Auros: Restless City

Worse Than a Crime

Jack, Adrian's little brother, was waiting for him outside False Alibi. He was kicking a stone against the wall repeatedly. Usually Adrian would've picked him up from school, but he was working overtime. It was Jack's birthday soon. He always asked for expensive things.

There weren't many people that went in to False Alibi during daylight hours. It was a nightclub, after all. Plus, Gloria had made it her own personal restaurant for when she had nowhere else to be.

A group of rowdy men turned into the alleyway. One of the men - seemingly the leader - was wearing a multitude of rings. He strode in front and stopped at the entrance. Seeing Jack near the entrance made him smile.

"Get out of here, kiddo," the man warned him, "I have a score to settle with with the owner of this establishment. Things might get ugly."

"My brother is in there," Jack replied, backing away from the men. "I'm supposed to wait here for him."

The man shrugged and shoved Jack out of the way. He banged on the door without a care in the world. "Gloria! I know you're in there! I demand to speak to you!"

There was a shuffle behind the door. After a minute or two, the door opened. Gloria stepped out, two men by her side.

"What do you want, Julius?" Gloria raised an eyebrow. "This better be good. You didn't even give me fair warning."

"I've been trying to set up a meeting with you, but as usual, your people claim that you are too 'busy' for matters of peace," the man, Julius, spat, "Might I remind you that I have yet to invade your territory out of care? I'm being nice. I don't want to see citizens caught in a war."

"Is this about your drug supply? I told you I had nothing to do with Emote," Gloria rolled her eyes.

"Yet you continue to help the APD. I suspect you helped them take down Emote as well," Julius continued, "I don't approve of you taking down my business. I see it as an attack. What's stopping me from declaring war?"

A sweet scent came from False Alibi. It was Adrian's cooking. Jack perked up and attempted to squeeze inside the door, but was stopped by one of Gloria's men.

Gloria looked down at the child. "I suppose this is your way of ensuring I won't retaliate? I won't have you coming here and threatening me, Julius."

"The child has nothing to do with me. Have you ever seen me with one? I don't even like them. He's an annoying brat."

"I don't believe you," she snapped, "Look - he's trying to get inside. No doubt to steal my secrets. This is your doing."

Jack whimpered as the men pushed him back once more. He stumbled into Julius, causing the man to tumble. 

Julius cursed as he fell onto his back, Jack on top of him. "Stupid boy!" He cried out, pushing Jack off of him. Gloria couldn't help but to laugh.

One of Julius' men grabbed a pistol from his jacket. "Sh-Should we get rid of the boy, sir?" He stuttered.

Julius got up and shook his head. "What, are you crazy? It's just a kid. Kid can't do much harm... ugh. It's fine."

"You wouldn't want to shoot an ally, right?" Gloria commented. Her men drew their weapons. "I know what you're up to."

"I-I just want to see my brother..." whimpered Jack. No one paid attention to him.

"Like I said, that kid has nothing to do with me," Julius narrowed his eyes. "It's your doing. What sort of kid hangs around outside? Surely to warn you of intruders, no doubt."

Jack heard a mumble inside that sounded like Adrian's voice. His face lit up. "Adrian!" He exclaimed, rushing towards the door. He bumped straight into one of Gloria's men and felt the weapon hit his chest. Then there was a bang.