Chapter 2

It would be easier if he were inside the city walls, but he couldn't take the risk. The temperature was dropping as the Savanna gave up its balmy heat for a cool evening chill. This time yesterday he had a bed, a place to sleep.

Not anymore.

Once the others found out about his bounty, he was tossed to the curb and ran of town.

He wasn't too angry about it. That was the creed after all: each for themselves. You could stay in the house so long as you didn't get caught. If you were sloppy enough to get the watch on your tail, you were out the door with the rest of the filth.

It wasn't like he was there long. Maybe half a year. Before then, he was freelance. He had been since he was a hatchling.

Leaning against the log of an over grown palm, he glanced to his hover board. Night was always his favorite time to go riding. He made a habit of it, it was something to take his mind off life. Since he was young, he'd ride his mother's hover around the block. He was still surprised, all these years later, that the old board worked. It needed a tune up, but that cost money.

Closing his eyes, he leaned his head against the trunk, sitting comfortably in the sands.

He wasn't really sure what to do.

He could hop on his board and leave, maybe try to find another city. Start all over where no one knew his name.

Where is the next city?

Upon wondering, he realized he didn't know. He'd been wandering Aleria since he could remember. On top of that, there was no telling how long he'd have to travel before he found another place to call home. Too many unfortunate souls tried to strike it out and ended up disappearing in the endless desert.

He was truly and utterly stuck.

The usual clear sky was overcome with thick clouds, rolling in from the east. The rare scent of rain blew on the horizon.

"Just my luck." He complained, well aware that it was indeed his luck that he'd be left outside during the first shower of the year.

Staying where he was, he contemplated trying to nap when he noticed a group traveling along a dirt path towards the city.

Rolling his eyes, he recognized the Echidna heading up the front. He'd been hoping, after the day he had, that it couldn't get any worse.

It would seem he was wrong.

Said person must've recognized him too because he held up a hand to his crew before pulling off.

Approaching the green hawk lounging under the tree, Jax handed his board off to one of his men.

"Fancy meeting you here." He said, the cocky bravado thick in his voice. "I figured you'd be behind bars."

The hawk narrowed his eyes. "It's going to take more than a bounty to catch me." He didn't even try to hide the malice in his tone. "You'd know a little bit about that though, wouldn't you?"

Jax chuckled. "Oh, C'mon Jet. I gave you a way out, it not my fault you didn't take it."

"It was your job that put me here!" Jet snapped. "I'm not dumb enough to burrow money from you, I've made enough mistakes already." He wasn't about to give Jax the upper hand. He knew what happened to people who got caught up in his inner circle. "Do us both a favor and get lost."

Jax shrugged, surprisingly compliant. "Well, I still have a spot open..." It was no surprise to anyone that Jax's 'friends' only hung around him because they were stupid enough to get caught in his traps.

Jet may have taken work from him once, but he wasn't about to push things further. "I'd rather starve."

Storm, who, much like with Wave, stayed quiet and towards the back of the group, gave Jax his board when the Echidna asked for it.

"So be it." Jax said, amused at Jet's stubbornness. "It's always available... that is, if you can get back into the city." He hopped on his hover, balancing before take off. "Oh, and if you ever want to do something about that trash board of yours." He laughed at his own joke as he zoomed past, kicking sand in Jet's face.

His crew followed, with Storm having to piggy back off a friend due to his own hover being at the shop.

As they made their way back to their warm homes, the rain began. First as a soft mist, then quickly as a torrential downpour.

Jet huddled under the palm leaves, using them as an umbrella to keep dry.

At the rare times it rained in the Savanna, it would do so for days at a time. (Almost as if it were making up for the rest of the year)

Drained, tired and hungry, he stayed where he was, shaded from the torrent. He wasn't sure what he was going to do next, but all he could do now was sleep.

Closing his eyes, he let the approaching thunder serve as a serene lullaby. In doing so, he lost himself to the darkness and fell into a fitful slumber.