Chapter 16 – Fight and Flight

(Okay. I think everyone knows who I do and don't own, so I won't bother saying that. TextDragonX, I am retelling Down And Out from Kell's POV. How could I not? Glad everyone seems to be enjoying this, please r+r!)

"Okay," I called. "Shar, you go deliver this." I quickly scribbled a note to the GGs, and handed it to her. "Don't get caught."

Shar nodded and raced off.

"What about the rest of us?" Babs asked.

"We keep a look-out. We've got to keep up the attack. Demoralise them a bit."

"Who're we gonna hit next?"

I shrugged. "Whoever we can. But listen, guys, don't tag Piranha if you see her, okay? I've got something else planned for her."

"Why not?" Dash snapped. "I'd love to paint her face a bit, the little cow."

"Because I know how we can hurt her worse. Look, the GGs aren't gonna kick out one of their own just because they got tagged. They won't break the rules, but they'll let them stay. Gum will find it annoying because you know what she's like –"

"Violent," Kris said. She still didn't look too happy.

"I was thinking proactive, but whatever you say. She'll go stir-crazy. We've got to hit each one where it hurts. And I know how we can do that with Piranha."

Shar came skating back, out of breath. "Guys," she called. "Listen…I heard who's going out tagging tonight."

"Who?"

"Mew. Blue GG. Center Street. Are we gonna do the same to her?"

I felt a smile dust my lips. "No. I have something else planned for her. Has everyone got knives?"

Kris whitened.

"It's all right, Kristine," I said to her. "You don't have to join in, okay?"

"I'm going back," Kris choked, and ran.

"I'll go see she's okay," Babs said. "Good luck, Kell."

Shar and Dash looked at me as we were left alone on the darkened pavement.

"What's the plan?" Shar asked at last.

"You know Mew," I said. "You know how pretty she likes to look."

"So what're we gonna do, pinch her lip gloss?" Dash said.

"How about her lips?"

They both looked at me, horror in their faces, but underneath, curiosity.

I smiled. "All the makeup in the world won't hide what a few good blades could do to her. Think about it. That sort of girl thinks plastic surgery is the bee's knees. We're just giving her a free taster. Of course, if you can't handle it…"

"I can handle it," Dash said.

"Me too."

"Then let's head to Center Street, and play the waiting game."

It was about an hour later when we saw her. She skated out from a side street, screeched to a halt in front of a shop window, and began tagging. Even from where we were, hidden at the bottom of the hill, I could see she was nervous, glancing from side to side as she painted.

She finished her first tag, and skated on down, towards the next wall. It was so quiet. Yup, Onishima had come through for me.

Some rudie you are, Kell…

I ignored the thought, and motioned Shar and Dash to follow me. We began skating up the hill towards her. My legs ached.

I saw her notice us, tense, then turn and skate towards a rail, jump, begin to grind.

"There she is," I called. "Get her!"

We waited at the bottom of the fence as she reached it. Her brown eyes widened in terror, and then she tried to jump. As she landed, we encircled her, and I called, "Grab her!"

Shar and Dash pounced. Mew screamed, a sound that was as high and stupid as the rest of her, and Shar covered her mouth. They dragged her into one of the side streets, Shar holding her left arm, Dash her right.

I took out Dash's knife, which was still slightly rusty with Cube's blood, and held it up in front of Mew's face.

"You're that girl who always likes to look nice, aren't you?" I said. "I've seen you, always checking your reflection. Showing off your butt to the guys. Well, kitty, you won't have the face to do that in future."

Mew's eyes widened in horror as she realised what I meant, then closed as I brought the knife up to her skin, and dragged it down her cheek.

Even blood didn't look good on her. It just looked untidy.

"I wanted to stick this in your friend's eye, but I guess I'll have to do it to you. Ready?"

She looked up at me, pleading in her face.

"Please don't…" Her voice was wobbly, and I saw tears in her eyes. Get used to it, pussy cat, I thought. People aren't nice to you just because you're pretty. Trust me.

"Steady?"

I saw her jaw tense.

