The gangs in Blyson Drop leave the street urchins without much trouble, they know we'll join

them one day. We still steal from their members, as long as they aren't anyone important. But Dar was still young, he
didn't know about Vincent.
Dar had stolen his gold coins, and I now pushed the little boy behind me as the three of them fanned out. They stood near the exit, cornering the two of us at the end of the alley. I should've left the boy to fend for
himself, but since I found him I feel responsible. Like an older sister. In Vincent's mind he's searching for a way to deal with us. Maybe he should be strict, it would prove he'd make a good leader. Or perhaps he
should be kind, ruling with fear never lasted long. His thoughts aren't cruel, just logical. So I take the chance at mercy.
"Let him go, please, he didn't know better." All the while Vincent's frustration rises. His face reveals nothing though. He wants something from me but he pushes his thoughts away before I get to know anymore.
He decides to be straightforward and asks, "What's your magic?"
"Let us go, first."
"Bold." He thinks, but he lets it slide because he's looking for useful magic. I can't decipher why, it's only a feeling self-pride
But my statement makes Vincent's henchman itch for their weapons. Their thoughts restless to reach for blades and guns, their wells of magic. I push Dar behind me when he tries to look around my waist. As if
my starving body could protect him. I can feel his fear and anxiety.
"Only the boy, then you can go after."
Vincent nods to his men and they part for Dar to pass. Hurrying him through, the men push me back when they think I'm too far out.
"Well?" He's expectant.
I don't tell them the whole truth, my magic makes people nervous. I don't want to be killed because others have secrets. "I can feel your emotions."
"Alright. Let her go." He smiles revealing teeth. To me he says, "Whenever you're thinking of joining a gang, the House of Cards won't mind your addition." He's pleased.
As the three of them leave, I'm left with a rising suspicion. Everything seemed practiced, all their thoughts were forced and suppressed. Vincent had an air of secrecy.

I step out into the moon lit night. The alley next to the Blackburn Tavern is the biggest in Blyson Drop; the cleanest too. Inside, patrons of the bar gamble and drink until they can't pick up the bottle or the next hand
of cards. It's sweltering with how many people are crammed into the space. The stark difference in temperature brings me back when the cool wind blows gently, playing with my hair. But I can't help my thoughts
as they drift back, throughout my shift I've been dodging a customer: Vincent Brecker. Since he's the leader's son he took over the House of Cards gang last month. It feels like Vincent's thoughts are prodding at
my head, I know he wants me to come over, insistent on it in fact. He has plans. I don't know what, because he's so focused on getting me to his table, his mind doesn't shift to what happens after. And because of
my distractions I didn't notice the other person lounging in the alley.
"Are you Raven?" He asks, before taking a puff from his pipe.
"Yes?" Immediately I know I should have kept my mouth shut.
His thoughts turn sinister. He reaches into the well that is his magic and lets it out of him, controlling it with his pipe. He blows out a puff of smoke and the smoke curls in the air. The smoke doubles, triples,
spreading further than it should, it surrounds me, rising. His magic is smoke and it's making my thoughts fuzzy. A glint of moonlight falls on his chin, that's starting to show blond stubble, and his neck which
reveals a tattoo of an intricate spade. A member of the House of Cards gang, of course. I breathe in more smoke and the world goes black.
..…..
When I open my eyes again the smoke-magic guy is in my face, shaking me. I pull away to tell him I'm awake. Another man sits on a table in the corner of the sparse room and I'm pretty sure he's the one
suppressing me from feeling their thoughts. There are ropes tied to my ankles and wrists that are connected to the legs of the chair I'm sitting in. Three feet away another chair, with another victim, faces me. His
face shows surprise that I'm here, my expression mirrors his. James Creek. We've been flirting for the past year or so, whenever he comes by the tavern. It's never gone much further than that because he's from
Bayview, a nice and rich port city. I'm from Blyson Drop; the area it occupies today was where criminals were once put to work until they overthrew the guards and made a town of their own. To the people in
Bayview we're all monsters. Sometimes it's true.
Before James can say anything, the metal door to the room swings open and Vincent comes strolling through.
"Hello," he says, his smile all teeth. "I'm sure you know each other. "

The four of us are testing the knots that bind us to our chairs. There is one person left to watch over us. He has a tattoo mostly hidden by his longer hair but I see enough to recognize it.
John curses under his breath and whispers," House of Cards."
Teltra is known for two very different things. It's colorful traditions and gangster rule. 3 gangs control the big trade city of Naima. House of Cards, Scarlet Doves and Butterfly Gangs. Each of them controls their
own part.

I sit crouched on the rooftops past midnight, watching as Aaron and Dar slip into a
tattoo parlor. I'm supposed to be lookout, warning them if anyone approaches. I can't
recall the reason for this break in and would rather resting but I don't have the guts to
back down.

I can imagine what Dar would say, "What we protect ya from them others with our
magic. You read our minds all day. What's it an hour more?

So I sit here trying to keep my eyes open towards the cobblestone streets. When I
sense something…different. Not the drunken or sleepy thoughts of the occasional
passersby, these thoughts are sharp, wide awake and intently focused on something. It
makes me nervous.

I look up and around, this person is just at the edge of my range, flickering in and out. I
should warn the boys, but I hesitate. What if the stranger has a different intent? They
could be a fishermen. It would excuse the odd hours but the sea is miles away.I ignore
Dar and Adam's thoughts trying to focus on the stranger as he comes closer. I can
sense Stranger's thoughts more clearly. Their thoughts touch briefly on things that lead
me to guess they're sneaking across rooftops. My heart skips a beat.

