When Water Turns To Ice | REWRITE AVAILABLE

t w e n t y | New Paths Now Frozen

  "So, Attempted Murder Crew, watcha doing here?" I asked.

"We weren't trying to murder you." The women said like it was obvious.

"We weren't?" A guy in the back asked.

  She whipped around. "Are you telling me you almost killed them? I specifically said I wanted them alive!"

  They all frantically pointed at each other.

  "So, why are you here?" Lloyd asked carefully. His hand sliding to his katana.

  The women moved her gun warningly. "We believe whatever is in that paper is money that Emily O'Hannah owes us."

I furrowed my brow. "What are you talking about?"

"Long time ago Emily convinced us her writing and program could make millions and borrowed some money from our huge corporation." The women flicked her hair back. "Unfortunately her writing didn't hit it off, the professional business man who's idea that we turned down for hers actually ended up making a lot of money and put the corp down a couple hundred thousands in income. They fired us because we're the reason they now are scrambling and here we are."

"Woah, woah, woah." I waved my hands. "So you're willing to put a gun on people just because of money?"

"There are families that were left starving!" The women growled. "It's not just about money."

I stared at her, finally seeing the desperation.

Zane tightened his grip on the arrow. "Just say the words and I'm ready." He murmured softly.

"Good luck with that Ice Ninja." The woman snorted. "We can still end up shooting one of your comrades. Who will it end up being? The old man? The poor green ninja with the head injury? The pretty girl?"

His face tightened as he went to release the arrow but I stopped him.

"Don't." I said. "You're right, you shouldn't have lost your job because of all this. Whatever money that's in here I will give to you."

She looked surprised. "As long as you promise to use it wisely to feed your families and start a new business, instead of whatever evil black weapon depot you're apart of." I continued.

"And if you don't you'll have the whole ninja force on you." Kai warned.

She hesitated. "Why are you just giving it to us?" She asked.

I shrugged. "It's what Nana would want."

I waved the paper before unfolding it.

"Dear Gwen," I glanced at the women. "That's me."

"I know you've always wanted to become the artist you dream to be. I know your father may not agree. This money I've raised for you can send you to the art school you've always dreamed of going to. Or it can lead you somewhere else, maybe it can start you onto something better. " I began.

   "Remember that dreams are never nothing, but sometimes dreams have to be altered for reality. Don't let yourself be blinded by the light like I was.
These so much out there for you. You've made it to the city, to the tomb, to the eternal sacrifice, and to this amazing tree you stand under now. But the money isn't the only thing I leave you. I leave you this advice." I moved onto the small poem at the bottom.