The wind howled through Kalen's earbuds. Meaninglessly he stared at the ever moving crowd of students. A wonder growing chaotically in his mind, ' Who could the mystery person be. '
A few faces came to mind but he brushed them off as theories. Once in a while he would turn to look at the statue, which stood above him. A scholar clothed in a ceremonial gown with a tablet at hand.
The statue was portrayed as an old sage with a seemingly meaningless hand signs. However that hand sign was more than meaningless, infact, nothing in this world was meaningless.
Kalen knew that above the physically dominating force of gangs, those above them deal mostly on secrecy, symbolism, tactical insight and unmatched power.
Then a brilliant idea hit him. Now he was rich, why couldn't he become an enhanced. He would finally be as powerful as those he feared.
Maybe he could also train a group of loyal followers. A group of people who hated gangs but had no power to rise against them.
Thinking to while away time, Kalen felt the body of a person brush against his. An action which always made him agitated. Turning to protest, he was mentally weakened to do anything once he knew who it was.
Lucia held onto his arm suddenly and tightly, burying her face on his bosom. This act earned Kalen a few nasty looks but he didn't care, " Help me, Kal, " She sobbed.
His mind flew into panic but his expression remained calm, " What happened. " He asked but got sobs instead of a reply.
Knowing Lucia wasn't this dramatic, Kalen wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. " Am here with you Lucy, rest easy, " he assured.
" They are after me Kal, I…I…I said no, but they wouldn't listen…, they wouldn't stop. " She said, her sobs growing louder and louder, they were only muffled because of Kalen's clothing.
Since he had be observing their environs, he noticed a little attention been attracted. Very soon they would accumulate quite a following, " Let's go somewhere else. " He said leading her to his bike.
_______________________
Friday, 12 September, 15:47
Droveil,
Nighthaven,
Central Nighthaven, Salem District,
Nice Delight Steakhouse.
The evening air was cool and idyllic. For a violent city, the scene was peaceful. Maybe too peaceful. The al fresco of the steakhouse was one of the best place to enjoy this scenic evening.
Kalen unseriously forked his steak, ' Effects of being rich, you never crave luxurious food anymore.' While he was still playing with a plate, Lucia had already wolfed down seven plates.
She wasn't a greedy foodie, however Kalen understood; she might have starved herself as she felt hopeless in her situation. Who wouldn't, no one affiliated with gangs ever lived long.
Four days into the university and the seventeen year old was already depressed. Looking at the friend, he once forsook, something snapped in him.
It was his decision to leave her and now she was back, in need of his help. Problem was would he still be willing to stand by her side; reconnecting the emotions he tried to kill towards her.
Would he stand up to face anyone, be it an enhanced or a mundane just for her. He was weak and helpless, couldn't even stand up for his own bike, now what could he expect to happen to the silver eyed brunette.
" Sorry for disturbing you Kal, but you were the only one I could talk to. " She said wiping her lips with a paper towel, " What of your friends, I heard all the top students were posted here." He asked sipping on an orange flavored soda.
" The rest either changed to a private school or dropped out, only both of us registered here. " She replied. Kalen sighed and dropped the can, his face plain and serious.
" Okay Lucia, let's cut to the chase, who are after you. " He asked sternly. She gulped and lowered her gaze, before saying in a whisper, " The Black Falcons. "
Kalen froze.
' Those bastards. '
" They have been after me since the first day I registered. I… I… I tried to refuse Kalen but they wouldn't listen. " She said amidst tears, " Especially that one Les, he keeps ogling at me and making me uncomfortable, I've… I've heard stories Kal, I don't want to be involved in gangs, not this one at least and not with that blue eyed jerk. "
No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't save her, heck, he couldn't even comfort her. The Black Falcons was a gang directly branched off from one of the biggest gangs in the city.
It could be considered a peanut group when compared with the fathering gang but it served as a finger for the higher gang to be virtual everywhere.
The Black Falcons also had the Grim Howl and the infamous Seven Mice Gang as allies. So in this case Jalen was pretty much useless.
" Don't worry yourself too much Kal, please don't get yourself involved in my problems. " She said pulling her self together and wearing a strong persona.
" Those people have minor regard for the human life. Am so sorry, I sho… ", " Shouldn't have told me , don't worry Lucy, I am already involved. " Kalen replied.
" Remember some years back, when I promised never to leave you. Now I rekindle that promise and I would never leave you, even if it kills me. " he said getting up to pay their bills.
Upon exiting Lucia joined him so they could leave together. They walked to the parking lot chatting about other things. However before they could board the bike someone coughed behind them.
They both turned to meet a few familiar faces. Two muscular men, donning a black stylish jacket. One held a bat and the other wasn't armed.
Kalen had seen this duo before, Les's lackeys, ' What do these hobos want now. ' he thought.
Lucia held Kalen's arm tightly, subconsciously hiding behind him. " Yo!!! Pretty face, Les noticed you leaving with this punk, instead of coming to see him as requested. " The unarmed boy said walking closer.
" Tell Les, he can keep his useless request to himself, she isn't interested. " Kalen responded freeing his arm from Lucia's grip and reaching into his pockets.
The unarmed boy smirked and tilted his head to the left. As if reacting to a signal, the armed boy dashed forward, raising his bat for a powerful swing.