Claire Lyons
After leaving the mall, Claire dusted her faux leather jacket multiple times to get rid of the scent of perfume and the odors of food. She checked her watch, 4:30, and another hour before Jay and Judy Lyons get home from work and start another round of their endless arguments. She thought of her brother Todd, who was as neglected by their parents as she was. But like her too, Todd is way different than the Todd Lyons before. His mischievous laugh and annoyingly cheerful attitude was gone, replaced by silence and coldness. Claire hated her family. She hated how her parents always fought for no reason and neglecting her and her brother; she hated how Todd is also numb to the world; and she especially hated herself for not being able to do anything to repair her broken family.
Her cell phone rang, indicating that it was the gang leader Tanya. For once, Claire muted her phone and didn't pick up. The stolen iPhone 5S vibrated in her pocket for a while before going completely still. Claire could sense Tanya's rage when she didn't pick up. Seconds later, the phone rang again, this time it was from Malcom. Sighing, Claire waited a few seconds before picking up the phone.
"Dude, Lyons, Tanya's pissed that you didn't pick up. Anyway, we're having a meeting right now, meet us at the Headquarters."
Claire hung up and started towards the Headquarters, which was an abandoned alley that the gang found and claimed. She crossed several streets before reaching the dark alley. Malcom and some others were already there, including a very upset-looking Tanya. When Claire arrived, Tanya called for attention and started the meeting.
"So, everyone, we have a major crisis." The leader started, her steely grey eyes scanning everyone. "Apparently, the police received a report from an attempted robbery a few days ago, and it was from some rich, important person, so now they're on our tracks." Tanya's eyes suddenly focused on Claire. "Lyons, I think it was from the druggie chick we tried to rob the other day."
Claire grimaced and gingerly rubbed the sore spot on her hand, which was stabbed by Dylan's needle. The meeting Massie called at the mall's food court was super awkward, Dylan and Claire avoided each other's eyes while Kristen dodged the sight of everyone at the mall. "Dylan Marvil? Well, what do we do now?" She decided to not share her encounters with Dylan and the rest of the PC for whatever reason. Maybe a part of her still treasured their former friendship.
"We've just gotta be more careful from now on. Luckily, nobody has found our headquarters yet. If any member is found betraying us…" Tanya's gaze suddenly became intense and hardening, "He or she will be resulted in immediate expulsion and worse." Her stare focused on Claire once more before dismissing everyone.
Claire walked back to her house, passing the familiar streets and houses. Suddenly, a blonde figure caught her attention. Kristen was with another guy, whom Claire felt vaguely familiar. She crept up on them and took a closer look. Yes, she definitely recognized him. Claire felt her heart dropping to her stomach and she broke out in cold sweat. Kristen and the guy were walking towards the nearest motel, and Claire knew that he was another one of Kristen's "clients". She was about to call out and stop the couple, but it was too late. They disappeared in the motel, and when Claire hurried in after them, the couple was nowhere to be seen.
Claire slumped against a wall and closed her eyes in despair. She wanted to call Kristen and warn her, but it looked like everything is too late already.
That guy was Tanya's boyfriend, and Tanya is the vicious and dangerous leader of the Westchester gang. If Tanya found out, Kristen has no idea who, or what, she is facing.
