《Unchained: The Doppelganger Within》
Characters
CHARACTERS
THE FLAMEBORN / MATT''S TEAM
Matt Prince: The protagonist, former bullying victim, and boxer
Matt''s Doppelganger: Matt''s evil alter ego
Martine Dobreva: Matt''s girlfriend and photographer
Rick Elliott: The traveler
Alfred Katalan: The philosopher
Marijan Kayatz: Matt''s middle school friend and IT expert
Robert Variety: The pilot
Anthony Thunders: The bricklayer
Frederick Payne: The security guard addicted to weed
Cyrus Lions: Matt''s oldest friend and shelf-stacker
Lewis Waters: The lawyer
MATT AND MARTINE''S FAMILYIf you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Basil Prince: Matt''s father
Monique Prince: Matt''s mother
Jack Prince: Matt''s grandfather
Aurelius Dobreva: Martine''s father
Nick Dobreva: Martine''s brother and software engineer
Annie Dobreva: Martine''s mother
Faby Dobreva: Martine''s sister
Daniel Castle: Faby''s boyfriend
THE COBRA CLAN
Jacob: The antagonist and heir of the clan
Johnny: Jacob''s father and leader of the clan
Wade: Jacob''s uncle and mentor
Samantha: Jacob''s mother
Enzo: The dog fights organizer
Bruno: The drug dealer
Manu: The robber
Oliver: The loan shark
Vin: Johnny''s henchman
Jason: Wade''s henchman
Brian: Jacob''s subordinate
Mark: Jacob''s lackey
Alice: Jacob''s girlfriend
Various goons
THE SPYDER CLAN
Ivan: The leader of the Spyders
Sasha: Ivan''s right hand
Dmitri: Ivan''s subordinate
Viktor: The double agent of the Spyders
Anatoly: Spyder henchman
Senwe: The arms dealer
Lucas: The traitor and forger of the Spyders
Carlos: Lucas''s brother and traitor
Joe: Hotel entrepreneur and traitor to the Spyders
Josh: MMA fighter and traitor to the Spyders
Various goons
DOGS
Ragnar: Enzo''s first pit bull
Hulk: Enzo''s second pit bull
Ares: Enzo''s third pit bull
Jackie: Matt''s Jack Russell
OTHERS
Pedro Messi: The good cop
Tim Boyle: The mayor
Micheal Anderson: Tim''s advisor
Sam Smith: Tim''s advisor
Davis: The judge
Myriam Sanderson: Rick''s love interest
Teachers, people in the crowd
1. The Cobras Power
2004.
The moon was hiding behind the clouds as a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a dark gray Range Rover Sport approached an abandoned parking lot on the outskirts of Vicary City, Kansas, USA.
When he arrived, a tall man in his forties with blond hair, blue eyes, and slight stubble, leaned out of the Mercedes. He wore an elegant dark suit, and after resting a hand on the lowered window, he slowly stepped out of the car.
That was Johnny, the leader of the Cobra clan.
Not far away, a thirty-five-year-old man with shaved hair and dark eyes had already exited the Range Rover and was leaning against the side of it.
That was Ivan, the leader of the Spyders.
He was wearing a burgundy suit and his arms were crossed over his chest. His head was slightly tilted forward as a squad of men surrounded him. They were armed with HK VP9s and FN SCARs, along with bulletproof vests. They looked like they were ready to go to war right then and there. Forget about a peaceful meeting.
After watching Johnny approach, Ivan glanced at his men, signaling with a nod that everything was under control. Then, he pushed off the car and walked toward his longtime rival.
?Ivan,? Johnny greeted as his henchmen stepped out of his Mercedes.
?Johnny,? Ivan replied, slightly lifting his chin and curling his lips.
?Why did you call me?? Johnny asked with a frown, stopping in front of his rival.
?What else could we possibly talk about if not business?? Ivan responded, stopping just before him and maintaining an upright posture.
?Business, huh?? Johnny asked sarcastically, lifting his head and looking down at him.
?Yeah,? Ivan replied, leaning his head forward. ?That damn minimum wage cut law your lousy puppets pushed through has backfired on us,? he continued, gritting his teeth.
?And why''s that?? Johnny responded, tilting his head to the left.
?''Cause now my guys ain''t got no choice but to sling drugs just to get by,? Ivan snapped, throwing his hands out in frustration. ?They can''t keep goin'' like this.?
Johnny just grinned at Ivan''s words, crossing his arms like he didn''t have a care in the world.
?What''s done is done,? he said, shaking his head with a smirk. ?What, you want me to roll it back just for your Spyders?? he asked, throwing up his hands.
?Make some damn adjustments,? Ivan fired back, eyes locked on Johnny, who just shook his head again, all calm.
The Cobras had Vicary City in a chokehold, running the game in everything from gambling and money laundering to pushing drugs, both soft and hardcore. They owned Lionwest, the broke side of town, and Dragonhill, where the money was at, sitting on top like kings. But their real power? That came from their grip on the cops, the courts, and all the bigwig politicians.
The Spyders, though not as deep in the game as the Cobras, had their claws in Tigereast, the city''s wildest spot, running the trade in drugs and guns.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
Johnny and Ivan started circling each other, and neither one even thought for one millisecond about backing down.
?You shoulda given us a heads-up!? Ivan barked, throwing daggers with his eyes at his enemy, who kept quiet, taking it all in. ?I don''t give a damn ''bout your dirty dealings in this city,? Ivan went on, sidestepping like he was in a ring. ?But I ain''t draggin'' my guys into your mess,? he added, eyes narrowed, watching Johnny''s every move.
They were in some old, busted-up parking lot that''d been left to rot. Cracked asphalt, weeds taking over, and junk cars all around, their windows smashed.
?Ivan,? Johnny finally said, glancing off to the side before stopping cold. ?Your money problems are your own damn headache, not mine,? he said, tilting his head a bit. ?Why should I give a solitary fuck if they can''t make ends meet?? he mocked, throwing up a shoulder like it was no big deal, standing there like he owned the place.
Ivan was getting mad. Like, real mad. A vein bulged from his temple as he tried hard to keep his cool.
?''Cause peace in Vicary City''s a win for all of us,? he shot back, eyebrows raised. ?I might roll with fewer guys, but I''ve got the hottest heat in town, and you know that,? he smirked as he glanced at Johnny''s men behind him, who were armed with M4 rifles and Glock 19s.
?Was that a threat, Ivan?? Johnny asked, leaning in and twisting his face a bit. ?You are just a Spyder. How could you possibly believe to stand a fucking chance?? he replied. ?Need me to remind ya what went down last time??
Ivan stared at him for a few seconds, and memories started flashing before his eyes. They were young, in their twenties, but couldn''t act like it. He remembered the deals with Johnny and his brother Wade. The betrayals. The chasings on the highway. The kidnappings. And Johnny''s suspicion that his own father, Ryan, had been smothered with a pillow by the Spyders, all during what was supposed to be a time of peace.
Ivan tried not to let his rival''s words get to him and his face twisted just a bit. He shifted his gaze slightly to Johnny''s goons behind him, then to the junked cars. They were all beat up, barely holding together. Then, he glanced off to the right, eyeing the rusty and crooked billboards.
?Spiders are dope,? Ivan then huffed as he ignored Johnny''s question. ?They snack on anything that gets too close,? he added, bringing his gaze back to Johnny. ?Snakes like you? Man, we munch on those for breakfast,? he sneered, lifting his chin way up.
Johnny threw his head back, laughing hard for two or three seconds. But then he got dead serious real quick.
?You are a comedian, Ivan,? he finally replied. ?I am shakin'' in my boots, mate,? he shot back, crossing his arms like he was ready for a showdown. ?You seem to forget that I am not just any snake,? Johnny reminded him.
?And who do you think you are?? Ivan asked as he tilted his head back.
?I am a goddamn Cobra,? he answered, dead serious now. ?And when a Cobra strikes, even the meanest spider should think twice.?
Ivan couldn''t bear his threats any longer and stepped forward again.
?Give us what I asked for, Johnny,? he retorted, eyes wide. ?You''ve never gotten rid of us,? he pressed, now narrowing his gaze. ?Don''t sell us short,? Ivan warned, slightly swaying his head.
Johnny stood there with his arms crossed, unfazed.
?You were lucky,? he responded, before glancing at Ivan''s henchmen behind him. ?All of you were,? he reminded them, raising his voice so they could hear. ?It''s only a matter of time before Tigereast falls into my hands too,? the Cobra boss continued, now turning his attention back to Ivan, tilting his head to the left with a smug smile.
?Bounce,? Johnny warned with a nod, glaring at Ivan''s boys as they started getting hyped. ?And I''ll act like this convo never happened,? he added, shooting Ivan a dirty look.
Fed up, the leader of the Spyders lifted his head once more and stared at Johnny for a few seconds.
?Oh, really?? he replied, pursing his lips and taking a half-step forward. ?You can keep Lionwest and Dragonhill,? Ivan continued, extending his right arm. ?But don''t you dare set your sights on Tigereast. It''s mine. Mine for the taking,? he concluded, returning to his previous stance.
Mine for the taking? What a fool... Johnny thought as he watched Ivan get riled up.
After flashing a grin, the Cobra boss took two steps back, unbuttoned his pants, and began to pee in front of Ivan, whose eyes widened at the sudden display.
What the...? Son of a...! the Spyder leader thought, gritting his teeth.
As the pee hit the asphalt, Johnny broadly smiled, head tilted forward, baring his teeth. Ivan''s goons started aiming their guns at him, and Johnny''s crew quickly did the same. But Johnny didn''t flinch, just kept on taking a leak like it was no big deal. He didn''t even care that there was a red dot on his forehead. He didn''t give a damn.
?Stay in your place, for your men''s sake,? he growled after finishing and zipping up his pants.
The Cobra boss then turned and headed back to his Mercedes, noticing the smug smiles on his men''s faces at the humiliation he''d just caused. But soon after, Ivan''s jaw tightened again, and his fists began to tremble.
?Is it war what you want?!? Ivan shouted, his lips pressed together as he leaned forward.
Johnny came to an abrupt halt, slowly turning his head. He locked eyes with Ivan''s furious face over his right shoulder, holding the gaze for a few seconds before replying.
?I''ll give you one...? he said, narrowing his eyes.
?One what?? Ivan asked, stepping forward a few paces.
?One chance to defy me,? Johnny responded, then began walking toward his Mercedes and drove off, leaving Ivan speechless, his eyelids fluttering in disbelief.
The power game in Vicary City had only just begun.
