Clarity’s eyes widened in shock. Several seconds of silence passed. He stood up, remained in his place, and took a deep breath before speaking in a low voice, "I refuse."
Aaron approached him, asking, "Why? You worked with them for a long time; there’s no problem in going back now. I’m not asking you to stay for long! Just stay for a short while, enough to help me get rid of them."
"I am not aiming to get rid of them!"
"But you certainly want to know the truth. Didn’t you say that before? You want to be sure and see with your own eyes how bad they are."
"I’ve seen enough already. But... I told you at the same time that I trust Jake. Any action that might harm him, I wouldn't dare to commit."
"Jake, then. Clarity, since you cherish Jake so much, you surely know what he is going through lately."
"I certainly do. It’s surprising that you know!"
"I found out only yesterday, and I learned something else that might interest you!"
"What is it?"
"I heard the new leader, Apollo, talking to one of his men about Jake. He said he would 'finish him' today."
"Why tell me that? Don’t you despise Jake?"
"I hate him and hope Apollo succeeds, but I’m telling you this so you’ll consider returning."
"I won’t return. Jake isn’t weak enough for a lowlife like Apollo to finish him. Also, perhaps you don’t know, but the problems Jake faces now are because of me. My return would only make things worse."
"Because he faces this because of you, you must return for his sake. And at the same time... you will help me. You will see the truth about the Boss and help me of your own volition."
"You seem unaware that I am wanted by the Boss."
"Why would the Boss want you?"
"Apollo claimed that I burned the weapon depot."
"Where is that depot located?"
"Is that what matters? I’m telling you I’m wanted for attempting to burn it, and since I fled, Jake is paying the price. He stepped down from command and ended up in this state."
"So Jake cares about you a lot. Why hasn't he left the gang, then?"
"I’m starting to feel dizzy. Let’s go inside, and I’ll tell you."
At the Gang Headquarters:
Jake bent down to pick up a bag full of cleaning supplies that Apollo had thrown on the ground. Apollo said sarcastically, "Charlie’s group—you know them, surely—they requested some cleaning supplies, so take them to their place."
"Aren't you giving them status they don't deserve?"
"That is my business. I know how to deal and negotiate with them, so just do your job."
"The house is already clean!"
"They told me they removed some unnecessary items."
"Why did you allow them that? The house is not theirs! The Boss requested their stay there only as guests!"
"Jake? Know your place, please. Let us deal according to our status and our respective authorities."
Jake whispered in annoyance, "You are hopeless."
In Clarity’s Room:
Clarity entered his room, followed by Aaron. Aaron sat on the bed while Clarity took a chair nearby. Clarity spoke seriously, "Aaron, try to listen. The entire gang are your enemies. I realize you hate them more than anything, and I don’t care about that. I don’t hold special feelings for them either. But there is Jake. He is someone I spent my entire childhood with; he is like a brother to me, and I cannot bear the thought of him coming to harm."
"Wasn't he the reason you joined the gang?! Don't you hold him responsible? He is an important leader among them; he bears responsibility for many of their mistakes. Even now... despite witnessing their wickedness, he never thought of leaving!"
"He and I joined because we needed money. He has nothing to do with it."
Aaron asked indignantly, "Is there no way to get money other than joining a gang?"
Clarity answered angrily, "What would someone like you know! A person raised in a rich family, owning everything. You don't know what it means to sleep on the street with your mother beside you, helpless! You, your father, and the ruler of this country enjoy a life of luxury, ignoring what happens in those poor neighborhoods on the outskirts. People are dying of hunger! A seven-year-old child has no work except labor that will end his life. The Boss reached out to us and covered our living expenses, even my education. I have lived under his shadow since then. Leaving him now might be considered betrayal, but I will not stay in a place where anyone’s blood is treated as cheap. Jake stayed because he trusts the Boss... he trusts him so much. That is why I won’t stand against the gang until I am sure of your words. And if I am sure, I will force Jake to leave them, even if it requires us to run away together."
Aaron whispered, "Alright... I apologize. Maybe you were forced. You realized your mistake in the end, and you left."
"I might not have been wrong... I left because I wanted to. But every time I see the state of this country, and the ruler’s stance, I think it is much darker than the Boss. Ha! The bad and the worse—in the end, they are one family!"
"How? You know that... does your Boss tell you that?"
"I found out some way. The Boss never spoke of it."
Aaron looked away in annoyance, "How much do you know?"
"I know... up to Johan’s death."
Aaron smiled bitterly, "Eve, then!"
Aaron stood up abruptly, trying to leave the room while gritting his teeth, "That Eve!!"
Clarity stopped him, shouting, "What bothers you so much? Don't you know every detail of my life? Even you decide what I should and shouldn't do. What’s the problem if I know that too? Do you realize now how annoying it is to have someone who rejects your past and present, someone who constantly threatens you with your mistakes?"
Aaron screamed, "Fine... I’m sorry. Forget about me. Forget what you heard from Eve, and I will forget everything about you in return. We will meet, for sure... but only after I make my bullet pierce your Boss’s chest. At that time, try to keep Jake away so he doesn't meet the same fate, for I will show no mercy to anyone."
Aaron left the room, slamming the door shut.
