The Black Teeth

XIII - Wes

"You can't be." Jasmine stuttered to push the words out. The room was dark and lit only by a few candles. The room smelt of stale vegetables and Wes wasn't sure if this was a trap or not.

"Please have a seat." The boy gestured to the few chairs around the table. It was a beautiful maroon oak, engraved with many patterns. After watching to see the boy sit, both Jasmine and Wes decided it was fine to take a seat. Jasmine had noticed something about the boy, and after seeing him remove his hood Wes soon figured it out as well. He eyed Jasmine in a look that said, "don't mention it yet." and Jasmine picked up on it.

"I apologize for requesting you at such an awkward time with no explanation, I hope what I'm about to tell you makes sense. My name as you already know is Raze Devon. Or well Devon is not my real last name. You as I assumed have already guessed that I am Clyde's older brother." He stopped for a minute to see the twos reaction, which was as interesting as could be expected.

"Why has Clyde never mentioned anything about you?" Wes asked after a few moments. Raze chewed thoughtfully on the question, and after finding the right words, he explained,

"My brother and I weren't on the best of terms. I'm am very heartbroken for the loss, although as there was a time in which we were much closer."

"You must have heard how he-" Jasmine took a while to spit of the word 'died' and spoke it in a soft quiet voice.

"I am aware of how he passed, and I wanted to both apologize and thank you both for what you've done." Raze said empathetically.

"He wanted us to find you. I'm not sure why. We've been on a search that the gangs leader left for us, and we have bumped into many roadblocks along the way. The main one saying." She passed the location riddle from the cane towards Raze, who looked questionably towards it. After a few minutes of silence he got up and rummaged around a nearby cabinet.

"He's been here." Raze said thinking hard.

"What?" Wes and Jasmine asked.

"Your old leader, Hardam. He's been here. Look, my brother and I used to make these secret languages. If I recall, these numbers deciphered to letters in basic terms. We had a code sheet. But it looks like that bastard broke into here and stole it."

"But why?"

"No clue."

Wes turned to Jasmine and whispered in a low tone so Raze couldn't hear.

"That's why Clyde wanted to see Raze. He couldn't remember the code. Smart of Hardam to use old things like that to leave clues. But, if you remember a long time ago, Clyde had a sister. Never mentioned a brother. What happened?"

"We have to find out." Jasmine replied.

"Hey can you pass me the note again. I'll try to decipher it from memory. It's been years."

WE St 8.1.18.2.15.18

"WE, St. It's a formed word. West." He solved.

"8, H. 1, A. 18," he passed at it and took a minute to recall the memories. "R."

"West Harbour." Wes solved. He stepped back and put his hands over his eyes. "It was never an address."

"Holy crap. Raze. I can't thank you enough."

"I'm glad I could come of a use to you. I wish you luck on your journey." Suddenly as they began to leave, he called out. "Live alone."

"Or die together." They replied with a grin.

"Raze, may I ask one thing." Jasmine spoke up before exiting.

"Of course, my knowledge is yours."

"Clyde never mentioned you. But long ago he did mention a sister. What happened?"

Raze gave a shaky breath. The memories haunted him and he put together the right words.

"I was the first of my siblings. Clyde the next, and my sister the third. I was there when Clyde and Lily were born. During the civil war, I was drafted to fight. My parents died during the war. Clyde and Lily evacuated here, and I had to run from the war. I searched everywhere for them, for months, and a whole year elapsed before I heard any word of them. Or by then I mean Clyde." He looked away quickly. Something was obviously bothering him, and Wes didn't want to push there luck. Wes and Jasmine unfortunately caught on though.

"Thank you for everything." Jasmine said finally before they closed the door and descended down the few steps. The spent the walk back in silent, only ever talking if they saw a supposed Grimace. The took a different less populated area. Anyone who saw them and knew who they were, it would not be a good time.

"Are you going tonight?" Jasmine asked.

"I think so. We might already be late. But pack your stuff. We live at dusk."

Dusk rolled around and Wes had packed everything, including his prized revolvers, and even one of his more compact rifles. He kissed the rest of his guns goodbye, before closing his room door and waited at the front for Jasmine. She came a few minutes later with her things, and they exited the hideout.

"Where the hell are we even going?" Jasmine asked.

"No idea. Guess we will find out when we get there, given whatever's waiting for us hasn't already left." Wes shrugged.

The walked the familiar streets for what may be the last time in a while. They noticed the small things as they walked, the smell of moss on the stones, the certain cracks on bricks that they've seen for years and even the way people walked down the streets.

"Watch for pocket pinchers." Wes said simply. He guarded his things in case anyone tried to do something funny.

They found their way to West Harvour and saw multiple ships waiting. Seagulls flew above, and the water splashed the wooden boards, which looked like they could break with one wrong step. A woman leaned her back against a pole while smoking. She looked rough around the edges, but Wes approached her.

"Name?"

"Wes Linthon and Jasmine Sheffon. Members of the Black Teeth." He wasn't sure if he should've stated that, but thought it was to late now. Yeah

"Ah yes, there's a ship waiting. Though, I thought there would be three?" She said between smokes. The smell coated her throat in a thick voice. The smoke blew into their faces and they did everything not to inhale it.

"There was three." Jasmine said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "He won't be joining us."

"I see. The ship you will be boarding is The Skipper. It departs whenever your ready. I wish you luck." She pointed to a beautiful white ship.

They were glad she didn't question them more, and boarded the boat.

"Well, you ready?" Wes asked eying the water. It wasn't a question to ask when they should depart, but more if she was ready for the journey ahead.

"No." She replied. "You?"

He gave a deep breath, waved to the captain, and set sail. They look backed at Bliskam, not sure where they were going, or if they would return. She grinned towards Jasmine, and brushed his hand against hers. She blushed, but took his hand anyways. The lights faded from the city as they departed the Harbour. The real journey begins.