II. The Path Downhill

It was a sunny day in Queens; the sun had lit brightly through Ms. Campbell's foster care's windows. The foster care owner was sitting at her desk, finishing up some paperwork. When she had finished, the doorbell had rung. The older woman opened the door and smiled.

"Hello, Honor," Ms. Campbell said to a young woman.

"Hello," the young woman said, stepping inside. "It's been a few months; I figured I'd stop by and see how you've been."

"I've been great; the business has been booming. Tons of kids have been adopted and have found jobs. How about you? How is work?"

"Oh, everything is great," Honor replied, chewing her gum. "Did you want to get something to eat and catch up?"

"Fortunately, I've finished my paperwork, so why not? There's a new Italian restaurant a mile away; the pizza's amazing."

"Pizza sounds fantastic; Do you mind if I use your restroom? I've been sick with the stomach virus all week," Honor said, as she had given a toothy grin.

"Sure," Ms. Campbell said and started to pack her things while Honor used the restroom.

There was a ring, which caught the business-woman by surprise. Ms. Campbell looked on the counter to see that Honor had left her phone and felt that Honor was hiding something. Ms. Campbell read the relatively short email through the notification screen and felt her chest harden. The older woman didn't expect a rather vivacious email but did nothing.

Ms. Campbell set the phone back down; Honor then exited the bathroom. The two left but the foster care owner's guilt was eating her alive; she knew that if she didn't snitch that she'd be punished as well. The older woman sent a frantic message to someone and put her phone in her purse. Ms. Campbell smiled and nodded while Honor began talking, hoping that the said person read the message. Quickly, the guilt disappeared, and the woman wondered what would happen next.

When the two sat inside the Italian Restaurant, Ms. Campbell couldn't help but feel that she and Honor were being watched but guessed that paranoia was the cause and shook off the sensation. Then, she had begun to relax, and she and Honor enjoyed their time.

***

Honor was home, watching T.V. and waiting for Lily to come over. She was setting the table when her phone rang. She thought it might be Lily but had widened eyes when it said 'Boss' on the screen.

She answered. "Hello, Blue."

She waited a moment and answered his question, "I was with her, yes."

Honor listened and said, "I didn't mention anything, Boss. I guess she checked my phone."

Honor was silent again. She placed two cups on the table. "Yes, she told me that she was with Swindle H one day. Swindle H told her that she took Ivory to the strip club. I don't know the details, but Ivory has this prepaid phone that some guy named Chris gave her just in case she was in danger."

The woman waited again. "Chris told Ivory he used to work with you and that you don't keep girls like her around; Ivory's pretty gang material if you ask me."

The woman waited again. "Yes, that's all I know. I told you that Swindle couldn't be trusted, Boss; she's just some dumb prostitute. Lily is on her way; we'll make sure something like this doesn't happen again."

Honor hung up the phone, and the doorbell rang. She smiled and opened the door, seeing Lily.

"Hello, Lilly."

"It's nice seeing you again."

"How've you been?"

"All right," Lily said as she closed the front door. "So, have you heard the latest Blue Dragon's gossip?"

"It's about Ivory, isn't it?"

"How'd you know?"

The two girls sat down and began eating.

"Well, ever since Viper's whole scheme, the drama follows Ivory."

"Were you aware that Swindle H took Ivory to the strip club months ago? Some man named Chris who worked for Blue, even though Blue doesn't remember Chis, gave Ivory this prepaid phone."

Lily stopped eating her Spaghetti. "We don't know a Chris. Why would this man lie?"

"You know why, someone wants to take down Blue, and the person is using Ivory because she hasn't been in the gang long enough to know trusting others outside the gang is a bad move."

"I see your point. How do you know this, Honor?"

"Well, I was visiting a special someone, and she sent Blue a frantic email. I think Swindle H told the old lady."

"Oh, the Cat Lady," Lily nodded. "That doesn't make; why would Swindle H do that?"

"You know the story of her friend, right?" Honor asked, and Lily nodded. "I think Swindle H thought that it would help her heal from her friend's death. Ivory and Viper are like those two, you know."

"Ivory's much smarter and appreciative than Swindle H if you want an opinion," Lily said.

"Oh, I know. Let's say that Blue isn't too happy with Swindle, and he certainly isn't happy with Ivory."

