The Robin Hood Gang 3: A World Joined (Ended)

Riley

I looked at the man a long time, then the memory flooded back. It was when I was young, just 15, the night Jack realized I was worth something to him.



Shattered glass lay all around. I was gasping for air, wincing as I did. I could feel the bullet in my arm, my leg. The blood was draining out of me.

A man walks up to Jack. He is old, walks with a cane, and has eyes that make you look away. Even on the edge of death, I still couldn't meet his gaze. The man says something to Jack. Jack looks at me for a long minute, and nods.

Jack bends down next to me as the man says, "We will see each other again." And then disappears into the night. I fainted after that, and didn't wake up for two days.

The Vicar had been right.

Before he started his story, I ask him, "You were the man that night, with all the glass, and you were the one talking to Jack, weren't you?"

"Ah, you do remember. I see you are in a better state now." The Vicar grins, and begins his tale.

Ace

I made my way through all the chaos about the killings and the Vicar and plopped down on my favorite couch, leaning my head in my hands. Nothing seemed real anymore. I felt like I should have been angry or depressed, and maybe I was, deep down. But at that moment, I was just numb.

I hadn't even been introduced to the guy because all I wanted to do was be alone with my thoughts, as dangerous as they were. And I was, for a while, until I heard my name.

"Ace, do you want to--"

Without even looking up to see who it was (since I was so upset I couldn't even distinguish voices anymore,) I grabbed the nearest thing to me (a coffee mug) and hurled it at the wall.

"What do you all want from me?" I screamed, feeling weak and dizzy.

The next thing I knew, I was lying on the couch. "You blacked out," Maitea said as she handed me a glass of water.

Shaking my head, I choked out, "Why?"

Why did it have to be Benny? Were we ever going to be able to take out the PKs completely? And, just...why?

The Vicar

I stood there a moment longer after answering Riley's question and enlighting her about our first meet up. I then walked towards Max by one step and said pleasantly, "I'm here for Reg. But I ain't taking any sides."

I then returned into the mansion, not caring about the numerous sets of eyes that lay onto my back. I had been used to it and I had seen many things, but I had taken sides for the first time. And for the first time, I was at a disadvantage.

Reg Carter

I came out of the mansion after the nasty bit of fighting that had gone on and brushed past the Vicar on my way out, paying him little attention besides a graceful nod. I looked at everyone bewildered, except for Riley who seemed more herself.

"Right, let's get these bodies cleared up before they fester," Riles ordered, pointing to the others.

I walked up to her and whispered something, "There's some't up with Ace. You should talk to 'im. I'd be no help."

"Okay," she said gently in reply.

I looked out to all the others. "Right, let's clear this trash up, eh?"

Jimmy

Without saying another word, The Vicar headed into the mansion. I hadn't told anyone this, but I had no idea who the hell he was. To think that he knew everyone really creeped me out. I mean, come on, no way did he know who I was. I was nobody; I was just a waste of space.

"Right, let's clear this trash up, eh?" Reg grinned.

I couldn't agree with him more. Not because I agreed with the fact that the body's were merely trash, but because they were making me feel sick. Having to look at a load of dead people was hardly pleasurable, not for me anyway.

"Uh, yeah." I said, clearly not enthusiastic. "Okay."

Everyone casually walked over to the bodies, they didn't seem too bothered about it. Sal and Alis practically skipped over to the bodies, while I hesitated slightly. I noticed Reg rolling his eyes at me. I'm sorry if I don't want to treat people like their lives are worth nothing, as if they're just a pile of trash. I thought bitterly.

I was being stupid now. They were the bodies of the PK, for God's sake. The weren't people, they were just things. Keeping the thought in my head, I helped the others clean up the trash.

Maitea

Ace shakes his head, "Why?"

"Your under a lot of stress right now, I was surprised you didn't black out earlier." I tell him. Riley walks into the room. A cold, formal, and leader-like air hangs around her. She goes up and brushes her hand over Ace's forehead.

"Get some ice." She tells me. I run to the kitchen, and come back with a bag full. She puts it on Ace's head, and then calls for Eve.

"Take care of him, he blacked out. He tends to do that. Try and get his temperature down, he feels hot." I tell Eve. She nods, and gets to work. Riley pulls me out of the room.

"What happened?" She asks.

"We went up to Ace's house. Benny, his little brother, was captured and killed by the PK. His mom was alive, but very upset. His father hadn't been taken. Ace was really, really upset, its a wonder he made it so long without blacking out. His mom told me that he almost, you know, killed himself." I tell her.

