She is Amber

Two Years Later

*Tjeck*  

 It’s Thursday, which means I have a new delivery of goods to manage. By ‘goods,’ I mean weapons and ammunition that we sell to other rogue packs. Each pack has its own way of surviving and making money. 

Since it’s virtually impossible to unload illegal shipments in the middle of Catrista’s upscale tourist district, I’ve got to pay Zombie a hefty sum each month for the privilege of using his harbor. The harbor is Zombie’s domain, the lifeblood of his pack’s finances. Only on Thursdays can I be there without the risk of getting shot or attacked.

 Because I’m at the harbor, I hear about the battle immediately. A large group from Zombie's pack doesn’t get injured in our everyday skirmishes; training fights only leave bruises. This is clearly a real fight, and when Zombie returns from a skirmish of this magnitude, there’s only one logical opponent... Adis.

Even now, two years after the war and Amber's death, they still blame each other, living only to make life miserable for one another. Sometimes, I wonder if they would have perished long ago if it weren’t for their mutual hatred.

I leave the responsibility to Tom, one of my older members, and dash back to the car. Worrying about one another is unavoidable in our part of town. I should know better than anyone. I’m the one selling the weapons people use to defend themselves and wage war against each other.

My worries, as always, are for Kattie and the kids. The kids I can hardly call kids anymore. As for Adis, my loyalty toward him has vanished, and Clay, Kattie's boyfriend, well, I’d be happy to see him gone. He came into the picture a year ago, sweeping Kattie off her feet despite her claims that she didn’t believe in that kind of love. He pulled The Shadows from the deep hole Adis had led them into. He’s the hero who accomplished what I couldn’t. But I don’t trust him.

Our part of the city is relatively small. The people in Catrista have started calling it the underworld, and we who live here are often referred to as the unwanted. We are the people no one desires. 

That’s what we are… the underworld of Catrista. The place where secrets are buried, and unwanted citizens disappear. We are the secret that could provoke the government to punish the entire city for our mere existence. We should have either never been born or died a long time ago.

The citizens of Catrista have no reason to wander among us, and there’s rarely any danger if they stumble upon our territory. It’s ensured that tourists don’t end up here either. Not that we would harm them, but the government of Catrista seems to think we’re all rapists and murderers.

The small size of the area and the lack of traffic allows me to reach the highrise in ten minutes. Only a few of us have transportation. It’s a privilege the Alphas usually keep for themselves, while the packs that require it have a couple of cars at their disposal. 

 Not that the cars and motorcycles here are legal. It’s not easy to buy and pay for a vehicle when you essentially don’t exist and can’t register it in anyone’s name.

As soon as I stop the car at the curb, I sense something is wrong. Kattie is sitting on the fire escape ladder leading to their big apartment on the fifth floor, and her entire posture sends a wave of worry through me.

She looks up with a guarded expression, and our eyes meet. Sorrow, fear, and anxiety swirl in her green eyes… a mix I haven’t seen since Amber’s death. 

“What happened?” My hands grow sweaty with worry. Who has died? Kattie has only cried once, and that was when Amber died. Not even during the hard times right after, when anyone else would have crumbled, did she shed a tear. Not that she hadn’t sought comfort and safety, but never with tears in her eyes. She is the strongest person I know.

“Clay is hurt,” she whispers in a raw voice as I reach her. “And Adis found a girl...” Kattie’s breathing quickens. I sit down beside her, pulling her into my arms. They still fit perfectly around her, even with Clay in the picture.

“Clay is going to make it; don’t worry.” I whisper back, unable to stop myself from pressing my lips against the top of her head. That’s as close as I can get to her nowadays.

“Yeah, Kress and Thorn said the same,” Kattie mumbles. “But the girl...” Her voice breaks, and a tremor runs through her slim body. “She is Amber.”

For a moment, I fear the worst. That Adis has truly snapped and dug up the body, bringing it home. But then the sensible part of my brain kicks in; even Adis couldn’t be that twisted. “Amber is dead, Kat,” I whisper. “Whoever this girl is, I don’t know, but she isn’t Amber.”

“Please talk to him, Tjeck.” Kattie pulls away, looking at me with pleading eyes, now brimming with tears. I just want to take her into my arms and make her pain and worries disappear. “Make him understand that she can’t stay here.”

It’s a fool’s prayer. Adis has never listened to me in his life. The alliance between The Shadows and The Eagles isn’t rooted in any particularly friendly feelings.