They tell me I’m in one of the healing centers located near the Towers. Toilers can never afford these places. Neither can crews. After battles, we patch ourselves up and hope for the best. Buy or steal whatever makes us feel better. Why am I in this healing room? Is this a prelude to the LMC moving to the Towers? A little taste of what’s to come? I hope so. The room is not as opulent as I expected. It’s still better than any room I’ve slept in.
Nena returns with water. She’s no longer crying. Her eyes jump from Truck to Shi to Smiley and then back to me. She’s nervous. So am I. Two days lying on this bed. Who knows what machinations have occurred outside this room with regard to our livelihoods.
The silence continues until Smiley can’t stand it. She’s the opposite of Shi. Smiley will talk to the point of dizziness.
“What else you got in here? Any good drugs?” Smiley says. “We can use a few happy pills. Am I right? Especially after dealing with those Deadly Venoms.”
It doesn’t take long to notice my crew is keeping secrets. Even when Smiley tries to make light of the situation by telling a joke of how she conned an old lady into giving her food, she can’t face me. No one wants to break the news. Whatever apprehensions or fears they are feeling, they won’t say.
I give Truck the look. This is a conversation I must have with her alone. The rest of the LMC take the hint and leave. It’s time for real talk between me and Truck. I need to know what’s the deal before anyone else decides to surprise me.
Truck closes the door as they exit. Concern is written all over her face.
“Tell me,” I say.
“You messed up. You got beat down by a lazy, no-good trick in front of everyone,” Truck says. “Not only that, but you punked out. As if this was your first time throwing down.”
She’s not holding back.
“The Deadly Venoms. It was ridiculous!” Truck raises her voice. “What the hell was going on out there? You lost focus. We swore to get even in the name of Manos Dura. The rest of your crew held their own. You were too busy paying attention to I don’t know what.”
Truck wasn’t privy to Déesse’s plan. She’s got every right to be mad. My dream to live in the Towers is her dream too. I sold it to Truck first. When we both left the training camp, we did stints with other crews to see if we wanted to join them. None of the leaders of those crews had any real plan for the future. They only concentrated on how to hold on to their small section of the city. I could fight. So could Truck. We had mad skills. It’s not enough. I knew we needed to join Déesse’s elite soldiers to ever be invited to live in the Towers. If I was going to make that my goal, then I had to build a crew who would follow me there. I pushed them harder than ever before. We are almost there. She can’t even see it. Why else would I be set up in this healing center?
“You told us we had an in for the Towers. This was the fight for us. I plowed down those Deadly Venoms to make room for you. You think it was easy? What do we have to show for it? Nothing. We’re back to zero.”
I close my eyes and wait. I need to know what happened after I blacked out. Did the ANT reach Santo?
“Are you done?” I whisper. Every move hurts. “Did the ANT say anything to her?”
“ANT? What ANT? To who?” Truck says. “What are you talking about?”
“The one who was trying to speak to Santo. Didn’t you see him?”
Truck flashes me the expression she reserves for sueño addicts. She thinks I’m losing it. It doesn’t matter. The ANT was probably tossed to the side. Good. We should be in the clear.
“What’s the word on Déesse?” I ask.
Truck hesitates.
“I heard she’s disappointed. We are on the wack list. The Deadly Venoms are on top,” she says. “We need to go, Nalah. My gut tells me we’ve got to leave.”
Without waiting for a response, Trucks gathers my belongings. She opens the drawers and finds my clothes. She does this in rapid formation, understanding there isn’t much time for us to leave before facing the inevitable letdown from Déesse. I can’t go. There’s nowhere to go. Besides, I lost the fight. That was what Déesse wanted. Santo promised I would meet with his mother. I’m so close to the Towers.
“Stop.”
Truck doesn’t listen. What is it with lying down on this bed? Everyone ignores the patient.
“I’m facing the future as a fighter,” I say. “I don’t run.”
Defeated, Truck lets the clothes drop back to the drawer. She knows I’m right.