2. Matt And Jack
2006.
While the Cobras and Spyders were fighting their underground wars for total control of Vicary City, a family had recently moved from London to Lionwest: the Prince family. Among them was Matt, an eleven-year-old boy with dark brown bowl-cut hair and hazel-green eyes.
He was a quiet kid who had a solid bond with his grandpa, Jack, who totally got him like nobody else.
Jack was a psychiatrist in his seventies, rocking gray hair, blue-green eyes, and a nicely groomed white beard. The love they both had for food brought them even closer. It created a special connection between the two.
Matt and Jack were in the grandfather''s kitchen, preparing a Neapolitan rag¨´. The kitchen wasn''t very big and there were jars of spices and cans of tomatoes on the shelves.
Focused on making the rag¨´, Jack was wearing a white and slightly stained black chef''s apron. He had already browned the onion and garlic and was adding pieces of beef and sausage. Occasionally, he stirred with a wooden spoon, while the sauce began to bubble.
?You''re going to love this, Matt,? Jack said as he poured a generous amount of tomato sauce into the pot and added a pinch of salt and pepper.
?Oh, I''m sure I will!? Matt replied, sitting at the wooden table with a fork and knife in hand. He was wearing a gray t-shirt with a large napkin tied around his neck. ?Every time I come here, I eat like a king!? he continued as Jack turned toward him with a satisfied smile.
?How do you whip up food this good?? the kid asked again with a soft gaze.
?How do I? Well, it''s pretty easy,? Jack replied as he turned. He then stirred the rag¨´ with care. ?Just takes time and patience. And, like, love in every dish, you know??
?Love?? Matt asked, tilting his head back.
Jack then added some fresh basil and slowly let the sauce simmer.
?Yes,? he replied, smiling with his eyes. ?Watching someone enjoy something you''ve cooked always warms your heart,? he continued, turning towards his grandson.
As soon as Jack placed the rag¨´ on the plates and set them in front of Matt, the boy didn''t waste a second and stuck his fork into the pasta.
?Here we go!? he said, lifting the fork and bringing the pasta near his mouth. ?Wow!? he exclaimed as soon as he tasted it. Then, Matt continued to enjoy the Italian meal, bite after bite.
?Grandpa,? the boy said, looking up and putting the fork down. ?How did you learn to cook this?? he asked, slightly leaning toward Jack, who was seated across from him.
Jack set down his fork and leaned back in his chair.
?Hmm, it happened when I went to Naples many years ago.?
?Naples? Where''s that?? Matt asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
?In Italy, in the south,? Jack replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin. ?I had a friend who loved Italian food so much that he moved there just to eat like this every day,? he explained with a smile.
?What was his job?? Matt asked, smiling and resting his elbow on the table and his face on his hand.
?A cook. As soon as he opened a restaurant, I went to visit him a few months later,? Jack replied, before going back to chewing.
?Oh,? Matt said, picking up his fork again. ?So he taught you the recipe?? he asked, taking another bite.
?All the Italian recipes,? Jack replied with another smile and another mouthful. ?I couldn''t come back home without learning them all!? he exclaimed, watching Matt lean back in his chair and laugh out loud.
?Is there more?? the boy asked after a pause, standing up to check the pan.
?Of course,? his grandfather replied, standing up as well to serve another portion. ?You''re just like me, you never get full,? Jack said, glancing at his grandson.
?That''s where I get it from!? Matt replied, laughing and placing a hand behind his neck.
Jack and Matt had a vibe that went way beyond just loving food; they also dug going on bike rides together. One day, after cruising for a solid two hours, they parked their bikes and plopped down on the grass of a hill.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Jack was wearing a light blue jacket and pants of the same color, while his bicycle was a classic red model. Matt, on the other hand, wore an orange jacket, and gray sports pants, and his bike was a blue mountain bike.
Matt smiled and glanced at Jack.
?I love these rides,? he said, then turned his gaze back to the green field. ?I feel... free...? he continued in a soft voice.
Jack smiled as he looked at his grandson.
?That''s the third ride in a row. How are you feeling, Matt?? he asked, leaning toward him.
?I''m not tired. I feel more energetic somehow,? Matt replied, looking at his legs. ?Why do you think that is?? he asked, turning to his grandfather.
?You''re getting used to the pace,? Jack answered with a slight shrug. ?Keep it up, and you''ll become an athlete,? he added, glancing at their bikes, one dark blue and one light red.
?Do you really think so, Grandpa? That''d be awesome,? Matt replied, raising his eyes to the sky. ?I just wish it never rained, though. I hate having to stay home,? he continued, pursing his lips a bit.
?Well, we need to take advantage of the summer; winters are pretty cold here,? Jack said, looking at the trees in front of them.
As the sun started to dip behind them, Matt leaned toward Jack on his left and looked him in the eyes.
?I feel pretty lucky, Grandpa,? he said with a soft look on his face.
?Why''s that, Matt?? Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.
?''Cause I got you in my life. I learn so much from you,? Matt replied, then checked out the sunset in front of them.
Jack softly grinned and placed his right hand on his grandson''s left shoulder.
?Me too, Matt,? he replied, pausing for a moment. ?You know what? I''m curious to see what kind of person you''ll grow up to be,? he continued, maintaining his smile. ?Would you like to become a psychiatrist like me?? he asked after Matt turned toward him.
?Yes!? the boy exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. ?Maybe that''s why you''re so smart,? he added as a light breeze tousled his hair.
?Oh well, thank you,? Jack replied, tilting his head to the right. ?I think listening to people and understanding them has made me sharper,? he continued with a low laugh as the sky began to darken.
Matt smiled with his eyes and looked at his feet stretched out on the grass.
?I hope we can be together for a long time,? he said, looking up at the sky again.
?So do I,? his grandfather replied, nodding. ?Life is short, and we have to make the most of our time,? Jack continued, slightly furrowing his gray eyebrows and stroking his beard.
?It''s getting late,? he went on, slowly standing up. ?Basil and Monique must be waiting for you,? he said, looking toward the path they had to take.
Matt crossed his arms and wrinkled his nose.
?I don''t wanna go home,? he complained, looking at the trees a little way off. ?Mom and Dad are always so busy working on their computers, and I feel lonely,? he continued, averting his gaze. ?I made friends with a boy named Cyrus, but we can''t play every day,? he went on, shrugging his shoulders. ?He has homework to do, too. I wish I had a dog,? he concluded in a frustrated tone.
?I had a dog when I was young,? Jack recalled, putting his hands on his hips and showing a faint smile. ?He was the most loyal companion I ever had.?
Matt looked back at his grandfather, standing next to him.
?What breed was he?? he asked, lookin'' curious.
?A Doberman,? Jack said, glancing up at the sky.
?A Doberman??? Matt asked, lifting his head a bit more.
?Yes... Lionel...? Jack smiled a bit at the memory. ?He was super smart and only barked when he sensed something off,? his grandpa replied, stroking his beard again.
?Did you train him?? Matt asked, leanin'' in closer.
?Yeah, he picked up on almost everything and used to sleep on my bed,? Jack said, smiling at his childhood memory. ?He was so loyal... Damn...? he said as he squinted his eyes a bit and looked at the grass. ?If a thief ever busted in, he''d have bounced right outta there!? Jack then laughed as he turned to his boy.
?I ain''t doubting that, haha,? Matt replied, cracking up too.
After chilling for a bit longer, Jack got up and checked out their bikes. He knelt down to feel the tire pressure and make sure the spokes were all good. Then he got back up and strolled over to Matt, who was watching him.
?You ready to head back home, Matt?? Jack asked, offering his hand.
?Yeah, Grandpa. Let''s go,? Matt said, taking his grandfather''s hand and standing up.
As they rode along, Matt and Jack cruised through a thick forest. The ground was covered in moss. The trees were tall and their barks were all rough and gnarly. Plus, the chirping of birds chilling on the branches added to their ride, which sometimes got interrupted by the roots sticking up from the ground. After dodging the last root, Matt looked up, and his gaze fell on something he had never seen before.
?Whoa, what bird is that?? Matt asked, stopping by a tree.
Jack pulled over too, squinting and throwing on his glasses.
?That''s a jay, Matt,? he said after getting a good look.
?Whoa, I''ve never seen one. It''s so different from the other birds,? Matt said, turning to Jack.
?Well, you can''t miss the jay ''cause it''s super colorful. Plus, it''s way smarter than the others,? Jack explained, glancing back at Matt.
Then the jay took off into the air and started to fly, right in front of Jack and his grandson.
I wish I could fly... Matt thought, squinting his eyes a bit. Then he turned back to his grandpa, who had plopped his hands back on the handlebars.
?How do you know all this, Grandpa?? the boy asked, still chilling on his bike.
?I spent tons of time in the woods near my pad in London when I was a kid, and I was always curious about the animals that lived there,? Jack replied, leaning back on his bike and stretching his arms.
?Oh,? his grandson briefly replied, putting a finger on his chin. ?Do you think one day they''ll be able to talk to us?? he asked, as he pedaled closer to his grandfather.
?I really hope so, Matt. Who knows what technology has in store for us,? Jack shot back, looking at the branches of the trees ahead of him.
3. Jacks Legacy
2007.
The months went by and Jack began to slow down. During one of their bike rides, Matt and Jack found themselves far from Vicary City. They were on a different hill, where a panoramic view of the distant mountains unfolded before them. There were green meadows as far as the eye could see, making the urban chaos a distant memory, but Matt noticed something was wrong.
?Are you okay, Grandpa?? he asked, raising his dark eyebrows a bit.
Jack took a deep breath and touched his chest.
?I''m sorry, Matt, but this body doesn''t have the strength it used to,? he replied, squinting and slightly opening his mouth.
?Is there anything I can do to help?? Matt asked, dismounting his bike and gently patting Jack''s shoulder.
?Matt. I''m old,? Jack replied, raising his gaze. ?Maybe I should take these bike rides a bit less seriously,? he continued, his expression tightening from the strain.
?I don''t like seeing you like this,? Matt replied, taking a step back and lowering his gaze.
?Don''t worry, Matt,? Jack said, giving a wink with his left eye. ?My body might be weak, but my spirit''s still goin'' strong!?
?I don''t doubt it, Grandpa. You''re the strongest person I know,? Matt replied, sighing.
?Thank you, Matt,? Jack replied after a breath, pulling himself up.
?What do we do now?? Matt asked after scratching his temple.
?A bench would be nice,? Jack said, looking ahead.
?Okay, I''ll go find one,? Matt replied, looking around first.
