She turned to meet an old, rusted, nine-millimeter pointed at her chest. A red light shone from between Vasquez’s eyes. signaling her brother had Vasquez under his scope. He had moved silently to be by her side. Immediately the two brutes with Vasquez swung into action, cocking their guns at Isais who still had Vasquez as his next target.
Vasquez put away his pistol and signaled down his men.
“I had to see if you were all just talk. That was some fast maneuvering for one so young. It almost seems like you appeared from the shadows themselves.”
Isaias scowled. “What are you getting at old timer?”
Vasquez grinned. “Nothing I think it best if we hurry to Don Arrio no?”
Vasquez laughed and kept on walking to the boathouse a red target following his every move.
Vasquez’s cologne was nauseating Zen, and then they were out from under the synth trees and into the open. A two-story structure loomed ahead. A large ramp ran from the ground level to the second-level balcony, which was nothing more than a cement block upon which a glasshouse stood. Below that was more glass, showcasing the Arrio boats. Zen walked them over to the ramp and waited.
Isaias kept his gun trained on Vasquez, as he maneuvered himself up the ramp and to his uncle the Don. He kept a close eye on his target and his sister. No way some pendejo will shoot Zen while I’m around! Zen caught his eye and she lifted her jacket slightly letting the glint of her shavers show to him. That put him at ease and he made his way to his uncle who was waiting for a report. A tall man dressed in a white suit was quietly waiting for him.
“Isaias! Why did you break protocol,” he asked swiping Mahogany locks from a wide forehead. His eyes were sharp as a shark’s and just as hungry for blood if the case came to it which Isaias prayed it didn’t. Isaias straightened his brown blazer.
“That asshole pulled a gun on Zen, uncle,” said Isaias as he glanced down at the entourage that was collected just beyond the ramp.
“Vasquez only does such a thing if he feels threatened. Did you threaten him?”
“No uncle but sending two young kids to meet a dignitary was a bad move! Of course, he feels threatened by us.”
“Nonetheless you proved yourself to him. Well done,” came a monotone voice. Isaias turned to find another man built more like him, lithe and tall, walking from the backside of the balcony to them.
“Don Rodriguez? I didn’t know you would be here sir,” Isaias said bowing his head in the other Don’s direction.
“My waterways are being used ergo I must be taken into account,” he said reaching his uncle’s side. “Well, shall we meet them Bernado?”
“His uncle sighed and nodded, heading down the ramp first.
Isaias worried about his mother. With her boss here, she’s probably home by now. Boy are we going to get it!
As if reading his mind, Don Rodriguez smirked. “I did not know you two would be here. If I did I would have given your mother another task. She should be arriving home in ten minutes to the hour.” He made his way down the ramp to Vasquez and his uncle.
He looked down at his watchpiece and sighed. The gig is up! Mama is going to know we helped Uncle again.
Bernado ended his walk down and greeted Vasquez with a smile. He patted him on the back like brothers, “Hoy hombre! (Hey man!) How does it go in Argentina?”
“Arrio! Como siempre! (As always) It’s a lot of work being rich and keeping yourself at the top! Too many tiburones (sharks) looking for a snack.”
“I hear you. Come! Let’s go inside where the air is not so balmy.”
“Did you bring it?” whispered Vasquez.
Bernado nodded, taking a wrapped package from his jacket and presenting it to Vasquez.
Vasquez took the package gingerly and began unwrapping the object until a fine silver chain could be seen. On it was a crystal with golden etchings on the sides. Vasquez held the crystal reverently.
“Where do you plan to hide it?” he asked Bernado
“In plain sight amigo.”
Don Rodriguez came to join them and Vasquez hid the crystal in his jacket pocket.
“Carmelo, a pleasure to see you,” he said, smirking.
Carmelo scoffed. “I’m sure. Gentlemen, I don’t have all night. Can we discuss whatever this is, already,” he said not one to mince words or play games.
“Of course! I have a sick grandchild I’d rather be with right now,” said Vasquez.
“So, how is Mariposa?” asked Bernado.
“She’s gotten worse,” Vasquez said.
