The merciless sun beat down on the slums of Bah sing sa, highlighting the dirt and muck that smothered the lower section. Crumbling buildings slumped over the haggard roads and cast long, dark, ominous shadows over the bustling crowds. On top of one of these buildings stood Sheil. Angrily he peered over the edge and searched the chaos of people below, looking for one face in particular. It was hard to see past the dozens of tattered, drying clothes dangling over the narrow street but he had a sharp eye and was more than accustomed to looking for Jaya in these conditions.
It wasn't often that he didn't know where she was, despite her unpredictability, however on certain days she would disappear, and jot return for weeks. It annoyed the hell out of him. Part of him thought she did it just to wind him up but the other part knew there was something else to it, something she was keeping from him. They had been friends for years and he would even count her as family, so if she was in trouble he thought it his responsibility to help her. After a few days with no sign or word from her, he had gone to her parents house but as usual they were out doing whatever it was that they did.
A young boy Sheil's age pulled himself up onto the roof, panting in exhaustion, his short black hair stuck to his small, sweaty face. Rolling onto his back he stared up at the vibrant blue sky and focused on slowing his breathes.
Unfazed by the twiggy boy Sheil continued his annoying inspection of the crowd. After all it was only Tenni, he was relatively harmless. Tenni was a friend of Jaya's, he lived with his grandmother down in the oldest parts of the section and compared to Sheil and his father, lived a rather safe life. None of the violent gangs bothered to fight over the ancient buildings compacted down there, instead directing their efforts on the more busy parts of the city, like were Sheil and Jaya lived. Tenni didn't know the harsh life that Sheil did but he wouldn't say that he had it easy either. No one in the slums had it easy.
yet knowing that such safety was possible sometimes gave Sheil hope that he could one day convince his own father to move there, that way he would never have to see another of his parents die again. He winced at the unexpected memory.
"What is it?". Sheil barked abruptly, wanting to redirect his thoughts before they dwelled on the sad memory of his mother. Luckily Tenni wasn't bothered by his harsh tone, it wasn't as if Sheil was known for his friendliness. Gasping for air Tenni took his time before replying.
"I... Know... Where... Jaya is". He gulped air in between his rushed words and swiped the sweat from his dirt streaked face. Tenni wasn't very good at running, or climbing, or bending, in fact anything physically challenging he just failed in but he had the brains and heart to make up for it.
Sighing Sheil walked over and helped pull Tenni to his feet.
"Where ?". He asked passively, his gaze still aimed at the streets below.
"I saw her heading down into the Chinoko's territory". Tenni said while dusting himself off and finally catching his breathe back. Sheil looked up at him.
"A new she was stupid but... Chinoko territory?". He shook his head in bewilderment. He didn't believe anyone would ever be so moronic.
"On her own? You didn't see anyone forcing her to go?". He looked at Tenni directly in the eyes, causing him to step back, even at 16 Sheil intimidated people, not purposely, it was just something that came natural to him. Gulping Tenni found the courage to answer him.
"No, she definitely went of her own accord. I swear she almost skipped there but...". Tenni averted his gaze, trying to look anywhere but at Sheil. He pinched his nose in annoyance, what had she done this time.
"But what Tenni? What did you see?". He tried to keep calm but his temper wasn't the best.
"She was... You know...". He grabbed his coin pouch and through it from one hand to the next, when Sheil didn't get it he tried miming it a different way, but Sheil still didn't get what he was on about. A flare of anger rose in Sheil.
"For crying out loud just tell me!?". He stomped his foot, sending a large crack to shoot down the side of the building.
"Oops". Sheil scratched his head in embarrassment, he really had to stop doing stuff like that. Sighing he faced Tenni again, showing just how fed up he was.
"Sorry about that, I'm not angry with you, I just get easily... Aggravated". He shoved his hands in to his pockets and ground his teeth. Cautiously Tenni took a few steps back before continuing with his story.
"She was stealing. I saw her pinch a few people's purses, that's why I didn't go up to her, I didn't want to accidently get her caught or something". Sheil was definitely not impressed. Jaya had promised him that she didn't steal anymore and he was gullible enough to believe her.
"Thanks". He murmured to Tenni. Without wasting a moment he leapt from the building, pulling a section of earth to meet him on the way down. He was going to find her, and once he did, he was going to knock some sense back into her.