“So, tell me one thing. What happened? That wasn’t you fighting,” Truck says. “You could have broke the heifer in half. Be straight with me. What’s going on?”
No one gets to question my leadership, not even my best friend. With what strength I can muster, I sit up.
“Listen, soldier, you and me are tight. No doubt. Get this straight—I won’t explain my strategies to you,” I say. “There is a why for what happened in the throwdown. Now is not the time for me to break it down. I will when I will. Till then, I need you to keep your side clean. I’m Chief Rocka. That makes you my right hand. Be my right hand, soldier, and don’t ever question my moves again. You got me?”
Truck opens her mouth to curse me out. She stops. “Yes, I got you, Chief Rocka.”
It’s not in me to keep much from Truck, not when it comes to the crew. I’m asking her to go blind on this one. Plus, I’m pissed off. She’s not the one who got thrashed by Destiny.
“Toss me my clothes,” I say.
Tucked inside a hidden pocket is the Ashé necklace right where I left it. This will help us. I’m riding on it. I put on my pants and store the necklace safely inside. I hope I’m right.
Truck walks over to my side of the bed. She places a hand over mine and gently squeezes. There is anger and confusion. There is also tenderness.
“I ride or die with you,” she says. “For as long and as far as you want.” Truck understands and I’m grateful.
There’s a knock at the door. Smiley sticks her head in.
“Déesse is heading this way,” Smiley says. “And la fea is with her.”
This is it. I’m going to find out our fate. Did the ANT create havoc? Did throwing the fight mark an entrance into the Towers? Or am I right where I was at the bottom?
“How do I look?” I ask.
Truck grabs a wet rag and wipes the sleepiness crusted in my eyes. This is how I know I got the right soldier. Truck will stick by my side. We’re sisters. Pissed off or not, she will always be there.
“Wait by the door,” I say to her. “No beef. Be on the alert, though.”
Truck nods and leaves the room.
There’s nowhere to turn and I’m too weak to do much of anything. I try to brace myself. Santo told me the LMC must lose in the throwdown. We followed instructions. This rising anxiety will choke me.
Minutes later, Déesse enters with an assistant, her daughter, Sule, and a soldier. With her entrance, the room changes from smelling sterile and bland to musky and fragrant. She wears a long yellow tunic with linen pants underneath. Her braids are tucked under a yellow headwrap. Déesse’s arms are weighted down with her signature cuffs. She gives me a warm smile.
The only conversation I’ve ever had with Déesse was right after Mom passed away. I was so young and clueless. Soon afterward the training camp became my second home. I found purpose because of Déesse.
Here she is again. Those dazzling freckles are in front of me once more. It’s hard to believe.
“We should clear the front. Toilers are crowding the hallway.” The guard makes an obvious dig to my crew. She knows we are not toilers. I stare her down. It’s hard to throw a mean face when you’re lying on a bed.
“My crew stays where I stay.” I say this to Déesse. Her guard doesn’t exist. There’s only Déesse. “They’re under lockdown, so there will be no ruckus on our part. We left the violence on the courtyard. I give you my word.”
“Of course we believe you,” Déesse says. She nods to the soldier and waves her
away. There won’t be any beef. Truck will make sure of it.
“How are you?” Déesse asks. She unexpectedly grabs my hand. Anyone else and I would have found a way to draw closer to claim the knife Déesse keeps by her side. Anyone else and I would have hurt them. The only thing I can think of right now is how Déesse is asking how I’m doing. She’s worried about me. The tension releases from within, and I allow myself to sink more into the pillow.
“I’ve never seen anyone take such a hit. That skull of yours must be made of concrete,” she says. I try to join in and laugh. It hurts too much.
She shakes her head.
“No, no. Destiny did quite a number on you. You’re lucky Truck was there to pull the baton away from her. Too bad Truck wasn’t quick enough. The tip of the baton still managed to smack the side of your head. . . .”
This is why Truck is so pissed. She always had my back.
