Author's note Draft 1
If the story does not say draft 2, it's not the final draft
Life Worth 0
LXV-LXXIII
LXV(Tuesday August 12th 1958,Ista house New Orleans, United States of America. )
"The underworld has a hierarchy, but you only need to know the New Orleans hierarchy for right now."
"New Orleans' Underworld is known for four things. It has smuggling rings, Sex rings, Hitmans rings, and Drug rings."
"Today we will be visiting the Sex rings and you will be able to learn who owns them and their position in the New Orleans hierarchy"
Halona Pov
"Do you see how angry Nizhoni was to learn she was not invited on this trip as well?"
"Yeah but she was not this mad was told last she would not be able to come"
"Yes, but last time I told her that Mom told her only a certain amount of people could come and I already asked you guys first"
It's fine to hear about Nizhoni's reaction for the hundredth time. I would like to know. What are we going to do on this trip?"
"Last time we were just walking around the city, but this time I want to venture to places"
Louise Pov
"brat this brothel is owned by the second most powerful Mod family in New Orleans. sometimes I smuggle some of their bodies to a location for them to be buried."
Talia Pov
"Tell me, what's the story?" I asked the cleaner. Getting more information on a job is never a problematic thing.
I dedicate 3% of my attention to the kid. Watching the kids' reaction though will be telling.
"To them I know their husbands told them here one of them was raised here the other one was brought one day because it was just pretty enough"
The brat tried she truly did but every single word that came out of this woman's mouth made her sick to her stomach.
The little pinch she had on her lips tells you what she was feeling. To her credit, she tried to keep her face neutral, but it didn't work.
Her eyes wasn't blank enough. Her hands were too stiff. Her shoulders was too fraught.
Small, seemingly insignificant things but to the well-trained eye they tell enough.
"The last owner, well she didn't please the previous owner, so he taught her a lesson"
Clapping my hands to get the kids' attention.
"This is all gentleman come on Brat it's time to leave" I said as I brought the brat to the door to the now full car.
Neil Pov
"Where Louise" Luthor asked.
As I was sitting on the couch admiring the painting.
She said it had been a tiring day, so she was just going to take a shower and retire to bed. I remembered her coming into the house earlier. Complimented me on this painting and told me that she was tired and was preparing to take a long shower to relax.
As he turned away towards the kitchen, he said, "Oh, okay, I'll tell Mom to prepare Louise's food. I hope she feels hungry later.".
Louise POV
Sitting under the water I couldn't help but scrub myself as I try to scrub away all the shame.
Flashback
"Teacher did you ever smuggle anybody living to that place"
"Louise we live in a dirty world and because we live in a dirty world we will have to get ourselves messy from time to time. We work in the muddiest part of the world so we will always be filthy Louise"
His answer told it all.
"Teacher I don't want to have the dirt of smuggling some child dead body someday because their parents sold them to a brothel. like the woman husband's did to or just because they're pretty or or or" I tried to expound on my word. I just couldn't get the words out.
frustrated I finally said"I don't know" as I slide my hands together.
That very small bit of pain I felt made me feel a little bit better.
" I just ...don't want to teach I don't" I told him a little brokenly I did not know how to get my meeting across but thankfully he understood.
"All I can tell you, Louise, is if you want to show sympathy for something, give it the respect it serves."
"how did you give those ladies the respect they deserve teacher"
" ask what happened to them not a lot of people would ask that they just need to be remembered"
"Don't let memory eat you alive" is the teacher's advice.
I don't expect you to fall Louise, so do not dwell on it. If you dwell, you will fall... and I don't expect the forum to fall. I don't expect you to be my Icarus."He said as he patted my head. I took the small amount of comfort he gave me.
"Here this will take your mind off this" teacher handed me a dark chocolate bar. he do not want me to be his Icarus he said but I feel like that's what I'm going to become.
I don't know how long I stared at the chocolate bar.
I shouldn't let my wings touch the sun. I thought as I took took a bite of the chocolate he gave me.
For a moment, I felt a sense of happiness, but it eventually vanished when the teacher guided me away from the dead bodies.
I wish I had more chocolate.
Flashback ends
In the future when my hands are just as dirty as my teacher I will stop wondering how he could not try to clean the dirt off his hands.
And curse him for the eating disorder I started that day.
