["phenomenal.\tYou\u2019ve\tgiven\tthem\thope,\tthe\tgreatest\tgift\tanyone\tcan\tgive\ta\tchild. But\tthey\talso\tneed\tlove.\tAnd\tthey\tneed\tgood,\tresponsible\tadults\tto\tguide\tthem.\u201d \u201cYou\tbe\tcorrect,\tas\talways,\tmilady.\tIn\tmy\tzeal\tto\tcreate\ta\tnew\tCamelot,\tI\thave neglected\tthe\tmost\tsignificant\telement\u2014the\thuman\theart.\u201d He\t considered\t his\t mistakes,\t and\t what\t those\t mistakes\t may\t yet\t cost\t him.\t For the\t first\t time\t since\t beginning\t this\t crusade,\t the\t blanket\t of\t failure\t wrapped\t itself tightly\taround\thim. \u201cThe\tsuccess\tof\tmy\tmission\tdepends\tupon\tmy\tability\tto\tlead\tand\tguide\tthese children,\tas\tye\thast\tsaid,\tupon\tmy\tstrength.\tBut\tdo\tI\thave\tthat\tstrength?\u201d \u201cYou\t have\t that\t strength,\u201d\t she\t assured\t him.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t seen\t it.\t And\t I\u2019ll\t help\t all\t I can.\tWe\tcan\trecruit\tother\tadults\ttoo,\tArthur,\tgood\tpeople\tto\tsupport\tthe\tkids,\tand your\tcause.\u201d He\t gazed\t again\t at\t the\t image\t of\t Lance\t and\t considered\t what\t he\t would\t say\t to the\tboy,\thow\the\tcould\tpossibly\tmake\tamends\tto\thim. Jenny\tcleared\ther\tthroat.\t\u201cUm,\tcan\tI\task\tyou\tsomething?\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\treally,\tyou\tknow,\tthe\tKing\tArthur?\tI\tknow\tyou\ttold\tHelen\tyou\twere and,\t not\t that\t it\t matters,\t because\t what\t you\u2019re\t doing\t is\t good,\t but\t I\t just\t keep wondering\tand,\twell\u2026\tare\tyou?\u201d \u201cYe\tstill\thave\tdoubts,\tmilady?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tI\tdo!\u201d\tshe\tblurted\tand\tthen\tcovered\ther\tmouth\twith\ther\thand.\t\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tit\tto\tsound\tlike\tthat.\tIt\u2019s\tjust,\tyou\tknow,\tso\timpossible.\u201d Arthur\tgave\ther\ta\tsad\tsmile.\t\u201cNot\tif\tyou\thave\tfaith,\tJenny.\tThat\tseems\tto\tbe\tan element\tgreatly\tmissing\tfrom\tthis\tera.\u201d \u201cFaith?\u201d\tshe\trepeated.\t\u201cYou\tmean\tin\tGod?\u201d He\tnodded.\t\u201cAnd\tin\tone\tanother.\u201d She\tfell\tsilent,\tcontemplating\this\twords. Arthur\u2019s\teyes\ttook\ton\ta\tfaraway\tlook\tas\the\tgazed\tforlornly\tup\tat\tthe\tstars. \u201cYou\tthinking\tabout\tMark?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cThough\t loved\t ones\t be\t lost,\t love\t shall\t not,\t and\t death\t shall\t have\t no dominion\u2026.\tDylan\tThomas\twrote\tthat,\tsomething\tclose\tto\tit\tanyway.\u201d Arthur\tlooked\tinto\ther\teyes.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tlovely.\u201d He\tsaw\tcompassion\tand\tunderstanding\u2026\tand\tlove? \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tyour\tfault,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tcontrol\tsomeone\u2019s\tfeelings.\u201d \u201cBut\tI\tdid\tnot\tsee\tthe\tsigns.\tPerhaps\tI\tcould\thave\u2014\u201d She\t put\t a\t finger\t to\t his\t lips.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t go\t there,\t Arthur.\t We\t all\t make\t mistakes. Some\tare\u2026\tmore\tcostly\tthan\tothers.\u201d There\t was\t a\t heavy\t moment\t of\t silence\t between\t them\t as\t Arthur\t digested\t her words.","\u201cThese\tdrugs,\tJenny\u2026\tthey\tbe\ta\tterrible\tscourge\tupon\tthy\tsociety.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\tBut\teven\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tsolve\tthe\tdrug\tproblem.\tThere\u2019s\ttoo\tmuch\tmoney in\tit,\ttoo\tmuch\tcrime.\tIt\u2019s\ttoo\tbig.\u201d Arthur\tconsidered\ther\twords\tthoughtfully,\this\tmind\talready\tturning\twith\tideas. \u201cPerhaps.\u201d Her\tface\tclouded\twith\tworry,\tand\tshe\tshivered. He\tslipped\toff\this\tred\tcloak,\twrapping\tit\taround\ther\tshoulders. \u201cIs\tthat\tbetter?\u201d \u201cYes.\tThank\tyou.\u201d They\t found\t themselves\t gazing\t deeply\t into\t one\t another\u2019s\t eyes,\t his\t hands\t still resting\t lightly\t upon\t her\t shoulders.\t There\t was\t a\t pause.\t Quiet\t surrounded\t them. They\tkissed,\tlong\tand\tdeeply\tand\tgently. Arthur\t pulled\t back,\t dropping\t his\t arms\t to\t his\t sides,\t feeling\t like\t a\t nervous teenaged\tboy\tagain.\t \u201cAlas,\tI\tmust\tgo,\tJenny,\tthough\tI\tcould\tstay\twith\tthee\tfor hours\tand\tbe\tcontent.\tI\tmust\tfind\tLance,\tand\ttell\thim\twhat\the\tmeans\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cYes,\tyou\tdo,\tbefore\tit\u2019s\ttoo\tlate.\tNow\tget\tgoing.\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tsmile\tof\tencouragement,\tand\the\tsaw\tthe\tlove\tin\ther\teyes,\tthe very\t same\t love\t he\t felt\t in\t his\t heart.\t Lithely\t ascending\t into\t Llamrei\u2019s\t saddle,\t he gazed\tdown\tat\ther. \u201cYe\tbe\tan\textraordinary\twoman,\tLady\tJenny.\u201d She\tgrinned.\t\u201cI\tknow.\u201d He\tchuckled,\tand\tshe\tjoined\tin. \u201cGodspeed,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tand\thanded\thim\this\tcloak. He\ttook\tit,\traised\ta\tgauntleted\thand\tin\tfarewell,\tand\ttrotted\toff\tinto\tthe\tnight. On\this\treturn\tjourney,\tArthur\tpaused\tto\ttext\tEsteban.\tHe\tasked\tthe\tboy\tto\talert\tas many\t of\t his\t knights\t as\t possible\t to\t come\t at\t once\t for\t an\t emergency\t meeting. Esteban\t replied\t that\t he\t would\t get\t on\t it.\t To\t Arthur\u2019s\t great\t surprise,\t many\t had already\t arrived\t by\t the\t time\t he\u2019d\t returned,\t with\t more\t streaming\t in\t from\t around the\t city.\t Esteban\t had\t texted\t Reyna,\t she\u2019d\t sent\t a\t group\t text\t to\t the\t leadership team,\tand\tthey\thad\tspread\tthe\tword\tlocally\tto\tthe\tothers. Because\tof\tsheer\tnumbers\tthey\tcould\tno\tlonger\tassemble\twithin\tThe\tHub\tfor these\tgatherings,\tso\teveryone\tmet\tin\tthe\tdry\triverbed\tnear\tthe\tgrate\tleading\tinto the\tstorm\tdrains.\tUpon\tArthur\u2019s\tarrival,\tthe\taqueduct\twas\talready\tswarming\twith eager\tyoung\tknights\tof\tthe\tnew\tRound\tTable. Children,\tas\tJenny\thad\treminded\thim.