HAUNTING SHADOWS

Chapter 4 : Fractured loyalty

Bokka's gaze swept across the assembled gang, his eyes lingering on each member before settling on Amaka. "I'm surprised you showed up, Diamond. I thought you'd have abandoned the ship."

Amaka shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "What's the point of this meeting, Bokka? You're not exactly in a position to dictate terms."

Joshua snorted, his sarcasm biting. "Oh, I think Mr. Bokka has a lot to say. After all, he's been simmering in his own juices for quite some time."

Bokka's eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his tone measured. "During my...incarceration, I assumed you all were building our empire, solidifying our position. Instead, I find out you've been cowering in fear, abandoning our plans."

Elias spoke up, his voice calm and soothing. "Bokka, we did what we had to do to survive. You know the risks we take."

Bokka's gaze narrowed, his eyes raking over Elias's face. "I thought you were the bravest of them all, Emerald. But I see I was wrong."

Ahmed intervened, his voice placating. "Bokka, let's think this through. You've just been released –"

But Bokka cut him off, his voice rising. "You think I don't know what I'm talking about? I was rotting in prison while you all were living it up, not a single one of you bothered to check in on me."

Alice's voice was firm but gentle. "Bokka, we discussed this. We had to keep a low profile to avoid detection."

Bokka's laughter was cold, mirthless. "Detection? You think that's the only thing that matters? What about loyalty? What about standing by your own?"

Elias shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the others. "Bokka, we're sorry. We did what we thought was best –"

"Best?" Bokka's voice was a sneer. "You call abandoning me, abandoning our plans, 'best'? I call it cowardice."

Amaka's expression turned icy. "That's enough, Bokka. We've apologized. What more do you want?"

Bokka's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes blazing. "I want you all to remember what we started this for. I want you to remember the fire that drove us, the passion that united us. Because right now, I'm not seeing it."

Joshua snorted. "And what exactly do you plan to do, Bokka? Lead us back into the fray with your heroic speeches and your –"

"Enough!" Bokka's roar silenced the room. "I've had enough of your sarcasm, Opal. You all need to listen, to remember why we started this. Because if we don't, we're nothing but a bunch of cowards, hiding in the shadows."

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of heavy breathing. Bokka's gaze swept across the room, daring anyone to challenge him.

Finally, Elias spoke up, his voice soft but firm. "Bokka, we hear you. We remember why we started this. But we also know that things have changed. We can't just rush back in without a plan."

Bokka's expression twisted in disgust. "A plan? You want a plan? I'll give you a plan. We reclaim our throne. We show them that we won't be pushed around."

Amaka shook her head. "That's not a plan, Bokka. That's a recipe for disaster."

Bokka's eyes flashed with anger, but before he could respond, Ahmed spoke up. "Wait, let's hear him out. What exactly do you propose we do, Bokka?"

Bokka's grin was feral. "Oh, I've been thinking about that a lot. And I have a few ideas. Ideas that will shake things up, that will make them take notice."

The room was silent again, as the gang considered Bokka's words. Elias and Joshua stepped out of the meeting room, leaving the tension behind. They walked down the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing off the walls.

"What's going on with Bokka, man?" Joshua asked, his voice low. "He's like a different person."

Elias shook his head. "I don't know, Josh. Prison changed him. He's got a lot of anger and resentment built up."

Joshua snorted. "Anger and resentment? That's an understatement. He's like a ticking time bomb, waiting to go off."

Elias frowned. "We need to be careful around him. He's still our leader, but...I don't know, man. I'm worried about what he might do."

Joshua nodded in agreement. "Me too, Elias. Me too. We need to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't do something that'll get us all killed."

They stopped at the end of the corridor, looking out the window into the night.

"You think we can trust him?" Joshua asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Elias hesitated, unsure of the answer. "I don't know, Josh. I really don't know."

As Elias and Joshua discussed, Amaka emerged from the meeting room, her expression thoughtful. "Hey guys, what's going on?" she asked, noticing their serious faces.

Elias filled her in on their conversation. "We're worried about Bokka. He's not himself anymore."

Amaka nodded, her eyes clouding over. "I know what you mean. I noticed it too. He's so... consumed by his anger and desire for revenge."

"Revenge on who? The police?" Joshua chuckled, "It's like he's lost sight of what's important. He's going to get us all killed with his recklessness." Joshua shook his head.

Elias's voice was soft but firm. "We need to talk to him, make him see reason. We can't let him destroy everything we've worked for and reveal our secret."

Amaka sighed. "Looking at him, Elias. He won't listen. He will only get angry."

Elias's expression turned determined. "Well, we need to try again."

As they spoke, Bokka's voice echoed from the meeting room, his laughter cold and mirthless. Amaka's eyes flicked towards the door, her expression worried.

As Amaka prepared to head back into the meeting room, Ahmed emerged, looking frazzled. "Hey guys,"

Amaka, Elias, and Joshua exchanged glances before Amaka asked, "Why is Alice not with you?"

Ahmed's expression turned exasperated. "She's still with her boyfriend, okay? She's not even bothered to come out, perhaps she agrees with Bokka,"

Elias turned to Ahmed. "What about Bokka? What's he saying in there?"

Ahmed's expression softened. "Let's give that guy a break. He's not in his right sense currently. He's been through a lot."

Amaka frowned. "I think Bokka will become a big problem for us,"

Ahmed held up a hand. "I know, Amaka. But trust me, let's just give him some space. I'll try to talk to him later, okay?" With that, Ahmed turned and walked away, leaving the others looking concerned.