by E. A. Darl
“An optimist, my dear. There is a difference.”
“Well,” she huffed as she stood and picked up her coffee cup. “I still say we cut our losses while we can and go where we have a chance to survive.” She took her cup to the kitchen without a backward glance.
“This is our home, Jessica,” Harvey called after her. “I’ve got a decent job and I like the people I work with. Maybe after I retire, we can consider moving but not right now. They need me down at the precinct, and we have a lot on our plate right now. I can’t just walk away from the station right now. That wouldn’t be right.”
She reappeared in the kitchen doorway, hands on hips. “What about the fact that we need you here - Mitch and me? Your family. You’ve done your time with the station. So what if you quit a few years early?”
“And forfeit my retirement package?”
Mitch stood up and headed for the stairs. “Well, goodnight folks. That’s it for me.”
They were at it again.
Chapter 5
Bargain with The Raven
Kendra's heart was pounding so hard, she was afraid the others could hear it. She followed Serena along the dark alley, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Breathe, you idiot, she told herself. They're going to think you are nervous. She forcefully unrolled her fingers and stretched her hands, wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans.
A squeak to her right startled her and she glanced over at a collection of scattered litter that had blown up against a dumpster. A flash of movement, grey fur and a long, naked tail was all she saw as the rat vanished beneath a newspaper. She shuddered visibly and swallowed.
Breathe, you idiot.
"Kind of a funny place to do business isn't it," she asked Serena, who was three paces ahead of her.
"Try to keep up, won't you," Serena whispered, glancing at her quickly. "We don't want to keep them waiting."
The two boys they were following turned left at a T-intersection and hurried along between the tall buildings. Serena followed them, turning to gesture at Kendra.
"This way, hurry," she hissed.
Kendra stepped over a paper bag and flinched as she walked into a gust of steam that was seeping from a pipe that jutted a short way out of a wall. The odor of fried food and garbage assaulted her senses and she resisted the urge to put her hand over her nose and mouth. She swallowed convulsively and hurried on.
“Oh, one more thing,” Serena said, glancing back at Kendra. “Don’t use my name.”
“Your name? Why not?”
“Just don’t. They know me as Gemma. You got that?”
“Gemma. Okay.”
They came around another corner and Kendra saw a small group of about five people, standing under an overhang that led to an underground parking lot. They all looked up when Serena and Kendra arrived with the two young men.
Serena immediately walked over to one of the taller men of the group, smiling up at him as he slipped his arm around her waist.
"Corbin, this is the girl I was telling you about." She smiled at Kendra.
Corbin moved away from Serena and approached Kendra, the barest hint of a crooked smile on his face. Wavy brown hair hung down to his collar and as he stepped forward, the nearby streetlight revealed that his eyes were a pale blue. His square jaw and a straight nose belonged to a man in his early twenties, in a face devoid of wrinkles or gray hairs. Even though he wasn't much older than Kendra was, he appeared to be the oldest one of the group. The rest of the small band waited silently, watching her closely. A quick glance showed that there was another girl in the group, as well as the four other men.
Kendra licked her lips and took a calming breath, resisting the urge turn and run.
Corbin lifted his chin slightly in greeting. "So why have you come to see us? What do you hope to gain from this?"
Kendra looked around at the rest of the faces, then back at their leader. "I don't hope to gain anything. I was brought here to meet you."
"Why?"
Kendra looked at Serena, alarmed. What was he asking?
Serena gave her a small smile, nodding encouragingly.
She looked back at Corbin and shrugged. "I heard you help people. This town needs more people like that. Besides," she licked her lips again and looked at the other people. "There won't be a lot of jobs when we graduate from high school, and I want to be able to help my mom out. I don't want to be wondering where my next meal is coming from. Uh, Gemma said you guys could provide some...security." She lifted her chin and tried to project far more confidence than she felt.
He nodded and took a step back, glancing back at his pack.
"What do you know about us?" he asked.
"Not much. Just that you find things for people when they can't get them anywhere else, and you get supplies to people who need them."
"That's right."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Go right ahead."
"Are you running a Black Market type thing?" She forced herself to meet his eyes unwaveringly.
He thought about that for a moment and lifted a hand dismissively. "Something of the sort. But our services go beyond getting insulin to low income diabetics."
"You do that?"
"Of course, but we also get luxury items and do favors for people who can afford to pay for them."
"What kind of favors?"
Again, he waved the question away. "Not important right now. However," he moved a step closer to her. "There is a reason you were brought to me."
"And that is?" Kendra's heart felt like it was going to rise up in her throat and choke her.
"I'm always on the lookout for useful people. You know, people who have skills or connections that we can use to our advantage."
She narrowed her eyes at that. "How do I fit in to that?"
He glanced back at Serena, who grinned broadly. "I hear you are good with numbers. That's always a useful skill in an organization such as ours. As well, I have been made aware that your connections may be useful at some level."
"My connections?"
