Author's Rant: Enjoy and thanks so much for the support!
Debts and Debtors
More than a week passed after what happened to Yugi, Granddad and me. Mr. Pegasus kept his word about the protection of my family. I hadn't seen a single Red Blood since the incident and either that was because they were hiding from Atem or scared of Pegasus. Either was fine by me. For the most part, I've been managing the shop and taking care of Yugi.
My brother's afraid to leave his room; too terrified of thinking those thugs would be waiting for him outside. Tristan came over a couple of times, but not even the kid's best friend could coax him out to play ball. We were both excused from school after I explained our family's little crisis. I wouldn't get into too much detail.
After all, Mr. Pegasus was right. The less media involved the better. I had another five days before I prepared to play my part for the assignment given to me. Pegasus hadn't waited a full day before Duke was knocking on my door with the contact and a full description of my role in his gang.
I'm known as Act I, ll, and lll; nicknamed phases for the plan he wanted carried out. I figured it had something to do with Atem and Yami. The contact only confirmed my suspicions. I was grateful for the time he gave me to think over my decision, but it wasn't much. My decision was final, my mission absolute. So long as I got what I needed, I didn't give a fuck who fell along the way.
I'm done with being the model citizen. It's gotten me nowhere trying to uphold a standard for the world or maintaining a decent living for my family. I'm the strongest, the main provider, and I've done a piss poor job of keeping up that authority. Not anymore. My family will see salvation. They will get freedom from this hell. If signing my life to the hands of this man meant permanent peace for them, then so be it.
For five days, I can be the person I was born as, the brother Yugi adores, the responsible and dutiful grandson. Only for five more days; then . . . I'll have to abandon all that I am. To get into character for my mission meant getting rid of the bonds sealed with my family. Mr. Pegasus made that known as well. Once the Mediums come for my brother, the games will begin.
The rest of week is dedicated only to Yugi and me. I woke up early this morning to fix his favorites for breakfast. Strawberry smothered pancakes, softly cooked turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, honey butter biscuits and cinnamon oatmeal. The smell of all this sweetness was bound to lure him out of bed. Hopefully—
A soft whine came from behind me, and I turned from scooping eggs out of the skillet to see Yugi standing in the entryway, rubbing a fist over his eye, yawning and wearing one of my baggy t-shirts and some Scooby Doo pajama pants. He blinked like he'd just woke up in a new house until he saw me and made a beeline straight over.
I put the plate down and held out my arms. He walked into them and with a good tug and pull, he was up in my arms. He laid his head on my shoulder, arms and legs wrapped tight around me.
"Mornin' kiddo."
Yugi yawned again. "Mornin'," he grumbled. "Why are you up so early? I thought we didn't have school."
"Nah, we don't." I turned him around to see the spread of food. "I just thought we could have a big breakfast, just the two of us."
Yugi lifted his head and leaned over, a small smile appearing on his face. "Is Grandpa gonna be here too?"
"Not today, squirt. He said he had to finish ordering some more shipments for the shop." This lie would only pacify his curiosity for so long. Luckily, Yugi never questioned it. "I fixed everything you liked."
Yugi hugged my neck. "Thank you. And look, none of its burnt!"
"Cut it out," I playfully smacked his head. "Either be grateful or starve."
Yugi pulled back and smashed his face into mine. "I'll starve before eatin' your food!"
"I doubt that. Whew God kiddo, yuck" I laughed, clapping my hand over his mouth. "New rule, brush your teeth before hugging big brother. Did you lick skunk booty for dinner or what?"
Yugi gasped, cupping his hands over his mouth. "That's not funny!" He swatted at my face.
I caught his hand. Fear shot across Yugi's face in a flash the minute I squeezed. I saw it before he had a chance to hide it away behind his banes. My stomach in knots, I loosened my grip and kissed each finger.
"Sorry, kiddo."
"I'm OK. It doesn't hurt that much," he promised. Yugi squirmed until I put him on his feet. "I'm gonna go brush my teeth."
"Alright, I'll have your plate ready." I sent him off with a pat on his butt, watching the low slump in his shoulders.
I sighed, and ran a hand over my hair. How long would it be before Yugi recovered from this? Mr. Pegasus wouldn't even tell me what those assholes did to the kid, and I think that comes from not knowing himself. When asked, Yugi never says a word about it. The last time I asked he broke down and refused to sleep by himself. I stayed up all night with him watching cartoons.
That wasn't the life I wanted Yugi to know. He should want to live, to step outside and be happy to see the sunshine. I blew out a short grunt and went to fixing our plates. Soon, is all I can really say. A part of me wanted this shit to go down immediately. However, the other half, the part of me I would soon sacrifice desperately needed this time.
Yugi came back with a cleaner face and fresher breath. He crawled in the chair next to mine and for a while, we ate in silence. Forks clicked the plates; we took sips from our orange juice and not much else. I finished first, while Yugi picked at his eggs.
I frowned. He'd barely eaten any of his food. "You OK, brat?"
He nodded. "I'm OK," he mumbled.
