I. Bloody Prostitute

The next evening consisted of Ivory sitting in the living room, reading a book. She just finished training, and she felt extravagant. She had never felt so excited. Ivory couldn't wait for her hacking skills to develop; she thought about all of the files she could dig into and all the secrets to be uncovered— Ivory wondered if she'd start making money.

However, Ivory remembered her conversation with Viper and how her best friend had been acting strangely. Ivory promised herself that finding out what's on her friend's mind was something to look into. Ivory didn't want her friend to ruin her job and her new position. Viper had a track record of acting selfishly, and Ivory was done putting up with it.

"Hey, Little Lady," Lucky broke her out of deep thought, "how've you been? It's been a while."

"Yeah, we've missed you," Hawks added.

"Oh, did you now?"

"Don't get cocky—we're here to talk about this new job that you've been given."

Hawks sat next to her while Lucky sat on the other couch. The young men stared in interest. Ivory never understood why people were so intrigued in her and her life, but she decided to tell them.

"Oh, that sounds like so much fun," Hawks smiled. "I think hacking will be great for you."

Ivory sighed as the two men looked confused. "Can you two keep a secret?" They nodded. "Viper has been acting strange —"

"— Oh, so you've noticed?" Hawks asked.

"Of course, we grew up together. I'm well aware when she's sneaking around. Viper can be selfish, and sometimes, it ruins opportunities. I don't want Viper screwing up my position. I feel bad for gossiping, but I had to get it off my chest."

"I don't think you're gossiping," Lucky said, "That's how you feel. If you want my opinion, you should distance yourself. Of course, you've been friends for a long time, but if you can't deal with her anymore, then don't."

"Don't sell yourself short because she wants to hold you back," Hawks said.

"Hold me back? You think she acts that way on purpose?"

"Ivory, it's obvious that Viper envies you," Lucky said. "You can't be friends with people that envy you."

"Now that I think of it, she always told me that Ms. Campbell, the foster care owner, always favored me."

"She said that because it bothers her; and it bothers her because she envies you," Hawks said. "She thinks that if she acts out around you, you'll suffer the same consequences as her. The more Viper loses, the more she'll retaliate. If Viper is sneaking around, she'll be punished, you won't. The odds aren't in her favor."

"Well, you're both men, why do you think she envies me?"

Hawks began to think, "You have a lot more going for you. You're the type of person that's a natural at everything. Envious people hate people that are better than they are or threaten any opportunities."

Ivory smiled. Ivory thought about asking them about Blue's tattoo—they might know.

"When I went to get my stitches removed, Blue introduced me to a Crips member."

"Oh — was it One tooth?" A girl asked. They turned to see Harley.

"Yeah — I'm guessing you've met him?"

Harley nodded and sat down next to Lucky. So then, Ivory talked about the rest of her training: meeting Rover and everything that Rover showed and taught her, and how Blue was impressed with her adjustment and quick-witted learning. Ivory didn't want to ask about the tattoo near Harley because she felt that Harley wasn't to be trusted.

Lucky seemed excited and made some hacking puns—which everyone laughed too—and Hawks seemed happy for her.

"Speaking of Rover," Harley began, and she flipped her curly hair, "isn't he so cute?"

Ivory got uncomfortable. "I like his hair," she replied, not knowing what to say.

Harley shrugged and left them alone, and it was silent. Ivory looked at Hawks, who seemed to be glaring at Harley as she walked away, but she sent him a quick wink, a wink that Ivory surely wouldn't have noticed unless she was paying attention. Lucky focused on Ivory — not saying anything but had a strange look on his face, which led her to believe that the two may not like Rover for some peculiar reason.

Ivory then remembered what she wanted to talk to them about, "I've meant to talk to the two of you about something." The two looked at her, "Blue has this tattoo on his arm —"

"What type of tattoo?" Lucky asked.

"Well, it's a bit strange — 12192: CRO-23443 —" She spelled out, hoping that she remembered it correctly.

To her shock and dismay, the two older boys shot each other confused looks.

