Enforcers. Such a title wasn't known too much, mainly due to the Street Dogs only controlling a few streets. However Ranks in general were quite common.
Let's explain it quickly. For the Street Dogs, there was five total ranks. At the very bottom you have the Wild Dogs. Random stray people who got accepted into the Street Dogs. If they proved themselves they became an official Street Dog, which happened to be the rank above Wild Dogs. After that you had Betas, which were usually considered the "Elite" of the Street Dogs. They usually commanded their own squad of Street and Wild Dogs. After that you had Enforcers, which commanded the Betas and answered directly the the top rank: The Top Dog.
Enforcers were few and far between. In fact Top Dog's bodyguards were Enforcers. Not only did they prove to be extremely valuable to the gang, but were also in charge of commanding the Betas, they're essentially commanders. The Betas were captains of larger teams in number, but they respected the order. Usually Enforcers commanded a few Betas, thus making a pyramid of command.
To put it in perspective, the Ghoul the Top Dog was earnestly trying to answer was none other than the second command. Technically the same position of an Enforcer. The difference was the Ghost Hand was among the top 4 in terms of Street Gangs. The Districts were directly underlings to them, and no other gang ordered the Ghost Hand.
Jay was among the Street Dogs. Originally just a small-time thug but quickly became official when his ability proved useful. Now managing to take down a rival gang, he was gifted a much higher rank. Granted he survived this encounter.
Speaking of, let's return our focus to them.
Top Dog paused in front of a decently large building surrounded by a metal fence. An old motel that was renovated to hold the Street Dogs. There was plenty of abandoned structures like this, as several people left Atra when it became a lawless city. Thus they usually became the bases for the various street gangs. One way to identify your gang in a city is to stake claim in such a building. It was said street gangs aren't respected until they had one.
After all, your territory was a major contribution to your Rep.
Ah, I still haven't explained what Rep is. . . It's slightly different than Cred, but we'll save that for later.
Turning around Top Dog warned, "No smart talk, this is a Ghoul were talking about here. You so much as disrespect them and I can't do anything to protect you. You aware of this?"
Jay nodded gravely, "Don't fuck with Ghost Hand, nearly grew up knowing that."
"Good. Let's get moving."
Entering through the gate they walked towards the center. Murmurs of the Street Dogs began to flutter about as they moved out of their way.
"That's him? The one who took down Heavy Thorns?"
"Those battle wounds, he has to be. I can't believe he's alive."
"Who can take down a whole gang?"
It seems Jay's Cred had reached the ears of the Street Dogs. A good sign, his fame will spread across the District at this rate. Respect shone in the expressions of the other Street Dogs. In a city where strength was everything, it was natural to respect the strong.
"I was about to lose my hair worrying.", a familiar face spoke walking up to them.
Top Dog nodded his way, "Cole, seems you made it here before us."
"Of course, came as fast as I could."
"Good, stick with the rest of us. We're meeting the Ghoul."
His expression turning grim Cole joined the trail behind Jay. The group moved up the stairs and paused in front of a room. Top Dog filled his lungs with air to prepare himself, and then opened the door.
The air was tense. A lone individual sat on a chair. Disinterest rampant in their expression. Their gaze slowly, methodically moved over to the group. With a bored tone they asked, "You bring the one responsible?"
"Of course, he's right here."
Top Dog shuffled to the side and Troy carried Jay in. The Ghoul eyed him up and down, "Get him a chair would you? Wouldn't want him to fall apart."
"Right away."
Top Dog scrambled for a chair and placed it across from the Ghoul. Jay was carefully lowered into the chair and he fought against the urge to wince.
The Ghoul was a fierce looking person. Thin bandages crawled up both their bare arms up to their elbows, a sign of the Ghost Hand. At the end of the bandages, specifically the back of their hand, lay a particular pattern found only on the Ghouls. This person was fairly slender, but their muscle was still visible through the bandages. Their eyes were piercing, a thick scar was on their cheek. Adjusting their legs a raspy but feminine voice called, "I heard your name was Jay."
"You heard correctly."
"I would assume so. Be real fucked up to be told a fake name."
Top Dog felt the back of his neck sweat.
Everyone feared this woman. A Ghoul was not someone to anger. Lest you want a whole squadron of Ghost Hand ready to drag you into the grave.
The Ghoul rested their head against their fist, "Right then, so word around here is that you went and took down Heavy Thorns. Alone."
"I did."
"Mm. . .", her eyes moved to the other people, "If that's the case, why is there an audience?"
Top Dog bowed his head, "We'll be out of your way."
Quickly exiting the room he ushered everyone out and shut the door. The Ghoul watched in slight amusement, but the bored look remained, "Do you know why I am here?"
"To be honest. . . no."
"Remain honest. How about you take a guess?"
"I can only guess it's about Heavy Thorns. . ."
"Mhm."
The Ghoul watched Jay. Gauging his ability with a discerning eye. Her lips parted and a words spilled forth, "Heavy Thorns managed to take down Barberry's District owner. All they needed now was just a few more streets, which belonged to none other than the Street Dogs."
Jay's hand quivered, "I didn't know they were that ambitious."
"Painfully so. I was sent to inform the others about the new District owner being Heavy Thorns. After all it was supposed to be clear that the Street Dogs would have quickly fallen."
Jay lowered his head.
Removing her hand from the side of her head and leaning forward her words gained a darker undertone, "Imagine my surprise when all that organization is thrown out the window because they got wiped by a. Single. Person."
His lips pursed. Jay felt like something was slowly tightening its grip around his neck. The figure of the Ghoul grew terrifying. Her presence was beginning to suffocate Jay.
"So tell me. . . Jay. What exactly happened?"
"It. . ."
Struggling against his fear Jay began to retell the story. He felt his every movement under strict gaze. Every word being authenticated. One slip up was all that was needed for his head to roll. Still he persevered, retelling the story as exactly as he can recall.
At the end the Ghoul leaned back and returned to her original seating position, "So, through sheer strength you wiped out the Heavy Thorns. Should I be impressed?"
"Of course not."
"Well shit kid, I'd say otherwise. Thanks to your actions it seems the Street Dogs are moving up. Hold some pride with your posture."
"I'm. . . sorry?"
"Since the Heavy Thorns are out you take their territory. That makes the Barberry District yours. Or rather the Street Dogs. Since no one else here can threaten that position. Not yet anyway."
"I- I never thought my actions would-"
"Pride dammit. It's not often I'm impressed. Some small time gang member managed to take down a District? Well they might not have been a District at the time, but it was essentially certain. I have half the mind to scout you here and now."
"I never realized what I did was. . ."
"I'll tell the news to your head. Just know that if at any point in time the Street Dogs end up not working, you'll find a place in Ghost Hand."
The Ghoul's attitude nearly took a U-turn. After all strength was respected. It's not like the Ghoul took Jay's words at face value either. Their own investigation was launched while they waited. With Jay's words matching up with the investigation. . .
Jay's cred was now solidified.