"Aren't you hungry?"
He paused, eyes closed tight before shaking his head and pushing the plate away. "My belly hurts."
"Hurts how?" I stood from my chair and kneeled next to his. "Show me."
Yugi gripped the end of the shirt, face glowing red.
"Come on, lemme see."
Yugi balled up his mouth before rolling the shirt up to his chest.
I swallowed and looked away. Those colors, those marks. I stood up and walked away.
"Heba, I'm sorry—"
"Finish your breakfast!" I kept walking down the hall. My anger got the best of me. I'm distant, far and gone from my brother's voice as he calls out to me, begs for forgiveness.
No . . . I . . . I couldn't stand it. I walked into the storage room and paced back and forth, taking deep breaths, anything to calm my nerves. There were three solid fine shoe prints embedded on that boy's chest and stomach. How fucking hard were they stomping him? A fucking kid! MY FUCKING BROTHER!
How long have they been hurting him? Why haven't I ever noticed when I asked him if he needed help in the bathroom. Was that why he refused? Did he think I'd be angry? Why the hell would he think it was his fault! What did those animals say to him?
"Fuck!" I slammed my fist in the wall. The bones ached, reviving the throb of pain. It wasn't enough to get through. I wanted to break something, smash and destroy. I just wanted to get rid of this feeling. No matter how loud I screamed or tore at the supplies in the storage, nothing could erase that image from my mind.
I promised to protect that child since he was born. I promised my parents when they died. I promised Granddad and I promised Yugi. Nothing was left for me to break as I finally took in the damage. I don't remember how it happened. The windows were broken, the boxes toppled over, cards scattered all over the floors, punched holes in the walls, there was so much.
Now, without my anger, I only felt empty. Crumbling to the floor, I closed my eyes and kept breathing, counting inside from one to ten. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, and breathe out. In, out, in and out. Slow and deep, slow and deep. A heaviness swallowed me whole and suddenly the room was so cold and enormous.
It seemed the only sensation to exist, the only one to matter. I embraced it now, knowing it'd be my alley. Absorbing it inside, I welcomed the chill, anger, and void. It would last a mere moment before a tiny bit of warmth encircled me, sweet and small.
I jerked open my eyes. All I saw was a bed of bright colored hair and smelled Irish Spring soap. A pressure around my head squeezed and words traveled at a snail's pace from a tunnel it seemed. I listened, following it to a brighter light.
Yugi.
I blinked into reality. My face is pressed so close to Yugi's stomach, daring to breathe meant certain doom.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," is what I hear echoing as worn as an old record.
My arms rose and wrapped around his body, heavy as chains. "No, I'm sorry," I whispered. I lifted my head and stared into his eyes. "You didn't do anything wrong."
Yugi's eyes glossed, red and shiny. I chuckled softly. He never was a cute crier. "H-He-Heba, don't be ma-mad anymore," he hiccupped and hugged my head again. "I-I don't like you when you're like this."
"I'm not mad at you, Yugi. . . I'm—I'm mad at myself."
Yugi sniffled, rubbing under his nose. "Why? I'm the one who got beat up."
"And that's why I'm so pissed." I brought our foreheads together. "I'm supposed to look out for ya, kid. I'm supposed to be the big brother. Instead, I let you down."
"But," Yugi took advantage of our closeness and bumped his forehead to mine, "you never let me down Heba. You're the best big brother. All of my friends talk about how cool it is to have a famous brother. I get all the ice cream I want." He giggled. "You always make me happy. I don't care about that other stuff . . . . It's not your fault I got hurt. I'll be ready next time they come. I won't cry like some sissy boy. I promise."
He promised for the next time it happened. Fury reared up inside, but Yugi's face buried into my neck before I could unleash its unholy glory. I rubbed his back, and picked him up. There wasn't going to be a second time for him.
Not if I had anything to say about it.
"You wanted to bring me here 'cause why?"
I grinned uneasily. "I'm kinda short on cash, so I thought," I shrugged.
Dr. Hakase Fudo switched the toothpick in his mouth to the other side, skeptically eyeballing the spread of snacks I ordered for Yugi and myself. The only thing I offered to pay for was the bottle of water for the good doctor.
He narrowed his blue eyes before rolling them to the ground. "Uh-uh," he grunted and leaned back, draping his arm on the back of the booth. "I don't do freebies. I expect to be fully compensated for your half of the meal. Yugi on the other hand," he winked at Yugi as he shoved down cream puff, "I gotcha kid."
Yugi beat his chest to help force down the pastry and smiled with half his face sticky from sweets. "Thanf youf Mr. Foodu!"
I threw a napkin at his face. "Don't talk with your mouth full." Yugi threw it back and went to stuffing his face.
Dr. Fudo wasn't stupid by a long shot. Sometimes it unnerved me how adequately he could read into my actions. Every time we met up it, blood and injury is involved. We haven't been out together in weeks. I had a feeling he was staring lasers right through me. I chanced a peek and as if I knew, the doctor was drilling me with those hardcore blue eyes.
