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Chapter 19 - Smoke and Mirrors.
May 1996 - Mission Beach - Saints Row District
Jack Saint's house.
In a cloud of smoke and holding each one a glass of alcohol in the hand, Jack and Tyrone observed without losing a crumb, their guests swaying on a bad rap. The young women danced languidly, raising the temperature by kissing each other and dripping vodka between their breasts so they could drink from it. All of them were laughing exaggeratedly hard, between too much alcohol and the desire to be the one who will be the most noticed.
Since their little tour in Benjamin King's loft, Ty and Jack had become two rich young men, who lived from the resale of the loot found at the former leader of the Vice Kings. All the junkies on Saints Row now knew that Mission Beach had quality dope for much less than what they used to buy. And like wildfire, the word had spread to the surrounding neighborhoods, so Jack quietly distilled his stock and kept the profits for himself. For his part, while he was reluctant at first, Tyrone did the same towards Sunnyvale and the exit of the high school. Coming from a modest family, he began to receive bundles of money and quickly became accustomed to the comfort it brought him. He found it hard to keep his head and soon spent money on expensive clothes, including three-piece suits, jewelry, liquor and cigarettes, and then, inspired by his friend, he began to pay for the most beautiful girls in the city..
Tyrone Mills, a nice and shy boy, looked almost like a mafia godfather by taking a monstrous assurance.
The two boys lived in this luxury without worrying for a second whether what they were doing was right or wrong. The years of deprivation in the ghetto seemed far away and they had no remorse in taking advantage of it.
As one of the girls rubbed her bottom outrageously on Tyrone's crotch, the doorbell rang. Jack winced and cautiously stood up. He checked to make sure his Desert Eagle, now chrome plated and with a fleur-de-lis on the trigger guard, was still in his back pants pocket.
He opened the door cautiously and came face to face with two young girls, a blonde and a brunette, very short dressed, who couldn't have been more than eighteen years old.
- Hi," he said politely.
- Hi," said the blonde girl.
- Yes... ? Jack waited impatiently for them to announce why they had come.
- You are Playa of the Saints?
- If you're looking for the Saints, it's at 78 Richens Lane, at the corner of 3rd Street. You can't go wrong, it's a church.
- But it's not really the Saints we're looking for, waddled the brunette.
- We are looking for something to spend a good evening... Added the blonde biting her lips.
- Who gave you my address? Groaned Jack.
- A friend. Lesly.
This name didn't mean anything to Jack, but he had seen so many people come and go in the last month that he took their word for it.
- How much do you want?
- Two grams.
- Okay, that'll be $320.
- The thing is, we don't have any money," said the blonde, waddling along.
- Well... Too bad. I might not have anything for you then," Jack smiled contemptuously.
As he was about to close the door, the blonde blocked it with her arm.
- But... There are two of us, and we'll do anything to have a good evening.
- By starting it with you, for example, added the brunette.
- We are really very, very motivated.
The two young girls bit their lips and adopted a teasing attitude in the hope to convince their dealer. Jack was clearly not within 320 bucks of the money he was making from Benjamin's cocaine, which had cost him nothing, going straight into his pocket. So he opened the door wide.
- You will do what I tell you to do," he warned.
The two young women nodded their heads, too happy with this deal - admittedly with a rather attractive young man, but a sex-deal nonetheless - that would provide them with the coveted drug. They obediently followed their dealer.
- Ty, I go upstairs, warned Jack. You keep an eye on the comers, please.
- What are you doing?
- I'm going to fuck these two bitches. You want one?
- Hey, that's not what we agreed... Worried the young blonde.
- You want your free gram or not?
- No, thanks man, I've got what I need right here, Ty assured him.
Jack did not insist and went upstairs, in the old room of his parents where he had repatriated the large bed of Benjamin and spent a good moment with the two young girls who left each one with their so coveted gram.
Exhausted by the noise, he dismissed all his guests and once all this beautiful people outside, he could finally slump in his sofa at the side of Tyrone.
- What a crazy day, said his friend while lighting a cigar.
- I have a headache, they twist my ears laughing like bitches these girls.
- What's the matter with you? Weren't those two girls you were with any good?
- Oh yes, they were. The blonde one had crazy tits, just like I love. And the brunette was a good pump. Two big bitches willing to do anything for two lousy grams. It was cool.
- So what? Life is good for us Nate !
- Yeah, it is. But it all seems a little easy to me, don't you think ?
- Don't you think we've been through enough in life ? We deserve to be a little relaxed. Well, especially me, because you're a naughty gangster while I'm just an unpretentious high school student.
