The ABC's of Perfect Mistakes

Chapter Four: D is for Deceitful

Jak followed Parker as she drove back to the Underground. He stayed at least three or four zoomers behind her, he didn't want to be any closer to her then he had to be. He gripped the handlebars as he took a corner, he didn't trust the girl. He didn't believe she really switched sides and he was waiting for that moment when he'd catch her with Erol and he could kill them both with one swing. The idea of killing his tormentors made him chuckle and he raced to catch up with Parker. The longer she was alive the more his anger burned and boiled inside of him. She switched driving zones quickly and almost took out three pedestrians, she shouted back her apologises and kept going.

"Jak watch out!" Daxter shouted but it was too late, he bumped a Krimzon Guard zoomer. The sirens started to go off and the boys raced out of there. Jak glared back at the men as he rounded the corner into the Slums and cursed himself for losing Parker. She was probably off with Erol plotting with him behind a dumpster. The heat followed him all the way to the alley and he slipped easily inside of the Hideout. The doors slammed close and listened to the guards argue.

"Who's there?" Parker called out coming into the hall. She looked at the boys and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"The guards were following us."

"Well come on," She said motioning for them to follow. "Torn was going to give me a mission but I guess you two can tag along."

Jak growled, he didn't want to go anywhere or work on anything with this girl. He rather kill her now and get it over with. "We're not friends." Jak snapped. "We're not allies either. Don't forget what I promised you."

She paused but kept walking.

Torn glanced up as they came in. "I have a mission for you."

"You always do," Parker chuckled and leaned on the table. "What's up?"

"One of spies in the guard has informed me of a secret meeting with the big players of Haven." Torn said pointing to the Hip Hog Heaven. "It's being held by Krew. He's representing himself, Lena's there for Kras, the Baron will be there for himself as well."

"And you want me to go for the Underground?"

"No." Torn said quickly. "I'm sending Amberly in for that with another representative for the people. You're going on behalf of your family's name and the Bazaars."

"What are the chances the Baron won't take this opportunity to kill us?"

"Krew said it's supposed to be a fair meeting, no guns, no death, and no bloodshed."

"And you're taking his word for it?"

"We have to show we're willingly to corporate with the guard and that we're not just some group of murders and troublemakers."

Parker chuckled. "Then you've never truly met me."

Parker always found dinner parties boring, but a political dinner party? She was sure she'd died and gone to Hell. She rather have her teeth pulled than sit and listen to everyone argue over cheap beer, stale chips and smoking cigarette butts. She watched the smoke rings float to the ceiling creating a layer of gray haze under the lights, she also, absentmindedly, rang her finger around the sweat marks from beers long gone. She glanced around the table. Krew floated slightly above everyone else and was currently in a shouting match with Lena over territories, Parker could tell by the smug look on Krew's face he was winning. Amberly was in a hush conversation with the representative for the people, he was a skinny kid with high cheek bones and pointed shoulders. Parker knew as soon as he walked in he was suffering from starvation, and he confirmed it after he wolfed down a whole plate of chips and sweaty cheese. She looked over to the Baron, who kept eyeing the chair next to him, he looked nervous. Parker smiled and sighed heavily getting the attention of everyone at the table.

"Are you bored, Drake?" Krew snapped.

"Just a bit." Parker leaned back in her chair. "Aren't we supposed to be finding a way to come together and defeat the Metal Heads?"

"I'm not working with her." Krew snarled pointing Lena.

"That's very mature of you." Lena snapped back. "Are you going to pull on my pigtails too?"

"I'll shot you're tails of eh!"

"Bring it on fat man!"

"Let's get back on topic," Parker grumbled rubbing her head. "We're all here because we want the war to end, so let's just put the Kid on the throne and end this."

"I won't give up my rule!" The Baron bellowed.

"It's not your throne." Amberly snapped. "The Kid belongs on the throne and you know it. He's the true heir and he will rule the city with the Shadow's help." She leaned on the table. "Get your ass of that throne and beg for the mercy of the people!"

"Oh my God," Lena gasped. "I think we've corrupted her!"