Sule toys with my bedsheet. Nervous or bored, I can’t tell. She doesn’t want to be here. I don’t want her to be here either. And where’s her brother? Is Santo out there waiting, or did the sucker leave me high and dry?
“Thank you for coming,” I say. “You didn’t have to.”
“Nonsense,” Déesse interrupts. “You’re one of my children. Besides, we have business to attend to, don’t we?”
With that, she lets go of my hand. Déesse sits down. I hadn’t noticed when her assistant placed two chairs for her and her daughter. These are no ordinary chairs. They are elevated so no matter where or with whom she’s talking, Déesse will be seated slightly above them, with the legs of the chair dangling off to the side.
“I’m happy for the Deadly Venoms,” I lie. “They’re obviously a better crew.”
Déesse laughs. She faces her daughter, who is dressed to match her in a bright yellow satin dress. The color makes her look sickly. This is the first time I’m taking a real good look at Sule. Her makeup is so heavy. It’s practically caked on.
“Sule, tell Chief Rocka what the Deadly Venoms are doing.”
Yellow lipstick covers Sule’s thin lips, causing her teeth to appear stained. She rolls her eyes. This must be a topic that’s been on rotation.
“They’ve been stealing from me,” she says.
“Not you,” Déesse corrects her. “Us. They’re stealing from everyone. They’re thieves. They’re the worst kind because they think they’re pulling it off. Stupid kids.”
“Right, us. Yes,” Sule says. “They’re stealing valuable things and instead of stopping them, we’re allowing them to continue.”
Déesse displays a frozen smile. Her daughter’s tone is so disrespectful I’m embarrassed for her. If she’s known about the Deadly Venoms stealing, why did Déesse ask me to fix the fight? It doesn’t make sense. If we had won, we would have gotten rid of them for everyone’s sake. I choose my words carefully because my thoughts are spinning. I’m not sure where I stand.
“I’m sorry to hear that. The LMCs are a true bunch. Working for you would be an honor we would never take for granted,” I say. “We can get rid of the Deadly Venoms. I’ll make it our mission to do so.”
“It breaks my heart when my children are deceitful,” Déesse says. “For Mega City to survive, we must rely on each other. As sisters, we have no choice.”
Déesse taught us how Mega City is a circle and everyone must fulfill their role in keeping the sphere strong. When one person ventures away, the circle weakens.
“It doesn’t make sense when children choose to hit those protecting them,” Déesse says. “One crew blatantly steals while the other, the other acts far more selfishly.”
Her statement trips me up.
“So tell me, Chief Rocka,” Déesse says. “Who will you leave behind?”
My heart races. What is she talking about? Did the ANT reach her and tell her about the charm?
“Sorry, Déesse?” I say.
Déesse’s gaze stays fixed on me. She asks me again, and I don’t know how to respond. This is going wrong. What is the correct answer? I should have listened to Truck and left this place when I had the chance. Now it’s too late.
CHAPTER 7
ON A MISSION
Déesse’s not talking about the drugs my girl Smiley stole only a few minutes ago. This is bigger. I rack my brain trying to decipher what she’s getting at.
“The LMCs haven’t been forthright. Wouldn’t you say?” Déesse says. The assistant doesn’t bother looking away from her Codigo. She pounds into the machine, completely oblivious to what is happening. Déesse’s daughter caresses the bedsheet. There is a moment when it appears as if Sule is about to nod off. Is she high? What is going on?
“I’m not sure I’m following you,” I say. I try to sit up straight, to exude strength. It’s not working. I feel vulnerable. My girls are right outside the door. Why do they seem miles away?
Déesse continues to smile. “Santo tells me you no longer want to protect my streets. He says you’ve grown tired of doing the work.”
I breathe a little. She thinks I’m abandoning the toilers of Mega City because I want to live in the Towers. That’s far from the truth.
“The streets are my life. It’s where my heart is,” I say. “I would never leave behind the people of Mega City. It’s just not possible.”
“Why do you want to live in the Towers?” she asks.