Then Matt spotted a narrow path between a couple of trees facing each other. Curious, he headed toward them, and once he took the path, he walked for a bit and found himself in a really dense forest.
I gotta move faster, the kid thought after glancing back to check that his grandpa was still okay. He picked up the pace and then started jogging. He turned left and found the bench he wanted. The bench was nestled between two big trees.
There it is, the boy thought.
In the middle was an old wooden bench chillin'' between two big oak trees. He rushed over and swiped off some leaves. Then, he bounced back to Jack.
?I spotted one!? Matt exclaimed when he got out of the narrow path, pointing toward it. ?Let''s roll on our bikes!?
?Bet!? Jack replied, hopping back on his bike before Matt.
Matt and Jack rolled down the path, and when they hit the clearing, Matt shot a finger at the bench he''d spotted earlier.
?Here it is, Grandpa,? he said, dismounting and leaning his red bike against the tree on their right.
?I''ve seen this place before,? Jack thought as he continued to pedal, widening his eyes a little.
Jack carefully dismounted, leaned his blue bike against the other oak tree to their left, and then slowly walked toward the bench, with Matt staying close, ready to help if needed. When they hit the bench, Jack plopped down. He let out a big ol'' sigh, stretched his legs, and leaned back against the wood.
?Ah, just what I needed,? Jack said, tilting his neck back.
?Have you ever been here before, Grandpa?? Matt asked, sitting down next to him.
?I was thinking about it earlier, I must have come here with your grandmother once,? Jack replied, crossing one leg.
?What was she like?? the boy asked, leaning against his grandfather''s shoulder.
?She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I was lucky she chose me, haha,? Jack recalled, laughing, then turned his gaze to his grandson. ?You would have liked her; she also was a much better cook than I am. Maybe that''s why I''ve gained weight over the years. Haha,? he continued, laughing even more.
?Oh come on, you''re still in great shape!? Matt replied, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
The two fell silent for a few minutes, sipping water from their bottles. Matt then noticed that his grandfather had taken on a thoughtful expression.
?What''s on your mind, Grandpa?? he asked, leaning in and resting his elbows on his knees.
?Just thinkin'' about my life,? Jack replied with a sigh. ?I was way too wrapped up in work,?
?But you''re making up for it now, right?? the kid asked, pulling his knees back and gazing up at the sky, which was so clear.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
?Maybe,? his grandpa admitted, lifting his shoulders a little bit. ?But I should''ve told your grandma how much she meant to me,? he said, glancing at the branches of the trees to his left. ?I thought she knew, but I should''ve been more open about it...?
Matt stayed quiet and just listened.
?So...? Jack said, looking at Matt, now dead serious. ?Whether it''s your friends or your girlfriend, don''t wait too long to tell them how much you care,? he continued, raising his index finger.
?O-okay, but why are you telling me this?? Matt asked, slightly turning away.
?''Cause I don''t want you makin'' the same mistakes I did,? his grandpa said, keeping his eyes locked on Matt. ?Don''t push away the people who care about just to chase something that...? his grandpa paused to choose better words. ?Might not even make you happy in the end,? he wrapped up, tilting his head a bit.
Matt diverted his gaze from his grandfather once again, furrowing his brow as he tried to understand what he was conveying.
?I understand, Grandpa,? he said, slightly nodding and staring into space.
About six months later, Basil, Matt''s dad, was about to plop down next to him on the couch in the living room. The walls were painted blue and white, popping against the big dark wood bookshelf in front of them, packed with books and family pics. The couch was wide and cushioned, a deep black.
Matt was watching a very intense episode of Dragon Ball Z and was dressed in a black t-shirt and sweatpants, while Basil, with his green eyes and light brown hair pulled back, wore a dark blue sweater.
His father then grabbed the remote from the table by the footrest and turned off the TV before sitting down next to Matt.
?Hey, what are you doing?? Matt complained, turning toward his father to his left, with an annoyed look.
?Matt, we gotta talk,? Basil said, his eyes getting serious. ?It''s about Grandpa Jack,? he added after a quick pause.
?Huh?? Matt flinched, as a knot twisted in his stomach after his dad dropped that bomb.
Basil took a deep breath and leaned toward his son.
?I''m sorry to drop this on you, but Grandpa Jack just... passed away,? he said, not making eye contact. ?He had ischemia, and... even with the docs doing their best, he... didn''t pull through,? he finished, blinking a bit as he broke the news.
?W-what?? Matt stuttered, his eyes going wide. Very, very wide. ?Why didn''t anyone fill me in, Dad?? he shot back, jumping to his feet.
?Matt, you''re still a kid,? Basil replied, keeping his eyes on his son. ?We wanted to shield you from this until the very end,? he continued, looking him in the eyes.
?I''m not a child, Dad!? Matt shot back, clenching his jaw. ?I should have known Grandpa was sick!? he continued, grinding his teeth.
What gives you the right to... Matt thought as his nose twisted but then he saw Basil sighing and looking away for a moment. His dad then put a hand on his forehead and began to massage it. The news of Jack''s death had hit him deeply, too. After all, he was his father.
?I understand that you''re angry, and I''m sorry if it seems like we kept something from you,? Basil explained, slightly shrugging. ?We just wanted to spare you further pain and keep you safe.?
?Safe? Safe from what?? Matt yelled, tilting his head toward Basil, who was still seated. ?Grandpa was my friend!? he exclaimed, his eyes wide.
?I know, and I''m so sorry,? Basil replied, slowly standing up and trying to touch Matt''s arms, who looked down, tears filling his face.
?We still had so much... to do together,? the boy stammered, as tears streamed down his face. ?He promised me more... bike rides, more... talks...?
?I know, Matt. Grandpa Jack really cared about you,? his dad said, placing a hand on his right shoulder. ?Life can be a real curveball sometimes, and it snatches away those we love way too soon. But we''ll get through this together,? he assured him with a nod.
?No way, I''ll never accept this!? Matt yelled and shoved Basil''s hand off his shoulder.
?Matt!? his father yelled, reaching out with his right hand in vain as Matt bolted out of the room.
Matt rushed out of the house and made his way to the park just a few steps from his home. When he arrived, he sank onto a bench.
?Why Grandpa?? the boy whispered, kicking a nearby bottle. ?What will I do without you?? he continued whispering, squinting as his vision blurred.
Two days later, Matt found himself next to his grandfather''s coffin. There was a heavy silence. He was dressed in a black suit, a white shirt, and a dark tie. The church where the funeral had taken place was simple and adorned with white flowers. About twenty people had gathered to bid farewell to Jack, all of them very old.
How could this happen? Matt thought, reaching out to touch the wood. Maybe if I hadn''t insisted so much on the bike rides, his heart wouldn''t have given out, he wondered, blinking.
Is it my fault? he asked himself, finally closing his eyes.
After a few minutes, guilt began to envelop him, and Matt''s mind twisted under the weight of his doubts.
I can''t... he continued to reflect as his hand touched the wood. I can''t face life alone, he told himself, as he tilted his head down.
The funeral concluded and Matt returned home by himself, with his hands in his pockets. As soon as he crossed the threshold, his gaze was then drawn to the house next door, his grandfather''s house. The two bicycles still sat in the driveway: his blue mountain bike and Jack''s classic red bike with a worn-out handlebar.
He felt a shiver run down his spine and goosebumps rise on his skin. Then, he slowly approached, his trembling hand reaching out to touch the seat of his grandfather''s bike, almost hoping to hear his warm voice again.
You''ll make it, he imagined hearing him say, as he touched the seat.
Matt then closed his eyes and rested his hand on the saddle. After reliving the days spent at his grandfather''s house¡ªlunches, swims in the pool and the sea, chess games, and bike rides¡ªhe reopened his eyes, almost as if he had drawn strength from the memories.
I won''t let you down, Grandpa, he thought, his lips still trembling. I''ll make you proud of me, I promise.
He would have kept pedaling and lived without regrets, just like his grandfather would have.
4. No Mercy
2008.
Matt was sitting on the couch, lost in his thoughts when the front door creaked open. When Basil and Monique entered with a small basket, he jumped. He was wearing a yellow hoodie that wasn''t too baggy and dark blue sweatpants.
Monique had hazel eyes and medium-length dark brown hair. She was very slender, and her features were sharp. She was wearing a pink crew-neck shirt and light jeans.
?Surprise for you, Matt!? his mom said, grinning as she spoke.
?What''s up?? Matt asked, turning toward their figures.
?Come here, son,? Basil said, gesturing with his hand. He was wearing a short-sleeved striped shirt and dark jeans.
Matt had no clue what to expect. At first, he thought it was a giant chocolate egg. But when he peeped into the basket Monique was cradling, he spotted a tiny Jack Russell Terrier puppy.
?Oh God!? he exclaimed, his eyes going wide as he smiled at the puppy. He then gave its forehead a pat. ?Where''d you get this cutie?? he asked, looking up at his mom.
?A friend of ours hooked us up with it,? she replied.
?She''s a girl, by the way,? his father added.
?Oh,? Matt said, taking a moment to carefully observe the puppy.
?We should call her Jackie then, in honor of Grandpa Jack!? the boy suggested, glancing first at his mother and then at his father.
His parents exchanged approving glances, and Basil nodded.
?Jackie it is, then!? he replied, casting a fond look at Monique.
Jackie zipped around everywhere, and with her in his corner, Matt started feeling way less lonely.
One day, Jackie was licking her paw on the bed, and Matt noticed. He sat down next to her.
?Y''know, Jackie, sometimes I feel like my parents just don''t get me,? he said, squinting and glancing off to the side.
Jackie looked at him with those sweet eyes, and Matt sighed, leaning closer. ?I mean, I know they love me, but sometimes it feels like they''re in their own little world, y''know??
Jackie seemed to say, ?You''re not alone,? as she wagged her tail.
Matt began to pet her fur and smiled while doing so.
?It''s like you totally get what''s going on in my head!? he chuckled. ?I wish I could take you everywhere, though,? he went on, making goofy faces at her.
Jackie''s ears perked up, and she licked his hand.
?Imagine if one day you started talking!? Matt said, smiling at the thought. ?They''d probably think I''ve gone crazy.?
When Matt started middle school, his life took an unexpected turn. He found himself in a class of eighteen students, mostly boys, many of whom belonged to the Cobra, the most feared gang in town. Since they were kids, these boys had been running errands and doing dirty work for the mafia.
Among them was Jacob, Johnny''s kid, who was meant to be the future leader of the Cobra. Right there with him were Oliver, Bruno, Manu, and his best bud Enzo, all sons of gangsters.
