Chapter 18 - All Eyes on Me

February 1996 - Principal's office of Sunnyvale Gardens Private High School.

- I'm sorry, Nathan, I've tried everything, but the Academy refuses to let you retake the entrance exams, despite your medical certificate," the principal said with a pinched expression.

Standing in front of him was Jack, his face still marked by the abuse he had suffered a few days ago and, above all, his arm in a blue elbow brace, following the fracture of his humerus.

- I'm sorry for what happened to you, but I don't have a miracle solution to offer you.

- Shit... But this isn't fair! I got kidnapped and beaten up!

- I know, Nathan. But I don't have any decision-making power.

- And what am I going to do then ?

- There will be another session in two years, you can still apply.

- In two years? Does that mean I'll have to stay in Saints Row for two more years and worry about getting killed every day?

- Nathan, I know everything is complicated for you right now, but your place at boarding school is still paid for until the end of the school year. If you need a more secure environment, you can have your place back.

- More secure, my ass yes... replied the teenager, thinking about the sexual assault he had suffered at the hands of the supervisor.

- I'm going to support your application to Sunnyvale University, there's not much more I can do... The level is not as high as Harvard, but it's a very good school, you can shine there, I'm sure.

- That's not what I want.

- I also managed to get you a spot on the basketball team. You weren't quite up to par, but under the circumstances, the coach agreed to put you on the reserve team. That's a chance for you.

- I'll never make a career in sports, I'm not good enough...

- I know... But this is all I can offer you.

Jack dropped into the chair in front of his manager. He felt like crying, he would never make it... And once again, it was not his fault, everything was so unfair ...

It was only much later, after having been comforted a little by Tyrone who saw there, the opportunity to spend two more years together that Jack returned, dejected to the church.

Jack no longer believed in anything. Not in miracles, not in opportunities, and certainly not in the Saints of Third Street...

When Julius took him to the hospital that night, Jack walked away with a broken left humerus. That was probably nothing compared to Jayceon and Calvin, who died in that cold cellar, or worse, Future and Fetty who burned alive in the trunk of the Kings' car. Only Eazy-E escaped this furnace, but at the price of very important burns and probably of a deep trauma that will change forever his existence. As for Diego ...

The doctors were not very optimistic about him. He had not yet regained consciousness but the future looked bleak for him too.

Four dead, two very seriously injured who might not make it, and boys traumatized forever. That was the grim picture Troy painted for the Saints gathered in the church.

- What about the Kings...? asked one Saint. We're not going to let them do something like this to us without retaliation, are we?

- The police will take care of them," Troy tried to reassure him.

- The police? Who gives a shit about the police?

- Shit kid, you want to take the law into your own hands?

- Hell, yes! chanted several Saints in an uproar.

- Fetty was my brother! My mother is devastated! said Keed, Fetty's older brother, who looked like he was about to cry. There's no way we're letting these guys off the hook.

- They'll go to jail for the murder of your brother and the three others they murdered," said Troy.

But the saints grew heated and refused to hear such a thing. Their brothers had died under heinous circumstances, others were injured, it was inconceivable that the Kings would get off so easily.

- What do you three think? Troy asked, turning to Skylar, Johnny and Jack.

- I don't know... Skylar stammered, still traumatized. I... I don't think I want to see them again now...

- I want them to pay," said Johnny determinedly.

- What about you, kid? Troy asked, turning to Jack.

- I want them dead.

Troy frowned. It was only fair that they wanted revenge, but to want a bunch of kids just as confused as they were to die... He didn't have time to defend his ideas as the Saints chanted louder and louder that the Kings should be tracked down and brought back to the church, while waiting to know what to do with their fates.

- Anyway, guys, there's bound to be a police investigation and as soon as they find them, they're going to put them in jail, you won't see these guys again.

- Unless they're found first," said a male voice behind Troy.

Accompanied by several armed Saints, Julius triumphantly entered the church to the shouts of his boys.

- Boys, I have some things to tell you. Our family has been struck by a terrible tragedy and I cannot find the words to describe the horror that your comrades have experienced. Calvin was a brave man who died under the cowardice of the Kings while trying to defend his family. Our thoughts go out to his mother and his girlfriend who miss him dearly. Jayceon was a good guy, a reliable recruit and a true friend. He died randomly, he did not deserve such a fate. Fetty and Future... Oh, my God... I'm so angry... They burned alive in a fucking car trunk. And all because of those bastards.