Jake headed to Clarity’s house with the supplies. He arrived in a few minutes, as it wasn't far from the headquarters. He let out an annoyed groan, thinking of how he was the reason for what had happened to this house. He knocked on the door. It opened after a few minutes; one of the men appeared, smiling mockingly. "You were the leader! And now you’ve come to clean?"
Jake shook his head, then spoke in a low voice, "Just let me finish my work."
The man said, "Ah, Apollo told me your leader is merciless and that he would send me a living example of that." The man started clapping, calling his companions, "Look, men! Look who came to clean the house!"
"Stop that," Jake said sharply.
"You scared me!"
"As you can see, when the Boss saw something from me he didn't like, he demoted me from leader to a cleaner. So be careful, you and your companions. You are here for the deal between your boss and ours."
"Why should I be careful, boy? You’re starting to anger me!"
Jake spoke in a raised voice, gritting his teeth, "Why is the house’s furniture broken?!" He was staring at Clarity’s scattered belongings.
He looked up to see a man in his late twenties, bulky, with sharp features. The man said sarcastically, "Welcome... fugitive. How about coming back with us? Charlie will be pleased to see you."
Jake’s eyes widened in shock. How... do they know?
Jake whispered nervously, "What... are you babbling about?"
The man approached until he was face-to-face with Jake, then whispered, "I was there before... and I remember you well... so there is no escaping, dear friend."
Clarity arrived at the headquarters, entering while ignoring everything around him. He entered the leader’s room, but Apollo wasn't there. He went out, shouting, "Where is Apollo!"
One of the youths replied, "He is outside. But do you intend to dig your own grave?"
Clarity exited, his face full of rage. He stopped upon seeing Apollo. A cunning smile spread across Apollo’s lips. "And here comes the other one... I will finish you both today."
Clarity rushed at him, throwing punches while Apollo tried to dodge; he was skilled. Clarity continued, finally landing a punch. Clarity screamed, "Where is Jake?!"
"Jake is finished, just as you will be now."
One of the youths helped Apollo, and they managed to knock Clarity to the ground, pinning and tying him up. Apollo approached, a sinister smile widening as he reached for a nearby stick. He raised it toward Clarity, but just as he swung, a powerful voice commanded him to drop the stick.
The voice that made Apollo tremble like a fool. Yes... it was the Boss.
The Boss approached him in anger, while the youth released Clarity and backed away. The Boss shouted, "What is going on here!"
Apollo answered nervously, "I was punishing him... he... attacked his leader!"
The Boss turned to Clarity, who was sitting on the ground with blood streaming from his cheek, looking at the Boss with hateful eyes. Bruno asked, "Why did you punch him?"
Clarity remained silent, his gaze intensifying. He seemed to be challenging Bruno. The Boss approached and lifted him from the ground, grabbing his shoulder firmly, whispering, "Why don't you answer?"
"Are you going to build your kingdom this way?"
Bruno’s eyes widened. "Who are you!"
"You don't even know me, so I can't blame you. But... Jake!? Don't you know him?"
Bruno released his grip and shouted, "Bring him in!"
Clarity screamed, "Someone told me you were a just man! Someone told me he trusts you so much—trusts you to the point where he suffers! But... where is that person? I don't know!"
"What are you babbling about!"
"Jake! Do you know Jake? Did he ever betray you? Did he ever disobey you? How can you make him a servant to Apollo!"
"I didn't make anyone a servant to anyone. He didn't perform his duty fully, so I withdrew the command..."
Clarity interrupted, shouting, "And does Apollo perform his duty fully? I am Clarity... I didn't burn the depot as Apollo told you! If you still don't believe me, then punish me instead of punishing Jake!"
Bruno took a deep breath, speaking in annoyance, "Where is Jake? Let him come here..."
Silence filled the place. No one answered.
Bruno shouted again, "Let Jake come here!"
One of the youths spoke, "He... is not here."
"Where is he, then?"
Silence again. Everyone was terrified.
Clarity said firmly, "Ask Apollo... he said he would get rid of Jake, so do your part as a leader and ask him!"
Bruno approached Apollo, who was trembling violently. He grabbed his clothes, pulling him close, asking through gritted teeth, "Where is Jake?"
"I... I sent him... to the house... where Charlie’s gang members are. I sent him... to clean."
His companion spoke nervously, "Stop lying, Apollo. Tell the Boss, come on... hurry!"
Bruno spoke impatiently, "What must he tell me?!"
The youth replied nervously, "Boss... in truth... Apollo learned about Jake’s relationship with Charlie’s gang and how he is wanted by them... so he sent him... to let them..."
Bruno’s eyes widened in shock. He released Apollo, stepped back, turned, and walked away with rapid steps, leaving everyone in shock.
What just happened?
One of the youths there said, "What’s happening? What does Jake have to do with Charlie’s gang? And why did the Boss leave running?"
Another said, "The Boss acted strangely... Is the matter this serious?"
Apollo’s companion replied, "Jake... was one of Charlie’s gang members, and he escaped their grasp after they tried to kill him..."
Clarity’s eyes widened in shock. What did he just hear?
He stood up unconsciously, rushing toward his house. His heart was beating madly. There was no room for thought...