Ruth returns from her scouting near sundown, confirming that police are visiting different tortilla shops around the city, while they provide a description of Alex and Barbara, they are all well aware that the two are not the objective of the police investigation.

“Shit.” Curses Pepito. “Now what do we do?”

“If the police come knocking, I’ll handle it.” Affirms Eddie.

“We won’t let you stick your neck out for us. Ruth and I will spend the night looking for a place we can move to.”

“How? They’re building more towers as we speak, I had to make the rounds walking around the roads like a pedestrian.” Ruth makes a guacamole taco and takes a bite.

“They’ll be looking out for anyone out at night.” Adds Pepito, biting down on his own taco.

“Shit. Now what do we do?” Alex slumps down on his chair, Pepito gives him a comforting pat on the back.

“We have to try anyway.” Says Barbara.

“How about we ask Azucena?” Suggests Eddie.

The room turns towards Azucena’s room, she stands at the door, still pale in the face, tears running down her face.

“I’m going to turn myself in.” She says, breathing heavy.

“No you’re not!” Pepito drops his taco.

“If you do, I’ll go on a rampage, I swear, I’ll leave mountains of bodies just to get you back.” Says Ruth, calmly.

Eddie raises an eyebrow at her, holding back a laugh.

“Same.” Adds Barbara.

“Okay. Let’s take it easy. No one is turning themselves in.” Eddie turns towards the two brash girls. “No one is slaughtering anyone. Azucena is my daughter, mama is helping me raise her. She’s the daughter of an old flame I had back in Aztlecali.”

“You lived in Aztlecali?” Asks Pepito.

“Yes, the point is, no one is leaving here. Mama and I will look after you guys.”

Azucena keeps quiet, her eyes say she wants to say something, only a sob escapes her mouth. Alex walks over, wrapping his arms around her. He whispers in her ear, she reciprocates the hug, bursting into tears in his shoulder.

The sun sets, the busy streets empty, Eddie entertains his guests with stories of his exploits as a luchador, enthralling Pepito and Azucena, the latter of which seemed to have appeased her anxiety. Barbara can’t help but feel for the girl she just met, a maelstrom of emotions inside of her.

Remembering the promise she made to both of the younger kids, she excuses herself, making her way to the rooftop. She takes long strides, making sure there’s enough space to practice swordplay. Determined to, at the very least, teach Pepito and Azucena the fundamentals, she looks around the roof, hoping to find something to use as makeshift swords. Unable to find anything, she considers looking around the neighboring rooftops. One look at the guard tower, a few blocks away, is enough to dissuade her. For a moment, she considers walking back downstairs, enamored with the city’s view at night, she takes a seat on the ledge, noticing for the first time, the sound of the river’s flowing water. She closes her eyes, letting the cool breeze brush her hair.

“Hey, loner.” Alex appears behind her.

She doesn’t respond, instead, greeting him with a smile.

“Azucena likes looking at the city at night, too.”

“I’ve noticed. How’s she doing?”

“She’s asleep now. I hope you don’t mind sleeping on the couch again. I promise we’ll get you something more comfortable by tomorrow.”

Barbara nods, eyes fixed on the horizon. “She seems to hold you in high esteem.”

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Now, Alex holds back a response, giving back a warm smile. Barbara can’t help but feel annoyed by his face.

“Pepito and Azucena asked if I could teach them how to fight.” She states.

“Did they?” Alex’s smile disappears.

“Are you okay with the idea?”

“It’s not up to me, just don’t go too hard on them.”

“You don’t seem convinced.”

Alex lowers his gaze, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable, she changes the subject. “So how do you guys know Eddie?” She asks.

Alex smiles, further annoying her. “Ruth was the one to introduce us.”

“Really?”

“I’m sure you two are well acquainted enough, you can ask her yourself.”

“I still don’t think she likes me.” Once again, Barbara’s eyes are fixed on the horizon.

“She doesn’t have to like you for you two to work together, apparently.” He jests.

“I owed her for yesterday.”

“Ruth has dealt with a lot. She can be moody, but her heart is in the right place. Her standing up for you yesterday was’t out of the ordinary, that’s just the type of person she is.”

Wanting to respond, she’s halted as both of their attention is drawn to the sound of yelling coming a few blocks away. They get on their feet, noticing torch lights move through the dark streets. Alex and Barbara take one look at eachother, then jump to the building on the other side of the street, staying low, and making sure to make as little noise as possible, until they are near. They peer over the ledge of the building down to the alleyway to find two police officers in chase of a familiar face.

“That’s the Alley Coyotes gang leader.” States Barbara.

They watch the boy being chased, make his way towards a trap. Some officers lie in wait for the boy in the direction he’s running towards, Barbara grits her teeth.

“Speaking of debts I owe.” She runs towards the building where the police intend to intercept the gang leader, jumping down from one wall to another, halting the chase, and assuring he doesn’t fall into the officer’s hands.

“You’re the new kid.” The boy manages to say before he’s put in a choke hold by one of the pursuing officers.

“Got you, little shit.”

Barbara jumps forward, hopping from one wall to another, gathering momentum, she drives her knee into the face of the officer restraining the boy, dropping him to the ground.

The torch wielding officer draws his sword, inching his way towards the two adolescents. Alex drops from the rooftop on the officer, knocking him out as well.

“Follow me.” Alex leads them towards a dead end, pushing Barbara and the boy down behind some floral pots.

Out of sight, they wait until they no longer hear any police nearby. The gang leader lets out a weary sigh, sweat running down his face, he finally addresses his rescuers.

“Thanks.” He says, specifically to Barbara.

“Right back at ya.” She responds, resting her elbow on her raised knee, still seated on the floor.

“You’re Alex, right?” He asks.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I thought you guys kept to the north of the river.”

He spits on the floor. “We were run out by the police. Part of Don Sinven’s promise to clean up the city.”

“Where are you guys staying?” Asks Barbara.

“That’s none of your business. For all I know, you two could be working with the police.”

“What are you talking about? You saw me being chased this afternoon.” Alex puts a hand on Barbara’s shoulder to let her know she should keep her voice down.

The boy gets up, his breathing now under control, he pats the dust off his clothes. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” He starts walking away.

“Where’s the rest of your gang?” Asks Alex.

The gang leader stops in his tracks, without looking back he answers. “We’re looking for Chucky, one of my guys. He was taken by Sinven’s men.”

“To the new place north of the river?”

“Yeah.” The boy clenches his fists.

“Do you know what they’re up to, in there?” Alex gets back up to his feet, Barbara joins him.

“We got carried away. All we were doing was looking for the food storage, they caught us on our way out. Chucky didn’t make it.”

“Which one is Chucky?” Asks Barbara.

“The tall one.” He starts walking away again.

“We want to help.” Says Alex. “If we work together, I’m sure we can get your friend back.”

The boy looks over his shoulder, leering at them. “Why would you help us?”

“Like you said, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and speaking of friends, you helped mine, it’s my turn to help yours.” Replies Alex.

“Tch. I heard you were a goodie-two-shoes.” He turns the corner, leaving Alex and Barbara behind.

Barbara runs towards the corner, watching the boy calmly walk away. “What’s your name?” She asks.

“Frankie the Coyote.” He responds, disappearing into the night.

“Let’s get back home.” Says Alex.

He and Barbara keep to the streets to make it back home, constantly looking over their shoulder to make sure no one is following. Making their back to the roof of the tortilla shop, Alex opens the wooden hatch leading downstairs.

“Are you going to stay up here a while longer?” He asks.

Barbara had retaken her seat on the ledge, looking at the city’s light in the distance. “Yeah, I think I’ll stay here a while longer.”