He only wanted me to see he'd planned to interrogate with Yugi here or not. If he didn't get the answers from me, Yugi would be grilled next. I shifted in the booth as the heat from outside caused the rubber material to suction cup to my thighs.
Raking a hand through my hair, I sighed and leaned forward. "Can we wait until we get home?" I mumbled.
He shrugged. "No time like the present kid." Dr. Fudo reached over and swiped his finger over the whipped cream on top of my cheesecake. He practically dared me to protest as he licked it off his hand and went for another helping.
I would've but, I didn't have the energy to cuss this idiot out. "How's Yusei?"
Dr. Fudo paused, narrowing his eyes. "Fine, fine. He's at school waiting for an ass whooping. Dumb kid can't seem to keep his hands to himself."
"You know he just wants attention."
"Those bruises look fresh. You know I can play connect the dots on your arm."
"OK, OK," I held up my hands, self-consciously wishing I'd worn longer sleeves when me and Yugi left the house. It was my bright idea to come to our favorite café. It was a stupid idea to invite Dr. Fudo. I just wanted to talk to him, and in a wait, hope he'd talk me out of what I had in store. "Yugi, you mind taking your food over there?" I pointed to the table next to ours.
Yugi blinked up, cheeks swelled with food. He nodded happily and gathered all of his food. As soon as he sat down, he resumed his pace of chowing down.
"Sometime today, kid." Dr. Fudo pulled his lab coat sleeve back to reveal his wristwatch, frowning at the time. "I gotta be in the ER in an hour."
Guess I'd better get started. I folded my arms on the table and lowered my voice. "Red Bloods attacked my family last week."
"I gathered the 'beat down' part on my own. My question is why?" Dr. Fudo fished out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit up. With Yugi out of range, he felt better expressing his anger. The only time I ever see him is smoke is when he's got some emotional issue to work on. "I haven't see the likes of them around the city in weeks. Not since the Blues grew some balls and started cleaning up."
"The Red Eyes Boss said something about getting protection fees from everyone on his land. We barely had the amount to cover what he asked for, so they took it out on Yugi and Granddad. That and one of the assholes had a vendetta against me from a fight we had before."
"So, they took it out on the squirt too." Dr. Fudo nodded towards Yugi.
I nodded too. "Granddad got it worse than both of us. They would've taken us out if Mr. Pegasus hadn't showed up when he had."
Dr. Fudo's eyebrow rose up. "The playboy millionaire showed up, did he?"
"Yeah, I'm glad. I don't wanna know what would've happened if he hadn't. . . ." I looked off to the side, knowing the doc wasn't going to like this part. "I asked him to let me join his gang."
Disturbing quietness fogged between us as thick as his cigarette smoke. Dr. Fudo's eyes turned so dark, and endless, I imagined that's how an empty tunnel would look in the middle of the night.
"Lemme guess," he started off, dusting the ashes in a tray. "You've had enough of this rough life, need a way to protect your family and the only out you see an out is Mr. Pegasus's crew because he just so happened to be there in time to save the day."
See how easily he read that. It's crazy. "That sounds right, yeah."
"Hmph, well shit, kid. I knew you were dumb, but you don't have to prove me right all the time."
"I don't see any other way of helping my family."
"Try moving, calling the police, doing what you're told, keeping a low profile. The options are there. It's you who needs to decide the more peaceful alternative. Trust me, there are plenty more ways to go about protecting your family."
"We don't have the money to move. Do you really think Atem and Yami are scared of the police? And in case you forgot, I'm the city's star player. I've been trying to do the peaceful method my whole life. It's gotten me nowhere. I've went too long without fighting back and I'm sick to death of it."
Dr. Fudo bit down on his cigarette. Half of it dropped, smearing a black streak on the tabletop and rolled off the surface. I looked at him, and his expression is blank and nonchalant. We stared, until he eventually shrugged and spat out the fuzzy butt.
"Do what you want, kid."
I blinked. "You don't care?"
"I already showed you that I did, but you're like all the other young bucks out there who needs to learn the hard way. I could sit here and tell you how stupid, idiotic, foolish and naïve you are for thinking Pegasus has your best interests at heart. But I won't do that because it's none of my business. Why should I go out of my way to telling you how fucking stupid you are and more importantly, about the risks you'll take in losing the you that's you, your baby brother's love or possibly your damn life."
Dr. Fudo relit a new cigarette, took a long drag until it reached the bud and flicked it away. He stood up, slapping a hundred on the table. He turned to leave. I closed my eyes.
"That's too much for our food."
He waved over his shoulder. "Keep the change. Pay for your last meal while you're at it. Call me when you get some sense." Dr. Fudo walked out the door . . . and probably my life for good. The last thing I expected was him turning his back on me.
Shit. . . I hope I really did know what I was getting myself into.
I stretched every hour of these five days as long as I could. My final titter-tottered in my mind until I concluded what I would do for sure.
The day of arrival came the moment Mr. Pegasus and his posse drove in, kicking up clouds of red dirt. Only one of the cars would escort Yugi to the house holding my Granddad. It'd only be temporary I told myself; the same thing I've been repeating in my head since yesterday.