- It was our guys who shot up the car... Troy corrected.

- Shut up, Troy. Our boys had nothing to do with it. Fetty and Future suffered so much and died in the most heinous way possible. Always think respectfully of our two brothers.

Several Saints began to cry and all of them raised their fists to their hearts to pay tribute to their dead friends.

- Unfortunately, I have no better news about Eazy-E. His condition is serious, he was seriously burned too, and if he is lucky enough to be alive, it's thanks to Jack who managed to pull him out of the burning car, even though he had a broken arm.

- He was almost out by himself, I didn't do much... Jack admitted without false modesty.

- And I got Mrs. Mendoza on the phone ten minutes ago. Alas, the news for Diego is just as grim. He came out of his coma, but he was seriously injured and will never walk again.

- What...? Johnny realized.

- His spinal cord was hit, he will live, but in a wheelchair now.

- It's so unfair... said Dex, in the middle of his family.

- I know. Benjamin failed to manage his gang, and his men didn't have enough respect to give up after he was ousted. So, since we don't want any more Vice Kings in Stilwater, I've decided to strike hard enough to teach everyone else a lesson. Guys, get them inside!

Pushed inside the church by several armed Saints, the Vice Kings of NVK found themselves in the middle of the Saints. They looked terrified and were already injured.

- Oh no, Jul... Troy said, his blood running cold. You didn't do this...

- I want Stilwater to know that the Saints are not to be disrespected and that such a tragedy must never happen again. And for that to happen, an example must be made.

- Please... Said a tearful King.

- Shut up. My boys, there will be no mercy for the murderers of my sons," Julius chanted, in front of the overexcited Saints.

The Kings were trembling with fear in front of the ready crowd, and Julius only had to make a sign for two of them to be thrown into the middle of the Saints who beat them up. Dead or not, the two Kings lay on the ground in a pool of blood.

- You attacked us first," said NVK, trembling with rage and terror. You only reap the benefits of the shit you've sown! The Saints were nothing, we would never have attacked you for free.

- You were warned, Julius replied.

- But we didn't think for a moment that you would be strong enough to overshadow us! When we found out, it was already too late. But it was you Saints who started this war. We were doing our thing quietly on our side, we didn't ask you anything.

- And therein lies the problem. You have taken yourselves for the kings of the city for too long. You are the cancer of Stilwater along with the Carnales and the Rollerz. You're all going away. And you're next on the list.

NVK was forcibly relieved by several Saints who forced him to kneel at the altar.

- Johnny, Skylar, Jack, come here, you will decide his fate.

- Stop it Jul, don't put more blood on their hands.

- You're starting to piss me off Troy.

- Damn it, they're kids!

- Who saw their friends die in front of their eyes! You have the right to revenge, I'll let you choose.

This power left the boys doubtful. They needed this revenge, but now that it was real, they couldn't make such a serious decision. Skylar burst into tears, unable to make a choice.

- We shoot him," Johnny suggested.

- Let's burn him," said Jack. Let the bastard go up in smoke.

- Jack, God... Troy sighed in horror.

- Let's burn him, let's burn him! shouted the Saints.

- The gang has decided," Julius said. We're going to burn you alive in the churchyard.

- No... No... NVK panicked and began to cry.

With a chilling cry, NVK was dragged by the hair through the church and thrown into the inner courtyard, out of sight. Soon he was doused with gasoline despite the fact that he tried desperately to protect himself with his hands. He was surrounded by virulent Saints, and had no chance to escape.

- I beg you... he tried in disbelief.

- Whose honor is it? Julius asked, turning to his three protégés with a lighter in his hand.

The act was horrible, and leaving this responsibility to three young boys was totally insane. Troy didn't even have the words to stop the horror.

Skylar couldn't stop sobbing, unable to take revenge in such a way. Johnny hesitated, too, not feeling up to it. Jack thought of his colleagues being burned alive and snatched the lighter from Julius' hands before throwing it straight at NVK.

A moment of silent, almost unreal fluttering froze the scene for a short time. Then NVK burst into flames with a terrible scream. He ran and fell to the ground in a desperate attempt to escape the flames. The Saints were euphoric while others were deeply shocked. After all, most of them were just kids...

NVK's screams probably echoed throughout the street and Jack pulled a gun from under his jacket and fired three shots at the King, who fell to the ground, still in flames.

