Devi and his boys

That wrapped up his visit to the orphanage. Kayne would meet them later, where the real discussions would begin.

"I would need time to collect info on his objective" Kayne thought to himself as he followed behind his mother.

"Ah, Kayne! You're old enough now. I had been thinking of taking you to the shop! So you can see what Mummy does." His mother said excitedly.

It wasn't on the schedule but as far as she knew he would say yes. He was that kind of kid before he regained his memories.

Sometimes he still heard the kid's voice, asking why this was happening to him. An annoying factor that merely gnawed at him while he enacted his plans.

After all, it was his body now.

"Yes Mama. I would really like that!" He said, trying to be as childlike as possible. The once great druglord reduced to this.

Life is a bitch.

"Wonderful! But that'll be tomorrow. You must be tired from playing with all those new friends you made!" she said with a smile on her face.

Mother. I love you. But you make me cringe.

The two of us headed home for the day, unknowingly being watched by more than a few eyes. One of them lay under a woolen sac.

********

In the depths of the southern distrinct, a decrepit bar remained closed in the middle of the night.

But this bar was far from empty.

Within it's stained halls were boys of all ages, eating their nightly meals in silence.

They dare not speak however, as at the till a single man drank drink after drink, fuming all the while he did so.

The Devi boys were in trouble. Their last job had provided the last bit of information needed to uproot a major benefactor. Their profits would go down by a third and it was their fault!

This screw up had plunged the trust people had in them immensly, and now they were struggling to secure profitable contracts.

Devi himself was drowning in booze to wash out the pain. The blabbermouth who gave away the info was given the honor of being his chair, as well as a ceremonial beating beforehand.

"Goddamn it!" Said the young man as he downed another pint. "Henry! Henry! Where is my next tray!" He shouted.

"Here sir!" said a blonde haired lad who looked no older than 14. He rushed up with a tray full of beer pints in hand, which landed on the table as quickly as they came in.

"This isn't nearly enough....Man this chair is making me so fucking cranky." Devi said as he shoved the kid whom his bottom rested upon.

Two thoughts went through the mind of this young child as he went through this abuse.

One was how badly he was hurting.

Two was the fact that it was Devi who told him to speak about the info once he saw the cash.

"He remember being told, "What's the worst that could happen?"

This you scrawny pale fucker!

It was then that Kings came in with his worn out cap. Looking around the hall and feeling the tense athmosphere abd the pyramid of drinks next to Devi, he decided to look for the actual reliable head of the Devi boys; Henry.

Making his way to the kitchen, he saw Henry sitting on a barrel, looking like he needed some sleep.

"Henry, what's up" Asked Kings quietly as he sat down beside the blonde lad.

"Kingsley." Henry said with a weak smile. "Not a lot. Devi fucked up and we gotta deal with it. The usual."

"Honestly. Why do we put up with this again?" asked Kings.

"The higher ups don't want someone smart leading the group. They want someone controllable. Predictable. Someone who is too scared to make actual claims for their necks." said Henry in a monotone voice.

"That isn't fair. The gang us falling behind! Look at the Sacs! I'm getting contracts to sign up with them everyday!" said Kings, raisong his voice but not to a level that the drunkard could hear.

"You're still a kid. You don't get it. If the higher ups want something then there's nothing we can do. They're the reason we can eat."

"Then why not get a new supplier!"

"Who would hire stray boys that bit the hand that fed them?"

"It doesn't matter we won't go anywhere like this!"

"We're a gang! We don't have to go anywhere!"

"Then why are you still here! I already plan on leaving!"

"...."

"Why are you here Henry..."

"Someone has to take care of the kids." said Henry, calming down and directing his gaze to the ceiling. "Anyway...you obviously didnt make a 4 hour trip for that. Why have you come Kingsley?" He asked, brushing off the previous argument.

Kings stood there, annoyed and confused. After letting out a tear, he looked squarely at Henry.

"3 days. A noble. He wants to meet in the Northern distrinct at the fountain in Yorkshire, afternoon. Wants to use the network. Offers coin. Details when we get there." he said, making it brief. "This is my last job mate. Sacs offered too much. At the very least...more than here."

"...Got it. I'll be there." said Henry, not even bothering to look at Kings. Instead he stared even harder at the ceiling, as if it had deeper meaning. "I wish you luck. Try not to get hurt."

Kings let out tears as he left Henry, remembering all the meals they had shared together and how the gang used to be before the nobles arrived.

He left the kitchen to see the defeated, passed out form of the 'great' Devi.

"Bastard." He whispered, before slipping out of the bar and slinking into the night. He would at least nab a few purses before he slept .

*****

Henry sat there a little while longer, then grabbed a beer. He didn't usually drink and he never drank much....but today felt heavy.

He closed his eyes and took a swig, then coughed it up. He looked back up at the ceiling and sighed.

"Asfa. I really fucked your gang up."