Hugs are nice.

  Basking in the warmth of each other is a therapeutic experience. It’s like you’re being given physical evidence that you’re not alone, that whatever burden you have can be shared. Alex isn’t normally keen on hugs that last longer than a few seconds, but today she’s made an exception.

  She’s held in the fragile embrace of her mother, taking whatever comfort she can from the boney woman. Abusing the blessing of a loving family.

  Life isn’t all that fair is it? How come Alex with her dystrophy was given the blessing of some sort of game yet her mother has to suffer through rounds of chemo to stay alive? Alex…wouldn’t give it away. Even for her mother. She doesn’t know how to feel about that.

  Is she heartless?

  “What’s gotten you so cuddly?” Pepper says as she combs her bony fingers through Alex’s hair. “Don’t tell me you witnessed another suicide. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t survive a fight with God to change your luck.”

  Alex chuckles and gives her mother a reassuring squeeze. “It’s nothing mama. Just…contemplating.”

  “Hmmmm, this has a story behind that. My journalist instinct is practically screaming at me. But I’ll leave it alone if you don’t want to talk about it.”

  “No it’s fine, I’m chill talking about it. Just didn’t want to lower the mood since we don’t really get to see each other much.”

  “That’s cute, now spill. I’ve gotten curious.”

  Alex hugs her a little tighter. “Tita killed my maestro.”

  “Oh…in front of you?”

  Alex nods and Pepper hums, she looks over to the camera in the room and her pupils dilate. The light indicating its recording turns off. “There, now we have some privacy. I assume she didn’t kill him without having a proper reason.”

  “Did you just hack that camera?” Alex says, eyes wide with amazement.

  “Yep, put it on a loop. Now focus. We can discuss how awesome I am later. Right now I need to know how hard I’m going to have to scold your grandmother.”

  “Well…it’s not really her fault,” Alex starts. “She just wanted to protect me. You know how I’ve gotten stronger lately? Well he found out the reason why. Gidou and Tita were not happy when he brought up experiments and shit.”

  “Okay then,leaving aside the fact you’ve developed something worth researching (which we will discuss later). How experimental was he leaning?”

  “Well, he said that it wouldn’t be all that much but Gidou told me after that whatever it is I’ve got would attract the corporate sharks like it were a gushing wound.”

  “So they committed a mundane murder to protect you,” Pepper says. “You’ve never struck me as the type to care, what’s really bothering you?”

  Alex looks down, rubbing her head slightly against her mothers waist as a consequence. “I…don’t know. I’ve seen death plenty of times, even been shot a few times. That’s just how this city works right? So it shouldn’t bother me, right? Yet when I think of all the hope in his eyes…”

  “Hmmm, have you ever seen Jania kill someone before?”

  “Well…no.”

  Pepper nods to herself. “And did you ever imagine they could do something so…well, gang like?”

  “Not until now.”

  “So what does that tell you exactly?”

  “I…don’t know?”

  “C’mon sweetheart, you're smart. Why would witnessing something you’d never thought possible bother you so much?”

  “Well when you put it like that it seems kind of obvious, doesn’t it?”

  “It does,” Pepper whispers as she continues to gently comb through Alex’s hair. “Your image of them is the sweet old geriatrics. You’ve never seen their ganger side, never seen them do something so cold.”

  Alex chews on that for a bit. Is it really that simple? Is she that easy to shake? She knows her grandparents were decently well off gangers, so it’s not like she should be shocked at witnessing something so…well, as her mother put it, gang-like.

  “I guess you’re not wrong, just feels kind of pathetic,” Alex says as she pulls away and sits next to Pepper.

  Pepper pouts at the distance. “C’mon! I give you motherly wisdom and you stop the cuddles?”

  “Well it was getting to be a bit much.”

  “Nonsense! Come’er you little goblin you.”

  -

  Alex is in so much pain.

  She lays on a couch as her entire body feels the after effects of excruciating exercise. Small dumbbells resting on the carpet next to her as she watches a show about anthropomorphic bunnies forming a revolution against their rabbit overlords. It's much more brutal than it sounds.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  Her head rests in the lap of her Baba as they both enjoy the sight of animal people losing limbs and bursting brains. He’s surprisingly into ridiculous show concepts for someone who’s supposed to be highly regarded by the gang.

  “Damn,” Sayyid hisses at a rabbit man opening up a bunnies skull with a crowbar. “I don’t know who’s got more of that insanity in them. The gangs or these showrunners.”

  “Baba, you’re a part of a gang.” Alex says as she rolls her eyes.

  “I never said I was sane.”

  “Touché.”

  Sayyid chuckles and ruffles her hair with a metal hand. Alex squeaks in indignation and slaps at his arm. Not that it does anything. The BEAR series don’t have artificial nerves, focused entirely on destructive potential and strength. It’s pretty mod friendly so it’s a favorite for people who know a decent mechanic.

  “I will not suffer this humiliation!” Alex shakes a fist at the man. “Soon I will be the strongest of all and you will feel my wrath!”

  Sayyid snorts at her proclamation. “Soon my ass. Whatever bullshit is going on with your body is impressive, but it won’t make you hercules. At least not if my interpretation of it’s correct.”

  “Well what if I get condensed muscle? What then huh?”

  “Don’t,” Sayyid looks down sharply at her. “The Maestro might’ve said your dystrophy is gone, but I don’t wanna test if…fuck it’s so weird to call it a skill. Anyway, I don’t want to test to see if it’s got other effects going on.”

