Retribution

Chapter Ten

Initiation was something we all had been through. First you had to prove your worth by committing a misdemeanor. You know, something that wouldn't land you in prison on your first day. When I was initiated, I chose to steal a car. We lived in a rough part of town, so it wasn't that difficult. No cops came to the owner's rescue, plus John had taught me how to hotwire the older cars. It was because of me we even had a working vehicle.

The second part of initiation was getting your tattoo, which was the League's insignia. Our insignia was a winged dragon wrapped around a knife. Kind of like the Star of Life. As ordered, we all got it on our bicep. If Chauncey and Nina successfully robbed that liquor store, they'd be forced into getting the tattoo. Which probably wouldn't bother Chauncey, but Nina most likely wouldn't be all that thrilled. Which reminded me, they had yet to return. I worried more about Nina then Chauncey, but I still worried about him. Sure, he was a creepy jerk, but that didn't mean he deserved to die.

Just as I was about to switch on the news to see if they were dead, the front door slammed open.

"What an adrenaline rush!" Chauncey said, grinning from ear to ear. Nina looked terrified, which didn't surprise me. The only reason she was here was because Boss had threatened her and anybody she loved. Before I could ask her a single question, she darted off into our room.

I was left alone with Chauncey. He sat next to me, so I told him, "You've got to put the money in the lockbox. It's in the kitchen."

"Don't tell me what to do." With a sigh I replied, "Just do it. Please."

"Why should I?"

"Because that's what Boss wants, okay?"

"Whatever," he said as he went into the kitchen. Mere seconds later he shouted, "Where's the key?"

"On the hook by the door."

"I don't see it."

Grumbling, I stood and joined Jerk Face in the kitchen. Pointing at the back door I said, "That's the door. Now, look right next to it. That key you see? You know, the only one that's one there? That's the key."

"Drop the attitude, jeez. It's so unlady like." He grabbed the key and looked at me blankly. "Where's the box?" I opened the drawer by the sink, revealing the black metal box.

As I left, I heard Chauncey mumble, "God she must be on her period."

I was on my way to see Nina when the front door was once again slammed open. Honestly, didn't people know that doors could be opened gently? This time it was Boss. When he spotted me he came over to me and asked, "Where's Crystal?"

"I last saw her this morning." He grunted and pulled out his cellphone, presumably to call Crystal. Not yet being dismissed, I stayed by Boss. Once he finally hung up he told me, "She'll be here in a few minutes. I want the both of you to scout the neighborhood for me."

"Yes sir."

"Crystal knows what you'll be looking for."

"Yes sir."

"So buzz off!"

---

"Okay, so we're looking for a woman in her late thirties. She shares a lot of Boss' features. You just. . .snap a picture if I say so, got it?"

"Yes."

"And don't look all suspicious. Try and act like you're taking a selfie."

"Right."

We walked pretty far from home, into a somewhat nicer neighborhood. There weren't bars on the doors or garbage scattered across the lawns. It wasn't Bel Air, but it wasn't similar to our neighborhood in the least. Going from one block to another, I got a sense of deja vu. It wasn't until we reached Agnon Ave. that I knew why.

For some reason, we were in Mrs. Noble's neighborhood. Maybe we were just passing through, but the knot in my stomach told me otherwise. The knot only got worse when I saw Mrs. Noble's house, a woman in front of it tending to some flowers. I didn't need to see the woman's face to know it was Mrs. Noble's mom, Tina. I had met her when Ryella brought me over. Beside Tina was Mrs. Noble herself, the two chatting leisurely.

"There she is," Crystal whispered, nodding her head over to Mrs. Noble.

Oh my god.

"What are you waiting for?" she hissed. "Take the picture!"

I raised the phone up and quickly snapped a picture. Neither woman noticed. Crystal and I started walking back home before we checked the photo. When we did, we noticed it was hard to see distinct features, but it would have to be good enough.

---

Boss squinted his eyes at the cellphone. He needed glasses, but would never admit such a thing. After a good amount of staring at the picture, he thrust the phone back into my hands and snarled, "Find out more about her."

"She works at my school," I mumbled. I had to tell him, because if he found out I withheld information. . .god only knows what he'd do.

"Speak up! I can't ever hear you with your damn mumbling."

"S-she works at my-y school." An evil grin came across his face when he said, "I have a plan."