LXVI(Saturday September 27th 1958, Cypress Community, New Orleans, United States of America. )
My body has grown accustomed to sitting in my bed at 5:00 a.m. in the morning for the last 15 days. I just want to sleep most of these days but I can't.
Nightmares are a bitch. I'm playing games with nightmares that I shouldn't be having. I can't remember the last nightmare I had.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh wait that's a lie. I did have that nightmare about getting beaten again. However that was a real fear of something happening to me. I won't let those nightmares happen to me.
My body is getting used to running on the on 6 to 5 hours of sleep
God I don't know what to do today is going to be exalting I wish I hadn't agreed to take my place this year but he caught me at the wrong time.
God I just want to take a nap. Nap will be fine.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Just want some sleep.
Lynda Pov
"It seems like everybody rolls have been reversed this year" Luthor said walking up to me.
"Mn, it has," I said and took a sip of my apple juice.
"Have you had fun dancing this past year?" Luthor asked as he grabbed a cup from the juice table.
I turn my attention to the area. "Yea, it was fun" And took another sip.
After looking at the festival he was at for a moment, Luther turned his attention back to me and said something loudly to my face. He must have found something because his next question surprised me.
"Next year do you want to dance with me?" He asked.
I was surprised, as well as confused because he'll be away at college next year, so why would he ask me that?
"Will you be here" I asked him instead.
"I will make time to be here." He said without a hint of hesitation.
"What about practice?" he asked me.
"We can practice dancing in the summer. Then you can practice with Neil and Louise when I'm not here and then we can spend the whole week next year before Native American Day partnering together." He said I did that because it would take so much more time and effort for him than me.
"But if you really want to, then it's fine."
"That's a good plan," he said, patting my head. His hands are warm.
Neil Pov
"Why not dance this year?" Louise asked as she sat down on the grass next to me.
"I dance every year," I simply replied.
"Sooo...what is different this year?" she demanded.
"I want to try something more... riveting this year" I said recently as if what I just said had no additional meaning.
"Is there anything that has captured your attention lately that you paint as often as you do nowadays?" And let the interrogation begin.
"Nothing true" I said not giving her a straight answer.
"Then...why paint?" she wondered.
"Why not?" I asked as easily as I counted forward. But after taking a moment to think about it I told her.
"I got told one of my paintings was worth buying. I didn't think it was pretty but that man did. Now I want to paint something that I think is pretty. However, nothing really stands out to me as being beautiful. Therefore, I told her a little bit of the truth.
As she sat down on the ground, she began to speak some words of wisdom.
"The same holds true when we say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Your idea of what is pretty appealing and captivating may not be appealing to the person buying your painting. "You shouldn't your painting into something they would like," she says softly.
"I will not but thanks for the advice" I will take heed of the warning she gave me.
Eventually, I painted a picture of Louise sleeping in the grass with purple eye bags, drawing it in a forest of darkness.
Talia Pov
"That will be 40 dollar and 57 cent sir." the cashier said.
"Mn" Bart costing me a fortune. I thought as I handed the cashier the 50 dollar bill.
Grabbing my bag I walked out of the candy store.
Louise Pov
I can personally count today as being assessed. There were no problems in the family. I had some what fun with the community. Had a pleasant relaxing nap today. So today wasn't so shabby.
I wish for more days like this in the future it's terrible that I won't get as many as I would like.
LXVII (Fridays October 31th 1958, Taila Training Area, New Orleans, United States of America. )
"Here" was the first thing Taila told me today.
"Oh thank you" I said as I took the box of Baby Ruth candy.
Talia just nod.
"I'm surprise you didn't just get me chocolate like usual"
"The chocolate is not a treat"
Halona Pov
"Mom I can't find my necklace" I said I walked into the kitchen.
"The one you can wear with your costumes" my mom said that she worked on her hundredth pie this week.
"Did you check your room" she continued to say.
" Yes" I responded.
Did you check your art area? Now that I'm looking at her, she asked.
As I said, I was already thinking ofabouthat area.
"Did you check with your father?" she asked.
" Yes" I said even though I don't even think he would have known where to begin with.
"Did you check with your brothers and sisters?" she asked.
"Yes, they were the first people" I asked.
"Well I don't know where it can be. Do you really need it for this necklace" she asked.
