Streets Smarts 7

((Hooray, timely update:) Anyways, let's explore the character's feelings a little more. This is written as they see it. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and the new one-shot I posted. Thanks for your support and kind comments. They keep me writing and going!))

My head pounded as if Liz's blows were still fresh. Breathing became so painful it turned into a chore. The cement was firm and chilly. Lying there was uncomfortable to say the least. I wanted to cry as unlikely as it seemed. Still that was the only thing I wanted to do. I guess it goes that boys aren't supposed to cry, but I couldn't think of anything that would make me feel any better.

I lay there without moving just blinking at the ceiling. I wasn't thinking much of anything either. I might have even fallen asleep with my eyes open. I let out a deep sigh. It felt like a relief. Almost as good as crying, that sigh. I forced a second one, but nothing beat that first sigh. It was natural and escaped on its own. The cold cement floor wasn't harsh anymore. The icy wind blaring from the metal, blue door, the three had left open, didn't sting the wounds on my face anymore. I felt peaceful. In pain, but at least I was tranquil. The warm blood seeping from my gashes was my blanket that night. I closed my eyes and drifted away. Away from the pains of loss, betrayal, obligation, guilt, and anything else that had weighed me down my entire life. All the pressure that swelled my body momentarily released with an honest sigh.

"Stop! Just leave me alone Kid! Go away!" I started booking it faster. Forget covering my face with my hands I needed mobility and for that I needed my arms to my side covering my balance. I didn't worry about temporarily leaving Patty behind. She was with Kid after all; he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

"Liz! We have a mission to carry out! Damn it Liz you know I can't work with just one of you!" Kid yelled with an exasperated breath trying to catch up along with Patty.

"Liz come back! Where yea going?!" Patty waved. She could have easily caught up to me. She just probably felt bad for Kid and decided to keep at his pace.

"Liz, you know that if I don't have both of you my symmetry will be off and so will my balance! I can't fight properly like that! You know this Elizabeth!" he was pissed off. Whenever he called Patty or me by our full names it was usually a sure sign that his patience was gone.

"Fuck you and your symmetry Kid! I want out of here!" I turned a sharp corner to an alley way and tried to lose them. Why couldn't they just leave me alone for five damn minutes! I turned around to see how caught up they were, but they weren't there anymore. My last comment might have made Kid give up on me. Honestly, I felt kinda mean for saying that to Kid. I know how sensitive he is about symmetry and all that. Besides, I hardly ever cussed at Kid. That was something from the past from when we first met and partnered up. Then again I am back in Brooklyn; I'm probably resorting back to my old instincts.

I spent the night in that rusty basement. When I woke up there was Patty and that weird kid standing over me.

"Hey, Clay." Patty knelt over me while Kid stood with his arms crossed and his mouth in a neat triangle. "I said 'hey!'" Patty slapped me. She was being her old grumpy self.

"Hey…I see you're back to your old self" I wheezed out quietly. She crunched her eyebrows together and grabbed the front of my shirt pulling me up to her.
"What'd you say punk?" She growled.

"You heard me" I coughed "You used to always pick fights with anyone who looked at you for more than three seconds. You and Liz were definitely something else" I laughed weakly.

"Kay, well I'm getting tired of all this 'remembering.' Besides you're bad at it anyways. Stop lying about Liz, okay!" She shook my shirt and me back and forth. "I'll kick your butt for making Liz cry like that! She didn't do anything like what you said last night. Liz would never! Got that chump?!" She picked her fist up and I rested my chin on my neck mustering the best flinch I could manage with my weak state. Kid caught her fist in the air and shook his head. He picked Patty up from her kneel and took over.

"Listen Clay. You're going to take me to Aiden Cardell or I'll be taking your soul to the next world. Understood?" He talked calmly and slowly with only the slightest threat in his voice. His hands always seemed to be behind his back which kinda scared me. How could someone be so business like all the time? A better question is what were Liz and Patty doing hanging around a kid like this? They hated "rich brats" with a passion. Now they look like rich brats themselves. All well feed with lip gloss, nice clothes, brushed hair, and accessories. They didn't have any of that before. All they had to themselves was some torn jeans from the Salvation Army, some ratty tank tops and a pack of cigarettes. What the hell was up with the conceded attitude and highlights?

"I tried to help you jerks, remember?" I was starting to feel better so I sat up. "You kinda blew up the only person who could take you Cardell." I didn't give a shit about the sarcasm in my voice. I hated this kid like no other. "You think someone like me is in with the big guys huh? I'm just a fucking distributor. Ask Liz, she could have told you that. She was a pretty safe client back in the day." Patty leapt at me with teeth bared, but Kid grabbed her waist and held her off. He shook his head and tried to ignore my last sentence.