"If you won't give the throne to the Kid," the man beside Amberly stood, ignoring the Crime Lady's comment. "At least give it to the Drake House."

"I'm perfectly fine with that." Parker smirked.

"Of course you are," The Baron snarled.

"Any other suggestions?" Lena asked. "Because so far I've heard that Krew doesn't like me, you," she pointed at the Baron. "Don't want the Kid on the throne, and they," She said motioning to Amberly and the man. "Want him up there. And I think we can all agree that Parker as Baroness is generally a bad idea."

Parker smirked. "You're no fun Lena."

"What do the Bazaars want?"

"Who cares?" The Baron shouted, he looked to Amberly. "Tell the Shadow to disband his rebellion and turn himself in!"

"No!" The man shouted. "We won't disband and we will take what's ours!" He reached into pocket and pulled out a knife. "Death to the Baron!" He leapt from his chair on to the table, he charged at the man as everyone else stood. Before Parker could reach out and yank him off the table there was a deafening bang, she slapped her hands over her ears as the man fell back on the table. Even through the ringing she could hear Amberly screaming. Standing at the front door was Erol, his pistol smoking and a dangerous smirk on his face. Parker pushed away from the table as he sauntered into the room.

"Started without me?"

"Where's Ashelin?" the Baron demanded.

"Caught up at the Pumping Station," Erol answered in a bored tone. "Sent a unit to help her." He scanned the table. "So this is an interesting party." He pointed to Amberly. "A traitor," He looked to Lena. "A lucky cow," His eyes slid to Parker, they were cold as ever and froze her in spot. "And the wannabe."

"You shouldn't have shot that boy." Lena snapped. "There's no weapons here, that's what we agreed to."

Erol poked the man. "I guess he didn't get the message."

"If you're here in place of Ashelin you must follow the rules," Amberly said. "Put your gun away and let's talk like civil and mature adults."

"It's not like we've made any progress." Parker grumbled. "I think this meeting's over." She motioned to the table. "Normally when the foods all gone everyone clears out anyways."

"Let's go then," Lena said moving to her friends. "C'mon Park, Am."

"Wait!" Erol shouted pointing his gun at them. "All of you are traitors! You should be hanged and then shot!"

"Why hang us if you're just gonna shoot us? OWW- what the hell Park!" Lena snapped rubbing her rib cage.

"The Shadow has sent men to protect us." Amberly said stepping forward. "He wouldn't send a group of his allies into hostile territory without aide." She pointed to the door. "We're going to walk out those doors and head home, wherever that might be, and go to bed."

The Baron raised his hand to silence Erol before he could speak. "You've come a long way Amberly, I respect that and I respect your courage for coming tonight." He motioned to the door. "Go, this is the last time any of you get a pardon. Next time we won't be so generous."

Amberly nodded. "Thank you." She said moving past Lena, looking away from The Baron and Erol. Lena dragged Parker out of the room, she glanced back every so often to make sure they didn't fire at them. The doors slid close behind them. Parker felt the chill of Haven's twilight seeping into her bones, she shivered in spite of herself and kept pace with Lena but not with Amberly. The girl walked ten steps ahead of her, fist swinging back and forth. Finally, Lena broke away from Parker and ran to Amberly. She spun the blonde and forced her to look at them. Tears streaked her face and snot ran from her nose. She wiped her face with her sleeve and laughed a bit. "I'm sorry."

"No man," Lena twittered. "That was awesome! When'd you become such a badass?"

"I don't know." Amberly whispered, she held out her hands. They were shaking and she giggled to herself. "I was so scared."

"You kept it cooler than I did, I thought I was gonna pee myself!"

"I think I did!" Amberly laughed but her laughter soon turned to sobs that shook her whole body. Amberly covered her face and kept crying until Lena wrapped her arms around their friend. She smoothed her hair and shushed her until Amberly's cries were only a kitten's whimper. Parker turned to look back at the bar, Erol stood outside and watched them. With his finger he made a gun and pointed at her, he pretended to fire once, twice, three times.

Amberly. Lena. Parker. She didn't know who she feared more, Jak or Erol.

TBC…