"Go –"

"Leave her alone!" a guy's voice cut in.

We all turned, and I saw a Noise Tank standing at the street entrance.

"Let go of her," he said.

"Or what?" I snapped.

"Don't make me use this." He held up a strange, slightly gun-like object.

"Go play in traffic."

His voice was familiar.

"You asked for it," he said.

He fired.

There was a faint ringing, and then a terrible pain burning in my head. I heard myself scream, and the world rocked as every molecule in my head vibrated.

I realised I'd fallen to my knees, and blinked, and saw Shar and Dash let go of Mew, who ran towards the Noise Tank.

"Get them!" I yelled, wincing as the noise rang in my skull like an earthquake.

They glanced at each other, then ran towards the other two rudies. The Noise Tank fired again, and they fell.

And he grabbed Mew's arm, and the two of them skated away.

I knelt on the ground, head still pounding, fury coursing through my lungs. That was Gamma. His face had been hidden, but I knew his voice. The bastard.

I'd scared Mew, though. As Shar helped me to my feet, I let myself smile over that. I'd scared her shitless. So, two-one to me so far. Sweet.

When we arrived back at the HQ, I waited until everyone else had gone out to celebrate in Benten-cho, and then headed up to Alex.

Babs had been feeding her, cleaning her, bandaging her wounds. I knew that she was doing it, but if I confronted her, she'd blab, and I'd be in trouble. Alex lay in the darkness, looking like someone had sucked all the flesh off her bones. Her hair had grown out now, hung red and stringy to her shoulders. I'd taken her skates, and her feet, bare and cold, shone in the faint light.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice painfully casual.

"Just came to see how you were," I said.

Alex shrugged. "That's nice."

"We're going to destroy the GGs," I said. "We've already tagged one ten times."

"Cool."

She wasn't listening properly, I knew that. Her mind was feeding out responses while it struggled to keep sane.

"Akina's brother's in that gang," I said. "Did you know?"

A flicker of interest which was quickly squashed. "No."

I shrugged. "I'm planning something special for him. Maybe he can come up here with you."

Alex's face didn't change. I was a little freaked. Had she really gone down that far?

She screamed when I hurt her, and then her face went back to the same old expression. I didn't seem to be able to reach her any more.

I walked back downstairs, and wrote another note.

Dear Piranha,

Well, long time no see, huh? Glad to discover you're happy again. I'm sure the GGs have welcomed you just like one of their own. I wonder…do they know you were a Love Shocker? Our gang ain't too popular at the moment. I wonder what they'd think if someone told them. And of course, there's the little incident involving one of your friends' sister. I do hope there hasn't been any bad feeling about that.

Well, hope to talk to you soon – Kell

I got up, and looked for the photos pinned up on the walls of the factory. Shar had a passion for snapping pictures of us, and so there were memories preserved all over the HQ.

I found one of Piranha as a Love Shocker, and tucked it into an envelope with the note. If all went to plan, Piranha would freak.

Of course, she could have told the truth as soon as she joined. But it didn't seem likely. And I may as well try and have a little fun.

I got Shar to deliver it when the others got back. Now all we had to do was wait.

Shar, Dash and I were out tagging in Shibuya-cho, on the half-built motorway – not that there was much which needed to be done – when suddenly we saw three Noise Tanks. They were grinding along the crash barriers on the other side of the gap.

"What on earth are they doing here?" Dash said.

"Let's find out." I took a run-up, then leapt and wall-rode across the gap, landing with a click of skates on the other side.

"Hey, techno-boys!" I called. "What's wrong? Benten-cho too hard to handle today?"

"We just felt like some sunlight," a female – Data, presumably – answered. "But I wouldn't talk about us finding things too hard to handle. You've obviously got some problems of your own."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Well, the GGs are definitely the top gang in this district."

"Oh, they are, are they?" Shar snarled. She'd jumped over a few minutes after me. "Considering we've derudiefied one, and broken the legs of another, not to mention nearly fixing a third one – if your buddy hadn't interfered, she'd be toast."

"It's not like you've done anything that great," Data said.

