Young Writers Society

Tia

"And you can't, because?" I demanded of Alis.

"I have a reputation to uphold," she smirked, "You still have room to change. I'm set in my ways. Do what you can."

"I will, we will have to see how, though. None of them trust me, but I'm not..." I silenced as I heard footsteps, and a second later Reg was next to us. His face showed no sign of him hearing what he said.

Once he was gone, I turned back to Alis.

"You nearly blew our cover, you need to learn to calm down."I hissed.

"He hates me anyway, it doesn't matter what he thinks of me."

"I'm not sure how long it will take to earn their trust back." I finished what I was saying earlier.

"Again, try, we'll talk again soon." I nod, and we walk off in separate directions. There had to be a way to earn my cousin's trust back, and I would do it.

Riley

"I agree," I smile at Reg, "We'll all get some sleep and move on out tomorrow, I don't know where, but I'll find a place."

"I know you will Riles," he says, returning the smile and walking away. My eyes follow him, and I feel like slapping myself for being so stupid. This wasn't high school, this was a gang. Every day you were in a life-or-death situation. I was being such and idiot. Trying to clear my head, I found an empty room, and settled down in the bed.

I couldn't get to sleep, and went over to the curtains. Pulling them aside, I realize the windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The room was shaped like a half circle, and I realized this must have been a suite. I looked up into the sky. A few stars dotted the sky. Most of the others were blocked by the lights of the city not far away.

"Not like Mexico," I said to myself, my voice just a whisper. In Mexico, the stars went on forever, and all you could see at night was a wide expanse of lights in the sky. Sometimes, when I was younger, I would sit on the roof of the warehouse and look into the sky, and forget about all my worries.

I pulled on my jacket, and stepped outside. I leaned against the balcony, and looked at the city lights. And, for no reason at all, I smiled.

Eve

"You do think things'll get better, don't you?" Howard asked. I thought about what to say. Honestly, I didn't, but I didn't like doubting Riley, as she was partly the reason we were in this situation. I didn't want anyone to know, either. I still liked Riley, I just didn't trust her to lead this gang anymore. Yet, at the same time, I did. I couldn't even explain it to myself.

"It might." I said. That was an answer that nobody could twist. "I just don't want to talk about it." I said, walking out of the room.

This was messing with me more that I thought it would. I couldn't think right. I liked Riley, and I knew that she's been a good leader since I've been here, but for some reason, I still doubt her. I don't want to though. As I walked away from Howard's room, I heard part of a conversation that just made my thoughts even more jumbled.

"I hate him as much as you, but he's on Riley's side. So we can't do anything," I heard Alis say.

"And you can't because?" I heard Tia asked. So Tia and Alis were both against Riley too. That didn't surprise me, but it did just make me more confused. Half of me wanted to tell them that I was with them, but the other half wouldn't let me. This was just great. I ran to my room and slammed the door then locked it. I walked over to the wall and started banging my head against it.

This was terrible. I hated having to live like this. We weren't even the Fishers anymore. Half of the original Fishers were dead now, and we didn't do our job. On top of that, a bunch of people were trying to kill us. This was just fantastic!

Alis

Tia was an idiot. There was more than one way to get rid of someone you didn't like besides leading a full rebellion. Riley proved that when she took out the Captain. You just had to fight dirty. Maitea would know all about that, with all her poisons...

Maitea.

I smiled, and went to where I knew she and Ace were. I practically dragged her away from him, and into another room. Where we couldn't be overheard, where Riley wouldn't know.

"Maitea, what would you say if I told you I knew how to save your, uh, fiancee." I said, drumming my fingers on a table. I smiled what could have passed for a warm smile, on anyone else.

"I'd say you were lying." she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me skeptically, trying to figure out what I was getting at.

"You and I both know there's a plan that could save him, if used just right."

"It doesn't exist anymore," she narrowed her eyes.

"Not to you it doesn't. If you get me one little vial of your strongest poison, I can get you the plant."

Maitea

"Not to you it doesn't. If you get me one little vial of your strongest poison, I can get you the plant." Alis edged me on, This could save Ace. But, knowing her, I needed to know a little more.

"Whose the poison for?" I asked her.

"It's more of a just-in-case type of thing," she shrugged. I grinned, and nodded.

"Absolutely. Here," I reached in the inner seams of my jacket pocket, and pulled out a little vial. "One drop could kill one hundred grown men. No one, not even me, is immune to it. There is no natural immunity. Anyone dosed with it dies."

