Black Market Merchant

Chapter 11: Prep-work

Downtown had been fully controlled by Skull for so long and well, that no citizens dared disobey their rule. They were a gang on the surface but acted more like a cult than a gang. All their members faces were painted or tattooed with fearsome skull designs. Some of the more devoted members even wore the bones of defeated rivals as a warning and testament of their strength.

Alan Stockholm the Bone Flayer was no exception. He had proven himself countless times in dealing with the other gangs, civilian rebels and in the occasional Match fight. His nickname, Bone Flayer, was aptly given thanks to his nasty fireman's tactical hammer. Using this special axe, he had been able to sheer off numerous opponents arms, legs and heads, all with one precise chop. His capabilities came from not only his skill, but his size too. He was by far one of the largest and strongest persons in town other than the Head and a handful of others within the Skull.

His reputation in the Skull was very well respected and he was given the rank of Hand, which was basically a lieutenant member in the gangs rankings. Only the Head, or leader, and the two Eyes, vice leaders, ranked higher than him. There were also several other Hands each as powerful as himself, but he was clearly the youngest and fastest rising member of the Skull. Making him someone to keep an eye out for.

However, the area of their control had become increasingly boring. The people had been fully subdued, a balance had been made with the other two gangs and trade from outside town was steady. There was no one to fight anymore. He was almost to the point where he was considering challenging the Eyes for their position, but he knew that even if he won against them wouldn't change the situation. The only option to sedate his restlessness was to convince everyone to start a war with the gangs on their borders.

The Head might not want to do this. Sure, they were strong and capable, but their numbers were few. If they attacked the Black Rats they could win, but they had to travel across the river to do so. The huge six lane bridge that once crossed over the river had been bombed in three separate locations, making it impossible to cross. So, controlling that side would be extremely difficult. As for the Mad Dogs, their numbers were far more than their own, nearly six to one. This fact didn't perturb Alan at all, for his strength alone was enough to beat the odds. At least that is what he had always boasted.

Currently Alan was traveling down Main St. and Fourth St. conducting a simple and boring patrol of the area. He had twenty Fingers, those that ranked below him, and fifty Feet, the lowest rank, that were doing the patrol. As the large group walked down the center of the aging main road, not one of the townspeople dared look their way. They passed several market stalls, stores and places that owed them "protection" pay and collected foods, items worth trading and in rare occasions money.

Money in this era were typically expressed in three forms: Solid, such as coins or jewels. Paper: physical paper money. Lastly, Digital: Many people in the world, upon birth or up to the age ten, would receive an implanted chip put into their bodies, typically in their forearms. The chip could be scanned or picked up by Wi-Fi, and its signal would interpret how much that person owned in the bank or other saving means.

This system had long since replaced conventional credit and debit cards. They could even act as identification for the person, checking on their medical health, or a governmental means of tracking personnel. However, in this town with no electricity, all they had was physical simple coins and occasionally dollar bills. These items were even considered rare.

The whole patrolling and doing payment collection job, day after day bored Alan to death. He wanted to fight! Too feel the rush of adrenaline as his very life was at risk or putting to an end of another's life, was truly addictive.

"Curse the Head." Alan mumbled. "If only he would command us to crush the Mad Dogs I could do it single handedly. Not one from them could beat me."

One of his Fingers overheard him, "Bone Flayer, why not just ask and see what the Head intends to do? We have been doing nothing for too long." Apparently he wasn't the only one that was board.

"He won't do it." Alan said giving a loud sigh.

"Why not?" The Finger asked scratching the side of his head.

"He's become too content with the peace we now have. Ever since his new wife started giving birth, all he does is play and dote on them." Alan replied. "As long as we're not attacked, he'll stay this way."

"But we haven't been bothered by the other gangs in nearly two years." Another Finger said listening in on their conversation.

"Exactly the problem." Alan said sounding annoyed. Then a big crazy smile spread on his black and white skull painted face. "Bet their lazy now. They'd be so easy to kill. He-he!"