On an October day, while Jacob and his friends were in the school hallway, their gazes fell on Matt, who was walking in front of them. The hallway, crowded with students and adorned with school projects hanging on the walls, didn''t distract Jacob, who was struck by something unusual in Matt and observed him closely. Matt wore a light gray t-shirt, quite plain compared to his watchers.
?Who''s that kid?? he asked, eyeing Matt as he stuffed his stuff into his locker.
Jacob wore a light blue Adidas shirt, had green eyes, and neatly styled blonde hair. He was slightly taller than his friends, who regarded him as their prince, and his arrogant demeanor and statuesque physique made him even more intimidating.
?The new kid; he just rolled in yesterday...? Enzo replied with a grin.
Enzo was slender, wearing a black polo shirt, with very short raven-black hair and eyes of the same color; despite being only thirteen, he already had tribal tattoos on his arms.
?He looks like a total weakling,? Bruno commented, inching closer to Jacob and Enzo to get a better look.
Bruno was wearing a dark green shirt with designs of Ken the Warrior and had messy brown hair and dark green eyes. He was slender and seemed to wash very little.
?Check out his features. I don''t think he''s from around here...? he continued, sliding in next to them.
?A foreigner, huh?? Jacob replied, still sizing up every inch of Matt.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
Attracted by the conversation, Manu and Oliver quickly stood behind Enzo. Manu had his head shaved and was wearing a white Nike t-shirt. He was known for often beating up the model students. Oliver had wavy golden hair and green eyes, wearing a yellow shirt, and was somewhat stocky.
?Why don''t we use him to blow off some fuckin'' steam? It''d definitely make these days way less boring,? Manu suggested, glancing at both Jacob and Enzo.
?That''s not a bad idea,? Oliver chimed in, turning to him. ?Oh, Jacob,? he went on, shifting his gaze back. ?I heard he''s decent at math; why don''t we make him do our homework for us?? suggested the golden-haired kid.
Jacob crossed his arms and tilted his head toward his crew.
?Sounds good,? he said with a smirk. ?Yeah, my hands are itching. Let''s see what he''s made of,? he added, nodding to Enzo as they sauntered over to Matt.
?This is gonna be a blast!? Enzo agreed with a grin, and the two closed in on Matt.
As Matt walked past Enzo, he suddenly stuck out his foot, causing him to trip and fall to the ground. Matt quickly got back up and turned around, giving Jacob and Enzo a glare, which they noticed.
?Hey, watch where you''re putting those feet, jerk!? Jacob taunted, inching closer to him.
?What the hell? He just tripped me!? Matt shot back, gesturing to Enzo.
?What''s your problem, cunt?? Enzo added as he approached and squinted at him. ?Don''t you know this is Cobra territory?? he asked, getting face-to-face with Matt.
Still shaken, Matt looked at the two bullies who were too close for comfort, and at Manu, Oliver, and Bruno who were approaching as well. Realizing he was outnumbered, he softened his gaze and tried to calm down.
?I was just going to class,? Matt replied, quickly shifting his gaze away.
?We don''t care where the hell you''re going, nerd,? Jacob scoffed, leaning down toward him. ?You need to learn your place here.?
?My place?? Matt asked, raising his eyebrows and slightly glancing at Jacob, but Enzo stepped in close, his face just inches from Matt''s.
?Hey!? Enzo exclaimed, leaning in. ?You think you''re at home or something?? he cheekily asked, shifting his gaze from one of Matt''s eyes to the other.
?Yeah, watch out, outcast,? Jacob added from behind Enzo, giving Matt a sidelong glance. ?Or things will get very bad for you.?
Outcast? Matt wondered, taking a small step back to look at Jacob and Manu, with Oliver and Bruno beside them. ?I go to the same school as you. And how do you know I''m not from here?? he asked again, raising his eyebrows.
?You''re not part of the family, idiot!? Manu replied, standing next to Enzo and furrowing his brow.
?Family? What are you talking about?? Matt asked again, still perplexed, looking at Manu.
?It''s us. The Cobras!? Enzo exclaimed, bringing Matt''s attention back to him. ?And we do the fuck we want. Now move your ass before I kick it!? he warned, gesturing with his hand.
Matt didn''t respond. He merely nodded and walked away, still confused by the aggression of the young Cobras. He had no idea how difficult things would become in Vicary City; their brutality was just the beginning.
As soon as Matt tried to make friends, he realized something was wrong. His classmates excluded him from conversations and ignored him. He overheard fragments of their ?business?: they talked about loan sharking, debtors, tributes, knives, guns, and violent methods for collecting debts. After a week, the boys he had encountered in the hallways began to make fun of him in front of others, especially in front of the girls.
?Hey, Matt, how''s your dead grandpa?? Bruno snickered, while the others cracked up.
?Yo, your eyes are all slanted, man. Can you even see outta those? You look like a damn Chinese, haha!? Manu cracked, laughing.
?Huh?? Matt replied, caught off guard again.
Unbeknownst to Matt, Oliver, who was right behind him, suddenly whacked him hard on the back of the head. The slap was so hard that Matt stumbled forward onto Jacob, who pushed him onto Bruno, causing him to trip again.
?What are you doing?? Matt exclaimed, trying to break free.
As he entered the classroom and observed the whole scene, the math teacher, a forty-year-old man with brown hair and a big mustache, saw the students surrounding Matt.
?What''s going on here?? he asked.
?Nothing... We''re just... playing...? Matt stammered, slightly turning toward him and trying to regain control of the situation.
The teacher saw everything but pretended nothing had happened and ordered the kids to sit down. Matt didn''t know what to do. Even though he secretly knew he couldn''t let them win, he wanted to flee and hide from the other students'' gazes.
He then began to tremble when the math teacher left the room. He was unable to control the movement of his fingers on the desk.
What am I going to do now? he thought, looking around and clenching his teeth.
?Yo, rookie! Can''t handle a little trash talk?? Enzo jeered as he rolled up with Oliver.
The other classmates laughed, encouraging them to continue their aggression. Matt tried to brush them off, but they kept at it, dissing him and cracking jokes about his clothes and how he looked.
?Enough! What''s wrong with you?? Matt defended himself, moving closer to Jacob with an angry look.
?Oh, look at this clown tryna act all tough!? Jacob scoffed, walking up to the desk and throwing his school diary right in his face.
Matt fell to his knees after the impact, grimacing and reaching for the spot where the notebook had hit him.
?What now, huh? Gonna run cryin'' to your mommy?? Enzo taunted, stepping up closer with a laugh.
Jacob knelt next to Matt, still on his knees, trying to see if he could look into his eyes, squinting.
Why are they doing this to me? Matt thought as he blinked.
?If you think this is gonna end well for you, you ain''t been payin'' attention, bro,? Jacob whispered in Matt''s ear.
The new teacher arrived shortly after Jacob had given his warning and walked away.
How am I going to survive the rest of the school year with these bullies tormenting me? This is too much, Matt wondered as he sat down and touched his eye.
One day, after history class, Oliver suddenly grabbed Matt''s notebook and held it out of his reach.
?What''s in there? Your lame-ass doodles?? he mocked.
?Give it back!? Matt demanded, reaching out and almost grabbing Oliver, who laughed and tossed the notebook to Jacob.
?Try to get it, pussy!? the Cobra prince taunted.
The other kids moved closer to Matt, laughing at his attempts to retrieve the notebook. At the end of class, Jacob stole his backpack and headed toward the exit, waiting for Matt outside the school that same day after tossing the backpack in the trash.
?The Chinese guy...? Jacob said with a grin, watching Matt approach him, his fists clenched as he stopped in front of the prince of the Cobras.
?Give me my stuff back, Jacob, you''re pissing me off!? Matt said, looking at his backpack in the dumpster and then directing his gaze toward the clan scion.
?I just want to have some fun,? Jacob replied before slapping Matt and then pushing him to the ground. ?Is it too much to ask?? he continued, looking down at him.
?Leave me alone, Jacob. I don''t want any trouble...? Matt shot back, getting back up and seeing Jacob''s friends descending the stairs from the school lobby.
?Too bad!? Jacob said, grabbing the collar of Matt''s shirt. ?You''re going to have it anyway, newbie!? Jacob continued as Enzo and Oliver positioned themselves in front of him for backup.
Matt''s eyes widened as Jacob tightened his grip on him. Then he looked around again, searching for a solution.
I can''t react with force, but I can fight with words, he considered in his mind as he tried to break free. Maybe this could be my way out of this situation, he kept reflecting as he looked at Enzo and Oliver.
?You know what? You can push me as much as you want, but you will never break me. Never, Jacob. You can count on that,? Matt said, almost laughing at his own words.
After a brief moment of surprise, Jacob smiled. ?We''ll see about that!? he shot back, pushing Matt to the ground again.
?Let''s go,? he said with a gesture, addressing his friends.
?See you tomorrow, loser,? Oliver added, speaking to Matt still on the ground as Enzo laughed.
Matt got back up and approached the trash can, while the girls exited the school lobby laughing with the other classmates. Hearing their laughter, he closed his eyes and picked up his backpack, then turned his gaze toward the figures of Jacob and his friends, now far away, gritting his teeth.
He had no idea that their encounter was just the beginning of a series of events destined to intertwine their lives.
5. Johnnys Demands
Jacob returned home with a smile on his face, still satisfied with the feeling of having bullied Matt throughout the day. With his backpack still slung over his shoulder and wearing a tight Calvin Klein t-shirt, he grabbed a bottle of water in the kitchen and headed towards the living room, the walls of which were decorated in dark mahogany and with golden statuettes.
In the center was an armchair that could only be described as a throne, with armrests carved in the shape of snakes, their heads facing each other. The backrest, upholstered in brown leather, clearly bore the golden symbol of the Cobra family.
Every detail of the living room seemed designed to instill fear, and Johnny, just back from a business meeting and impeccably dressed in a dark suit and tie, was sitting right there, as if he were a king.
?Jacob,? he began, drawing his son''s attention. ?I heard about your bullying behavior at school today,? he continued in a harsh voice, watching Jacob walk around the room.
Jacob abruptly stopped, slowly turning towards his father.
?And how do you know that, Dad?? he asked as his heart raced. He then set the water bottle down on the table.
Johnny stepped down from the throne and approached Jacob with measured strides.
?Do you think I''m like any father, Jacob?? he asked, step by step. ?You should know I have eyes and ears everywhere,? he continued, stopping in front of his heir, who was looking at him sideways. ?Nothing escapes me.? Johnny concluded, sharpening his gaze.