- Damn, why did you have to finish him off? a Saint reproached him.

- He deserved to suffer even more! said another.

With nonchalance and no humanity in his eyes, Jack approached the other Kings, still held hostage in the church. The boys were in tears and begging for their lives.

- Please... said one King before he was shot in the face.

Like an automaton, Jack emptied his clip into the Kings' heads, leaving only Danny alive.

- Man... I swear I didn't want this... I didn't know they were going to do that to you, I swear.

- It's your fault," Jack replied, putting bullets back in his magazine.

- No, I just didn't want to betray my people! But I didn't approve of it. Jack, I beg you, I'm not a bad guy, you know that. I'm sorry about your buddies, I knew them all a little too, they didn't deserve that! And I defended you when NVK wanted to...

- What were their names?

- What were their names?

- My friends. Tell me their names, and I'll let you live.

Danny-Boy realized he might have a chance to escape his doom.

- Fetty. Future. Calvin.

- And?

- Diego!

- Diego's not dead. But, okay, I'll give you that.

- Uh... Sky...Lar?

- Who's still alive, but yes, he's a victim of your disgusting actions.

- I didn't do anything to him! I didn't approve !

- My patience is running out Danny," said Jack.

In truth, Danny had never known Jayceon's first name and was therefore unable to say it again. He hesitated, stammered and finished by begging Jack who shot in an extreme coldness.

- It was Jayceon. And he was my friend.

Danny's brains spilled all around him and his blood began to flow towards Jack's shoes who shifted slightly to avoid being soiled. He turned to the Saints, still overexcited by the event.

- From now on, no one will disrespect the Saints of Third Street. I refuse to live in a world where I can be raped and shot because I want something better for myself and my loved ones. No one deserves to die on our streets, but there will be no tolerance for the murderers of our brothers. No tolerance. There is no room for treachery or cowardice. Those who stand against the Saints will by default be our enemies, and since we are declared at war, the Saints will behave like warriors and anyone who touches one of us will pay with his life. Wear our colors and symbols proudly and let's clean up this fucking city for good.

The Saints chanted Jack's name in chorus, fists raised. Some even bowed to him and for the first time Julius saw in this young boy a more than serious rival...

He was young, competent, intelligent, cold and formidable.

Nassim was probably right, he would not be controllable forever...

Much later in the evening, far from any euphoria, the two boys, still accompanied by Aisha, were smoking in the lobby of Johnny's building, looking serious and empty.

Tupac was shaking next to them, a neighbor having brought him back to Jang-Mi in terror the day the boys had been kidnapped.

- We can't stay in this shitty row any longer... said Aisha, resting her head on Johnny's shoulder.

- This is our row," Jack replied coldly.

- I don't give a shit about your pseudo-loyalty to Saints Row. It's a ghetto rotten to the core. I refuse to stay here any longer, I will not raise my children here!

- What children? Johnny asked.

- So what, we run away instead of fixing things? It doesn't work that way, Aisha," Jack said.

- It's NOT our job.

- Then whose job is it? No one is getting off their asses to do anything!

- I don't know who's going to save the row but I don't want it to be us!

- You'll do what everyone else does, give birth to your shitlings here and keep your mouth shut!

- No way! The insurance money is finally released, I'm finally free, says Aisha, with a touch of pride.

- Thanks to us, huh?

- Yeah, so thanks Jack. But sorry, Johnny and I are getting out of here now.

- We are? Says Johnny, not too familiar with the situation.

- Go if you want, but we need Johnny here. He's a lieutenant in the Saints, he has responsibilities to us.

- Johnny is my boyfriend! And I don't want to see him burned alive like Fetty and Future or almost dead like Diego!

- Wait, Eesh... We haven't even talked about this yet, Johnny temper.

- Johnny. You said yes when I asked you if you wanted to live with me! his sweetheart reminded him.

- But I agree, I just didn't think it would go this fast... Why are we rushing?

- Because you almost died!

- Aisha, you're pissing us off with your female bullshit," Jack hissed.

- And you're bothering me with your useless war! If you hadn't followed the Saints, you'd be on your way to Cambridge.

- If I hadn't followed the Saints, I'd be dead, you stupid bitch! said Jack.

- Whoa, calm down," tried to calm Johnny, seeing that the two people dearest to his heart were getting badly confused.

- Johnny, please tell me you still want to live with me.

- I do, baby.