"I'll get you the plant by tomorrow night." Alis pocketed the vial with a smile. Maybe she just really needed the feeling of having a backup plan if she didn't have a weapon on her. Then again, Alis without a weapon? Something was up, but I didn't care enough to look into it. This could save Ace. It was our last hope.

I went back to Ace, and put an arm around him, "Alis has a plant that could help you. It could even save you."

He looked at me for a minute, "What did she get out of it?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter." I said, and pulled him into a hug.

Ace

I had half a mind to get up from my spot and go see if Alis was trying to kill Maitea or something--wouldn't put it past her. Besides, she was probably jealous. Anyone who'd ever taken even the slightest interest in her probably heard one word from her mouth, saw that acidic-sweet smile, and turned tail and got the hell out of there.

But when Maitea got back, she put an arm around me and told me that Alis had something that could save me. I didn't believe that.

I raised an eyebrow. "What did she get out of it?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter," Maitea said.

"Really? Nothing? Or do you mean nothing I should worry about? We're talking about Alis, Maitea. Alis. There's no way she just up and wants to save me. I'm sure if I died right now, she'd prance in, point, laugh, and be on her merry way."

Maitea didn't say anything. I'm sure she knew it was true.

"Hey. I need to go talk to Ma, okay?" I'd been thinking a lot lately, and had to talk to her. I squeezed Maitea's hand reassuringly and found my mother in the kitchen sipping from a bottle of rum.

"Since when are you an alcoholic?" I demanded, taking the bottle from her and examining it.

She shrugged. "I'm not. Why? What do you want?" I could tell she was a little bit drunk.

I took a seat on the counter and looked at her. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

She shook her head and opened her mouth to say something while I took a few sips from her rum--at least it was high-quality. But it seemed she couldn't figure out what she wanted to say.

"Look, Ma, it's my fault. I am an idiot. You and Dad are in trouble because of me." I sniffed. "Benny's dead because of me. They're probably bombarding Gwen with questions back home, probably messing with her head because they think she knows something, but I haven't talked to her in over a year."

She snatched the bottle back from me. "Ace, you could have friggin' told us that something was going on. We would've gotten you help. We had no idea that anything was wrong until the first time you attempted suicide. That could have been prevented."

"I know..."

"You were a real mess back there, Ace. It's my fault for not knowing. I tried to be a good mom and give you privacy, but I'm sure you know what I found in your room after you left. I'm sure that was what messed your brain up, wasn't it?"

Not completely, but mostly. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, not get attacked. I'm really, really sorry."

"It's okay," she said. I hopped off the counter and started walking out, and I swear I heard her say, "You're going to die and it'll be like none of it happened. But we have to live with your mistakes."

Rather than respond to that, I turned to look at her again. "I love you, Ma."

A tear slipped from her eye. "I love you too, my baby."



I went to sit with Maitea again. "How'd it go?" she asked me.

"I made her cry by accident. Apparently she knows more about me than I thought she did."

"Of course. She's a mom. They're good at doing that."

Tia

I walked into Riley's room, and put on my best fake smile. To her, it would look real. Riley was back in her regular clothes now, I noticed, and I was looking out a window. This was going to be so easy, and put me back in good books with my cousin. Keeping it up would be the hard part.

"Riley?" I asked. She seemed to come out of a trance, and turned to look at me.

"Yes?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Look, I wanted to say I'm...to apologize," I physically couldn't say sorry to her without chocking, "something has happened to both of us since Robin Hood gangs. Your my cousin, but we're at each others necks." I pretended to take a calming breath, "I just felt like I had to act tough to have respect here. But, I see that's not how it works."

"I'm glad you've realized that you can't get anywhere being mean, as much as Alis believes otherwise." she smiled, totally buying it. I went over and hugged Riley, resisting the urge to take out a gun and shoot her right there. I would have to frame someone else. I just didn't know who yet. Once we pulled back, I stepped out of the room with a smile.

Alis was right beside the door. She gave me a high-five.

"But I have a better plan," she whispered.

Reg Carter

The night air was cold now and I hurried back into the house for warmth. Most of the gang had wandered upstairs to try and grab some rest before we moved on tomorrow. It seemed only Alis and Tia gingerly laughing outside Riley's room was the only life in the house. Apart from the soft noise of conversation from Maitea and Ace's room, but that didn't concern me as much as Alis' sudden desire to laugh.

"Well, something hellish must be up," I said as I made my way past the two of them to my room. "Not often we're pleasured with your laugh, Alis," I continued sarcastically.

"Well it's none of your business, Reg," she snapped in reply. Tia stood next to her, hands on hips and her eyebrow raised at me much like Riley would've.

