The Streets, Day 2 (02-03-2317)

[Misty]

Jacques cringed, his brow furrowed in pain as he pressed his forehead against the top of his arm that lay draped across the counter. His head pounded. 'Boom. Boom. Boom.' Soon after it started, it stopped. Jacques moaned, lifting his head a couple inches. But the secon he moved, it started again. Make it stop! He cringed again.

"Jacques! Jacques!" He looked back, vaguelly detecting Joey in the doorway. "Somebody's at the door!"

"I got it, Joe," He heard his voice from far away. Grabbing the handle of a knife, Jacques pushed himself up off the counter and plodded towards the doorway, smacking against the wall every now and then to keep himself standing. He fumbled with the lock, growling as it misbehaved in his fingers. Then he opened the door, squinting out against the light to glare down at the stranger.

[Anwen]

"Oh! Hello!" Lita said uncertainly. Very obviously, Analise was not home. This looked like the boy from her last visit, Jacques, the one who lingered in the shadows 'till called. That is, it looked like him in a sense. This guy had been seriously beat-up since last time she'd seen him. She looked him over; slightly dizzy, a black eye, a cheek different shades of black-n-blue, and a bandage over his right eye made him the perfect picture of...

No! She would not think of those nights! Those nights three years ago when Jarek came back to their shack, bruised and beaten.

She turned her mind back to the present and to the young man with a knife, realizing for the first time that they were the same height. "Do you remember me Jacques? I'm afraid this wasn't the best time for me to call."

Misty, if we make it this far, feel free to modify/add details to Jarek's story.

[Misty]

Jacques blinked as she spoke, her words merging into an inaudible drone against his ears. What was that? Something about being afraid? Well, she had reasons to be afraid with all that went on in these streets. And speaking of streets and fear, why was she hear again? What did she want from them? To keep coming back and haunting him? She thought it was his fault; that was it, wasn't it? She thought her brother's death laid on his shoulders. Was she right? Why hadn't he been able to do more to protect his Shark brother from those wild cats? It was his fault...

His thoughts became a fuzzy cloud as his vision channeled. She was leaving him! Wait... Come back... The tunnel was growing longer and his vision was fading. The world was unsteady around him, roiling statcky white and black as a crash filled his ears. Then his vision was black. The darkness was silent, still, limitless.

But it wasn't tranquil.

No, he realized, it wasn't silent. It wasn't still. His vision just hadn't adjusted to the lighting yet. It was night-a starless, moonless night, lit only by the soft warm glow of a single standing street lamp. He was standing on the warn, uneven street. There was movement all around him, and the outlines of silhoutted bodies struggling were beginnng to take shape, and with that movement there were sounds. Shouting, whooping, running, thudding, grunting, groaning... He was in the midst of a fight!

Constricting arms barely long enough to clasp at the base of his throat wrapped around his neck from behind, choking him as they jerked at him, seeming to attempt to throw him to the ground. Bending over, Jacques pulled the arms with him, hoisting the body up onto his back. He reached back, helping it roll over his head so that the attacker lay on the ground in front of him. A boy whose face hadn't even lost its young look peered up at him, eyes wide with shock and fear. This kid, no more than eight years old at the most, had no business out here. He was no threat.

Another attacker threw itself out of the darkness, arms coiled and fists clenched. Jacques reflexively lifted his arm to block the punch. He threw his own fist at the second. The attacker cried out in pain as their fingers collided. Jacques had always been known to have a fist of steel. He grabbed the other arm, twisting the boy around to press his fist into his spine, climbing towards his neck, and the boy screamed in pain. This one was young too. Were the Tigers really getting so desperate? Releasing the fist, Jacques shoved him forward, letting him stumble and fall to the ground.

"Traitor..." A dark voice hissed, the voice dripping with hate and murder. Jacques' attention snapped towards a strangled cry. There was a pair of guys, one pinning the other to the ground. The one of the ground was holding up the one on top's hands, both straining to push the other's againt them. Something flashed against the lamplight, a point glinting in the night. A knife! That was strickly forbidden in the law of the street when the battle wasn't agreed upon as an armed fight.

