New life

The old basketball court loomed ahead, chain-link fences casting latticed shadows in the evening light. Alex's heart hammered in his chest as he approached Kevin and two other men, each wearing hoodies and red bandanas tied around their hands - the mark of the Phoenix gang.

'What am I getting myself into?' Alex thought, his palms sweating as he drew closer.

"You're finally here," Kevin said, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

"Who're these guys, Kevin?" Alex asked, trying to keep the tremor out of his voice.

"Hush," Kevin cut him off sharply. "Now that you're joining us, I'm Scorpion to you."

Alex felt his world tilt slightly. This wasn't the Kevin he knew - the guy who'd joke around and get on his nerves every chance he got. This was someone else entirely, someone dangerous.

"Meet Marco," Kevin gestured to one of the men. "He'll be your new handler. And the other guy in black is Jas, a close friend in the business."

"Nice to meet you both," Alex said, extending his hand in greeting.

The two men looked at his outstretched hand, then at each other, before bursting into laughter that echoed across the empty court.

"AYOO! Are you sure this guy will be able to handle the job?" Marco wheezed between laughs.

"Yeah! I don't think he'll last long in this business," Jas agreed, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Yeah, I trust him," Kevin said, his voice suddenly deadly serious. The laughter died instantly.

"Alright, if you say so, boss," they both muttered.

"Welcome, man," they said in unison, finally accepting Alex with a dap.

Marco reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek black phone, passing it to Alex.

"Your lifeline," he said, his earlier amusement replaced by professional coldness.

When you get a message, it'll be from a different number each time. You'll know it's me because I'll always sign as Shadow– Wraith.

A thin smile crossed his face. "Dramatic, I know, but it keeps the cops guessing. Never save the numbers, never reply to old ones. Got it?"

Alex turned the phone over in his hands, its weight somehow heavier than it should be.

'This is really happening,' he thought.

His grip tightened. There was no turning back now.

"One more thing," Marco added.

"Every message will have a verification code at the start. If it doesn't begin with Phoenix–rises, don't trust it. Could be cops, could be rivals. Either way, you ignore it."

"Alright,now that you've familiar with your handler, We can all have a goodnight" Said Kevin..

"Get ready to work your ass off" Kevin said with his normal jovial and annoying Kevin way

"Alright, now that you're familiar with your handler, we can all have a good night," Kevin said, clapping his hands together.

Then, with his usual jovial—and annoyingly Kevin—way, he grinned. "Get ready to work your ass off."

Of course, he made it sound almost fun. Almost.

'Alex sighed. 'This is going to be hell, isn't it?' he thought,

Without another word, he turned and went straight home

---

The next day, Alex stood in Mr. Carson's convenience store for the last time. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, just as they had every day for the past one year he has been working there.

"Are you sure about this?" Mr. Carson asked, concern etched deep in his weathered face.

"Whatever you're doing... I hope it isn't illegal." Concerned suspicion clouded Mr. Carson face as he studied Alex, hoping—praying—that he'd open up. That he'd admit to whatever it was before it was too late.

If he could just get through to him now, maybe—just maybe—he could stop him while he still had the chance.

Seconds stretched, heavy with unspoken truths.

"Alex... just tell me," he urged, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. "Before it gets worse."

Alex's chest tightened with guilt. 'If you only knew, Mr. Carson.' Alex thoughts were eating him up. The old man had been good to him, flexible with his schedule when Iris needed him, always asking how she was doing.

"I'm sure," Alex managed, though the words tasted bitter. "I have to do this."

"Too bad," Mr. Carson sighed. "I'll miss you. Just... stay safe, okay?"

Alex's conscience was already getting the best of him. He could not only see how much Mr. Carson cared—he could feel it.

"Why does this make it harder?"

"Bye, Mr. Carson," Alex said quickly.

He turned and left the store before he could unconsciously spill the truth.

Alex was barely halfway home when his new phone buzzed in his pocket. His heart skipped a beat as he checked the message:

"Phoenix-rises

Meet me at the old basketball court now. First run.

-Shadow Wraith"

'This is happening faster than I expected,' Alex thought, his palms already growing sweaty. He turned around, retracing his steps to the court.

Marco was alone this time, a shadow among shadows beneath the aging flood lights. He held a small paper bag in his hands.

"First rule," Marco said without preamble, "you don't look inside. Ever." He gestured to the bag. "Second rule, you don't ask questions about what's inside. Got it?"

Alex nodded, trying to keep his voice steady. "Got it."

"Good. Now, this is an easy one. Perfect for beginners." Marco's voice took on an almost teacher-like tone. "There's a convenience store on 7th and Pine - Pete's Market. Behind it is a blue dumpster. Guy in a red cap will be waiting. He'll say 'Nice weather we're having.' You say 'Could use some rain.' Nothing else. No small talk, no lingering."

'Memorize it all. Don't mess this up.' Alex repeated the details in his head.

"How much?" Alex asked, immediately wondering if that counted as asking about the contents.

Marco smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Two hundred. Cash on delivery. Not bad for fifteen minutes of work, right?"

Alex thought of Iris's medical bills. 'Two hundred would cover her pain meds for the week.'

"Time limit?" Alex asked, trying to sound professional.

"Thirty minutes," Marco replied, checking his watch. "If you're not there by 9:30, don't bother showing up. And Alex?" His voice hardened. "Don't make me regret trusting scorpion's judgment about you."

Alex took the bag, surprised by how light it was. 'Don't think about what's inside. Don't think about what you're becoming.'

"One last thing," Marco called as Alex turned to leave. "Take different routes there and back. If you feel like someone's following you, they probably are. Trust your instincts."

Alex nodded one final time before disappearing into the night, the paper bag clutched tightly in his hand. His first delivery. His first step down a road he knew he couldn't turn back from.

'For Iris,' he reminded himself. 'Everything is for Iris.'