I gripped Yugi's hand and he squeezed back, quiet and scared. I felt him shaking, knew he was afraid. If only I could drag it out longer. All the time we spent together meant more than any autograph baseball and money combined. I would sell my soul to give him back the brother he was about to lose.
Sucking in deep, I crouched down next to Yugi and turned him to face me. He wouldn't look me in the eye, pouting at the ground. I smirked. I'm going to miss that face.
"It's only for a short while, kiddo. You'll be back home in no time."
Yugi's bottom lip poked out more. "I don't get why I gotta go by myself."
"You won't be there by yourself. Granddad's already at the new house."
"Then why are you staying here?" Yugi challenged, folding his arms. "I want you to come too."
"I already told you I couldn't go. Somebody's gotta watch the shop."
"But what if those Red Bloods come back?" When he looked at me, those eyes were wide open, desperately begging me to change my mind.
It was my turn to look away. Its bad enough I've lied to him all this time. Adding another one to the already towering stack would worsen my guilt. I snorted and ruffled his hair. "I'll be fine, brat. What? You're losing faith in your big brother?"
Yugi shook my hand off and slammed into me, arms tight as a noose around my neck. "Please come with me, Heba. I don't like this. My stomach feels funny."
So did mine. I hugged him, smelled him, inhaling that sweet boyish aroma after a fresh bath and a few hours of playtime. His heart pounded like a stern drum, and I wish, oh how I wished. . .
I cupped his head and brought him close. "I love you, Yugi."
Yugi sucked in like someone threatened to take his breath. He pulled away and gave a suspicious glare. "Heba, what's wrong?"
"Say it back."
He shook his head. "No! I don't want too! It sounds good bye!" He flopped back into my arms. "I'll say it when I come back home."
"Please Yugi." If just a moment, I needed to hear those words back. Let me have that tiny thread to keep me sane little brother. Please give me that. "Say it back already."
Soft whimpers and a lukewarm wetness dribbled down my neck. Stupid kid. If he kept this up, then I'd start.
"I love you too, Heba."
Thank you, kiddo. I rose with him in my arms. One of the Mediums approached, a tall tan skinned man with a pointed hairstyle and plain white suit that'd seen more washers then a dirty car. He nodded toward Yugi.
I inhaled loosely, putting Yugi on the ground. I cupped his face and laid my lips on his forehead, staying for as long as I could to feel him. Then, he was being pulled away, eyes watery and hand extended, holding onto our connection for as long as he could. Distance tore us apart and he was soon climbing inside a white Ford Explorer with jet black tinted windows. I fought like the devil to keep from running after them when the car engine purred to life and drove off the property.
My ties, my bonds, all I used to be were now officially severed. I closed my eyes and folded my arms. Washing myself of the old me has begun.
A large hand clutched down on my shoulder and tugged back. "Are you ready?"
I opened my eyes and glanced over my shoulder. Mr. Pegasus smiled.
I returned the gesture. "Yeah."
Mr. Pegasus felt the need for me to miss another week of school before I could returned as ready as I could ever be. He spoke to the principal and coach on my behave. His influence was more powerful than I thought because I didn't have any homework or extra tests to make up when I walked into homeroom.
The plan wouldn't be taken out until lunch break. Each second ticking by faster than normal. I practiced in my mind the course of this entire thing. Phoenix and Hassleberry were. . . damn. I shook my head thinking about those two. I didn't need any distractions. I saw the way they looked at me, wondering why I hadn't met up in our usual spot. No calls, texts, nothing to let them know about what's happened.
'If you're to conform to their ways, detachment from your most precious bonds is required,' said Mr. Pegasus's voice in head the first day of training, in a quiet in his mansion. 'Distractions do not exist. Therefore, friends, family, lovers, you must relinquish all ties and become cloaked in solitude. Not even a fraction of the man you once were should breathe through the same lungs when you begin. Remember Heba Muto, an empty cup is easily be refilled, but only will the proper drink to quench the thirst . . .'
I ground my teeth as I walked down the hallways. Looking up and down the stretch, I waited for the opportune moment to begin. It wasn't my class's period to eat lunch. However, this lunch wave housed the most Blue Eyes, mainly the headmen.
I licked my lips as the double doors came into view. The week with Mr. Pegasus was some of the most intense training I've never been in in my life. There's so much to remember, lots of fresh and raw details still circulating in my brain and the constant demand to break away from my old habits. The way I dressed, walk, slept, ate, breathe, or blinked, it all had to be different.
Reaching the door, I looked up and down the hall as it cleared of the students from this class switch. It wasn't the time to bring attention to myself. Everything about to happen would need to be communicated through word of mouth. I peered through the door window, immediately targeting Atem's table.
Yami is seated behind him and Seth stood on top of the table next to Mai and Isis with his arm around Mahado, another new face I hadn't expected to see, but was more than prepared for.
