Nova's pulse pounded as he looked up at the man gripping his shirt.
The gang leader wasn't just some thug. He was the law of the streets. A man whose name made people lower their voices, whose shadow stretched over every alley in the slums.
He didn't need to scream or snarl to be terrifying. The calmness in his voice was worse.
"You owe me now, kid."
Nova swallowed hard, his mind racing. Run? Fight? Beg? None of those would work.
"Let's talk about this," Nova said, forcing a grin. "Maybe you let me go, and I—"
A sharp punch to the gut cut off his words. Nova doubled over, gasping for air as the man let go of his shirt, letting him crumple to the ground.
"Lesson one," the gang leader said, kneeling beside him. "You don't bargain when you're weak."
Nova coughed, struggling to breathe. He tried to push himself up, but the man's boot pressed down on his back, pinning him.
"You stole in my streets. That means you work for me now," the gang leader continued. "You don't get a choice."
Nova stiffened. Work for him? That meant being owned. Running errands. Stealing on command. Maybe worse.
"I don't—"
The boot pressed down harder.
"You do now."
A voice chuckled nearby. Nova realized there were others. The gang leader's men stood in the alley, watching. Judging.
"Come on, boss," one of them said. "He's just a rat. Might not be worth the trouble."
The gang leader tilted his head. Then he grabbed Nova by the collar and lifted him back to his feet.
"I like this one," he murmured. "Got a fire in him." His grip tightened. "Break that fire, and you get a loyal dog."
Nova clenched his teeth. He wanted to spit in the man's face. But he also wanted to stay alive.
The gang leader studied him for a long moment, then finally let go.
"You'll do as you're told, street rat," he said, turning away. "Or you'll end up in a ditch. Your choice."
Nova didn't answer.
Because deep down, he knew the truth.
He had no choice.
---