\tChildren\twho\tneeded\tguidance. From\thim.","As\t Arthur\t dropped\t down\t from\t Llamrei\u2019s\t back,\t he\t scanned\t the\t faces\t in\t the crowd,\tbut\tthere\twas\tno\tsign\tof\tLance.\tReyna\tand\tEsteban\thurried\tup\tto\thim. \u201cWhat\u2019s\twrong,\tArthur?\u201d\tReyna\tasked\tanxiously.\t\u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d \u201cHave\tye\tseen\tLance?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\treplied\twith\ta\tshake\tof\ther\thead,\tand\tEsteban\techoed\ther. Arthur\tfrowned,\tthat\tshadow\tof\tdoom\tclosing\tin\ton\this\theart\tonce\tmore.\t\u201cHe should\tbe\there\tby\tnow\u2026,\u201d\the\tsaid,\talmost\tto\thimself. \u201cWhat\thappened,\tArthur?\u201d\tasked\tEsteban,\tstanding\tbefore\thim\twearing\tjeans and\t a\t muscle\t shirt.\t He\u2019d\t obviously\t not\t had\t time\t to\t put\t on\t his\t knightly\t attire. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton?\u201d At\t that\t moment\t Jack\t exited\t the\t storm\t drain\t carrying\t Chris\t and\t caught Arthur\u2019s\t eye.\t Arthur\t shook\t his\t head.\t He\t knew\t what\t Jack\t was\t asking,\t and\t he didn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tanswer.\tWhere\twas\tLance? Knowing\t he\t had\t to\t be\t strong\t for\t these\t children\t who\t had\t done\t so\t much\t for him\tand\twhom\the\tmust\tlead\tforward\tinto\tgreater\tachievements,\tArthur\tstepped up\t onto\t a\t retaining\t wall\t on\t one\t side\t of\t the\t riverbed\t so\t all\t could\t see\t and\t hear him.\tHe\tgazed\toutward,\tscanning\tthe\texpectant\tfaces. \u201cMy\t noble\t young\t knights,\t I\t have\t some\t sad\t news.\u201d\t He\t paused,\t his\t voice choking\tup\tmomentarily.\t\u201cSir\tMark\u2026\tis\tdead.\u201d Reyna\t gasped\t below\t him,\t and\t dismayed\t chattering\t arose\t from\t the\t assembled crowd.\t Arthur\t waited\t for\t them\t to\t settle\t and\t told\t them\t about\t Mark\t and\t why\t the boy\thad\tleft.\tThe\tking\talso\tconfessed\thow\the\u2019d\taccidentally\tangered\tLance\twith his\tcareless\twords,\tand\thow\tLance\twas\tso\tfilled\twith\tgrief\tand\tguilt\tthat\the\twas embarrassed\tto\treturn. Jack\tfought\tback\tmore\ttears\tas\tArthur\trelated\tthe\tevents\tMark\u2019s\tdeath. Arthur\tblinked\tback\tthe\ttears\tforming\tjust\tbehind\this\teyes.\t\u201cMark\u2019s\tdeath\thath felt\tas\tan\topen\twound\tto\tme,\tfor\the\twas\ta\ttruly\tgood\tand\tgentle\tboy,\tand\this\tloss be\t ever\t a\t painful\t reminder\t that\t every\t one\t of\t us,\t myself\t most\t of\t all,\t must\t needs use\tcaution\tin\tour\twords\tand\tdeeds.\u201d Esteban,\t seeing\t Jaime\t and\t Darnell\t roll\t their\t eyes,\t smirked\t and\t whispered, \u201cProbably\thad\tAIDS\tanyway.\u201d Jack\t blanched\t with\t rage.\t \u201cThe\t hell!\u201d\t He\t practically\t dropped\t Chris\t as\t he charged\t forward\t to\t tackle\t Esteban,\t and\t the\t two\t boys\t rolled\t and\t punched\t and raged\tin\tthe\tdirt\tof\tthe\triverbed. The\t other\t kids\t cheered\t excitedly,\t quickly\t forming\t a\t circle\t around\t the combatants.\tJack\twas\tout\tof\tcontrol.\tSo\tgreat\twas\this\tfury,\tand\tso\tpowerful\this punches,\t that\t he\t managed\t to\t quickly\t subdue\t Esteban\t and\t plant\t thick,\t vise-like fingers\taround\tthe\tother\tboy\u2019s\tthroat. Esteban\t pressed\t desperately\t upward\t with\t his\t powerful\t arms\t against\t the\t solid","wall\tthat\twas\tJack.\tBut\tJack\traged\tlike\tan\tanimal\tand\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tbudged,\tthose hands\tsqueezing\tever\tmore\tforcefully. \u201cJack,\t stop!\u201d\t screamed\t Reyna,\t who\t jumped\t in\t to\t pull\t at\t the\t out-of-control boy. Pressed\thard\tinto\tthe\tconcrete\triverbed,\tEsteban\tflailed\tfrantically\tand\tfought hard,\tbut\twas\tclearly\tlosing\tconsciousness. Arthur\t swung\t Excalibur\t above\t his\t head\t and\t smashed\t its\t legendary\t blade against\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\tstorm\tdrain\tentrance,\tslicing\toff\ta\tchunk. \u201cEnough!\u201d\the\tbellowed. The\t crash\t of\t metal\t against\t concrete,\t and\t Arthur\u2019s\t booming\t voice,\t penetrated Jack\u2019s\tfury,\tand\the\tlet\tgo. Breathing\theavily,\tJack\tstood\tand\tstepped\taway. Reyna\tknelt\tby\tEsteban\tto\thelp\thim\tsit\tup.\tEsteban\tchoked\tand\tgasped\tfor\tair, glaring\tat\tthe\tpanting\tJack. \u201cYou\talmost\tkilled\tme!\u201d\the\tspat,\this\tvoice\traspy\tand\tweak. Jack\tpanted\tand\tglared\tback. \u201cSir\tEsteban,\u201d\tArthur\tspoke\tfrom\tabove\tas\tReyna\thelped\tlift\tthe\tshaky\tboy\tto his\t feet,\t and\t then\t supported\t his\t weight.\t \u201cThy\t words\t were\t unmanly\t and\t without honor.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand\tthis?\u201d Furious,\tEsteban\tglowered\tup\tat\tArthur.\t\u201cHell,\thomie,\tI\u2019s\tjus\u2019\tclowning!\u201d\tHe shot\ta\tmurderous\tlook\tat\tJack,\twho\tglowered\tback. \u201cThat\tbe\tone\tof\tthe\tproblems\tof\tthis\tera,\u201d\tArthur\twent\ton\tsoberly,\t\u201ctoo\tmuch \u2018clowning\u2019\t about\t death.\t Sir\t Mark,\t just\t as\t you\t and\t all\t these\t others,\t was\t a\t sworn knight\tof\tthe\tRound\tTable,\tand\ta\tfallen\tknight\tdeserves\thonor,\tnot\tmockery.\u201d Esteban\t clearly\t saw\t Arthur\u2019s\t pain,\t and\t bowed\t his\t head\t in\t shame.\t \u201cSorry, Arthur.\u201d \u201cNow\tthou\tshall\tapologize\tto\tSir\tJack.\u201d Esteban\tbristled,\tand\tpulled\taway\tfrom\tReyna.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tI\twon\u2019t?\u201d Arthur\tlooked\tdown\tat\thim,\tjust\tas\tdefiant.\t\u201cYou\tbe\tan\timportant\tmember\tof this\tfellowship,\tSir\tEsteban,\tbut\tyou\tbe\tnot\tindispensable.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\ttelling\tme\tto\tget\tout,\tis\tthat\tit?\u201d \u201cNay,\tSir\tEsteban,\tI\tbe\tgiving\tyou\twhat\tyou\thave\tsaid\tyou\twant\u2014a\tchoice.\u201d There\t was\t a\t pause,\t and\t absolute\t silence\t filled\t the\t air\t as\t everyone\t awaited Esteban\u2019s\t decision.\t Arthur\t knew\t he\t was\t taking\t a\t big\t gamble.