"No!" Jacques ran towards the struggling pair. Something wrapped around his ankles, and Jacques crashed to the ground. He twisted back fists coiled to punch and barely noticed that it was the first kid he'd thrown to the ground. Someone else wrapped their arms around his neck, and Jacques knew by the broken fingers that it was the second. Something collided with his stomach, kicking the air from Jacques' lungs. Someone else kicked him in the back. His chest. His head.

Then his world plunged back into darkness.


Jacques fainted, just so you know, hence the random thoughts, the irrational mindset, and the tunnel, and the vision ;P

[Anwen]

Lita barely saw Jacques fall, but she instinctively rushed forward and caught him. Though it had been years since she had needed to support her brother in these situations, it was still an involuntary move. His knife fell to the ground and his head hit against the doorpost. Oops.

She noticed Joey peering through the doorway. "Could you grab a blanket for me?" He nodded and raced off. Lita pulled Jacques far enough inside to close the door, picking up the knife as she went and placing it on the floor inside. Joey got back with the blanket, and Lita directed him so that it was under Jacques. Lita and Joey then picked him up an inch or so off the ground. (I am not stretching truth, I've seen what little kids can do) They carried him over to the couch and, with a mighty heave, He was on the couch. "Right. Joey, I need you to keep an eye on him." He looked up at her. "I'm going to make lunch."

"Whatcha makin'?"

"I'm gunna make some chicken broth." Lita said as she pulled out her pack lunch and the thigh within. She was happy the O'Sheas often made more than enough dinner. She heated up some water and shredded the chicken in. Soon the savory smell pervaded the house.

[Misty]

(For sure, Anwen. If you've ever played ball with a six year old, you know they can chunk the ball to take out a finger or an eye )

Everything was fuzzy around Jacques, his vision, his thoughts. He tried to grasp clarity and force himself back to his senses.

Where was he? Jacques looked around, eyebrows squinted as he calculated the area.

What happened? He was cold... Everywhere but his stomach; it was burning like a pot of boiling water. Feeling was slowly creeping back into his body like pricking needles.

Who were these people? His heart pounded in his chest as every muscle in his body froze, his eyes wide. There were voices, a girl and a small boy.

And what was that heavenly smell?

Jacques pushed himself up slowly, a familiar faint pounding returning to his head as a dull ache protested in his muscles. He was beaten up by something... He peered over the back of the couch to look at the girl and the little boy milling about the kitchen. Gosh she was pretty. And not particularly familiar. She couldn't be his sister. The little one though... There was definitley a familiarity about him.

Then he remembered.

Litonya!

Dodging back down behind the couch, Jacques hid in the cushion, heart kicking up into a gallop. Had she seen him? He hoped not. What should he do?! She was right there in his house...

[Anwen]

Lita brushed strands of hair out of her face. She could sense that her up-do was coming undone. I still feel like I'm invading their home... She felt a tug on her t-shirt. "Is't 'most done?"

"Just about." No shy feelings around the helpless, just around those who don't care whether you befriend them or not. She heard a small commotion around the sofa. Jacques is up. A small frown creased her face as she remembered her reason for coming in the first place. Oh well, he's probably not up to talking today anyway. She turned the broth to simmer and ladled out a bowl. "Here you go Joey. Careful, it's hot." She ladled out another and carried it over to where Jacques was burrowing into the couch. "Hey, you ready to eat?"

[Misty]

What is she doing here..?

"Uh..." Dang... Some sort of soup. A drink disguised as a food. Like a pool that typically had floaties in it. He always figured soup was just there as a substitute for a drink, a warm substitute, because that's all it was. It took forever to eat, was easy to spill, and only filled someone up like a liquid. It was a girl's invention, of that he was almost positive. "Thanks." He sat up and took the bowl, annoyed ambaressment roiling inside him. Here he was taking a bowl from her like he was a six year old. Pathetic. At least it smellt good. He wished it were real chicken though.

"So," he said, setting the bowl down on his lip as he looked over at Litonya. "What can we do fer'ya." She obviously must have come for a specific reason, and not just to hang out. He had a sneaking suspicion in the back of his mind, a hissing voice that he couldn't push away. She knew...

