I. Getting Down to Business

Ivory and Viper were in the bedroom that they shared, talking about running away to Manhattan.

They've wanted to leave for the longest time; they just couldn't believe that they were taking the risk to go. Many kids have tried to leave, but they've either been beaten and brought back or given away. Ivory couldn't bear that she might be captured and sold to someone else with bad intentions. However, she knew that Ms. Campbell would never hurt her; all the other kids think that the owner favored her. She had finally realized it when she wouldn't get into trouble as much as the others, and when Ms. Campbell refused to give her up for adoption. Viper always said that the old lady was hiding something; Ivory agreed with that, but she figured that when Ms. Campbell was ready, she'd know the truth.

Ivory had heard of a large number of stories about a couple of gangs settling in Manhattan having a go at the wealthy families, or so Viper had told her a few times before. All this meant was that they had to be careful; no one knew when they would bump into a criminal. The gangs in the city make Ivory skeptical; it was as if the gangs correlated and were in contact with one another. Ivory wanted to leave but didn't want to be jobless and homeless.

Ms. Campbell would always give her a place; the two were very close and would often talk in her office when the other kids would go outside and play, or do whatever they wish. The others referred to the owner as a mean, rotten lady, but Ivory loved Ms. Campbell. Ivory knew that the others just needed guidance and discipline in their lives to think otherwise. It was hard to believe so when they've been abandoned and beaten by their foster parents, only to be sent back or to come on their own.

It was sad.

"I hate this horrible place," Viper sighed, her blue eyes filled with pessimism. "The system doesn't help anyone; those that are poor stay poor. We are pawns in a capitalist country."

"Isn't that why we're running away?"

"If we runoff, where are we going to go?" Viper asked.

"The city," Ivory decided, "there are plenty of rich people down over there. Plus, there are so many opportunities for jobs, even street performing. I play the violin and you sing. Together, we can get enough money to buy a place and look for jobs in the process."

"Ivory, that's a good idea. But where we are, the city is about four hours away by walking!" She exclaimed.

"That's why we're going to hitchhike. It's better than walking. Either that, or we'll call a taxi."

"We have to be careful, Ivory," Viper warned.

"Why?" the blonde asked. "What could go wrong by starting a new life in the city, a perfect place to find opportunities?" She seemed to be hinting something to her friend, but Viper missed the message.

"Many homeless people live in the city; a prestigious gang hides on the east side, and no one in the gang has been caught."

"What? Who is in the gang?"

"I don't know, I forgot the name of it, but they are the most dangerous gang in America. They have connections to smaller gangs who sometimes go to jail for doing their dirty work."

"Viper, don't believe everything you see or hear. This gang could live anywhere, and even if this gang is in Manhattan, the city is huge. The leader will never set eyes on us. We'll just have to be cautious of what we carry with us and make sure we travel light."

"I'm just warning you."

"How will we know it's them?"

"That's just it—we won't know. Just hear me out, the gang might spot us, kidnap, torture, even murder us—"

"Viper, I think you're overreacting."

"It could happen."

"How do you know all of this?"

"The news, Ivory."

Ivory's never heard of this notorious yet mysterious gang. "Viper, I guarantee that nothing will happen to us, or you—" Viper scowled, "if we just mind our own business. Everything will be fine," Ivory hoped, but she had some doubts.

The two girls had hopes like most people, but because they were technically homeless, it would be more challenging to have a sturdy job. Perhaps with their looks, they can get by quickly. They didn't want to turn to prostitution, but maybe a wealthy family will feel bad and allow them in with a home job.

"I do mind my business, Ivory—"

"You always find a way of getting yourself into trouble," Ivory raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of trouble, why did Ms. Campbell yell at you earlier?"

"Oh, you heard that?"

"I think the whole premise heard her."

Viper's face was twisted. "Yes, that's another reason that we must leave. I can't stand Andy! He set off fireworks in her office and blamed it on me."

"And she believed him?"

"Of course she believed him! She hates me. I think we need to leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? That's too early, Viper," Ivory said.

"If I get in trouble one more time, Ivory, I swear I'll kill him."

All of a sudden, two boys walked in: Andy and Noah. They were both the same age as Viper and Ivory. Ivory noticed that Noah's brown hair appeared a little messy. Andrew closed the door behind them as the two girls turned to see who their intruders were.