- A university student you mean! Jack says to him with a wink. It's still great that we're both at Sunnyvale University. In the end, looking back, it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to me to screw up Harvard.
- Yeah, I'm so excited to be with you next year, but... I still feel bad for you, you deserved better.
- It's a good university, the level is more than correct.
- But you would have killed it at Harvard, Nate. I'm sure you would have.
- Yeah, well... I might have. I'll run again in two years. I mean, two years is nothing when it comes to your future. Besides, we'll get to enjoy a little time here in Stilwater before I leave for good.
- You know Lindsay didn't get into Harvard either?
- Didn't she?
- Yes, except that she passed the exam, and her father could have put up the money, but she was shamelessly rejected," Tyrone sneered.
- Seriously? Holy shit, that's good news! She must be so disgusted!
- She's not bragging about it anyway.
- You bet. I'm going to have a blast ruining her when school starts. I can't wait to get back to school just for that.
- What are we gonna do this summer? We could go on vacation, what do you say?
- Yeah, I'll have to check with Julius, but I don't think it'll be a problem.
- Damn Nate, I feel like our lives are finally starting. We're graduating, we got into college, we're finally not virgins anymore and we've got a bunch of money.
- The wheel always turns Ty.
- There's just one downside. I don't have anyone to go to the prom with. You think I should ask Solange?
- She's so ugly, Solange.
- Yeah, but she's probably free. Who are you going with ?
- Me? I'm not going. I don't give a shit about prom. Except for you, I hate everyone in this fucking school. I already have to write the speech for the graduation ceremony...
- Huh? Seriously? You're the Valedictorian?
- Who else? The director asked me to do it. I could see that he wasn't exactly thrilled to give me this task, but traditions are a thing...
- Damn, it's not nothing to represent the school. I would have been too scared to do it!
- Ah, but I'm scared, but to be a good leader, you have to be a good speaker, that will give me some practice. But in reality, I shit myself. I'd really like to get over my shyness, I need to be more assertive than that.
- But that's so cool, what an honor! I didn't know that. Damn, you're such incredible Nate. Everything you touch, you achieve, it's crazy.
- And then I'm going to try to sneak a little Tupac or Snoop Dog quote into the speech.
Tyrone burst out laughing, already imagining the principal's face.
After all his misfortunes with this difficult year, his abandonment, the tragic disappearance of his friends and despite the blood on his hands, Jack was slowly getting back to a more or less normal life and trying to keep his sanity intact. Even if it was not an inexhaustible source, the King's drugs assured him a few years of peace with the resale of cocaine. But even if he tried to remain discreet, he quickly understood that everything had a price, even when it was free.
One night, on his way home from a day spent with the Saints, Jack walked down an alleyway out of sight, wearing a hood and headphones in his ears. He only realized his mistake when a group of men turned him around and grabbed him by the sleeve of his sweatshirt, forcing him to face them. Jack was immediately punched in the face and fell into the garbage bags on the ground. He didn't have time to regain his senses when a man grabbed him by the collar, forcing the teenager to get up.
- Give me everything you've got," he ordered.
- What are you talking about, man? Jack asked, his exploded lip dripping with blood.
- I know you got stuff, give it to me!
- It's not free, man.
Jack understood that it was not the good answer when the man made him a kind of judo hold where he exploded his back on the asphalt. Panicked and caught off guard, the young boy didn't think too hard and pulled a small bag of cocaine from the back of his pocket and tossed it away. The men forgot about their victim to retrieve the bag and Jack ran back to the church, his legs in knots and his heart beating wildly.
- Man, what's wrong with you? Dexter asked, curious to see him come back when he had barely left.
- Bordel de merde, some guy mugged me.
- Oh really? Where did he do it?
- Just around the corner, fuck, he hit me for no reason," Jack lied a little.
- Guys! Dex ordered his men. Some guy disrespected Playa, let's have a word with him!
The Saints didn't try to understand and heated up quickly, ready to fight. All of them were wearing purple or gang related signs. No one had better disrespect a member of the Third Street Saints in Saints Row without risking bloody retaliation. Troy watched the scene from afar and waited for Dexter and his boys to move away before approaching Jack who was spitting blood on the ground.
- No reason, huh? Troy said sarcastically as he blew out the smoke from his cigarette.
- Yeah no reason, this is a shitty neighborhood.
- The guy beats you up and lets you get away with it?
- I ran away, he wasn't alone unlike me.
- Okay Jack, okay. It wasn't guys in red, was it?
- No, it was an old guy on drugs like you see on every street corner.
- JACK! ARE YOU COMING? Dex shouted in the distance.