[Lithium]

Camri smiled and stuck her hands into her empty pockets. Well... almost empty. She touched the small knife and grinned even more before she walked up to one of the fruit stands.

"Do yah have any oranges or apples?"

She stared at the person behind the counter, waiting for a response. Finally, he gave a muffled and gruff, "Yeah."

"How much?"

"Twelve per pound."

"Twelve? That rediculous! Two."

"Seven."

"Two."

"Five."

"Three and a half."

"Deal."

She forked over some money from her back pocket, then picked up a sack of apples and hoisted them over her shoulder.

Would she see any people she knew? She shrugged. Wouldn't matter anyway.

[Hwin]

Jordan sat around in the halls with a few friends as people quickly rushed off to classes. Having a study hall lined up for her next class, Jordan decided it would pass time quicker to hang out with some pals instead of sitting in another stuffy room, listening to nothing but silence.
"Hey, what if I got some of those upper class lockers open? Then maybe we could get some cash, I know a few peoples who aren’t smart enough to keep the stuff with them." Derek looked at both girls, Naomi and Jordan, waiting for their answers.

"Totally up for that, we deserve it; they can't take all the money around!" Naomi quickly agreed, her black hair bouncing. Now both Derek and Naomi's gaze resting on Jordan.

Great. The pressure of keeping some friends on your side at school...Jordan knew what a few kids would do if you disagreed with them here. And it was not pleasant.
Forcing a smile, Jordan agreed. "Let’s be quick about it ok?"

They both nodded and the three made their way up the stairs. Things suddenly began looking nicely kept and organized. Clean walls and scrubbed floors. Quite a contrast from the lower levels. "Wow...sure nothing like what we've got." Derek mumbled under his breath.
"I'll say. "Jordan added, her hazel eyes covering every inch of the place.

Finally, they came to a hallway they all agreed on, no one in sight but obviously rich kid territory. Looking around, Derek picked out a sturdy looking locker with a weak looking lock. Placing his ear up to it, he quickly worked on the combination. Jordan and Naomi kneeled nearby keeping lookout.
"Hurry up. Someone is probably getting ready to turn the corner!" Jordan whispered into his ear. Derek only smiled slyly.

"click"

"Got it! See what you can dig out here and I'll start on another one cause no one seems to be comin'." Derek said, tossing Jordan the lock.

Jordan scanned over everything. Bingo. A nice thick wallet, sitting right there on the top shelf where anyone could grab it. Reaching up to swipe it, Jordan slipped, hitting Naomi who had been leaning underneath her going through a backpack. This caused a great deal of noise. Derek glared at her and Naomi let out a slight yelp when Jordan landed on her. Her only hope was that one in a class room heard them.


(Should I post this on the Royals page? Not sure about that...)

[Misty]

(We're pretty much posting all school related stuff in the Royale section. It appears to be in Royale territory, though there is a Subterrean section downstairs.)

[Misty]

Hoisting the bag of potatoes over his shoulder, John strolled down the street away from the market, the bag with butter swinging from his arm. He couldn't wait to get home and show everyone what a feast they would have for dinner! Analise would be so happy and proud of him. He'd done this the honorable way, working for what he got. She hated it when any of them stole so much as a pea, forcing them to take it back and apologize to whoever they took it from. Not this time. These potatoes were theirs! Jacques would be satisfied, if not grateful; he tended to keep kind words to a minimum, but John knew that, whether he said so or not, he would be grateful for something to chew. George would be neutral about it, taking everything without complaint no matter how bad. But even if he didn't show outward change, there would be a load of survival taken of his back in exchange for a small dose of luxury. And Joey... Joey actually would be thrilled about the butter part.

John vaguelly noticed that a guy was walking along to the side, strolling in the same direction he was and keeping his quick-paced walk with him, not moving ahead, not falling behind. It almost felt as if the guy was walking with him.

Another guy was walking along, keeping up pace, but he was across the street on the other sidewalk. Oddly, he was keeping in line with John and the guy on his right.

An eerie feeling began to creep up John's spine, almost the sort of feeling that something wasn't right. He glanced back over his shoulder to see another guy strolling briskly along behind him.

