Heartbeat

Chapter 11- Clem

Clem lay on her mattress on the floor, waking up after her first good night's sleep in weeks. She removed her sleeping mask. Dame Cora had made it for her when Clem had been a small child. She had been struggling to sleep, despite her abilities as a Corporalki. Dame Cora had said it would help. Clem wouldn't sleep without it at this point.

Clem spotted Dal at her feet, in a fitful sleep. They looked tiny in sleep but still angry. Clem had secretly aided in putting them to sleep for years, but Dal would unknowingly resist, especially if they hadn't seen Sal for a while.

Clem had been up late the night before, hanging around with some Razorgulls and trying to figure out what had been happening with the increased attacks and fights. They were always small-scale and seemed random. However, it had become a pattern, and Clem needed to get to the bottom of it. Having grown up in the Barrel, Clem knew many of the members of every gang. She even called some of them friends.

Clem had bought a drink for two men named Luka and Brat. She had known them since she was six and had been incredibly close to them as young teenagers. She hoped they would join the Widows, but the Razorgulls had a more enticing speech around power. In addition, they had an unpleasant experience with Granny. Luka was a skinny, black-haired boy who could pick locks well and had a surprising skill in a fight. Despite looking 12 years old in the face, Brat was a giant boy who could lift two men over his head. Brat had flaming orange hair, freckles, and a temper. His childlike appearance and fiery temper resembled tantrums as he became so red when upset. They drank at a neutral bar on the edge of the Barrel.

"Slag off, Mouse. We're not sayin' nothin'." Brat had said, taking advantage of the free drink and gulping down his glass heartily and ordering another. Clem twisted her mouth, looking towards Luka, with whom she always got along more warmly than Brat.

"Don't look at me, Mouse. Jumps happen constantly, and the Widows have loads of young kids in them; they're easy targets." Luka retorted, his hands moving up defensively. Clem thought it was a weak defence.

"You know I was jumped, right?" She asked accusingly.

Brat laughed.

"Well, that's your fault for looking like a weak target, too, Mouse," Brat answered, happily receiving a new pint. Clem made herself look small and scared. Brat softened his face at the look. Luka began looking guilty. He fought the urge.

"Mouse, word is you also killed one of ours when you got jumped. You're lucky we haven't retaliated for that." Shit, so that did come out. She thought, trying to keep her face neutral. Clem hid her hands in her lap and began twisting them as she compelled Luka and Brat to empathize and feel more guilt; she then whispered.

"They tried to kill me. I'm not saying you have to tell me everything, but just...should I be looking out more? Is more coming?" She lowered her head as she forced her eyes to fill with tears. She could feel Luka and Brat having empathy. Although she could feel them both trying to fight it. Luka took another sip and knocked Brat on the arm, who finished his second drink and stood up.

"Same rules as always, Mouse, keep your eyes open. Tell your Mice to do the same as we do for ourselves. Nothing's changed." He said, slamming his empty pint glass on the table.

Luka stood up, and Clem turned her head up towards him. Brat walked out of the bar, but Luka held her stare. Luka sat back down on Clem's chair, nudging her aside so they could share it. He moved closer to her ear and whispered.

"The Gulls have eyes on your territory. They're talking about it more; we're testing to see how much we can take little by little." Clem resisted cursing under her breath as she took in his words. Instead, she put her mouth close to Luka's ear.