'Don't worry about that,' Pegasus said once when I asked about the other members interfering. 'Atem and Yami are your only concern. If approached correctly, they'll be the only two to come after you.'
I narrowed my eyes, thinking and awaiting the right moment.
'Keep these things in mind before you start. A leader rarely strays away from routine if the same results occur. The same will apply to the entire chain of command. As the saying goes, don't fix what isn't broken.'
My eyes fell onto each male or female with the most influence of the crew.
Atem Hassan, Yami Sennen, Seth Hassan, Isis Hassan, and Mahado Ishtar, are your priority once inside the stronghold, I chanted to myself, remembering the documents on each individual.
'Seth is second in command to Atem, highly intelligent, calculative and patient.' Pegasus sounded in my mind. 'He'll abide his time before striking and isn't easily arouse to a challenge unless the time is well spent. When Atem isn't around, he is the central authority to give the final word. His judgment in character is the main weakness to this project due to his capability of luring and fishing out the crooks and villains against his family. Avoid him at all costs.'
'Mahado Ishtar comes second to Yami, as far as a non-blood member of the gang. He's another asset that solidifies the gang's strength with his connections to supplies, weaponry and outer intelligence because of his father's previous military enlistment. Your interaction with him is strictly for gathering pinpointed stations and scheduled pickups. This information won't be given easily.'
'Isis Hassan controls the latter half of the city. As the gang's strength grows, she and Mai manage the mapped territory barriers. All networks and coordinated assignments as far as who works best with whom during raids, distribution of drugs and gunplay are ran through her. Orientation into the family is done through her. Make no mistake that she will test your limits to their thinnest to ensure betrayal is the last thing you ever consider.'
'Yami Sennen, I'm sure you're very familiar with,' Pegasus was not particularly forthcoming with deep personal information on Yami, and when I asked, he ignored the question and moved on. 'He leads the assaults, all of them. Collection fees, assassinations, kidnappings, and delivered messages are all his doing. He will only kill with Atem by his side, never alone. The same goes for tracking traitors, targeting leaders of rival gangs and ordering group attacks . . . what should be feared most about this boy is his lack of emotion for the victims. An open heart is one easily wounded. One that's cold, chipped and knowledgeable of a tortured past is indeed the best weapon.'
My fingers bit into my palm.
'Then there's Atem Hassan. Make no mistake; the lad's loud, narcissistic attitude comes with the territory. Being the son of the city's most powerful gang leader provides a plethora of benefits and as their current leader he intends to reap those benefits.' I closed my eyes against the spread of printed bodies Pegasus slid in front of me, showing the bodies Atem did himself when pushed to the brink. 'Shadi doesn't know the full story behind what Atem is truly capable of. A king will soil his own hands when he wants to remember what it feels like to have power. He'll always attend a massive fight; no matter if the numbers outmatch him . . . You're guaranteed to fall on your knees at the slightest smile or diabolically action taken against you
'. . . There's one more thing.'
I bit on my bottom lip. More paperwork was passed by me the night Yugi left, all of them with signatures and branded emblems from the public and state school officials. They were test results. I'd never felt so sick when I saw the scores, stomach churning like a washing machine.
'Atem's influence isn't the only excuse for the school keeping him in the system or any of them for that matter. You're dealing with more than brute force and violent tempers. . .'
All the results came from a standardized Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test given to all students in the school district their first year in school.
The scores ranged from forty to one hundred and sixty.
Based on the scores shown, Yami, Atem and Isis ranged in the gifted and very advanced classification. Mahado scored in the highest superior range, but only Seth excelled into the very gifted and highly advanced.
IQ Range ("deviation IQ") IQ Classication Scores/ IQ Range
Atem Hassan 131 Well recommended for gifted students institute for further advancement
Isis Hassan 136 Well recommended for gifted students institute for further advancement
Seth Hassan 158 Highly recommended for college gifted students institute for further advancement
Mahado Ishtar 127 Recommended for gifted students institute for further advancement
Yami Sennen 133 Well recommended for gifted students institute for further advancement
At the time of training, it terrified me to know people this cruel and power hunger could be so smart and resourceful. All I'd ever seen them as were bloodthirsty thugs out for building an empire. Now, they were that and more.
'Are you truly ready to begin this mission? Once we continue there's no turning back. This will be the final time I ask you, Heba Muto. Do you want to do this?'
My fingers unclenched and a sharp pulse squeezed at my heart. I couldn't explain why, but I almost felt thrilled from the anticipation.
"Yeah," I closed eyes and opened them to the new me, the one ready and willing to bring these fools down.
The doors opened and like a pride of lions at rest, all eyes were on the prey who dared to entire their domain. Statuses were divided in seated groups, the lower grunts occuping the walls and vending machines. The higher authorities kept towards the center with an empty circle of tables dividing them from the others.
Atem lifted his head from where he'd been laying on Yami's lap and sat up. Words exchanged between him and Seth, neither breaking eye contact with me as if they knew I came carrying heavy artillery. Seth stood there with his arms locked across his chest, staring me down.
