Moving On

Moving On
by Todd Russell

         Parnell had sweat balls running down the side of his face. His buddy, Diamond, said, "Hurry up, already. We don't have all day."
         "I don't know about this job."
         "We're getting paid to move this stuff."
         "Why don't they have anything boxed up? They don't look like their moving."
         "Have I ever lied to you?"
         "Yes, many times."
         Diamond laughed and patted Parnell's shoulder. "Just help me get this tool chest wheeled up into the truck."
         Parnell helped and then stopped at the bottom of the truck, scratching his chin. "This is illegal, isn't it? We're robbing these people."
         "Shhhh, no." Diamond replied, his finger over his lips.
         "Then why you telling me to 'shhhh'?"
         "We're almost done. Wait in the cab."
         Parnell walked around and climbed inside the driver's side of the truck. A few minutes later he saw swirling red and blue lights approaching in the distance. He jumped out of the cab and started running. The bushes near the truck hid him while the police cars raced by with sirens at full volume.
         The police didn't stop.
         Diamond started calling his name. He emerged from the bushes.
         "Why were you hiding? I told you this was a clean job." Diamond pointed to the side of the truck. MILTON'S MOVING. That should have validated things in Parnell's mind, but he'd known Diamond and his ways too long.
         Parnell got back in the truck and they drove to Milton's store.
         "What do you have today?" Mr. Milton asked.
         "Some tools, a couch, an entertainment center . . ." Diamond kept going through the list.
         Parnell went around to the back of the truck and looked inside. He saw the last item Diamond had retrieved wrapped in a garbage bag. He could see the blood seeping out of one side.

(Flash Fiction contest entry: 300 words max allowed. This story contains 300 words
Bolded words are for judges to verify that required prompts were used
Story #166 in The Story Streak   and 365 Stories  )