\t This\t boy\t was crucial\t to\t his\t cause\t because\t so\t many\t looked\t to\t him\t as\t a\t leader.\t But\t Jenny\t had been\tright\u2014an\tadult\tmust\talways\tguide\ta\tchild\tin\twhat\u2019s\tright. Esteban\tlooked\tfrom\tArthur\tto\tReyna\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tbelieve\tyou\tsaid\tthat,\tEste.\u201d\tShe shook\t her\t head\t in\t disgust,\t her\t long\t ponytail\t flinging\t back\t over\t her\t shoulder. \u201cAnd\tyou\tsay\tI\u2019m\tthe\tone\twho\tthinks\tshe\u2019s\tbetter\tthan\teverybody?\u201d\tShe\t threw","her\tarms\tacross\ther\tchest. Esteban\tglanced\tat\tJack,\tthen\tback\tup\tat\tArthur. \u201cThou\twould\tthrow\taway\tall\tour\tsuccess,\u201d\tArthur\ttold\thim,\tnot\tin\tanger,\tbut with\t love,\t \u201call\t that\t we\t have\t been\t because\t thou\t art\t too\t prideful\t to\t admit\t thou committed\t a\t wrong?\t A\t man\t can\t and\t must\t admit\t his\t mistakes,\t if\t he\t be\t a\t true man.\u201d\t He\t paused,\t bowing\t his\t head\t humbly,\t Mark\u2019s\t face\t flitting\t before\t his mind\u2019s\teye.\tHe\ttilted\this\thead\tback\tup\tand\tfixed\this\tremorseful\teyes\tonto\tthose of\tEsteban.\t\u201cI\tnever\tcease\tto\tlearn\tthat\tlesson.\u201d Esteban\tclearly\tsaw\tthe\ttruth\tin\tArthur\u2019s\teyes.\tHe\tpaused,\tas\tthough\trecalling where\the\u2019d\tcome\tfrom,\tand\thow\tmuch\the\u2019d\taccomplished\tsince.\tAnd\the\tbacked down. He\tturned\tto\tJack.\t\u201cSorry,\tman.\u201d\tHe\theld\tout\this\thand,\tbut\tJack\tjust\tstared\tat it. \u201cHe\twas\tmy\thomeboy,\u201d\tJack\tdeclared,\teyes\twelling\tagain. \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tEsteban\treplied.\t\u201cMine,\ttoo.\u201d Jack\thesitated,\tseeming\tto\tgauge\tthe\tother\u2019s\tsincerity,\tand\tfinally\treached\tout to\tclasp\tEsteban\u2019s\thand.\tThey\tshook. Letting\tgo,\tEsteban\tturned\tto\tReyna,\twhose\tarms\twere\tstill\tthrown\tacross\ther chest.\tBut\tshe\tnodded\ther\tapproval. Jack\tstepped\taround\tthem\tand\tscooped\tChris\tback\tinto\this\tarms.\t\u201cSorry,\tlittle man,\tfor\tdropping\tyou.\u201d But\t Chris\t wasn\u2019t\t at\t all\t upset.\t Leaning\t in\t to\t Jack\u2019s\t ear,\t he\t whispered,\t \u201cYou kicked\this\tass.\u201d \u201cThanks,\tChris.\u201d\tHe\tkissed\tthe\tboy\ton\tone\tsoft\tcheek. Arthur\u2019s\tbooming\tvoice\tdrew\this\tattention\tback\tto\ttheir\tking\tand\tmentor.\t\u201cMy knights,\tI\tnow\tbelieve\tyou\tbe\tready\tfor\tour\tmost\tdangerous\tcrusade\tyet,\tthe\tone all\tthese\tothers\thave\tbeen\tleading\tup\tto.\u201d Excited\tchatter\trippled\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd. \u201cBut\tif\twe\u2019re\tgoing\ton\ta\tcrusade,\twe\tneed\tSir\tLance,\u201d\tEnrique\tyelled\tup\tfrom below,\taccompanied\tby\tnods\tand\tmurmurs\tof\tagreement. Suddenly\ta\tchant\tarose,\t\u201cWe\tneed\tSir\tLance!\tWe\tneed\tSir\tLance!\u201d\tand\tit\tgrew in\tintensity\tand\tpitch. Arthur\t gazed\t out\t over\t his\t knights\u2014his\t children\u2014and\t knew\t once\t again\t how right\the\u2019d\tbeen\tin\tchoosing\tLance.\tIn\tfact,\the\tknew\tsomething\telse\tnow,\tknew\tit with\t a\t certainty\t that\t could\t not\t be\t disputed\u2014without\t Lance,\t without\t that\t boy\u2019s calming\t presence\t and\t steadfast\t leadership,\t his\t entire\t crusade,\t his\t new\t Camelot, would\tfalter\tand\tcollapse. And\tI\tlove\thim,\the\tadded\tin\this\theart\tand\tmind. Raising\tExcalibur\thigh\tover\this\thead\tto\tsignal\torder,\tArthur\tgradually\tquelled","the\tchants,\tand\tthey\tawaited\this\tresponse. Reyna\tlooked\tup\tat\thim\twith\tworry.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tright,\tArthur,\twe\tneed\tLance.\u201d Even\tEsteban\tnodded\this\thead. \u201cMy\t noble\t knights,\u201d\t Arthur\t began,\t \u201cI,\t too,\t require\t the\t presence\t of\t Sir\t Lance for\tthis\tcampaign.\tHowever,\the\tis\tgrieving\tthe\tloss\tof\tMark,\tand\tI\tdo\tnot\tknow when\the\tshall\treturn.\tWe\tshall\tproceed\twith\tour\tplans\tand\tpray\tour\tLance\treturns to\tus\tin\ttime\tto\ttake\tpart.\u201d There\t were\t murmurs\t of\t agreement\t among\t the\t kids\u2014that\t seemed\t to\t satisfy them\tfor\tthe\tmoment. \u201cSo\twhat\u2019s\tgoin\u2019\tdown,\tArthur?\u201d\tJaime\tasked,\tand\tReyna\telbowed\thim.\t\u201cMy bad,\tuh,\twhat\tshall\tour\tcrusade\tbe?\u201d\tReyna\tglowered,\tbut\tJaime\tjust\tshrugged. \u201cThese\t drugs,\t and\t those\t who\t dispense\t them\t must\t be\t stopped.\t I\t propose\t we undertake\tthat\tquest,\tfor\tit\tbe\ta\tquest\tfor\ttrue\tfreedom.\u201d The\tmuttering\trose\tto\ta\tfevered\tpitch. Still\t clutching\t Chris\t to\t his\t chest,\t Jack\t looked\t up\t at\t Arthur.\t \u201cI\t wanna\t avenge Mark,\t too,\t Arthur,\t but\t there\u2019s\t too\t much\t a\t that\t garbage\t out\t there,\t and\t too\t many dealers\tfor\tus\tto\tstop\tit\tall.\tAnd\tthey\tgot\treal\tfirepower.\u201d Numerous\t knights\t within\t the\t crowd,\t especially\t those\t from\t the\t biggest\t drug- dealing\tneighborhoods,\tall\tvocalized\ttheir\tagreement\twith\tJack. \u201cI\tbe\tnot\tspeaking\tof\tvengeance,\tSir\tJack,\tfor\twe\tall\there\tbe\twarriors\tof\tright, not\t might,\u201d\t Arthur\t said\t when\t the\t kids\t had\t settled\t down,\t \u201cand\t we\t shall\t once again\t use\t our\t might\t to\t make\t a\t wrong\t right.\t We\t now\t number\t at\t more\t than\t one thousand,\tand\tmethinks\tt\u2019would\tnot\tbe\tdifficult\tfor\tthee\tto\tlocate\ta\tgreat\tnumber of\tthese\tdealers\tand\ttheir\tdrugs.\u201d Excitement\tenlightened\tEsteban\u2019s\tface.\tHe\tand\tJaime\tand\tmany\tof\tthe\tothers exchanged\t an\t animated\t look\t of\t comprehension.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t right,\t guys!\t Most\t a\t us used\tto\tslang\tthat\tsh\u2014my\tbad,\tthat\tstuff,\tand\twe\tknow\tall\tthe\tcrack\thouses\tand meth\tlabs\tin\tour\thoods.\u201d Justin\t stepped\t forward\t beside\t Esteban,\t and\t they\t gave\t each\t other\t the\t chin raise. \u201cYer\told\tman\tknow\tyou\u2019re\tout\there\tthis\tlate?\u201d Justin\tshrugged.