- Watch your ass, kid. You're gonna bring the Carnales to Saints Row, so watch out," Troy warned him calmly.
Jack didn't dwell on Troy's fateful predictions, and went to join the little purple army waiting for him on the church steps.
With classes at the high school almost over, Jack retired to his house, drinking to the point of paranoia. He was almost living in the dark, afraid that the Carnales would come and chill him, and when he saw the mountain of cocaine he still had to dispose of, he suddenly wasn't sure if his plan was a good idea. Alone, he was risking too much and that made him anxious. After all, he wasn't even sixteen yet.
He never left his Desert Eagle and had one stashed under his bed, as well as a 9 mm in the kitchen, just in case...
The more time went by, the more the money seemed derisory considering the price he might have to pay...
That morning, Daria, his neighbor, came knocking at his door. She had known Jack since he had moved in with his parents in the neighborhood. She had taken care of Oliver a lot and although she was a drug addict to the core, she had always been kind and caring to them. When Alphonse was too drunk to handle his son, Jack had taken refuge in her home several times. Similarly, when he came home and Tamara was away, Daria had often picked him up on the landing to look after him.
It is thus quite naturally that he welcomed her with benevolence. He was even relieved to see her.
- Hi Nate, I come to see how you are doing my boy.
- Hi Daria, I'm fine thanks, and you?
- I'm fine thank you. I just came by to make sure you didn't miss anything.
- Oh how nice. But I'm fine, don't worry.
- Good, here, I brought you a chicken pie.
- Thank you," the teenager replied, sniffing the sweet smell of the pie.
Daria invited herself into the house and looked around.
- Wow, it's changed around here.
- A little, I have a good college scholarship," Jack lied, not wanting to go into details.
- That's right, you're already going to college. You are a man now, Nathan. I still remember when you were a child. You were already determined. Your mother always said that your strength of character would take you far.
- My strength of character? Did she say that to avoid using the words "pain in the ass"? Jack joked.
- Your mother loved you more than you know.
- Yes. That's why she ran off five hundred miles away and left me here alone.
- You know, we don't always do what we want in life. We take the opportunities it gives us. Don't be too angry with your mother, she's an extremely brave woman. It's not easy to raise a child, alone and so young while trying to get by in life.
- She only had to make the right choices, I have no desire to pity her.
- She's going to be an important person one day, just like you. You can be proud to say that your mom, who had you when she was a pre-teen on welfare with an incarcerated husband, who fell into drugs, bounced back to be a big shot.
- So put it this way, no chance no. And right now she's just a bum, she's not a big one.
- I've heard from Oliver. He's doing well, and his speech is getting better.
- Is he? Jack asked, his face lighting up at the mention of his little brother's name.
- Yes, he's going to be a resourceful one too, that's for sure.
- I'm sure he will.
- Anyway, I'm glad to see you're doing well. The house is clean, you look good, that's good.
- Daria, was it my mother who asked you to come and check on me?
The old woman smiled at him explicitly enough for him to understand that no...
- I thought as much...
- Don't be disappointed, Nathan. I'm a bit of a mother myself, I'll take care of you if you need it.
- Thank you Daria...
- You were always my little sweetie after all. Always polite, helpful. And you helped me more than once.
Daria moved closer to Jack, who was sitting on the couch, and she patted him on the back maternally.
- We're kind of like family now. We're in the same boat, the same ghetto. We have to support each other.
- You're right. The teenager naively conceded. These are important things. Much more beautiful and strong than blood ties after all.
- Absolutely, my boy. Absolutely.
While she was still caressing his back and he felt some kind of appeasement, Daria revealed her true face...
- And then ... As in the family we help each other ... You would not have a gram or two to give me ... ?
Jack's body suddenly stiffened.
- I know you're selling some good stuff. And you know... Since financially, it's complicated for me, I thought ...
Jack jumped up from the couch, shocked.
- Daria, what are you doing to me!
- Oh Nate. To help me out.
- I don't believe this... No... I'm not helping out anything.
- Nathan... Nathan... If you help me out, I might as well help you out too...
- Help me out with what ?
- I give really good blowjobs.
Daria was not a beautiful woman. Not yesterday and even less today. Her entire body bore the scars of a life ruined by drugs and alcohol. She was neither attractive, no one in their right mind would pay for such a damaged woman.
- What...? he struggled to understand.
- Your father liked it. I'm sure you could too.
- You used to fuck my father too... ?
- It was common knowledge that your father had sex with everything he could. He was a very handsome man. Muscular, tall, beautiful green eyes. All the women liked him. You look a lot like him, you almost like his look-alike . Those were the days when he and I were shooting up together.