- So let's get out of here as fast as we can. I'm gonna hit the real estate offices tomorrow.

- Okay Eesh, okay.

- Wait Johnny, you're not serious? Offended Jack.

- But... But I'm not giving up on the Saints... I have a car, I'll never be too far away. Besides, it'll take a little while to find a house.

- And it'll take you approximately how long to get your balls back?

- Jack, don't put it like that...

- I'll put it that way! What are you doing to me! Now you've given that bitch two strokes with your dick and you're already planning to end your life with her!

- Don't disrespect me, you asshole, said Aisha with anger.

- I'll disrespect you as long as you disrespect me!

- I wasn't insulting you!

- Well, I'm insulting you, you whore!

- Seriously, my sister was right to dump you, you're really an arrogant little shit.

- I'm the one who dumped her, your fat whore sis'. I should have known better anyway, there were already warning signs in the big sister.

- I beg your pardon? What are you implying?

- Randomly, Warren Williams.

- That has nothing to do with it and I wasn't dating Johnny at the time!

- Buuuut... Johnny began, before changing his mind when he saw the look on his fiancée's face.

- You're sleeping with the enemy and you're showing off for me. You're just a fucking slut like thousands of them between bangers. You've been blown up by both sides, to me you'll never be respectable.

- Johnny, are you going to let him talk to me like that! said Aisha.

- No, but...

- But what! Knock him out, or say something to your friend!

- I mean... Jack, don't say that, man.

- It's not true... Aisha lamented. Well, he's right about one thing. You really don't have any balls!

- Well yeah, but you're a pain in the ass to mess with too. Baby, I love you and I don't want to get mad at you. And you Jack, you're my brother, we're bound for life and death.

- And maybe not us! Aisha replied angrily.

- But yes, of course Eesh!

- Of course not," Jack sadistically replied. It's going to last as long as it lasts and when you've broken his balls properly, he'll leave you for another one that's better and less boring. What do you think?

- I think you're an asshole Jack! That's what I think! Aisha retorted.

- But a more realistic asshole than you.

- You're just pissed off that nobody likes you, including your parents!

Surprised by this attack, Jack turned to Johnny, the only person who knew about his family problems.

- Okay, I see... Jack said with a frown.

- Well, you're the one who told me that...

- And you went straight to your girl and told her about it just to make fun of me? Are you having fun?

- We weren't laughing at you Jack, quite the opposite.

Parents were a taboo subject at Jack's house and this made him more than a little angry.

- You disappoint me Johnny, I thought you had more balls than that.

- But stop, that's not the point. You're taking everything the wrong way right now.

- Yeah I'm taking everything hard! Because everything is wrong! And then you piss me off, we can't count on anyone here! You are all the same, you disgust me!

Hearing Jack's cries, Tupac started to piss in terror, thinking for some reason that his last hour was approaching.

Furious, Jack pushed the doors of the building with violence and left in the street.

- Man, where are you going? called Johnny from the distance.

- What do you care? You won't be behind my ass when you're living in your house with your skank and your shitlings anyway. So leave me alone, I have nothing more to say to you!

The poor Johnny was torn between his friendship for Jack and his love for Aisha. He decided not to follow his friend, figuring he probably needed some time alone after all the disappointments...

Jack dragged his anger all the way to Mission Beach, where he returned to his home, which had been abandoned for far too long. It had apparently been squatted by some really unscrupulous Saints. Everything was filthy, the walls were tagged and the few things he owned were gone. But above all, the air was freezing in the place and apparently there was no water or electricity. Numerous letters were strewn on the floor and it seemed that nobody had had the presence of mind to send them to him...

Most of them were bills and reminder letters for unpaid bills. It would seem that Herode had cut him off for good...

Jack was no closer to disappointment. As best he could with his able-bodied arm, he set up a little corner to rest, on a mattress that was much less clean than the last time he had slept on it and a sheet that was a little less smelly than the others that were lying around on the floor...

He never found sleep.

- I'm telling you, I'll pay! Jack insisted over the phone from a pay phone. But I can't live decently without electricity! Yes, yes, I got your damn letters and I'll pay the late payments and the fees. But. But no, I don't have the money now, but I'll get it and ... Hello?

Mad with rage, Jack threw the phone against the window of the cabin.

- Your motherfucker.

Things were getting worse for Jack, who was already having a hard time. His living conditions were really becoming a problem, but he was too proud to ask anyone for help. His house had become a slum and even if he cleaned it up with Tyrone's help, the essentials were missing.