Carmelo glanced at the packaging wrapper in Bernado’s hands and his eyes narrowed. He turned to the two older Dons. “Then let us talk of trade agreements and be on our way,” he said turning and walking up the ramp.
The two older Dons sighed in relief and followed Carmelo up the ramp. Zen was already inside. She stood beside the long vinyl couch, a hand on the cool glass window. A shadow of worry darkened her eyes as the sky fell closer to the blue of twilight. We definitely won’t make it before curfew and I’m sure Mama is wondering where in hell we are by now.
She sat on the couch and eyed the tin can of welcome chocolates. Lows were not allowed to have chocolate. It was something she missed from her old life. She popped one in her mouth savoring the bitter tang of it on her tongue. Lying back, she propped the silk cushions up behind her and took off her high-heeled sandals.
It had been a while since she last wore footwear with any heels on them so her feet ached terribly. She sank her bare feet into the plush navy rug running through the room from corner to corner. Her lazy gaze took in the room noticing the three large armchairs propped across one another and the long couch beside them. A coffee table stood in between all the furniture. A Holo V hung across the closest wall from that couch. She decided to move there instead as the Dons filed in.
The men sat down on opposite sofas across each other as Zen began to pay attention.
Bernado leaned into his chair and gestured for Vasquez to begin. Vasquez placed two small white cords on his neck. They slithered into his brain and the Holo V came on with a map of the waterways of the Caribbean to the Atlantic Ocean.
“Old friends I have a shipment arriving in the Atlantic off the coast of Aruba. It needs to sail from Aruba to Argentina. The problem is Dead Man’s Bluff. No one will sail through this area.” A little x appeared near the boundaries between Puerto Nuevo and South American waterways. Then a circle went around the x. “It’s a strand of islands space pirates call home and boats are marauded here all the time. I need for you to at least give consent for my men to journey on your seas.”
Carmelo steepled his fingers and nodded. “What are you transporting?” he asked.
Vasquez sighed. “My newest shipment of Android fluid. No need to say why that needs to fly under the radar “
“It’ll attract pirates like flies. How many gallons worth?” Bernado asked.
“About five hundred gallons, for a few working-class gangs,” said Vasquez fidgeting with his jacket pocket.
Zen rolled her eyes. Another drug scam. Android Fluid was the drug choice of this era. These men were making sure it permeated every class, in any manner of way.
Carmelo narrowed his eyes. “That is all?” he asked his eyes on Vasquez’s jacket pocket.
Vasquez sighed, “Yes, that is all.”
Carmelo ran a hand through his black curls and nodded. “Then I have no problem with you using my waterways Vasquez. Your men can pass through with my blessing...but,” he turned his eyes to Vasquezz’s pocket. “I don’t want that,” he pointed to said pocket. “On the ship. If it is I won’t be liable for my actions. Well if that is all?” He stood and pinned Bernado and Vasquez with a glare before walking right out the door not looking back once. Zen wondered if he was part android sometimes.
“My friend you can circumvent the space pirates If you dock the boat as a normal vessel and let some family member board it. Then you drive it till this point.” Bernado pointed to a spot on the map. “just before Dead Man’s Bluff and do a switch off in which case the boats would be confused, and the space pirates wouldn’t have a stationary target. Then you haul ass and bank at the nearest port for both boats and continue the trip the next day.”
Zen sighed. “Uncle there is an easier way,” she said straightening her jacket.
Bernado glared at her. “Oh, and what is that?”
“When does the shipment arrive?” she asked.
“In about a month’s time. Why?” asked Vasquez.
“Don’t you see? If you dock that ship with us and send another ship along that looks close to it, we can fool the space pirates to attack the wrong ship. “ She turned to her uncle. “Especially if the Don is riding on the said ship with a large guard. It’ll give the impression that the ship being guarded is the one carrying the loot. Space pirates aren’t known for their smarts. What they are known for is their greed.”
Vasquez shrugged. “I like her plan better,” he said.
Bernado scowled but nodded. “Fine. I’ll board the ship with some guards. Zen you’ll be boarding too,” he said.
