the backseat and onto the floormat. He pulled over with a screech, parking at a convenience store lot.

He grabbed David by the collar of his flannel. “See what you made me do! I shouldn’t have brought you along. Get out of my car! Hitch a taxi home.”

David just stared at him. He realized he was in over his head—didn’t grasp the severity of the situation. He wasn’t cut out for this.

“Okay,” David said with a nod. “I’ll go.”

“Don’t tell anyone about the job, all right?”

“Yeah,” David said simply.

Just before he opened the door, he noticed the package on the floormat. The object had slipped out from it, glistening like jewelry. David’s eyes widened in awe; he reached back and picked it up as if it had beckoned him to do so.

“What are you doing?” Lenny cried. “Don’t touch it!”

“Look,” David said, showing Lenny the object.

Lenny marveled at the golden artifact, which was embedded with rubies, emeralds and other stones. It was about the size of his hand.

“What is it?” Lenny said in fascination. “An amulet?”

“No. Look at the strange symbols on it—the engravings. It’s . . . yes. I’ve seen this before!” he said in a loud voice.

“Where have you seen it?”

“It was on the news—stolen from an archaeology museum last week, among other artifacts that had been unearthed in Egypt. The police are looking for the thieves. The people you’re working for . . . they must’ve robbed the museum.”

“What is it?” Lenny repeated, more emphatic this time.

“It’s a talisman.”

“A talis what?”

“A talisman. An object that’s believed to possess magical powers—used by sorcerers to cast spells . . . magic.”

Lenny’s phone vibrated. The anonymous buyer texted him to ask if he was on his way. At that moment, Lenny realized the mistake they had made—the consequence they might face if the buyer found out that they had opened the package.

“Here, give it to me,” Lenny said urgently.

David handed the talisman to Lenny, who stuffed it back inside the package hastily.

“It’s probably worth thousands,” David said. “Maybe millions.”

“Whatever it’s worth, we can’t get keep it.”

“Maybe we should return it to the museum,” David said. “Perhaps we’ll get a reward.”

“Return it?” Lenny said mockingly. “If we return it, we’ll get arrested, David. Come on. Think for a second. The people I work for can make us disappear. Get what I’m saying?”

“Yeah, I get it,” David said, reaching for the door handle. “Want me to go?”

“No. Let’s just finish the job.”

***

The night sky was clear, and the moon shone in its full glory. Lenny drove past the gate of the mansion and parked at the roundabout. They got out of the car and went up the steps to the front door. Lenny, who was carrying the package, used the doorknocker.

After a moment, the butler, who was in a pristine suit and was in his late forties, opened the door with a demure smile. He held a lantern, which burned brightly before them.

“Yes?” he said.

“We’ve brought the package,” Lenny said.

The butler nodded. “Yes. Dr. Konrad is expecting you.”

“Wilson, is the package here?” a voice called from the living room.

“Yes, Dr. Konrad.”

“Don’t have our guest stand out in the cold. Let him in,” he commanded.

“Yes, Doctor.” To Lenny and David, he said, “Follow me.”

The house was eerily dark as Wilson led them down the hallway to the living room. A warm flame shone from the fireplace. Candles burned on sconces and candleholders, not to mention the chandelier, which gave a solemn and ceremonious aura to the room.

A thin man in his sixties sat behind a large desk. The glow of his laptop screen shone against his wispy white hair and beard. A saddle-colored duffel bag lie on the floor near the desk.

Dr. Konrad clasped his wiry hands together as the men approached him. Right then, David noticed a tattoo of a crow on Dr. Konrad’s left hand. It looked similar to a symbol he saw on the talisman.

“There are two of you,” Dr. Konrad said in surprise.

“Well . . . yes,” Lenny began. “We—”

“Your associate didn’t tell me that there would be two of you.”

Lenny blushed, laughing awkwardly. David looked at Dr. Konrad as if he was trying to read him.

“The more the merrier,” Dr. Konrad said with a smile. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“No, thanks,” Lenny said.

“And you?” he said, eying David.

“No, sir.”

“Fine then. Let’s get right to business.” He sat up in his antique chair, which had an ornamental design and talons jutting out from the corner edges. “The package please.”

Lenny was about to hand it to Dr. Konrad when Wilson took it from him. Wilson handed it to Dr. Konrad and then stepped away. Dr. Konrad opened the package eagerly, gaping his mouth in suspense.