You would almost certainly know who they were. Intimidation practically glowed around the Hassan Family. The king and his partner, overachievers without trying and stompers of the weak.
'Intimidation is one of their strongest assets. Don't allow it to consume you. Once you gain their attention keep it locked and don't look away.' Pegasus's voice rung loud and clear in the back of mind as I started to the center table. 'Be aware of the jealous that will develop from your bold approach. Grunts don't take kindly to disrespect of their leaders and have even less tolerance for the brave. Show no fear, keep your back straight. You stray your eyes even once you'll be attacked.'
Keep your eyes on the prize, I chant internally. Let him know he's the only one I have intentions for.
My fingers clutched around the recording device Pegasus had bugged on one of the Red Bloods. Everything Atem needed to know would be based on proof enough of my loyalty to him, but that wouldn't guarantee me a spot in the gang. I'd need to do more to get my foot in.
Atem's brow furrowed deep grooves in his face and his jaw set tight enough to cut steel. Coming nearer, I was able to fully size Atem up compared to me. We matched in height, but as far as size, I carried more bulk. An impressive glare dissected me when I stopped right in his personal space.
I spared Seth, Yami, and Isis a look before giving Atem all my attention. I lifted my chin up. "We need to talk. In private," I emphasized for everyone to hear.
Atem blinked. "Private huh?" he repeated in disbelief, and chuckled. "Damn son, you have some balls on you. First you cock block my business, you sucker punch my ole' man and then you waltz up in here like everything's just peachy keen? Fuck, you." Atem laid back on Yami's lap, swatting his wrist at me. "Chichi, handle this."
Somebody moved in from behind. A metallic reflection waved over his eye. So, a switchblade or pocketknife. Fight or flight, what's my next move?
'This scenario could go one of two ways,' Mr. Pegasus warned me before. 'Atem will likely test your bravery and order a grunt to fight on his behave. The second is Atem attacking you himself. The prior is likely to occur. You won't fight them. Don't break, stay firm in your demand.'
My arm was yanked and hooked behind my back before a beefy hand clutched my jaw.
I won't fight back.
Atem won't get the satisfaction.
"Beat me up all you want. When he's done, it's my turn to speak."
"This ain't Subway, son. You don't get options." Atem grunted, bored. He lazily slid up on Yami's chest and closed his eyes. "Bu-bye."
"Fine, I doubt you'd give a damn about one of your boys working with a Red Blood."
Atem eyes shot open.
Bingo. That got his attention. He sat up straddling the table bench. Yami kept his arms hugged around his chest. Atem twisted around to capture Yami's mouth in a kiss. It went on for some time. No one seemed as bored or bothered by as me, when I loudly sighed and tried to lessen the strain on my arm. Atem broke off, whispered some words and rose up like a tired man.
He waved off the person behind me before getting a handful of my shirt collar. "What the hell you on about? You tellin' me you saw one of my men messin' with a fuckin' Spade? Who?" Atem kept his grip on me, dragging me close behind as he walked to the center of the cafeteria. "Start snitchin'. As a matter of fact." I was shoved to the middle of the cafeteria.
Atem whipped out silver .25 handgun pointed to the side of my head.
Don't reflect fear. Steady order and an even mind sustains balance.
"Somebody better un-hold their peace and start talkin'! Ya'll know I don't play that Red Blood/Blue Blood shit!" He directed to everyone in pretty much the entire student body.
"That definitely won't solve the problem." I laughed a little, repocketing my hands. "Somebody's in cahoots with the enemy, but it ain't anyone in here."
The gun clicked. "Guess you better start running your mouth before it's out your neck."
I cut my eyes over my shoulder. "Go ahead and shoot me. Then you won't know a damn thing, will you?"
"I'll take that chance."
"Whatever, get killed from the inside then."
Lure and pull. Always remind him of the threat and remember that I'm his only means of discovering what that threat is. He could choose to discount my claim all he wanted. Atem had too much pride and care for his people to be that reckless, from what I've learned of him. He didn't lower his gun as he crept up next to me, breath humid against my ear.
"If you're lying to me. . ." He left me to fill in the rest with my imagination.
I shrugged, unfazed. "Could be, but we don't know."
"Don't play with me, boy—"
"Little boys play games, Atem." I gave the whole cafeteria a once over, "Though, judging by the company you kept, I'm probably the only real man you've seen in a long time. I doubt you could tell the difference."
Push and push until there's nothing left to force. Out of the corner of my eye, the gun barrel is still aimed at my temple, the smell of used gunpowder filtering in my nose. Blood rushed into my face. I went still and cold for a moment. Atem's stillness is a deadly thing.
That limit had been reached. Atem backed away, gun falling to waist level. He shortly looked to the side, nodding. "Cool, I got something for you, smart mouth." He glanced over his shoulder, snapped and pointed.
Seth, Isis, Yami and Mahado left their spots, coming towards us. I had a split second to see Seth hiding a pocketknife in his back pocket before Atem took a hunk of my shirt and started pushing me toward the double doors. He shoved me through first and the others followed close behind.