Zen narrowed her eyes. “Why uncle? Diplomacy isn’t needed for this,” she said.
Bernado gestured to Vasquez who took the necklace out of the jacket pocket and fiddled with it. “Bernado, are you sure?” he asked.
Bernado nodded and Vasquez handed the beautiful necklace to him. Bernado turned the necklace around and showed it to Zen.
“This necklace is very valuable. It took a lot of time and effort to get. We need somewhere innocuous to hide it and you are going to do that by wearing it.”
Zen took a step backward at the strange look in her uncle’s eyes. “Where did you get it?” she asked. It shone brilliantly almost like fire. On the edge were characters of some language obviously not English, etched in what seemed like Galactian blood. It glowed silver. The crystal was the length of her palm and the width of her index finger. It was also sharp as it drew blood from the point of her index finger with its tip. Within it was a myriad of different colors.
She didn’t want to wear that necklace. Something in her was telling her to run, but she was a Low, stuck in a room with two Dons. She had to do what she was told. Still, why was her uncle acting like a man possessed? Zen stared at his usual brown eyes and swore something else stared back from within her uncle.
“Never mind that, Zen. Come here,” her uncle said, unfastening the necklace.
Zen gulped and stepped forward baring her neck. Bernado clasped the necklace over her neck. She felt claws stab into her mind and tear. She gasped in pain.
Let’s see if you’ll be a good Guardian, came a disjointed voice from her mind and the claws alleviated in her mind.
Huh? Zen raised her head to look her uncle in the eyes.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“What is this?” she gasped grabbing her head as the voice became louder, repeating the words over and over like a broken record, then seemed to fade away.
“Never take it off for anything Zen,” her uncle said.
She nodded. “W-Will that be all uncle? Mama is bound to be home by now and you know how she gets.”
“No Zen. You and Isaias are free to go.”
Zen nodded and walked away as Bernado and Don Vasquez made plans behind her. She left through the door fingering the necklace. It was a pretty necklace, the crystal sparkled in the light and the gold etchings seemed to almost glow.
What was that just now? It almost seemed like something wanted to crack my head open!
###
“Cool necklace hermanita. Who gave it to you?” asked Isaias as he trudged to her side. His feet were numb from standing guard duty against Vasquez’s goons. He wanted to go home even though his mama was going to form a big fight over this.
“Uncle gave it to me. I have to be on a ship in a month’s time to Argentina. I’ll be facing space pirates at the very least Isaias.”
Isaias frowned. “And you have to be on it, why?”
Zen fingered the necklace. “I’m not allowed to take this off at any time. It’s very special and wanted. It took a lot of effort and time to get but what it is? I don’t know,” she said. “Vasquez wants it though. I have no clue if I’m protecting it from him or for him.”
“Sounds just like Uncle to put everything in your hands. Can we leave? Mama is bound to be pissed as hell with us by now.”
“Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
Isaias frowned but followed her down the ramp and out to the streets where all was quiet.
###
The Elite lived in absolute opulence; this much was evident to Zen as they traversed the area where the Elite lived. Mansions big enough to house thirty people, housing on average four, with pillars of marble and lawns of well-cut grass that stretched for several blocks. As they departed Arco Iris and entered Low territory, it was as if entering an entirely different world.
The Lows lived in shacks and shanties stacked on top of each other. Lawns didn't exist here, just patches of dirt, house scraps, and mud puddles. The air was filled with the sounds of barking dogs, wailing children, and Enforcer's sirens.
Metal link fences around properties or wooden planks instead of red bricks or polished black poles. Even the pets were colorless as a grey dog sniffed at the trash near them. It was as they were entering their street that they came upon a problem…various problems by name of the Hoodlum Gang. Zen spotted them first and slowly shimmied a blade into each hand. She nodded at Isaias who had taken out a chain whip from his weapon’s dimensional pocket. Both preceded with caution, but they were bound to notice peacock blue, especially with all the grey and brown around.
“Well lookie here folks! Seems Miss Armargarita got daring tonight. She’s a wearing color…what’s that called hermanos?”
“Impersonating the Elite class!”
