I. New Discoveries

Ginger and Leech went back to the apartment and saw police cars and an ambulance around the apartment. The EMTs carried out a body on a stretcher, covered in blankets, and quickly left the scene with the man. The residents spoke with the police officers and the wife outside. The wife was sobbing uncontrollably.

A friendly old neighbor told the officer that she would let the wife and son stay in her apartment. The police then said that they would complete an autopsy and quickly left. The random neighbor comforted the young boy and said that she'd make them tea when the two got their belongings. The other residents filed into their rooms, and soon, the wife was outside alone.

Fox quickly ran from the car, took his gun, and hit the lady in the head. Fox then began to carry the kid who was kicking, but his screams were muffled. Ginger clicked the button to open the trunk, and Leech put the distressed kid into the trunk and closed the door, secluding the trapped boy in the small, dark space while Ginger threw the wife in the back.

After, Fox drove back to their hideout.

***

The next day, the robbery, the two murders, and the disappearance of the young boy and wife were on the news. The Blue Dragon's members watched the shocking story in the living room. The news reporters didn't suspect them, but rather a few different gangs in New York or just some random people that committed the robbery. Everyone but Ivory watched the story on the flat-screen television that covered almost a full wall.

"Well—that's some story," Spike commented.

"As long as no one mentions us, I don't care what the news says," Lily said.

"What happened to the boy and the wife?"

"They've been taken somewhere," Red answered.

Viper felt frightened because the Blue Dragons not only made people quickly disappear but also seemed to know everything; the connections that they had was scarier. She stared at the television screen and felt her blood boil—that's where Ivory went last night. She shot up and slammed her hands onto the table, and everyone stared at her.

"That's where Ivory went last night."

"So?" Blue sneered. "Why the hell do you care?"

"I haven't heard from her since last night. Where is she? What happened to her?"

"Relax, Viper, I'm sure your friend is alive and well," Harley rolled her eyes.

Hawks sent Harley a dark look, and she looked confused.

Spike narrowed his eyes at Harley. "She got shot."

Rover, Lily, Harley, and Lucky were shocked.

"Shot?" Lily asked.

"Seriously?" Harley sighed. "How could they have gotten her hurt?"

Lucky saw that Hawks was glaring at Blue, and said nothing.

Blue narrowed his eyes at Spike. "Bite your tongue before I cut it out."

Spike lowered his head and said nothing. However, Viper gasped and began shouting at Blue for being a heartless, cruel man and a horrible leader. Blue grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall, and everyone was silent.

"Listen, I may be a lot of things Lehmann—heartless and cruel? Yes—but I am NOT a horrible leader. It's not my fault that your friend got shot—she just got…unlucky," he smirked at the last part. She sneered at him, her face and neck squished between his fingers. Viper's head was roughly forced against the wall. "But it doesn't matter, she is being taken care of, and you won't pay a visit nor see her until she makes a full recovery," He got closer. "And if you disrespect me again, I'll cut you up and eat you!"

Blue let go of her, and she coughed, trying to get air into her system as he left the kitchen — but not before sending Spike a warning glance, who silently apologized.

Roxie suddenly appeared. "Hello, Blue!" she chirped.

"Hi, Roxie," Blue said, wondering why Roxie was always cheerful.

"You seem angry."

He narrowed his eyes but said nothing in return for her comment. "What are you doing here?"

"I saw the news—I just wanted to know how Ivory did and everything. You mentioned to me that she was going to go with Fox, Leech, and Ginger."

"She got shot!" a female voice shouted down the hall. They both turned around and saw Viper at the end of the hallway, Blue's handmark was around her neck. Viper's face held a never-ending sneer as her hands were balled up into fists. "And it's all his fault!" she blamed, then quickly disappeared through a staircase.

Roxie turned to Blue, "Is this true?" He nodded, and she gasped. "Let me see her."

"No one is seeing her. Perhaps you can speak to Viper, she's getting on my nerves."

"Her friend has been shot, Blue. How do you expect her to react?"

"Take Viper out. I almost killed her earlier in the kitchen."

"I wouldn't expect anything else nonetheless," Roxie walked down the staircase Viper disappeared from. As she walked, she saw a familiar svelte figure ahead and ran, "Viper—" the younger girl turned around, "—what happened to your neck?"

"Blue choked me."

Roxie sighed, "Look, Blue wants me to take you out for the day—he said you're getting on his nerves."

"Oh, I'm getting on his nerves? The nerve of him."

"Well, we can do a little shopping or something. Maybe go out and get something to eat, or get our nails done."

Viper thought for a moment, and then grinned, "You know what? I'd like that."

Roxie smiled back, "Let's go then."

Viper followed Roxie and breathed the fresh air. Viper began walking beside Roxie, and the young girl quietly smirked.

***

Later that day, Ivory woke up with a painful arm and a lowered fever. She observed the empty room that she was detained in—all-white walls and medical tools on the rather long counter. The place made her feel nervous, but she ignored the feeling. The door opened to reveal Blue, Red, and the female nurse from last night. Ivory got a good look, seeing that the woman was Blue and Red's age with long, chestnut brown hair, sporting a septum piercing and ear gauges.

"Ivory, this is Oak. She's our nurse."

Oak smiled at the bedridden girl, "Hello."

"Hi," Ivory replied quickly.

"She's going to suture your wound. It'll heal quicker."

Ivory stared at the edgy looking nurse, not too entirely sure if she trusted the older woman. Oak went through the drawers, took out the necessary tools, and made her way to the injured girl. Blue came closer and stood by the side of the bed, arms crossed and watching the scene in front of him. Oak number Ivory and sterilized her wound and placed the stitches one by one in her arm.

Once Oak was done, she wrapped up Ivory's arm and washed the tools she used, checked Ivory's temperature, said goodbye to Blue, and left with Red. Blue stared at Ivory as she laid back down on the bed. Ivory then noticed something about his skin that she hadn't seen before: Blue's skin didn't replicate the smoothness and thinness of human skin. She thought about why it looked somewhat different than usual.

"You should be better within a few days. We'll get you ready then," Blue said, noticing that she was observing his skin.

Ivory looked at him. "What other jobs are there? I know that you mentioned them when I was first brought here, but I feel that there are more that you keep as secrets."

Blue smirked. "My whole life isn't a secret, you know."

Ivory cocked her head to the side. "Really?" He nodded. "What if none of these jobs work out for me?"

"They will, you're going to try all of the jobs that we have."

"Even selling my body?"

He laughed. "You mean prostitution?"

"Yeah, that."

Blue nodded as she shivered at the thought of being a prostitute. She was going to make sure that she did a horrible job with that particular trade.

"Where's Viper? I haven't seen her since last night."

"Roxie took her out," he replied, narrowing his eyes.

Ivory arched an eyebrow, trying to not be intimidated by the look he sent her. Ivory wondered why Viper willing went out with Roxie. "Why is she with Roxie?"

"She was getting on my nerves," he said shortly and turned to leave, "By the way, she isn't allowed in here until you get the okay to leave this room," Then, he left.

Ivory watched the door slam quietly, and she wondered why Viper left with Roxie. She also wondered why Blue's wasn't only cold and detached, but also why his skin looked strange.

Ivory figured that only time would tell, and then fell asleep.