2 Luke

Even in the center of the city, the walls of Citadel were still visible rising fifty feet above ground. It seemed even taller to those in the slums forming the outer ring of the city. As did its Earth Kingdom counterpart, Ba Sing Se, Citadel managed to completely segregate the rich from the poor. The steel walls bearing the Fire Nation insignia stood testament to the inhospitable captivity offered by the city. Unless you were military, no way in, no way out. This was especially evident to the gangs that plagued the slums. Mostly children considering anybody older than 12 would be drafted to fight in a war they knew nothing about or would even enlist considering it meant food, water, and a roof over your head. I could see this because I had the eyes for it. Everybody else was too concerned about who to mug one day, beat another day, and how to ensure your gang didn't decide you weren't worth a portion of their supply. But I had the eyes to notice what was happening around me at all times. 10 years old wasn't the worst age on the street. You weren't old enough to be drafted or young enough to be literally stomped on by the bullies, but I had my own setup. Watching. Most would be surprised how much people without food or water talked. There wasn't exactly anything better to do. Wandering the streets of the outer ring appropriately called "The Filth District", information of all kinds could be picked up. If a gang spotted out a vendor that showed easy picking, the info could be sold to another for at least 5 copper pieces or its worth in food which was preferable. The best-case scenario was when gangs were at war and let loose plans of attack: Raids, Thefts, you name it. That could get you not only a good reputation, but enough food for a week in the hopes it didn't get stolen off of you.

At this point in time, the streets were more at war than anytime I could remember. The main conflict was between two gangs. One rather new led by a 12-year-old named Miro. The other a long-term gang lead by a 14-year-old named Riu. It was said he killed the Fire Nation recruiter who tried to get him to join. It wasn't much of a war, but rather a series of attacks on the street, thefts, beatings, and kidnappings. I took part in my own way. Despite my preference which was for the newcomer, I sold information to whoever offered most. I would occasionally see the consequences when walking around the slums. A safe house raided, a drop off intercepted, or even a deal interrupted, but the one thing I never did was give up somebody's identity or anything that could get them killed. That was going too far. I didn't exactly get excited over the thought of a body turning up on the street that was the responsibility of the rat named Luke.

I left my regular spot, sitting on the railing of a stairway and took a walk down the Grain street towards the Grain gate. The main streets and gates of the city were named after the trade routes they were connected to go. If you kept following the Grain street north, you would eventually reach farms on the eastern outskirts of Ba Sing Se that the Earth Kingdom forces paid no mind to. Some farms gladly accepted the new trade opportunities and traded healthily the Fire Nation while others who still swore fealty to the Earth King would be extorted for all their food whenever they were visited. If they refused or fought back, they would be replaced with more loyal farmers.

I passed by a trio of Miro's thugs. After the one called Reek caught sight of me, the rest went appropriately silent. They knew who I was and responded the way they should. I didn't blame them and they didn't blame me. They knew that you did what you had to make a living. The relative safety it brought me as a universal asset was worth the silence received from others, but that was just business.

"Hey Luke" said the smallest of the group, Reek, who had appropriately earned his name. "Got anything for us?"

"Got anything for me?" I replied

Reek smiled. "Yeah. We're going to hit the Hive so make sure they know to send all of their guys there."

"I'll be sure to do that." I replied with an equally joking smile.

"Shut up, Reek." Said the oldest whose name I hadn't caught.

"Just making friendly conversation, Mu."

"We're not fed to talk."

"We're not fed at all"

"Miro told us- "

"Fuck Miro." Interrupted Reek.

I chose to step in and said, "I'll just get going." So, I let the two continue their "friendly discussion" while I turned the other way and walked towards arsenal street. Reek's loyalty was obviously in question. It was possible that Riu might be able to take advantage of that. For a fee, of course.