Now I was tad frustrated she asked that question. Cuz not like it took me one month to think of a costume idea for my friend group and another one to work on that necklace. So just for her to ask me if I wanted that one. I put in too much hard work to not want that one.
Instead I responded, "Mom, it will be the only reason people know I'm Audrey Hepburn from Funny Faces."
The frustration must have been apparent in my voice because she said a lot more gently."Honey it just green necklace with lot of stone. With the red dress your red scarf and your white gloves and red shoes they will know who you are with just a green necklace."
"OK, I will pick out a green necklace but I will keep looking for the green necklace I want to wear" I agree to get out of here to go looking for my necklace again.
But also not want to lose our little argument I continued to say."This is the four trip into the city with my friend. I want to have the better Audrey Hepburn costumes"
"And you will honey, but you will not if you the metal wrinkles on your face if you keep frowning" I didn't even realize I was frowning until she said that.
"OK mom" I said it stopped my frowning.
Louise Pov
Walking through the community on my way home I saw it all selling Halloween books.
Walking over to the boot I picked up a book what a spirit on the cover
This look interesting I thought as I picked up the book on Native American spirits.
A deviant smirk appeared my face as I took in the contest of the page I open up to.
Lydna Pov
Getting dressed in my costume as an executioner, I couldn't help but think back to earlier when the Louise came into my room and showed me a book on spirits.
Next year she wants to scare the other kids but this year we all lay the groundwork to make a truly fun.
Louise Pov
Walking around dress Shakespearean costume with the other children of my age group and getting candy from strangers is something I can honestly say I missed when I was adult.
It's even funner as me and Louise spread the rumors of a dare to say the name of a certain spirit. Knows that saying it names that nothing will appear this year.
Halloween is going to be fun next year.
LXVIII(Friday November 21st,Seven Ward,New Orleans, United States of America. )
"Dad can me and Luthor go out late tonight" I ask him with my best pleadings expression
"Why"He answer what his usual expression so I couldn't tell if you was going to say yes or no.
"It's Andre birthday today and I won't be able to see him until 8:00pm"I told him my face little downtrend.
"Okay... be back before 9:00" Was all he said to my little show.
Andrei pov
Relationships are complicated that is what I always believe. However sitting here on a bench in the park in the beginning of night. Staring into the canle light of the small birthday cake not that much bigger than a cupcake with the nicely golden wrapped gift with my only friend give me.
I am lost for word of how I feel.
But I know I can take complicated any day if I can have more days like this.
Louise pov
"So what's the reason why you going to meet your BFF in the park near his house. When you could just go to his house." Luthor pray while ride on our bike.
"Mnn you know learning from a mistake ... and his family" I inform him indifferent.
As he was little ahead of me, his slow this bike down. "What his family don't like you" He implore.
Not want to but having no choice if i want peace in the future I answer him.
"It's nothing like that it his family is just as complicated as ours" I try to put all the unconcerned I truly did not feel into my answer.
"I will take your word for it" He said let it go.
"Thank" Was all I can said to him.
"For what" He said like he didn't know what he just did.
"Not pushing" I said feeling great fully I had him as a brother.
"No problem" he said then he start to pick up his speed.
LXIX(Sunday November 23th 1958, Louis house, New Orleans, United States of America. )
"Louise who sent you a package to this house" Mom says as she persists the package down on the breakfast table.
"Don't know but can I open it" I told as reach for the package.
"Louise it doesn't have a name on from who sending it" Mom said as she have her hand on the package.
"Maybe I could tell who is from if I just look at what in it" I said as put my hand on the package.
She ketp the hand on the package little longer, but she finally let it it go with comment of open it.
Inside of the package was a golden top of it was a ocean green note saying enjoy your birthday.
Opening box there was a card inside says House of Knipschilts.
Lydna Pov
Seeing the slap stupid expression on my sister face made me wonder who sent her the gift. Yet there's only one other person who would send her a gift that was not her family or her best friend.
It has to be that man.
When did they relationship became so close?
Louise Pov
Laying back in my bed. I can honestly said it's one of the best birthdays I can remember. Lydna the love the new charm. I had to spend time with Andrei and my family. I will cherish this memory.
LXX(Sunday November 30th 1958, Taila Training yard New Orleans, United States of America. )
When I walked into the training ground I seen Taila lying on top of a broken truck.