"Keep a close eye on him. We don't want him doing anything rash. We need everyone we have right now." Riley tells me, and walks away. I sigh, and go back in to sit with Ace.

I sit beside him and brush a few strands of hair off his face.

"Feeling better?" I ask.

Eve

"Right, let's clear this trash up, eh?" Reg said to us as Riley walked into the mansion. The Vicar had already gone in as well, and Ace and Maitea were inside too. I hesitated as I walked over to the dead bodies.

Just as I was about to pick one up, Riles called for me from inside. I hurried into the mansion, relieved to get away from that scene.

"Take care of him, he blacked out. He tends to do that. Try and get his temperature down, he feels hot." Riley told me when I got inside. I just nod, then go straight to work. I was thankful that my medical studying was already paying off.

"Get him some water." I tell Maitea. "Lots of it. We need to make sure he stays hydrated. While you're in there, get a washcloth too." I added.

Maitea ran into the kitchen and brought back a big jug of water, a cup, and a washcloth. I dipped the cloth in the water, hopping the water would be cold, and draped it around the back of Ace's neck. I also poured some water into the cup and handed it to him.

"Drink this." I told him. He did as I said.

Every 30 minutes I re-wet the washcloth and took his temperature. It didn't take too long for it to start dropping.

"Feeling better?" Maitea asked him.

"A little." He replied.

I smiled, feeling just a little proud of myself. Now, at least, I wasn't just the newbie. Riley knew that I was useful. Besides, I owed Ace for helping me get through my time when I thought about quitting the gang. This was the least I could do for him.

Bree

This Vicar guy was really starting to bug me. The way he knew everything, the way he stared at you. He might as well be able to read my mind.

I go up to Reg, "What is his problem?" I ask Reg.

"Let 'im be." Reg says. I throw up my hands and walk inside.

I walk into the room where about three people are attending to Ace. This was pathetic. I pull the idiot cloth off him.

"Just let him be. He'll be fine in a minute or two. You treat him like a baby. He needs to learn to toughen up and control himself and stop acting like an out-of-control child! Starting now." I tell them.

"You know he can't control it." Maitea says. I look around the room and see little pieces of a broken coffee mug, and a fresh cut on Maitea's shoulder.

"He's dangerous, Maitea. If you had any common sense you would realize how stupid you're being." With that I march upstairs. I hear footsteps behind me.

Maitea

"He's dangerous, Maitea. If you had any common sense you would realize how stupid you're being." Bree says, and leaves the room. I follow her.

"You do realize he can hear you, right? Shockingly, he has feelings!" I yell at her.

"You don't realize...." Bree starts.

"I realize perfectly. Why don't you shut up and go annoy someone else!"

"I am just trying to tell you this won't end well. He's going to die anyway...." Bree says, I don't let her finish her sentence. Never before had I lost respect for Bree, but all it took was five seconds for me to hate her.

I grab her shoulder, and using every once of strength I have, throw her down the stairs. It had only worked because I caught her off guard. She looks up at me with a look I had seen only Alis wear. Her lower lip is bleeding, and her left arm is in a weird position. I think I might have broken his wrist. Just then Reg walks in.

I desperately hoped he wouldn't get involved. But, then again, I just literally threw his wife down the stairs. I take a deep gulp, and wait for the revenge.

Reg Carter

I growled at the sight of what Maitea had just done and ripped the gun I had out of the holster, I angrily growled as I shot a whole clip above Maitea's head. The wall's plaster cracked and burst over her head, she let out a cry and ducked down as it fell upon her. She then brushed it off and staggered back looking at me deeply.

I walked closer to Bree and helped her up, before spitting on the ground. I scowled at her evily and then made for the door.

"This ain't my fight," I murmured as I left.

"The Vicar"

I went up to where Riley was. She seemed stressed and confused, like everything was happening so quickly. I knew it was partly to do with my prescence, I didn't enjoy being here myself. I sat next to her and kept my gaze to myself, away from her distressed eyes.

"You're still their leader," I said, graciously.

She sat up and said, "What are you on about?"

I was surprised. It was rare for someone to talk when I was in with them, but then Riley wasn't really familiar with me as much as I'd hoped. It wasn't that it offended me, it just generally meant they had too much to say to listen properly.

"Example, Riles, example. You may get stressed... or even angry, but you need to set the others an example. The others, as we talk are even falling out now. Due to Ace's loss I do expect, but they have to realise that losses happen," I continued, "You have to make them realise. They need their leader back, Riley."

Silence fell on to the room. That meant she was listening.

"I'll be in the library," I said, leaving her alone.

Maitea

Reg took out his gun, and it looked like it was aimed at me. Well, I probably deserved this, but Bree totally deserved that.