"And the GGs have?" I replied.

"They tagged the police station. Or rather, one of them did. While the rest were doing time. All you've done is plaster the streets with your lonely heart tags. Which, by the way, are getting majorly boring."

"I didn't ask your opinion," I said. "At least we know how to use colour."

"Anyway," Shar said, "Anything the GGs can do, we can do better. Right, Kell?"

"Right," I said. "So why don't you Daleks bleep back off to Benten and leave us alone."

We watched as they skated away, then Shar turned to me. "Are we going to do it, Kell?"

I chewed my lip. "I think we'll have to."

"It's pretty dangerous."

"We're rudies. Danger is what we do."

When we got back to the HQ, Babs, Kris, and one of the new Love Shockers were there, looking furious.

"We just ran into the Poison Jammers," Babs snapped. "And they laughed at us. Told us we were wimps."

"Because you hadn't tagged the police station?" I said.

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"Noise Tanks did the same to us. It's no good, we're going to have to do it."

"But it's too dangerous," Kris said. "You'll end up in jail again."

"Is it better to be out here and a laughing-stock, or in there and –"

"A laughing-stock!" Kris looked angrily at me. "No one's gonna admit we're better than the GGs. We'll always be second best. Maybe we should just accept that and stop doing what we're doing."

"Why?" I said. "Why accept things? Why not fight to change it? At least you go out with a bang."

Akina accepted. Akina died. I wouldn't die.

"A bang which hurts everyone who's near it," Kris said, voice shaking. "This gang makes me sick. This life makes me sick. I don't want any part in what you're doing!"

"Then go to Onishima, and turn yourself in," I said. "Go to jail. Pay for your sins that way."

Kris stared at me, eyes wide in her miserable face.

"You won't, will you?" I said. "You're too scared."

"Fine!" Kris shouted. "Fine! I'll tag the damn place! But please – please let's just wait a bit. A day or two. Maybe they'll stop heckling us."

"And maybe the GGs will quit rudie life and become bank managers," I said. "Okay. We'll wait. But they won't give up."

They didn't. Over the next few days my hatred of the GGs rose to new heights.

"Right," I said at last, having just been laughed at by the Noise Tanks for the fourth time in a day. "Come on, Kristine. Let's go paint the Keisatsu a new look."

Kris swallowed, and picked up her paint.

As we walked out into the darkened street, she said, "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Doing what?"

"Forcing me to do this. To join in with all the shit you're doing."

"Because you're a Love Shocker, and I need you."

"There are other Love Shockers. Why is it only us two doing this?"

"Because if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."

"Why am I here?"

I glanced at her. Her face was yellow in a streetlamp light.

"Because I don't trust you," I said. "So I'm gonna involve you in this, and hope that you don't make me do what I did to San."

Kris shivered, slowly.

"Why are we doing this?" she asked.

"Because I won't be laughed at."

"Why do you hate the GGs so much?"

"Why don't you?"

She was silent.

We'd reached the police station now. My heart pattered against my ribs. We'd blackened our skates and we wore long-sleeved shirts, but if we were seen, we'd be dead.

No bars here, though.

"Right," I whispered, hardly saying the words at all. "You go left, I go right. If you get caught, run. Got it?"

Kris nodded.

We separated, and slipped into the darkness.

I began to tag. The hiss of the paint seemed horribly loud. I could hear, on the other side of the wall, typing, someone arguing, footsteps. I was practically touching the long arm of Tokyo-to law enforcement. And I was a rudie.

I was stupid.

But – ohhh, if it would only get those jerks to shut up…

I finished the first X-tra large tag, and walked along a few steps to start the next one, carefully dodging the dustbins behind me. I could see police cars pulling up in front of the station, people being dragged out, and my hand shook. If I was seen…

Well, you're not going to be, I told myself. Keep a cool head.

That was one wall done. I turned the corner and walked round to the back of the building. Here windows spilled pits of light onto the ground. If someone looked out at the wrong moment…

I swallowed, and dodged from shadow to shadow, firing tags onto the wall. I didn't dare stop moving. I knew if I did, I'd freeze with terror.