"Louise I don't know what it really mean to be" Taila begin to say but he covered his mouth for a second. The bottle of liquor in his other hand tells me he's probably drunk.
I have never seen him even slightly not on his a game, so I don't even know what to do with a drunk version of him.
"To be a female entangled in the Underworld" he's finished his last sentence.
What is he even going on about is this his drunken rattling. Was the first thought that went through my head.
"You will have to find that out yourself in the future...And I'm sorry I would not prepare you for that." Was the next thing he said in drunk rambling.
What do he means about would not shouldn't it be could not? I query to myself.
"What I do know is that the underworld will bring you nothing but pain,nightmares, agony, betrayal, frustration, and depression" he stated.
Wow that makes me so excited to stay a criminal. Is he trying to get me the back out? if he is why? even the thought of him trying to give me the back out astonishing me.
I mean the enforcement he put on me being his Apprentice being his legacy it never occurred to me that he would try to stop me from being that.
I mean it don't feel like we were talking about the same person who's been teaching me for the past few months. the man who been teaching me to basically be successful in the world of Darkness the underworld is completely different from this rambling drunk.
he's too sentimental for my liking even when teacher have his moments it was never like this. Taila is off a harsh first impression when you meet him or even when you just a stranger but when you get to know him and become close very protective.
Wow it really just hit me how close our relationship how far our relationship has come.
Taila What happened? I'm starting to worry in my thoughts. I walked closer to him wanted to see if anything happened to him
"However it will also bring you triumph, success, peace, love and most of all freedom. So all you will have to do is hangin there" and suddenly he was putting my head I didn't realize how close I was for him to do that. but doing so seem to have called him down a little bit.
I finally got the nerve to ask,"Teacher are you OK?"
"No" Was his only answer.
Neil Pov
"This is our seven painting" the man who was standing right next to me said as I showed off the seven painting commissioned for me.
"Mn yes" was the only thing I could say to him.
The theme of this painting was melancholy.
"I can not lie you just keep getting better and better" the Russian man explain as he pat my shoulder.
"Thank" was all i could said to him.
"What was your muse for this one" he asked for an explanation.
What I wanted to say is that I had no true being to be sad as of late but instead I said "I don't know it came to me in a dream"
It was easily to play they eccentric painter card then to explain the my muse.
"Come on kid let's go to the usual place to eat we need to celebrate on how much money we about to make with this" the man exactly said.
" You think we're going to make more than we usually do" I asked still not getting what this man see in my paintings.
" Of course kid didn't I just say you're getting better at it" the man said as he start to pat my back some.
" If you say so" Was my reply.
as the man put the painting in the car I got in the front seat waiting for him to get in for how to dress to a usual restaurant.
It was a place where a white adult man could take a young black boy without getting too many questions about if as long as you had enough money.
As he drew the car pass a park I thought I saw for a second my sister sitting on the bench with her friend.
Louise Pov
Was that no it couldn't be Neil wouldn't be in a car with a stranger. Was my collusion on the side I just saw.
Shaking the start from my head I turned to Andrei and pronounce"I found Teacher drunk today when I went to the lesson today"
"mmmm" was the interest sound.
"Yea I know I didn't expect him to be drunk either. That is what I was met with today. Yet that what I remember the most from the hold experience" I declare to him
"It was not" it looked a little surprised by me saying that he even had a raise eyebrow to emphasize it.
" Yes it not...It what he was saying when he was going on his ramble." I paused after what I said to give a little expense of what I was going to say next.
"Well" he prompted me
" I don't know the reason why he was saying this...you know what I will just quote what he said"
"What I do know is that the underworld will bring you but pain,nightmares, agony, betrayal, frustration, and depression
However it will also bring you triumph, success, peace, love and most of all freedom. So all you will have to do is hangin there"
" Whoa" what is response of what I just told him.
" I know right and that was word from word" and I did understand why he was so blown away of what I just told him I was too.
" I wonder what made him say those things" he said out loud his days expression told me that.
" I know right it must have been something serious" I comment on his spoken out thoughts.
He must have focused his I was thinking 10 steps of ahead because he said something I didn't even think about. "Let just not hope it doesn't affect you"
I don't think Andre realize him being my minion may this affect him too.