“And what’s the punishment?”
“Life in the converter,” the others howled laughing and cajoling.
The leader walked up to Zen. He was a skinny thing not too strong or bright. His face resembled an unpeeled orange with all the pock marks he had undoubtedly scratched. He had the eyes of a hungry wolf hunting for harmless prey and he thinks he found some. “Unless she’s willing to pay the price. You know how many bets are running to see if you are a virgin? The last virgin in Puerto Nuevo folks!”
The others hollered and stomped their feet in unison.
Zen turned red and had to hold Isaias back with her hand. “I’ve got this.”
“I know you do but I…,” began Isaias as he shoved her to the back. Zen pushed him back and strode forward with the self-assured grace of a lioness as she faced down Johnny boy and the Hoodlum gang.“Why don’t you try and find out? I’ll give you three chances to catch me. How about that?”
The leader grinned. “This is gonna be easy”
He stalked over to Zen trying to put his arms around her.
She held out a finger. “That’s one.”
The leader scowled and quickened his hands trying to grab onto her clothes but again they slid from his fingers like silk.
Another finger was raised so was an eyebrow in contention.
“Ready to try one more time?”
The leader scoffed. “Ima get ya this time!”
He tried tripping her, but she merely hopped over his legs and kept moving in a circle.
If the baboon was any smarter, he’d simply attack my opposite side…but he isn’t.
“It’s my turn now.”
She moved punching him in the nose sending him reeling back.
“That’s one.”
Then she kneed him in the groin sending him crashing to the floor and several of his flunkies grimaced holding a hand over their pants. Taking out a knife she had stored back in its shoulder sheath, she bent over and scratched his face before placing the knife on his jugular then whispering sweetly in his ear.
“Two and Three. Now you’re not going to say a word about me or Johnny boy I’ll let the Arrio find you and get rid of your sorry ass.”
The leader stuttered. “...And what do the Arrio have to do wit ya!”
“I’m an Arrio ex-communicated…but I still have ties as you can see.”
“Huh?”
Zen sighed. “Who do you think gave me this dress? Who do think taught me to fight bullies like you?”
The leader blinked before slowly nodding his head. “Oh”
Zen stood and began walking away.
The leader stood holding his lower stomach. “Just wait girly! I won’t suffer an injustice”
Zen paid him no mind Just as she reached the other end of the street, the leader called out.
“Enforcement Code 201 Breach!”
Zen rushed back and slapped him. “Idiot!”
“What!” Johnny shouted.
“You’ll be arrested for breaking curfew!”
“So?”
“So you really want to be sucked dry by the converter?”
“Oh.”
Zen cursed and hauled him to his unsteady feet before she began to run. Isaias was right behind her. Johnny was behind him. The rest of the gang had fled.
Where could we hide? She almost ran right past her saving grace. Her eyes turned to the crack between the walls. It led to the other side of Arco Iris.
“Quick,” she motioned Isaias and Johnny to follow her and they all managed to fit through the cracks in the wall and walk down the dark tunnel. They could hear enforcement arriving. They kept still. The rank smell of urine and other unsavory odors reached their sensitive noses.
“It reeks in here,” whispered Isaias as he ducked his head from touching the grimy top of the tunnel. He was almost too big to fit inside.
“Me and the gang took a dump in here earlier.”
“Gross man!”
“It was farther in!”
“Hopefully we don’t have to go in deeper. I don’t want your crap on me.”
“Shh, they’re getting closer!” Zen leaned as far out as she dared and watched as Enforcement inspected the spot they were just in. They had hybrid lights and were checking the surroundings.
Please don’t find us. Please don’t find us.
Zen scooted up against the wall and Isaias pressed an arm against Johnny squishing him against sharp rocks.
“Hey!”
“I think I heard something over there,” one of the enforcers said pointing his light in the direction of the hole.
Isaias glared at Johnny who gulped. The twins pressed themselves closer to the sharp brick walls almost cutting themselves on the broken pipes and edges.
“I think I see something blue,” shouted the enforcer, and Zen gasped. They were going to be caught because of her dress! The crystal glowed ominously under her dress.
