II. Consequences

Ivory and Rover finished watching the television in silence. The two were deeply intrigued on what was being shown on the screen.

Then, Red appeared. "Ivory, Blue needs you. He has a question to ask you."

Ivory shrugged and followed Red, saying goodbye to Rover, who gave a "good luck!" and finished watching the show alone.

Red stopped outside Blue's office and turned, facing Ivory. "I'm giving you a warning, no matter what Blue asks you, tell him the truth and what you know. If you lie, there'll be a huge problem. Even if he punishes you for telling the truth, the consequence is better than what he'll do if you lie."

Ivory raised a brow. "Why do I feel like I did something that I shouldn't have? I haven't been sneaking around the base, I promise."

Red laughed. "No, it's something else."

Red opened the door, and Ivory's eyes widened, seeing Blue and Harley inside, looking down at Swindle H. Ivory was so confused; why was Swindle H bloody and beaten? What was happening? Ivory gasped at Swindle H's condition and saw that Harley and Blue had Swindle's blood on their hands and shirts. Swindle was gasping, bleeding, and crying.

Ivory gulped, nervous for what would take place.

"Boss, Ivory is here," Red said, staring down disappointedly at Swindle H.

Swindle H tried to crawl away, but Harley held her down. Swindle coughed and cried, but no one seemed to care.

"Close the door, Red," Blue said, and Red listened.

Blue crossed his arms and stared at Ivory. "I want you to be honest, little one," and Ivory nodded, "Someone told me that Swindle H took you to the strip club days after you left because you met a man here."

"Oh, Chris? Yes, he was the one that kissed me and bought me cake and wine."

"What did you say about me?" Blue sneered.

"Well, he asked where I live because I don't seem like the type to be a stripper. I told him that I'm an orphan and that Viper and I work for you. Then, he asked, "Oh, you work for The Blue Dragons?" Then, he said, 'I don't seem like the type you'd have because I'm too quiet.'"

"Oh, that's a load of bullshit," Harley said, slapping Swindle.

Swindle tried to fight back, but Harley pushed the prostitute into the wall.

"Then what?" Harley asked.

"It's what he said."

"I know, Swindle lied, that's all."

"Well, I asked what he knows about Blue, and he said that Blue is private and violent. He worked with him once, and that was it. I went back a second time with Swindle H because this man got all romantic with me the first time I was there. I figured he would tell me more. He didn't give me more information. He was acting all strange when I went back to see him again. He told me not to trust anyone, not even Swindle because they're loyal to Blue. So, he gave me a prepaid phone to contact him whenever anything happened."

"Did you contact him?" Harley asked.

"Once. I messaged this man after finding out what Viper had done. I don't know why; I guess I thought he could help, or I could trust him."

"Is this the man that calls himself Chris?" Blue asked. He didn't seem angry anymore, just curious.

Ivory nodded. "Yes, he told me that was his name. I figured maybe he was another gang member or an undercover person that you hired. Do you think he helped Viper?"

Blue laughed. "No, I don't know anyone named Chris. This man lied, Ivory."

"What? Why would he lie?"

"Honor and Lily are onto that," Blue said, "So, Swindle H drove you?"

"Yes, she's cunning, so I figured you wouldn't find out. I didn't want you to be mad at me like you were when I left my shift. Viper was the only other person I told."

"Does she know about the phone?"

"No, I never told her about it."

Blue nodded and turned to Red, "You know where to take the prostitute, right?" Red nodded. "Take her."

Swindle tried to run from Red; she screamed and fought him off, saying: "It'll never happen again," and "Please, don't do this! I don't want to die!" and "Give me another chance!"

She was out of breath but kept fighting. Ivory stood back, knowing that she'd face trouble involving herself. Blue looked bored, and Harley called Swindle terrible names.

Red dragged Swindle H out of the room and down the hallway; the screams scared Ivory. The shrieks made Ivory feel so uncomfortable.

"Sit down, Ivory," Blue said, and she sat down.

Harley spoke to someone on the phone about the blood and removing it from the carpet.

"I think this man was a rival gang member that tried getting information out of you," Blue said, "Did he have tattoos?"

"No."

"This'll be hard. Do you remember the face?"

"Sorry, Blue, I don't. I remember him having dark hair and a charming smile like he was up to something."

"How tall do you remember him being?"

"Your height, he's thinner than you. His voice wasn't as deep."

Blue nodded and began thinking as Harley stared, listening.

"Why would this man try getting information out of me?"

"I'm not too sure, but I'm assuming that the phone you have won't work. If you didn't hear from Chris, then all that means is that you weren't giving him what he wanted and needed," Blue leered at Ivory. "As much as I appreciate your honesty, you must be punished."

Ivory stared at him, wondering what he'd do.

"You're going to have a full 4-hour shift at the strip club," Blue said, and Ivory's mouth fell open. "I don't care what happens or how uncomfortable you feel, you'll finish the whole shift, or you'll end up like Swindle H. Are we clear?"

Ivory nodded. "I'm sorry, Boss."

"Don't be sorry, don't pull that again. I don't care who says they worked for me; you don't trust anyone unless you've seen that person around me or the others here. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Let me change something," Blue said, "If you refuse to finish the entire 4-hour shift: if you throw a fit, complain, or try leaving before your shift ends, your punishment will be worse than Swindle H's. Red and I will take care of you, and there won't be a way out. Ivory don't be deceiving. I don't like people that deceive. Get out."

Ivory exited the office and made her way to the living room. She felt so overwhelmed but didn't know what to say. She felt upset and wanted to cry, but what wouldn't change her punishment. Ivory is grateful that she wasn't beaten like Swindle, but then again, Swindle H lied.

Ivory then thought about why Swindle would lie. Maybe Swindle needed to meet Chris and brought Ivory along. Ivory figured that Swindle H probably had a different motive in going there. Ivory knew that thinking about Swindle H and Chris' intentions would drive her crazy, so she didn't. She just made her way back to Rover.

In Blue's office, the leader and Harley spoke.

"I think Ivory has a fair punishment," Harley said.

"Ivory looked like she wanted to wet her pants," Blue shrugged, "She knows the rules. Hopefully, she won't start breaking more. The choice is hers."

"Are you going downstairs?" Harley asked.

"Yes. Do you want to come and help?"

Harley laughed, "Sure. Am I videotaping?"

Blue nodded.

Then the two walked out, making their way to the basement.