"Us right we're in this together" I said trying to evade the message.
" but you're his Apprentice" he says still not getting it.
"Yea your right but you're my partner and minion" I looked it when the eyes to emphasize my point.
By the widing of his eyes I think he got the message.
LXXI(Thursdays December 11th 1958, The Shed New Orleans, United States of America. )
"A TEST Obsidian" he called me by my nickname. Nowadays we only use our nickname when we working.
but the way you said it sounded angry I told her I never heard from him before. sadness yes angry no.
"Yea" I said as softly as I can to call him down.
" Your an idiot Obsidian" he said as he grabbed my shoulder.
That comment annoyed a bit
"Your the one who one told me that he would follow mine lead no matter what so don't they make your idiot too" I tried a joke.
"OBSIDIAN" he shouted in my face and grabbed my other shoulders this time.
Annoyed I shot it back in his face" IT WAS THE ONLY WAY"
After I said it I regret it a little because Andre had never raised his voice to me before and for him to do it now means he was worried. so I stopping my voice for the next thing I said to him.
"It was the only way to see Andrei...It was...We need to see what they would do with Taila is out of town" I told him gently as I could try to get him to understand. I must have worked because his hands loosen from my shoulders.
"Louise what will you do when he back in town" he said in a whisper.
Hey cheer up Andrei I'm a big girl I could take my punishment is what I really wanted to said but my joking tone didn't help earlier.
"I will take my punishment" I told him with false confidence.
"Louise let me take the blame" he urge.
"Wha" but I was cut off.
"Said I need it you we...we have... tell him" I started agitating speaking by placing my hand on his shoulder.
"Andrei it alright I plan for this." and while I could feel myself coming a little bit knowing that my plan will not work out as well as I hope.
As if sensing that he pulled me into a hug.
"I don't like see you flint" he said quietly.
"I will be fine" I said false confidence again I patted his back to comfort him.
"We both know you're lying" he whispering to my ear.
I didn't want to tell him how right he was. I think the hug comforted me more than me patting him on the back I funny thoughts.
Taila Pov
"Yoi boy" I said as I walk up to the 14 year old killing a man in the alleyway. I Whistle that the site of the brains smatter on the wall I could collude that somebody wanted this just to be messy.
"Name Re" I cut the boy off by slamming his face onto the alley wall next to the body he just killed.
Children these days need to learn some respect. I thought his teacher would have beaten it into him.
"Seem you Fresco are the precious Apprentice of close friend of mine. God bless his soul. This is your only warning boy" I said close to the boyear as I hold him against the wall not caring that he have his gun in his hand point to my stomach.
Such is the confidence of one he world's greatest.
I flooded the boy with my Flame making him swell a little and lose balance the only thing holding them up right now is me holding against the wall.
Seeing that he has have a seas legs as in the moment I begin to threaten him" If I ever sense you close watch my Apprentice like you was other day" I pause
"Well I will leave it for your though" well the threat should be clear. Letting go of him he slumped to the ground and I began to walk away.
"What make you so sure I was there for a job" he said as he started to pick his self up.
I paused in my they gave him a look that's told him I was not impressed.
"You are to much like your teacher boy for you to not been on there for a job" I told him as a picture a man smirking in my face trying to play things off at the coincidence.
Continue to leave the alleyway I called out to him"You have one warning and no other. The moment you near my Apprentice before I think she really you will seeing my old friend Perdono"
"Yes sir" I heard them say I said I left the alleyway.
He's a brat but I can see him getting along with my brat.
Louise Pov
Walking through the front door I can see it you know. I can see the wall between me and my family.
It real sad this time and I don't know why. I can honestly imagine my life this time different but some thing stand the same.
It make me wonder if I was all way this. if I was the problem.
I want to say I was not but see my family like this. So calm and peaceful sitting together in the living room. All clean and quiet injoying the atmosphere. why I come to the front door dirty and loud disturbing the peaceful atmosphere they would enjoy.
I think I was the problem.
in some ways I think if I leave this feeling I'm done in the the feeling I'm feeling will go away. you know pack my bags run away and never look back.
bye let you leave new that it won't go away running away last time so it won't work this time.
but I'm not a pack in my bags I started my chemical career somewhere far away from New Orleans far away from this life it's a little too tantalizing for my liking.
but I think about all the things I will give up ever give up the love I get from this family I will give up the friendship I made I never forget up everything I create here.
but I know one day I will leave New Orleans to expand my criminal career I will see you new Horizons.I wonder if that was satisfied this feeling I have a running away.
