Chapter 4: Cellmate

I am a dropout; so I tried my hands in crimes. I started little: pick pocketing, theft and few car robberies. My 'friends' said I have talents so they introduced me to the Big Players of New York Crimes: The Crime Lords. I was introduced to the Big Man, Lincoln.

"Hey Kid, you know where you stepped, right?" Lincoln asked "The Dark World's not for little punks."

"I am no little punk…" I said "You know it or else I would still be on streets."

At first he looked angry and blood lusted but then he gave a laugh. He gave me the look. That look was my key to Dark Worlds. I became part of Big Man's 'family'. He polished my talents and I stepped onto Gambling, drug dealing and money printing. Life was set. He introduced me to Mafia Law:

1. Follow the Order of the Boss first and superior second.

2. Give your life for the Boss

3. Never ever reveal the identity of your Gang to authority.

4. No side dealings.

These were the four and most important ones; a low ranking member is introduced to. I followed it with my heart until police raid my area. I was caught by officials. I was afraid at first. I waited days for Big Man to visit me. I was cool. I know he will save me. I was his student.

"There is someone to visit you." Officer told me.

I smiled. I knew he will come. I entered the room only to be disappointed. He was Mitch, his tactician. He is annoying because he wears spectacles and gives a nasty vibes.

"Sit down, Loser." Mitch said.

"Where is Big Man?" I asked

"Big Man has no time to waste with a small liability like you." Mitch said bringing out some documents from his briefcase.

"Mind your tongue, Mitch or you will bite it." I warned him

"Little punk still has mouth after ruining everything he had for himself." Mitch teased

"I can still repair everything." I appealed

"How? From the scratch. Not possible." Mitch said "Because you were never taught to this." I was left speechless. What did he mean by I was not taught? "Big Man used you, scumbag." My eyes widened, is he kidding? "That place was already under police surveillance. We needed a face to hide Big Man's face." Someone took floor beneath my feet "You are no more part of the family?"

"But then if I am not the part, I can tell his name in course, so God Damn save me." I resist loudly

"You won't because you can't." Mitch said "Because of your real family."

It was a full triumph over me. I was forced to remain silenced. The lawyer was on their side. The jury was brought and evidences were perfectly directed over me. The Mafia Law was used against me. I cursed myself. It was the story of how I ended up in prison.

"Quite a story." said my new cellmate. "But you are quite young. Who would believe that a young kid like you can run a drug factory right San Fransokyo, world's most technologically rich city?"

"Anything can happen, dude." I complained "Mutants are example. Maybe because world's largest criminal and terrorist organization was created by young 20 year man that they are afraid of another."

"I thought it was an Urban legend." My blonde cellmate said as his ears seemed like they caught a topic of interest.

"They are popular in internet. They have a cult following. People care about entertainment and not facts." I said as I wondered why that guy was so interested "Well never mind. Who cares if they exist? You did not tell me your name?"

"Leo…" he said his name without a change in expression. He never told me his surname, nor did I ask again. I liked him because he protected me from beating in canteen. He was fast. No one ever touched him once: looked like he took karate and kick boxing in high school and college.

He had my respect but I don't want to hear the importance of education from a prisoner. He always asked for books to spend his time. Many times the fellow prisoners tried to pick fights with Leo but they only tasted the ground and Guards there like know that this will happen as they made bets.

Guards informed me that my parents are killed in accident. I was allowed a week leave from jail to attend the funeral. I noticed the black car and that spectacled face. I can recognize it from a mile. It was Mitch giving his nasty smile.

Leo comforted me. He offered me everything he knows. I was reluctant. Nightmares started to haunt me. Nightmares of my family's bloody screams. I was woken up many times in night by Leo.

"Timeless nights are better than horrifying sleep."

He offered to stay awake with me. I asked him something I was reluctant to do since it might ruin my perfect image of Leo "Did you regret coming to prison?"

"Never…" Here I taught he was trying to change until he said "Because of whom I committed these sins for were worth it."

He was a criminal but he had an air. Air that changed my mind. He becomes my teacher. He taught me chemistry, physics and biology. We had no books so it was difficult so he only taught me basics. He was fluent in many languages. He taught me German, French and Hindi with few words in Japanese. He thought me little engineering mainly tricks. Politics now and then? And of course like I thought Kick Boxing and Karate. I thought he was building soldier out of me. My view of world expanded. He wanted to test me. He said he wanted to have a mock match.

