Chapter 6
Training on ThanksGiving
Max got up bright and early,more than ready for today's events. She loved teaching new recruits the ways of her and the other gangs. It felt like she was a mentor to the new ones. She went downstairs to find everyone was already there.
Nathan was talking to the four new recruits. "Today you will be training hard. Each of you will be given a new mentor within a half an hour. They will teach you about the other gangs,our territory,gun accuracy and fighting techniques. To make sure you were paying attention I will personally ask you questions on each of those four things. With all of that said let us begin." He turned to his gang. Max you'll teach Steph about the other gangs,Chloe you'll teach Drew fighting techniques,Warren you'll teach Eliot about our territory and the other gang's territory and Victoria will teach Mikey with gun accuracy. Kate you'll switch with Max,Rachel you'll switch with Chloe and Warren you'll switch with Victoria."
They all nodded. "Alright then. Get started."Nathan ordered. They all went to where they were assigned to. Max,Kate and Steph went outside of the building before she spoke to Steph. "If after what I tell you,you have any questions ask them at the end."Max said. "Kay."Steph replied.
"The Raiders are lead by a man named Frank Bowers. He he's also a drug dealer. Unlike most gangs,they usually try to sneak into a gang's territory,loot anything they can find and attack by surprise. All members of that gang have a dragon tattoo on their right arm so look on their arm." Steph nodded. "The Stormers are...well an odd gang to say the least. They only fight if it's their last option so they're peaceful. Their leader is named Brody Holloway. He is a wise and understanding man but don't get too soft around him. All members of the gang have a tattoo of a storm cloud on their back except Brody."
Steph nodded again. "The Firewalk gang are an extremely violent gang lead by Damon Merrick. He's beyond violent and completely unpredictable so be very caution around him. All members of the gang have a red rag tied somewhere on their body." Steph nodded. "The BlackHell gang are the biggest gang here and our rivals. Their leader is named Wells Raymond. He's smart,rich and powerful but push him far enough and he can be as violent as Damon. All members of that gang wear black clothes from top to bottom all day everyday."
She turned to Steph. "Are there any questions?"she asked. "Yeah,are any of this gangs close with each other? Like as in allies?"Steph asked. Max shook her head. "All gangs are enemies except when the blood moon rises. Then we meet up at a junkyard and have a truce. Also in public places during the day."Max replied. Steph nodded. Max looked at her watch. It read 3:30. "Kate will be your mentor for now."Max said to her. "She'll be able to give you a bit more insight of the gangs." Kate took over with the teaching giving more detail of the gangs especially Firewalk. Kate was once in their gang but when she saw how Damon was treating people even his own gang members she ran away.
One day she had accidentally cross over their border and Chloe caught her. She dragged her back to their building and Nathan immediately questioned her. After about three days of questioning and imprisonment Nathan said she was good and could join the gang permanently. From that day forward Kate was an honorary member of the TimeWarrior gang and her girlfriend. Max always felt as if she was god's gift to her since that how she felt when she was with Kate. She was someone who Max would protect with her life. Once Kate was finished her part of the teaching Max checked her watch. It read 3:55. "Let's head back to the building. Steph is done this part of her training."Kate nodded and they walked back to the building.
Everyone was already there except for Drew,Rachel and Chloe. "Ten bucks Chloe kicked his butt."Warren said to Victoria. "No way. Chloe is good but Drew could slam her to the floor with no problem. I put twenty on Drew."Victoria argued. "Guys please,Max said to them. "Obviously Rachel kicked both their butts. I put forty on Rachel."Max declares boldly. "You're on Max."Victoria and Warren said. Moments later Chloe,Rachel and Drew walked in. "So what happened?"Kate asked them. "I kicked both their butts."Rachel declared with a smile. "Alright,pay up losers."Max saud holding out her hand. Victoria and Warren grumbled but took forty dollars from the pockets and put it in her hand.
