Strictly speaking, there was no catechism at Heywood, but Padre often asked young people to lend him a hand. For example shopping for a sick person or collecting donations. Once a month he distributed food to the poor inhabitants of Vista del Rey.
This time, she had offered to help. It wasn't much, a few boxes on the stairs with a burritos and a soda. The menu was not extensive but locals appreciated the help as a long line quickly formed.
It was easy to see only the negative aspects of the city, the inequalities, the violence, the dirt, but night city had a soul. There were not necessarily benevolent people. The city always put you under pressure. You always had to watch your back. Even your own choom could sell you to the Scavs for a few eddies.
But sometimes simple actions were enough to remind us that all was not gloomy. Even though four bodyguards were watching her, she took pleasure in the task.
At least until she met her eyes.
They were a captivating light blue. It wasn't their color that surprised her, a simple manipulation of her kiroshi and she could have red or black colored eyes. No it was the mix of desperation and determination she found there. An even more striking image when she saw the state of the young woman to whom they belonged. She was alarmingly thin, but not uncommon in this neighborhood.
"Take a picture, it will last longer." said the young woman sarcastically.
Arya blushed in spite of herself but before she had time to apologize the young girl had taken a bag of food and had disappeared into the streets of the city.
Arya shook her head in disbelief. What could she have been thinking? Had she forgotten how to be discreet?
Arya continued her task for an hour. Then a familiar vehicle stopped near them.
"Papí, what are you doing here?" she asked
He had been busy with expanding his territory, she hadn't seen him much.
"Get in the car princesa. We have something to do and we've already waited too long," he said.
They stopped in front of an armory near the town hall and the police station.
Funny location.
But they did sell guns in vending machines. She was barely surprised to see her father greet two policemen leaning against their patrol car and winced when a female policewoman threw a wink at her father. The Valentinos and their sulphurous reputation...
Would she become like them one day? she wondered horrified.
The armory was held by a man who was quite young, at least in appearance. Biosculpture was doing miracles these days.
The man was wearing a bulletproof vest and turned to his father as soon as he entered.
"Campo Orta, I didn't expect to see your ugly face here again."
"Ah... don't insult me in front of my daughter, she is sensitive."
Arya looked at her father in disbelief.
Sensitive, my ass.
But this is enough to divert the seller's attention to her
"Who's the unlucky one who gave birth to you?"
Before her father could respond, Arya interrupted him.
"My mother, but if I were you I would keep her away from your petty arguments." she said coldly.
The man gave him a surprised look before bursting out laughing.
"Don't worry, your dad and I stole cars together when we were your age. Chooms forever."
"Don't give my daughter ideas." Campo says
The man shook his head in disbelief.
"What brings you here?"
"Give her a gun. She's ready."
The salesman stared at her far too long for comfort before putting a gun on the counter.
"Malorian overture, revolver, 6 rounds, powerful yet easy to handle." he said expertly.
His father said no more. He took the weapon and held it out to her solemnly.
When Arya put her hand on it he said to her:
"Only one thing matters: don't die."
Arya silently accepted the weapon.
Campo held out his arm to pay but the man stopped him.
"A gift for missed birthdays"
Campo accepted.
"Take care of yourself" he said before leaving.
Arya pulled out a gun in her hand, she met the eyes of the policemen and only received a nod, as if she was coming out of a mall.
In the car, Arya turned to her father.
"I want a tattoo." she says
His father gave her a shocked look.
"Not a gang tattoo. Something personal." she says.
A few hours later as they were parked in the building's parking lot, Arya stared wistfully at the Stark emblem, a wolf's head under which was written:
" Winter is coming"
She expected her mother to lecture her when she saw the tattoo. But she never expected to see her turn so pale.
"It's Impossible, Impossible." she whispered before running to her room.
She returned a few moments later and handed a wooden box to Arya.
A wolf's head was engraved on it and the words:
Winter is coming