His revelations didn't particularly surprise Jack, who knew his father was incapable of being faithful, but he had never imagined that he would cheat on his mother - who was a truly beautiful woman - with a human waste like Daria. The idea almost disgusted him until he had a revelation.
- Okay Daria. You're going to get your fucking gram.
- Really? She said, radiant.
- But I won't settle for a blow job. I'll ass-fuck you and that's non-negotiable.
In the middle of the living room, Jack, aged fifteen years and ten months, was holding Daria, a woman of almost fifty years old, by the hips. She was moaning like a teenager while her young lover was taking an almost sadistic pleasure in humiliating her. All the respect he had for her vanished at that moment, and his only goal was now to defile her so that he would never again see her as someone who could be respectable. He despised her more and more as he felt the orgasm approaching, until he hated her for good by cumming into her bottom. He was deeply disgusted by it.
If there was an important event for a young American student, it was the end-of-year graduation ceremony that was being celebrated that day at Sunnyvale Gardens High School. Several hundred students and the parents of most of them had gathered on campus to celebrate the event as it should be. Tyrone was there too, accompanied by his parents - still proud of him - and his little sister, who kept touching his cap.
- Stop it Jailene! complained his brother.
Tyrone made big eyes at his sister, more for the principle than for real annoyance and readjusted his toga to the white, grey and red colors of the school.
- It's a good thing the hat isn't pointed, or it would have looked like a Ku Klux Klan meeting," Jack joked.
Out of respect for his parents, Tyrone quietly chuckled, but it was true, that was a lot of characters dressed in white all of a sudden.
"Pomp and Circumstance" echoed through the school grounds and all the lucky graduates took their seats in the chairs in front of the stage. Several local celebrities took turns praising the merit and seriousness of the graduates in honeyed speeches that patted the students on the back, where only the parents seemed touched by their offspring's accomplishments. The mayor of Stilwater City, Marshall Winslow, had made a point of honoring the future elite of tomorrow with a speech that was as inspiring as it was hypocritical. Jack looked at him intently. Like him, the mayor came from Saints Row, he knew the crime and violence in the ghetto. He was black, and therefore even more stigmatized by the misery of the neighborhood, and yet, now that he was mayor, he did nothing special for the people of Saints Row. No one gave a damn about this town, not even those who were successful in life and had the power to change. Jack's mind wandered elsewhere, wondering who would ever have the balls to take over the city.
Julius, perhaps? Nothing was less certain, his intentions were never explicit. He wanted to change the city, okay, but how?
At the age of almost sixteen, Jack thought that unity might be more interesting than exterminating gangs. Benjamin King would have been a formidable ally, if only the common interests and integrity of his person had been intact.
People were dying unjustly every day in the city, and it obviously wasn't a problem for anyone...
- Man," Tyrone shouted, elbowing him in the ribs. Now it's your turn!
- The valedictorian of the class of 1996 is, to our surprise, a student who is not even sixteen years old. He succeeded in wearing the colors of our school with brilliance, with impeccable behavior and grades that have aroused the interest of many universities," the principal explained to the assembly.
- An irreproachable behavior? He's talking about me ?" Jack laughed.
- It wasn't proper to say you were an asshole in front of the parents," chuckled Ty.
- when I think he's been calling me in every week for the past three years to tell me to calm down and he's stuck me for days!
- Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big round of applause to our valedictorian, Nathan-Jeremiah Collins," the principal said enthusiastically.
- I'll never get used to your whole name," laughed Tyrone.
- That's the first reason why I hate my parents!
Jack gave him a knowing look and stood up to the applause of the crowd. He walked among the students dressed all in white and felt for a moment, an important person, superior to everyone around him. He took his place on the platform, shaking hands with the principal and the mayor.
- Congratulations young man, your career is very inspiring, you will go far in life. I heard that you are from Saints Row. What a coincidence that I am also from Saints Row I...
- I know that because you seem to have forgotten it," Jack cut him off.
The mayor was speechless, a silly, bewildered smile pasted on his face, and Jack walked past him without a glance. He took his place at the podium and readjusted the microphones in front of him. The young boy cleared his throat as the crowd fell silent.
- Ahem. Hello everyone. Wow, so many of you... It seemed so much easier to be alone in front of my bathroom mirror...
The crowd burst out laughing, making the atmosphere more relaxed for Jack, who remained tense.
