Chapter 4

After a few days in the hospital, Kye finally was released to go home to Herschels. Though she felt a bit better, she was still in a bit of pain and was told to "take it easy." It was Saturday night, about 8:00 when everyone was getting ready for bed. Kye was laying on her bed staring at the old, cracked ceiling, when Ms. Herschel walked in. Kye sat up and looked at Herschel with wide eyes.

"What did I do now?" Kye asked. Herschel walked around the room. "I'm here to tell you, that investigators are coming tomorrow. They will be asking several questions about the recent events..." "And you're here to tell me to lie," interrupted Kye. "Actually, yes. However, go ahead and save your brother. But what you're not going to do is tell them the real story." said Herschel as she picked up and looked at a picture of Kye, James, and Tyler. She then looked at it while she proceeded to explain, "If you tell them the real story, there will be consequences." She tossed the picture at Kye, and Kye caught it. She stared at it and got the message. Herschel walked out.

Kye then turned around and punched the wall. Her hand was throbbing, but she was too angry to even notice. At around 1am, Kye was still awake."What did I ever do to deserve this?" she thought time and time again. "Ty has to be out there somewhere," she whispered to herself as she got up and put on one of James' old hoodies, and put the picture of her and her brothers in a backpack. She then opened her window, and stepped out onto the roof.

On the side of the orphanage building, was a sturdy, metal gutter, which Kye used to lower herself down to ground level.

Kye looked around and didn't know where to start. She walked about 15 blocks towards downtown Gotham, until she saw a man with a sunken face, really skinny, and barely had any hair. He was a heroin addict, in his mid 30's. Kye kept on walking, hood up, and hands in her pockets. The man started walking behind her. He followed Kye for another block and a half until she finally turned around and said, "Can I help you?" "Actually, you can." the man said as he pulled out a gun. "Money. Now." he said sternly pointing the gun inches from Kye's face.

"Sorry dude, I got nothin'." explained Kye, unphased. The man suddenly grabbed Kye, and pinned her against a brick building. "I'm not going to ask again," the man said as he put the gun to her cheek. "You got some nerve asking a kid for money," she said. "I'm desperate," he said. "Obviously," Kye rolled her eyes. She then suddenly kicked her legs up, and kicked the man in the back of the head. He let go of Kye. Kye then kicked the gun out of the mans hand as he tried to gain balance from the dizziness. She went and grabbed the gun. A sharp pain ran up her right side, as she remembered that she was still recovering from an injury.

Kye looked back onto the sidewalk to see the man on his hands and knees. He was still dizzy, and probably still feeling the works of heroine. Kye walked over to him, and put the gun to his face. "I should not be doing this," she thought. The man looked up and threw himself back in fear of the gun. " I'm sorry! I really am!" He yelled,"I'm out of money and I need a hit!" Kye looked at the man. "You're pathetic." She said as she put the gun down. "I need your help." Kye said. The addict looked at her confused. The man was sitting on the ground, and Kye kneeled right next to him, and pulled out a picture. "Have you seen him?" Kye asked pointing at Tyler in the picture. "Yeah! He's the new dealer in town." Kye looked at him confused."But you didn't hear from me," the man continued.

"In that case, I need a favor," said Kye. "What?" "Take me to him." Kye said in a demanding tone. The heroine addict looked at her. "Two minutes ago, I was pointing a gun at your face, and now you want me to take you to some guy?" Kye nodded her head. "It's not just any guy, he's my brother," The man looked at Kye surprised. "You're his sister? Dude, this kid is big news!" he said, "News on the street is, this kid is the best cook in town." "What are you talking about?" asked Kye, confused. "This guy, your brother, makes the strongest...best heroine around." "Ok? I need you to take me to him." said Kye. "Ok, but just to warn ya', the big man ain't so nice," said the man. Kye was done asking questions and didn't bother to even ask about the 'big guy'. "Let's go," Kye said as she started walking with her left hand covering her right side from the pain, and the gun, in her right hand… Just in case.

They walked for what seemed like hours, but was only 30 minutes. The addict kept looking over at Kye. He kept wondering how this little 12 year old girl was so headstrong. "I don't think I ever really introduced myself…" he said. "Everyone calls me Blaze." Kye just looked at him. "I guess I have nothing left to lose," she thought, "I'm Kye." she said in a soft voice. "Cool," Blaze responded.

