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Dedication: This goes out to four of my most supportive people. The Hairibo's, Forbidden shadow And Jhon, the fire loving arsonist. Love you guys!
Well, without further adieu..on with the show
This takes place in the summer of 1965 in New York City.
"Miss Lupin, are you paying attention?"
I looked up at Mr. Clemens from my page of doodles and resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him. If I were listening, I wouldn't have a whole note book full of doodles, drawings and random thoughts. Some of the stuff I had put together was pretty good, if I did say so myself. I was no artist, though. I would much rather write or even fight for my living.
He cleared his throat, as if I had ignored him. That was rather hard to do. He talked in a soprano octave. He was a short, balding thirty year old man who I had made my adversary. Don't go and get to thinking I just pick out random people to hate. I had my reasons for disliking Mr. Clemens. He had tried to not only get my father involved in my school life, but my eldest brother. I couldn't forgive that. Jim didn't care about how well I did or didn't do in school where Rock did. It was hard to go home to the apartments and concentrate on a bar fight around my Triginometry homework. To top it off, he actually made sure I went to classes knowing full well that if I had my way, I wouldn't even show up. It was also hard for me to understand how someone illiterate could become an English teacher, but that's the school systems for ya. It was good for people to put him down. Maybe his replacement would be able to read.
'One more week, one more week, one more week...' I repeated over and over again in my mind. One more week and I was done school. No more teachers, no more studying and no more faking my way through this preppy school. I put my pencil down on my page of drawings and appraised him with a cool indifferent stare.
"No, Sir," I said seriously
"I'm trying to teach you something, Lupin," he said looking angry
"I don't doubt you're trying, but staying one lesson ahead of the class won't get you far," I paused savoring the moment "Especially when you're five lessons behind."
He visibly turned red as the class laughed. I looked at him smugly and he grew even angrier.
"That's it, Lupin," he snapped, pulling a yellow slip of paper off the stack on his desk.
He scribbled on it vigorously and handed it to me. "You know where to go, so get out!"
"Yeah."
I shoved my text book in my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I paused to make sure I threw him an insolent grin before closing the door behind me. He made ditching class too easy. If he actually thought I was going to take this to the office, he was crazier than I gave him credit for. Last thing I needed was a call home about my behavior. I left the class in a mutter of voices and headed towards the doors. I looked down at the piece of paper in my hand and laughed aloud. He hadn't even spelled 'disrespectful' right. Across the street was where the student housing buildings and the football field were. I was sorry to say that was the view from my window, but it didn't matter. One more week...I sighed and crossed the street.
I went up to the second floor and unlocked the door to a room I shared with a girl by the name of Margot. She and I avoided each other as much as possible, which suited me just fine. She was just too weird. Nothing in her room was ever out of place and she insisted that we keep the place unlivably clean. I mean, a room just wasn't a room unless there was clothing and papers all over the place! She was so spoiled and neat it killed me. If only boarding schools would let you pick your roommates, but then, school might be somewhat enjoyable.
I went to my room and changed out of the horrible uniform we were forced to wear. I will always hate plaid because of it. I pulled on a pair of jeans and an old T-shirt; I was always more comfortable in old clothes anyway. After dumpng out all the books from my bag onto the bed I threw some of my possessions into the bag. As it got closer and closer to the end of the school year I had been migrating more and more things to the apartments, so I could take off as soon as school was done. The room looked even barer than usual. Just the bed and the crap on top of it were left.
I sighed, wishing I was back in San Francisco. New York was great, but it was a whole other world than where I came from. I took one last lookat the room and closed the door. I had the odd feeling I wouldn't see it again, but I had no sad thoughts about that prospect. I had better things to think on.
Friday, for example,was my absolute favorite day of the week. Fist off, it's the end of the week. Who could say that was a bad thing? Secondly, there were no classes after two in the after noon and last, but certainly not least, I could disappear for the weekend and no one would care as long as I was back for Monday morning breakfast. That's why I had no misgivings about leaving and why I was happy to be outside of Cornwell's walls. On the weekends it was just a bunch of rich social preppies sitting around the pool or playing tennis, talking about whose dad signed the biggest deal that week or whose dad was the richest. It just wasn't me. Nothing about 'Cornwell Academy of Learning' was me, even if I had been raised in the environment.