Hawks looked at her, "What are you talking about?"

Ivory felt nervous, "It's a tattoo on his arm. It's also the base password."

"We don't know what you're referring too," Lucky raised an eyebrow.

Ivory thought why they hadn't noticed the tattoo. Maybe they weren't as observant as she was. Perhaps she was the only one that could see the symbol.

The conversation ended when loud screams were heard from downstairs. Curious, the three got up, and Ivory watched Swindle H run into the room. Swindle H was holding onto Birdie, who was covering her face and crying. Roxie was heard outside, cursing at someone whose voice Ivory didn't recognize.

"Birdie, what happened?" Hawks asked, removing her hands from her face.

The scene was appalling.

Birdie's nose was covered with blood, and there was a big wound on top of her right eyebrow, blood slowly seeping down the side of her cheek; black and purple bruises were forming on her face. Lucky took ahold of her as Hawks ran downstairs and disappeared.

Ivory turned to see Blue and Red right behind her, and she jumped.

Lucky then ran out, "Hawks, wait!" he hollered as Spike appeared at the door; Blue was holding onto Birdie's face as she was hysterical crying. Red held onto her as Swindle H backed up and stood close to Ivory, wiping Birdie's blood from her hands and face onto her shirt.

Blue turned to Swindle H and sneered, "What the hell happened?"

Swindle H stiffened, "There was a client that was being a little abrasive. He wanted to take Birdie to his house for sex, and she said no. Then, he just attacked her. Roxie and I had to get him off of her. We then ran off, and he followed us —" Blue's eyes glared in a way Ivory had never seen someone glare before—a glare that she didn't deem possible. "We're sorry, Blue."

"Take her to the basement and call Oak over to get her fixed. Red, let's go."

The two ran downstairs, and Ivory followed, confused about everything that had just happened — everything was quick; one minute, She, Hawks, and Lucky were talking, and the next Swindle H was carrying in a bloody and tear stricken Birdie. Then, everyone strangely disappeared.

Ivory quickly and quietly ran behind the larger men, her heart beating quicker than ever; adrenaline shot through her body like heroin. She felt like a superhuman for some reason and felt like beating the crap out of someone.

Ivory reached the door and went out into the cold, dark, and crisp winter air. She saw Lucky and Spike trying to pull Hawks off some large, middle-aged old man with brown hair and dull blue eyes. Once Hawks was out of his reach while Spike and Lucky had an arm to hold onto, Blue and Red pounded the man — and Ivory felt the adrenaline rushing through her.

Hawks was cursing as Spike and Lucky held onto him. Rover stood near Blue and Red, making sure that the man didn't run away. Ivory had never seen such great fighters before. Blue and Red were dodging and giving kicks and punches and received a few, but she can say the least that it was excellent.

Ivory began to laugh a little.

Viper, Harley, and her sister Lily appeared and saw the fight escalate. The man began to scream and shout, which made Blue and Red attack him quicker and harder. The cold and dark night made the fight more intense because they could be seen, but no one was around to help the intruder or stop the physical battle.

Viper whispered into Ivory's ear, "I'm scared that what happened to Birdie will happen to us if Blue and Red make us try prostitution."

"I don't think I'll have that problem."

"What do you mean?"

"I think that we'll be protected," Ivory said, making sure that Viper doesn't know that she's a hacker.

Ivory glanced, seeing that Harley eyed the two younger girls. Lily cheered Blue and Red on.

Blue and Red held the bloody and bruised man up, and the two street lights showed how deformed his face looked. Ivory was shocked as Viper looked away, ready to vomit her dinner.

Blue smirked at Red. "Room thirteen?"

Red's smirk was even more devious. "Room thirteen!" he agreed and laughed evilly.

Roxie and Swindle H gasped and looked scared Rover, Hawks, and Lucky looked frightened but didn't make it evident. Harley grabbed Viper and dragged the thin girl back inside, forcing her along with the other women. The women disappeared into the darkness of the base as Viper yelled for Ivory.