John quickened his pace, breaking into a job, and all three quickened theirs along with him. A cold ball of fear twisted in his gut, running icy fingers up and down his arms. Something was wrong. And he was being followed.

[Anwen]

Lita sat a moment, startled by his abrupt, to the point question. It brought back memories...

"Lita! I'm home!" She rushed to the door to see Jerek coming down the 'sidewalk' to their uncle's shack. 14 year old Litonya rushed out to him, her lush, auburn hair flying behind her.
"Jerek! r'you all right?" she said, breathlessly, as her hair settled down to her knees.
"I'm fine, there was jest a lil'rumble in ta streets today." He smiled looking down on her.
"Was anybody hurt! I didn't feel anything..."
"Nuttin worse n'bruises, Lita, nuttin worse n'bruises..." He trailed off, looking into the smog filled sky. "Ta storm l'come, an I cain't do anythin' 'bout it."
"What're ya talkin' 'bout Jer?" Lita's large green eyes roamed over his face, searching for the answer. Suddenly, something felt wrong. Jerek's face started changing, morphing into Jacques's face!

She had been staring at him for five minutes! She felt her face begin to flush as she wondered what he thought...

"I was wondering, why did you avoid me so when I was here the other day?" getting up and walking to the stove to hide her confusion. She found some flour and added it to the broth, ending up with a gravy.

[Hwin]

Tucker had long since left Thy and Rab, better they handled their own situations without him. He had no idea what was with their strange glares and sulky silences.

Breathing in the dull, bleak air, Tucker walked along the streets, ending up at the bridge. Stooping over the murky waters, he quickly splashed some onto his bruise. "Darn those officers..." Tucker mumbled, his brown eyes scanning the streets. Now they would be after him and he would have to be on the lookout. Getting up, shaking out his dark brown/blond hair, Tucker went on his way.

[Anwen]

Lita stirred the gravy to keep it from burning while she waited for Jacques to answer. She pondered all the things she knew about the accident and started connecting the dots.
Jerek used to go on rumbles.Rumbles are gang meetings.
Jacques goes on rumbles.
He is beat up.
He is part of a gang... And he knew my brother.

"You knew my brother." She said to herself, not hardly believing it. "You knew Jerek didn't you!" She whirled around and came towards him, face flushed with shock and excitement.

[Lithium]

Camri ran down the street as fast she could with a sack of apples and oranges on her back.

She sprinted around a corner then, ––– BAM! Camri ran smack into a dirty-blonde haired guy. Her sack of fruit ripped and the apples and oranges tumbled out into the street.

"Aw, crud! They'll be all bruised now." She looked up at the guy who she had run into.

Wow. He's... wow.

"Oh, I am so sorry about this!" she said quickly, hurrying to pick them all up before the urchins could.

[Anwen]

Will came out the door of his shack just in time to see his best friend, Sydny, get ran into by a girl. Despite the fact that he had to get to his afternoon shift, he hurried over to see if they were alright. Sydny was helping the startled girl pick up her fruits. "I can see you're alright Sydny," he said, as he got closer and could see Sydny double-tasking, like normal, and apologizing for 'running into her' while picking up the bruised produce. He chuckled under his breath. Sydny always made him laugh.

[Cytherea]

Sydny quickly helped the girl pick up her fruit. He stood up, his arms full of apples and oranges, and considered the girl.
She was cute. He smiled at her with one of his best, friendliest smiles, and took a step towards her.
"Hallo!" he said. "I'm so sorry for running into you from where I was standing. Please accept my most humblest apologizes, miss...?"

