A Step Forward

Getting carried by Edward and Amber, I wake up at the bridge. Immdeadlty wiggling out of their hold, I puke my dinner out. "ah... Raven... Really?" Hearing Edward complain, I look at the statue, that I puked on. "Oh... Hey Grandpa." Wiping my face, into my sleeve, Amber stops me and hands me a tissue.

"Raven that's disgusting..." Telling both of them to not lose their dinners like I did. I ask where the file is. Handing me the file, I feel my stomach act up again. this time puking over the side, I feel Amber pat me on the back. "There there, get all out." Talking to me in a sarcastic tone, I wave my hands.

"Don't worry, I'm, good now. Paralysis is one hell of an annoying poison." Leaning on the edge, I open the file. "Aren't we going to go home first?" Nodding, I say. "Just a moment. I want to read it."

Pulling out the papers, I look at pictures of people, footage of deals, and their system of hierarchy. [Nox] Pictures of a man, The Northern Crime lord and..... "Gunter?"

Deals, information on their deals, and..... Closing the file shut, I stuff it into my coat.

"Something wrong?" Walking past Edward, I tell him to not worry.

"Where are you going?" Hearing Amber ask, I point at the slums. Walking towards the southern slums, I feel something wrap around my neck. It's Amber, Hooking her arms around me and Edward, she laughs. "Why are you so depressed? Is it because of that grave? Or is it that woman?"

I try to ignore her question but her ever-poking finger, makes my veins pop. "Both! Okay?" Surprised at my sudden outburst she lets me go. Turning to Edward she asks if he knows more about this.

"Nope, but I know that Gabriel apparently knows more about this. All I know is that woman as you call her is named Alice and is the first partner of Ravens."

"Second." Raven corrects

"Wait second?! then I'm third?!" Turning, not him, I say. "Third and the best."

Arriving in the slums, I feel my stomach rumble. "Damn, I'm hungry." Looking at me as if I was a moron, I hear them both say. "Well of course you're hungry?! You puked all off it!" Waving my hands, I tell them that I also might be hungry because it's the bloody morning already!"

Spotting a corner restaurant, I ask them if they want to or not. But hearing Amber's tummy rumble, I nod. "So we eat." Entering the restaurant, Edward and I sit at the nearest empty table, Rushing after as Amber whispers. "What are you doing? They have to show us to our table." Looking at each other, we laugh.

"Don't worry Amber, we don't do that here." Nodding his head, Edward joins in. "It's normal here, in the fancier restaurants they have to show you to a table to make sure you don't sit somewhere where it's reserved. But here? Nah! You sit where ever."

Looking around, she sighs and sits next to me on the bench.

"Good morning, may I take your order?" Looking at the small paper on the table, I order a dandelion salad with some tea. Edward takes the same, and AMber now feeling pressure takes the same as well.

"Are you sure? don't you want something else?" Asking Amber if she was sure cause she might not like it, she waves my worries off. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

Pulling out the file again, I show them some specific papers. "I regret some of my decisions. Mainly the one of non-aggression." Chocking on the tea, AMber looks at me. "That was you!?" Signaling her to hush, I ask her what she means by that.

"Well, many nobles and politicians oppose the idea of intervening in the slums and see it as a waste of money. So we hoped to get their support once they see the truth and the dire situation in the slums, we expected some outrage in the slums or large gang wars due to all the guns w donated, but nothing happened."

Looking out of the windows, I apologize. "Sorry about that, but would some information on possible criminal centers help you?" Stoppin' me right there Edwards, says. "You said that there would be no infighting, you're The Crime Lord of the South. Think of your reputation if you sell Gunter out."

Signaling him to slow down, I grab a map. "Let's say that Amber, unsatisfied with the lack of punishment for her kidnappers decides to take things into her own hands and found this one building in the slums." Drawing a circle on the map, I hand it to Amber. "If they ask for details tell them you saw, 15 armed men, on the outside."

Grabbing the map, she looks at it and asks. "What if they ask for a prove from me?" Handing her one of the photos from the file, I clearly state.

"Under no circumstance can you let this photo get to the media. Use it as the proof but don't let it get to the public, because the second this photo shows up, it will be clear that I'm that one that sold him out." Nodding her head, I let go of the photo.

Now seeing it she understands why, It's a picture of me and Gunter, exchanging goods. Seeing the photo, Edward looks at me, "Raven, do you not realize what this photo means?!" Staring him straight in the eyes, I say. "That someone or... something has evidence against us? I do know, and even know who it is. But the problem is..... I'm powerless right now against him."

Looking at Amber that's still lost in the photo, I ask her if she's okay. "What? No, I'm good, I was just thinking about something." Putting the photo into her pocket, she stops and asks.

"How am I supposed to explain this photo? You know, I don't have-" Raising my hand to stop her, I ensure her, that there will be no need for that. After all, if it's true what she said the anti-crime faction will use it as a tool to raid that warehouse without question its origin.

"Your food" Getting interrupted by the waitress that puts 3 large bowls on our table, I smile. "Thank you, now let's eat." While Edward and I have no problem with digging in, Amber looks at us in disbelief. "This is the medium size? It's large than the ginormous once back in 5-star restaurants! for how much? 20 Aquars?!"

While she tries to make it into a big thing, Ignore her and proceed to enjoy my food. After all, it won't be long before something big happens again. Using her fork to point at me, Amber asks why I'm selling Gunter out because from what she understood he's my subordinate.

"Simple, I don't like him, and he's a traitor, He's been selling information to the northern underworld about us for the past four years. An unacceptable thing, even if I get found out in the future I think I can play it off."

Finishing our bowls I call the waitress, "One bowl is 20 right? tea is 5 so 75 for all of us." Handing her a 100 bill, she tells me to wait for the change. "Take it as a tip." While I try to leave, the Wawitress physically hands me the 25 Aquars. "Times are hard keep it."

Not arguing about it. I take them but secretly slip a 5 into her pocket. "Very well, thank you for the food." Leaving the restaurant Amber, whistles. "Smooth, I saw that." Lightly slapping her over the back of the head, I ask her when she plans to go home.

Flashing the photo in her pocket, she smiles. "Right now, Maybe with this information, I'll be able to gain my father's favor." Shaking my head, we waved her goodbye.

"God, we're gonna be seeing her often." Agreeing with me, Edward turns around only to stumble. "Something happened?" Also turning around, I felt the cold steel press against my forehead.

"Hey Raven, you wouldn't mind coming with me would you?" Frowning, I say. "Morning Gunter, Hoped you had a good sleep." Laughing, he smiles. "I certainly did, but you seem to be lacking sleep, so let me help you with that."

*Click*