Blood Money

"Hey, so I noticed he said 'the money.' He only had one bag. Also, is that guy with us... or is he a hostage?" The driver broke the silence. Richard waved his hand and shook his head, ignoring her questions and focusing on his younger brother. The noise of alarms and sirens was restless. 

"I know that was reckless of me, but I couldn't take from someone else's expense," Richard admitted.

"Someone else's expense?" Francisco questioned with squinted eyes.

"You know what I mean. I see the irony."

"I hate irony," the financial advisor sighed. "That was a bold move. They could've just shot you and taken off in the van."

"No, they had too much to lose. No one would make that gamble. What makes a man a good gambler is if they have nothing to lose."

"Oh, yeah? Why are you such a bad gambler then?" Francisco teased.

"Because I didn't realize I had something to lose," Richard sighed. His shoulders slumped. Despite the bank alarm and the police sirens, there was an unusual silence between them. "I'm sorry, I wasn't the best big brother."

"You did the best you could," Francisco assured. He patted his older brother on the back. The moment was broken short as the exit door slammed open. The men wearing the dog and cat masks bust through.

"They're right behind us! We're good!?" The dog robber barked. Richard gave him a thumbs-up. Nodding his head, the dog and cat robber quickly went to the back of the van. They opened the back doors, hopping into the cargo space.

Francisco dug through his pocket and pulled out the $5000, holding it out for Richard. "What? No, I can't take that," the clown brother swayed his head back.

"Take it, I'm fine with starting over from 0," Francisco smiled.

"You know I can't pay you back, right?" Richard chuckled.

"I'm well-aware. I do your finances," Francisco laughed.

The exit door slammed open again. The men wearing the dinosaur and old lady masks pushed through. They were a bit disoriented but managed to rush and jump into the cargo space.

"How big is this bank!?" The old lady mask-wearer yelled.

"Is that everyone?!" The driver yelled, peering over her shoulder.

"Just one more," the dog robber groaned.

Francisco stared into the back of the van. The robbers were nervous and desperately clinging to the insides of the vehicle. He jiggled the money in his hand. "You better get inside that van, Richie," he whispered, trying to make the handout discreet.

Richard quickly took the five grand and put it into his pocket. He put his hands on his younger brother's shoulders. Though he wore a goofy clown mask, his brown hazel eyes were still visible through the eyeholes. "Frankie, please enjoy life. Don't necessarily take after my spending habits, but learn to treat yourself."

"This has been the most exciting day I've had in a long time," Francisco admitted. "Maybe I'll take up bungee jumping."

"Eat a proper meal once in a while. None of that instant ramen crap."

"Would you stop? I'll see you again," Francisco assured.

"You don't know what'll happen once we leave this alley. It could be between a window," Richard chuckled. He hugged his younger brother tightly. "If something happens, Ophelia..."

"You'll be fine. Get going, Richie," Francisco nodded. Richard nodded back and slowly backed away before climbing into the cargo van.

Francisco looked down the alleyways before going toward the metal exit door. As he reached for the handle, the door once again slammed open. The man wearing the comedy mask, Happy, barged through and bumped into Francisco. The late robber dropped his cell phone on the ground.

Francisco rubbed his face, looking down at the phone. He bent over and reached for it, noticing the screen light up. An incoming call popped up on the screen with a warm photo of a father and son. Picking up the phone, he held it out. "Here you go. Don't want to leave this behind."

Happy nonchalantly grabbed a hold of the phone, noticing the call that was coming through. There was a small chuckle coming underneath his comedy mask. "Sorry, kid," he muttered.

Bang!

A noise louder than the police sirens and the bank alarm rang throughout the alleyway. Francisco felt unsteady as he backed up a few feet. He instinctively reached for his abdomen, feeling an incredible warm sensation through his fingers. Looking down, he realized he had been shot. "W-why would you..." Francisco couldn't find the words.

He stumbled backwards until he hit the wall. Slumping downward, his vision and hearing started to fade. He turned his head slightly. He could barely make out his older brother shouting as the other bank robbers held him down, as the last bank robber climbed in. The van's back doors closed shut and started driving out. As it raced down the alleyway, it turned into an unrecognizable gray blob. Francisco could barely decipher the sound of vehicles roaring in the distance.

His vision soon faded to black.

The rich Francisco L. Alvear died broke.