?So what? Wanna lecture me?? Jacob asked, almost annoyed.
Johnny locked his gaze with Jacob''s green eyes and leaned in closer.
?No,? he replied, after a sigh and a half-smile. ?On the contrary, I''m proud of you,? he continued, placing a hand on Jacob''s shoulder. ?You remind me of my younger self. Always fighting to show who''s in charge,? he went on, slightly nodding. ?You''re flesh of my flesh, Jacob. You''re not just any kid; you''re a Cobra. I see great things for you in the future,? Johnny concluded, with a satisfied expression.
Jacob stared into his father''s blue eyes for a few seconds, and his words sparked his curiosity. It was the first time he had spoken to him like this; perhaps he was growing up, and it was time for him to start understanding more about his family and his role within it. He had always been raised like a little prince-dressed in designer clothes, surrounded by luxury, with no responsibilities for the harm he caused others. After all, did it really matter?
?I-I''ll make sure everyone knows it, then,? Jacob replied, almost surprised by his words. ?What do you see in me, Dad?? he then asked, leaning forward and furrowing his dark brows.
Johnny removed his hand from Jacob''s shoulder and slowly began to circle him.
?I see you controlling the greatest empire,? he said while looking at him sideways and glancing at the shelves filled with golden statuettes. ?You just have to understand how certain things work, but you''re young. You''ll have time to learn,? he continued explaining, finishing his walk around Jacob.
?Why are you telling me this?? his son asked, his mouth slowly opening at his father''s words.
Johnny smiled a bit, leaned even further forward, and took a chair, gesturing for Jacob to sit down. His heir complied, and Johnny returned to his throne.
?Tell me, Jacob,? his father began again, after settling back into the chair. ?If we walked into a restaurant and there were police officers, union leaders, and other trash like that, and they dared to contradict me, what do you think I would do?? he asked, tilting his head to the left and waiting for his son''s response.
Jacob slightly pulled his neck back and grimaced as he looked around a bit before giving his answer.
What the hell is he talking about now? he thought.
Then, he turned his gaze toward the throne, toward the armrests and the figure of his father-rigid, authoritative.
?I don''t know, Dad, you tell me,? he finally replied, shrugging his shoulders and shifting in his chair.
?I wouldn''t hesitate for a second to make them beg for a quick death,? his father replied, resting his hands on the armrests. ?It''s the power of fear,? he explained, almost whispering.
?The power of... fear?? his son asked, pulling his neck back and raising his eyebrows.
?Yeah,? Johnny replied, returning to his initial position. ?Power cannot be bought, and I''m not talking about brute strength, but influence,? he further explained, raising his head and looking down at Jacob. ?There''s a big difference between asserting your power and being a reckless bully,? Johnny continued, raising a finger. ?We need to make sure the people in this city fear us, not despise us.? he concluded, slightly tilting his head.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
?So what do you want me to do? Back off?? Jacob asked, shrugging his shoulders.
Johnny leaned back on the throne, crossing his arms and legs.
?No,? he briefly replied, staring at him for a few seconds. ?But choose your battles wisely. Sometimes it''s better to manipulate situations without getting your hands dirty,? he continued, slightly pursing his lips. ?We''re building something here, Jacob, not causing chaos.? he concluded, narrowing his blue eyes a bit.
?Then why do I have to waste my time in that goddamn school?? his son muttered, throwing his arms wide. ?I want to be on the field and make a name for myself. I''m tired of these professors; there''s nothing they can teach me,? he continued, waving his palms and then crossing his arms again.
Johnny averted his gaze from his son, resting his right elbow on the armrest and rubbing his chin with his fingers. Jacob''s impatience grew by the second, and his fingers began to tap on his bicep as he waited for a response.
?Jacob,? he finally said, adopting a more serious tone. ?It''s not about what you''ll learn at that school, but about what you''ll become.?
?And what do you think I''ll become at that school? A scrawny little student? Huh?? his son complained again, looking away in annoyance and standing up.
Johnny smiled at his words and leaned forward on his throne. Then, after a few seconds, he regained a grim expression.
?I don''t want you to learn anything at that fucking school,? he began, raising his head and speaking in a stony voice, immediately drawing his son''s attention back to him. ?I want every kid to fear the name Cobra from the very start,? he continued, also standing up.
?You just need to get through the year, nothing more. Just the bare minimum until you''re legally forced to attend. Then you can focus on much more important things,? Johnny added with disdain. ?That''s your goal. Don''t you ever disappoint me.? he concluded in a harsh tone and walked past him to grab a bottle of water.
Jacob stood still for a moment, sensing the intensity of his father''s expectations. Then he slowly turned toward his father''s figure, his eyes narrowing as he tried to grasp the meaning of his words.
?You want me to... scare them?? he asked, slightly widening his eyes and hinting at a smile.
?Yes, Jacob,? Johnny replied, turning toward him with a wicked grin spreading across his lips. ?As the future leader of the Cobras, it''s up to you to make all those kids understand who the fuck is in charge here,? he continued, leaning on the table behind him.
?So, it''s not about books and homework,? his son replied, diverting his gaze from Johnny''s authoritative look. ?It''s about making people understand who we are,? he continued, blinking and bringing his gaze back to his father.
Johnny''s smile widened, and he moved even closer to Jacob. Then he stopped and lifted his head even higher.
?Exactly,? he confirmed, taking a sip of water. ?You''ll be our ambassador of fear in that school,? he continued after drinking.
Jacob''s hands began to tremble at the thought, and his initial frustration was replaced by excitement. He started to imagine what he could do now with his father''s approval, the people he could hurt without any consequences-legal or otherwise.
?Don''t worry, Dad. I''ve got this,? he said, widening his smile and shifting his gaze toward the throne to his left.
?Perfect,? Johnny replied, noticing the astonishment in his son''s eyes as he stared at the throne.
He''s just like me, he thought with a small smile. ?Come with me. There''s something I wanna show ya,? he said, before leading Jacob to his room.
Johnny''s large bedroom had a style very similar to that of the living room but with some differences. In the center was a large canopy bed with silver details, and beside it were light wood nightstands.
?Look, Jacob,? his father said, carefully pulling out a blue, curved, and glittering dagger from the furniture. He delicately took it, as if handling something sacred, and without saying a word, handed it to Jacob, who initially stood still, surprised by the unexpected gift. ?Do you like it? It''s yours.?
Jacob blinked a few times and slowly took the dagger in his hand, examining every detail. He already had knives, but this one was something else; it had a very sharp blade forged from steel, giving the surface a wavy pattern. The boy then touched the tip with his finger and lightly pressed it to test its sharpness.
?This dagger belonged to my father, and he gave it to me,? Johnny remembered while Jacob continued to gaze at the dagger. ?You can''t even imagine how many people I slaughtered with this,? he continued, flashing a smile.
?What''s it like to kill someone, Dad?? Jacob asked, shifting his gaze from the dagger to his father, who leaned his mouth close to his son''s ear and placed a hand behind his neck.
?It''s like being born; no one ever asked for it,? Johnny enigmatically replied.
Jacob blinked and saw Johnny pull back.
?Oh,? Jacob slightly flinched back. ?And... is it better to shoot or stab?? the boy asked after seeing his father smile with his lips.
?Shooting someone is easy; just have good aim and pull the trigger, but stabbing, well, that''s a whole different story,? Johnny explained, tilting his head.
?And how is it?? Jacob asked again, slightly leaning in with the dagger still in his hands.
?It''s a thrill,? Johnny whispered, quickly raising his eyebrows. ?Stabbing someone again and again and again and watching your enemies tremble, knowing they''re about to die while you rip their souls from their bodies,? he explained, diverting his gaze from his son and widening his mouth.
?I remember one very clearly,? Johnny went on, almost nodding and looking toward the dagger Jacob still held. ?He was a Spyder, and just before I tore him apart, he was begging for his life. He was begging, Jacob,? Johnny still went on, returning his gaze to his heir. ?Like a dog,? he whispered again, smiling and narrowing his eyes.
Jacob was a bit taken aback by Johnny''s revelations. He had always known his family was powerful, but this was a level of ferocity that left him momentarily speechless.
?I can''t... I can''t wait to use it and see what it feels like,? he finally broke the silence, looking at the dagger for a while and trying not to appear impressed. ?When will you take me with you?? Jacob then asked, turning his gaze back to his father and slightly shaking his head with impatience.
?You''re not ready yet, Jacob, but you''ll have your chance. There are plenty of enemies,? Johnny explained, stepping away.
Jacob grinned as he watched his dad stroll back into the living room. It was finally time to take charge of his destiny.
6. Marijans Stand
The next day, Matt tried to ignore the slaps on the neck by staying still in his seat. He wore a fitted black long-sleeve shirt.
?Stop it!? Matt exclaimed, clenching his fists and turning around.
?Or what?? Enzo whispered, sitting next to Jacob, who wore a sleek red polo shirt, and behind Matt.
Jacob then seized the moment to give Matt a hard slap on the neck just as the Spanish teacher, a blond man in his forties, turned to write on the whiteboard.
?Why are you doing this to me?? Matt complained, quickly turning around and touching the back of his neck.
?''Cause we fuckin'' can. Yeah, we fuckin'' can, punk,? Enzo sneered, flashing a smirk, his Supreme hoodie reppin'' a bold logo.
?I ain''t no punk! What do you even know?? Matt muttered.
?Man, shut the hell up,? Jacob snapped, giving the teacher a side-eye.
?What''s going on?? the Spanish teacher asked, looking toward the back row.
?Nothing...? Matt replied after turning around and looking away.
Matt''s situation was then discussed by the Math, English, and Spanish teachers during a meeting, seated at a rectangular table. The room they were in was a typical school conference room, with slightly faded walls and some educational posters scattered here and there, while a blackboard stood in a corner.
?Who?? the English teacher asked, a woman in her fifties with light brown bobbed hair and gray eyes. She wore a somewhat shabby gray suit and heels that made a soft clicking sound as she moved.
?Matt Prince,? the Math teacher promptly replied, dressed in a striped shirt and beige pants, resting his hands on the table. ?I believe the reason he''s been so agitated in class lately is the bullying he''s experiencing from Jacob and his friends. But he doesn''t want to admit it,? he explained, looking at the other two teachers seated across from him.
?I''ve noticed the same thing, but I preferred to let it slide,? the Spanish teacher added, crossing his arms. He wore a dark blue polo and slightly faded jeans.
?We gotta do something about this. We can''t just sit back while one of our kids is getting punked!? the Math teacher snapped, jumping to his feet.
