negotiations - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

The kidnappers halt. They turn to see that this new gang outnumbers them two to one. Not good odds for them. Then I recognize the new leader, it's Carlos, one of the Running Blades. The kidnapper leader pulls a revolver. He must be desperate-- everyone knows the ammunition ran out over a year ago. Carlos laughs, his hearty rumble rolling around the trees and Darwin opens his eyes. Carlos looks my way, "Hey Ghost, ten tins of pudding, I know you got'em." I counter with eight but my voice betrays me. He knows exactly how desperate I am. Now he can demand everything I have and he knows I'll pay. But he hates the kidnappers worse than me, he just wants something for his trouble."Fifteen cans and a tub of aspirin." I wish I could tell him to stick it but I can't. I spit.

"Deal." I clamp my hands over Darwin's eyes to make sure he can't see and lift him so that his face is buried in my woollen jacket. There will be far more red in the park before we leave, but today it's not by my hand.