"So they weren't allowed in today?" Ellie asked, her tone softer than before, her voice laced with concern.
Jessica, her anger now giving way to a sense of resignation, turned to face Ellie. "What do you think?" She couldn't hide the hurt that simred beneath her words.
"I don't know what has been up with you lately, but you have to realize that we took them in. And they are not just so responsibility that we can afford to ditch when the weather's bad. They are family, all of them. So we take care of our own. Fix yourself up!" Jessica scolded, walking off to another end of the dark corner they both stood in, her words echoing in the dimly lit space.
Ellie stood there, her tears now flowing freely. She couldn't control the emotions swirling inside her anymore. The riot twins, as they were fondly known, were the youngest mbers of the gang. As such, the gang had taken it upon themselves to look after their welfare. However, for a while now, things hadn't been smooth for them, and there appeared to be so friction in the upkeep of the twins, particularly in paying for their school fees.
"How much of it is remaining again?" Ellie asked, her voice choked with emotion.
Sighing, Jessica responded, "Well, I made so money from that one enforcer from the Gecko gang I told you about. He asked to co over, but I told him I needed so money to fix myself, and he happily sent so. Five thousand Zenna."
"It's already in the gang's treasury, if you are wondering. Although not the exact amount. I took two thousand Zenna out to stock the place. The food and snacks you see the kids eating, ca from it. But..." Jessica was going to continue, but Ellie interrupted her.
"But you should keep the remaining one for yourself. It's your money, after all. Don't worry, I promise before the week runs out, I'd figure out sothing. We can't afford for the kids to drop out now. The whole point of this gang is to leave this life behind and have a better future. Maybe not for people like us, but for them!" Ellie said, wiping her tears away, her determination shining through her words.
"Now that's the leader I rember. Hey, co here. I'm sorry for being so an," Jessica said, her arms spread apart, inviting Ellie for a hug.
Ellie, her heart heavy with guilt and remorse, stepped forward and embraced Jessica, their friendship stronger than any montary discord.
anwhile, Kan and Kane were on their way back from the short stroll they had taken through the desolate streets of their territory. Kan couldn't help but notice that Kane, despite his hulking, intimidating presence, wasn't as imposing as he looked. In fact, Kane ca across as one of the most relatable mbers of the gang he had t so far. He seed ordinary, and that intrigued Kan.
"You know sothing, Kan, I like you," Kane began, his gaze fixed on Kan as they walked past rows and rows of dilapidated buildings.
Kan raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure where this conversation was headed. "I really, really like you. But here's the thing, I love Ellie," Kane continued, his tone shifting to a more serious one.
"Okay?" Kan responded cautiously, unsure how to react to Kane's confession. Kane's expression seed to ask, "That's it? That's all you're gonna say?"
"You don't care to know what's next?" Kane prodded, sensing Kan's hesitation.
"No, as a matter of fact, I don't think I should allow your feelings toward soone who I equally care about bother . Besides, the best man is always the one the lady chooses," Kan replied with a surprising degree of boldness and modesty.
"Woah...woah...woah!!" Kane raised his hand, signaling Kan to stop walking. He stared at Kan with a mixture of incredulity and amusent, clearly taken aback by Kan's response.
"You totally misunderstood ," Kane clarified, trying to dispel any confusion. "What I ant was that I love Ellie, and she's like a little sister to . So I'm concerned about her well-being and what she's up to."
"Okay, that's great. I appreciate your care for her. I also care deeply for her," Kan responded sincerely.
"I see. And I believe she sees sothing in you that's different from the others. I see that spark in her eyes. She loves you, Kan. I hope you understand what that ans for you?" Kane said, his gaze fixed firmly on Kan.
Kane's imposing figure, easily twice the size of Kan, stood before him, and he appeared undeterred. "Yes, I understand what it ans," Kan replied with unwavering confidence, earning a nod of approval from Kane.
"Good," Kane said, satisfied with Kan's response. "Now, let's pick up the pace. The others might be waiting for us."
With that, Kane initiated longer strides, his powerful legs carrying him effortlessly down the desolate street. Kan struggled to keep up with the much larger Kane, who seed to navigate the terrain with ease, like a well-oiled machine.
Their journey back to the hideout continued in companionable silence, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air.
As Kan and Kane made their way through the dimly lit streets, they rounded a corner only to be t with an unexpected sight. A group of n stood before them, their figures ominously silhouetted against the faint glow of the streetlights. Two of these n, in particular, held strange, glowing red bat-like sticks that pulsated with an eerie energy. Even from a distance, Kan could feel the unnatural aura emanating from these objects.
Kane's reaction was swift as he cursed under his breath and abruptly halted his steps. Kan, montarily unaware of the danger, questioned Kane's sudden change in deanor.
"Hey, what's the matter? Weren't you the one who said we had to hurry? Let's get going then, I don't want to keep Ellie waiting...and the gang too," Kan urged, though he was careful not to reveal his real reason for wanting to hurry – Ellie.
Kane, however, had other plans. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. The hideout isn't far from here. Just go left, make as much noise as possible, and soone will co find you. When you reach the gang, tell them I said no one should co outside, no matter what!" Kane instructed in a hushed tone.
Kan was bewildered by Kane's sudden change in deanor and the urgency of his instructions. "What? Why?!" he whispered back, perplexed.
Kan was about to question further when realization dawned on him, prompting him to add, "Wait, why are we whispering like this?"
Just then, one of the n ahead began to strike his bizarre red bat-like stick against the wall. To Kan's astonishnt, bricks crumbled and fell from the building as though it were shedding its skin.
Kan's shock was compounded when the leader of the group, wielding one of the pulsating bat sticks, shouted, "Kane!! I told you I'd find you!! You think you can just leave us just like that?!!"
Kane's response was unexpected and brazen. He casually shrugged off his long black overcoat, revealing a body chiseled with muscular definition. His biceps, triceps, and every other "cep" bulged impressively, and a sardonic grin played across his face.
With a devil-may-care attitude, Kane scoffed, "I got bored waiting."
Kan couldn't help but express his surprise. "What the? Weren't you the one about to pee yourself monts ago?" he exclaid, astonished by Kane's sudden transformation from fear to confidence.
The tension in the air crackled as the confrontation with the mysterious n grew more imminent, leaving Kan to wonder just what kind of danger they had stumbled upon in the darkened streets.
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