\t\u201cLike\tI\tcare?\u201d Esteban\tgrinned,\tand\tthey\tclasped\thands\tin\tsolidarity. Justin\t looked\t up\t at\t Arthur.\t \u201cArthur,\t I\t know\t the\t big\t guy,\t Mr.\t R.\t He\u2019s\t like\t the main\tone\tthat\tsupplies\tthe\tstreets.\tI\tknow\twhere\the\thangs.\u201d \u201cExcellent,\tmy\tboy,\tand\twe\tshall\tuse\tthy\tknowledge\tto\tdestroy\thim.\u201d \u201cWhat\tyou\twant\tus\tto\tdo,\tArthur?\u201d\tEsteban\tasked. Arthur\t gazed\t out\t at\t all\t the\t eager,\t expectant\t faces.\t Like\t all\t children,\t they sought\tguidance,\tand\the\twould\tprovide\tit.\t\u201cThe\tknights\tof\tthe\tRound\tTable\tshall","now\t fully\t enter\t the\t twenty-first\t century,\t with\t all\t of\t its\t marvelous\t technology. Our\t ultimate\t triumph\t in\t this\t venture\t shall\t give\t us\t the\t final\t leverage\t we\t need\t to go\t before\t thine\t elected\t officials,\t and\t the\t people\t of\t this\t city,\t and\t lay\t out\t our demands\tfor\tthe\tfuture.\tYour\tfuture.\u201d A\trousing\tcheer\terupted\tfrom\tthe\tthrong,\tand\tArthur\tnodded\this\tapproval. Yet\the\tdid\tnot\tsmile.\tHis\tthoughts\twere\ton\tLance. Where\twas\tLance? Within\tThe\tHub,\tArthur\tand\this\tleadership\tteam\ttalked\tuntil\twell\tpast\tmidnight. There\t was\t much\t heated\t debate\t on\t how\t best\t to\t hit\t the\t crack\t houses\t and\t meth labs.\t Most\t were,\t the\t kids\t informed\t Arthur,\t just\t regular\t homes\t in\t their neighborhoods.\t Most\t people\t wouldn\u2019t\t even\t know\t what\t went\t on\t inside,\t \u201c\u2019less you\tlive\tround\t\u2019em,\u201d\tJaime\tput\tin. Esteban\t was\t all\t for\t firebombing\t every\t one\t with\t Molotov\t cocktails,\t which\t he assured\tArthur\twere\teasy\tto\tmake. \u201cNay,\t Sir\t Este,\u201d\t Arthur\t commanded,\t once\t again\t wishing\t for\t and\t needing\t the calming\t presence\t of\t Lance.\t \u201cWe\t do\t not\t seek\t bloodshed,\t merely\t justice.\t We\t are warriors\tof\tright\tand\tcannot\trisk\tsuch\tfires\tspreading\tand\tkilling\tthe\tinnocent.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tsmoke\tbombs?\u201d\tReyna\tsuggested.\t\u201cWe\tcould\tsmoke\t\u2019em\tout\tand then\tgrab\t\u2019em.\u201d \u201cGrab\t \u2019em\t how?\u201d\t piped\t up\t Darnell,\t who\t sat\t twiddling\t his\t cornrows.\t \u201cThey got\tguns,\tLady\tReyna.\u201d Reyna\t shrugged\t and\t threw\t up\t those\t lovely\t eyebrows\t of\t hers.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know. Drop\ta\tnet\ton\t\u2019em?\u201d Arthur\tlit\tup\tat\tthat\tsuggestion.\t\u201cI\tbelieve\tthe\tlady\tbe\ton\tto\tsomething.\u201d\tThey discussed\t that\t option\t and\t reasoned\t that\t kids\t could\t be\t above\t an\t exit,\t or\t right outside,\t and\t when\t the\t \u201cdruggists\u201d\t bolted,\t \u201cBam!\t You\t throw\t a\t net\t on\t \u2019em\t an\u2019 catch\t\u2019em\tlike\tfish,\u201d\tDuc\tfinished,\tlaughing\texcitedly. \u201cThen\t what,\t Arthur,\t we\t wrap\t \u2019em\t up\t and\t give\t \u2019em\t to\t the\t mayor?\u201d\t Esteban asked. \u201cWe\tshall\thave\ta\tgift\tfor\tthe\tmayor,\tbut\tmethinks\tI\thave\ta\tbetter\tplan\tfor\tthese druggists,\tas\tye\thast\tcalled\tthem.\u201d Many\tof\tthe\tboys\tsaid\tgetting\tor\tmaking\tsmoke\tbombs\twasn\u2019t\thard\u2014they\thad connections,\tbut\tbuying\tnets\tcould\tcost\tbig\tbucks.\tReyna\tsolved\tthat\tproblem\tby offering\t the\t six\t thousand\t she\u2019d\t been\t given\t by\t her\t parents\t to\t not\tvacation\twith them.\tPlus,\tArthur\tstill\thad\tmoney\tin\tthe\tbank\tand\this\tATM\tcard. They\tagreed\ton\ta\tlimited\tarea\tof\tcoverage\tbecause\tthey\twanted\tthe\toperation","to\t go\t off\t this\t very\t day.\t The\t mayor\t was\t planning\t an\t event\t to\t unveil\t the\t mural, and\t they\t wanted\t to\t trump\t his\t card.\t The\t leaders\t figured\t they\t could\t hit\t at\t least\t a hundred\tof\tthese\tplaces\tat\tonce\tand\tbe\tready\tby\tnightfall. \u201cWhat\t about\t Mr.\t R.?\u201d\t Justin\t asked\t nervously.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t badass\u2014sorry,\t he\t be dangerous,\tArthur.\tGot\tsome\tChinese\tdude\twith\thim.\tI\tthink\tthey\tbe\tMafia,\tyou know?\u201d\t The\t others\t nodded,\t though\t Mafia\t clearly\t meant\t nothing\t to\t Arthur.\t \u201cI think\the\twasted\tDwayne,\t\u2019cause\tI\thain\u2019t\tseen\t\u2019em\tsince\tthat\tday\twe\trun\t\u2019im\tout of\tthe\t\u2019hood.\u201d Arthur\tleaned\tforward.\t\u201cYou\tknow\twhere\tto\tfind\tthese\tmen?\u201d \u201cYeah,\u201d\t Justin\t answered.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t big\t warehouse\t downtown.\t That\u2019s\t where\t a bunch\tof\tthe\tsh\u2014the\tdrugs\tare\tmade.\u201d \u201cI\t say\t we\t firebomb\t that\t place,\t Arthur,\u201d\t insisted\t Esteban,\t his\t face\t hard\t and serious.\t \u201cOtherwise\t he\u2019ll\t just\t stay\t in\t business.\t If\t we\t take\t down\t his\t operation, maybe\the\twon\u2019t\tget\tit\tback\tup.\u201d Arthur\t agreed,\t so\t long\t as\t the\t firebombs\t Esteban\t talked\t about\t were\t thrown through\t the\t upper\t windows\t to\t allow\t anyone\t within\t the\t building\t time\t to\t escape via\tthe\tground\tfloor. Esteban\tand\tJaime\tagreed\tthat\twas\tokay\tby\tthem. They\t settled\t on\t teams\t and\t who\t would\t lead\t each\t one.\t That\t meant\t a\t hundred different\tteams,\tso\tthey\twent\tthrough\tall\tthe\tnames\tof\tknights\tthey\tthought\tmost capable\t of\t handling\t a\t leadership\t role.\t Each\t team\t would\t be\t comprised\t of\t six members\t for\t a\t total\t of\t six\t hundred\t kids\t mobilized\t at\t once,\t the\t teams\t scattered throughout\tthe\tmain\tparts\tof\tthe\tcity. Because\t Arthur\t wanted\t all\t of\t his\t knights\t to\t rendezvous\t at\t City\t Hall\t to\t meet with\t the\t mayor,\t this\t initial\t operation\t would\t only\t focus\t on\t the\t downtown\t metro area\tand\tsurrounding\tcommunities. All\tteams\twould\tremain\tin\tcontact\twith\tArthur\tvia\tcell\tphone.\tEsteban\twould be\t temporary\t First\t Knight\t for\t this\t operation\t unless\t Lance\t returned\t in\t time.