?Yeah, yeah, but have you seen Jacob''s family? the English teacher questioned. ?They''re bad news. What if we step in, they''ll come for us next?? she went on, dropping her voice. She then stood up, her heels echoing on the floor.
?Yeah, I''ve heard the same thing. No, no, no, I don''t want to put myself or my family in danger. And for what?? the Spanish teacher agreed, lowering his shoulders and shaking his head.
?But what about Matt? He''s the one suffering here. We can''t turn a blind eye to what''s happening to him,? the Math teacher insisted as he gestured.
?It ain''t my problem,? the English teacher said, straightening out her gray jacket.
?Ain''t your problem?? the Math teacher shot back, eyes wide as he stared her down.
?Who even cares? His family will handle it,? the English teacher said, tilting her head with a hint of attitude. ?I''ve been here long enough, and this will sort it out itself. Better off minding our own business,? she added, walking away from the table with an indifferent air.
The Math teacher stood still, hands on the table and a worried expression.
?What kind of teachers are you?? he exclaimed, voice rising, looking at them one by one as they left the room. ?You should be ashamed!?
A silence fell for a moment, and the English teacher, at the door, turned around.
?Say what you want; I''m not risking my job for a student I barely know,? she said, then left, her heels echoing down the hallway.
The situation stayed up in the air. Next day, Matt found himself smack in the middle of an English test, and the teacher had switched up the seating, so the tight-knit crew couldn''t copy or swap answers. Just his luck, Matt ended up right next to Jacob. Matt was rocking a basic gray H&M long-sleeve, while Jacob was chilling to his left in a fresh black Nike tee. He clocked Matt''s focus and slid his chair over to crib some answers.
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?Matt. Buddy. Let me see what you wrote,? Jacob said, leaning in.
?Hey. You''re going to get us caught like this,? Matt whispered, looking around.
?I totally forgot to hit the books,? Jacob said, leaning over to snag some answers.
?Seriously?? Matt asked, raising an eyebrow but keeping his focus on the teacher.
?Yeah...? Jacob replied, rolling his eyes.
?Dude, you always forget to study. You never pass a test,? Matt shot back, giving him a side-eye.
Jacob laughed and kept copying Matt''s answers, scribbling down notes.
?I got way better things to do. Way more exciting stuff.?
?Cool, but don''t copy everything,? Matt whispered while the teacher was busy calling out other students.
?Sure...? Jacob replied, giving him a playful wink.
After the test, while Matt was washing his hands at the sink, Jacob sneaked into the bathroom.
?You got me in trouble, Chinese!? Jacob shouted, moving closer to Matt. ?Your answers were all wrong!?
Matt barely reacted to his accusations and continued washing his hands, going along with him.
?I told you not to copy everything,? he replied, still focused on his wet hands.
?You should''ve just hooked me up with the right answers from the jump!? Jacob shot back, clenching his fists and standing next to Matt.
?You should have asked someone else,? Matt replied, as he shrugged.
?Oh, for real?? Jacob shot back, tilting his head like he was trying to hear better, clenching his fists even tighter.
Then, Jacob kicked Matt in the knee out of nowhere and made him double over. Not done yet, he followed up with a punch to Matt''s face. Matt curled up, trying to protect his head and face.
?Stop!? he yelled as he crouched down.
But Jacob was ruthless and didn''t even think about holding back. He kicked him in the ribs, face, and back multiple times.
When Matt walked out of the bathroom, he was all bruised up and had a totally embarrassed look on his face. As soon as the other kids saw him, they started laughing and clowning him.
?Yo, look at Matt. What happened to you? Haha!? one of them pointed out.
?You''re weak. Get back to mommy!? another one sneered.
?You''re a loser, dude! Can''t even defend yourself!? said another kid.
?Why don''t you do something? You''re just a coward! Get back to London, idiot!? they shouted.
School, which should''ve been a place for learning and growing, had turned into a total nightmare.
Matt''s gaze drifted off as he sat down at his desk as he heard his classmates'' voices humiliating him. His eyelids drooped a bit, and he stared at his desk for a few seconds. He started to see double, and his eyes got all glassy. Tears were about to spill, but Matt blinked hard to keep them from rolling down his cheeks. He couldn''t give them even that satisfaction. Then, his chin began to tremble, and his teeth chattered until the gym teacher walked in at long last.
I can''t go on like this... Why doesn''t anyone accept me for who I am? What have I done wrong? he thought, clutching his stomach with one hand.
Among Matt''s classmates was Marijan, a quiet and reserved medium-height kid with messy brown hair that flopped into his hazel eyes. He was the only one who actually treated Matt right, hooking him up with chocolates every now and then. After watching Matt get hurt once more by Jacob and his crew the next day, he knew it was time to step in and do something about it. Wearing a light-colored shirt, he stood up from his chair, positioned himself in front of Matt, and rushed to separate the others after Matt received several slaps for not sharing his chips.
?Hey, leave him alone!? Marijan exclaimed, staring down the bullies.
?Mind your own biz, Marijan. We''re just playing with the new kid,? Bruno replied, moving closer. He wore a white tank top, showcasing his very slim arms, and had earrings along with a piercing on his eyebrow.
?Yeah, get the fuck outta here,? Manu added, dressed in a blue Adidas tracksuit.
?That ain''t cool if you''re makin'' him feel like crap. Back off, man!? Marijan shot back, staring them down one by one as he stepped in front of Matt and stretched out his arm as if to protect him.
Unsure how to respond, Enzo and Jacob exchanged glances. Oliver, however, was not about to back down. He wore a fitted purple dress shirt.
?You think you''re tough, Marijan? Show me what you''ve got, little guy!? he shouted, stepping forward and clenching his right fist.
Oliver tried to hit Marijan, but Marijan stepped back a bit and hit Oliver in the nose with a right hook.
What? Jacob wondered, watching the fight unfold.
?Want some more?? Marijan replied, almost bouncing on his feet.
Oliver was a bit rattled by the hit and put a hand to his nose. To his surprise, it was bleeding. His eyes widened before locking back on Marijan, who was smirking.
?You''ll regret it. You and your little buddy...? Oliver threatened, narrowing his eyes.
?Don''t make me laugh, idiot!? Marijan shot back, dropping his guard and looking around at the others.
Oliver clenched his left fist, ready to move in again, but just then, the English teacher walked into the room, and everyone quickly backed off and went to their seats, acting like nothing happened. But there was one person who wasn''t happy: Jacob.
How could this happen? Am I dealing with losers? Dad would be ashamed... he thought as he sat, crossing his fingers before his mouth, his head inclined forward as he glared at Marijan and Oliver.
The bell rang. After class, Jacob noticed the English teacher leaving and took advantage of the situation to approach Oliver, who was putting his things in his backpack.
?Look at you, Oliver,? he said before grabbing him by the collar. ?Taken down by some random kid. What will others say now? You''re the disgrace of our clan!? he exclaimed, leaning in closer to Oliver''s ear. ?I should kill you...? Jacob whispered, tightening his eyes.
Oliver''s eyes widened with Jacob too close to him, and he began to tremble.
?I... I didn''t know he was that solid. I''ll handle it, Jacob, I promise...? he stammered, trying to pull away, but Jacob shook his head.
?Too late, Oliver,? the Cobra heir said. ?You made me look like a fool, and that''s not something I let slide...? he threatened again, then slightly stepped back to look him in the eyes.
Jacob then began to choke him, tightening his grip around his neck.
?W-What... are you... doing?? Oliver tried to speak.
?You''re not worthy of our name,? his leader replied, grinning as he applied pressure with his right hand.
He then started hitting him with his left fist and kicking him, leaving him hurt and bleeding on the ground. As those who were still there watched in fear, none dared to intervene. They knew they should do something, but no one had that bravery inside of them.
?Consider it a lesson, rookie!? Jacob mocked and left class first.
Oliver weakly nodded, too scared to say anything else. After he displayed strength, Jacob walked away, leaving Oliver to get up by himself, his body aching. Afterward, Enzo approached him, still on the ground.
?What the hell are you doing? You almost make me feel sorry for you. Get the fuck up,? he said, narrowing his gaze.
Meanwhile, Matt and Marijan exchanged glances, both disturbed by the scene and walked away as well without saying a word. After climbing into the back seat of Marijan''s father''s Ford, Matt sat quietly, his eyes widened. He stared out the window as the car pulled away.
Is this all normal? he thought as Marijan, seated next to his dad, told him that his Spanish test had gone well.
Over the months, his grades worsened when Marijan wasn''t around. How could he focus on his studies with the bullying constantly on his mind?
7. Doppelganger
After school, as soon as he entered the living room, Matt, dressed in a gray sweatshirt, threw his backpack with his Naruto drawings to the ground.
?My classmates are getting on my nerves!? he let out.
After his outburst, his father, Basil, sitting on the black couch in an old sweater and sweatpants, turned to him. He had his bare feet propped up on the grey ottoman, and the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall was showing a political program, but Matt''s anger forced him to look away from the screen.
?What are they doing?? Basil asked, surprised, before grabbing the remote and lowering the volume.
?They clown on me for how I dress, and they hit me too,? his son complained, glancing down at his legs. ?They hit me a hell of a lot,? he went on, looking away. ?I''m fed up with this. I wanna smash them!? he shouted, clenching his fists.
?Violence won''t solve anything; it will only make things worse,? his father replied, glancing at his backpack.
?Huh? They won''t stop bullying me unless I do something!? Matt shouted, stepping forward.
Meanwhile, his mother, Monique, who was cooking lunch in the kitchen and was dressed in a comfy robe and slippers, overheard everything and approached.
?We should find a peaceful solution instead,? she advised as she walked over.
?Peaceful solution? What do you mean? You want me to act like a coward?? Matt asked, turning toward her with a furrowed brow.
?It''s not cowardly to talk to the principal and see what they can do,? Monique continued, crossing her arms.
?Yeah, right, that''s what people say when they can''t fight,? Matt retorted, turning his back on her and gesturing with his hand.
Basil got up from the couch and approached, standing in front of Matt.
?I''ve told you before. Violence only breeds more violence and will never lead to a good outcome,? he said, touching his arm. ?I''m thirty years older than you; you need to listen to me!? he then exclaimed.
?But I wanna do to them what they did to me!? Matt shouted, breaking free from his father''s grip.
?You wanna be suspended from school? Wanna end up in jail? You need to handle conflicts with respect and...? Basil continued, his gaze firm.