The other two Fingers took a small step away from the crazy looking Hand. They knew if he looked this way someone would be in trouble. Their leader was often unpredictable.

"Y-you really think so?" One of the Fingers asked cautiously.

"Maybe so." Alan continued, "Should we provoke them to attack us?"

"How would we do that? I doubt that we could just walk up to them and say, 'Hey, fight us.'" The other Finger said giving a light chuckle.

"Don't be so stupid." The first Finger said leaning forward to see past Alan's huge body. "I'm sure you have something in mind Bone Flayer."

"Actually, I just might. All we need to do is go to the border of our territory, find an area that is important to the Mad Dogs and take it over. We won't need to fight anyone. Just force them to send over their guys and tell the boss that we were being attacked first and force him to make a move." Alan said as they passed over Sixth St.

"Oh boy, what a good plan. It's so simple though, will it really work?" The first Finger asked excitedly.

"Only one way to find out." Alan said turning down Sixth St., which headed north towards their territory's boarder with the Mad Dog gang. The rest of his followers also followed close behind and the two Fingers talked to each of them explaining the plan. Everyone's anticipation grew as no one disagreed with this plan.

War and trouble were beginning to brew.

The next morning, after a long night, Lisa and the other had thought up some ideas as to how Lisa was going to be in a Match and finely settled on one. It was Lisa that actually created the opportunity, by chance, only just the day before. When she had fought against the gangsters, that were bullying Hanna, she called herself the 'Lady with the Coffin' to one of them, as well as killed many of the Mad Dog members. From this incident she already had made some kind of reputation as an enemy of the gang. So perhaps she could force them to do a Match to get their revenge on her?

"Let's go over the plan." Benny said to Lisa, John and Richard. They all had gathered at Johns house to discuss what to do. "First, we make contact with the gang and find out who knows about Lisa already. Richard that's your job."

The big guy nodded, and Benny continued, "John, you're going to find them and get them to set up a Match somehow. Try to make it sound important enough that their boss will notice."

John nodded, "This will be tricky, but I'll try to manage."

"Then Lisa, you need to win. Not that I think you can't. You'll probably fight some weaker low rank Match fighter, but you need to make the win as noticeable and amazing as possible."

Lisa nodded sleepily. She had slept on John's couch and it had been so long since she had slept on something soft. She ended up sleeping really late into the morning and wished it could have been longer.

"Not a problem. I can practically guarantee a crazy fight." She said sleepily rubbing her grey eyes.

At that moment Hanna came walking down the stairs. The group grew quiet and turned to look at her.

"Hey there sweetie." John said gesturing to Hanna to come over. "How are you doing today?" He was trying to be as nice sounding as possible. Hanna was likely still in shock and depressed after all that had happened to her.

Hanna walked over to them slowly. Her expression was blank, and her eyes were clearly still red for crying. She sat down on the couch next to John and leaned on his chest. John put his arm around the little girl and hugged gently.

"Don't worry Hanna, everything is going to be all right. You have us now." John said a bit unsure as what to say in this kind of situation.

Hanna ignored him slightly and looked right at Lisa. "I heard you're going to fight those gangsters." Hanna's voice was quiet and raspy from her crying. Tear trails were still noticeable upon her cheeks.

"Yes." Lisa replied.

Hanna kept starring at Lisa, "I saw how you beat those men from before. Make sure you make them pay. I'm too small to get back at them, but you can do it for me. Right?"

The tone of Hanna's words made the others shudder. No little girl should ever sound as cruel as this. Though she had every right to be.

"Don't worry Hanna. They won't get away with anything else." Lisa said putting a hand on Hanna's head. "I promise."

Hanna felt the friendly and confidence of Lisa's words. Also, just by looking into her confident grey eyes, Hanna knew everything would be alright. This was the first incident that continually solidified the little girls trust in Lisa.

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