There were only two reasons why I picked it. It wasn't a well-known boarding school and because my brother or should I say brothers. Out of six of them,four of them called New York home. It was important that some of us stick together.
As I walked down the street, I knew that this was definitely the rich side of New York. People walking on the sidewalks stared at my ripped jeans and dirty T-shirt with distaste. I could care less what they thought of me. I wasn't out to impress anyone. I was heading to the West Side where everybody knows everybody and no one would care what I looked like. I didn't go for short skirts or a ton of make up, but I had what Rock calls 'class'. So I didn't have to dress like all the other girls. Yet, I knew by some intervention on Rock's part, I was off limits to the gang members. I appreciated the thought, but I wasn't a child and I could stick up for myself. I had to. Either that or permanently glue myself to someone's side for the rest of my life. Not what I would call fun, especially when I was a member of a gang, and on the west side, gangs ruled.
There were three rules to survival. Rule one: someone is always working for someone else. You'd spend half your life trying to get to the top of the pyramid. Rule two: a gang is a family. You step on the toes of one member and the rest come running. Rule three: Territory is sacred. You don't mess with that, unless you have something to loose.
Right now I was crossing into Blade territory. They had an alliance with our gang, the Wolves, and were considered friendly. They weren't the only ones, but there were a few gangs to steer clear of. The Wolves and the Blades always seemed to be at war with the Cobras and the Vipers. Sometimes the Aces took sides, but if they did, it was with the Vipers. I can honestly say they picked the toughest gangs to quarrel with. Not that the Blades and the Wolves weren't a force to be reckoned with, it's just that we didn't have the numbers to fight anymore. We were either going to have to make piece or ally with another gang. I knew Rock had no trust for anyone new, but he'd rather join than declare the Cobras had won. I hadn't figured out my big brother's vendetta against the Cobras, but then again, there's a lot I didn't know about Rock Lupin.
"Hey, baby," speaking of Cobras, "What you doing all the way on the west side and alone, too?"
I didn't know this one. He was definitely new to the Cobras - his tattoo still looked bloody and sore. He was also blocking my way along with two of his friends. Damn it.
"I have my business and that's how it will stay. I suggest you drop it," I said, pushing past him, but with the other two blocking my way, I didn't get far
"What's your hurry? We could have some fun." The first seemed to be the talker of the group
"You're on Blade turf, so watch your mouth," I said resisting the urge to flip him off
"Blades' don't scare us." He was grinning
"They should," I commented trying to get past him again
"What's your hurry, baby?" He stepped closer
"I want to get away from your stench as is humanly possible," I answered meaning every word
It took a minute for that to sink through his thick skull. He looked livid once it did
"Really?" he spat "Why I oughtta-"
"Try it and the three of you will get the crap kicked out of you," I warned
"Now, who's gonna do that?" He asked as his friends snickered
"Me."
I'd know that voice anywhere. Right now it was a comfort, but an annoyance, too. How was I supposed to be my own person and act tough when I kept getting rescued? I may have lost this fight, but I would have gained knowledge for the next one. I stood, defiantly, as Mike Garren, leader of the Blades, made his way across the street. He stopped right beside me so he was face to face with the lead Cobra. Garren towered over him and he shrunk under Garren's unwavering glare. His muscles bulged as he folded his arms and brought himself to his full height. Garren was nearly six feet, where the Cobra was closer to four feet.
"This don't concern you, Blade," the Cobra said getting his courage back a little
"Maybe. Maybe not." Mike showed no change in emotion
"Then just walk away," the Cobra urged
"You're the ones on my turf and you're annoying a Wolf, so I suggest you walk away," Mike ordered in the same even tone
The Cobra looked me up and down before saying anything
"So what if she is a Wolf?" he asked "Lone wolfs are the ones hunters get the easiest."