\t It troubled\tArthur\tto\teven\tconsider\tsomeone\telse\tin\tthe\trole,\tbut\tLance\thad\tgiven him\t little\t choice.\t Besides,\t he\t reasoned,\t this\t type\t of\t crusade\t was\t more\t suited\t to Esteban,\twho\tknew\tbetter\tthe\tpeople\tthey\u2019d\tbe\tup\tagainst. Each\t team\t member\t would\t have\t his\t or\t her\t specific\t responsibility\t when\t the operation\tcommenced,\tand\tat\tleast\tone\tmust\tbe\tassigned\tthe\ttask\tof\tfilming\tthe druggists\tand\ttheir\tdrugs\tas\tevidence\tto\tgive\tthe\tauthorities. When\t all\t had\t been\t planned\t and\t settled,\t everyone\t returned\t to\t their\t respective neighborhoods\t to\t begin\t assembling\t their\t teams\t first\t thing\t in\t the\t morning\t and preparing\t them\t to\t be\t ready\t by\t mid-afternoon.\t Arthur\t and\t Reyna\t would\t take\t a few\tof\tthe\tkids\twho\tlived\tin\tthe\ttunnels\tin\ther\tparent\u2019s\tEscalade\tto\tpurchase\tthe netting\tand\trope\tand\tother\tsupplies\tthey\twould\tneed.","Operation\t Drug\t Lab\t was\t scheduled\t for\t dusk,\t and\t the\t knights\t felt\t giddy\t with anticipation. Jack\thad\tsaid\tnothing\tduring\tthe\tmeeting\tbecause\this\tthoughts\twere\telsewhere\u2014 on\tMark,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\talso\ton\tLance.\tHis\tmind\treplayed\timages\tof\tLance\tover these\tpast\tmonths,\tof\tthe\ttimes\tthey\u2019d\tspent\ttogether,\tboth\thappy\tand\tsad,\tof\tthe connection\t they\u2019d\t made,\t of\t how\t good\t it\t felt\t just\t to\t hold\t him\t in\t his\t arms.\t How perfect\t that\t seemed.\t His\t chest\t swelled\t with\t emotion\t as\t he\t pictured\t the\t most amazing\t boy\t he\u2019d\t ever\t known\t in\t his\t life,\t and\t Jack\t knew\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t lose\t him. No\tway.\tIn\tsome\tways,\the\trealized\twith\tbreathless\tabandon,\tlosing\thim\tcould\tbe even\tworse\tthan\tlosing\tMark\u2026. He\tknew\the\tshould\tvolunteer\tto\tlead\ta\tteam.\tHell,\the\tcould\teasily\thave\tbeen the\tfootball\tteam\tcaptain\tbefore\teveryone\tfound\tout\the\twas\tgay.\tAfter\this\touting, however,\tthe\tonly\ttitle\the\u2019d\tbeen\tgiven\twas\tteam\tpariah.\tHe\tshoved\tthat\tmemory away\t and\t replaced\t it\t with\t Lance.\t The\t boy\u2019s\t beautiful\t face,\t that\t oh-so-engaging smile\t that\t made\t Jack\t fantasize\t about\t what\t it\t would\t feel\t like\t to\t kiss\t him,\t that easy\t laughter\t when\t they\u2019d\t be\t working\t out,\t all\t sent\t shivers\t of\t joy\t and\t fear coursing\tthrough\thim. He\t knew\t he\t should\t volunteer,\t but\t Arthur\t hadn\u2019t\t asked,\t and\t so\t he\t remained silent,\t cradling\t Chris,\t the\t small\t boy\t asleep\t in\t his\t lap.\t If\t Lance\t wasn\u2019t\t back\t by morning,\twith\tor\twithout\tArthur\u2019s\tpermission,\tJack\twould\tgo\tout\tand\tfind\thim. Jenny\t had\t prepared\t herself\t to\t begin\t lessons\t that\t same\t morning,\t but\t Arthur\t had called\t early\t and\t asked\t her\t to\t wait\t until\t tomorrow.\t The\t knights\t had\t a\t special mission\t to\t complete\t today.\t That\t worried\t her\t because\t he\t didn\u2019t\t say\t what\t it\t was. She\t knew\t the\t clean-ups\t were\t being\t restructured\t to\t accommodate\t schooling,\t so that\twasn\u2019t\tlikely\tthe\treason.\tNo,\tsomething\twas\twrong.\tAll\ther\tinstincts\ttold\ther so.\tAnd\tLance\twas\tstill\tmissing,\tArthur\thad\tsaid.\tYes,\the\u2019d\tbeen\ttexting\tthe\tboy, but\thad\tgotten\tno\tresponse. \u201cDid\tyou\ttext\tthat\tyou\tlove\thim?\u201d\tshe\tasked. There\thad\tbeen\tsilence\ton\tthe\tother\tend.\t\u201cNo.\u201d \u201cThen\tdo\tit,\tand\tcall\tme\tthe\tsecond\tyou\thear\tfrom\thim,\u201d\tshe\tinsisted\tsternly. Arthur\t promised\t to\t do\t so\t and\t hung\t up.\t As\t she\t sat\t with\t her\t morning\t coffee, gazing\tout\ther\tliving\troom\twindow,\tthe\tbad\tfeeling\tincreased,\tcrept\tall\tthe\tway up\ther\tback,\tand\tlodged\titself\tdeep\twithin\ther\theart.\tIf\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thear\tanything more,\tshe\twould\tgo\tto\tArthur\u2019s\tplace\tdirectly\tand\tfind\tout\twhat\twas\tgoing\ton\tfor","herself. When\t Arthur\t hung\t up\t with\t Jenny,\t Chris\t had\t needed\t help\t getting\t ready,\t and Arthur\u2019s\t plan\t to\t text\t Lance\t slipped\t momentarily\t from\t his\t mind.\t Then\t Reyna arrived\tto\tpick\tup\tArthur,\tand\tLance\thad\tstill\tnot\treturned\tnor\tbeen\theard\tfrom. Both\t Arthur\t and\t Jack\t were\t convinced\t that\t something\t had\t happened\t to\t him. Reyna\tsaid\tshe\u2019d\ttexted\thim\talso,\tbut\the\u2019d\tnot\tresponded. Arthur\t knew\t he\t had\t to\t focus\t on\t Operation\t Drug\t Lab,\t but\t Lance\t remained uppermost\tin\this\tmind. I\tcannot\tlose\tthee,\tmy\tLance\u2026. Jack\tmade\tsure\tChris\twas\tfed\tand\tready\tto\taccompany\tArthur\tand\tReyna\tand then\tthrew\ton\ta\tclean\tred\ttunic\tand\tgrabbed\this\tphone.\tHe\tstrode\tup\tto\tthem. \u201cArthur,\u201d\tJack\tannounced,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tout\tlooking\tfor\thim.\u201d Arthur\tnodded,\this\tmind\ton\tLance. Reyna\t leaned\t in\t to\t give\t Jack\t a\t kiss\t on\t the\t lips.\t \u201cGive\t that\t to\t Lance\t for\t me.\u201d Jack\tblushed,\tand\tshe\tlaughed\tgently. \u201cI\u2019ll\tlet\tyou\tgive\tit\tto\thim,\u201d\tJack\ttold\ther\twith\ta\tsmall\tsmile. Reyna\tturned\tserious\tnow,\tunusual\tfor\ther.\t\u201cYou\ttell\tmy\tbeautiful\tbrother\tthat I\tlove\thim\tand\tneed\thim\there\twith\tme.\tYou\ttell\thim.\u201d \u201cI\twill.\u201d Arthur\t looked\t grave,\t graver\t than\t Jack\t had\t ever\t seen\t him.\t \u201cTell\t him\t I\u2026\t also need\thim,\tSir\tJack.\tHast\tthou\tany\tidea\twhere\tto\tlook?\u201d \u201cNo,\tbut\tI\tgot\ta\tfriend\tin\tHollywood\twho\tcould\thelp\u2014\u201d\tHe\tstopped\tsuddenly, his\tface\tlighting\tup\twith\ta\trevelation.\t\u201cNever\tmind\tthat.\tI\tknow\texactly\twhere\the is.\u201d \u201cI\tshall\tgo\twith\tthee,\u201d\tArthur\tsaid\timmediately. \u201cThen\twho\u2019ll\tgo\twith\tme\tto\tbuy\tthe\tstuff?