- Why don't you come back to boarding school? Ty asked him.

- So the pedo can ask me to suck his cock? He replied, lighting a cigarette.

- No, so you can live in decent hygienic conditions. I'm worried about you Nate.

- I just need a little money to pay my bills, then I'll be fine.

- I've given you everything I have...

- Oh I know Ty, don't worry. That's very generous of you, and I appreciate it. I didn't mean to make you feel bad.

- I wish I could do more.

- You do enough already. That said, could you help me clear the couch, please? It smells like piss, I'd like to get it out of the house.

- Yeah sure, but aren't you going to have a hard time with your arm?

- I'm not hiding the fact that you're going to have a harder time than I am," chuckled Jack, grabbing the bottom of the couch.

- Always taking advantage of your buddy," chuckled Ty.

The two teens combined their efforts and after some difficulty, they managed to swing him over to the garbage cans.

- I thought we'd never make it! Ty sighed, swimming.

- But come on, it wasn't that heavy after all.

- He said as he carried half as much!

- Ciao the sofa which stinks of death, said Jack by giving a last kick in it.

By striking the piece of furniture, a small noise was heard, piquing the curiosity of the two boys.

- What is that? Ty asked as he saw Jack bend down.

- A set of keys.

- Oh, yours?

- No, maybe one of the guys lost it at my place. I don't know.

Jack looked closely at the keys, topped with a yellow crown-shaped key ring and realized something.

- Holy crap!

- What?

- These are Benjamin King's keys.

- Keys to what?

- To his loft in the city.

- How did you get these?

- He gave them to me before he disappeared.

- You're not moving into his loft, are you?

- No, never in a millions years. Especially since it's probably been stripped down by now.

But Jack was curious... That key had to open something.

- Do you have plans this afternoon?

- No, not really," Ty answered.

- Can you take me somewhere?

- Oh, I see you coming... Are you sure it's not lame?

- The Vice Kings know they don't have any interest in messing with us anymore. There won't be a problem.

- Are you sure... ?

- Yeah! Well, pretty much. But I'll let you drive my car in return," smiled Jack.

Tyrone sighed, but curiosity got the better of him and he accepted the keys to the Mustang without a second thought before heading to the Adept Bay area. The old Kings' building was still covered with police seals, but Jack didn't care when he went underneath. He unlocked the door and invited Ty to follow him. The lobby of the building was empty, but the floor still bore the scars of the fighting between the Kings and the Saints. The floor had been roughly mopped, still leaving traces of blood embedded between the tiles. Many bullet holes were still visible on the walls. In just a few months, the place had become unrecognizable.

- Holy shit... It's creepy... Tyrone shuddered.

- It wasn't like this at all when I was here last time.

Tyrone ran his hand over a hole in the wall, caused by a large weapon.

- You live dangerously anyway, Nate. Are you never afraid?

- Of? Jack asked as he kicked some newspapers off the floor.

- Of dying.

- Of dying, no, I don't care. It's ironically the only certain prospect I have right now.

- Don't say that...

- I'm kidding Ty. But frankly, I don't know. I don't have many questions about it. I used to be alive and I felt dead so finally, living life to the fullest, isn't that the best that can happen to me?

- I don't know man. I fear for you sometimes.

Jack turned to his friend with a slightly embarrassed but flattered look on his face. The two boys entered the penthouse, but it was clear that everything had already been looted, destroyed and left to rot.

- Come on, let's take the elevator," said Jack, dragging his companion along.

- Doesn't it suck...?

- You are really a coward Ty.

- I hold with the life contrary to you!

Jack typed in the code that hadn't been changed since the last raid and reached the top floor.

- This was Benjamin's apartment, he explained.

- Yeah... Well, there's not much left.

There were countless books trampled on the floor. Apparently, the Kings weren't big fans of reading.

- Nate, there's a locked door here!

The door was armored, and too busy, the cops hadn't had time to break it down yet. With his key ring, Jack inserted several keys, until one of them was the right one. The security lock gave way, leaving the boys the joy of discovering Benjamin King's room in person. XXL bed with Italian sheets, quality bedding, huge TV, high-tech equipment, old and valuable books. The two teenagers looked at each other in amazement before bursting into laughter.

- It's fucking CRAZY! exclaimed Tyrone, impressed.