- First of all, thank you for giving me this honor and let me congratulate all the students for the work we have all done this year. There have been many obstacles that have stood between us throughout this emotional year. You all must be extremely anxious about the changes that are coming in the next little while, just as I am, if not more so... When I first came to Sunnyvale three years ago, my behavior was catastrophic, I had rage, everything seemed unfair and inconsistent. Yes, because I'm from Saints Row and before I got a scholarship because of my thinking skills and innate intelligence - thank you mom, thank you dad, the only thing you've done right in my life - so I was going to my local high school. And clearly, if I hadn't been able to go to Sunnyvale, I wouldn't be where I am today.
The principal put a satisfied smile on his face. All those years of molding this intelligent and insufferable student will not have been worth it after all.
- Yes, because I wouldn't have gotten this far with the shitty resources and the catastrophic education in my neighborhood," Jack added calmly.
The mayor and the principal of Sunnyvale High School looked at each other in confusion and embarrassment. This was not at all the speech he had presented to them and they had approved.
- Because you see, in the end, success doesn't depend on much more than a little luck. I think of my classmate, Lindsay, who never had to do anything but be born to have a bright future, of all the people who never had to lift a finger. And then there are the others, like us, who had to fight all our lives to exist. I think of you, Tyrone, my friend and supporter, who came from nothing and made it to the end despite the financial pressure on your family, making them understand that money was more important than the fact that you would one day become someone.
- You're going too far, Nathan, stop it right now, the principal said angrily, without loosening his teeth.
- And what about the supervisors of our prestigious school who systematically attacked us, the minorities, and the lost and vulnerable kids from the ghettos of Stilwater? Oh, I don't need to go on and on, you'll answer to God soon enough. Or maybe to the cops directly, after all. But thankfully, thanks to Sunnyvale High School, I was able to rise above it all, because clearly, if I had stayed on Saints Row, I would have been just another delinquent, since that's exactly where I was headed.
- Did you really validate your student's speech? The mayor quietly insisted to the principal. He is going too far.
- Nathan, stop this immediately, or I swear it will end very badly for you, the principal hissed.
- But I survived, just as others will survive in the ghetto, where only the strongest will make it. Never forget how lucky you are to be here, by chance or by your abilities, while others, just as deserving, will die with their mouths open just a few blocks away.
- Because they will have made the wrong choices by not participating in the project of urbanization and safeguarding of the underprivileged districts of our city, aiming at reducing the delinquency and the social misery, intervened the mayor, extremely embarrassed with a smile of false ass which breathed hypocrisy.
He discreetly pushed the teenager as he took his place behind the desk. But Jack wasn't finished and pulled the microphone towards him.
- Through the subsidies promised in your electoral program, of which we have never seen the color in Saints Row. But it's true, Stilwater is a particularly bad town and it's more profitable for the cops to gorge themselves on gang money than to spend taxpayers' money on ghettos where no elite will set foot.
Marshall Winslow sweated profusely and the silence fell on the assembly with the glare fixed on him that did not bode well. He loosened his tie a little and swallowed with difficulty.
- If you say one more word, you little prick, I'll make sure you end up on Saints Row, or worse," the mayor whispered - very - quietly to the insolent Jack.
But the teenager didn't care about the bullying of a crooked politician and took a deep breath to continue his pamphlet. But as he stared out into the crowd, his petty look gave way to a look of great confusion on his face.
In the middle of the crowd, several Hispanic men sat down in chairs after shooing the occupants away. The most imposing, a tall, muscular man with a black mustache and long, jet-colored hair braided down his back, had numerous tattoos on his arms, but what intrigued Jack was the cross around his neck. It wasn't just any cross. It was clearly the symbol of the Carnales.
The men were all dressed in the same colors. White shirts, black suit jackets and red pants.
Jack opened his mouth wide and no sound came out. Why were the Carnales at this ceremony?
The teenager panicked, convinced they had come for him.
- I... he said to the crowd.
He looked around, hoping to see some support.
- I... I... The... He stammered.
- Damn it, Nathan, pull yourself together! The director shouted.
Jack covered his face with both hands and panicked. When he spread his fingers, he could see through the gap and fell straight onto the Carnales, who were sitting quietly for the moment.
- What this young man meant was that you are the elite of tomorrow," said the mayor. The one who has conquered everything and the one who rises above the rest. I'm from Saints Row myself, and the proof is in the pudding that you can make it, no matter where you come from. You have done well this year and this diploma is recognition of the fruits of your efforts. Be proud of it and continue to do your best for years to come.
The entire crowd rose to applaud the mayor, who had placed his hand on the shoulder of a stunned Jack who was hyperventilating in terror. The principal took over the ceremony and after a quick speech, kicked off the hat toss, collectively showing the enthusiasm of the young graduates for finishing high school.
