I. Allegiance

Blue drove at least a couple of hours before driving down a dirty, bumpy, and dark road. Tree branches hit the window of the car, the dark enticed the horror. Ivory felt that someone or something deranged would pop out and run after them. The thought scared her. She felt cold; enveloping her body with her own arms did nothing. Asking Blue where they were didn't seem smart to ask, especially since he glanced back at her through the driver's mirror every once in a while. His anger signaled that speaking wasn't an option.

Ivory noticed that they were in the woods; they had to be upstate somewhere, but she wasn't sure.

There was a ringing sound. Blue rummaged through his pocket and answered his phone. "What is it, Fox? ... Oh, what's wrong, Birdie?"

Ivory turned to look at Blue. "He killed her?... Tell him I'll deal with that tomorrow...No, I've got the perfect," he glanced at Ivory quietly, "person for the job...okay, see you then," he hung up.

Ivory gulped. Ivory was worried that Birdie talked about Viper, and she felt like crying, not knowing what job Blue meant.

Blue made a right and up ahead near a foggy looking lake was a small like cabin. He stopped the car as masked men took the luggage out of the trunk. Ivory exited the back seat and followed Blue inside the cabin, seeing some of the members already there. Ivory could tell that everyone was eyeing her, they looked at her differently. It's all because of Viper, who couldn't keep her mouth shut.

Ivory didn't want to look, but Hawks and Lucky were sad as Harley seemed to be thinking about something; Spike was indifferent; she knew that he didn't like her, and Rover was angry, but it wasn't directed toward her.

Blue walked down the hallway as she followed. He reached the last door at the end of the hall and opened it to reveal a master bedroom. He pushed her inside.

"When I come back, you better be ready for bed," he warned as one of the masked men threw her suitcase to the floor, creating a repetition of thuds. Then, the door slammed and locked from the outside rather than the inside.

Ivory looked around, seeing that nothing was blue — thank god. If she saw the color again, she'd puke. Instead, the walls were beige and the comforter —as well as the furniture —was white. The interior was different from the main base, which Ivory found strange. Ivory guessed that the cabin was either rented by travelers or to disguise the gang.

Ivory threw on her pajamas and went to bed. She'd never felt so exhausted.

***

Blue and Red sat on squeaky clean, white leather couches while the other members went off to bed. Blue noted that it was unusually silent; no one seemed to have a reaction. Everyone expected that Viper would snitch sooner or later, but a few members were shocked that Roxie helped Viper.

Blue and Red were smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. The large screen door behind them darkened the room as lamps were dimly lit.

"Where's Fox?" Red asked. "He seems to be running late."

"He and Swindle H are staying with Birdie for tonight. They'll be here in the morning," Blue puffed from his cigarette.

"What do you want to do with Roxie?"

"Fox killed her. I want to get rid of her body, but I have someone that will do that for me."

"That should be fun," Red said. "Are you surprised that she took Viper to the station?"

"No ... she had secrets. Roxie was too private; you didn't see the way she was acting when I told her to take Viper out that day when I almost killed her."

"Well, how was she acting?"

"She was acting unusually cheerful," Blue said. "I was suspicious, but I didn't think much of it until Viper came back later that day."

"So, you think Fox had told Roxie about everything?"

"I think that Fox did because she trusted Roxie over Swindle H and Birdie; it's probably because Roxie recruits the girls. She had messaged me, asking if Ivory was okay and how Viper was doing."

"Why was she asking how Viper was doing when Ivory was the one injured?"

"Roxie's help rests my case; Roxie was waiting for something to happen. Don't you see," Blue leaned onto the couch, not noticing the purple hair near the staircase, "If Ivory had gone with them that day, I bet you that Ivory would have updated me on current events? Ivory isn't the issue here, Viper is."

"Is that why you kept Ivory busy?"

"Well, Ivory's competent; she's gang material, but yes. If Ivory was with Viper, she would have gotten suspicious. Harley told me that Viper visited Ivory, and Ivory could sense that Viper was acting strange."

"Viper probably told Roxie, so they kept it to themselves."

"People will try to get away with anything; sometimes, you must catch them. Ivory hasn't learned that lesson yet," Blue said. "If only Roxie had a friend with her when she started, that would have scared her just how it did, Hannah."

"Oh, I remember Hannah's friend. I wish we could do that again."

Blue's eyes glistened. "Oh, we will, Red. I have an idea."

"You aren't going to use Ivory, are you?" Red seemed content with the idea.

"You're disgusting, Red," Blue said.

"I just want to see what she isn't showing."

"God, you're gross," Blue said. "No," his voice softened, "but I know someone that we can use."

"Do you think we could have Ivory watch?"

"She was in room thirteen already, but I have a better idea. We'll test her adherence," Blue smirked. "We'll see where she stands."

"Tell me about this plan. I'm interested."

"Well, we're going to need Leech. He'll be here soon."

"Blue, are you sure that we can trust him?"

"No, but he has information that I need. He knows not to cross me, and if he's as foolish as Roxie, we can bring him into room seven for you," Blue winked. "You can try out your new tools."

"Females only."

The two laughed.

There was a knock at the door. Blue and Red turned around to see Leech welcome himself in. Leech saw the two in the near distance and walked over, his footsteps loud like high heels. Red narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing as Blue — holding his cigarette as his hand lay on the couch's arm — watched the older man take a seat on the white chair.

"Fox sent me a message."

"Well, it's great that you showed up," Red began, "Blue was just talking about you."

"We need you to do something for us," Blue said.

"And what's that?"

"Well, let's just say that everyone involved will not go unpunished. We will see where Ivory chooses her loyalty," Blue said. "I know that she'll choose me over her useless friend. Look what Viper's done, besides, Ivory would be dead if it weren't for me."

Red nodded.

"What's this plan?" Leech asked.

"I will notify you about Plan A, but you must give me that last bit of information that I require after telling you the plan."

"Yes, Blue, I will," Leech promised.

After telling them about the game plan, the three agreed that it was a bulletproof plan. Blue always came up with creative strategies.

"No one's safe. Those who wish to be unpunished will be pushed to the limit," Blue said. "We must re-test everybody's obedience."

"Do what you need, too, Boss," Red said.

Blue got up and walked off. He opened the door to Ivory's room, seeing her curled up in the bed, fast asleep. Blue could see how exhausted she looked.

Leech and Red stood behind him outside.

"She looks cute when she sleeps," Red said.

Blue chuckled and closed her door. "Because of Roxie and Viper, everyone needs to prove their worth, but I think Ivory shall start first."

"Ivory first?" Leech asked.

Blue nodded. "She'll be distracted enough where my other members can start their tests," Blue smirked. "Viper's plan will fail, and Ivory will help me destroy her."

"So, let's say Ivory refuses to help you, then what?" Leech asked.

"What makes you think she won't help me?"

"I think she will, but let's just say she doesn't? Then what?"

Blue and Red leered at one another, and the two laughed evilly. Leech's eyes widened, and he looked down, hoping that Ivory chose her life over Viper's.