I saw, approaching from the other corner, a rudie-shaped silhouette, and called, "Kris?"

She nodded.

"I'm done," I hissed. "Let's go."

Negotiating the dustbins, we crept back round the corner – and froze as another police car screeched to a halt a few metres away from us.

I heard Kris's breathing catch in her throat.

We waited as its occupants got out and walked up the steps into the building. Then – "Go," I hissed, and we ran.

We didn't stop running until we got back to the HQ.

"I never, ever, ever want to do anything like that again," Kris gasped.

I didn't answer. I sort of agreed with her.

"We've done it," I said at last. "Thanks, Kris."

"I hate you," she snapped, and walked away.

I kept up the letters to Piranha.

Dear Piranha,

Well, I might tell, or I might not. You haven't looked too happy lately – that was for sure, she hardly came out and when she did she looked worried – so I guess they don't know what you did. But I can't decide whether to spill the beans and get you in big trouble, or keep quiet and let you squirm. Oh, the agony of it all. Catch you later, sugar.

Another night in Shibuya-cho. The sky was striped with banks of cloud as the daylight left us.

I sat in one of the old offices, thinking, while the other girls practised jumps and tricks in the main hall. I could dimly hear the sound of skates, echoing through the old building, cheers and laughter, and the occasional yelp as someone misjudged something.

I didn't feel half so cheerful. The fading light was sliding across my face, turning my skin bone-white, and I was cold. The darkness seemed to be swallowing me, despite everything I'd done to keep safe.

What were the GGs planning?

I couldn't let them win. I just couldn't. I'd make my move soon. I'd get them, hurt them, then I'd call Onishima and he'd take away what was left. And then I'd be free. Free at last.

Suddenly I heard running footsteps, and from the clanging sound I deduced they were on one of the walkways. I heard someone – Shar, I think – shout, "Quick, move it!" and I got up, and glanced out of the door. There were dim figures on the walkways, two of them Love Shockers.

"What are you two bitches doing up there?" I called.

"There's that GG up here, Kell." Shar's voice seemed very far away. "Cube, you know."

"What the –" I tried to recover self-control. "Grab her and bring her down here!"

More running footsteps. Crashes. Shar screamed, "Bitch!" The others were hurrying up the steps now. I couldn't make out where anyone was. It was all too dark.

At last I saw them. Cube, face bleeding, was being dragged down the stairs by Babs and Dash. The others were circling her – all except Kris, who didn't seem to be there.

I turned back into the office and picked up my torch from the desk, then hurried back out. They'd got to the door now.

I shone the torch into the GG's face. "Cube? What are you doing here?"

"Felt like coming along to see how the riff-raff live." She had her eyes half-closed because of the torchlight, and so I couldn't see how scared she really was.

"You are either very stupid or very mad," I said. "Although I guess I'm glad. Now you can watch while I destroy your gang."

That did get to her. I saw her tense.

"Hold her out here a minute," I said, and walked back into the office. Quickly I grabbed the mouldering telephone directory, and looked up a number. Hopefully what I'd heard about the GGs' garage had been correct…

I went back out, and called, "Bring her in."

Yes, Cube was frightened, but trying not to show it. I watched her from the corner of my eye as they bound her wrists to the heating pipe on the far wall.

"Scat," I said when I'd finished. "I'm gonna make a call to the GGs."

"I didn't know we had a phone," Cube said.

"Well, live and learn, don't you? Actually, I borrowed an old directory, and found your place when it was still the Hung Foo Shin Garage." If my sources were correct.

I dialled the number, the old phone dusty on my fingertips. It rang, once, twice, three times…

"Hello?"

"That's Beat, leader of the GGs, right?" I said, hoping it was.

"Yeah…" He sounded wary.

"It is? Great. You see –"

"Kell, are you moving onto anonymous phone calls or something?"

"No, of course I'm not moving onto anonymous phone calls. You'd always know it's me. Anyway, I've got one of your little pals here. Caught her snooping round our place. Not exactly a polite thing to do."