?With respect?? his son interrupted. ?They''ve never respected me since day one. I WANNA FUCKIN'' KILL THEM!? he yelled, slamming his fist on the coffee table.
Monique approached the table, wiping her hands.
?Calm down; have you talked to your teachers?? she asked in a more soothing tone.
?Yeah, but they don''t give a crap. They act like everything''s cool,? Matt said, scrunching his nose.
?Alright, I''ll hit up the principal, but I can''t promise anything,? Basil said, as he moved to grab his jacket.
?Okay, keep me posted,? Matt replied, as he was his father opened the white door of his house.
Matt''s father had a meeting with the principal, but it was useless. His peers continued to mistreat him and took Jacob''s side, clapping in unison and chanting a taunting song against Matt during breaks.
?Matt the coward, Matt the Chinese, popopo.?
Matt didn''t have many chances to chill, and after lunch, he felt super lonely playing by himself with his ball in the yard. He was wearing a blue soccer shirt and green shorts and his soccer kicks were laced up tight. But out of nowhere, he heard a familiar voice cut through the silence.
?Hey Matt, pass!?
Matt looked up and met Cyrus'' gaze, who was wearing a red soccer shirt and black shorts, completed with white soccer shoes. The two boys had met after Matt moved to Vicary City and soon became great friends.
Cyrus was tall and slender, with dark hair cut in a buzz cut, bright green eyes, and a big smile.
?Hey, Cyrus, sure,? Matt replied, turning around and passing him the ball.
Once they got into the rhythm of the game, Matt stopped, holding the ball between his feet.
?You know, Cyrus, I''ve been having a tough time lately...? he admitted, then passed the ball back to Cyrus.
?What happened?? his friend asked, surprised by his words, passing the ball back to him.
?There are these bullies in my class, and they''re making my life a fucking living hell,? Matt admitted, stopping the ball and plopping down on a beige wall.
?Bullies?? Cyrus replied, scooching closer and sitting next to him. ?Spill the tea,? he said, turning to look at him.
Matt locked eyes with Cyrus''s green ones for a sec. They didn''t know each other for very long, but deep down, he felt like he could trust him. Cyrus had never clowned him and always treated him like he deserved. He took a deep breath and opened up.
?It all kicked off a little while back. There are these dudes who bully me, push me, and hit me for no reason,? Matt confessed, looking down. ?I''ve tried to stand up for myself, but it just makes things worse,? he added, shrugging a bit.
?They mess with me ''cause I''m new here, and they think I''m an easy target,? he explained, staring at the ball.
Cyrus''s dark eyebrows knit together as he listened to Matt''s story.
?I''m really sorry you''re going through this, man,? he said, blinking a little. ?We''ve known each other since you moved here, and you don''t deserve to be treated like that. Is there anyone in your class you can count on?? he asked, leaning toward him.
Matt put his hands on his face and hesitated for a moment before answering.
?Well, there''s a guy named Marijan,? he explained, shrugging his shoulders. ?He''s been really helpful and has protected me when he''s been around. But when he''s not in class, the bullies keep at it...? he continued.
?Those idiots are pure trash,? Cyrus said, gritting his teeth. ?They feel strong only when they''re in a group, but individually, they''re worth nothing! That''s why they target you,? he exclaimed, catching Matt''s gaze.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
?That''s what I''ve always thought. Thank God at least you understand me,? Matt replied, looking at his friend.
?Of course,? Cyrus replied, nodding decisively. ?Real friends help each other out. One day, you should introduce me to Marijan. I''d be happy to meet him,? he continued, showing a smile.
?I think you two would get along great!? Matt replied, smiling too as Cyrus moved a little closer.
?You know, Matt, if I were in your class, those bullies wouldn''t dare touch you,? he said, giving Matt a pat on the arm.
?Do you really think so, Cyrus?? Matt asked, surprised, pulling his neck back, and Cyrus nodded with a little smile.
?Bullies are cowards. They only pick on others when they think they can get away with it. They would run away if they had to deal with someone like me,? he said, winking at him and puffing out his chest a little.
?I wish you were in my class, Cyrus. Things would be so different...? Matt replied, tilting his head a bit.
The boy felt the weight of loneliness fade as they played and chatted; it was like having a friend who understood and cared for him. However, when Matt returned home for dinner, he realized his father was even more upset.
?The principal said there''s nothing he can do,? Basil confessed, taking a bite of meat.
?Oh, sure, and how could he? They''re not professors to me. They''re just a bunch of cowards. I want to leave this school!? his son burst out, putting his cutlery down beside his plate.
?Come on, maybe you got under their skin. That''s impossible!? his dad said, leaning in a bit.
?I thought you knew me. I don''t start drama with anyone. They threw the first punch!? Matt shot back, slamming his fist down.
?Maybe you''re not standing up for yourself enough. You gotta show them you ain''t scared!? his mom chimed in, raising her voice.
?For real? And what do you expect me to do? Just turn the other cheek? It''s tough to deal with!? Matt exclaimed, turning to Monique. ?You''ve never had these problems, so you can''t understand... How stupid I was to think you''d help me. If Grandpa were still here, he''d spit in your faces!? he shouted, pointing a finger at them.
?How dare you?? his father replied, slapping him.
The slap was hard and hit Matt right on the cheek. The kid stumbled back a bit and put his hand on the spot that got hit. Then he looked up at his dad, who still had that furious look on his face. Next, he glanced over at his mom, who didn''t even flinch at the violence. Matt kept staring at his parents for a moment, gritting his teeth while still holding his hand on his cheek.
You... bastards... he thought as he widened his gaze a bit.
?You''re just like those scumbags!? Matt retorted as he recovered from the shock. He then headed to his room, seeking comfort from his little dog, Jackie.
?It''s all my fault, isn''t it? You decided to move us to this shithole neighborhood. Thanks a lot!? Matt shouted from his room.
Grandpa would never have allowed this. Yes, it''s all their fault, but they''ll never admit it. In London, I felt so much better, and no one would have ever picked on me, he thought, as he petted Jackie.
Matt felt trapped in Vicary City, unable to consider it a true home. He flopped down on the bed, the pillow covered in Dragon Ball Z images, and tears started streaming down his face as he stared up at the white ceiling. He gritted his teeth and squinted his eyes.
Then he wiped his tears with a tissue on the shelf nearby. When fatigue took over, he fell asleep and found himself in a dark room, and the silence around him was interrupted by a terrifying voice.
?All that is yours belongs to me by right, and mine... IT MUST BE!?
What? Matt wondered, looking around but it was pitch dark, and his vision was blurry.
Then, the room became a little lighter, and a strange scene unfolded before his eyes as two figures emerged from the shadows.
What''s happening? Matt thought as he saw the two get a little closer. That guy... he... he looks like me but he''s much... older... Matt wondered as he leaned a bit forward.
And who''s the other one? He''s... scary... Matt still pondered, squinting.
To his right stood his adult self, dressed in a tight gray shirt that highlighted his pecs and abs, with a fierce look. On his left, a distorted alter ego displayed a malevolent grin. This figure, while bearing the same features as his mature self, had a much darker face. Both the face and the exposed torso, covered in even more defined muscles, were marked by scarlet and glowing scars.
The younger version of Matt couldn''t take his eyes off this duo and tried to comprehend the meaning of the apparition, but to no avail.
?W-What does all this mean? W-Who are you?? he asked, trembling.
Then, his future self and his doppelg?nger nodded simultaneously and stared at each other for a moment before being drawn toward each other and merging like Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z.
?What are you doing? Wow!? young Matt exclaimed, covering his eyes with his hands before being overwhelmed by a blinding light.
After the fusion, a new version of Matt emerged, with a red left eye and a face and body marked by the same scars as his Doppelganger. This new figure approached his younger self, which was frozen. Paralyzed.
?W-What...?? young Matt stammered, before seeing his future self smile. ?Can''t believe it,?
?Matt,? the new entity began, taking another step forward and tilting his head. ?I know what Jacob is doing to you, but you have to stay strong,? he continued, leaning his head forward. ?There''s a great power inside you waiting to be unleashed, but it will be up to you to bring it out...?
?Huh? A great power? What are you talking about? I''m so... afraid...? young Matt replied, shrugging and assuming a sad expression.
Future Matt turned his gaze away from young Matt and looked toward the darkness. Then, with a mysterious expression, he turned back, barely turning his face to look at him from his left shoulder.
?You''ll laugh at your fears when you find out who you really are...? he replied as he gradually faded away.
But the dream was far from over. The scene changed, and the young version of Matt found himself amid a crowd in front of burning hotels.
Where am I? Who are these people? he wondered, looking around.
In the chaos, his adult self jumped onto a car with a megaphone in hand, flanked by a group of friends. There was a tall, muscular guy with red hair, another guy of average height with dark long hair tied in a ponytail, and two guys he knew well. But they looked different.
Marijan? Cyrus? Is that... them... as adults? young Matt thought, seeing their figures to the left of future Matt, who addressed the crowd.
?No more suffering. No more being oppressed. A new tomorrow begins today!?
However, the dream took a darker turn, and young Matt found himself in front of a door adorned with the emblem of the Cobra clan.
A snake symbol? What the... Matt wondered as he opened the door with a trembling hand and what he saw was unexpected.
The kid found himself in what seemed like a huge storage room, with bodies on the floor, but none recognizable, and blood everywhere. Various types of weapons were scattered on the ground, but everything was blurry.
The only thing Matt could focus on were two figures. In a corner to his left, there was a tall blonde figure wielding a blue, curved dagger.
?Jacob? Is that him? It can''t be!? young Matt exclaimed at the sight.
On the other side, future Matt faced his unarmed opponent with his fists before his mouth, solely relying on his boxing technique. The two of them charged at each other, screaming, and just before they collided, young Matt was flung away. When he woke up the next morning, his bed was soaked in sweat, and he clung to the sheets, trying to shake off the lingering echoes of the dream.
It all felt so... real... he thought between labored breaths.
Was it just a dream, or had he caught a glimpse of his destiny?
8. The Spyders Nest
2009.
In the Cobra villa, in Dragonhill, Johnny was standing behind a mahogany desk, looking at a map marking the territory of the Spyder Clan in Tigereast. He was dressed in a high-quality black polo shirt and elegant trousers.
His younger brother, Wade, stood before him. He was a thirty-seven-year-old man with short, slicked-back brown hair. His eyes were brown as well. Plus, a light beard and a hint of a goatee framed his face. He was dressed in a light gray polo shirt paired with matching trousers.