Finally, he took out the talisman and held it up to the candles on his desk. The gold glimmered against face, casting an orangish hue on his white hair and beard. He smiled brightly as the gems reflected in his eyes like stars.

“Marvelous! It’s a beauty, isn’t it, Wilson?” he said as he inspected the talisman.

“Yes, it is,” Wilson said.

“You two have done very well,” he said to Lenny and David. “I’ll make the transfer to your associates now.”

Dr. Konrad set the talisman down, and then wired the money using his laptop. When he finished, he closed it shut and said to Wilson, “Please give these gentlemen their reward.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Wilson lifted the duffel bag off the floor and handed it to Lenny. Lenny felt like he was carrying a bag full of textbooks. “How much is in the bag? Feels kinda heavy.”

“One hundred thousand dollars,” Dr. Konrad said.

“One hundred thousand dollars?” Lenny said in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“I thought it was—”

“Thank you for your service,” Dr. Konrad broke in. “Wilson, will you show the gentlemen out?”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Before they left, David said, “What are you going to do with it?”

Dr. Konrad cast a sharp eye on David as if he had spoiled his moment. “That’s a very bold thing of you to ask. What is your name, son?”

“David.”

“Do you know what this is, David?”

“It’s a talisman.”

“Very good. I’m going to keep it in a safe place—protect it from the people who wish to exploit it.”

“I had a vision when I touched it, “David said. “The city was in flames. It was like the whole world was being set on fire.”

“Did you just say you touched it?” Dr. Konrad said sharply, narrowing his eyes.

“No, no, he’s just kidding,” Lenny interjected. “He didn’t touch it.” He clasped David by the arm and hissed in his ear, “Shut up, man. Let’s go.”

David pulled his arm free. “I know what you’re going to do,” he said to Dr. Konrad. “You’re going to open a portal and bring evil into this world—burn it to the ground so that you can reign as king.”

“Get them out of my sight,” Dr. Konrad snapped.

In a flash, Wilson grabbed Lenny and David by their arms and dragged them to the front door. Once there, he shoved them outside into the cold air. Before any of them could get a word in, Wilson slammed the door in their faces.

“What were you thinking in there?” Lenny said to David.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but I had a vision when I held the talisman,” David explained. “You touched it too. Didn’t you see the fire . . . the creatures?”

“No,” Lenny said angrily. “Let’s get out of here before the old man changes his mind and takes back his money.”

“We shouldn’t have given the talisman to him,” David said morosely, still standing at the door as Lenny made for the car.

“Let’s go!”

“It was a mistake.”

“Let’s talk about it in the car, David. All right?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

Once they got inside the car, Lenny revved the engine and bolted down the driveway toward the gate.

“I saw what he’d do with talisman,” David said. “Dr. Konrad is going to burn the world with it.”

“Uh huh,” Lenny said indifferently.

“You don’t believe me?”

“How do you even know that he can use it?”

“The tattoo on Dr. Konrad’s hand . . . it was the same one on the talisman. The symbol had a crow with swords for wings. Perhaps he’s part of a sect . . . or maybe he’s a sorcerer.”

“This was obviously too much for you,” Lenny said, shaking his head. “How about if we celebrate tonight when we get back to Arlington?”

“Maybe another time,” David said.

He looked out the window at the large estate, feeling sick to his stomach. After they passed the gate, Lenny said, “Wait a minute. We didn’t check the bag.”

“So.”

“So? How do we even know that there’s money it? The old man could’ve filled it up with newspapers or something.”

“Did you not hear a word I said earlier?” David said gravely.

Lenny didn’t answer. He pulled over to the street corner and grabbed the duffel bag from the backseat. He unzipped it, and was relieved when he saw bundles of hundred-dollar bills neatly stacked in piles. His eyes lit up like he had won the lottery. He smacked David on the back in celebration.

“The old man wasn’t lying. It’s a hundred grand, man. A hundred grand!” Lenny exclaimed.

“We sold our souls for money,” David said dejectedly.

Lenny let out a long sigh. “If you don’t want your cut, I’ll take it.”

“There won’t be a world left to spend it on, Lenny. Not after he burns it.”

At that moment, lightning flashed, and thunder boomed across the city. A whirlpool of clouds formed above the mansion, spinning faster and faster, blotting out the moon. Wind blew all around them, bending trees, shaking the street lamps and traffic lights. The lights flickered, then went out. Everything was dark.

“What’s happening?” Lenny said.

“It’s already begun,” David said.

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