Instead, Reg shoots above my head. I watch a section of the wall start to collapse.

I ducked as a little section of the wall fell on me.I stood up, brush the dirt off me, and went up to my room.

What was wrong with me? A year before I never would have even thought about doing that. Now I had. Was I going crazy too?

Riley

"I'll be in the library," The Vicar gets up and leaves.

He was absolutely correct. They needed a leader. Someone who can pull them together. His words rang in my ears.

I leave the room, and walk down to what must have been a large dining room. I needed to talk to them all at once, and soon. I sit down and plan out what I am going to say.

"Reg, go get all the others, bring them into the dining room. And that includes The Vicar. I need to talk to them." I say. Reg undoubtedly hears the authority in my voice, nods, and walks off. I go back to the room.

In a short time, everyone is there. I am at the head of the table, they have all taken seats around it.

"We have all faced challenges in our life, it's part of life as a gang. That is how everything works out, when you live like this. But we are about to face our biggest challenge ever. We have never dealt with anything like the PK before. They are clever, strong, and have overwhelming numbers. But I know we can beat them, on one condition. We used to have one very important advantage over them, we were a team. Now, the arguments, and the fighting, are just tearing us apart." I begin.

"Riley it was an..." Maitea starts. I hold my hand up to quiet her.

"You each have something to contribute, but that is not what matters. The PK's biggest flaw is they do not work together, but they instead do things extempore. If we can work together, I firmly believe we can eliminate them. Each of us is different, but now is the time to put aside our differences and fight like a group, or we may as well just get ourselves killed now. There is no way that, divided, we can win." I continue.

The Vicar smiles and gives me a nod.

"Alis, Sal, you are both our fighters. When it comes to that, we need you more than ever. But also, I need you both to make sure the rest of us are the best fighters we can be. James, your clever, and handy with a gun. Sometimes, even better than than Alis. Jimmy, you are the only one who they will listen to, and can reasonably control them. I need you to do that for me. Eve, I have lost my connection with a regular doctor, so we are going to need your help with that."

I pause and take a deep breath.

"Max, you are the insider, the only knowledge base we have for the PK. I need you for a source of information. Reg, I need you as a fighter, and also to help keep us all together. They listen to you. Chris, you also make a very valuable fighter, I am glad you chose to come with us. Bree, you serve as a valuable distraction, and you fight like hell when instigated. Maitea, you're are going to help us stay together, and you can generally keep the mood light. Ace, we need your hacking skills."

I look pointedly at the Vicar, "And, I must not forget my eternal gratitude to you for coming to help us. For making me realize what needed to be done.You have done more for us then you realize."

I suddenly realize the whole room was silent. Even the usually smug Alis had a look of reasonable respect on her face.

"Put aside your differences, and fight like a team." I say, and leave the room.

Sal

"Put aside your differences, and fight like a team." Riley says, and leaves the room. Her speech was more than simply impressive, it was amazing. She had struck a nerve somewhere, and even my sister seemed to be amazed. For Alis, that was a first.

"She's right, you know." I say to break the silence.

"We need to pull ourselves together." Maitea says, and looks apologetically at Bree. I wonder what happened there.

"I'm going to the library." Alis says. Only a second later everyone else left the room, off to do something related to what Riley told them to do. Only me and Eve were left.

"You can't just use a gun in a fight. Come on outside, I will see if I can help you." I put on my kindest smile. Eve smiles back.

On the way outside I see Alis with the book: 1000 Weapons and Their Uses. I give her a smile she doesn't see.

Alis

"I'm going to the library." I say. I run up, and walk in.

I finger through the books and finally pull out one 1000 Weapons and Their Uses.

"I knew you would go for that one." A voice says behind me. startled, I drop the book. It is the Vicar.

"Well, obviously. And idiot could have figured that out." I say coldly, and walk downstairs. I hated being taken by surprise. I couldn't stand it. Especially by an old man. I shake it off, and go downstairs.

Max

The PK were getting on my nerves more than ever, and they were just staying in the dark. Riley's speech worked...I hated the PK and wanted to take them down even more.

But something that bugged me was that they had no reason to be as cautious as they were. They had so many ways of attack to hit now, and not many that would work in time later.

I wanted to figure out what they were going to do next, and I wanted to badmouth SS. So, I pulled out my phone and clicked his name. It didn't even get through the first ring when he picked up.

"I'm dissapointed with you, Max", SS said with shame.

"Yeah, you're the one who should be dissapointed"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're an asshole, a murderer, a killer, and I should go back to you?"