The bright light blinded Zen as the enforcers shined their Hybrid lights directly onto her. She shook as they swept down the tunnel and back up as if still searching. Why are they so cruel? I’m right in front of them! They don’t need to make such a big show!
The enforcers reached in but touched nothing
“See anything?”
“No. It must have been a rat. Let’s go.”
Zen blinked the bright light out of her eyes.
I was right in front of him! Didn’t he see me?
The Enforcer piled into the Roller, one of the new army vehicles that resembled a tank and monster truck in one package, and rode off into the night. Zen waited until two more rollers had passed by before ducking out of the tunnel, Isaias close behind.
“That was awesome Zen! How did you do it?”
Zen shrugged. “I don’t know but at least we’re safe. Where’s Johnny?”
“He fainted,” Isaias scoffed, kicking Johnny’s shoe. “Some gang leader.”
“We better run for it. We don’t want to alert anyone else to us,” Zen said.
Isaias nodded and they took off running down the barren street leaving Johnny in the hole.
###
Their house number 76 was as quiet as the rest of the neighborhood. Brown plywood houses with metal doors and plastic roofs were stacked against each other like wounded soldiers in battle. A mailing unit in front of all of them.
It's a strict ordinance that every class had them. Further down the street broke into four ways, north, south. east, and west end, all leading in a circle to Arco Iris. Isaias placed his thumb on the scanner and the door opened with a whoosh before closing behind them.
Zen leaned against the door. “That was close,” she whispered.
“Do you think mama is asleep?” asked Isaias as they crept past the common room. Suddenly the lights blazed on from a lamp. They covered their sensitive eyes.
“You should be so lucky,” a tiny woman with chocolate brown eyes that spit fire, was sitting on their only couch. Her legs were crossed and an arm extended to their little night lamp, which rested on a pedestal by the couch.
“Mama,” Zen began.
“Don’t even try it, missy. From your dress and hairstyle, I can assume you were forced to help your uncle again?”
Neither sibling said a word.
Their mother sighed. “I come home early ready to make your favorite and find both of you gone! Where were you?”
“We can’t tell you, mama,” Isaias muttered staring at his feet.
“So you were forced to work for your uncle then.”
“Mama we…” Isaias began.
“Don’t start young man! Both of you are grounded til I say otherwise.”
Isaias scoffed. “Whatever, goodnight Zen.”
Zen stood silent as Isaias stalked off to his room and slammed the door. Her mother exhaled and ran a hand through her long mahogany locks. They were longer than hers. Usually, they were pulled up in an austere bun leaving her forehead free.
“Mama,” she tried.
“Go to your room Zen.”
“We didn’t have any choice!”
Her mother sighed. “I know.”
“Then why are we being punished for it?”
“I hope you can think for yourself one day. Now go.”
Zen left stomping to her room. How am I going to think for myself when I can’t be free?
She entered her room and set her little lamp ablaze with the swipe of her thumb. The dresser held her lamp. She slowly disrobed taking her time to undo her knife sheaths and place them in the bottom drawer of the dresser. She pulled out her cotton gown from the third drawer and slipped it over her head. Showering time was over. There would be no water till the morning time. She slid into her scratchy cotton blankets and placed her head over her arm as a pillow.
I miss the silk pillows in the boathouse! If only I were an Arrio.
###
In the small kitchenette, Rosalinda sat with a cup of warm water in her hands. She sat hearing Zen’s accusations over and over. We didn’t have a choice! Her eyes fogged over as the flame of the gas lamp played with the shadows.
“I can’t kill him Bernado! He’s the father of my children!”
“If they find out you’re all in danger sister! This is the only choice! Be an Arrio!”
Rosalinda sighed and drank her warm water. Should have killed him before he left me destitute and with two teenagers to manage. At least they show no signs of their parentage…although they are at that age.
She stood and placed her warm water in the fridge before returning to the table to turn off the gas lamp. The electricity had been too much to pay this month again.
“My brother has his uses at least…despite being a mobster. He could have paid for the bill. At least he provided gas lamps,” she scoffed.
She blew out the lamp.