I heard his breath catch in his throat, and then he said, "I don't believe you. Nice try, but I don't."

"Fine. You don't believe me – say hi to her yourself."

I held the receiver to Cube's face. "Beat," she said, "it's me."

He said something, but I couldn't pick it out. I picked up the packet of cigarettes on the table – Jay had left them there, I don't waste my money on that stuff – took the box of matches I used a lot these days.

"Yep." Cube sighed. "I guess you were right after all. I shouldn't have gone."

No shit, sherlock. I lit the cigarette, the flame dazzling my eyes.

"I'm fine," Cube said. "Look, don't worry about me, okay? I was stupid to come here alone, and now I'm paying for it."

She sounded so all-fired calm. I itched to break that act down.

He said something else, and she said, "I know you –" and then screamed as I pressed the end of the cigarette down onto her skin.

I took back the receiver, and said to Beat, "Don't worry, GG. Just a little preliminary run."

"You bitch!" he yelled.

"Geez, what an unoriginal insult. Anyway, gotta go." And I put down the phone.

Hand shaking with triumph, I inhaled on the cigarette. I don't smoke much. But now it gave me something to do.

"That'll kill your lungs," Cube said.

"Geez, you're prissy, aren't you?"

"Hey, you'll be the one collapsing when you try and skate up the hill."

I opened my mouth to reply, and the phone rang. I answered. "Hello?"

"Kell? Is that you?"

Onishima.

"Look, I told you never to call me here!" I snapped. "Do you have any idea what the others would do if they found out how we've got away with the tagging?"

"Listen, you dirty rudie, don't you try and give me orders –"

"Geez, do you know how many people have called me a dirty rudie? If you thought that, why'd you let me –"

"Shut up," he snapped.

I laughed. "You know you liked it. Why not admit it, rudies aren't as bad as they seem?"

"You shut up. You promised you'd keep your mouth shut. Now, listen, are you doing anything about those damn GGs? Or can't you hack it?"

"I can handle the GGs," I said.

"Then why the hell haven't you done anything?"

"Look, I've got one of them in here right now!" I glanced at Cube, who was watching me with nervous black eyes.

"Well, I want action," he snapped. "I want them caught. Now you do what you're planning, and I'll come pick them up."

"I don't see why we need to speed up the plan," I said. "I've got them scared –"

"Like hell you have!" Cube yelled.

I picked up the knife from the desk and slit her cheek. Tears of blood ran down her skin.

"Scare each one, then I'll let you go in," I said. "You know whenever you try and catch them you fail…"

I heard Cube gasp.

"I don't have time for your dumb games, rudie."

"Why? What's the hurry?"

"I got a reputation to uphold."

"Oh, I see. Your reputation. Well, that's understandable. Having the entire population of the Juvie Skaters Correction Place escape from under your very nose – are they thinking of downgrading you? I guess your badge is important to you after all. Not that it shows…"

"Just shut up and help me!" Onishima sounded desperate. Boy, he was so easy to annoy.

"All right, all right. I'll move against them tonight. I got someone who can help me with that…" I gave Cube a cool smile.

"You remember what we agreed."

"Yeah, yeah, I know the bargain! You don't try and arrest us, and we don't do any more tagging." I crossed the fingers of my free hand.

"Yeah, well, you seem to have forgotten that," he snarled. "Or haven't you seen the police station yet?"

"Look, the police station was a hitch, all right? A casualty of war. Now, we know the rules, right? I get to play with the GGs myself, and then you get to pop round and collect what's left. And we're both happy. Now don't call here again."

I slammed down the phone, and spoke my thoughts aloud. "You dumb idiot. Think I'm gonna keep my promises to you?"

"You making bargains with cops?" Cube said, anger simmering in her words.

"What's it to you? As a matter of fact, yes I am." Oh, I hoped the others weren't listening…

"What's the bargain?"

I shrugged. "I said on the phone. I use my gang to smush you GGs, get to hurt you a bit…" Cube paled. "…Then he can move in and take you off to Sing Sing. Suits me. Not, of course, that I'm gonna keep my side of the deal. No tagging – god, who does he think he's dealing with?"