I strode close to Alis leaning my weighted shadow over her and peering into her eyes. I studied her in silence for two minutes before slowly saying, "Now, Alis. You best not be upto any o' your tricks. It ain't like you to take 'em this far. Hell, I didn't think you were all too bad when Jimmy was 'round 'ere, but some't is up with you now n' I'm guessin' it's 'cause of Miss Tia's prescence here. Whatever you're upto, you best think through what your doin' first, 'cause I won't give you a glance o' a second chance if you don't."

They remained silent as I finished my way to my room and climbed into bed. I'd get my first decent sleep in a long hull and it would feel good.

Riley

Once Tia left my room, I thought of something.

Reg had been with the police for two months. They had two months to get information out of him. And, under the circumstances, he probably had given away what he knew. This wasn't good. In the morning I would have to find out exactly what and how much he told them. I put my head in my hands, this complicated things.

I was surprised the Captain hadn't been better informed. Then again, he didn't look like the sharpest tool in the shed.

Maybe Reg hadn't told them anything they didn't already know. Or maybe he told them everything. I wouldn't find out until the morning, and it was going to bug me.

Thoughts of everything I had ever told Reg buzzed around in my head as I settled into sleep, threatening to keep me awake all night.

Alis

"Now, Alis. You best not be up to any o' your tricks. It ain't like you to take 'em this far. Hell, I didn't think you were all too bad when Jimmy was 'round 'ere, but some't is up with you now n' I'm guessin' it's 'cause of Miss Tia's presence here. Whatever you're up to, you best think through what your doin' first, 'cause I won't give you a glance o' a second chance if you don't." Reg looked at me for another minute, then strode away.

I looked at Tia, "You know, as much as I hate to admit it, he might be right. In the end, what am I gaining from, this?"

"Riley's death," she pointed out.

"And likely my own, too. It would be pretty obvious who was behind it. And Reg is really the problem here."

"So get rid of him?"

"No, I'm sorry, but the odds are too bad for me to risk this one. If you want to continue, be my guest, but I never had a part in this." With that, I walked away, not giving her a chance to answer. As much as I wanted Riley dead, the traitor, and Reg to hell with her, there was nothing I could do about it.

At least not right now.

Maitea

"I made her cry by accident. Apparently she knows more about me than I thought she did." Ace sighed.

"Of course. She's a mom. They're good at doing that." I smiled, remembering exactly how much my now-dead mother had known about me. Enough to get me to almost kill Ace. I frowned at that thought. "We best get to bed, though. I'm tierd, and I bet you are too." I kissed him one last time, and then went upstairs.

There I found a nice little bedroom, and settled in. I took a quick swig from the vial hanging around my neck, and went to call my sister. I owed her this.

The phone rang a few times before she picked up.

"Maitea?" Lilly asked.

"Yeah, hey, I've got some good news." I smiled. She beat me to my 'good news' though.

"You aren't...." her voice got threatening, "when did he ask you?" She always knew what I was thinking. It bugged me, sometimes.

"Yes, I am, and tonight."

"So your marrying a half-gay alien with blue hair?" she clarified.

"No, I'm marrying Ace." I growled. She was so judgemental sometimes.

"Exactly," I could hear the smile in her voice, thinking she had won this.

"Never mind, goodnight,:" I said, and hung up Leave it to her to ruin my good mood. For a sister, she was pretty mean.

Ace

Maitea kissed me good night and left the room.

I went back into the kitchen, where Ma was passed out flat against the table; she hadn't even had more than, say, four or five shots. Lightweight. "Jeez, Ma," I said, shaking my head, and started pulling her up out of the chair.

"Nnnno..." she groaned, and I stopped. "We're not clear for takeoff yet."

Rolling my eyes, I picked her up and took her to the couch, where I dumped her for the night. "Don't say I don't take care of you, Ma," I whispered in her ear before going back, picking up the bottle of rum, and finding a room for myself. I flopped onto the bed and fumbled in my bag for my medicine, taking a few pills and chasing them with rum. Stupid, I know. And I knew it was going to wreak havoc on my stomach.

I couldn't help but think about what she'd said. "You're going to die and it'll be like none of it ever happened. But we have to live with your mistakes."

So she knew how bad off I was. Of course she did. That was just another one of the many things she knew about me that I wished she didn't.

Staring at the ceiling, I finished off the rest of the bottle, not caring that there was probably no way I was going to sober up before morning. Maybe it would make me forget what Ma said. I guessed that she would probably leave and go back home sometime, because there really wasn't anything more for her to do here.

Next door, I could hear Maitea arguing--probably over the phone. When she was done, I almost wanted to go and see if she was okay. I got up and took a few steps across the room before falling over and landing with a loud "thud!"