- It's a jackpot! Jack exclaimed as he lay down on the bed.

- Shit... He had money...

- And he had the good taste to leave it all to me. It's mine, damn it," said Jack, his eyes shining.

The two boys spent the afternoon in Benjamin's room, smoking his cigars on the bed, then in his private hot tub. They tasted several different alcohols stashed in a bar and filled glasses to the brim from priceless bottles, not knowing what they were drinking.

- Damn, he had the good life, this prick.

- He'd been the Kings' leader for years. He must have made a lot of money.

- Shit, I'm putting my whole life in question," Tyrone laughed. I want to be the godfather of the Stilwater mob, and spend my life smoking that shit in my bed, while some bitch gives me a blow job.

Jack laughed.

- Shit man, you forgot all your principles in one afternoon!

- Totally! Ty replied, a little too drunk.

- The truth is, it's not that easy being the boss, you must be under a lot of pressure all the time. I admire Ben King. More than Julius, actually. He had built an empire that held up. If his lieutenants had stayed loyal to him, we never would have had him like this. He came from nothing at the time and he managed to get everything, it's crazy.

- Aren't you going to get killed for saying that?

- Yes, that's why you won't say it again! I'm still proud that I managed to get him out of the way though. He congratulated me on my work, I can't hide the fact that I had an half-boner when he told me.

Tyrone spat his drink out of his nose, laughing.

- Since NASA is dead, I'll have to come up with a backup plan. I can't afford all this shit by becoming a banker.

- Not right now anyway...

- So what, when I'm old ? No way, I won't wait that long. Besides, he must have some money stashed away, Benjamin. Come on, let's go and look around a bit more.

Tyrone did not hesitate to follow his friend to Benjamin's dressing room. The quest for money was quickly abandoned in favor of a ready-to-wear session with laughter. Dressed in all of Benjamin's suits and jewelry, the boys admired themselves in the dressing room mirrors.

- I love his suits!

- Work out a little and it should fit you," Jack teased, seeing that Tyrone lacked muscles.

- Do you think I could take them...?

- But of course, enjoy, he's never coming back here.

- You're serious? We'll split it if you want.

- Nah, I'll never in a million years be able to walk around in yellow, you're crazy. The Saints are gonna kill me on the spot. Enjoy it, Ty.

While Tyrone was picking out his new wardrobe with relish, Jack went through King's jewelry. There were a multitude of blinged-out, high-value bracelets and rings, but one caught the young man's eye.

It was a heavy platinum ring topped with several fleur-de-lis. The Kings' emblem was a crown, so what the hell was Benjamin doing with such a piece of jewelry?

Jack put it on his left middle finger and it fit perfectly around his finger. He took it off to look at it again and saw the letter "J" engraved inside.

- Julius... he thought.

But yes, it was probably Julius who had given it to him, in a rallying call to the Saints. Benjamin obviously hadn't accepted it, but he couldn't bring himself to throw it away. Jack claimed it as his own and put it on his finger for good. He found it to be sublime and even more powerful than the fleur-de-lis that adorned it.

- Classy ! said Tyrone.

- I think I like it. I will keep it.

- It looks good on you.

- Yeah and it looks rich. I hope I don't lose it in a random vagina while fingering a chick.

- Aaaaah! You're gross!

Laughing out loud, Tyrone pushed Jack as a joke and he slammed into the dressing room with a thud that intrigued him.

- There's something back there, right?

- Yeah, too weird...

The two teenagers tapped on the dressing room until they found a hidden door, invisible from the outside.

- There's some kind of lock here, Ty pointed to it.

- It's a terminal. It needs a code.

- It's dead then...

- Type in 'Angela'.

- What?

- Type it in, I tell you.

Conciliatory, Tyrone typed the name on the terminal and a small beep was heard before the door opened. The two boys were excited and expected to find bundles of money and gold bars, so the disappointment was equal.

- What's this... said Tyrone in disappointment. Flour?

- My God Ty, are you that naive? It's drugs.

- There's a lot of it.

- Hell yeah. Dozens of pounds of it.

- Too bad, I would have preferred money...

- Technically... It's money in another form... I can imagine Benjamin was peddling it on the streets and knowing him, it couldn't have been bad quality.

Jack opened a packet and took a little white powder on his fingers before tasting it.

- So, is it any good?

- I don't know. It's super bitter but I don't know if that's good or bad. I've never done any drugs except weed. I think it's coke, but I'm not sure.