"Who is he?" She sounded less angry now. More curious.

"Who is he? Well, I thought you could guess," I said. "Who hates your guts? Who caught you all, then lost you again? Who has a rudie-hating reputation to keep up?"

"Is it – is it Onishima?"

"And Cube scoops the jackpot on tonight's show," I said. "Of course it is. Only he'd be so stupid as to let me get the hold I've got over him."

"What d'you mean?"

"Well, can you imagine the scandal if it got out that the Chief Of Police was screwing the rudies he'd caught?"

Oh, I did want to tell someone. Maybe it was stupid, but it was nice to explain it all at last.

There was a very long silence, before Cube said, "You didn't –"

"Of course I did. Don't look so surprised, honey, under that trenchcoat he's the same as any other man." I tried to speak casually, but I could see the disgust in her eyes.

You're no rudie…

"And you see, now if that gets out he'll be ruined. I figured that, so when he caught me I – hopped on the good foot and did the bad thing – and forced him to work with me. Let myself get sent to jail, and I spied for him."

"Huh?"

"Oh, god, Cube, stop being so dim. I'd keep my ears open – hear where people's hideouts were – tell him – he'd go in and nab'em. In return he left the Love Shockers alone."

Why was I telling her all this? I couldn't seem to stop talking. Why?

"Did you get us caught?"

"No, that was him. I thought – we both thought – we wouldn't have to worry about you again after that."

"When you came onto me, was that part of a plan?" The anger rose up in her voice again.

"No," I said. "That was just me. When you escaped…well, course I went too. Onishima was furious. After he tried to grab you on the roof, he met up with me, and said if I didn't help him he'd get me. I wasn't scared, but I wasn't too pleased with you, Cube."

Like I ever am.

"So I thought, well, I could use that. Hurt you and demoralize the rest of your friends. I was going to tell him where the garage is, and he'd go in with guns blazing. But now you're here, I've got a better idea."

"What?"

"You think I'm gonna tell you? The sickening thing about you guys is you always win. I'm not giving you any more info than I want to."

"But why'd you go with Onishima and try and come onto me?" she said. Are you –"

"I thought I'd have a bit of fun with you," I said. Because it was nothing but physical attraction by my dumb hormones. Nothing else. Nothing.

"Onishima was power," I continued. "Sleep with someone and one of you'll get power, and I got it off him."

Shiro and Coin had taken the power from me. Now I'd taken it from Onishima.

She looked at me, and I could see what she was thinking. You're disgusting. You're a spy and a slut. You're no rudie. And now I did want to hurt.

Now, enough talking."

I picked up the box of matches, struck one, pressed the flame to her skin. I heard her scream.

Blowing out the match, I flung it to the ground. I felt angry all over, but I was close enough to her to feel something else as well.

No! I couldn't give in, I couldn't be weak, no, not now!

But maybe giving in would be exactly what would hurt her.

I put a hand on her chin, forced back her head, and kissed her. I felt her shudder. Yes. I was right. This would break her if nothing else would.

As I stopped kissing her I touched her breast through her shirt.

"Get off me," she snapped.

I smiled in her face. "Make me."

I kissed her again, saw her squeeze her eyes shut, reached up under her shirt. Her ribs rose and fell, and her heartbeat pattered against my fingers.

I stroked her. The closeness was good. Even though I knew she hated me, that she probably wanted to kill me as I'd always wanted to kill Shiro, it was satisfying to be near to another human being.

She drew a long, frightened breath, I felt every nuance of it, could sense where her ribs ended and her stomach began. I wanted to touch her all over, wanted to feel skin on skin, wanted to know I was…loved? But I wasn't, you know that, Kellaani, everyone hates you and that's the way you like it. Right?

"Get off me," she hissed. There was venom in her voice. "Get off me right now."

It was like she'd punched me.

"Why should I?" I said, wishing I didn't sound so petulant. "You can't do anything to stop me, can you?"

"Just get off."

