As soon as the school ended Caius started to look for clues to find the man. Of course, It wasn't going too well for him. He hadn't seen his face and didn't know his name.
"If you're looking for someone try and go to Alley Cat." a boy said.
"Thanks but who are you and how did you know-?"
"Not my place to say" he replied and walked away like nothing happened.
'Okay, that was weird! But trying won't kill me.'
"Kai, where are you going?" Kial asked as he walked behind him.
"Didn't you have practice?"
"I do but I'm out to buy the group some food. Now onto my question."
"I'm looking for someone. I was about to go to a place called- Alley Cat."
"Oh good..."
"Is something wrong?"
"No of course not. See you later"
He walked through the winding streets of Blackthorn, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the cobblestones.
The Alley Cat was a nondescript building nestled between two larger structures, its exterior painted a faded black. A neon sign flickered above the entrance, depicting a sly-looking blonde cat. Caius hesitated for a moment, taking in the sight, before pushing open the heavy wooden door.
Inside, the bar was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of smoke and the hum of low conversation. Patrons sat at scattered tables, sipping drinks and chatting in hushed tones. Caius made his way to the bar, feeling a few curious glances on him as he walked.
The bartender, a burly man with a grizzled beard, looked up from polishing a glass. "What can I get you, kid?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.
"Actually, I'm not here for a drink," Caius said, trying to muster his courage. "I'm looking for someone."
The bartender raised an eyebrow. "And who might that be?"
"I don't know his name," Caius admitted. "He had a confrontation with my dad last night. Older guy, tough-looking. I need to find him."
The bartender studied Caius for a moment, then nodded towards a table in the corner. "You might want to talk to Big Mike. He knows everyone around here."
Caius followed the bartender's gaze to a table where a large man sat alone, nursing a beer. With a deep breath, he walked over.
"Excuse me, are you Big Mike?" Caius asked, his voice steady despite the nerves.
The man looked up, his expression inscrutable. "Yeah, that's me. What do you want, kid?"
"I'm Caius. I'm looking for someone who had a run-in with my dad last night," Caius explained. "I don't know his name, but I think he might hang out around here."
Big Mike leaned back in his chair, considering Caius. "Describe him."
"Older, rough-looking. He was with a woman," Caius said, trying to recall any details.
Mike nodded slowly. "Sounds like Bonkin. He's not someone you want to mess with. He's known for getting into fights. Why are you looking for him?"
"My dad won't tell me what happened, but I need to know," Caius said earnestly. "It's important."
Mike sighed, setting his beer down. "Bonkin's trouble, kid. If you're smart, you'll leave it alone. But if you really want to find him, he usually hangs out in the back room, The Panther's Den." he said pointing his finger at a door in the far back of the room.
"Thank you," Caius said, grateful for the information.
Mike watched him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good luck, kid. You're gonna need it."
As he approached the door Mike had pointed to, Caius could hear the low murmur of voices from within. He hesitated for a moment, then pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The back room was even dimmer than the main bar, with thick smoke hanging in the air. It was just like the main bar other than the fact It was also much bigger. There was music and some party lights. Unlike the main bar where It seemed like a chill place to drink this place seemed like a party place. There was a big stage with a pole in the middle. People were dancing on the dance floor.
What caught his eye was a group of men sitting around a table, playing cards and drinking. Their eyes turned to Caius as he entered, and the room fell silent. They were wearing the same jacket there was an animal on the jacket- a panther.
One of the men looked up with a smirk. "Well, well, what do we have here? A lost little lamb?"
He recognized this voice. It was the same man from yesterday. He had heard him shout.
"You!" Caius shouted as he pointed his finger at the man who hit his dad. "Why did you hit my dad?!" Caius asked furiously. He couldn't help but admit the men were scary but at the moment as soon as he heard the man's voice he had an unexplainable anger towards him.
"Your dad? the man, Bonkin questioned. " I hit lots of people kid. You need to specify who your dad is" the man laughed cruelly.
"Trevor Scott Pantian." as soon as the name came out of Caius's mouth It was like the whole world froze. The same men who hadn't even bothered to glance at him were looking at him intensely.
"You... are his kid"
"Yes," Caius answered without hesitation.
"Boys," the man said and the music was back, the other men who were sitting with him all got up and left. "Sit down and Let's talk."
" I'm guessing you already figured out we are a gang"
He did. It was quite obvious. Everyone was tattooed with the mae tattoo design, a panther. And had the same jackets with the same symbol, a panther. In the back of the jackets were "Panthers of South Side"
For Caius as soon as he saw this place everything had added up. The reason why Gray's football team jacket didn't have a panther while the group who had bumped into him had. Panther wasn't the school mascot. It was a gang symbol.
"Your dad was one of us too. Not just a regular member, he was the boss."
"What?!" Now that was surprising news for Caius.
"He inherited the gang from his mother, Miss Rose. She was the founder of Panthers, our mother. Of course not by blood but by heart. You saw the painting on the front right?"
Caius nodded his head. It was a gorgeous painting of a lady. She was hugging herself and on her back were ripped-out angel wings. She had black hair, the darkest shade he had ever seen. Her eyes were closed. She looked like a real angel.
"That's your grandmother."
Caius had never met his grandmother. He hadn't even asked his dad about her. But seeing her painting made him want to know more about her.
"What was she like-?" he tried to ask only to be interrupted by gunshots.
Bonkin quickly covered Caius with his own body. The sound of gunshots echoed through the room, sending everyone into a frenzy. The Panther's Den had turned into chaos, with people shouting and scrambling for safety.
Caius's heart raced as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He peeked over the edge of the table, catching glimpses of shadowy figures moving quickly through the smoke-filled room.
"Stay down!" Bonkin hissed, keeping his body between Caius and the source of the gunfire. "Whoever they are, they mean business."
The door to the back room burst open, and a group of armed men stormed in, their faces partially hidden by masks. It was clear that they were after something—or someone.
"Find him!" one of the masked men shouted, his voice cold and commanding. "We know he's here!"
Bonkin tightened his grip on Caius's arm. "We need to get out of here," he whispered urgently. "Follow me, and stay low."
Caius nodded, his fear giving way to a fierce determination. He wasn't sure who these men were or what they wanted.
Bonkin led Caius through the chaos, ducking and weaving between tables trying to escape. They reached a side door that led to a narrow alleyway behind the bar. Bonkin pushed it open, and they slipped outside into the cool night air.
Panting and adrenaline-fueled, they ran down the alley until they were a safe distance from The Panther's Den. Bonkin finally stopped, leaning against a brick wall to catch his breath.
"Who were those guys?" Caius asked, his voice shaky but determined.
"Not sure," Bonkin replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "But they were looking for someone specific. Probably me or one of my guys. As the Panthers of South Side, we have quite a lot of enemies. You should go back home." Bonkin said as he turned back to go back inside The Panther's Den.
"It's dangerous there," Caius said.
"I know but I am the acting leader so It's my duty. I'm not a scared cat like your dad who will run away the first chance he gets." Bonkin replied with a serious voice.
Caius watched Bonkin turn back toward The Panther's Den, feeling a surge of anger at his words. He clenched his fists, struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"He's not a coward," Caius said, his voice firm. "Whatever you think of him, he's still my father."
Bonkin paused and glanced back at Caius, a flicker of something—respect, perhaps—crossing his face. "Look, kid. Your dad made his choices, and now we're all dealing with the fallout. This life isn't forgiving."
"I understand," Caius replied.
"Now go home It isn't safe here."
Caius nodded silently.
As he walked away from the alley, Caius's mind raced with thoughts of his father, his grandmother Miss Rose, and the dangerous world they were tied to.