Spencer POV
I can’t believe that she’s safe. I was so relieved that my legs almost gave away to my weight, but I held on since I’m carrying Rae. I wanted to scold her due to my anger, my anxiety...
And my fear
but when I saw her crying...I couldn’t find it in me to say anything
Now? I’m just so happy she’s okay.
“Uh, Spencer. You want me to put him in another room before we go in? Since he might be in the way for the meeting with the boss”
I looked at the guy in front of me, and sighed. Everyone keeps mistaking Rae for a guy? She’s small and really cute. Actually, it’s better this way. I don’t want any one to trouble her in the future.
”I’ll just put him on the sofa at the back of the room. Honestly, I’m anxious about leaving on my younger cousin right after he got kidnapped” I said with a sad tone.
”Uh, okay. Just tell the boss before we start”
”got it”
As soon as I entered the room, everyone’s attention fell on me and the little figure carried in my arms.
“Hey, Spence! Looks like the mission was a success! Well done!”
The one who spoke was the red-haired figure sitting on the big sofa with a bottle of 7-up I’m his hand. Honestly, I never thought my gambling teacher and friend would turn out to be the leader of the [Mad Blood], the strongest gang in our district. Despite the scary name, and their members tough attitudes (at least from the ones I’ve seen), they don’t bother with anyone except those who try cause trouble in their territory, in other words, our district from [Mid-zone]. Many people say they work for the mayor, but honestly, they seem too...causal and brazen to be soldiers.
it didn’t matter to me though. They’re the ones who helped me save Rae from the [Blue Wolves]. I owe them a lot.
”It’s thanks to you, Jack, and everyone here. Thank you for helping me save my only family left”
”Come on, man! Cheer up! He’s safe now, right? Is he sleeping?” a blonde short guy spoke up cheerfully. What was his name again?
”Yeah, He’s fine. Can I put him on the sofa at the back?”
”Sure” Jack replied in a relaxed manner.
I did that and went back to sit with everyone else.
”I never had the chance to say this, Jack, but you really shocked me. Almost to death. For you to tell me that you’re the boss of [Mad Blood], then summon a helicopter for the rescue. Not to mention you got members to gather info about Rae’s location. I wouldn’t have been able to get him without your help” Since Jack also doesn't know, its better to keep that she’s a girl unknown.
”chill dude, this is nothing. None of us like those crazy blue dogs, anyway. The tried to cause trouble in my territory and kidnapped one of my people. If I don’t do anything, everyone will think they could walk all over us you know. Also, did you forget our deal?”
I winced.
”no way. I won’t back on my promise, so don’t worry”
”Good, now that you got involved, you should go all the way with us in this. It’s not good to quit halfway after all”
Of course, Jack didn’t help me completely out of kindness. He made me join his gang as a condition of this deal. When I asked him what makes me useful for his gang, he said that he needed someone to fix his gangs motorcycles and weapon for free (since not everyone could afford such services). I need to keep doing this for the next three years, as long as the gang is still there.
tough condition, but so infinitely cheap compared to Rae’s life.
”Since the mission was a success, we should celebrate! I ordered a feast from [Pizza Festival]!” A girl with blue hair and Gothic Punk clothes announced to us. Her name was Clair, I think?
”Good job, Clair!” Lenny gave her thumbs up, and she did the same “all that shouting across the microphone and speakers made me so hungry!”
”Thanks for your efforts, Lenny. You’re the one who managed information gathering right?” I smiled at him, grateful for his help.
”No probs, bro! You’re part of the family now, so no need to thank me! And it’s nothing to call effort, since it’s my specialty”
”Stop bragging, Lenny. If it wasn’t for Mina following Rae, you wouldn’t have been able to get much info in such a short time!” An older guy with messy blue hair retorted...I forgot his name.
”Who’s Mina?” I asked, obviously curious.
”she’s one of us, but is really amazing!!” Clair jumped into answering “she’s my role model!”
”Clair, can’t you give a proper answer to his question?” Said the messy blue haired guy “stop acting dumb. You’re embarrassing me, oh” he then turned to me “Mina works with your cousin at that Resturant”
”I’m not acting dumb!!” Clair shouted angrily and puffed her cheeks.
”right, sorry” he said in a slightly surprised manner “I forgot that my sister is ACTUALLY dumb. You can’t act something you’re already are in the first place”
So, they’re siblings...maybe twins?
”Shut up Alec!! You’re not THAT smart anyways”
”I can see that your replies are as childish as ever”
”Hey now now!” Lenny chuckled nervously “we’re supposed to be celebrating here, not fighting. What’s wrong, Alec?”
Alec snorted and glanced at Jack, then said “nothing, I’m tired today so celebrate it without me”
I saw him leaving the room and thought how there must be some issue between him and the boss. Better not get involved with others problems.
”What are your plans now?” Jack said casually.
I turned my head and saw that Jack was looking at me.
”will you keep gambling?”
“I can’t afford that anymore” I chuckled, then I paused “you know, I was never gambling for fun”
”...”
”It was for hope. Our financial circumstances are really bad. I had hope that with a luck stroke in gambling, I might be able to get us money enough to enter college, or at least Rae. Because other than that, I don’t know if we could afford to get a stable job. Rae is really hard working and smart, but not a genius. He couldn’t get a scholarship last year, and unless we get enough money, I couldn’t get him into college”
”...”
What the hell did I just do? Why did I have to say all that?!! I’m such an idiot! I ruined the room’s atmosphere. It was obvious everyone felt the mood getting heavier.
”Then, why don’t you work for us?” Jack said in a monotone voice.
”Jack!!” Lenny shouted.
”Don’t get them involved with us!! It’s dangerous!!” Clair shouted panicked “Spencer, refuse him. It’s not worth it”
”how much money are we talking about?” Without hesitation, I replied.
Jack smirked and put a cigar in his mouth “huh, I knew it...that look...you’ll do anything, right?”
He paused. Lenny and Clair were obviously distresssed.
”If we’re talking about money-ARGH!!”
Jack suddenly cried in pain, holding his chest.
”JACK!!” Lenny and Clair screamed as they went to support him.
I joined them in panic and got out my phone to call of 911.
ns 15.158.61.48da2