We both were in a boxing stance. I moved forward quickly and gave a left jab and then a right hook. He blocked it and then gave a left cross and made a distance. He was unhurt. I tried to use a roundhouse kick but he jumped to dodge and used his height to kick my face. I tried an uppercut but wrist locked me. It hurts.

"Attack with head, kiddo." Leo teased me and left my wrist. I tried to lock his neck with my legs but knocked me to the floor. "You learned a lot. Your movements are better."

"No, it's not." I was struggling to speak. "Results are same, Leo. I did not even touch you."

"Our fight was two minutes longer the previous one." Leo answered

"But it is because I was taking breaks between my moves."

"Yes it is a fault. It gives opponent time but you took your distance. It was safer than being foolish and attack without any success rate, so good job."

Leo had logics. A set of rules. But his were more kind and disciplined. In Mafia Family, there is no kindness. Do your job, get your reward. He gave a water bottle and a towel. Our time in gym was almost up and checked the time.

"Hey kiddo, if we ever get out of this crap, will you become part of my family?" Leo asked immediately and suddenly.

"Family as you mean, a Gang." Personally I did not wanted to since my past was still haunting me. Leo helped me to control my nightmares to a certain degree. But still, I don't want more scars in my soul. But then I looked at his eyes. I could not say no to him "Will you take me in?"

"My gang is open to all." Leo gave the warmest smile.

In the prison cell, Leo made me read some History books. Around midnight, something happened that changed my life again. Lights started to flicker. I heard prisoner's screaming. One fells from top, dead with bullet in his head. Some others were poisoned. I was afraid.

"You once told me about The Zodiac." Leo said who was calm. And it was disturbing.

A nerdy looking Asian man gets near our cell. I was afraid. An unfamiliar face. He was doing something with his gadgets. Screams and firing got louder and louder.

"You are late." Leo scolded

"Not my month." Nerd said "He can be too difficult to argue." That nerd opened the door. Leo told me to take everything I wanted. First I wanted answers. "Who the hell is this fellow?"

"Talk after we escape." Leo argued.

There was a hooded guy who looked at the watch and was murmuring "3…2…1…" The wall in front of us exploded into dust, flames and smoke. The sunlight managed to escape the smoke and I got glimpse of some ladders in the air. Except of Leo everyone was walking into the violent airs and lights as I noticed were results of military class helicopter and not air and sun.

"Leo is not the name." Leo suddenly speaks. I don't know him anymore. Who is he? "It is a title. Zodiac is not a gang of millions but a family of 12 and their apprentices."

I was silent. Did he say, Zodiac? The Leo was my cellmate, my teacher. He was the young prodigy of crime who created the world's largest criminal organization. Did he say just 12 people turned the world's peace upside down.

"Let me ask you again, will you be part of my family?"

His smile was still warm. I had no family and he was not my blood but still he felt like someone dear. I smiled and answered "Hell yes." I held onto Leo's hand as we ran to the helicopter. I enjoyed the view. It was cold but beautiful. For the first time I slept.

"Who is he, Leo?" A white haired elderly man probably in his late 40s asked.

"My student…" Leo answered as he changed into civilian clothes along with jacket with Leo and Zodiac symbol on it.

"You-Your student…?" the man said as he wears his overcoat with symbol of Capricorn and Zodiac on it. "He must have talents to be your first."

"Yes he has his skills." Leo answered "…and in my believe… skills to succeed me."

"The next Leo, huh…" Capricorn smiled "I don't think anyone else will look good in that jacket."

"Thank You for your compliment." Leo said without a smile "Now whose month is nest?"

"Scorpio's month is next." Capricorn said with an unfazed smile

Leo finally gave off expression of irritation as he said "You should have left me in that prison cell."

"Scorpio asked the same, but you know we could not. It is the rule you created." Capricorn said "Buckle up."

"Where are we heading?" Leo asked

"New York city…" Capricorn said. "I don't like his plan. None of us actually…"

"But you can't violate the rules… that is." Leo said as he checked his phone "What is the plan you are so against, Scorpio can't be this messed up this time."

"You should have some rest… we don't want you to be angry and start brawling."

"Capricorn, tell me." Leo gave Capricorn a serious look.

"Have you heard of OsCorp…?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry guys for grammar again. It is still in work. I hope you like the Zodiac introduction in this chapter. I will not reveal the name of the kid yet. 'San Fransokyo' is reference to Big Hero 6. It will be a joint embassy of Japan and San Francisco. Since I will keep Peter in coma for 2-3 chapters, I thought Villain intro is must. Please do review. Next 2-3 chapter will be all about Peter's family and friends.