"Your dirty asymmetrical friend isn't dead. I'm a grim reaper I would know." Was this guy for real? Did he just say he's a "grim reaper?" What kinda of nut job were these girls hanging with?

"I can't say the same for other members of your group though" he snickered. I tried standing up, but my head felt like it was filled with cement.

"….And what's up with Liz and Patty? You girls turned into fucking guns! What the hell is up with that?!" I started scooting away from Patty once I remembered. That shit was freaky.

"Liz and Patty are my weapons. They're my demon twin pistols." He said this like it was boring and obvious. I looked up at Patty.

"Is that how you guys were mugging people? You just turned into weapons and made everyone piss them self into handing over their cash?" I blinked at Patty finally understanding how these girls actually survived without being a drug mules or prostitutes.

"Yea, idiot. What'd you think we were doing? Liz would never do any of that pervy stuff for money!" Patty yelled offended with her hands on her hips.

"Sorry, I just assumed. I mean how would a couple of street girls get money. I mean Liz had enough to buy some pretty good stuff. I just thought…" Kid cleared his throat definitely uncomfortable with the topic. Patty dropped her hands from her waist and sighed.

"Anyways, I'm not taking you guys anywhere. I don't care whoever or whatever the hell you think you are Kid. I'm gonna go find Jessie and get the hell out of here. Once Jessie is okay he'll have your ass taken care of." I grabbed my left rid and stood up stumbling.

"We're not done here yet." Kid grabbed my shoulder. I shook it off, but how the hell was I going to get to Jessie like this. I could barely stand straight. Besides, I knew Jessie would wanna get pay back for what this kid did. Jessie wouldn't want me to lose their trail. So maybe it was better to keep him around. Jessie and the rest of the crew will wanna get back at them.

"I have no idea why you wanna meet the guy so bad, but I know he can hold down his own so I'll take you to Aiden Cardell. After that though, I want you gone forever. Understand?" He gave me a satisfied smirk as if he had won, but this kid had no clue what was coming to him. "I'll talk to Jessie about it and he'll give me the info I need. He's like my brother after all." The brat crossed his arms and pointed his eyes directly at mine.

"You have my word. After my meeting with Cardell you'll never hear from me again."

"I'm sure of it, Kid"

Aw, maybe it's time I go back. I've been gone for some time now. I probably owe those two an explanation, but damn I don't wanna see Clay again. Ugh, what should I do?

I ran my fingers through my hair and looked up at the sky. It was already day time. The atmosphere was a lavender, orange swirl of clouds and cold. The sun was gonna be extra bright, I could already tell, but I didn't miss chilly Brooklyn mornings, nor the smell of cold cement that the morning always brought. I liked having my own room at Gallows Manor. I liked that Patty had her own bed too. I liked our collection of shoes and lip glosses. I liked being served breakfast by the maids every morning with Kid and Patty, even if it meant Kid waking us up extra early to make sure we'd have time to eat together. Why would I miss anything related to Brooklyn? I still had night tremors reminding me of the fears I had when I lived on the streets. Not knowing if the cops would catch Patty and me. Not knowing if someone was gonna harm us as we fell asleep in alleys, parks or in our secret basement. Not knowing if we were gonna be separated. Not knowing what to expect the next day. At least with Kid, Patty and I have a pleasant routine. Wake up at 5:30 am, eat breakfast, go to school, go on a mission every other week, go home, have dinner, do "homework," shower, do whatever the hell I wanted, and then bed. Repeat. That was safety; knowing what to expect and just being with Kid and Patty. Maybe it's time I return to them. Last night lasted way to long.

"Hey, is anyone still here." I called out softly kinda nervous of what I may find on the other side of that blue aluminum-like door. Kid and Patty stood facing each other with their arms crossed and with serious expressions.

"Ah, Liz. I was wondering when you'd return." Kid didn't bother to face me he was too busy with his thoughts.

"Liz! You're back big sis!" Patty galloped over to me and hung on my neck in a hug.

"Hey, sorry about running off like that. I was just ticked." I rubbed Patty's back and pressed my cheek to the top of her head.

"Also…sorry Kid. I didn't mean to be such a…" he shook his head at me and interrupted.

"It's fine Liz. Besides, I would never believe such slander. I think by now I know who my partners are." He offered me a half smile and soft eyes. My heart warmed enough to return the gesture.

