A Stand

There was one thing that Torn had admired about Ms. Watson. It wasn't her cold attitude, the one that every gangster wanted, thinking that it could create a sense of fear in the people they controlled. It wasn't her skill or strength either. It was the mere fact that she didn't tried to please anyone in the Orca. She stuck to her own ideals.

"Nice bar." Torn said, drinking a bottle of beer, "Should have told me about it so that I could drop by from time to time."

"What do you want Torn?" She asked coldly, her arms folded.

"I wanted to meet my dear friend. That's all."

"Yeah right." She hissed, "Did the boss send you?"

"No. Not me. I came on my own."

"Hmm. Nice scar by the way."

"Thanks. It was done by a kid, the same kid you carried here."

"Leo?"

"Ah," Torn smiled, "So his name was Leo. He's kinda like me. Sly, cunning, all those things. But he is daring, protecting an S-Rank gifted child. Didn't see her though, the Wolf gang have her?"

"Orphanage."

"Oh. That settles things."

"Spill it out, Torn," Ms. Watson asked, "What do you want."

Torn raised the bottle looking underneath it with one eye.

"Are you in the Orca, or out?"

Ms. Watson stared at him, closing her eyes. She knew that eventually she'd have to face them and tell them what she was going to do, but she didn't expect it to be this soon. She took a deep breath.

"I'm out, Torn. I quit."

"And may I ask why?"

"Does the High want to know, or do you want to know?"

"I want to know."

Ms. Watson turned away from him. Torn continued. "You changed, Alicia. And I've known that since you went to see your sister. You came back different, like you had a new responsibility. And that was when you started to come in and out, heck you could be gone for weeks without ever showing your face."

"That's because, I do have new responsibilities, Torn." She sighed. "The boy is the child of my sister. She died two years ago, so now I have to take care of her. And I have been trying to take care of him without incorporating him into the Orca. He even living away from me is a heartbreak for me, so that's why, I've decided to leave. For his sake." She paused, "I've gotten older, Torn, and so have you. And when you get older, eventually, your sins catch up to you. I know I've done terrible things, killed many, orphaned many, torn apart families, but if taking care of my nephews is the one good thing I can do, then I will do it."

"Wait…nephews?"

Ms. Watson looked at him. "The point is I give up. And if I were you, I'd do same."

"And retire?" Torn laughed, "Please. There's nothing I can do besides this."

"Your reputation is dying Torn. People aren't afraid of u=you as they used to be."

"Fear is the measure of strength, you know that."

"On the streets it is. And besides, you let a kid get the better of you and you let a gifted go scot free. Face it, Torn, our time in the light is over."

Torn sighed, "Retirement ain't for me." He stood up to go.

"That'd be five coins."

Torn looked at her. "Seriously?"

"I ran a shop, not a charity. Pay up."

Torn grumbled, checking his coat pockets for five coins. He slammed them on the table, causing Alicia to grin from ear to ear. Torn turned to leave.

"Oh and Alicia." Torn said.

"Yeah."

"Be careful. You now have someone to protect. As admirable as it sounds, your past will always be a part of you. And there are people out there who will never forget."

Alicia said nothing, letting the words sink in.

"Good bye. I'll pass by for a drink next time."

Torn closed the door, exiting into the cold snowy afternoon. He turned to the left only run into a girl leaning against the wooden house. It was Parya.

Torn passed by her, without uttering a word. Parya followed him.

"Is she really leaving the Orca?" She asked him.

Torn said nothing, only walking ahead.

"Torn."

Torn looked up at the falling snow, looking at the blank gray afternoon sky.

"Torn."

Torn turned to her.

"It's her choice,"

"She can't leave!" Parya shouted, "She just can't…SHE CAN'T LEAVE US!"

"PARYA!" Torn bellowed, silencing the young girl. Parya turned away, wiping the tears of her face. "You'll one day grow up, and then you'll understand." Torn continued to walk away. "Life, is more than just a stupid gang."