Lyfers OLD VERSION

Chapter 4 - Trouble's Coming

 The soft morning light made Dufferdale glow in an almost nostalgic manner, and this feeling did not help Leto's anxiety. Her father sent her the location way later than she expected it, and the fact they now had to rush made everything worse. Of course, it had to be outside of the city, and it happening in a deserted place was logical, but being late at a transaction with one of the most dangerous gang was not an option. Sitting in front of Siali's black 4x4 while Ishael and Gesh were in the back, the young woman sighed.

– Soohun did it on purpose, she groaned.

– That's unlikely, shrugged the silver-haired boy. He wouldn't risk these weapons for something as stupid as exasperating his daughter.

– Siali's right, sis, agreed Ishael. This stuff is too important. We can't fuck up, there will be no come back.

The brunette nodded, but felt her muscles tensing: they arrived to the scrapyard.

– Here we go...

The sunrise reflected on the rusted cars, making their dilapidated frames shine in a bloody red color, somehow like decomposing bodies heading back to the earth they originally came from. The deafening, mechanical sound of the nearby machines shredding them to pieces was making the atmosphere even heavier, and the tension was palpable in the brand-new 4x4. And after some minutes driving inside this desolated landscape, they ultimately stopped in front of the Skinners' vehicles. The three men were waiting for Leto's orders, patiently, eyes locked on the two Jeeps.

– Let's go. Shoot 'em up if they don't behave.

They exited their car, and the other gang imitated them. Leto stood in the front, arms crossed, her friends right behind her. They analyzed the Skinners: if it degenerated into a fight, it wouldn't be an easy one, but they could still win it. They were indeed outnumbered – it would be four against eight – but all of them were transfers at best, while the Downtowners had three pure-blood Lyfers. And the young woman knew that even if she did not appreciate him much, Siali was an awesome fighter, for a transfer.

An older man took a step forward, watching them carefully.

– Who's in charge? He asked, in a harsh voice.

– I'm right in front of you.

Leto stared at the guy with so much intensity and confidence in her eyes it would be hard for them to believe she was not already a Lieutenant.

– Do you have what you promised us?

However, she cut him off before he could speak.

– Don't be fooled by my question, I won't take no for an answer.

He smirked, waving at his men.

– Yeah, it won't have to end up in blood.

– It better not.

Two Skinners carried black, sturdy boxes from their Jeeps to them, but when they got next to their boss, they abruptly stopped: he raised his hand.

– All things considered... This shit may be worth more than what you gave us.

The mocking grin on his face got Leto's nerves on the edge, and her men's hands on their guns.

– Do you really wanna play this game?

– Hey, we're eight, you're four. Wouldn't it be wiser to just bring us money, kid?

– Well, you asked for it.

She locked her eyes on him, and in a fast move, she snapped her fingers, killing him instantly. At the view of their boss' body pitifully laying in the scrapyard's dust, the Skinners hesitated.

– So, who was on top of the soon-to-be Lieutenant list?

She eyed them, cold-blooded in every way she acted, hand still raised in case anyone else would dare to disrespect her gang.

– C'm'on, tell me who's taking the lead. These never-ending fights are tiring. Let's talk like adults and make a deal, from one Lieutenant to another.

Nonetheless, the answer she got was not the one she expected:

– We'd rather die that negotiate with the bitch who just killed our boss!

– This, my dude, is a thing you shouldn't have said.

Suddenly hearing Siali's voice unsettled her, but she managed to keep an imperturbable face, while he aimed his gun at the guy who screamed this phrase.

– Guess you have a death wish, then, said Leto, shrugging before giving a look to her friends. We're getting rid of them.

– All of them? Asked Ishael, readying his weapon.

– Every single bastard of them, she confirmed.

As soon as she said these words, gunshots began to resonate into the metallic scenery, scarcely covered by all the noises around them. And here emerged her rage: her energy started boiling in her body like the blood in her veins, and in a few seconds, the rusted cars circling her got ignored. Everything she could focus on was neon lights; herself was glowing, in a bright pink aura. She was able to see their life source, to feel it, to touch it, to break it in a million pieces or to reconstruct it at her own will. She walked towards the man who insulted her, her fist clenched and raised, making his flow stagnate, making him unable to move. He couldn't do anything against her, now. Swiftly, she snapped her fingers, and the previously grayish energy that was emanating from him evaporated. But his death did not calm her: the way the Skinners made fun of Downtown, like they could betray them without facing consequences, was infuriating her. In a violent outburst, she clapped her hands: right away, the Skinners left vanished, their energy leaving their bodies abruptly.

– Rejoice, that was a quick death.

As soon as she finished her sentence, her view came back to normal, and she was able to see her entire hair turned to bright pink, as it fell into her eyes while she fell on her knees: destroying other life sources without taking it back was sucking a lot of energy from the Lyfer performing it. But it wasn't the only reason she felt drained: she did not dodge the bullets.

– Leto!