"Hey sis! Wow, you really kicked Clay's butt! He ran off scared and now he's gonna go do what Kid told him to do!" she started bouncing up and down with a beaming smile. I rolled my eyes. Are we seriously still going to carry out this lame mission?

"Yes, he'll meet us back here tonight with information relevant to our goal. This time Liz try not to beat him up." He sounded serious.

"Yea, if you don't blow him up first, Kid." He didn't find my wit very funny and ended up pouting. Typical.

Practically on my knees, I finally made it to Jessie's apartment where the gang and I usually meet up. The place looked post apocalyptic. Rubble had covered the entire building, wooden boards covered every window that wasn't already broken and caution tape still littered the floor around the building. Even the sky over the building was slightly grayer than the rest. Not much luck there. No one was there. They'd all probably be in the nearest hospital by now.

"Is uhm, Jessie Finch registered here?" I groaned at the bulky and busy looking nurse at the front desk. She didn't even respond much less look at me. She just typed away on her computer.

"Yes, and-" with a bored look on her face she turned to face me, but immediately dropped her jaw and raised her eyebrows. I bet it's because I looked like shit. She probably thought I might need to be registered in the ICU too. Those three really fucked me up bad. They did everyone. She stood up from her rolling chair surprisingly fast for someone who looked so large and lazy. "Do you need to go to the emergency room?" she put her chubby hand over her chubbier chest. 'No, I just want to see Jessie." This lady was really starting to annoy me now. I get it. I looked pretty bad.

"And your relation to Mr. Finch?" why was her voice shaking? C'mon, I was breathing just fine now. No need to freak out. It's not like I was some huge blue zombie walking around.

"Uhm….he's my older brother. I'm Clay…Finch." She nodded at me with serious eyes and pressed the buzzer opening the huge metal gates next to the desk.

"Room 181, down the hall to your left." I could tell her sight was following me as I dragged myself through the doors. I was still a little light headed and my ribs still hurt, but at least if I was gonna collapse I'd be in the perfect place to do so.

"Jessie" I nudged his needle filled right arm. "Jessie, you alright?" I hope I wasn't bothering him.

"Didn't anyone…ever tell you…to…not…bother someone… who's…sick." Jessie whispered in a sleepy, but slightly annoyed voice. I breathed out in relief.

"Sorry 'bout that. Glad to see your okay." Okay was an overstatement. His face was bruised and his nose and eyes had blood clots. His lip was really swollen and he made breathing look really hard.

"You alright too Clay?" he opened one swollen eye to look at me. His voice was so quite it was down to an exhausted whisper. I nodded back at him just happy to see he was alive.

"Those two girls Clay and that kid, where'd they go? It's not gonna end like that. That little prick isn't gonna just walk home after this shit." His voice was a little louder, but really pissed off.

"Don't worry Jess. I have tabs on them. I know where they're staying at. He wants to meet Cardell. I told him I'd do that for him just to keep him around for you." I was kinda proud of myself for this. Actually, really damn proud. Jessie would be too. I knew he would be.

"What…? Cardell? What the hell does he want with Cardell?" Jessie opened both his eyes but still didn't move his body an inch.

"It must be about those two girls that were with him. Your friends Clay. Did you know about them being able to transform?" He didn't sound too proud or happy with me. Shit.

"No, no I had no fucking clue. I think I told you right? I hadn't seen 'em for days. It's been like two years or something since they went missing." Aw damn I hope I wasn't in trouble now though I wouldn't blame Jessie for being angry at me. I'm starting to feel really guilty about all this.

"What does Cardell have to do with Liz and Patty?" I was getting scared now. I wasn't sure what my feelings were towards Liz. I was kinda pissed at her for leaving without saying anything and just being a general bitch, but I don't know if I was mad enough to do anything serious. I mean it looks like she was angry enough to bring all this about so why shouldn't I be as extreme as her. She helped blow up Jessie's house along with all my friends. Then she tried beating the little life left outta me last night. Maybe she also has something coming to her.

"I'm not sure Clay and it doesn't matter. I wanna see that kid and those girls again alright. So tell them everything I'm about to tell you. Got it?" I wasn't in any position to disobey Jessie. I'm lucky he doesn't want to kill me for bringing these reckless girls to his house in the first place.

I took in everything he was saying. Every detail of the plan ready to cooperate and payback those three for what they did to my friends, Jessie, and me.

"You understand Clay?" Jessie gave me a stern look that screamed backing down isn't an option anymore. I was to deliver those three to him directly or I'd find myself in a difficult position.

"Yea, don't worry Jess. You'll get yours." I stumbled out of the room wanting to vomit from all the shaking my body was doing. I was hungry and nervous for the outcome of this.