I. Like a Hawk

Ivory soon felt bored. She knew that sooner or later, she'd figure out what's going on. That was when an idea hit her. What if Viper had been with Roxie because she was trying to leave the gang? It would make perfect sense since she wanted Ivory to go back to the club with Swindle H — the reason behind that was because Swindle H is sneaky. No one would suspect her.

Since Ivory was told by Chris, the man at the club, to not tell anyone about the cellphone he gave her, how exactly did he know that she would come back? She wondered Viper was acting strange when she was injured.

What if they planned this ordeal all along? Blue must know about it, but it wouldn't make sense as to why he would allow it to occur. Then again, he never liked Viper, to begin with. Swindle H must have caught on and played along — which may be why Viper recommended her. It would also make sense why Swindle visited Ivory in the computer room and willingly took her to the strip club. It all puzzled together.

Ivory knew that Viper would never succeed, but if she did, the Blue Dragons would never fall. The gang had ties everywhere. The Blue Dragons were a mafia gang, they will make sure they stand. If Ivory as correct, she would be angry. Ivory knew that Viper wouldn't change her mind because Viper was reckless. If Viper said that she was going to do something, she'd do it.

Leech crawled into the blonde's head, and she wondered where he came from and why he was around one time. Ivory didn't trust him, but it seemed that the Blue Dragons felt the same way. Ivory rolled her eyes because no one ever told her the details.

Ivory broke out of her trance and looked at Lucky, who seemed to be reading very slowly. She could have sworn that she saw him try to hold his laughter. Why would he laugh over a romance novel?

"Lucky, why is it taking you forever to finish a page?"

He looked at her. "It isn't. It's a Playboy."

Ivory snorted.

All of a sudden, Blue walked in, "What's going on here? I can hear you both from the other room."

Ivory and Lucky said nothing. Blue scoffed, and stared at the two younger mafia members.

"You could read a real book," Ivory said to Lucky.

"Ha — a real book?" Blue scoffed. "Please, we all know that Lucky isn't the smartest person on base."

"...Hey!"

"Besides, you could recommend books to him. You know that I have a... wide selection to choose from," Blue smirked.

Blue knew that Ivory was in the library.

Ivory narrowed her eyes, wondering if Blue was in the library, or if Hawks was. Maybe Hawks happened to bump into her, but if that were the case, why was he in the basement? Perhaps Hawks was searching for something.

Ivory leaned back on the couch and sighed. Arguing with Lucky about comic strips wasn't fun; her intuitive psyche warned her that something terrible would happen. Ivory was nervous and had nothing nor the knowledge of what would take place.

That was when a thought came to her. Ivory saw Lucky follow Blue out of the room, proving that he was actually smart while Blue ignored him. Ivory made sure that no one was around or would sneak attack her, and slowly took the phone out of her hoodie pocket. Ivory flipped the phone open and saw a random number, realizing that it was Chris'.

She sent him a quick but urgent message: "Roxie's taking my friend out. I think the two of them are going to tell on the gang," sent.

Ivory wasn't sure that she could trust Chris, but she knew he was her only chance.

***

Meanwhile, Viper made sure that no one watched her, opened the back door, and snuck out. The young rebel hopped into a car and drove off, not knowing that someone was following her. The person stepped out from the bushes and unlocked their own vehicle. The person was about to get in until they realized that someone was with them.

"Geez, Spike, you scared me," the voice said.

"Sorry, just want to wish you good luck."

The voice let out a sigh. "Thanks."

"You don't seem happy about doing this job," Spike said as the light from the upstairs window hit his face.

"It's not that I'm not happy to do it. It's Ivory —"

"Ivory? What about her?"

"Blue is having me follow Viper because he thinks that she is going to the police."

"The police?"

"Yes. And if those accusations are true, I hope that no one blames Ivory. Blue had Harley spy on them, and he even had Harley spy on Ivory, but Ivory hasn't been doing anything except explore the base."

"Explore the base? Oh, I see."

"Harley doesn't see Ivory as a threat, so Blue isn't worried about her. Blue's purposely keeping Ivory busy. Ivory's smart; I know that she'll eventually figure out what's going on, and if she does, just make sure she doesn't leave. Look, I have to go. Just make sure that she's safe, okay?"

"You got it. I'll make sure nothing happens. Lucky seems to be doing well with that at the moment."

"He's my best friend, but he isn't the strongest. So, if something happens, make sure you're there."

"I catch your drift. Don't worry about Ivory, she's fine. Go — you have a mission to complete."

The voice nodded and hopped into his car. He sped off, hot on Viper and Roxie's tail.

The person was curious to know if what Blue assumed about the two was accurate. Roxie hasn't been her cheerful and docile self. The man was ready and couldn't wait to find out the secret Viper, and Roxie kept from everyone. The man knew that what they were conspiring wasn't beneficial. Like Blue, he also had the feeling that it was about the gang, but the man wasn't sure why. Blue sensed that Roxie never liked the connection she had with the group and didn't want the two orphans living a dangerous life. Roxie had her regrets and perhaps didn't wish Viper and Ivory regretting anything. Red added that Roxie's rebellion may be toward Fox.

The man turned the corner and found the familiar car and smiled because the women didn't know that he was touting them; the man was excellent at sneaking around. The man was finally going to find out what Viper and Roxie were hiding. He felt a smirk crawl onto his face; he smelled victory.

The young man was like a hawk, indeed.