In the end I won't know until that day comes. But I still do wonder was going to be in the end.
LXXII(Saturday December 27th 1958, Louise bedroom New Orleans, United States of America. )
You never think about what it means to being conscious pain.
I'm tired,my chess hurts, my arm feel like it's broken, when I know it's not. I have bruises all over my body besides anywhere too obvious. And I still got to figure out how to ditch my mom's birthday party. I'm just dreading the day.
Ha I'll be fine my ass what a lie. I haven't seen Andrei in days.
Getting out of bed the past few days getting more painful each day. I'm just so tired nowadays. I just want to sleep but that won't help me will it.
Ista Pov
Louise said she was sick today and I'm not surprised by it with how little sleep she looks like she's been getting as of late. She looks like she needed a good rest. She want to sleep in today at fine. I enjoy my birthday without think about what goings on with her. without Louis key giving me looks about not to confront her.
Louise pov
I coughed up blood today when I was with training my body, and it was not small amount like the usual that has been last past days. I could still taste the blood in my mouth running down my chin. I can feel the blood covering both of my hands as as I try not to throw up my own blood by covering my mouth.
I was in and out of it from after that moment where Taila pick me up and run to his car. I know he took me to a doctor from the glimpse of a man in a white coat but that's about all of what i can recall.
The next thing I know I was suddenly woke up in my bed. Not feeling all that bad as I have been the last few days.
Something in the back of my mind kept nagging me that I should not be feeling this way .Yet the hypnotizing thought of this being normal took precedent.
I didn't even question that was in my bedroom in different cloths.
LXXIII(Monday January 20th 1958, New Orleans, United States of America. )
after the blood incident things have calmed down will tell you I don't have the sparring with him for the first hour of training anymore. but they do make me go through my routine for the same amount of time.
but long as I'm going home with no bruising on my body I'm fine with that it. It should help me in a long one anyway to be this in shape.
My training of it late has been in this order. Go through my routine for an hour then go through each of the things he has taught me so far. Smuggling for at least 20 minutes if not more if he feels like I did something wrong while practice the tricks of this trade. if you got a job that day me tagging along to reserve him work.
And when he got a job he doesn't even give me chocolate right after it anymore. Apparently I lost the rights to feel comfort at the each job.
I'm not allowed to do any solo jobs with Andrei as in the time being.
But not like I could have plans something out will not being able to see Andrei much in these past few week.
I called you Andre he was not allowed to come to the train area until Taila said so. and since since we both know it's a losing battle for him to try to fight against it we both agreed on only seeing each other when I go home from Talia.
But I haven't been doing that much since I've been so tired from all the drilling tell you how I've been making me do.
it's not like I don't realize I deserve it but I kind of wish thing could be how it used to be. Yet I need to ... me and Andrei needed to know. That's the only thought they've been keeping me able to push through all this to not falter.
I'm just lucky I got the day off.
Louis pov
the family has been doing good as of late.
As of this moment, Louis looks like he has his life on the road. It's okay even if I don't agree with everything he is doing. Halona she's more relaxed and acting her age. That's good for her. Neil has been cooking up a plan that's been working well for him. I honestly do not know what's going on with him,but as long him, but safe I truly don't care to a point.
Lydna has been more free as of late and has become more independent. I usually feel as if I don't have to worry so much. I hope it stays that way for her. Louise has been doing well, but over the last month she has not been doing as well as the other. She is having a moment when everything seems to be going well for her. But it feels like every single time I have seen her in the last few weeks has been her returning to her bed or just leaving all together.
She hasn't been around as much as she used to, and I'm worried.
I hate to admit but I think it's time for a talk.
Author's note :
The next update, hopefully, will be
11/22/22
Now on to the facts.
History Divergent
How flame's user affects history
How does the Government affect the flame users
And what changes the principal character did in history
Now Fun Fact
Fun fact 1 - Chocolate produce certain chemicals that increase certain chemicals inside your brain that give you a sensation of being more happy.
Fun fact 2 - House of Knipschilts is the most expensive chocolate in the world.