500$

My heavy breathing finally stopped, but at least I managed to make it home, if this temporary shelter can be called a home at all. The streetlamps were still bright, but there was every indication that dawn was coming soon. Thinking about this, I slowed down and took a deep breath. My thoughts were jumbled together, and it wasn’t any easier…

How did it all start? Yes, I hit Larry right in his fat face, and I can tell you for sure that he deserved it. He couldn’t even take my first blow, so he slumped down on the cobblestones and yelled that this was the last straw, and that if I didn’t bring him the money tomorrow, he would send the East end boys straight to my workshop, not to mention that I now owed him twice as much for my blow.     

I remember being a little confused at the time, because, to tell the truth, my outburst of anger subsided as soon as my fist smashed into his jaw and I was very confused by his words. Then I couldn’t think of anything more original than to say that it was worth it and go into the dark.
Now, as I replayed these moments over and over again, I was terrified of where I could get another 500 bucks in one day. But, for now, I had to pick up the remaining 500 before my distressed night guest got to them.
… A nice though already dented door made of recycled aspen was knocked out. As I thought, the girl was not happy with my night walk, because before I entered the room, the lamp was already flying at me. Dodging at the last moment, I managed to intercept the hand of the girl, who was already holding an improvised “rose” in her small hand.
-You bastard, you thought you’d take me off for the night and leave me here like some cheap whore?” the captive girl shouted at me. Although now she looked more like the harpy I’d recently carved out of solid oak: tousled hair that looked like snakes, fingernails that she was trying to use, and a grin that didn’t look like the pretty face she’d come up to me with yesterday.
“Just so you know, you didn’t cost me as cheap as you think,” I said sarcastically, thinking I could turn the conversation around.
Mistake. Major mistake. Since after my words, the beast that now is smashing down my room became doubly furious and broke out of my “embrace” rushed to the other end of the room.
– Not cheap, but how could you be a moron to say such a thing!
Her eyes glowed like fire in a furnace, and I was sure that if I held toast to them, it would instantly be charred.
“Calm down, woman! – I said with obvious displeasure, – I just went out to refresh myself… 
-You’ve been gone for more than four hours, idiot, what do you think I should have thought?” the girl was still hissing furiously.
“I guess I just didn’t notice how much time passed, but I should have, since the damage you did to the room was nothing compared to that.” Where can I get money for a refund?! I began much less calmly.
– Take from the $ 300 you won yesterday at the bar
– But there were 500! Woman, give me back my money, – my voice became more and more formidable, – otherwise I’m not joking, I will take it by force.
– 200 bucks is my compensation for lost nerves, – the girl added with a malicious smile.
– 200 bucks! Are you crazy?! I wouldn’t even give that much to my grandmother’s doctor! By what right did you take them?!- I said, walking toward the girl, clearly ready to use force if necessary.
-Come on, big guy, just come here and I’ll cut your throat!” the girl shouted, brandishing a kitchen knife.
I was just furious at her impudence, but something in me told me to simply and silently go in her direction, despite the threat.
“Come on, even closer!” she couldn’t calm down
Another step and I was within reach of her knife
– Come on! – the girl shouted
At the last words, she lunged and lightly scratched my arm in the shoulder, right in the center of the tattoo. After looking at the wound, I only got angrier and took her step.
Lunge.
My t – shirt was torn and a small trickle of blood was pouring out of my chest.
This seemed to frighten the girl considerably, for she stopped screaming and only held the knife out in front of her, gasping for air.
Step.
With a powerful blow of my hand, I knocked the knife out of the girl’s hands towards the bed and sharply pressed her to me. My guest’s bestial rage was gone, and she only breathed fast and tried not to look into my eyes. I breathed hot air on her and pressed her against the wall. The few moments we stood in silence were enough for me to think of a way to vent my rage without further loss. Grabbing the girl by the hair, I pressed her face to me and captured her with a passionate kiss. As I thought, she couldn’t stand the pressure and just disappeared into my arms. A minute was enough for us to transfer our hot bodies to the bedroom, where we intertwined as one, furiously inhaling the air as if we were missing it like hell…
… I believe that the next morning I was woken up by the singing of birds, and not by the cry of the neighbors in the room opposite. As I stretched, I remembered last night and turned to my guest with satisfaction. However, her half of the bed was empty and I didn’t hear any other sounds to know that she was still there.
I jumped out of bed and noticed the wad of money on the nightstand. Next to it, I found a note signed with crayon handwriting: “as a bonus for yesterday, I took only $ 100. I Kiss You. R.”
After looking at the broken number again, I calculated that it would cost me at least 75 bucks to repair the damage. So I’ll only have 325 left, and by the evening I’ll need the whole $ 1,000..

Heck!