"I still want a rematch later."Chloe said to Rachel who laughed. "Remind me never to get on any of you twos bad side."Drew said. "We will."Rachel replied. "I'm assuming they're all ready?"Nathan asked the mentors. They nodded. He turned to them. "Drew,before any fight what two things do you do?"Nathan asked. "Size up your opponent and look for potential weaknesses."Drew replied. Nathan nodded and Rachel gave him a slight smile. "Steph,what color rag do the Firewalk gang have tied to their body?"
"Red."Steph said immediately. Nathan nodded before turning to Eliot. "Where are the markings for our border placed?" "On the left wall of the breakfast restaurant,the thick pole near the police station and near our spy friend's base."Eliot replied. Nathan nodded then turned to Mikey. "What are the two best scopes for a shotgun?" "A 32x scope and 4x32 mm."he said. Nathan nodded and went back to the beginning asking them all different questions. Some time he ceased with the questions. "Good job recruits,"he praised. "You did well for your first day. Tomorrow you'll switch mentors." They nodded with smiles. Nathan looked at his watch the looked at the others. "It's time to go to Mark's."
"Yoo-hoo!"Warren cried happily. Nathan chuckled. Max wouldn't say it out aloud,but she was really looking forward to the ThanksGiving feast. "Let's go then."Nathan said. They turned walked to Mark's place. Fifteen minutes later they made it to Mark's place. Nathan knocked on the door. "Who is it?"Mark asked. Max could literary hear is smile from the opposite of the door. "It's Nathan."Nathan said rolling his eyes. "Nathan? Hmm,I don't remember inviting a Nathan here."Mark replied,trying hard not to laugh. "Man just open the door will ya?"Nathan said exasperated. Mark burst out laughing as he opened the door. "Come on in guys."he said gesturing for them for come in.
They eagerly walked in.
Mark had already prepared the table with the food and beverages. "I assume that you guys are staying in the gang?"Mark asked Drew. "Yes we are. Beats the life of homelessness."Drew replied. "That it does."Mark agreed. They all sat around the table. "At long last."Warren sighed as he cut a piece of ham. "I swear,food is all you think about."Max told him. "That's not true! It just happens to be the main thing I think about." Warren potested. "My point exactly."Max said. Warren grumbled as he took a slice of the macaroni pie.
"Dam! Victoria I don't know how you cooked this ham but it's really good."Chloe praised. "Thanks Chloe."Victoria replied. "If only you had cooked your casserole like this."Chloe added wistfully. "You couldn't just let the moment flow,could ya?"Victoria asked. "Nope."Chloe replied. Victoria shook her head but didn't say anything. "This is so delicious!"Mikey exclaimed happily with a mouth full of food. "Mikey! Manners!"Steph said sternly to him. "It's fine Steph. I understand how hard it's been for you four with finding enough food to eat. So please help yourselves to as much as you can."Nathan told them. Drew and Eliot nodded,more than happy to oblige.
"Anyone want something to drink?"Mark asked. "Bring out the wine!"Chloe yelled. "Remember Chloe. Two drinks only."Nathan told her. She rolled her eyes and grumbled,"Sure." During some time after,Drew got up and lightly clicked his fork against his wine glass. All the talking immediately died down. Drew cleared his throat and spoke. "They say that ThanksGiving is a day where you give thanks for the things you are thankful. And I would like to say,on behalf everyone,that we are thankful for you all for taking us in and giving us something we'd never thought we'd have." His eyes began to water but he willed them not to fall.
"And for that,we thank you."Mikey finished for his brother placing a hand gently on his arm. "We thank you."Steph and Eliot said in unison. Everyone turned to Nathan. He looked happy and sad at the same time. "You are more than welcomed. You are family here and family is forever."he said looking at all of them in turn. "Seriously man! Are you trying to make me cry?"Chloe asked annoyed though there was a slight tremble in her voice. "It's ok to cry Chloe. We don't want you to be an expressionless robot after all."Rachel told her and they all resumed eating,talking and laughing.