I. Duped

Later that night, the news informed the public about Viper's court trial, which would be held on March 31st. Ivory frowned when the topic was quickly discarded. First, the news said that three people came to the police station and had Viper's file, which had her written down as a Schizophrenic; Second of all, the base wasn't where it usually was, a couple of blocks away from the Freedom Tunnel. Ms. Campbell's cell number didn't work, but she apparently spoke to Justin about Viper's mental health after the first number given (her real number) owned to a Miss. Fisher.

Nothing was adding up.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Leech, Birdie, and Swindle H entered the living room.

Ivory stood up, realizing something. "You three! You three made that file and framed my friend!"

"So what?" Swindle H asked. "We needed to protect ourselves and you."

"Me?"

"You're part of the gang, why wouldn't we protect you?" Birdie asked.

"Viper doesn't have your best interest in mind," Leech added.

Ivory was silent as she felt all eyes on her.

"You do realize that other gangs will believe her and hold a price over your head to tear us down, right?" Swindle H said. "Nothing against you, Ivory, but your friend was asking for it."

"She threw the gang under the bus, and now she's getting what she deserves," Birdie added.

Ivory turned to Blue, who was sitting on the couch with Red. They stared back at her, arms crossed.

"What happened to the base? The news said that Viper took a detective and two police officers there to find nothing but abandoned buildings. The base was nowhere in sight."

"You don't need to worry about that," Blue said, though his attention quietly went to the wall. Ivory slowly turned around to see Spike, Rover, and Harley near the corner, quietly staring at her.

"So, your name has been on the line plenty of times before?"

"Ivory, stop it," Hawks whispered.

"No, not mine. Oak works for other gangs as well, and those other gangs have had members like Viper."

Ivory doubted anything good would happen during the court trial, but she held some hope.

"Viper's ignorant to think that we haven't done this type of stuff before," Hawks said. "We've kept ourselves hidden and helped ally gangs go back into hiding. What makes her think she'll win her trial?"

"It'll be the quickest case of American history," Lucky joked.

"She might. You never know. She's telling the truth," Ivory said.

"You're missing the point," Harley said. "She doesn't have anything to back her up."

"No, I think you're missing the point," Ivory said as Harley narrowed brown eyes at the younger woman, "Just because there isn't any visible evidence, that doesn't necessarily mean that she's guilty. Everyone is innocent until proven otherwise."

The room was silent for a moment.

"Oh, yeah? And where's the proof of her innocence? The base has been stored underground, the rest was packed away and burnt to ashes at one of our crematoriums. The fact that Oak made a fake mental health file for Viper and her delusions — only to be proven that nothing that your friend has claimed has ended at a point — will prove that it doesn't matter whether you're truthful or not. You need to prove your story, or else what's said is complete and utter bullshit."

Ivory stepped up but kept a distance from Harley. "What I think is complete and utter bullshit is that even if she is put in jail, that you don't think there aren't any holes with your own story about her being delusional. She shows no signs of Schizophrenia. Oak could have done a better job at picking a mental illness for Viper, you know, one that's more believable."

"Watch what you say about my workers, Ivory," Blue said slowly, his eyes going from wide from shock to narrow with rage. His deep voice echoed the room with visible annoyance.

Some members laughed at Ivory and Harley arguing; no one ever argued with the older woman. Hawks, Lucky, and Lily were giggling in the corner, finding the scene interesting.

"I'm not saying that, dear," Harley began, ignoring Blue. "You're right, there might be holes. What I'm saying is that you don't know anything about the police; they don't care enough. They want proof that Viper's crazy. The police purposely throw people in jail for stupid things, including skin color. I'd know, my sister and I are the only colored people in this room."

Harley made a point. Ivory guessed that she was Hispanic.

"They red flag non-white ethnic groups based on stereotypes," Harley stepped closer to Ivory. "They ignore the mentally ill and lock them up in solitary confinement, only increasing their sentence in a small room when they learn to behave. The police are also bored and have way too many other important cases to follow up with. Your name means nothing. Your friend's story is meaningless. Once she's thrown away and locked up, they'll move on."

Ivory was silent.

"Harley's right," Lucky said. "Viper's wasting their time. They'll throw you in jail for frivolous things like that, even looking at them the wrong way. The New York police don't care; the police in this country only care about the rich white people and their own paychecks. Viper doesn't have the money to bail herself out, and Ms. Campbell certainly won't help her; she's on her own."

"Viper did this to herself," Lily defended her sister. "She didn't project her plan thoroughly. Now, she has to suffer the consequences."

Ivory turned around and left the living room, but not without slamming her door.

Hawks went to get up, but Blue stopped him. "Don't run after her. The truth hurts. She'll suck it up and learn to deal with it."

"That's not why she's upset, Blue."

"I'm not stupid, Hawks. I'm fully aware of the reason why she is angry."

"She'll get over it," Red shrugged.

Hawks knew better. Ivory and Viper were friends for a long time; they only had each other. He'd be angry if Lucky were in the same predicament as Viper. But then again, Lucky wasn't as dumb and stubborn as Viper.

The living room was silent as everyone began waiting for what the ides of march would bring them.