Only Jack did not participate, and suddenly, while his expression was still frozen, two tears rolled down his cheeks.
- You're an obedient boy, that's right kid," the mayor whispered, thinking that it was his threat that had put Jack in this state.
He took Jack's hat himself and threw it into the sky. The large Carnales man stood up from his chair and motioned for his men to follow him. They disappeared as quickly as they had arrived, without a word or a gesture.
They had just come to intimidate him, Jack was convinced.
That meant they had traced him, and it was only a matter of time before they made him pay.
Jack ran off the stage and made a short hop down. He furtively crossed paths with Lindsay, who gave him a glare for the unflattering remark he had made to her. But he didn't care, and pushed his way out of the crowd as quickly as possible.
- Man! Tyrone stopped him. You're the biggest fucker in the world!
- Ty! I saw them!
- The problems? You bet your ass you've seen them," his friend joked.
- The Carnales ! The fucking Carnales ! They were there!
- What, the Spanish gang there? You're at war with them too, I thought this was just about the Vice Kings.
- You don't understand, Ty! Jack panicked, grabbing him by his toga. They came for you and me!
- For... You AND me? Tyrone realized.
- The money we're making off Benjamin's dope is an obvious loss for them. The Carnales never had any competition in Stilwater, they probably heared that we were running a business!
- Are you kidding me...? I thought your story was safe!
- For fuck's sake Tyrone, it's drugs! Stop pretending you didn't know it was safe!
- But... are the Carnales dangerous...?
- Are they dangerous? They've been ruining this city for thirty years and killing people everywhere! The Lopez are going to kill us if we keep this up!
All of a sudden, a very disturbing feeling came over Tyrone: that he had made the mistake of his life.
- I have to go to Jul!
- I... I'm coming with you, Nate. I don't like this story...
In spite of the incomprehension of his parents, Ty ran away from them and took the direction of the church of the third street with his friend. They arrived breathless in the place of worship where many Saints were hanging out without any real purpose.
- Hey Playa," a young Saint girl said.
- Is Julius here?
- Uh... Yeah, but he's in a briefing with Dex, Johnny, Troy and Lin I think and...
Jack didn't let her finish her sentence and pulled Ty by the sleeve to accompany him into Julius' office. The two boys walked in without knocking, which greatly annoyed the leader of the Saints.
- Playa. And...? Jul asked, not knowing Tyrone.
- Julius, we have a problem," said Jack, almost feverishly.
- It better be something urgent for you to have taken the liberty of disturbing us like this.
Julius stood up from his seat and Jack was overwhelmed by his presence. He wasn't the leader for nothing, he had the charisma. He didn't know why, but the teenager was unable to say a word because he was suddenly afraid of his boss. Jack knew that what he had done was against the rules of the Saints and as he saw his friends stare at him without understanding, he knew he had just done the stupidest thing in his short life.
Stealing from Benjamin without sharing the profits or even mentioning it to the gang, Julius was going to be furious and Jack couldn't lose his place in the Saints.
- What do you want, son?
- We were just talking about you," Lin revealed, seeing him completely stoic.
- About me...? Jack worried.
- Dude, we were dividing up the duties and we figured we needed one more lieutenant in the gang, so we all thought of the same person," Johnny added proudly.
- You want to make me lieutenant? Jack realized.
- We've been thinking about it, and it's a no-brainer," Julius confirmed. Your name comes up every time. I'm repeating myself, but your work with the Vice Kings was exceptional and I'd like to offer you this opportunity in the gang.
- I put a caveat on your age, but apparently it's not a disqualifier," Troy said, lighting a cigarette.
- Jack, boy. I'd like you to take on more responsibility at the Saints by giving you men to lead. I wish I could do that more formally, but since we're here, why wait?
- Congratulations Playa," smiled Dex.
- How do you feel about taking on such a role? It's a lot of pressure, I can hear it.
Jack didn't expect such an offer at all and turned to Tyrone, who was giving him the stink eye to get him to come clean about their business. But as he looked around the room, the young Saint could only see the enthusiastic look of his friends who were looking at him with pride. How could he say no without looking like a fucking traitor?
- I didn't expect it at all... Does this mean I'll have guys under my orders? Jack asked.
- Absolutely, as well as a more technical role than the one you have now, even if between us, your work was already at the level of what I ask of my officers, confirmed Julius.
- Two ranks on the same day, Jack Saint, you're not doing too badly for a member of the full-virgin team, Lin laughed.
- Ex-full-virgin," corrected Johnny.
- So, what do you think? Julius insisted.
- Jul... I'm honored. Of course I'll do it! Jack said, still not believing it.