"You're safer here, if nothing else"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"We protected you from something that you couldn't hide from anywhere else", SS hung up after that. I really couldn't think of a thing...if he meant the cops, it wouldn't be a problem. The gang could solve those problems at any point in time.

I went back up to the room with the window, where my sniper and chair was laid out. My leg was pretty much fine by now, but sitting down was a little more relaxing. I looked out the window, into the trees, seeing nothing. But far off, out of my own sight, they were doing something.

And behind me, out of my sight, something else was doing something. All of a sudden, I felt a hand go over my mouth and a gun against my hand. I looked far to the side and couldn't help noticing the closet door opened. Somehow, a PK got inside and into the closet without me noticing...wow.

"It won't leave your head until you grab that shotgun and take somebody in this house down", said the PK. He loosened his hand over my mouth. He had a really deep voice. The hand was dark skinned. I grabbed the shotgun and started walking to the door. I had a few thoughts on what I wanted to do to this guy, but I didn't have much that I could do if I wanted to live. In the end...I chose a crazy one. But consider how sneaky this guy was, it was the safest idea I had.

"Any orders if I kill myself?", I said to him as I lifted the shotgun to my head.

"It makes it easier, and I've got you in a hold that you can't flip that thing on me", he said. He was just living up to his own little victory.

"Alright, so I won't flip it...I'll just go right through", I said. I gave a little adjustment to the angle of where the shotgun was pointing, and it shot off my ear and cut across the back-left of my head. Aside from that, I was fine. As for the PK, he got a shotgun shell in the face, and with pieces of my ear on his face, and his body on the ground.

A second later, I felt the splitting pain from my ear. Around now, vision was actually a little blurry. This blowing-off-my-ear-to-shoot-the-PK-idea was not one of my best ideas, but probably the only one that would work. The PKs had far too good reaction time if I tried to shoot him. Better an ear than my life.

It took about less a second for people to start rushing into my room about the gunshot noise and my sudden blast of profanity heard from across entire mansion. By the time people came in, I was on my knees with my hand reluctantly moving to where my right ear used to be.

I was walking to Max's room when I heard the gunshot. I wanted to ask him to tell me more about the PK, so that I knew more about what we were facing. I also secretly wanted to find out a bit more about him in the process. He was a complete mystery to me.

I was just turning down the corridor when there was a huge bang and a yell that I could tell was Max's. I ducked into a room and found a pistol that was loaded, and sprinted down the corridor. I had no idea what to expect; either he'd lost it completely and shot himself or somehow, unbelievably, there had been a PK hiding in the house. I was aware that I was the first here and might have to face the killer by myself. I quickly stilled my suddenly trembling hand.

I took a deep breath and kicked his door open, charging into the room and pointing my gun left and right, searching for an enemy. I saw him, collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood, a bullet wound straight through his forehead. I heard a moan and saw Max kneeling on the floor to my right, holding the side of his head, which was steeped in quickly spreading blood. The back of his head was also bleeding. I ran over to him and knelt beside him, at least he was still conscious. I gently pried his hand from his head and saw that half his ear had been blown off. Luckily the back of his head only held a superficial wound that hadn't penetrated his skin. Still, he was losing a lot of blood, fast, from his ear. I heard running footsteps and yelled for someone to fetch Eve. She ran into the room just as Max collapsed into my arms.

Eve

Riles called for a meeting shortly after Bree and Maitea had gotten into a fight. I heard the whole thing from where I was with Ace. I hadn't wanted to take sides, but what Bree did kind of bugged me. Ace needed to be helped.

Riley's speech was moving, it even touched Sal and Alis. I hadn't been there long, and I had already seen some fighting between the gang. It's hard to get along when so many people are living together, so we all really needed that talk from Riles.

After she talked with us, we all dispersed. Alis went to the library, and that kind of shocked me. Then I looked at the book she got, and I smiled. That was the Alis I knew and sort of liked.

Sal and I were the only ones left for a while at the table.

"You can't just use a gun in a fight. Come on outside, I will see if I can help you." Sal said to me. She smiled, so I smiled back. I was a little relieved that she said that. I was the only one that didn't like using guns, or really even knew much about them. I was also glad that Sal and I were sort of getting along now.

I followed her outside, ready to listen to what she told me, when Alis came down the stairs. She had an angry look on her face.

"What happened?" I asked her.

I expected her to say something like, "Shut up! It's none of you business," but she actually answered me.

"The Vicar happened, that's what." she said. At least I wasn't the only one that felt uncomfortable with having him here.

After Alis left, Sal and I resumed my 'lesson.'

Finally, I knew that this gang was going to be like a family to me.