"You try it - " I started
"Layne. Don't," Mike warned and I glared at him contemptuously
"If you don't scram, I'll be taking this up with the lead Blade," the Cobra threatened
"Really?" Mike was itching for a fight and I was grinning, even if I was mad at him. They'd found the lead Blade all right
"You must be new," I muttered and Mike threw me another warning glance
"Scram," the Cobra ordered yet again
"I was hoping you'd say that." Mike grinned
"Mike. Don't," it was my turn to warn him, but he ignored me, methodically cracked his knuckles for effect
"Mike! Layne!"
I turned my head slightly to see Vinny and Zack. They were Blades, and tough ones at that. Though, I would choose to fight them over Garren any day.
"Vinn," I greeted "Zack."
"What are Cobras doing on Blade turf?" Vinny asked
"Damned if I know," I admitted seeing Vinny on my other side and Zack on the other side of Mike
"So, what do you want us to do about them, Boss?" Zack asked
The Cobras Mike had been trying to pick a fight with looked shocked and a bit confused. Zack pushed up his sleeves a little farther, so they could clearly see the tattoo of a knife on his right arm. It was the tattoo that marked a Blade and it was known. Mike looked more dangerous than ever, for affect of course. I just tried not to grin while Vinny crossed his arms and stiffened. We all looked tough and they weren't going to fight us. In fact, this was their cue to chicken out.
"We-we-we didn't know," one of the quiet ones stammered
"You have no idea," Mike assured them in his most threatening voice
The lead Cobra didn't even respond. He just backed into his friends and they took off as fast as they could for friendly turf. Zack made to chase after them, but Mike shook his head. We'd won and that was as far as it needed to go. Either that or Mike wasn't in the mood to chase anyone.
Vinny grinned and Zack threw an arm around my shoulders.
"So, Layne. Preppy land get too boring for you?" Zack grinned
"Yep." I turned to Mike, who no longer looked like he'd won a great battle. More like he was mad.
"You are supposed to be in school," he reminded, folding his arms
"Don't you start with me about that school. Another hour and I would have got thrown out for assaulting the teacher," I fumed
"And skipping won't do it?" He asked
I folded my own arms and looked as menacing as I could. I'll tell you, I could stand my own.
"You are no one to lecture me about skipping school, Michael Garren. You dropped out how long ago?" I asked
"That doesn't matter," he stated
"Oh it doesn't?" I was about to really lay it on him
"Could be an old married couple," Zack muttered and Vinny stifled a laugh
Both Mike and I stiffened. Mike glared at him and I crossed my arms, for the second time in the last few minutes. Zack looked at the ground and Vinny turned his laugh into a cough.
"What the hell do you mean 'it doesn't matter'?" I demanded, turning my attention back to Mike
"I dropped out to take a job," he said
"One you quit after two weeks," I pointed out
"That has nothing to do with this," he snapped
"Right." I started to walk towards home
"Why couldn't you have just stayed for the last week, like Rock asked you to?" Mike asked catching up with me
"Opportunity knocked and I answered." I shrugged
"Next time it knocks, slam the door in its face and stay where you're told to," Mike lectured
"Mike. You are a year older than I am, so quit acting like you're my father," I snapped and stopped to get my point across
"Well, someone should! Rock may give you free range, but the real world ain't so kind, princess," Mike went on
"You are on dangerous ground." I hated the name princess
"Really?" Mike asked
"Don't push my patience," I warned
"I'm real scared!" Mike said in mock fear
We stood in silence for a moment. We fought sometimes, mostly because we were close in age and he thought he could do everything, including order me around. Well, the real world may not be nice, but neither was I, when pushed.
"We'll talk about this later." I was walking again
"No, we'll talk about it now," Mike stated, stomping alone beside me
"You think so?" I asked
"Yeah, I do," Mike snapped
"Question. Who died and made youmy boss?" I asked and he paused
He may have been the leader of the Blades, but not the Wolves. Even if my brother died and they had to pick a new leader, it would be Will and not Mike. He knew it, too.