"I think he should cut Ivory some slack. She didn't know any better. Maybe this Chris guy knows something and helped Viper. Maybe if he's who he says he is, then we can kill him."

"I see your point."

"I hope Ivory doesn't turn out like Viper, it would be a shame if she betrayed herself just like Swindle H did," Lily added.

The two finished their food and got right to work updating everyone's files. Then, they began brainstorming who this Chris guy could be and Swindle H's intentions.

***

Ivory was enjoying her Friday evening sitting with Rover; the two were watching a crime show. The show was about a father that killed and cut up his wife, then buried her.

"How do people come up with such dire motives?" Ivory asked, feeling ready to vomit.

"Beats me, kid."

"How come people like men like him?"

"These people wear a mask, not a literal one. People like this man know that they're different and act normal while tricking the vulnerable. These people can have good careers and a family, and no one would notice anything strange."

"That's so scary."

"Blue is like that, you know," Rover said, and Ivory faced him. "Do you feel that?" Rover asked, and she nodded. The energy was different; it felt denser. "Whenever I speak of Blue, the energy feels dense. It's like he's watching. Scary, huh?"

"I'll say. Would you consider Blue a killer? I've never seen him kill someone, but he pays people to kill."

"That's a killer, Ivory," Rover patted her leg. "He has killed people with his bare hands; I've witnessed one."

"Can you tell me? Please?"

"A few years ago, he and I were out somewhere. I don't remember what we were doing, but I think we were visiting a relative. I believe his sister was sick or something along those lines."

"Wait, he has a sister?"

"A half-sister. His dad has been around the block a few times. Blue doesn't count her as family, but she's affiliated as well. She's a liable connection. Anyway, some homeless person came up to us and was annoying, so Blue led the man into an alleyway and told him if he wants money, he should earn it. The man refused to join the gang but wanted money, so Blue strangled him and left the man there when he took his last breath."

Ivory blinked. "So, what happened after that?"

"We left and returned to base. Blue doesn't need a reason to kill people, Ivory. Listen, you've been here a while; you aren't a new member. Stay out of trouble."

"Viper is already in trouble; she escaped jail. Blue could go and kill her like that man," Ivory added.

Rover shook his head. "She didn't run away, Ivory," he sighed.

"What do you mean? Did the police place her in solitary confinement? That's what Hawks and Lucky said. Those two believe that it's a set up the police planned."

"The police don't plan such outrageous things, Ivory. If you want an opinion, someone abducted her."

"Do you believe it was Blue?"

"If it weren't Blue, then it would be rival gangs that want information on Blue. Ivory, please stop being curious and don't snoop around this place. Curiosity will get you killed. The less you know, the better. I don't hold information, but I can speculate. I speculate that Blue had something to do with her disappearance. If you search, you'll disappear. Just do what Blue tells you. If Viper's gone, then it's for a reason. Blue doesn't need a reason to kill you, Ivory."

Ivory felt her heart tighten. She was sure it would explode. Ivory knew that looking for clues would get her into trouble, but she had to uncover more. Ivory felt that Hawks and Lucky made up some lie.

"I think Hawks and Lucky lied."

"They did lie, Ivory; they know the rules. Listen," Rover moved closer and took her hand, "if you want advice, I don't think Blue was going to rape you, honey. I think he held you down because he wanted to show you how dangerous and violent he can be. Your stature and sex don't matter."

"Hawks tried to stop him."

"I mean, it did look like Blue would rape you. Blue held you down and was on top of you. If I were Hawks, I would have done the same. Blue punched you, Ivory. He hurt you, and he'll do it until you surrender. Blue was never mad, not at you. Blue kept an eye on you and told Red that you're too nosey and can't keep your nose out of things. He said he would teach you a lesson. If Hawks didn't get there on time, Ivory, you would have had bruises on you. You aren't an exception because you're a petite orphan. Ivory don't believe what Hawks and Lucky say because they aren't your friends. They'll betray you if Blue tells them too."

Ivory nodded. She thanked Rover, and they continued watching the crime show. Ivory was happy that Rover gave her advice because, deep down, her heart was telling her he was right. Ivory didn't even bother nor care to ask what Rover thought happened to Viper if Blue did make her disappear.