?We been at it with the Spyders way too long, Wade,? Johnny, the Cobra boss, said, palms flat on the table. ?This here''s where Ivan''s weakest,? he said, tapping the map. ?Word is, he''s sniffin'' around our drug spots. Time to flip the script,? he urged, his gaze lifting to his brother, who stepped a little closer.
?So what''s the move, Johnny?? Wade asked, steady.
Johnny''s lips curled into a smirk.
?We gon'' use their own tricks on ''em,? he said, nodding to himself. ?And besides, we got Viktor...? he added, folding his arms, and making Wade''s forehead crease.
?You sure we can trust him?? Wade asked, stepping aside to get a better look at the map.
?Trust? Man, trust doesn''t exist in our game, you know that,? Johnny said with a low chuckle. ?But he''s got his reasons. Viktor wants Ivan gone as bad as we do.?
Wade sighed, letting his arms fall to his sides.
?Just gotta play this smart. We don''t need no extra mess,? he said, blinking slowly.
Johnny stared at him for a moment, then nodded. He knew Wade, younger or not, was the cautious one. They had mad respect for each other, and Johnny knew his brother''s sharp eye for detail kept them out of trouble more than once.
?Relax, Wade,? Johnny said, brow furrowed. ?Our Spyder ain''t makin'' no moves without our say-so. Dude''s stuck worse than you think,? he explained with a cocky grin.
Wade smiled back, his shoulders easing up.
?What happens to him after tonight?? he asked, head tilted up.
?Do you really want me to explain?? Johnny replied with another chuckle, stepping over the table as if to leave the room, but just then, Jacob entered.
?What y''all talkin'' about?? Jacob asked, strolling toward the table, and rubbing his chin.
He wore jeans and a dark green V-neck shirt and stopped in front of Johnny, who glanced at Wade behind him and then back at his son.
?Just settin'' up a lil'' ambush,? his father replied, lifting his head with authority.
Jacob''s eyes lit up as he watched his uncle study the map.
?Can I help out?? he asked, a confident grin spreading as he stepped closer to the table.
?Jacob, it ain''t time yet. You''re only fifteen,? Johnny said, turning around, arms crossed. ?We''ll talk when you''re at least eighteen.?
?But I wanna do somethin'' big!? Jacob pushed back, turning toward him. ?I gotta prove I''m worthy of bein'' your son!? he said, staring Johnny dead in the eye, his voice firm.
Johnny and Wade exchanged a look, both taken aback by the fire in Jacob''s words.
?Maybe we oughta let him in. We were ''bout his age when Dad...? Wade started, rubbing his thumb across his lips.
Johnny cut him off with a raised hand, thinking it over. He eyed Jacob, and the two of them locked eyes, neither backing down. Johnny couldn''t help but notice the kid didn''t even blink.
Damn, he''s serious, Johnny thought.
?I like that fire you got,? he finally said, moving back to the table, and showing Jacob the map. ?Alright, we''re gonna hit the Spyders right here,? he said, pointing to the Spyder warehouse. ?But it''s gon'' be dangerous, so you gotta listen and do exactly what we tell you,? he warned, his blue eyes fixed on Jacob.
?Count on me, Dad,? Jacob replied, puffing out his chest while looking at the map with his chin held high.
?Good stuff,? added Wade, nodding and shooting a glance at Johnny, who gave him a nod back.
In the meantime, in the Spyders'' hideout, deep in Tigereast, Ivan sat surrounded by his most trusted lieutenants: Viktor, Dmitri, Anatoly, and Sasha.
Behind Ivan, who wore an elegant black suit with a light blue shirt, there was a large painting of a spider on a web, rendered in intricate black and gray details. In the center of the table, painted a dark red, was the Spyders'' emblem, which depicted a tarantula with its legs spread wide as if about to capture something. A bottle of whiskey and glasses were positioned on the table, right next to the emblem.
?Five fucking years, fellas!? Ivan broke the silence, leaning forward and smacking the table. ?We''ve been scrappin'' with those Cobra scum for five years. I''m sick of losin'' my best men to those damn snake-lovers,? he said, staring each of his guys down.
They shifted, exchanging uneasy glances.
Viktor, the double agent, leaned forward on the table and poured whiskey into his glass. He was a slender man with sharp features, thin-framed glasses resting on his nose, and wore a high-quality black polo with elegant trousers.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
?Maybe it''s time to think about a truce,? he started, filling his glass. ?We can''t keep losin'' turf... or bodies,? he added, raising the glass to his lips.
?A truce?? Ivan shot back, raising his eyebrows and pulling his neck back. ?Not after what Johnny pulled on me!? he barked, watching Viktor take a sip.
The only woman at the table, Sasha, had just turned thirty and possessed an athletic body and green eyes. Her black hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore an elegant dress with high heels. Within the clan, she had always been the voice of reason, the only one capable of seeing things from a different perspective.
?Ivan,? she began, crossing one leg over the other and locking her eyes on him. ?I get where you''re comin'' from, but maybe it''s time to put the ego aside,? she suggested, her lips tightening as she glanced at Viktor on her right, who had just finished his drink.
?And how am I supposed to do that, Sasha?? Ivan yelled, jumping up from his chair in front of her, and waving his hands. ?That snake humiliated me in front of everybody! ME! A Spyder!? he shouted, pounding his chest with pride.
As the argument between Ivan, Viktor, and Sasha heated up, Anatoly couldn''t hold back any longer. He sat to Sasha''s left. He was a tall man of forty-six with curly hair, a thick beard, and a double chin. He was obese and wore a white tank top under an oversized dark gray jacket.
?Ivan''s right, Sasha,? Anatoly rumbled, drawing her attention with his gravelly voice. ?Those Cobras are chokin'' the whole city,? he went on, shaking his head and angling it toward her. ?I seen some of their boys in Tigereast; they''re scoping us out. We gotta hit ''em back, and fast,? he finished, turning his eyes to Ivan, looking for his approval.
At Anatoly''s words, Dmitri, who sat to his left, leaned forward and nodded. He had a shaved head, light eyes, and a blond beard. He wore a black shirt and a tight jacket that accentuated his massive physique.
?Boss, I got an idea,? he said, pressing his thumb to his lips, nibbling a bit. ?Why don''t we throw more cash at the politicians and businessmen they''re dealin'' with?? he suggested. ?If we get them to switch sides, the Cobras fall apart!? he exclaimed, sliding his chair forward eagerly.
Ivan considered it, rubbing his chin.
?It could work. What do you think, Sasha?? he asked, turning his attention back to his lieutenant, who stood up.
?It''s not a bad move, but we might not have the time,? Sasha began, turning toward Dmitri. ?If Dmitri''s right and the Cobras are closin'' in, we better be ready,? she said, shifting her gaze back to Ivan.
?Right,? Ivan muttered, lowering his head before covering his mouth with his hand, and rubbing his nose quickly. ?So, what do we do if they show up?? he asked, looking back up.
?One thing we got is our organization,? Sasha replied, glancing at the others, her fingers resting on the table. ?Plus, this is our turf,? she continued, trying to lift their spirits with a confident nod. ?We know these streets better than they do, and if we play it smart, we can hit ''em hard and even take back our spots on the edges of Lionwest.? she concluded, meeting the eyes of each lieutenant.
Ivan was clearly impressed by her words, regaining some of his confidence.
?Good point, Sasha,? he said, nodding slowly with a grin forming.
But before they could strategize, Viktor spoke up, raising his hands in mock caution.
?Nah, y''all stressin'' too much,? Viktor said, grabbing the Jack Daniel''s whiskey bottle again and pouring some into the others'' glasses. ?Relax, the Cobras don''t know jack ''bout this spot,? he continued, pouring more alcohol to loosen up his now former crew. ?What''s the point of bringin'' this bottle if we ain''t drinkin''?? he asked, glancing back at them.
?I''m good,? Sasha said, waving her hand, curling her lips a bit as she sat on the table, letting her legs swing.
Anatoly and Dmitri, though, were all too happy to ease the tension, eagerly grabbing their glasses.
?Yeah, for real, this whole mess got me twisted,? Anatoly said, grabbing the bottle and pouring more whiskey into his glass. ?Dmitri, you in?? he asked, glancing back at Dmitri, who nodded in agreement. ?And you, Ivan?? he asked again, holding out his glass after topping off more whiskey.
?Nah,? their leader said flatly, grabbing his jacket from the chair. ?I got stuff to handle,? he added, shrugging on his jacket.
?Aw, c''mon, boss, just one sip,? Viktor urged, shaking his glass, but Ivan just stared back.
?Meeting''s done. Sasha, roll with me,? he said, lifting his left arm and motioning with his finger.
Sasha nodded, hopping off the table to follow Ivan to the exit under Viktor''s disappointed gaze. Once outside the building, Ivan checked to make sure no one was listening before he spoke again.
?Sasha, you''re the only one I trust here,? he said as they walked, casting a glance her way. She kept her head down, nodding as she paced alongside him.
?I got you, Ivan. We''ll figure it out,? she replied, looking up at him.
As they neared Ivan''s black SUV, a massive shadow emerged from the dark-Senwe. Ivan''s go-to weapons guy stepped forward to open the car door for his boss. He had on an orange tactical vest over a dark shirt, ammo belts slung around his waist. His eyes were cold, and his hair was shaved on the sides, slicked back tight.
?All good, boss?? Senwe asked, cracking the car door open.
Ivan didn''t answer at first, just settled into the back seat before finally replying.
?Close enough. Let''s roll,? he said, leaning forward to tap the front seat twice.
?These Cobras gettin'' bolder every day,? Sasha commented, staring out the window as Senwe started the engine.
?Shiiit, they ain''t built like us. They gon'' fold, straight up,? Senwe replied, eyes cold as ice, catching Ivan and Sasha in the rearview mirror.
Senwe then turned on the engine and drove off, the car fading into the night.
Not long after, Wade, Johnny, and Jacob crept out of Wade''s Ferrari F8 Spider and Jacob''s Honda SH and snuck up to the warehouse. They found a window, and Wade crouched to peek inside while Jacob and Johnny pressed against the wall.
?Where''s Ivan? Where''s he hidin''?? Wade whispered, scanning the room with his eyes.
Johnny''s face twisted, and he leaned into peek, motioning for Jacob to keep quiet.
?He knew we were comin'',? their boss muttered through clenched teeth, watching Ivan''s crew crack up at the table.
?What''s so damn funny?? Jacob whispered, his lips curling in annoyance.
?We gotta find where he ran off to,? Wade added, turning to his nephew.
Wasting no time, the trio circled the building and headed through the front door, which had been left slightly open.
What will become of the Spyders?