"You're powerless, GG. You can't stop me kissing you, you can't stop me touching you…" With one hand I stroked her hair, smooth and soft and shiny. With the other I undid her belt.

"And you can't stop me doing this."

As I touched I felt her tense, heard her breathing catch. Whether it was because she was disgusted or aroused I didn't know.

"No…" Her voice was fading.

Her skin was damp and hot, and I could feel her breathing quicken.

Your imagination working overtime? I don't feel like describing every touch, every breath, every feeling rushing through my mind. I just say that at last I moved away from her, and she was crying, not proper sobs, just tears running down her face, mingling with the blood. And she gave me one look, and the hatred burnt my soul.

We stared at each other now. Then I looked at my watch.

"I reckon your friends will have left to find you now," I said. "But they'll have left someone back at the garage. I think it's time to put paid to that someone."

Her eyes widened.

I dialled Onishima's number.

"Yeah?"

He sounded tense.

"Hello?" I said. "Hi, it's me. This is a tip off."

"What?"

"The GGs' HQ. I know where it is."

A pause, then he said, "Where?"

"The garage is on the corner of Lake Street, down a little cul-de-sac," I said. "I don't know if there's anyone in there, but you may as well make sure."

"Thanks."

He rang off.

I put down the receiver, turned, and met the full blast of Cube's glare.

"You selling us to the cops now?" she hissed. "You low, sneaky cow."

"Fighting talk for someone who's in your position," I said.

Memory of what had just happened hit her eyes, and she snarled, "Shut up!"

I laughed. Finally I'd got to her. "Give me a break, GG. You know you're in trouble, and so are they."

"We're not going to lose to you," Cube said.

"Oh, aren't you? You don't look like you're doing a very good job winning. You couldn't stop me doing – well, you know – and you can't stop me hurting your friends. You're powerless."

She closed her eyes, and I saw her shoulders rise and fall in a sigh.

Suddenly the door flew open, and one of the new Love Shockers rushed in.

"Kell," she gasped. "Kell, Kris is dead."

"What?"

"She – she –" The girl swallowed. "She's hanged herself. With her scarf. She put it round a light fitting, and stepped off the table…"

I swallowed. "She killed herself?"

"You killed her," the girl snarled. "You bullied her enough, didn't you? You sick freak, she was worth ten of you. She was the only one who ever helped me and you murdered her. I'm out of here."

"Fine," I said. I tried to act calm. But oh, please don't let the others run out too…

"Killing off your own gang?" Cube said as the girl ran out of the room.

"No. First I'm killing yours. And you're powerless to stop me."

She closed her eyes again.

Was this enough revenge? Maybe. But I couldn't seem to stop.

Then she opened her eyes again, met mine, and said "Okay. So you cut me. So you burnt me. So you – well, it's not rape, I guess, but whatever you did then to me. Now what? Beheading?"

And strength was rising in her voice like a movie sequel monster.

"Oh, don't tempt me," I said. Suddenly I wanted to talk again. "Revenge is sweet. Very sweet. Talk about power now – mom had nothing on me."

"Power?" Cube said.

"What else do you think I've got?"

"You think you've got power?" she said.

Then, before I could speak, "Like you've got anything! You're head of the most cheap, two-bit gang in Tokyo-to. You've sold yourself to a cop. And so you got me – so what? You can't make me respect you. You're pathetic!"

With an effort I restrained myself from hurting her badly.

"My gang is not cheap. Because soon you GGs are gonna be out of business, and then we'll be the ones in Shibuya-cho. They're coming right now, and I'm gonna kill them, and if there are any left I'll send them off to jail. And you can't do anything to stop me."

Cube looked worried, but threw back at me, "You still won't get respect. Your gang despises you. We despise you. The Noise Tanks despise you. And I don't reckon Onishima thinks too highly of you either. You're just another warped Kogane kid, and that's all you'll ever be."

"Shut up, Goth." You have to. Don't say another word.

"That's hardly an insult. At least I don't go around whining 'cos my guy left me."

"Guy? Ha! I didn't join for that."