He smiled. "I understand you boyfriend's dad is a cop."
The color drained from her face as the repercussions of this meeting hit her. "I don't know anything about what goes on at the police station."
"Maybe you do, maybe you don't. Maybe you just happen to hear something here and there. We're giving you the opportunity to trade that information and your talent with numbers, for some benefits." He bared his teeth in a humorless grin. "The 'security' you're looking for."
"Why do you need information about the police?"
He shrugged again. "In our line of work, it helps to know what the police are up to, what they know, where they are, that sort of thing. They wouldn't take any notice of you. You're not the kid of a policeman."
"And if I don't agree to help you?"
He waved his hand. "You're free to go and you'll never hear from us again. But," he smiled, "You won't have our protection or our 'security', you won't find a job that will pay you better, and you're completely on your own. And you won't be helping anyone else in this city. Your choice."
Kendra looked over at Serena, who took a few steps towards her.
"You want to make a difference in this town?" Serena indicated the people standing around her. "These people have the resources and the power to make a difference. You just can't question how they do it."
Kendra took a step back and turned around to look down the empty alley. She crossed her arms across her chest and took a deep breath. This was a lot to think about, but she did want to help the people of this city. She wanted to help her mom. She felt a stab of guilt when she thought of Mitch's plans for them. What did he have, though? Big plans and high ideals? Grand adventures and no money? What kind of life was that? Who does that help? No one but Mitch. How could he take care of her if neither of them had money? Being broke for the rest of her life terrified her, but how could she better her situation if she couldn't pay for any training o
r education? If she had money, she could make something of herself. She could save up for college, and she would be helping the people of this town in the meantime.
She turned around and smiled at the group of people watching her. "Okay, what do I have to do?"
Corbin smiled and stepped forward, taking her hand to shake it. "Easy. You become one of us. You take a name that fits in the group, and you start your training."
"Name?"
He pushed up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of the silhouette of a flying raven. "All of us have code names that relate to ravens. I'm Corbin. My deputy there," he indicated a tall, dark-haired young man who stood back in the shadows, "is Rook. You friend from school here," Serena stepped to his side, "is know to us as Gemma. Most of us don't know each other's real names, and if you do know someone's name, you are to never reveal it. This is why your friend did not introduce you by name. Understood?"
Kendra nodded. "Does the tattoo have to be on my wrist?"
"No. You can put it anywhere you want."
"Why ravens?"
"Ravens are the smartest of all the birds. They are resourceful and they can survive anywhere by taking advantage of opportunities around them. They network with other ravens and crows, as well as other birds and animals. That's what we do."
"Okay. When does this happen?"
"Two days from now. We have to decide on a name for you, and set up a time for your tattoo and your initiation. Your friend Gemma will let you know."
Kendra nodded and glanced at Serena, who nodded back.
Corbin held out his hand again. Kendra took it and they shook hands firmly.
"I'm glad to have met you. I'm sure you will make a useful addition to our little band."
"Thank you for the opportunity."
"Go. We'll talk again soon."
Kendra turned and followed Serena out of the maze of alleyways.
Chapter 6
Bumbling Thief
Aside from the distant wail of an ambulance siren, things were quiet for a Saturday night downtown. Mitch and Cory were wasting some time wandering the partially lit streets. It was the first free evening they had managed to get for a few weeks, and they decided to wander around downtown, get a bite to eat and maybe catch a movie later on. There wasn't much else to do.
The heavy winter clothing in the store windows seemed out of place, considering how mild the weather was for the fall, and they laughed at some of the outrageously padded coats that no one would even consider buying. It didn't get that cold any more.
They were peering through the security bars of the display window of a shabby electronics store, then Mitch felt something jab him in the back.
"Hey, what the...?" He turned around to see a shorter man standing behind him and aiming a handgun at him. "Shit."
Cory turned to see what Mitch was talking about and froze. The person with the scarf tied across the lower half of his face looked young, no more than a teen, really. His wide, gray eyes were all that could be seen of his face, and they darted nervously from Mitch to Cory and back. Straggly dark blond hair stuck out from under a well-worn ball cap that was pulled down low on his face.
"Hand over any money you have," said a voice, the words muffled by their passage through a faded brown scarf.
Cory took a step forward, reached out a hand and yanked the scarf from the kid's face.
"Kenny?"
The boy's eyes got wider when they focused on Cory's face. "Oh, hey Cory." He took a step back and dropped his arm to his side, still holding the gun.
"What the hell are you doing, Kenny?"
"Oh, well," Kenny gestured vaguely with the pistol. "I um..."
"Put that thing away before you shoot your foot off, you fool," Cory snarled. He turned to Mitch, who was watching the whole exchange, completely bewildered. "You remember my younger cousin, Kenny. He's an idiot, obviously."
"Yeah, I know Kenny." Mitch addressed the younger boy. "You used to hang out at our house with Cory when we were kids, didn't you? Got yourself in over your head, did you, Kenny?"