"Oh, great," Viper groaned, getting off the bed, with Ivory quietly following her lead.

"Hello, ladies," Noah leaned against the wall.

"What do you two want?" Viper asked, annoyed. Andy liked her while Noah took an interest in Ivory.

"Just letting you both know that we are always here to assist you," Noah smiled, sheepishly.

"Are you still hoping that we'll like the both of you back?" Viper arched an eyebrow as Lawrence winked at Ivory.

"Your dreams will never come true," Ivory scoffed.

Viper snickered.

"Hey girl, I know that deep inside you feel the same way I do," Noah said, making kissing noises.

"I know that deep inside, I hate your guts," Ivory snarled, and Viper looked away. It wasn't hard to figure out that she was laughing.

"We'll see," Andy replied.

"I thought you liked me, Andy?" Viper turned around and looked at him. "Now, you're hitting on my friend?"

"That's right, you tell him, Viper," Ivory defended in a high-pitched voice, improvising. She would be lying if she didn't say she was enjoying the scene in front of her.

"You should know that my eyes are on you," Andy turned to her and smiled.

"And you should know that my eyes aren't," sassed Viper.

"We've never felt such disrespected," Noah got closer to the two of them. "All the girls want us; they envy you both. You two should consider yourselves lucky."

"I don't know about that," Viper said. "You sound like you've attended an all-boys school your whole life."

Andy choked.

Ivory giggled a bit because the comment was actually comical. To her, it seemed like this useless argument was going somewhere and would get interesting.

"Ouch," Noah tightened his eyes closed and opened them up, smiling at his blonde crush. "Well, I guess there's still a chance, right?"

"Let me think about it...no." Ivory replied, flatly. She was getting bored with the conversation and hoped that it would end soon.

"You aren't her type."

"Hey, I heard her say to you she likes bad boys."

"You aren't a bad boy—you're a wannabe. So, take yourself and your annoying, love-struck friend and get lost."

Noah sneered at Viper, but said nothing in return. Andy nudged Noah, and both of them walked out of the room and closed the door.

"You know what, let's leave tomorrow."

"Really?" Viper's eyes smiled.

"Yeah, I think you're right. Andy and Noah might go to Ms. Campbell and make up a lie to get us into trouble for rejecting them."

Before Ivory called it a night, she decided to go outside for a little while and clear her head. She walked out into the chilled air, silence, and darkness surrounding her. She sat down and thought about what she and Viper will do to get easy cash and love together—they even may go to college.

One of the bushes rustled, and it caught her attention, breaking out of her thoughts. She stared at the rather large bush, and her eyes adjusted to the dark setting just enough to show a mysterious figure right behind the bush. Her eyes widened—heartbeat increased. Someone was spying on her.

"Who's there?" she asked.

The figure stayed in place, not fazed by her tone of voice.

"Hello?"

She got off the stairs slowly and was careful when going near the figure. She felt her heart pulsate out of her chest, but she wasn't about to back down from a fight. She got closer, the physique stayed in place; she could feel them staring at her, waiting to make a move; ready to pounce. She imagined the worst—the figure jumped on top of her and slicing her at least a hundred times while no one heard her quiet screams or worried about her being outside for an extended period.

"Ivory, why are you out this late?"

She jumped and turned to look behind her, "Ms. Campbell?"

The owner nodded. "It's late, dear—go to bed."

Ivory turned around and saw that the figure disappeared. Where did they go?

"Ivory, are you all right?"

"Yeah—I'm fine," then she walked inside, wondering why all these strange events were happening.

Ivory had a peculiar feeling that something might occur in the city but didn't overthink it—she didn't want to jinx Viper's and her luck. However, the unknown person didn't leave her mine. She entered her bedroom and laid on her bed, paranoid about the person behind the bush. Ivory wanted to know who they were and why they were spying on her. Ivory figured that the figure was looking for someone else, but she knew deep down that wasn't it. That person wanted something and could have harmed her if Ms. Campbell had not arrived on time.

Viper exited the bathroom, and with that, the lights went out, and they got ready for slumber, excited for the day approaching. They were going to become free women in the city, working and making something of themselves. No more underfeeding, no dumb boys, no more unnecessary chores or abuse.

Or at least that was what they both thought.