- Then it's a done deal. From now on, Jack is a member of the ranks just like you. Troy remains your superior.
- Well done buddy! Johnny exclaimed, throwing himself into Jack's arms, so much so that Jack recoiled under his weight.
- Congratulations Playa, you are clearly the one who deserved it the most! Dex said with a smile.
- Yeah, not bad for a kid like you. We'll see if you're really up to it, said Lin pettiness.
- As you say, I think you're too young for such a role, but well, we know you're good," said Troy.
- Thanks guys, I don't know what to say... Jack admitted.
- Maybe what we came here for? brought Ty back to reality.
- Oh yeah right, you told us you had a problem? Jul remembered.
How could I admit to him now that he had made a phenomenal mistake...? Jack didn't feel able to disappoint him that much anymore...
- Oh... It wasn't that urgent. I just wanted to know if my buddy Tyrone could join us, he lied.
- Dude! Ty exclaimed in surprise.
- And it couldn't wait ? " Troy quipped.
- Yes, of course it could," smiled Jack, with an air of unease. But I was so excited to ask.
- I'll leave it up to you to decide for your friend, it will be your first decision as lieutenant. And I'll let you organize his canonization at the same time," Julius said. I'm counting on you to train him as best you can.
- Of course I will! Thank you, Jul. I won't let you down.
As he walked down the steps of the church, Jack felt as if he were getting stuck in a lie that he would have a hard time getting out of. But being a lieutenant with the Saints gave him a significant advantage: he would have men who could never legitimately question his orders. This would provide him with an interesting protection against the Carnales.
- Are you out of your mind? Ty snapped out of his musings.
- Hm?
- Why didn't you tell your big boss here? I thought he was going to do something to get us out of this mess!
- The problem is partially solved, this promotion will give me a lot more power than I expected. I'm going to be able to fix this myself.
- I thought we had a gang of killers on our back!
- Nope. That's not what I said. Then again, maybe it was just a fluke. We have to be careful, but right now there's no need to panic.
- Nathan... You're losing your mind, man... I'm not going to do this shit anymore. I don't want to die for a few bucks and a few chicks.
- Ty, you're always overreacting.
- I'm always overreacting ? Come on, man, you're serious. I was just trying to have a comfortable future before you came into my life.
- Oh yeah? You think I ruined your fucking life too? Jack said.
- Well, maybe you did," Tyrone retorted. I don't know why I followed you, you're a pain in the ass!
- You know what? Fuck you, Ty.
- Fuck me? Remember who almost got his ass fucked because of his gang stuff ?
- You don't know what you're talking about, so shut the fuck up! Jack ordered him, grabbing him by the collar of his robe.
As the two boys got ready to fight, Troy walked up to them with a suspicious look on his face.
- Something wrong, boys?
Tyrone and Jack glared at each other before parting ways.
- I'm going home," said Jack, who had no desire to explain himself.
The young boy turned his back on the church and walked ruminating towards Mission Beach.
Tyrone stood on the steps of the church in disbelief and worry. Did he have to be suspicious of all the people wearing red in their outfits?
Even coming from a working class neighborhood, Ty had never really been confronted with gangs as influential as the Carnales and didn't really know how to react in this case...
- I haven't seen you around here before. Troy woke him up and approached him.
- No sir. I'm just in the same class as Nate...as Jack," Ty said.
- Um... And do you hang out with him too, or are you just a little bit smarter than him to stay away from that shit?
Tyrone hesitated to answer him, but alone and without any support, he saw in Troy a potential ally.
- No sir... I think we're in trouble...
- You young people are really out of your minds. What have you done?
- We found some drugs... and we're selling them to the neighborhood. But the Carnales group apparently spotted us and we don't know what to do...
Troy sighed exaggeratedly, more out of sympathy than out of genuine annoyance.
- Where did you get this? And what kind of drug is it?
- It's cocaine, we found it at Benjamin King's.
- At Benjamin King's house? Troy repeated.
- Yeah... He gave his keys to Na... to Jack and we went to his place. And then we found his entire stash.
- And now you're selling it all back... What the hell were you thinking?
- It was going well at first... But now Jack says he's been running into this gang a little too often. He's sure they're coming for him. And for me, too.
- And what are you waiting for to tell the police? Are you waiting for one of you to get shot? Troy lectured him.
- No... But...
- But what, man! You're shading the city's drug cartel and you're surprised you're in trouble? But you've got nothing in your head despite your IQ's which are useless in the end! Get rid of this shit right now if you don't want to end up six feet under or sinking to the bottom of the sea!