The halls were empty now. No witnesses. No one was stupid enough to be out here and the likely chance that they were caught, they'd be heading to the same place I am. I knew the routine. I knew where to go. Pegasus had the locations of debate, decision making and group meets hammered in my head.
I turned left, walked more and made a second left to lower C Hall's bathroom. I went in first without an inch to spare before Seth had my arm locked behind my back and the knife-edge pressed under my Adam's apple.
No matter how forceful they are with you, displaying fear will heighten the desire to get rid of you. No leader is immune to seeing someone with guts and heart.
The stall door was flat against my face, smashing my nostrils shut. Seth pressed all of his 6'0 frame into me. Each muscle rippled and walled into my back, the long line of his dick hung right over my ass.
"Five minutes," he rumbled in my ear. "Start talking."
I groaned, pressing back. "Arg, kinda—kinda hard to do that if—if I can't breathe."
"Make due."
"Seth." That was Yami, calm and cool, gently pulling Seth away by his shoulder. I didn't receive the same treatment. He roughly spun me around to face the lot of them, but made sure my eyes stayed focused on his, he stood so damn close. "You have some nerve walking in there demanding an audience on your terms. I don't give a damn what you claim to know, you'll show some level of respect before it gets you handled."
I straightened my back, shifting to brace myself on the stall door. I folded my arms, snuck a look at Seth and his hand.
"He's the last one you need to worry about," Yami said, reading my mind. "Stop stalling—wait, unless?" Then Yami looked around and frowned. "Check the stalls!"
The others immediately began to investigate the toilet stalls, kicking each door open and slinging the shower curtains to the side.
"No one's in here. No cameras either," Atem concluded after a quick after sweep behind his men. He took Yami's place in front me. "Your five minutes are down to two, boy. What the hell do you want?"
Push and push until you know you've reached as far as you can go. I nodded tightly to myself and deduced that limit had been reached on my end. I tried stepping to the side for room, but Isis was there to cut off any escape.
Shrugging again, I reached inside my pocket to retrieve the recorder. "Here." I threw it at Seth. He caught it, studying it close. "Press play."
He hesitated.
"It's not bugged, damn. Paranoid asses—"
Atem slammed my back into the wall. "Watch your damn mouth." When he was positive I wouldn't speak again, he gave Seth the word to press the play button.
Shadi's rusty Egyptian accented flooded the quiet bathroom, bouncing off the walls. Mine came in and out, husky breathing and exhausted. Memories of that flashed in my head like a slideshow, as if that'd been so long ago.
"What the hell is all this, Shadi? I thought you rolled with the Blue Bloods. You decided on a change of color or something?"
"Not exactly Shawty. You see, this is gonna remain our lil' secret. No one needs to know I tend to switch sides from time to time. I do what I can to survive."
"That's stupid, Shadi. You know what Atem will do if he finds out. As if he doesn't already have the Red Bloods scattering like roaches when he walks the streets, you really wanna go with the weaker side?"
"That's where I come in Shawty. You see, the Reds are getting fed up with Atem and Yami walking around like they're hot shit. He doesn't know his limits, a king who doesn't know how to quench his thirst of power once he's got a taste. Their O.G. wants me to handle things on the down low while he recruits enough manpower to match Atem. By then, I would've worked myself up the ranks and had Yami, Seth and Atem taken out . . . 'Sides, I'm sick of that fool's bullshit. Makin' folks do his dirty work while he kicks back and laughs with a glass of wine. That ain't how shit works here. I don't like his father, but even the old man rode the streets doing business. Atem doesn't do nada. I'd do a much better job."
The tape cut off there. Silent disbelief hugged the entire bathroom. Seth would have probably dropped the device, but his fingers remained clenched around it, as if his hand belonged to someone else. The betrayal couldn't have been more evident in the dismay Shadi spoke of the Egyptian family and his level of dislike for the lot of them.
I guess it would hit closer to home for some since Shadi is Egyptian. That would raise the question of who one could trust and who you couldn't. I shifted to adjust the pain in my backside, switching my eyes between each person's face. Fury, confusion, rage, anger all masked their faces, but only Atem wore each expression in turn.
"Gimme that." He snatched the recorder out of Seth's hand and held it up to me. "How did you get this?"
"When the Spades jumped my store in the south district." The less they knew of me, the better.
Atem struggled to believe me from how tried to keep his hands from around my neck. He chewed down on his bottom lip like a stick of bubble gum until it bled.
"I can't believe this shit. Nothing but a goddamn traitor. I knew something was up when he kept leavin' his post early!" he growled. His arms shot out. "Tell Chichi and Fred to bring that motherfucka' to the main house, Seth. We'll take care of this there. Don't let him know we're on to his shit."
With that said Isis, Mahado and Seth left without a word. Yami and Atem stayed behind glaring the worse kind of fate upon me. I held up my hands, returning the glare.
"Some people say thanks instead of giving dirty looks," I said. "I'm not the bad guy here. It's not my fault you can't keep up with your folks."