"Never mind," I murmured and crawled back to the bed. I had to rest up for the move tomorrow, anyway, and I was sure she could fight her own battles.

Riley

I stretched and yawned, having a good nights sleep for the first time in a long time. Maybe it was just the peace in knowing Reg was alive and safe, or maybe it was something else. It didn't really matter to me. I walked over to the mirror on the dresser, and pulled my hair into a ponytail. The ends of my hair were still curly from the bun I had on yesterday.

I realized I looked sort of like a raccoon, with the black marks under my eyes from smudged mascara. I know knew why Bree insisted on wiping all her makeup off at night. I rubbed off what I could, and then went to go find Reg. My smile disappeared as I remembered what I had wanted to ask him.

Exactly what he told the police.

Sorry it's short.

Eve

I woke up, fully awake, to another day of doing nothing. I really hated the police and government right now. Because of them, I spent my days wandering a stupid house. I needed to get out more often.

Then I realized something. I was bored because I didn't really have a big part in the gang, so nobody knew who I was. I could get out, since nobody was trying to kill me. That's what I intended to do today. I would finally get some decent food. I was really in the mood for a good burger.

Riley probably wouldn't approve of me going out, but she did her fair share of things outside this place. That had caused us some trouble. Oh well, I probably would've done the same thing if I were her. I grabbed my hoody and started looking for Tia. I knew she hated me, but she might want to come too. She even said herself that she was one of the only members of this gang that wasn't being hunted, and she had a working credit card.

I walked into her room, but she wasn't there. Looked like I was still going to have to do some wandering around the house today, but I didn't care. I finally found her in the basement.

"Hey, Tia, I was about to go out and get some food. Do you want to come?" I asked her.

She turned around to looked at me. I prepared for her to call me an idiot for even thinking she'd want to go somewhere with me, or something like that, but instead she sighed. "Sure," she said. I smiled, and we headed out the door.

((Okay, I just got back from camp, so I'm kinda out of it. That's why this posts sucks. Please tell me if anything is wrong with it.))

Tia

As we walked out the door, I heard Riley and Reg talking from behind a shut door. I grabbed Eve's elbow, and she stopped with a start. I pressed my ear to the door.

"Stop it!" Eve said sharply.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said. Just because Alis was giving up, didn't mean I was. I had an act to keep up. And that would mean I would have to be nice to everyone, even Reg. I frowned at the thought. "Let's go get some grub." I said with about as much enthusiasm as a ballerina at a football game.

Eve rolled her eyes, but had a smile on her face. This girl was a freaking optimist. I really didn't like optimist.

After Riley, Eve was next.

Riley

I went into the kitchen, deciding I would be in a better mood once I had something to eat. I was pleased to find a well-stocked kitchen. I opened the refrigerator, and my whole day was made. Frozen microwave sushi and hazelnut coffee.

Who said you couldn't eat sushi for breakfast?

I stuck it in the microwave, and made myself a cup of coffee. After breakfast, I went to find Reg. I was in a pretty good mood, and ready for any bad news he was about to tell me. I thought. Then again, I had to expect the worse, because life just wasn't very nice to me.

I found Reg walking down a hallway towards the kitchen. I pressed the cup of coffee I had made him into his hand, and asked him, "Can I talk to you for a minute."

"Sure, Riles," He shrugged with a yawn, and walked back into his room.

With my luck, he told them everything.

Alis

I was up at three a.m. Not when I usually liked to get up, but I had something to get Maitea. Besides, people at the devil's Market are usually the most co-operative early in the morning. They wanted to live a full day, and wouldn't appreciate being shot this soon.

I pulled out my cell-phone, and dialed. Poor Dennis, he liked to live a full day. Well, sucks for him. He pulled up in the convertible twenty minutes later.

"Alis!" he greeted, opening up his arms for me to hug him. Instead, I took out a gun and shot him with a laugh. I took the keys out of his hand, and walked up to the car. Not really my style, but it would do for now.

Less than ten minutes later, I was dropping down the space where the grate had once been. I pulled out my gun, "It's loaded. I get any crap, and you'll never kiss your mothers again." I smiled my usual, sinister smile. They all backed out of my way. Even here, I was considered vicious. I kicked a dead body aside, and went over to the stall with a large assortment of plants hanging from it.

I took out my purse, and pointed to the one I wanted. She nodded, and I handed the woman a large stack of folded bills. While she was counting, I shot her as well. I took the plant off the rope it was hanging on with a snicker. People hung onto the walls as I walked by them, all afraid they were next.

None of them were worth my time, or my bullets.