I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing that Coin really had loved her. Make up a story, you idiot. Now.

"Then why did you?" she said. "So you could screw your taggers?"

"I joined so I wouldn't have to work with any guys. I hate them. They're so stupid, always shoving around, taking what they want, throwing stuff, shouting. Girls are better. Girls have power…" And I can hurt them so much more easily. All guys ever seem to do is hurt me.

"You're obsessed with power," Cube said.

"And why not?" I retorted. "It's a good thing to have, right? You don't have it. I saw you, sticking your tongue down that big-nosed freak's throat…he's got you on a string, all he has to do is pull."

Ooh. She noticed that. Her eyes narrowed, and in a voice like chips of steel, said, "That's not true. You don't know anything about guys."

"Oh, I think I do," I said. "My mom had them every night. They used to come home and do me after they did her. We talked…we knew there was never any point in them. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them all."

For once I could speak about it. Let it all out. We stared at each other, and I could feel the rage in the air and in my heart.

Babs poked her head into the room, and said, "Kell, I think the rest of the GGs are coming." She took in the scene, and swallowed.

"Great!" I felt the tension relax a little. "Well, let's roll, Cube. Or rather, I will. Your gang ain't gonna be doing much after tonight."

Cube glared at me, but I could see the horror in her face.

"Right," I said to Babs. "I'll come help you set up. See you later, Cube. Onishima ain't getting his hands on you. You're staying here."

"Oh, still my beating heart," Cube snapped.

I turned and walked away from her, out into the hall.

"Listen," I said. "The cops are gonna have a part in this."

"What?" Babs's face whitened. "No way!"

"It's the only way, Babs. Tell the others. Just help me out here."

And now it was ready.

I watched as the cops crept into the HQ, Onishima leading them. I saw Shiro, and pretended I hadn't.

And then I saw another familiar face next to him, and my mouth dropped open.

"They're nearly here," Shar hissed, watching out of the window.

"Okay. Get up to the top. Onishima, you and your pals had better wait in the corner."

And then I hurried over to Shiro's companion, tapped her on the shoulder. She turned, and I knew I was right.

"Jin?" I said.

The last Sable Blade.

She blushed. "How do I know you?"

"Jin, it's me, Kellaani." I dragged her away from Shiro.

Her mouth fell open.

"You're all right," she said at last. "I felt so guilty, letting you go away on your own."

"What are you doing here?" I asked. She was in uniform all right. Her hair was no longer blood-coloured and jagged – now it was just dull brown, and cut neatly into a bob.

Jin shrugged. "My sister wanted me to get Career. She said she'd put me up if I started earning a living. So I hung up my skates."

"You're a cop?"

"It's not that bad. We do help people as well, we don't just fling them behind bars." She folded her arms. "I felt like shit after Ringo died. But Shiro's been helping me get over that. He's so kind." She did the misty I'm-in-love face.

"Shiro?" I croaked.

"Guy over there." She pointed. I didn't need to check it out.

"How's he been helping you?" I asked.

"Well…" Jin blushed again. "You see, he and I, we're sort of together. I mean, like he's my boyfriend."

"Isn't he married?"

"Yes, but he says his wife doesn't understand him. So, well, you know…"

I wanted to scream at her, call her a traitor. But what good would it do? I was just as much a traitor as her.

"That doesn't bother you?" I said at last.

Jin giggled. "If he wants to…you know…that's his business!"

What I'd once thought about Coin. And look where that had led.

"They're nearly here," Dash called down from above me.

I turned away from Jin and ran up to the steps onto the top balcony. Quickly I briefed the others on the plan. There were five of us, me, Shar, Dash, Babs, and one of the old Love Shockers.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked.

"The others have scarpered," Shar said. "Couldn't take the heat."

The building was dark now. Behind me was the light switch, just ready for me to turn the world into a stage. We crouched, waiting.

It was in a way like being ready to leap out at a surprise party. Only no party ever made me so happy as this would.

And the door opened, spilling moonlight onto the floor, and the GGs tiptoed inside.

(Oops. That was kinda long. But r+r anyway!)