Fish Fingers

Hunters

I was on my morning walk near the bakery, planning to tell Haddock about how I got the money back, when I noticed a few shady-looking people standing outside as if they were expecting someone. I immediately suspected that they were members of Jaws and were looking for me. I was correct. The 3 of them stopped leaning on the window and walked up to me, blocking my path.

"Are you Bigeye?" One asked.

"No." I replied, lying. I couldn't be bothered with fighting 3 people at once. It was early in the morning and I had no idea who these people were.

"I don't believe you."

"Who are you?"

"None of your business."

"You're right! I'm not Bigeye so it isn't any of my business!" I'm glad I didn't accidentally say "Scad" instead of "Bigeye" there. It would've given away my lie.

"I don't believe you!" The second one said.

"Shut up, shorty." The first replied."We're here for Bigeye and only Bigeye. What makes you think this is them?"

"I don't know but it doesn't matter! I don't like how they're talking to you!"

"You don't own me, pipsqueak. Besides, I talk disrespectfully in the same way to everyone and you're fine with it. What makes this any different?"

"There's something about them I don't like."

"You don't like when people are mean to me. I get it. You don't have to get upset every time, though. It's not like we're dating."

"We're not?"

The first slapped the second.

"I don't even know why we brought you." The first said. "Your ability is more of a nuisance than anything."

"Excuse me!" I said. "Can I get through now?"

"Sorry. Didn't realise we were blocking the whole path." They moved out of the way for me. I walked through and entered Haddock's bakery.

"Doing any better now, Haddock?" I asked as I walked in, smelling the freshly baked pastries.

"Scad, it's terrible!" Haddock answered with a sad look. "Jaws took more money from me. Will you get it back for me?"

"Ha. No."

"What? But you went to get back the money they took before. Why not now?"

"Because that money wasn't theirs. It was mine. I paid for your new oven and you hadn't paid me back. The money they took was enough. I don't owe you anything anymore. You'll have to fight your own fights from now on."

"But if I tried to fight, I would end up killed! They'll destroy my bakery if I don't give them money."

"Not my problem anymore."

"Please. Don't be so cruel."

"I'm not risking my life for money that isn't mine. Deal with it."

I heard the bell on the door ring. I looked behind me. The first of the Jaws members from outside had entered.

"You talk loud, Scad Bigeye." They said. "A shame, really. I don't like it when Tetra is right. I wish you could've been a rando."

"Who are you?" I asked with a snap.

"I'm Puffer. I'm a regular gang member."

"That's all? I was expecting more."

"That ability… How did you kill someone with that?"