Chapter 8: Follow the Trail
He stopped mid walk. Eyes wide, he looked all around, clutching his chest tightly, feeling his heart ram against his rubs under his dirty cloak. "What is this feeling? It couldn't be…"
"Hey, man, you're blocking the way."
The boy turned his eyes to a group of men standing before him. All had tattoos of dragons running down their arms, but a few had a cross on the back of their hands. The largest one stepped forward, coughing into his knuckles and rubbing them as if to give them a buff. "You know where you're at, kid? This is Los Dragones territory."
"And I care why," He asked, eyeing the man down and exhaling in disappointment.
"Boy, do you know who I am? I am this gang's leader! I'm El Jefe around here!" His fist came crashing down on the boy's cheek. The boy stumbled back, but kept his balance and spit blood from the minor cut in his mouth. The cut slowly healed shut, giving a minor steam to exit through his lips.
"The name is Carlito. Got it? These are my streets, and if you don't want my pals here to treat you like fresh meat in prison, you'll bow your head and show respect!" He spat angrily.
Slowly, the boy looked Carlito in the eye, smiling and saying, "You smell like shit. I'd rather not lower my head to someone who can't find a decent shower."
"The fuck was that? You trying to roast me, kid? You'll have to do something better than that weak bullshit," He laughed, looking at his posse.
The boy shrugged and said, "Sure. It might be a bit too cold for you, though." He slammed his bare foot into the concrete, twisting it slightly. Black ice rushed up from under his toes, freezing Carlito in a block of cold. The ice rushed up high into the air, bursting through the opening of the alleyway.
The homeless around gawked at the boy, his eyes glowing a strong, bright green. His gaze pierced the other members of Los Dragones, sending a heavy chill through them. Most ran, all except one, who sat and stared at their frozen leader. "Carlito," He muttered, eyes snapping to the boy as he approached him. The glowing green eyes, his dark hair dropping over his right eye. The cold, unfeeling and uncaring gaze. Not to mention the sudden burst of ice powers.
This boy was NOT normal. Anyone still in the alley could see that.
"Los Dragones has info on most of the people in the cities nearby, don't they?" He asked, voice dark.
Slowly, the man nodded, crawling back until he hit a wall.
"Your name. Tell me," The boy said, moving his cloak aside. He was dressed in dirty rags. Weakly knitted and patched shorts, and bandages around his stomach. When his left hand came into view, electricity began surging around his fingers, shaping like a blade and cackling madly with a green color.
"I.. It's Ryan! My name is Ryan!"
"I'm guessing, based on how this guy was running around, you have a base where you and your men all hang around like common thugs. Take me there. Now."
"S-sure, kid. Just don't kill me!"
"I won't if you cooperate," He muttered, lightning dying down and eyes dispersing the glowing green, giving the view of basic green eyes. "I'll even unfreeze your boss." He looked back at the massive shard of black ice, breathing in deeply and exhaling.
It shattered into dust. Carlito's body dropped to the ground, eyes glazed over and rolled into his head. Many of the homeless slowly approached him, poking his body. His skin was frozen solid, and freezing to the touch.
"He's dead!"
"I said I'd unfreeze him. I didn't guarantee he'd be alive when I did." Turning his head back to Ryan, he said, "Take me. Now. I'm losing patience." Ryan jumped to his feet, slowly walking out of the alley, with the boy close behind. Soon, my brother. After all this time, we'll finally…
The Boy's thoughts trailed off, excitement building in his blood as an intense chill rushed through the air.