Rebel Born [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 4: Syndicate Rivalry

"Well we managed to solve that pretty quickly." Vincent said as he approached our table in the cafe. He pulled a chair over to sit next to Lindsey and threw his arm around her shoulders. Lindsey visibly relaxed and she returned to her normal state. Hmm... so it was because Vincent wasn't around.

"Where's Hugh?" Vanessa asked.

"Somewhere. Probably an arcade. Oh, but Kyle's with the police helping with the interrogation." Vincent replied as he stole a bite from Lindsey's sundae, which resulted in Lindsey whacking the backside of Vincent's head.

"So," He started, "Amelia, would you like to join the syndicate?" Huh?

I stared back at Vincent blankly. Me? He wants me to join the syndicate? What?

"I think you should join. You don't really have anywhere to be right? Plus you'd fit right in with us." Max added in after gulping down the rest of his milkshake.

"I agree." Lindsey said with a smile, "You can join our family."

"A weird family, but still a family." Vanessa added on with a laugh. "Besides, someone needs to watch over you to make sure you don't injure yourself any further." She gave me a pointed look and I was reminded of the close accident with the axe in the weaponry room.

Do I want to join? Sure, being with them is pretty fun and I'm never bored. They treat me well and they are starting to grow on me. "Will I be allowed to leave anytime I want?" I asked, looking at Vincent for confirmation.

"Anytime you want." He said with a nod. Hmm... I guess there's no harm in joining and I can leave when I want to. But am I joining just because they asked me to and I can't say no? Or is it because I, myself, want to join?

"So?" Lindsey asked with a smile, "How 'bout it?"

Oh why not. "Okay."

Vincent jumped onto his chair, cheering. "Alright, alright, calm down you chimp." Lindsey said as she pulled him back down, a wide smile on her face.

"Okay, so we gotta send in the paperwork. And set up a time for the test." Lindsey started listing things they needed to do on her fingers. Test? The double doors to the cafe opened with a dramatic thud.

A shadowed figure stood at the entrance, the sunlight not allowing us to see who it was. As the person walked further in, we recognized who it was.

"Hugh! You're late!" Vincent yelled at him.

"Quiet down!" Lindsey said poking Vincent in his side.

"But my entrance was spectacular so my tardiness doesn't matter." Hugh said dignantly as he walked over. "And late for what?"

"Celebration for Amelia joining the syndicate." Vanessa said, standing up to order another dessert.

"Oh! Then we need to party tonight! And also, that's perfect timing 'cause we have that meeting tomorrow with the Syndicate Management team." Hugh said, claiming Vanessa's seat the moment she left to order.

"And they are going to be there too." Lindsey hissed. Who's they? If it's a meeting with the Syndicate Management team, then there are two possibilities. The team they'll be meeting with or the other Syndicate assigned to Astrea.

"Huey! Get your own chair!" Vanessa kicked Hugh's leg as she came back to the table.

"Why don't you just sit on my lap then?" Hugh replied, humor laced in his tone. Vanessa scowled.

"Get. Your. Own. Chair." Vanessa ended with a glare. Absolute authority was shown on her face and she stood tall and firm. As if an adult scolding a little child. She really is like a mother.