Ethereal Madness

Chapter 19- Price of Freedom

Ayy Quese, what are we doin' here again?" Nico whined, scanning the trashy neighborhood we were at.

"He told you already," Naia intervened, "Because his frie— the guy who injured a good number of our people, we need to gather more for our raid. We need numbers to overwhelm the police after all."

He put his arms over his head and frowned. "Mmm, makes sense, but like, how many people are we gonna find that are willing to throw their lives away?"

"Throw their lives away?" I eyed him.

"Yeah, and for such a dumb cause. Like, we're better off—."

I grabbed a clump of his hair and pulled his face inches from mine. "Nico, have you forgotten why we're doing this? Why we fight? How many people here live off of scraps like stray dogs? Are barely living by stealing? Killing?"

He froze. Didn't speak or move. Even his obnoxious, chaotic smile was absent.

"Or are you content with how you're living? How we're living? Like trash on the street?"

Nico smiled and slapped my hand away. "Hey, no need to get so worked up. All I'm sayin' is maybe it's a good thing your friend wrecked our crew. We'd probably all get gunned down by the cops before we even made it to the city."

I sighed. "Your sister would slap you if she had heard that."

Nico's entire demeanor changed in an instant, with a violent scowl engulfing his whimsical smile. He straightened his back and bawled up his fists. "Don't ever talk about her."

This kid.

I peered into his rage-filled brown eyes before shifting my focus to his violently shaking arms. "You can punch me if you want, but it won't make you feel better. Nor will it bring her back."

His body seethed with anger, but it didn't matter to me. He can be mad if he wants to.

Bang took a step towards Nico.

"Chill," he ordered. Bang looked aggressively at Nico, who unconsciously backed up a step. Nico shoulders dropped, but his fists remained.

"Easy Nico. There's no reason to fight," Naia said, her face dripping with concern.

Nico shifted his focus to her.

If he tries it he dies.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Why not just go back to base?" Bang suggested. "Leave the recruiting to us."

Recruiting. Right, that's the right word.

"Mmm." He nodded and turned around.

There's no way. I see that look in his eyes. He's like a wild animal. Looking for a challenge. Any challenge. Anyone to take his anger out on.

He took one step forward, and in one swift motion, he twisted around, tightened his hands, and struck me in the face. I stared down at him, and he wavered slightly.

A scowl smeared his across his face and I felt more force from his fist than before, but it wasn't enough to move my head. He recoiled his arm back, shortly before throwing out another, this time at my nose. From there, he began swinging wildly, hitting different parts of my face. It didn't hurt, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't annoying.

Just deal with it for now.

He kept wailing, letting out angry noises and disjointed breaths. His punches over time got weaker, and his movement were a lot slower when he first started.

"Is that all?" I asked.

"I'm...not done," he panted. He winded up another punch, but Bang caught it before it landed.