They walked in silence for another hour, until they came up to an old small abandoned house on the outskirts of the City. "Shhh," said Blaze as they came up to the house. They crouched down and looked into the window. They saw Tyler talking with a tall man, who was pacing around the room. "I said 1 pound today. You couldn't even do that!" said the tall man as he slammed his fist onto a desk. "It was just a slow day. I will sell a pound and whatevers left tomorrow," said Tyler in a shaky voice. "You better hope you do. I'm giving you the chance of a lifetime here, Drees. A partnership anyone would be dying to have," said the man. "Who is that?" whispered Kye. "The boss," responded Blaze.

"I will give you one more chance. Don't ruin it, " said "the boss." "Wait I know that voice…" whispered Kye to herself, "NO!" she said out loud accidently. "Slade…" she thought in her head. "Who's there?" Slade asked, "Go check it out," Slade said as he pushed Tyler towards the door. Tyler slowly started walking out. "We have to go. NOW," Blaze whispered to Kye. "I can't leave without Tyler," Kye said. "Your funeral…" Blaze said as he started running away. "Kye?" Tyler said as he looked at his little sister peering in the window. Suddenly, a gunshot went off Tyler jumped on Kye to cover her.

They looked about 100 meters away, and saw Blaze's body on the ground. "BLAZE!" Kye yelled. "Shhh!" Tyler said to Kye, covering her mouth. Then the two of them ran behind a bush. Slade stepped off the doorstep of the house, and reloaded his gun. "You know, Tyler, there's really no point in hiding," "Stay here," whispered Tyler to Kye. Tyler walked out of the bushes towards Slade. Slade turned around and grabbed Tyler by the arms.

"Where's the other, I know there were two." Slade said with a glare. "I couldn't find the other one..." Tyler lied. Slade laughed. "You have a lot to learn about loyalty, kid," Slade said. He then walked over, reached into the Bushes, and pulled Kye out by just her sweatshirt. Kye gasped as she was lifted from the bushes. "Oh how sweet. Family reunion," Slade said sarcastically. "Don't hurt her!" Tyler yelled as two of Slades other men walked out of the house and held him back.

The two men dragged Tyler back into the house. "I just wanted to see my brother," Kye said as Slade tied her hands and feet together. "Well you came to the wrong place, sweetheart. Your brother is one of my men now, and we can't afford any distractions," Slade responded as he tied a towel around Kye's mouth. Slade kicked her in the stomach. "Did you miss your uncle Slade?" Slade asked as he continued to kick Kye. "Learn to let go, kid, soon you'll have nothing left." Slade gave one more punch to Kye's eye... "Bring the kid!" yelled Slade to the two men inside the house, as he threw Kye over his shoulder and started carrying her down a trail.

A few minutes later, they walked onto an empty boat dock. Slade threw Kye on the ground. Kye moaned from the pain. Slade crouched down by Kye, who was laying on the ground. "Don't worry, the pain will be over soon," Slade whispered to Kye. At this point, Kye didn't care. She had no one. Kye knew that the minute Slade no longer needed Tyler, he would be gone. "I'm done fighting," Kye said as she layed on the ground. "Good," Slade responded, "It wouldn't matter anyways." By this time, the two men arrived with Tyler. He had two black eyes, a limp, and ripped clothes.

"DON'T HURT HER!" Tyler screamed. Slade grabbed Kye and put her at the end of the pier. She was standing facing the water. "Oh I won't be the one hurting her," Slade said as he grabbed Tyler by the wrist and placed a gun in his hand. "No," Tyler said, "I won't do it." "If not her death, yours," Slade said as he held a gun up to Tylers head. Tears were streaming down Tylers face as he held up the gun at his sister, his hands, shaking. Kye turned around. She was able to loosen the rag ties around her mouth. "Tyler, it's ok, just do it," she yelled. Tyler shot the gun, hitting Kye below the left side of her ribs. She collapsed.

"KYE!" Tyler screamed in tears. Suddenly, two discs slid across the pier, and exploded. They were smoke bombs. Kye watched as a familiar shadow picked her up off the pier. Suddenly, a gun went off. As she was being carried away, she looked back and saw a body fall. "Ty…" she said softly before blacking out.