(switching to a different character)
"Well I'm sorry you can't seem to understand me right now, but it's obvious you have absolutely no idea what you're doing!"
"Ma'am, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop bothering me and run along."
"Run along? MA'AM??! Listen, I know my business! If you don't sell me that loaf of bread, I'll wreak my vengeance upon you!"
"That's nice, ma'am. Have a good day, ma'am."
The man shut the door on Cassandra, and left her standing outside. She clenched her fists and then, with a yell, kicked the man's door as hard as she could.
"If I die of starvation, I'll do it right on your front doorstep, you horrible man!" She yelled at the house. She stormed away, her fists clenched even tighter.
Who'd that stuck up man think he was? Well, I'll never buy anything from him ever again, as long as I live.
The sweet smell of freshly baked bread reached her nostrils from the small bakery, and she closed her eyes in delight.
Ah, I never said I wouldn't steal from him ever again. And besides, he wouldn't miss a loaf, the creep. He's the only baker round here, and he's let it get to his head. His prices aren't sane!
She maneuvered her way to one of the windows. She saw a few loaves lined up, steam rising from them, and their aroma filling the air. It was all she could do to not eat it immediately the moment she gently took it from the sill.
Right when she thought she was home free, a little boy who was walking to the bakery with his mother yelled,
"Mom! She's stealing some bread!"
Cassandra, carrying her precious loaf, dashed from her hiding spot.
Drat that little kid for seeing me!
"Hey, you! Stop it!"
Cassandra (obviously) didn't. She tore down the road as fast as she could, leaving the bakery behind her. She ran down the twists and turns of the roads and alleys, until she emerged onto a road she knew they wouldn't find her on.
She held out her bread and was about to tear a piece off and stuff into her mouth, when a car zoomed by, one of its tires rolling over a muddy puddle. Dirty water splashed all over Cassandra, and her meal.
She stood there, holding her soaking bread and feeling the cold water soak through her clothes. She finally blinked and looked down at the bread.
Then, in a sudden tantrum, she threw the bread clear across the street, hitting somebody's wobbly window. The bread was too soggy to do any damage, and that just got her even madder. She yelled at the car (that was no longer there) for a few minutes before seeing some curious people glance at her. She turned and ran back down into one of the alleys she had passed through before and slumped to the ground. Wracking sobs shook her body as she cried out her frustration. Subterrean way of living was not how she had always imagined.
Too many people would track me down if I actually injured someone, so stealing is harder than I had realized it would be. I mean, that kid saw me! How am I supposed to survive?
At that moment she thought she heard footsteps, that were getting closer and closer by the second.
And they were headed in her direction.

[Lithium]

Camri
"Brighton. Camri Brightson. But forget the miss. Nobody 'round here calls me miss. They'll start thinkin' I'm some kind of Royale in disguise." Camri laughed. "Maybe you are! But, what does it matter?"

He's so handsome! And he seems really nice, Camri thought.

"Want apple? Or an orange or somethin'? Oh, and what's your name?"




Matthew

Matthew ran his fingers through his short, brown hair and smiled to himself. These streets... this is where I belong.

He needed to escape for a time. To much pressure at the office. CEO of a company was hard enough. But he'd had some death threats. Trade from other countries was slowly dwindling off. He'd have to shut down their exportation harbors and airports soon.

He leaned up against a wall and rubbed his face with his hands, feeling the prickles of a beard beginning to grow on his chin and jaw. He frowned.

Harder than trying to maneuver around all of the new production and union laws was trying to protect his sister from the situation. She was too curious for her own good.

I swear: Missy attracts trouble like a wealthy company attracts exploiters.

He was soon to be entering into a lawsuit with a young man due to Missy, supposedly, leading the young man on and then "breaking his heart," which cause spiritual and emotional damage.

Matthew rolled his eyes. Yeah, right.

He started walking again and passed a street where a girl and guy were hastily picking up oranges. He could tell from over thirty feet away that the girl was quite taken with this boy. He couldn't see the guy's face.

Shrugging, he kept walking.

[Cytherea]

Sydny smiled at the girl.
"My name is Sydny Fae Marksh, but my best friends call me Puck. Who says you aren't a Royale in disguise? You sure are pretty enough!"
He picked up another orange he saw and placed it into his already full arms. His whole pile of fruit started a chain reaction, and he dropped all of them, except for one. He hastily picked them all up again.
"Ah, sorry about that." he carried his armload of fruit and put it inside the bag, that then ripped all the way. He scrambled to pick up the fruit again. he placed them on top of the bag. "Sorry about that too." he said with another smile.He saw another orange lying in the street, and he and Camri both reached for it at the same time. Sydny's hands closed over her hands with the fruit inside. He smiled yet again.
"Do you live around here?"