  Alex might agree with him but that doesn’t stop her from pouting. She has an image to keep after all, who is he to tell her what not to get? Fuck, this is weird. She doesn’t know which is stupider. The fact that she actually told them or that they believe her. Though her diagnosis and sudden growth in musculature seem to be evidence enough.

  They may have had an existential crisis or two in the process. But what’s life if not a bundle of impossible questions!”

  “Baba, pass me some chicken. I need scrumptious protein!” Alex waves her arms at the behemoth.

  Sayyid snorts and hands her another piece of crispy poultry from the bucket next to him. “It’s certainly made your appetite ferocious. The amount of creds it’ll take to feed you will be ridiculous.”

  “When I start working as a merc I’ll be able to pay for myself!”

  “I’d rather you just stick to your studies,” Sayyid sighs. “Merc life isn’t glamorous. All it takes is one bad day and next thing you know you’ll be a red stain on concrete.”

  “Then I just won’t have bad days,” Alex nods to her infallible logic.

  Sayyid shakes his head. “Not how that works habibty. Not how that works at all”

  “Don’t be a grump! That’s Ikrams job. Support my dreeeeeams.” Alex whines

  “I will, why do you think I’ve gotten you all this equipment?” Sayyid says as he points to the many exercise tools still boxed in their containers. “I just…think it would be better for you if you pursued a more scholarly career, but I’m not really one to judge.”

  “That’s an understatement!” Tita Jania laughs from the second floor as she starts taking the stairs down.

  “What’re you doing awake Mama? It’s late.”

  “Fuck of with that shit. I may be old but I’m still spry as a spring leaf!”

  Alex laughs awkwardly at that. “Hi Tita.”

  “Hi habibty, you forgive me yet?” Tita Jania smiles softly.

  “Yeah,” Alex says. “It’s just weird to think of you as someone who’d kill in cold blood.”

  “Only when it’s necessary, I…I’m sorry you had to see that.”

  Alex shrugs. “It’s okay, I’ll miss Maestro Ahmed but I know why you did it. Just a shame is all.”

  “And to prevent any more Maestro killing, you’re not allowed to see anymore for your condition.” Sayyid grunts.

  Alex just takes a bite of her chicken and nods as Jania lifts the girl's legs and sits down, placing them on her lap. She raises a brow at the show they’re watching but shrugs and goes along with it.

  “So our little gremlins got the attention of something supernatural,” Jania muses. “You know I think my Baba would've had you shot if he were still alive.”

  “Lucky the bullet got him then, I wouldn't want to kill my own family.” Sayyid says as he takes a bite out of a chicken.

  Jania just chuckles as though the implied willingness for murder were a joke. “Very lucky. Now hand over some of that chicken, it looks delicious.”

  -

  Alex takes a grand bite out of her crepe.

  It’s delicious, it’s always delicious. The unique method they use to cook the wrap alongside the cream, strawberries, and syrup? It’s heavenly. Alex has never hated the taste of something so divine in her life.

  Around the table sit her friends. Each a testament to so many memories. Two of them join her in the sacred ritual. Crepes aren’t their favorite, whether it’s a desert or not. That’s the price of being cursed with inferior taste buds. Still, a promise is a promise.

  “I can’t believe they actually called on you,” Omar grumbles. “Are they stupid? Do they really want a war with The House?”

  “You’re just jealous. I get to prove myself to the big shots while you're stuck on the sidelines,” Ikram boasts. Alex can see the cracks in his mask though. She doesn’t mention it, it’s only decent.

  Ronan swallows a piece of the delectable desert he was chewing on. “There isn’t much to be jealous about. I’m not exactly a fan of getting shot at.”

  “Besides, you’re doing supply runs. When are you gonna get a chance to prove anything?” Alex points out.

  “Oh fuck off. Be happy for me! This is an opportunity,” Ikram huffs.

  “An opportunity to meet God maybe,” Omar says.

  Ikram grumbles and the surrounding table chuckles at his disgruntlement. Alex doesn’t think he’ll actually get killed or anything like that, supply trucks are well protected during wars. Her Baba said so. They just need hands to deal with pick up and drop off. If he’s lucky he’ll be placed in a warehouse with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents.

  “But seriously, good for you! You get to be a proper ganger now,” Alex pats him on the back.

  “Thanks. Maybe you’ll be joining me soon, short stuff. I’ve seen how you’ve been packing on some muscle. You see a Maestro or something?”

  Alex takes another bite of her crepe, chews, and eventually swallows. “Yeah, said I’ve got a rare condition that…goes away as I age or some shit. Family was real happy about that. Had a little party and shit.”

  “Really?!? That’s fucking awesome dude! No more skeleton club for you eh?” Omar raises a hand and Alex responds with a sweet high five.

  “For now you’re still stuck with me goober, but eventually. We’ll have to work on planning your escape sometime.”

  Omar lets out a snort. “Fuck no, I’m perfectly happy as I am.”

  “It isn’t exactly healthy,” Ronan points out.

  “Or aesthetic,” Ikram adds. “How’re you gonna snag yourself a girl if you’re all skin and bones?”

  “I don’t care about getting no pussy if I have to gorge myself.”

  Alex gives a knowing nod. “Still, Ronan’s got a point. Just look at all the jackets you need to stay warm during winter. Our bodies aren’t meant to be that thin, gotta pack on some of that good shit.”

  “What? You opening fire now that you’ve jumped ship? You’re wearing just as many jackets as I am used-to-be-cripple.”

  “Just saying,” Alex shrugs.