Then the pounding of my heart is loud in my ears. Stranger is after me. Intent on getting
where I am. I stand up quickly, throw a stone to warn the boys and take off running. I
have no reason to be afraid but for the stranger's grim determination. The feelings turn
to annoyance and frustration. We both run, jumping between rooftops and dodging
chimneys. The stranger, I can now see is a man, gains on me. He finds faster, better
routes than I did when I first ran past them. The houses are so old that the shingles are
crumbling and loose. I trip and fall. And I plunge over the edge.

I'm dragged past leather armchairs and a coffee table just to throw me to the ground in
front of an oak desk. The room is cast in fading light, causing the tall bookshelves to
loom ominously over the room. The polished wood floor digs into my knees as I look up.
Behind the desk sits a man with chestnut hair and tanned skin. Adam(?) Santos, one of
the children of the House of Cards, gang leader. And the new owner of the casino this
office sits on.

"Irene Mor," he leans forward and clasps his hands on the desk. His voice comes out
like a soft pur." Pleasure."

The gang member standing to my left has magic that suppresses my own. I can't read
Santos's intent nor any of their minds.

"Your parents have racked up quite the debt, they have a shop, is it failing? Why all the
money? They will be spending the rest of their lives working to pay it off. But you-"

"My parents don't owe anyone anything. You have the wrong person." I interrupt, my
voice quiet but surprisingly steady.

Santos studied me and pursed his lips, "I have the right person. Run a couple jobs for
me and your parents are free and if you decide you like the job then I would love to
employ a mind reader."

I now get why he chose me instead of my siblings. I could be the only mind reader he's
ever met. He could have me do whatever with the threat of debt hanging over my head;
a chance that's hard to pass up. "How much do we owe you?"

"30,000 crowns."

My family is stable and we have everything we need, but not everything we want. A
good year will bring us about 400 crowns. That's not even considering the cost of food
and other needs. My mind spirals, we could never pay off that debt in a lifetime, even if
we cut our spendings and give Santos our earnings.
I didn't realize the time I spent in my thoughts when Santos prompts, "So?"

"What's the job? I want to know what I'm suppose to do." I say hurriedly.

"I will sit you at a tavern and you will listen to the target's thoughts for something I want
to know. A simple enough task, 5,000 crowns will be generously taken off."

"Can I have time to think about it?" My hands are still shaking, I don't want to be forced
into a decision by fear and nerves.

"Hmm, sure. Come back in 3 days, Mark will be at the door." Santos nods to the man
behind me. "He will take your answer."

As Santos stands up, Mark pulls me up by the arm and leads me down two flights of
stairs. The third level to this building is filled with private rooms, the second floor is for a
more exclusive, quiet, gambling and drinking experience while the ground floor is open
to the general public. Though the patrons who do participate have more to line their
pockets.
[Make santos seem more intimidating]
……
I walk outside and head home, my initial destination before one of Santos's guys
knocked me out with their magic. I'm still reeling from the experience. No one just
casually meets up with a gang leader. He really wants me to do this. The streets are
starting to pick up as people head out for nighttime fun. All their thoughts and emotions
create a buzz in the background of my mind. Anger, fear, happiness, bliss. All their
thoughts join together and soothe my racing heart and focus me.

Why are my parents borrowing so much money? Though I actively try not to read my
family's and friends' minds. Secrets want to be told and practically jump at me. It's a
miracle I didn't accidentally read my parents mind. It's such a big secret. Or maybe
Santos is lying, but why? There are other ways to get people to do something. But let's
say it's true there's a really big debt. If I accept and my parents find out, I'm screwed.
They made my siblings and I promise to never join any of the gangs, a common faith for
many who grew up here. I could keep it a secret, no one will have to know. I could ask
them what to do but I'm sure they wouldn't want me involved, since they didn't tell me in
the first place. If I don't accept then Santos might just force the ordeal anyway. No one
could protect me from him and his men. Or he could threaten my family. Accepting
would at least give me something for doing the work. Why am I even entertaining this
idea? I can sense thoughts; how did Santos ever think that would work?
 Gods, I don't know what to do. Do my siblings even know about the debt? I know Carter
doesn't know about it, he's younger than me by 3 years but do my older siblings,
Evaline and Edward, know? Eddie just had a child so maybe Mom and Dad won't tell
him, so he can take care of his child. Evie won't keep that secret from him; they're too
close. Them being twins only furthers that matter. Santos has to be lying, there is no
way I didn't sense something was wrong.
I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the smell of deliciously fried food from the night market.
Annnnd the gross, leftover smell of fish guts left to bake in the sun since sunrise. Ew.
On the way home I would usually stop and buy a quick snack from one of the vendors'
stalls but with my unintended detour, it would be too late when I got home. I pick up my
pace and travel the last stretch home just before the last of the sun's rays disappear.
[unnecessary paragraph?]
…..
"You're home late." Mother says with a raised eyebrow.

I smile apologetically, "I lost time at the market, you know how I like to look around."

She smiles back, "get ready, we have to go soon if we don't wish to be late." My mom
turns back towards the mirror fixing her hair.

Once in my room put on my best dress, fix my hair and put a touch of color on my
cheeks and lips. I feel bad for lying but I don't want to ruin her night. Evaline's fiancé
invited us over for the first time. Evaline has yet to announce the proposal but she was
too happy to keep it to herself several days before. Mother is elated, Evaline has found
someone, I think one night of secrets is fine.
---------------------
We enter the halls of Thorngon's family manor, the rooms are beautifully decorated,
grand, sprawling spaces and expensive pieces. My younger brother, Carter and I walk
side by side trying not to gawk at everything we see. Mother has a tight grip on Father's
arm trying to contain her excitement. We sit in our seats at the dinning table (yikes
review)