[Lithium]

Camri blushed crimson. "N-not really. Mistress Tyler, the lady I dress and get ready and such is much prettier."

Shoving the fruit back into the bag, she smiled wryly as she watched him drop all the fruit he had gathered.

"Ah, sorry about that." He gathered the fruit together again.

Camri looked up.

A man was standing in the middle of street, just watching her. She met his gaze, then he kept walking.

She turned her attention back to Sydny, who had just ripped the bag open. She rolled her eyes and sighed. Gosh, what a klutz!

"Sorry about that, too," he said, smiling again.

Camri gazed the street for more of the fruit and, spying an orange, she lunged for it. Sydny did the same and he caught her hands in between his as hers closed around the orange.

He smiled again. "Do you live around here?"

"No. Other side of Subterria. I'm just walking home from work and fancied some fruit." She looked closely at him. "Why? Are you some kind of copper?"

She yanked her hand and her orange away from him, shoved the orange into the bag and said, "It's almost dinner time. I need to be getting back."

Camri hoisted the bag over one shoulder, carefully holding the rip closed, and started to run down the street.

Her feet made satisfying pats against the pavement. I know that was rude but... what if he's a copper? What if he... no. I won't worry. Worrying is useless.

[Cytherea]

Goodness, what did I say?
"See you around, Camri!" he called after her as she turned and abruptly left. He wondered why on earth there had been a call for her to be so rude.
Copper? I'm no police! Oh well. She's just being cautious, I suppose.
Sydny was about to walk to where he was going originally, when he found an apple on the road. He picked it up and considered it.
That really was a terrible sack. Now she went and lost one of her fruits. I'd better return it to her next time I see her.
"Hey. Who wer yur talkin too, boy?"
Sydny turned and saw two ugly men. They were stocky and tall, and their teeth were crooked and yellow.
"Ah, her? Why, she, uh... she was nobody."
"Answer me, ur yu'll taste me blade!"
The leader of the two drew out a long knife. Sydny smiled at the man.
"Why? Are you some kind of Copper?" he said cockily, repeating Camri's words. The man let out a yell and tried to punch him. Sydny dodged it easily, but the man's buddy hit him in the face, and Sydny flew backwards and landed on his stomach. He slowly pushed himself up and tasted the blood from his lip. "Wow! What a punch! Can you teach me?"
The first man tried to hit him, and this time he was successful, and hit him in his eye.
"I told ya to answer me!"
"Sorry, I can't." Sydny said, smiling again, though it was harder this time. His eye was stinging. The man almost seemed to smile, and advanced towards him. He raised his knife and Sydny rolled away as the blade almost cut his arm off.
"Yur gonna be sorry ya ever denied me!"
The man sliced down and Sydny stood up. The blade sliced through his shirt and into his chest. He gasped in pain but managed to stay upright. He turned and ran as fast as he could down a maze of roads.
He turned a corner and --- BAM!
He ran into Camri. He could see the anger burning in her eyes, and she opened her mouth to say something, but he winced in pain and took his hand from his chest. His white shirt was smeared in blood, but he managed to smile at her.
"Sorry again, but..." he winced a second time. "I'm afraid you forgot an apple."
And before she could say anything, he grabbed her hand with his bloodied one and pulled her along. The thugs were faster than they appeared.

[Lithium]

Camri bit her lower lip as she tried to hold back some cutting remark. This boy might be cute and amusing, but it's just one thing after another with him!

He took her hand from his chest. His white shirt was smeared in blood. Camri stiffened and turned white as a sheet. "Coppers..." she muttered.

"Sorry again, but..." He winced. "I'm afraid you forgot an apple."

Then, he took her hand and pulled her with him. His grip was slick with undried blood.

Camri turned around and looked behind her. Coppers! Their entire uniform was a rusty orange color–– just like copper. These are just the thugs. Never too bright. We can probably outwit them.

Sydny tried to pull her down a street, but Camri tugged on him and, picking up her speed to a sprint, dragged him down the other way and kept running.

She quickly looked behind her. The coppers hadn't made it to the street yet. Time to vanish.