"Hey, I know what I'm doing," Kenny griped.
"No, you don't," said Cory. "Your mom would kill you if she could see you. What are you up to?"
Kenny pocketed the gun, avoiding looking at either of them. "Trying to get some cash."
"Like this?"
Kenny shrugged. "Why not?"
"Because it's stupid, that's why. You want a criminal record or something?"
"Of course not, and I'm not stupid. The only stupid thing I did was pick the two of you to rob. Of all the people I could have picked, why'd it have to be you?" He kicked at a pebble on the ground in disgust.
"Yeah, THAT was the mistake." Cory sighed. "Look, why don't you get out of here before someone sees you. Get rid of that gun and go home. Smarten up and I won't tell your mom."
Kenny glanced at Cory apologetically. "Sorry. It's just..." he turned away, hunching his shoulders as he shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, concealing the gun. "It's just something I gotta do." With a last backward glance, he hurried away.
The two young men watched him go, and then glanced at each other.
"What was that all about?" asked Mitch.
Cory shook his head and they continued down the street. "I have no idea. The kid is the laziest thing I've ever known. I doubt he'll finish high school. But turning into a street thug? That's just crazy."
They turned and continued down the street.
"Dad says that street gangs seem to gaining numbers downtown," said Mitch. "The police have gotten more calls to break up fights or chase down vandals this year than they ever have in the past."
"I wonder why?"
"Same old story. Dad says it's because there's nothing to do here. No jobs, no opportunities. Kids want to belong to something. They want to feel important."
Cory turned and looked down the road where Kenny had run off. "I wonder if that's what that little turd is up to."
"If he is, he's in for a world of trouble."
"Shit. My Aunt Estelle is going to lose it if she finds out. What a rotten thing to do to her. What an idiot." He sighed and turned back to follow Mitch.
"That's why Kendra and I are getting out of here after graduation. There's nothing here for us, so we'll hit the road and see the world while we can."
"Look, man, I'm serious about you coming with me when we move east. My dad's already there, and has already lined up jobs for my mom and me. It's entry-level, but they'll train, and the pay is decent. There are lots of chances to move up in the company."
Mitch tilted his head back to look up at the tall buildings that reached up to the darkened sky. "It feels like selling out to corporate government control to me. I don't like that idea too much."
"But that's where the money is."
Mitch glanced at his friend. "What will you do be doing?"
Cory shrugged. "Warehouse at first. I know how to run any type of big farm equipment, so I can work my way up to equipment operator or even management. If they will train, I could even get into the corporate end of things. Then I'll be making big money."
The boys were silent for a few paces, each lost in their own thoughts.
"I wish you weren't going," said Mitch, finally.
"Come with me."
Mitch shook his head slowly. "I've got other plans, man. Plans that don't require me to be tied to a corporate government job."
"But listen, the government is working on plans to take care of everyone. That's why big corporations are working with the government. They are working on projects to control food production and distribution of goods, so that everyone has the same access to the things they need. That's why we have to go where the jobs are. If those government people hadn't made my family an offer, we wouldn't have lasted another year. They gave us the out we needed. In exchange, we can use our skills and experience to help them build a better system for everyone. This is the future, Mitch. Think about it! When all the resources are centralized, then th
ey can be distributed fairly and everyone will be taken care of. It's the only way to handle this ongoing drought and the changes that are happening to all the crops. The government has huge plans, and everyone is going to benefit from it."
Mitch felt a nauseating clench in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like the sound of that at all.
Chapter 7
Ride Along
The digital clock over the city train station read 12:25 a.m. when Mitch and Cory exited the movie theatre with the handful of other moviegoers. The action movie was entertaining, but for all the hype, it wasn’t that great. The boys were walking down the block to where their cars were parked when Mitch noticed a police squad car drive through the intersection in front of them. The driver looked familiar.
“Hey, I think that’s my dad.” Mitch watched as the squad car slowed and pulled over to the curb half a block down. He glanced at his friend. “I’m going to go say hi. You want to come along?”
“Naw, I gotta get home. I promised my parents I’d help them out tomorrow.”
“Okay, but I’ll see you at school on Monday, right?”
“You betcha.” Cory gave him a thumbs-up and continued on to his car.
Mitch glanced both ways and hurried across the street, jogging to catch up with the police car. As he got closer, he saw that it was his father, sitting in the driver’s seat and writing something in a notebook. Mitch leaned down to the passenger window and tapped on the glass.
Harvey tapped the button to lower the window, and his face lit up when he saw his son.
“Taking a break officer?” Mitch grinned at him.
“Hey Mitch, what are you doing down here this time of night?” He unlocked the car doors and Mitch pulled open the passenger door to get in.
“Cory and I went to that big theatre a couple blocks down to see a movie. We caught the late showing.”
“Was it any good?” Harvey flipped his notebook closed.
Mitch climbed into the passenger seat. “I’ve seen better. So what’s on the agenda for tonight?”