"But why tell us this at all?" Yami asked, being the rasher one of the two. "Weeks ago you made it a fact that you didn't like us—"
"I still don't," I answered honestly. "I hate the both of you, more you then him," I directed to Atem, his eyes widening slightly. "But I hate traitors more. Not even assholes like you deserve to be hurt by someone you trust. That's the code of honor on the streets, ain't it? I know you take that all-for-one, one-for-all talk to heart." I leaned back against the stall door, crossed my ankles and closed my eyes. "I've done my part. Do what you want from here."
Atem's expression stiffened and his fists balled. He charged forward. The slap across over my face strangely didn't hurt as much as it had the first he'd done it. Perhaps this time because I knew I got under his skin. I kept my eyes turned the way it was forced.
"I'm getting sick and tired of your disrespect," he sneered angrily. "Say something else out of the way, see what happens."
"I already made it clear you can do whatever you want, Atem. Slap, kick, punch, throw a temper tantrum for all I give a shit . . . it won't change the fact that you're indebted to me now, will it?"
The realization of the situation heavily dropped in front of Atem. I half expected him to live up to his reputation, shoot first and question lately. Instead, I was surprised to find him shaking, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and a feral anger swirling in his eyes. He knew it as much as I did.
He may not like me –may even hate and want me dead, but under the code of law out here, I'm immune to being killed. At least until he repaid my debt. Coping with the idea of me having potentially saved his and his family's lives, soiled any ideas of getting rid of me.
Then all evidence of anger disappeared. His muscles loosened, the expression on his face relaxed and as he folded his arms, a sharp grin spread across his mouth that aroused a cold, eerie sensation. I didn't like that he wasn't bothered by the circumstances as much as I'd thought he'd be. He had a look like his mind was made on how to work around it.
Shame to say, my façade nearly broke when his hand suddenly slammed next to my head and he moved in close to my face. "That's cute, you know that? You must've planned this. All the same, it's fine by me. My daddy's word is still law until he leaves for Egypt . . . after that you're fair game." He leaned in more and more, body hotly pressed flush against mine. I sucked in, inhaled his scent; fresh mountain spice and an earthy musk from the herbs he smoked. "It's a shame too. Somebody as pretty as you doesn't need to get involved in my business, but I guess you're about living that dangerous life. I wouldn't mind having a lil' of your sweet stuff before puttin' a bullet in your head."
I felt as though my entire body cease to function at that moment—I couldn't breathe, couldn't move and my heart fucking fluttered like the bass on a drum line. Blood rushed to my face and down to more tempting places. Atem roughly shook me against the stall door before pulling away. He winked, blew an air kiss and left out the bathroom.
When he closed the door, all the air in the room returned. I massaged my chest to work some air in my lungs and took deep breathes. When I straightened, I jumped out of my skin when Yami spoke because I'd forgot he was still in here.
"You're in over your head," he mumbled. "You better play it smart and say your debt's paid. If he doesn't kill you now, he'll do it later.
"Thanks for the warning, but he won't do it." I dusted off the wrinkles in my uniform, keeping my eyes away from Yami's inspecting gaze.
"What are you trying to get out of this, Heba?"
A shiver went down to my toes. I think that's the first time he's said my name. "I already told you, I don't like traitors."
"There's more to it than that. No one suddenly has a change of heart without a reason."
"Maybe I don't need a reason to do the right thing." I finally looked at him. "Why aren't you following after your boyfriend?"
Yami's fingers clenched in the crook of his arms. Had I struck a nerve? Wait. . .
"You can't seriously believe I want that psycho?" I chuckled coldly. "You think that's why I told him about Shadi? You've lost your mind for real."
He still hadn't relaxed. "Whatever your true intentions are, I'll figure it out. Until then, watch your back."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a warning," Yami's tone lowered dangerously. "All eyes are on you, but none as sharp as mine. You don't get any chances with me. Play this game if you want. Even the best players lose a life."
"We'll see."
"We definitely will. You see, you didn't think about the fault in your good deed." I looked at him hard. "My debt to you is already paid. I saved your life back at the Boom. Seth, Atem and the others may owe you their lives, but I don't owe you shit."
The color drain from my face. That bit of detail was one I missed entirely.
"You won't have all your duckets in order for long. And when that day comes, I suggest you watch your back before I lay you down on it." Yami looked me up and down, smiled crookedly, and pushed through the bathroom door and entering the hall.
I'm surprised he hadn't hit me back. Yami will likely take his chances another time, now that he knew he couldn't trust me.
I waited a few minutes, listening to his footsteps fade. Now alone, I slid down to the floor and cupped my hands over my face. My heart pounded hard in my chest, my stomach was in knots. Anxiety overwhelmed as my thoughts processed just how closed I'd come to being killed. Fuck, Yami had me. And after what'd happened to us before, I was not on his favorite person's list.
I dragged my hands over my face and sighed. This crazy hunch of Mr. Pegasus had better be worth the hassle. . . It didn't matter what his agenda was. I had my own plans to do. By the time this was all said and done I'll be the one coming out on top.