Camri pulled Sydny down into an alleyway and knocked on the back door of one of the buildings.

"'Ello, girlie." A man in a copper suit answered the door. "We figured you'd try to disappear again." He grabbed her by the shoulder and dragged her inside.

He almost closed the door on Sydny, but a gruff, shadowy voice said behind him, "Grab him too. He'll run for the other coppers."

The copper goon grabbed Sydny by the upper arm and dragged him inside.

The door closed. The only light was that coming from the fireplace, which was partly obscured by a large sofa.

"Camri Brighton. You ran while you were on duty. You know what happens to coppers who run?"

"We get melted?" she asked.

"Yes. You get melted."

"But, see, I never really was a copper."

"Make her remember, Freene."

One of the copper goons (I guess that would be Freene. They get uglier every time I run in with them.) stepped forward, grabbed one of her arms and twisted it behind her.

Camri laughed.

[Anwen]

Will didn't stick around to see how the rest of Sydny's encounter with the girl went. He could take care of himself. He strode confidently down the streets of Subterria, through the chaos of hagglers, hawkers, and advertisers whose products were always the best, and over the bridge. The grey-green "water" of the river was now as frozen as it was going to get and lower-class Royales and upper-class Subterrians would mingle while skating; while the high'n'mighty would skate on ice rinks in The City. A few streets away, stood the biggest post office in the city. Actually, it was the only post office in the city and its name says as much. Will worked at ONLY package shipping, OneNation Loves You package shipping. Will hated the name, but at least he had a job.

He called out to the manager, “Afternoon Jake!”

“Afternoon Will! You’re cutting it close today.”

“I know, I had to check on a friend on the way to work.” Will climbed into the back of the truck, as he was the one who actually did the heavy lifting, not the driver, and they set off.

[Cytherea]

"Wait a minute." Sydny said rather feebly. "Hey you! Yeah, the uglier one, what was it? Oh yeah, it's Fleece, right? I'm Sydny."
Freene's face grew red.
"Who do you think you are?" the man spat. Sydny was about to reply, but the man twisted Camri's arm even more.
"Hey, leave her alone!" Sydny said quickly, stepping forward. "Fleece, stop it!"
Freene's face grew as red as a tomato, but the other man laughed.
"Ha! And what are you gonna do about it? You're just a stupid little kid. You can't take things seriously. Just like your parents."
The blood drained from Sydny's face. He turned to the man.
He can't be. He just can't. He...
"Jubin?" Sydny said, his once tired voice changing significantly. It grew stronger, filled with more... was it, seriousness?
"Me and you, we go way back." Jubin said in low tone. "We've unfinished business, and I know you haven't forgotten."
"That you killed my parents when you were drunk and stole my families property?" Sydny laughed, a harsh laugh. "That's not possible to forget."
"Looks like you ran into some trouble." Jubin indicated his wound. "I never thought that old injury would reopen. It nearly cut through your heart last time. What's it going to do to you now? What are you going to do?"
Sydny's eyes suddenly flashed. He stood and faced Jubin. He could smell the stench of wine on Jubin's breath.
"I'm going to kill you."
Suddenly, Sydny became someone different. His carefree, happy attitude changed. He sprang into action, and starting fighting Jubin with his fists. It was as if Sydny had a second person inside him, and he had taken over.
Jubin wasn't bad at fist fighting, but Sydny was in a fey mood, and Jubin soon realized it. He finally managed to reach the door, and then snarled at Sydny.
"You've changed, boy. But so have I. Keep your eyes open. I'll be back."
Freene let go of Camri and ran after Jubin, eager to get out of the room.
Sydny let out his breath and slumped against the wall. He was breathing hard, and his wound was getting worse.
"Sorry, Camri." he managed. "He's a... childhood enemy. Sorry. I'm sorry for everything."

[Lithium]

"Not your fault," Camri murmured. "I should never have gotten tangled up with them in the first place."

She looked over at Sydny. His shirt was still a bright red, which meant that he was still bleeding. She stood up and leaned over.

"You're bleeding pretty badly. We'd better get you back to my place. My sister can patch you up pretty nicely. She's got the knack for delicate stuff like medicine."