\u201d\tReyna\tasked\tcautiously.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot a\tlegal\tadult\tyet,\tremember?\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\t right,\t Arthur,\u201d\t Jack\t put\t in.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t really\t want\t Arthur\t to\t go.\t He needed\ttime\twith\tLance\tfirst.\t\u201cThe\tneeds\tof\tthe\twhole\tcompany,\tremember?\u201d Arthur\tlooked\tweary,\tand\tafraid.\tJack\thad\tnever\tseen\thim\tthis\tway. \u201cVery\twell.\tBut\tcall\tthe\tmoment\tyou\tfind\thim,\tSir\tJack,\tand\tbring\thim\there\tto me\tat\tonce.\u201d \u201cI\t won\u2019t\t fail\t you\t again,\t Arthur,\u201d\t Jack\t insisted,\t and\t he\t meant\t it\t too.\t He\t gave Chris\ta\thigh\tfive\tand\ttook\toff\trunning\tthrough\tthe\ttunnels. \u201cReady,\tArthur?\u201d\tReyna\tasked. Arthur\twas\tfiddling\twith\this\tphone.","\u201cMessage\tfrom\tLance?\u201d \u201cNay,\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\ttext\thim,\tbut\tit\tdoth\tnot\tseem\tto\tbe\tworking.\u201d She\ttook\tit\tand\ttried\tto\tturn\tit\ton,\tbut\tnothing\thappened. \u201cHe\tforgot\tto\tcharge\tit\tagain,\u201d\tpiped\tup\tChris,\twatching\tthem\tfrom\this\tchair. \u201cI\u2019ll\tdo\tit.\u201d\tHe\tjumped\toff\tthe\tchair,\ttook\tArthur\u2019s\tphone,\tand\tplugged\tit\tinto\tthe generator. A\t generous\t benefactor\t had\t given\t Arthur\t a\t sizable\t generator\t for\t when\t he needed\tpower\talong\this\tvarious\tjourneys.\tMostly\the\tkept\tit\there\tin\tThe\tHub\tand used\t it\t to\t power\t electric\t lights\t and\t electronics\t like\t cellular\t phones.\t Its\t constant hum\tadded\talmost\tmusical\taccompaniment\tto\tthe\tusual\tdripping\tof\twater. \u201cWhen\u2019s\t Lance\t coming\t back,\t Arthur?\u201d\t Chris\t asked\t in\t that\t sweetly\t innocent voice\twhile\tplugging\tin\tthe\tphone.\t\u201cWill\tJack\tfind\thim?\u201d The\t king\t offered\t the\t best\t smile\t he\t could\t conjure\t under\t the\t circumstances. \u201cYes,\tChris,\tsoon.\u201d Reyna\t held\t out\t her\t phone\t casually.\t \u201cYou\t can\t use\t mine\t today\t and\t tonight\t for the\t operation\t too,\t if\t you\t need\t it.\t I\u2019ll\t be\t with\t Este,\t so\t you\t can\t reach\t me\t on\t his phone.\u201d\t She\t handed\t him\t her\t leather-encased\t phone.\t \u201cOh,\t and\t don\u2019t\t look\t at\t the pictures.\u201d Arthur\ttossed\ther\ta\tpuzzled\tlook\tas\tthe\tthree\tof\tthem\theaded\tout\tto\ther\tcar. Jack\t boarded\t the\t first\t Metro\t bus\t headed\t for\t Hollywood,\t slumped\t down\t in\t his seat\t with\t one\t arm\t draped\t across\t his\t face,\t and\t feigned\t sleep.\t He\t absolutely wasn\u2019t\t in\t the\t mood\t to\t be\t gawked\t at\t or\t autograph-hounded\t as\t one\t of\t Arthur\u2019s world-\t famous\t knights.\t He\t was\t too\t hyped\t up\t with\t anticipation,\t hoping\t and praying\t he\t was\t right\t and\t Lance\t would\t be\t there.\t Still\t be\t there,\t anyway,\t for\t he knew\tin\this\theart\twhere\this\tfriend\thad\tspent\tthe\tnight. And\twhy\tnot? It\twas\twhere\the\twished\tto\tbe\tall\tthe\ttime,\ttoo. As\t expected,\t he\t found\t Lance\t off\t Cosmo\t Street,\t sitting\t behind\t the\t dumpster, leaning\t up\t against\t the\t dirty\t brick\t wall\t in\t exactly\t the\t spot\t where\t they\u2019d\t found Mark\u2019s\t body.\t Had\t it\t just\t been\t yesterday,\t Jack\t reflected,\t his\t heart\t lurching violently? Lance\t looked\t tired\t and\t a\t bit\t disheveled,\t like\t a\t lost\t puppy,\t but\t otherwise unharmed.\tJack\tfelt\tan\talmost\toverpowering\turge\tto\tscoop\tthe\tyounger\tboy\tinto his\tarms\tand\tnever\tlet\thim\tgo.\tBut\the\theld\tback. Lance\t looked\t up,\t long\t hair\t draping\t his\t broadening\t shoulders,\t eyes\t pensive, but\tunstained\tby\ttears.","\u201cYou\tokay?\u201d\tJack\tasked,\talmost\ta\twhisper,\tfighting\tto\tcontrol\this\tvoice.\tLance nodded. \u201cMay\tI?\u201d\tJack\tindicated\tthe\tspot\tbeside\thim. Lance\t nodded\t again,\t and\t Jack\t sat\t beside\t him\t so\t their\t bodies\t touched.\t He needed\t that\t human\t contact,\t and\t figured\t Lance\t did,\t too.\t \u201cI\t knew\t you\u2019d\t be\t here. It\u2019s\twhere\tI\twould\u2019ve\tgone.\u201d No\tanswer. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tthinking\tabout?\u201d \u201cMark,\u201d\tLance\tanswered\thollowly.\t\u201cAnd\tyou.\u201d \u201cMe?\u201d Lance\tturned\this\thead,\tthose\tsad\tgreen\teyes\tsettling\ton\tJack.\t\u201cWhen\tdid\tyou know\tyou\twere\tin\tlove\twith\thim?\u201d Jack\u2019s\t heart\t leapt\t into\t his\t throat,\t and\t his\t breath\t momentarily\t stopped.\t The question\tblindsided\thim,\tand\the\ttook\ta\tmoment\tbefore\tanswering,\tto\tsteady\this uncertain\t voice.\t \u201cYou\t probably\t won\u2019t\t believe\t this,\t but\t I\u2026\t I\t think\t I\t knew\t it\t the first\t time\t I\t looked\t into\t those\t swimming\t pool\t eyes\t of\t his\t that\t seemed\t to\t go\t on forever.\u201d \u201cReally?\u201d\tLance\tasked,\ta\tslight\tsmile\tenlivening\this\tsad\tfeatures. Jack\tnodded,\this\tbreath\tcoming\tmore\teasily\tnow,\tthe\tmemories\tsomehow\tnot so\tpainful\tas\the\twould\thave\tthought.\tHe\tcleared\this\tthroat,\this\teyes\tfixed\ton\tthe far\twall\tof\tthe\talley\twhere\tsomeone\thad\tscrawled\t\u201clove\thurts.\u201d Yeah,\tit\tsure\tas\thell\tdoes. \u201cI\twas\talready,\tyou\tknow,\tworking,\tfor\ta\tcouple\ta\tmonths\twhen\tMark\tshowed up\ton\tthe\tboulevard\tone\tnight.\tHe\twas\tso\tsmall,\tso\tskinny,\tso\tblond,\tand\tso\tlost that\t I\t just\t knew\t I\t had\t to\t help\t him.\t So\t I\t walked\t up\t and\t introduced\t myself\t and asked\t how\t old\t he\t was.\u201d\t Jack\t paused,\t the\t memories\t flooding\t him\t with simultaneous\twaves\tof\tdelirious\tjoy\tand\tunabashed\tanguish. Lance\tleaned\tin,\tclearly\twanting\tto\thear\tmore. Jack\t pulled\t himself\t together,\t glancing\t shyly\t over\t at\t Lance.\t \u201cSorry,\t it\u2019s\t just, you\tknow,\thard.\u201d Lance\t reached\t out\t and\t took\t his\t hand.