- It's not cocaine?

- It's the same thing Ty.

- Is that the stuff you shove up your nose?

- Yeah, the coke lines and stuff. I think it sells well. We could make some serious coin out of this...

- You're not serious? That's illegal.

- Please Ty... Don't talk to me about legal, I should be in jail already. But seriously, yeah. Look, we'll just sell it, take the money and worry about our money worries for the rest of our lives.

- I don't know about that...

- And when it's gone, it's gone! There's crack on every corner in Saints Row, coke is less dangerous and it doesn't look like shit cut with lye or painkillers. I'm sure that if we sell off a bit, we'll sell it fast and be happy for a few years! I can sell in the west end of Stilwater and you can sell in the east end, what do you think?

- I think it's going to end badly...

- Ty. If we have money, we have everything. The best seats in the house. The best clothes. No worries about housing around the university. No need to go to that shitty boarding school. And then the chicks!

Tyrone had been well brought up, but he too came from a shitty neighborhood like Jack's, and he didn't mind the idea of having a little luxury in his life. After all... Others had done it before him and like Benjamin King, not all bad guys ended up bad... Seeing his reflection in one of the dressing room mirrors, in the King's yellow suit, Tyrone felt ten feet tall and checked out his best buddy.

So the next day, after skipping school, Tyrone and Jack headed back to Adept Bay in a van, and made several trips to Mission Beach. Even though Tyrone felt a little taken advantage of since his friend was only half-valid, he enjoyed seeing Jack's house look a little luxurious with Benjamin's furniture. Once the bed, some furniture, books and especially King's huge TV were taken away, the two boys transported the drugs, which they barely hid in their vehicle, before storing them in Oliver's room.

Even though he didn't know much about drugs, Jack quickly found a buyer, who put him in touch with other enthusiasts, and soon the money was flowing in.

Electricity and water were finally turned on and Jack even took the opportunity to redo the heating and repaint the whole place. Within a few weeks, the house was unrecognizable and had become a favorite spot for local junkies.

From then on, Jack changed, and not necessarily for the better.

Disappointed by the latest events, still deeply shocked by the death of his friends, he shut himself up in a destructive bubble where he lived only on alcohol, cocaine and prostitutes.

At only fifteen and a half years old, Jack paid to have more than a hundred girls in his house, to whom he paid thousands of dollars for uncomfortable sex.

- If I give you two hundred dollars more, can you tell me that you love me?

- That I what?

- You heard me right.

- Give me the money," asked the girl, suspicious.

Jaded, Jack took out several bills from his jeans and handed them to the prostitute who hastened to put them in her bag.

- Oh baby... Said she by approaching him sensually. I love you...

They kissed and Jack closed his eyes, in search of an emotional fantasy which would fill him. She took him in her arms, and caressed his hair maternally.

- I love you. I love you... Repeated the prostitute.

- Again...

- I love you.

It sounded so fake...

But Jack had nothing else.

It wasn't until a few weeks after the Vice Kings were killed that anyone other than a junkie or a hooker rang the teen's doorbell.

Awakened by the doorbell after spending the night drunk, Jack struggled to get out of bed with a headache pounding in his eyes. He wasn't expecting anyone this morning and it was pretty annoying to be disturbed.

He walked down the steps of his house and opened the door in his T-shirt and pyjamas pants, his eyes still half closed.

- Yeah...? he asked sleepily.

- Oh my God, have you been on a binge all night or what? Troy asked, cigarette in mouth.

- What the hell are you doing here, Troy?

- You're not answering your phone, you're not back in your dorm and you're not coming to church.

- I had a broken arm, remember?

- It looks better, is it healed?

- Yeah, it's better. Well, what do you want from me? If you're checking up on me, I'm fine. You can leave with peace of mind.

But Troy was not satisfied and forced his way into the house, without Jack having the reflex to stop him.

- Well... ! It's the great luxury at your place! Troy said when he saw the TV, the leather sofas and the high-end decor.

- This is my father's house.

- Your dad's, huh? He's not in jail, is he?

- No, he's not.

- Well, that's something. He got rich in between cops?

- Fuck Troy, did you really come to bust my balls in the morning ? Don't you have business with the Carnales or the Rollerz?

- Yeah, I do. But I really came to see how you were doing, kid. Johnny told me you guys had a bit of a fight and he hadn't heard much from you.