The prospect of ending up at the bottom of a lake caused Tyrone to break out in a cold, unpleasant sweat. He was terrified of the retaliation stories, so he promised Troy that he would do what was necessary and prayed inwardly that a God would have mercy on him.
With Tyrone's case settled, Troy decided to go straight to his protégé's house to say a few words and save him from certain death. But when he arrived in his street, he was struck by a strange smell, like kerosene. Suspicious, Troy went around the houses. They all looked the same, made of poor quality wood, surrounded by high fences, or separated by dirt roads, littered with garbage, needles and used condoms. Troy hated this kind of place, as danger could come from any side, so he took every precaution to climb over the wooden fence of the Collins' little house with a trash can. Seeing Troy break into his yard, Jack recoiled, not expecting to see him at all.
- What the hell are you doing in my house! the teenager snarled.
Troy didn't bother to answer him, seeing him very concentrated around an iron barrel in which a live fire was burning.
- The police could have done some research to find out where it came from, Troy huffed as he lit a cigarette from the flames.
- The city's shitty police force that was messing with the Kings? Probably, yeah. Or the guys would have kept it for their own consumption. It's all shit in this town.
- I can't say you're entirely wrong," Troy admitted. You made the best decision, kid.
- The best, I don't know... But if it keeps me alive, yeah, probably.
- And don't be too hard on your buddy. He was worried about you.
- I shouldn't have brought him into this... Jack admitted with a sigh. But, it was a chance in a million to get some money. I'm all alone, Troy... I couldn't get by.
- Listen Jack... Troy said paternally, putting both hands on his shoulders. Do you want help? I don't know... Maybe find you a foster home or something to...
- A Foster home !? the teenager snapped. I spent my whole childhood in foster care, it was a nightmare!
- Okay, no foster care, I'll take that. A teenage center then?
- What the hell is wrong with you, you think you're a child welfare case or something?
- Jack, I just want to help you. I'm not your enemy. You shouldn't be out there all by yourself.
- That's the way it's always been, I'm used to it.
- Yeah, I don't doubt that, but it doesn't make it right.
- Besides, I'm not really alone. I'm part of the Saints now, they're my family.
- Jack... Troy sighed in great weariness. The Saints will last as long as it lasts. If by some miracle Julius manages to take control of the city, he won't be able to maintain it forever. You won't last long as a gangster, you can see that for yourself. Don't kid yourself, by remaining an important and active member of the gang, there are only two options available to you. Either you die or you end up in jail, is that really what you want to do with your life?
Death and prison were still somewhat abstract concepts for young Jack, but he didn't like the prospect. But what he really questioned in the end was Troy's behavior.
- Can I ask you a question, Troy?
- Yeah, sure.
- What the hell are you doing in the Saints? Especially as a captain? You don't give a shit about the gang deep down.
A little surprised by the remark, Troy took a few seconds to understand all the words.
- No, I do care," he finally said. But it's true, I don't share Jul's philosophy. I don't want to see fifteen or sixteen year olds with guns in the streets getting shot or mutilated... I want things to change in the neighborhood, but not to end up in a bloodbath. And more than that, I'm sick of seeing kids like Diego end up disabled, or guys like Future or Eazy-E die for nothing in the end.
- I see...
- That's why I want to help you, Jack. You've got potential to do a lot of things, why are you getting stuck in this?
- Because... I feel like I'm finally doing something useful and that makes me feel good...
- I'd like to help you out kid. I want you to hear that you can come to me whenever you need to and we can work it out together.
- I feel like I'm screwing up Troy...
- Nah Jack, you're not screwing it up. And we can still make it right. You're young and you're blessed with real skills that will get you through this.
- But I'm not doing it alone... I need the money and I can't stand to be here without anyone. It's too hard Troy...
- Look, maybe we can, I don't know, get you a real legal job? So yeah, you won't make as much money, let's be clear, but it'll be a step towards something more secure for you.
- Work where? And for what? I'm not very handy ...
- You're a good talker, maybe a receptionist?
- I'm really shy... I don't like talking to people.
- Freckle Bitches is recruiting. So yeah, it's not your dream job, we agree, but you'll be with kids your own age, it might be good for you to be around guys other than the Saints.
- I don't know about that ...
- We can give it a try, what do you say?
- I don't know...
- I'm never gonna let you down. Okay? Jack, I want you to hear and understand that I will always be there to help you, okay? Troy said, putting both hands on the teenager's shoulders.
- Why are you interested in me all of a sudden...?
- Because I feel that I can save you, unlike some other guys who are already lost forever...
Jack didn't really understand what or who he was referring to, but he was content with this explanation as he looked at the black smoke that was coming out of the barrel in his garden...