Lucas sits in an interrogation room, handcuffed. A few moments later, his grandmother is led into the room. He closes his eyes and looks away while she sits down with the guard hovering behind them.

"I thought I raised you better than this, boy."

"You did, granny. I'm sorry."

"Why'd you do it?"

"I wanted to get money for your medicine. I know things are tight right now."

"Carl Lucas, no matter how tight things get, you should never let that keep you from doing the right thing."

"You're right, granny. I guess you're pretty mad, huh?"

"No. I love you, Carl. Just like I loved your mom and dad. Don't worry about my medicine. The folks at church said they'd chip in. Meanwhile, you try your best to keep out of trouble. Y'hear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Stryker is in a hospital bed with a bandage around his leg. A police officer opens the door, letting three men inside before closing it. They dress much like Stryker and look just as dangerous. The lead is a tall, thin man named Sonny 'The Hammer' Caputo. He is the leader of the Rivals.

Stryker looks at him nervously, "Sonny."

"Stryker, what the hell are you doing," he begins, "Bringing some dumbass kid with you on a job?"

"Sonny, look man, I'm sorry. The kid needed some money. We went to school together. I didn't expect it to go down that way."

"I talked to my lawyer, we can make a deal."

"You can keep me outta prison?"

"Hell, no. Your ass is getting locked up... but we made sure you're getting a reduced sentence. Also, we already have some boys going to Seagate Prison so we cut a deal to have Lucas sent there. They'll make sure to pay `im a visit."

"Sonny Caputo, comes through. Thanks man," he rests back on his bed.

"When you get out, you're gonna have to make it up," he warns.

"I feel ya."

Several weeks later, Lucas is brought in to a courtroom; it's a small area with a baliff, prosecutor, defense, and a jury. Willis Stryker sits at the back with his leg still bandaged up. The two of them lock eyes as Lucas sits beside his lawyer, waiting for the trial to begin.

Soon, a young girl walks up to his lawyer and whispers somehting in his ear. The lawyer nods and allows her to sit next to him. She's a pretty girl around Lucas' age with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"Hi, I'm Jessica Jones. I'm with the press," she says as she nervously shakes his hand, "You're Carl Lucas, right?"

"Yeah," Lucas looks at her curiously, "You're a reporter? How old are you?"

"Well...I'm not exactly a reporter. I'm an intern at the Pulse."

"They sent you out here to get a story?"

"I'm kind of doing research on my own. It's for my degree."

Lucas rolls his eyes, "Hope you get an A."

"Is it okay if I ask you some questions?"

"I guess. I'm not going anywhere."

"You're involved in a gang called the Rivals, correct?"

"No. I was only stupid enough to get involved with one of `im," he motions to Stryker, "He's back there if you wanna talk to him."

"Actually, that's who I want to talk to you about. Willis Stryker made a bargin with the authorities. He'll get his sentence reduced if he testifies against you."

"Sonny Caputo got a better lawyer than me."

"Did you know members of the Rivals have initimidated the man Stryker assaulted in pressing charges against you?"

"Yeah, what the hell am I supposed to do about that? Better yet, what the hell are you going to do about that?"

"I'm trying to help you here. I'm really interested in inner-city problems."

"It's real nice when rich white kids are interested in our problems."

Jessica sighs and continues, "Do you know anything about the crime syndicate running operations with the gangs of New York? I believe Willis might be involved along with the rest of the Rivals."

"Nah. I don't know anything about that."

"What about the theory that some major corporations and political figures have been linked to -"

The baliff loudly announces, "All rise. The honorable Judge Roy Thomas presiding." Everyone stands to their feet. Jessica slips away to the back while nodding to Luke. The judge begins the session.

Carl sits quietly as his defendant pleads his case, "Mr. Lucas has no prior records. What happened was a series of circumstances that..." Later, the prosecutor has Stryker on the stand, "... And what happened then?". Stryker looks innocently at the jury, "Then Carl pulled a knife and just stabbed me." Lucas glares at him as he continues to testify, "I knew I shouldn't have followed him that night." Hours later, the jury returns from their reccess.

"Have you reached a verdict?," the judge asks.

"We have, your honor. On the charge of assault with a deadly weapon, we find the defendant guilty on all counts. On the charge of breaking and entering, we also find the defendant guilty"

Lucas hangs his head silently. Jessica Jones watches sadly. Soon, he is brought before the judge, "Mr. Lucas, although you have been charged as an adult, you are still very young and this is your first and hopefully last offense. You claim you were trying to raise money for your grandmother who is ill. It is for these reasons the court hereby sentences you to a minimum of eight years in prison with a chance for parole in five years," he slams the gabble down as Lucas is taken away by two guards, "Court dismissed."

Lucas looks back as Stryker is led away by officers. He smiles and winks as the door is closed behind him. Lucas fumes with rage while the balif moves him along.