We walked back to the apartment building in silence, both fuming at each other as Vinny and Zack followed in tow. The building wasn't much, but it kept you dry and it housed us all just fine, plus rent was cheap.
Joe Riellyand Tom Mathewson were lounging out on the front steps. I knew they were in trouble or they were on sentry duty. Either way, they didn't look too upset. It was a beautiful day to be outside.
"Layne!" Joe grinned
"Hey Joe, Tom. How's it going?" I asked sitting between them and throwing Garren a dirty look
"It's going. You planning on seeing that brother of yours?" Joe asked
"Pissed him off?" I asked
"That is the understatement of the century." Tom grinned
"You didn't light anything on fire did you?" Vinny asked
"Nah. We did worse," Joe sighed
"How much worse?" Zack asked
We heard a crash and shards of glass hit the sidewalk followed by a chair that shattered upon hitting the ground.
"That much worse," Tom answered
"Damn, the boss must be pissed at you two," Taylor said joining us on the step
"I'd better go up there." Mike stood
"Boss?" Vinny started "We'd follow you anywhere, but you'll understand if we let you fly solo on this one, right?"
"Yeah, I ain't asking you two to follow me." Mike shook his head and went through the doors to the building
I stood and went to follow Mike
"Layne?" Taylor asked
"He's my brother," I answered simply "You three stay out here until he's not throwing things anymore. Where's Will?"
"Up there already," Taylor answered "So's Merit."
"Thanks," I called opening the door
"Luck, Layne!" Tom called
"You keep it," I answered
Mike was standing on the eighth floor outside of the twined Oak doors that concealed the conference room where we could hear Rock yelling and throwing things.
"After you." Mike gestured
"Wuss," I muttered
"Sissy," he replied
"Mama's boy," I countered
"Girl," he said
"Two faced, mindless, lowdown, yellow-bellied sidewinder."
"Fair enough." Mike had no come back
I shook my head and opened the door. The room was in a shambles and one window was smashed outwards. So Rock had thrown the chair. He was pacing the floor with the phone in one hand and the receiver in the other. He didn't show he'd seen us come in, but little ever escaped his attention. He didn't look happy, that was for sure.
Will Rielly was leaning back in a chair with his feet up on the table. He had his blade out and was gently tracing the grains in the wood of the chair with it absentmindedly. I knew he was in some book the rest of us couldn't see. For a tough hood, he was very well educated and enjoyed the finer things. He was tall and muscled with an Irish grin and bright green eyes. That's how you marked a Reilly.
Then there was Merit. He was watching Rock pace the room like a cat would and I couldn't help but wonder how he kept from getting sick. Merit could watch anything with his hazel eyes, but for how long was anyone's guess. He turned his eyes off Rock to see us come in. He had dark hair, bright eyes and was aloof. Your basic tall dark and handsome. No one knew his first name and no one asked. It was as if Merit had no past, before the gang, and if he did, he offered no explanation. We never asked, for we had our own pasts and it's the present that counts.
I was still mad at Mike and let him know it by sitting right between Will and Merit. I joined them in watching Rock yell at who ever was on the other end of the phone. I would normally have felt sorry for the other person, but I've come to know that Rock only yells when it's necessary. He went on for about five minutes, throwing various objects when he didn't like what he heard. You knew Rock was mad when it got to that point. He was good at hiding his emotions, but anger could do it.
He finally hung up the phone and set it down harder than was necessary. He let out a string of curses and acknowledged that we were there for the first time.
"Well?" Will asked not looking up
"A week tomorrow night, the docks," Rock answered shortly
"What the hell did we miss?" Mike asked
"A lot," Rock snapped and ran a hand through his hair before going on "Last night Ted and Kenny beat a Cobra until he was unconscious. They left and he died on the pavement."
"Damn it!" Mike cursed "I told them not to do that! I'll have a word with them."
"Don't bother to get yourself worked up. Tiny saw the cops pull them out of the river less than two hours ago," Rock sighed
Mike was silent. I guess there weren't words to express the loss of two of your lieutenants.
