Chereads / The Exploring Sense / Chapter 32 - Loose Lips, Sink Ships

Chapter 32 - Loose Lips, Sink Ships

It was about two years before Phineas had gone against the king. Street fights were allowed, even sponsored; there were no rules, and they were encouraged to defeat their opponent with murder. There was a girl who lived among the murders and violence. Her name was Nika, and she had blond hair and the greenest eyes, barely over five feet. She believed their method of living and surviving was wrong. She was supported by her two friends, Kay and Alex. 

"Who you got your money on?" a boy said. 

"It's got to be Aguirre, his record is off the charts," another boy responded.

The fight started with the crowd raging and jeering at the two fighters.

A massive punch was thrown from Aguirre; its damage was devastating; it shocked his opponent. As he went to finish off the opponent, he was stopped. Behind him was Nika, struggling to keep a hold of his hand. The crowd continued their jeering at the arena, fairly upset with her stopping the fight. 

"Can't you see the pain and hatred amongst yourselves?" She screamed.

Aguirre's father had been killed in one of these fights, they are practically murder camps, although he fought to be respected and feared so he wouldn't end up like his father.

"Great speech, Miss," Aguirre responded, "but this is all we know."

Aguirre dropped his hand, pushed her away, and resumed the fight. His opponent, still in pain from the punch, resonated with her words. The man threw in the towel, explaining he wouldn't fight again. Even some of the crowd realised what they were promoting was terrible. 

The man's name was Rescie, and his need for fighting wasn't dumbfounded, he had been threatened and controlled by one of the gangs in the area, The Lion's Den. 

He spoke to Nika, asking if she could help with his case and try to resonate with them.

"The Lionmen are very dangerous; although a few of them are understanding, please help," Rescie responded.

Rescie dropped his pride as he fell to the ground. He pleaded with Nika as she smiled, insinuating she would help him. So they travelled to the other side of Zelsior, where The Lion's Den. 

She walked through their den, intimated by the presence in the room, walking past all the masked figures and approaching the leader, Varin. The gang members pulled their guns out and pointed them at Nika.

She raised her hands and spoke, "I come in peace; leave Aguirre alone and stop the violence."

Varin looked around the room, and the gang burst into laughter. He was baffled that Nika had the guts to show up to their hideout and give out orders. 

"I applaud your courage, kid, so you can have him," Varin said. "I didn't even know he existed."

Rescie was excited; he was in tears, and he thanked her for saving him. Nika smiled, explaining she was fine with helping him.

"I would follow you to the ends of the earth for what you've done to me," Aguirre responded.

"One more thing," Varin said.

Rescie turned around and was shot twice in the knees, kneecapping and crippling him.

"The violence has to stay, and there's no way somebody can leave this group without sacrificing something," Varin responded.

Rescie screeched out in pain , crawling for the exit. Nika shouted, upset about the pointless violence that had taken place.

"Look at all of you, seriously!" Nika sighed. "He just wants a normal, fucking life! No murder, no pain and no sorrow!"

Varin stood up and approached, with an angered stare directed towards Nika. Face to face with her, he told her to leave the premises and take their cripple with them.

Fuelled by this encounter , Nika and her team went around preaching and spreading wisdom and guidance to different neighbourhoods. Her group grew in numbers, more and more people joined the group.

"We are the Network of Pax and we want peace for all." Nika stood up and said to Varin.

Her words convinced a lot of Varin's allies to switch sides, Varin stood up and shook her hand showing his support. With enough numbers gathered, they marched their way to Job's palace. They waited around the palace for weeks until Job arrived.

Job sighed and explained what she was doing was pointless and nothing will change. Kay backed Nika's corner explaining change has to start some where. Job gave the nod and Alex pierced Kay's stomach to the point her intestines painted the crowd. Alex stared in her at her waiting for the light to leave her eyes.

"Well done," Job smiled .

She was actually confused that Alex was actually Impreciso, a loyal and fast-paced friend of Job.

"We've been keeping an eye on every rebellion. Impreciso asked me whether he should murder Nika at the start of this little uprising," Job explained. "The only reason you've got this far is because I've let you."

Job explained that he wanted to gather all the peaceful protesters as a united group so they could witness the consequences of a rebellion. A co-leader of the Network was killed in response.

The group went back to the hideout to ask for answers from Nika. Why did Alex kill Kay? Why couldn't she protect her? What are they going to do next? She was beaten down with questions and had no answers to provide. The people returned to their old ways, which were made even worse as Kay was made an example. As for Nika, no one knows where she ended up.