- Yeah, he's been bugging me about being so dumb with Aisha. But it's okay, we're not mad at each other forever...

- You know your girlfriend Dee-Dee is getting picked on by some of the guys in the neighborhood?

Jack suddenly froze.

- So what? I don't give a shit, she's just a whore.

- She's mostly a young woman who's a little lost. A bit like you.

- I'm not confused, Troy. I know exactly what I want. And it's not your pity.

- Jack, I'm worried about you.

- I already have a father and a stepfather. The exit is over there.

Without listening to him, Jack went to make a coffee, and Troy followed him into his kitchen.

- Eazy-E killed himself. I was coming to tell you. He didn't leave a note or tell anyone.

Jack's heart began to pound. He was deeply shocked by the news.

- You guys have been through a lot. And if guys like Eazy-E can't even get up after something like that, I think it's the least I can do to make sure all my guys are okay.

- I didn't know... Thanks for the heads up.

- We're burying him tomorrow, will you be there?

- I don't know yet. I have to realize already...

- Skylar's in pretty bad shape too. His big sister called me to say he was in bad shape and that he spent his days crying. Have you seen him lately?

- Nah... I'm all alone here right now, just resting and trying to get my head together...

- Okay. Anyway, stay safe, there's some bad stuff going on in Saints Row right now.

- Like always...

- Nah, nah," Troy chuckled as he lit up a cigarette again. You're usually observant, kid. Have you noticed anything weird lately?

- No, I haven't. I'm home a lot, so I don't really know what's going on in the neighborhood.

- That's funny, because I've been over to your house like five times in the last few days, and you're not home.

Jack frowned, this conversation was starting to get on his nerves.

- And? I live alone, I need to shop for myself, and cooking with a broken arm isn't easy. I had to go out to eat.

- I'm not accusing you of anything, why are you so aggressive all of a sudden?

- Because you're annoying me. I'm at home, quietly trying to get my head in order and you come and bore me with your stories.

- Okay, Nathan Collins. Okay.

Troy called him by his real name on purpose before he went to stroke the leather sofas in the living room.

- You know it's ten years in prison for only five kilos of cocaine?

- What do I care about that?

- I don't. Prison doesn't scare you?

- Why would I go to jail?

- Because you didn't show up for your summons to appear before the judge for your refusal to comply.

Jack froze. It had completely slipped his mind, and for a moment he was afraid he was going to jail.

- It wasn't for lack of trying to remind you. If you read your mail or answered the phone...

- I'm in trouble... ?

- You get off with probation. That means you'd better keep your nose clean.

- Oh, yeah? Cool.

- Did you hear what I just said? Troy insisted.

- Yeah, probation. I'm listening to you.

- You better not do anything stupid during this time. Jack, do you want to get out of this or not?

- Well, yes.

- Then stop what you're doing right now.

- What are you talking about? Pretended not to understand the teenager.

- From one day to the next, you go from the street to your house that you're renovating in a very luxurious way, and as luck would have it, all the junkies have moved to Mission Beach for a few weeks. So I don't know, either it's a coincidence, or you've flipped your lid a little bit and you're tripping with the Carnales.

- You dare to come into my house and insult me, Troy? I'm a Third Street Saint, don't you dare question my loyalty to my family for a second.

- So it's a coincidence ?

- I don't work with any Carnales. I've never dealt with them.

- Then who do you deal with? They run coke all over town.

- What the hell are you accusing me of? I don't buy from anyone, I don't even know what you're talking about.

- You're a smart kid though.

- I'm a high school student, Julius is okay with me staying at home while I recover and securing a place at the university. I've proven my loyalty to the gang enough by giving it my all on the VK. So what's the problem?

- All right, Jack. You're clean and you're a little angel, but the day the cops, or worse, the Carnales get you, trust me, you're gonna feel pretty bad. What the Kings did to you will be nothing compared to what the Lopez will do to you if you stand in their way.

- Thanks for the visit, Troy. Can you get the hell out now? I feel like hitting the sack.

- Don't be a jerk and if you need help before it's too late, I'm here kid.

Jack didn't hide his impatience and annoyance and opened his front door wide to let Troy know he was in the way. The Saint understood that he would not be able to reason with his protégé today and he greeted him before taking his leave. Jack slammed the door behind him and went back to Oliver's old room where several kilos of cocaine were stored in bulk, as well as several bundles of dollars...