S1 E7: Memories Pt. 7

Marcus La Voit (One year ago, 2014) 

“Auntie” started to exit the cramped, hot room; confidently and full of herself as always. I hated that everyone used “Auntie” as an endearing term for her. Castilla has only ever been a pain in my rear and a pompous, ego-filled bitch. Constantly using her military past to rule over everyone. It's so suffocating being second-in-command to a 'goodie two-shoes' like her. Oh, how I itched to change that disgusting fact… 

Many of my supporters yearned to have someone full of street smarts and willing to use connections for finer things for those that bring value instead of the bare minimum afforded to all. She won’t even know what hit her when I take over. No one here signed up for the military, we’re just homeless because the world wants to see those who are truly valuable suffer. We shouldn’t have to follow a code of conduct that was made by a single individual, instead of asking for feedback from qualified individuals, like myself. This is no place for an ex-soldier, but it was the perfect place for a coup. 

Luckily, this grainy, shaky video could help me usurp her throne and get some cold, hard, cash in my pockets in the meantime. Castilla had no use for it, and I wasn’t about to get rid of something that could make me money. As if she could read my thoughts, Castilla paused halfway out the door. 

“Marcus, if you're going to disobey my direct order, just reflect on the consequences and the current state of affairs. The Royal Mob has gone into hiding because of the dead mob boss. The Big Daddy Gang is on a killing spree. No one is safe. Several homeless camps have been wiped out due to opportunistic turf wars, and it's riling all the others up, even the ones that are notoriously pacifistic... Almost like a real war on our streets. Just try those odds”, her words hung in the air for a moment before she left in a smug manner. The mangey kid… Or should I say 'freak', looked at me awkwardly until I put up the old camera. 

I hate freaks like him. If only he had the sense to brown-nose me instead of Castilla. I mean I would still treat him shitty, but I wouldn't look for an opportunity to kill or sell him. But, like all the other idiots, he can't see how great and important I am. He'll only learn once he needs me; once he's hurt, badly.

I left the shack a little annoyed, but I wasn't going to let this small setback stop me. She may have won this round, but the gang wouldn't be out for blood forever and there was always a buyer for information. For now, I have some leads on potential allies. I had to build my army if I was going to take her down a few pegs. One day soon--very soon, I'll be the one in charge. 

I'll figure something out… I just need to be patient. Just like how I'm waiting for the perfect opportunity to get back at Castilla for everything she’s done... I just have to have faith in my planning and manipulating skills. I’ve gotten this high up in the food chain and taken worse risks. I’ll get through this like everything else, even if I need to get my hands dirty again.

My secret burner phone buzzed quietly in my jacket pocket. Pressing my arm tightly against my tattered coat, I tried to further silence the vibrating sound until it was safe. Castilla didn’t know about this cheap phone, and I didn’t need any of her loyal followers to start asking questions or offhandedly mentioning it to her. I quickly ducked down the makeshift alleyways, darted through a busy street, and made sure I was alone in a poorly-maintained lot. Pulling the phone out, I saw the caller ID on the cracked screen and grinned.

Quicker than I expected. How children are desperate to impress those they perceive to be good for them. I love the naivety of youth.

“Azrael, you're calling sooner than I expected. Do you have the information I requested already?”

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" His worried voice inquired. "I can call back."

"No, no," I quickly corrected. "It's a pleasant surprise. I'm impressed with your work ethic. Now, what did you learn?"

“Yes, there’s some Irish man, I think he's the leader of the mob by the docks; Adian Mcferron, I believe his name is,” Azrael explained. “He’s interested in any information about the occult and supernatural. I also have a contact who says a lot of people are interested in supernatural information, specifically cryptids or physics, near the Empire State Building and a few people down at Central Station are interested in anything dealing with cursed/magical items and people who can control their blood. I wasn't able to find some of my usual contacts. Seems like they've gone underground and crime is happening a bit more than usual.”

“That’s good to know. I’ll look more into it on my own; you’ve done enough for now. I heard there are some... Disagreements between various camps and gangs. It'll blow over soon. I'll give it about a week, maybe two tops, before the dust settles,” I informed him.

“I thought Auntie assigned me to this job. What changed?” Azrael questioned, confused.

“Yes, she did,” I lied. “It’s just that we have another job for you. Less dangerous. Like I said, there are some skirmishes you don't need to get caught up in, and we have something only someone of your age group can pull off.”

“Oh, um, kind of unusual to have jobs switch out halfway through. I guess fighting makes sense, but I've been out on jobs during worse situations,” he began to protest, but I quickly cut him off. I didn’t need him digging too deeply.

“We’ve had some developments at camp. I’ve got a new kid, high school age, just like you. Castilla brought him in. I want you to be friendly with him.”

“A new kid? It's been awhile since someone near my age came through the camp. Are they a runaway like me?” Azrael questioned; his voice full of hope. 

“He’s not telling us much at the moment. Usual trust issues and angst that all teens seem to have. It’ll help him adjust if there’s someone his age to hang out with and, if anything unusual happens, report it to me immediately,” I instructed. “Castilla doesn’t want to be bothered by this, so be sure I’m alone when you give your report. She's got far too much going on at the moment, and you know if she hears about a job, she'll give her two-cents. It'll cause even more work for her.”

“Um, ok. I guess it’s true that Auntie has too much on her plate to deal with newcomers anymore,” Azrael sadly sighed. A giddy grin spread across my grimy face. 

Ah, so the rumor I made has been spreading wonderfully. Hopefully, it'll continue to erode faith in that joke of a leader. Then all I'll have to do is step in when she falls. Worst case, I’ll need to get my hands dirty to make her fall from grace permanent. 

“Yes, but please keep that on the down-low. Can’t have our leader’s weaknesses exposed,” I grinned. “Oh, if you hear any more rumors about her, please report them to me. Again, I can't stress this enough. Make sure I'm alone.”

“Can do. I’ll head back to camp to meet the newcomer,” Azrael agreed.

“See you soon,” I bid farewell and hung up the satisfying call.

This kid doesn’t realize he’s working for me and not Castilla. I’ll have a spy and all the information I could ever want about this new Freak in my midst. I even have leads on buyers for this freak’s info. Could this day get any better?