"I've been on the phone with the lead Cobra since then. They want a war council. Otherwise they keep killing off Blades until there aren't anymore Blades to kill off," Rock explained
"So the Blades are going to war," Mike stated bitterly
"And their allies are going with them," Rock assured him and Mike looked a bit surprised "Apparently the Vipers want a piece out of us and this is an excuse to do it. The Aces are with them, too."
"That's almost..." Mike trailed off
"Almost even," I finished for him "Give or take the fact they out number us by at least a dozen."
We were quiet for a moment. I don't get listened to as often as I would like, but they listened now.
"They're going to have an advantage numbers or no," Merit spoke for the first time "They can pin anyone of us before this council because of these damn tattoos."
He pointed to the Double L on his forearm and the knife on Mike's.
"That's why the word is out. All of us are to travel in groups of three, no less. That is if they travel at all," Rock said with meaning to us all
"My boys won't like that," Mike pointed out
"Then make it an order and make this one stick," Rock advised and Mike didn't reply
"What about West?" I asked
"He's not part of the gang," Mike pointed out
"He's a Lupin and one in the spot light, too." Rock nodded "Layne's right. I'll put Joe and Tom to work, after West's match tonight."
"What are we going to do with a boxer?" Merit asked
"We train. This will most likely be a skin fight, so we won't have our usual advantage and that's what they'll be playing for. We can use all the help we can get," Rock explained
Will looked at his knife doubtfully. Both gangs could use them well. No blades, no more advantage.
"Assignments?" I asked
"Will? Head down to Ching's and buy up as much as you can with this"- Rock said handing him a roll of bills- "I want to prepare for the worst. Mike? Make sure your guys know exactly what's going on and that they do as they're told. Keep 'em away from the pubs, clubs and off the streets if you can. Merit? Find out all you can about how they fight and where they get supplies and where they meet. Your basic reconnaissance mission. I know you like to work on your own, but drag a few of our guys with you. Cali? Get down to the tracks, bring Joe, Tom and Taylor with you and get Denver back here and sobered up," Rock ended and we knew that was our cue to exit.
I stayed behind and Rock waited until the doors were closed before speaking.
"What is it, Cali?" he asked seeming tired
"Do you think we can win this?" I asked not making my mind up, until I knew what he thought
"I hope so. I just don't trust the numbers we're working with. I have no idea where we'd get more from, though," he sighed
"Family," I suggested and he shook his head
"I don't even want you in this," he sighed knowing I wasn't going to let that slip
"Oh really?" I started
"Cali. I just don't want to see you hurt or West or any other member of our name," Rock explained
"It would probably make drying out Morrosco near to impossible if Hawk showed up," I said not happy with his answer, but what I said was true.
Hawk was mycousin. We could have been sisters we looked so much alike, but she was wild. Never could tie her down.
"Don't even suggest a gang from the north. We aren't organized crime like them. And we won't turn to the Italians, for the same reason," Rock cut me off at the bend.
"What about Donavan's gang?" I asked
Rock thought for a moment "Talk to Sevrin and get the score on these guys. If they size up, we'll approach them. Until then, let's keep it between the two of us, even if Sevrin is sweet on their leader." Rock nodded
"Oh, before I forget. What are Tom and Joe in trouble for?" I asked
"They dropped some cinder blocks on a car up town. It belonged to a rich businessman that had asked them to watch his car for a nickel. Nothing much when you consider Joe and Tom do much worse. At least they didn't set anything on fire." Rock shrugged
I knew if less was happening he would have been furious, but he was right. At least they didn't set anything on fire. We didn't need a repeat of Central Park last summer.
"Well, I'm out of here," I announced, grabbing his keys off the desk
"Don't be long," he ordered "And don't drop my transmission."
"Yes sir, Rock sir!" I saluted and he smiled
"And California? Be safe." He looked worried
"Don't worry. I got three guys to take of as it is, four if you count Denver." I smiled at him and left him thinking on something.
He needs to relax more or he's going to go gray. I'd be alright, as long as I didn't drop the transmission again. Then the Cobra's will be the least of my problems.
See ya in the funny papers!!!
Sonah
