The bed was warm, the sheet beneath him soft and clean. Ryan Glennister opened his eyes, hours earlier than he usually did, and listened to the deep snores of the man lying beside him. Slowly, cautiously he pulled the duvet away from his body and rolled out of bed. Gathering his clothes, he stepped into the bathroom, washing his face and dressing as quickly and quietly as he could.
Back in the bedroom, he went to the man’s jacket, hanging over the back of the room’s single chair. He slipped his hand into the pockets, found a well-stuffed wallet and a mobile phone. He decided to leave the phone, but the banknotes he bundled together. With another glance at the man in the bed, he crept towards the door.
‘Nice knowing you,’ he said softly, smiling to himself. He stepped into the corridor and trotted downstairs to the hotel’s reception area, remembering to keep his head down. He doubted the man would report the theft to the police. How would he explain who Ryan was or why he’d been in his room? The traces of white powder on the polished desktop would be difficult to explain away, too. No, he wouldn’t go to the police. They never did.
Outside, Ryan hitched his rucksack onto his shoulder, the thick roll of money safe inside his pocket. Where to? He should eat, but first there was a certain other need he had to satisfy, and he knew just the place. Not so long ago, he’d been owned by his dealer, James Mulligan, forced to do the dirty work in return for his addiction being fed. Not anymore. He giggled to himself, revelling in what he’d done. Now he had the power. He was free to make a living any way he wanted – and turning over rich, stupid bastards like the man still snoring his brains out was one of them, though not the most profitable. He imagined Mulligan locked in a cell, ranting to himself, spitting fury but unable to act. He chuckled again, tapped the money in his pocket.
Perfect.
But his skin was beginning to itch, sweat gathering in the small of his back. His stomach felt cavernous, aching and tight at the same time. He needed food, plus his own favourite sustenance.
Ryan began to walk.