This is a test. If I respond by saying I want to sleep in a real bed, then I’m being selfish. How am I different from Destiny, who steals from innocent people? She wants what she wants. A better life. Material things. How different is that from me wanting to live in a nice place? I take my time and think.
“I want to serve the people of Mega City as a soldier in your army,” I say. “The LMCs have fought and beaten the best crews. There is no denying we are warriors. We can also take orders. Your army’s mission is to protect our borders. It’s my mission to do the same, to make sure everyone is safe. I’m ready to continue this work in your army.”
Déesse gives a slight nod. I answered correctly.
“What if I allow only one LMC in the Towers?” she asks. The assistant stops pressing into her Codigo. Sule stares at her shoes.
What kind of trick question is this? I can’t leave my crew. If I live alone in the Towers, how long before I can send for the LMCs to join me? Is that even on the table to discuss? I try to calculate. I can’t play my girls. I won’t. What makes the LMCs valuable to Déesse? We’re smart and we see the big picture. I dig in my pocket and show them the charm. They concentrate on my offering.
“I found this on a toiler four nights ago. I knew the medallion would be worth more to you than the guy. I thought you might want to see it.”
The assistant reaches for the necklace. I drop the charm on her delicate hands.
Déesse’s benevolent smile disappears and is replaced with a serious expression. She calmly takes the medallion from her assistant and gestures for her chair to rise closer to the glowing light above the bed.
The room goes silent. No one says a word.
“Do you know what the fist stands for?” Déesse says after a long, uncomfortable pause. She addresses no one in particular. “It’s called an azabache. Many used to think this black fist was a talisman meant to protect the person who wears it from harm. They were wrong. This tiny fist symbolizes hate. Odio.”
It’s hard to read Déesse when her chair is so elevated. I’m unable to see her. She speaks in an even tone. I can’t tell if she’s angry or if I did the right thing by giving her the necklace.
“You must know it belongs to the Ashé Ryders. Correct?” she asks. I answer her with a yes. My back is damp with sweat. I don’t know why I feel as if I’m being interrogated. Sule perks up. Maybe she enjoys seeing how freaked out I am.
“What do you think?” she asks. From my vantage I can see her twirling the necklace.
“I think it’s an old trinket,” I say. “He probably came across it accidentally and thought he could trade it for sueño tabs.”
She slowly brings the chair back to its original floating position. Déesse holds tight to the necklace. Her lips are pressed together. No smile. I feel the tension rise in the room. How can an innocent black fist bring such uncertainty? Déesse lets out a long sigh.
“Do you know the story of the Ashé Ryders? Not the tall tales. The truth?”
I stay silent and wait for her to begin.
“After the Big Shake, Mega City was in shambles. It didn’t take long for people to see the source of destruction began with men. The Big Shake happened because of their drillings and their need to take from this earth. In order to rebuild, we came together to form a new existence. It wasn’t hard to convince everyone. And for a time, we were united.”
She continues. “A small group wanted to do things differently. They began sabotaging our livelihood, letting men make decisions on their behalf. Using violence against their own. They lusted for power,” she says. “That’s how crews came to existence. People wanted to take sides. Silly, if you think about it, when we have the same goal—to survive.”
“So that’s how the Ashé Ryders were born,” I say. “Why would they want to destroy Mega City?”
“Why do the Deadly Venoms steal?” she says. “They think to be powerful you must stomp on those weaker than you. I asked you to lose to the Deadly Venoms because I wanted to see if you can control the brutality needed in a throwdown for a cause bigger than yourself.”
I stare at the azabache. It holds a different meaning now.
“This is the third medallion I’ve seen in a month. It’s clear to me there are sympathizers willing to risk bringing this into Mega,” she says. “Passionate enough to stir the hate. The fear is not of the Ashé Ryders trying to step into Mega. My army is animal raw. We hold the borders tight. However, we must cut the disease before it spreads, before toilers start to think the Ashés hold a better way of living. That is a danger.”
Dealing in Dreams Page 6