\t Surprised,\t Jack\t felt\t the\t warmth\t of Lance\u2019s\t smooth\t young\t fingers\t intertwined\t within\t his\t own,\t and\t squeezed\t back gratefully. \u201cHe\twas\tso\tscared\tand\tso\tshy,\tand\tI\twas\ta\tpretty\tbig\tkid,\teven\tat\tfifteen.\u201d\tJack had\tto\tcatch\this\tbreath\ta\tsecond,\tand\tLance\tgave\this\thand\tanother\tlittle\tsqueeze. \u201cI\tguess\tI\tkind\ta\tscared\thim,\tyou\tknow,\tLance?\u201d Lance\tnodded. \u201cAnyway,\tI\ttold\thim\tit\twas\tokay,\tthat\tI\u2019d\tprotect\thim.\tThat\u2019s\twhen\the\tlooked up,\tand\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tI\tfell\tright\tinto\tthose\tamazing\tblue\teyes.\tHe\tsmiled\tthat\tshy","little\t smile\t of\t his,\t said\t his\t name\t was\t Mark.\t I\t guess\t he\t told\t his\t story.\t I\t hardly remember.\tEverything\tblurred\texcept\tthose\tdeep\tblue\teyes\tthat\tseemed\tto\tcarry me\t straight\t to\t heaven.\t I\t felt\t like\t I\u2019d\t never\t felt\t for\t any\t other\t boy,\t even\t the\t first boy\t I\t ever\t kissed.\t I\t knew\t at\t that\t moment\t I\t loved\t him.\u201d\t He\t paused.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t still do,\teven\tthough\the\u2019s\tgone.\u201d\tHe\tchoked\tback\ta\twrenching\tsob. Lance\tsqueezed\tthe\thand\tmore\ttightly. Silence\tfilled\tthe\tair\twith\tits\tinvisible\tweight\tand\tjust\theld\tthem\tboth\tin\tplace a\tmoment. When\t Jack\t said\t nothing\t more,\t Lance\t released\t his\t hand\t and\t slumped\t back against\tthe\twall.\t\u201cThanks,\tJacky,\tfor\ttelling\tme.\u201d There\twas\tan\tunexpected\tmoment\tof\tunalterable\tpeace\tbetween\tthem. \u201cEveryone\tmisses\tyou,\tLance,\tand\tArthur\u2019s\tout\tof\this\tmind\twith\tworry.\u201d Lance\tlooked\tup.\t\u201cHe\tis?\u201d \u201cHell,\t yeah,\u201d\t Jack\t confirmed,\t knowing\t he\t had\t to\t convince\t his\t friend, somehow,\t of\t his\t own\t worth.\t \u201cWe\t got\t a\t big\t operation\t goin\u2019\t down\t tonight,\t and Arthur\tcan\u2019t\thardly\tconcentrate\t\u2019cause\the\tmisses\tyou\tso\tmuch.\u201d \u201cIs\the\tmad\tat\tme?\tDoes\the\tblame\tme?\u201d \u201cHell,\tno!\u201d\tJack\tinsisted\tas\tforcefully\tas\the\tcould.\t\u201cHe\tloves\tyou,\tman,\tI\ttold you\tthat,\tand\the\twants\tyou\tback\tmore\u2019n\tanything.\u201d \u201cDid\the\tlike,\tactually\tsay\tthat,\tyou\tknow,\tthat\the\tloves\tme?\u201d\tHis\tshimmering eyes\texpanded\twith\thope. \u201cNo,\u201d\t Jack\t admitted,\t seeing\t that\t hope\t vanish\t like\t the\t setting\t sun.\t \u201cBut\t he does.\u201d\tHe\tpaused.\t\u201cReyna\tsaid\tshe\tloves\tyou\ttoo.\u201d \u201cReyna?\u201d Jack\tblushed.\t\u201cShe\tkissed\tme\tand\ttold\tme\tto\tpass\tit\ton\tto\tyou.\u201d Lance\t chuckled.\t \u201cSounds\t like\t Reyna.\u201d\t Then\t he\t blanched\t and\t eyed\t Jack fearfully,\tas\tthough\the\u2019d\tjust\tbeen\tcaught\twith\this\thand\tin\tthe\tcookie\tjar.\t\u201cWhat did\tyou\ttell\ther?\u201d Jack\tdid\t his\t best\t to\tlook\t mortified.\t\u201cWhat\tkind\t of\tcheap\t hoe\t do\t you\t think\t I am?\u201d At\tthat,\tLance\tactually\tlaughed.\tReyna\thad\tonly\tbeen\tjoking.\tOr\thad\tshe? \u201cDon\u2019t\tanswer\tthat!\u201d\tJack\tadded\tquickly,\twith\ta\tslight\tsmile. And\tthen\tLance\tlost\tit.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\thimself.\tHe\tbusted\tup,\tand\tthe\ttwo\tof them\t laughed\t for\t several\t moments,\t gradually\t shedding\t bits\t and\t pieces\t of\t loss and\t pain\t from\t around\t their\t wounded\t hearts\t like\t ice\t crystals\t from\t a\t windblown tree\tbranch. When\t their\t guilty\t laughter\t slowly\t eased\t to\t a\t stop,\t they\t sat\t a\t moment\t in silence.\tJack\tput\ta\tstrong,\tcomforting\tarm\taround\tLance\u2019s\tshoulder,\tcausing\thim to\tshiver.","\u201cCome\tback,\tLance.\tArthur\tneeds\tyou.\tWe\tall\tneed\tyou.\tI\tneed\t you.\u201d\tLance looked\tdown\ta\tmoment\tin\tshame,\tand\tthen\tinto\tJack\u2019s\turgent\teyes. \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tblame\tme\teither?\u201d Jack\u2019s\tmouth\tdropped\topen.\t\u201cFor\twhat?\u201d \u201cFor\tnot\tthinking\tof\tthat\tphone\tthing!\u201d \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t think\t of\t it\t either,\t man,\u201d\t Jack\t reminded\t him,\t almost\t choking\t on\t his own\t culpability.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t think\t I\t feel\t like\t crap,\t too?\t My\t God,\t Lance,\t a\t few months\tago\twe\twere\tboth\tscrewed-up\tkids\twho\tnobody\tever\texpected\twould\tdo anything\tgood,\tand\tnow\twe\u2019re\tsupposed\tto\tsave\tthe\tworld?\u201d \u201cMaybe\tnot\tthe\tworld,\tbut\twhat\tabout\tour\tfriends?\u201d \u201cIf\t anyone\t should\u2019ve\t saved\t Mark,\t it\t was\t me.\t He\t never\t even\t would\u2019ve\t been out\there\tif\tI\u2019d\tjust\u2013\u2013\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d\tLance\tadmonished,\tgrabbing\tJack\u2019s\ttrembling\thand\tagain.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tgo there!\tPlease.\u201d Jack\t caught\t his\t breath,\t feeling\t a\t lump\t in\t his\t throat,\t and\t squeezed\t Lance\u2019s hand\tdesperately.\t\u201cYou\tknow,\tLance,\twhat\tI\tfinally\tfigured\tout?\u201d Lance\teyed\thim\texpectantly. \u201cIt\u2019s\tthe\tthings\twe\tdon\u2019t\tsay\tto\t each\t other\tthat\t make\tthe\tbiggest\t difference.\u201d He\tlowered\this\thead\tin\tshame. Lance\tconsidered\tJack\u2019s\twords,\tcomprehension\talmost\tslapping\thim\tin\tthe\tface. That\twas\t true!\t Of\t course\t it\t was.\t He\t suddenly\t recalled\t all\t the\t things\t he\thadn\u2019t said,\tall\tthe\tfailures\teating\taway\tat\this\theart,\tand\tnearly\tgagged\twith\tself-hatred. \u201cJack,\twhat\thappened,\tman?\u201d\the\tasked\timploringly,\this\tbody\tfeeling\tcold\tand numb,\t his\t eyes\t wide\t with\t need.\t \u201cIt\t seemed\t so\t good\t for\t a\t while,\t like\t we\t was gonna\t finally\t make\t something\t good\t outta\t ourselves,\t ya\t know?\t How\t did\t we screw\tit\tall\tup?\u201d Jack\ttugged\tback\tthe\ttears.\t\u201cBecause\twe\u2019re\tkids,\tLance.\tAnd\tkids\tscrew\tup.