I become speechless at how easily Rey gave up arguing any further. After those five words he simply went around his desk and sat, pulling up some papers, of which I haven’t the faintest idea what a gang captain would be doing paperwork.

But here he is, doing it and seemingly doing it well.

I hesitate to interrupt his impromptu working hours as both Rex and I are still left standing there with our mouths hanging open. But the situation calls for it nonetheless, so I do.

“I’m sorry, that’s great but…” I look to Rex and he nods, “…we don’t exactly know what to do next. Do we just wait here and you’ll make a phone call or something?”

My eyes land on the white porcelain landline sitting silently on his desk, I wonder if it’s ever really rang.

Rey’s shoulders shudder with a laugh, one of many in this meeting of ours, “You think I can just ring up Invincibill on his mobile and tell him my dumbass cousin and some kid from off the streets with more balls than sense wants to meet him?”

Flattering, but hurtful nonetheless.

“Well…” I trail off scratching the back of my head as my eyes do just about anything to avoid looking Rey straight in the eyes, “How does it work?”

The smile widens. He sets his pen down and crosses his fingers.

“How it works is…I’m going to sort through many of these stores who, just like you, have more balls than sense, and I’m going to send you two to shake them down.”

Rex shifts uneasily, “Shake them down? You don’t mean…”

“Yes, Rex, I do mean you should beat them up, trash their store or pop a knee cap or hell, all of them. I mean you should get my fucking money!” He slams his fists onto the desk, paper and stationery clattering as he does.

“Uh…” I dare to speak, “How exactly do I do that? I mean, I’m a kid.”

It’s a serious question. I can’t see myself beating on anyone, not without them fiercely retaliating. And frankly, I’m not trying to pick a fight I can’t win.

I could use my powers but I’m not exactly comfortable oppressing people who are just defending what is theirs by right with it.

Rey certainly doesn’t give a toot about any of that though. He focuses his gaze on me and in a low, almost growling voice asks, “Are you not the one who wants to help Invincibill expand the gang? Beat on the other gangs? Take their shit and distribute it amongst us?”

Far too mute to speak, I opt for a nod instead.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“And how exactly do you plan on doing all these…challenging things?”

I open my mouth to speak but he doesn’t let me, “If you have a way to achieve all that, then prove it to me, get me my money, shake those damn owners and remind them that while under our protection they fork up the tax.”

“If you can’t make something as simple as this happen then you’re going to have to give up on your dream to meet Invincibill, cuz you won’t even smell the Lieutenants fucking farts!”

Gulping, sweaty palms set aside behind my back, I nod. “Understood.”

“Good.” He huffs, and picks up his pen once again. Quickly scribbling something down on the back of a…receipt, he presents it to Rex. “Here’s the address of the four most pesky, resilient and fucking big balled owners in my territory, I want the cash they owe before the end of the week or you can forget it.”

I blink at the outrageous deadline, “Tonight’s Saturday night.”

“So? Can’t do it tonight? Got another appointment with another gang or what?”

I shake my head and ignore the accusations, “No, I can, but some of these stores may not even be open. I don’t think we’ll see the owners.”

Rey shrugs, “That sounds like a you problem now doesn’t it?”

Rex looks through the list, muttering to himself as he does. Nothing seeming to penetrate his senses.

Annoyed and tired I snatch the piece of paper from his hands and scoff. I can see why these guys are refusing to pay up.

“You’ve got two gun shops on this list, and one’s pretty famous for their guns too, you’re sending us on a suicide mission.” I spit.

Rey still looks unbothered, “If you can’t turn over a freaking gun shop what do you think you’ll be able to do for fucking Invincibill with his troubles?” He shakes his head, lamenting as he pulls out a cigar stick out of a near empty pack and lights it.

“You really think what you’re trying to do is a walk in a park, you think whatever powers you have- oh yeah I know you’re a meta, only meta’s are this fucking arrogant. Go try flipping that store, get a check.”

Of course, he knows, anyone with two working neurons would figure it out.

Snarling at him but ultimately unable to do anything about it, I resign. Still, I wonder about the other two.

“I can understand why the gun shops are pesky, but these two? One is a tailor’s shop and the other a Pizzeria. Shouldn’t these be a piece of cake?”

Again, I get no reaction from Rey. Instead, he just stares at me and says, “You’ll see.”

I pull on the still out of it Rex’s sleeve as I turn to go. I’m beginning to regret having him with me, but alas, his presence is not something I can change or alter.

“Before you go.” I hear Rey say, “Austin!” He screams.

A short second after a tall muscular man with sweat glistening all over his exposed upper body walks in. It’s obvious he’s just through exercising.

“Yes boss?” It’s rather strange hearing such a burly man call someone half his size and with half his muscles ‘Boss’, and with resounding respect too.

“My cousin and this kid are going for a shake down, those four stores.” Austin’s eyes widen at this and he looks the both of us thoroughly, gauging our strength or rather, lack of it.

“Are you sure, Boss?” the concern is clear to hear in his voice as well, which does nothing for the budding anxiety I already have about this.

Rey nods, “It’s a test. For something much bigger.”

Austin obviously hesitates, taking another look at Rex and I. But he resigns to the word of his Captain and nods.

“You’ll be watching them, make sure they finish the job, don’t interfere, no matter what.” He nods to this as well. “And when they’re done with all four, if they make it that far anyway, report back to me.”

“Understood.”

“Oh and get them some colours, if they do succeed, by whatever miracle the kid has in mind to perform, I want it to be in our colours.”

Fixing me with a dark gaze, Rey says in a less than celebratory voice, “Welcome to the crew kid.”