\u201d Lance\thesitated,\tJack\u2019s\twords\tsettling\theavily\taround\this\theart.\t\u201cYeah,\tI\tguess so.\u201d\t He\t paused.\t \u201cBut\t we\t lost\t Mark,\t man.\t He\t was\t so\t good,\t and\t the\t first\t real friend\tI\tever\thad.\u201d Jack\tblinked\tback\this\ttears.\t\u201cAren\u2019t\tI\tthe\tsecond?\u201d Lance\tnodded. \u201cI\u2019m\t still\t here,\t Lance.\t And\t I\t need\t you,\t man,\t more\t than\t ever.\t We\u2019re\t the\t only ones\twho\treally\tloved\tMark,\tyou\tknow?\u201d Lance\tunderstood.\tThey\u2019d\tlost\tMark,\tfor\twhich\the\u2019d\tnever\tcompletely\tforgive himself,\t but\t they\t still\t had\t each\t other.\t And\t Jack\t was\t right\u2014the\t things\t not\t said","were\tso\tmuch\tmore\timportant!\tHe\thad\tto\tface\tArthur,\thad\tto\ttell\thim,\thad\tto\tnot let\tthose\twords\tgo\tunspoken\tfor\tanother\tsecond. \u201cYou\u2019re\tright,\tJacky.\tI\tbeen\tacting\tlike\ta\tstupid-ass\tlittle\tkid.\tC\u2019mon,\tlet\u2019s\tgo back.\t I\t need\t to\t tell\t d\u2014Arthur\t something\t real\t important,\t somethin\u2019\t I\t can\u2019t\t not say.\u201d Jack\tsmiled\tand\tstood,\tdragging\tLance\tto\this\tfeet.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo.\u201d Lance\tgrabbed\this\tskateboard. \u201cYou\t should\t text\t Arthur\t that\t we\u2019re\t coming\t home\t so\t he\t can\t stop\t worrying about\tyou,\u201d\tJack\tsuggested\tas\the\tdusted\tsome\tdirt\tand\tdebris\toff\tLance\u2019s\tbright green\tshirt. \u201cOkay,\u201d\t Lance\t agreed\t and\t rapidly\t thumbed\t in\t a\t message\t as\t they\t began walking\t toward\t the\t mouth\t of\t the\t alley.\t Jack\t saw\t him\t pause,\t as\t though considering\t what\t to\t say,\t and\t then\t Lance\t finished\t and\t returned\t the\t phone\t to\t his pocket.\tFeeling\tbetter\tthan\the\thad\tin\tdays,\the\tthrew\this\tarm\taround\tJack\u2019s\tneck and\tfutilely\ttried\tto\tchoke\tthe\tbigger\tboy,\tmaybe\teven\ttake\thim\tdown. They\twere\tplayfully\twrestling,\tlike\ttwo\tregular\tboys\twho\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tcarry the\t weight\t of\t the\t world\t on\t their\t shoulders,\t and\t were\t thus\t distracted\t when\t two Asian\t men\t abruptly\t appeared\t at\t the\t entrance\t to\t the\t alley\t and\t clamped\t cloth- filled\thands\tover\ttheir\tmouths.\tSo\tsudden\twas\tthe\tattack,\tand\tthe\tchloroform\tin those\tcloths\tso\tpotent,\tthat\tboth\tLance\tand\tJack\twere\tunconscious\tbefore\teither knew\twhat\thad\thit\tthem. A\t Hummer\t stretch\t limo\t rolled\t to\t a\t stop\t in\t front\t of\t the\t alley,\t and\t both\t boys, limp\t and\t unconscious,\t were\t dragged\t to\t the\t backseat\t and\t thrown\t in.\t One\t man even\t grabbed\t the\t skateboard.\t The\t entire\t kidnapping\t lasted\t mere\t seconds,\t and there\twere\tno\twitnesses.\tThe\tlimo\tdrove\toff\tinto\tmorning\ttraffic.","CHAPTER\t12:\t THAT\tBOY\tIS\tSPECIAL THE\tHUB\tWAS\tBUSTLING\tWITH\tactivity\tas\tnets\twere\tfolded\tinto\tlarge\tbackpacks, and\tkids\ttinkered\twith\tthe\tvarious\tsmoke\tbombs\tto\tget\tthe\tfeel\tof\tthem\tand\thow they\t worked.\t Arthur\t and\t Reyna\t had\t filled\t up\t the\t Escalade\t several\t times\t that morning,\t always\t returning\t to\t the\t storm\t drains\t and\t depositing\t their\t load\t of supplies\tjust\tinside\tthe\tmain\tgrate\tand\tthen\tsetting\toff\tto\tbuy\tmore. Esteban\t and\t the\t older\t boys\t had\t made\t it\t their\t quest\t to\t secure\t or\t make\t those smoke\t bombs\t that\t would\t be\t used\t to\t flush\t out\t the\t \u201crats,\u201d\t as\t Reyna\t called\t them. More\t and\t more\t of\t these\t devices\t were\t procured\t and\t and\t added\t to\t the\t overall supplies. When\t knights\t began\t trickling\t in\t throughout\t the\t early\t afternoon,\t teams\t were assigned\t and\t supplies\t apportioned.\t Every\t team\t had\t at\t least\t one\t cell\t phone\t for communication\tand\tvideo\trecording.\tMost\thad\tmore\tthan\tone.\tOne\tof\tthe\tAsian boys\t who\t was\t a\t tech\t wizard\t of\t sorts,\t gathered\t the\t one\t hundred\t team\t leaders together\tand\tput\tall\tof\ttheir\tnumbers\tinto\ta\tgroup\tmessage\ton\tReyna\u2019s\tphone,\tso Arthur\tcould\talert\tevery\tteam\tsimultaneously\twhen\tto\tbegin. Arthur\u2019s\t phone\t had\t not\t fully\t charged\t all\t morning\t while\t he\t and\t Reyna\t were shopping,\t so\t the\t tech\t wizard,\t whose\t name\t was\t Thuy,\t but\t who\u2019d\t been\t dubbed \u201cSir\t Techie\u201d\t by\t Reyna,\t surmised\t that\t the\t battery\t must\u2019ve\t gotten\t wet,\t not\t an unusual\toccurrence\tin\ta\tdamp\tstorm\tdrain. \u201cNo\t biggie,\u201d\t Sir\t Techie\t told\t Arthur\t with\t a\t shrug.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t find\t ya\t a\t new\t battery tomorrow,\tafter\tthe\tbig\traid.\u201d Arthur\t nodded,\t but\t deep\t down,\t his\t heart\t ached\t with\t fear.\t Would\t Lance\t feel even\tmore\trejected\tif\the\tsent\ta\tmessage\tand\tit\tlay\tunopened\ton\tArthur\u2019s\tphone? He\t paced\t The\t Hub,\t filled\t with\t unease.\t The\t raid\t was\t set\t for\t dusk.\t His\t entire army\twould\tarrive\tshortly\tto\tcollect\ttheir\tsupplies\tand\tmove\tout\tinto\tthe\tcity\tto prepare\t their\t traps.\t All\t seemed\t to\t be\t moving\t according\t to\t plan.\t His\t knights, young\tthough\tthey\tmay\thave\tbeen,\twere\tnothing\tif\tnot\tresourceful\tand\teager. However,\t it\t was\t now\t 2:00\t p.m.,\t and\t neither\t Lance\t nor\t Jack\t had\t returned. Chris\t tossed\t Jack\u2019s\t football\t up\t and\t down\t and\t watched\t Arthur\t pace.\t Finally, Reyna\t sauntered\t up,\t already\t dressed\t for\t battle\t in\t her\t leather\t pants,\t boots,\t long- sleeved\tbrown\ttunic,\tjerkin,\tand\tchain\tmail\tshirt.\tShe\thanded\tArthur\ther\tphone.","\u201cHere\u2019s\t my\t phone,\t Arthur,\u201d\t she\t announced,\t tossing\t a\t wink\t Chris\u2019s\t way.\t The small\t boy\t gave\t her\t the\t silent\t head\t nod.\t She\t opened\t the\t phone\t and\t showed Arthur\tthe\tgroup\tSir\tTechie\thad\tcreated\tin\tthe\tmessaging\tsection.\t\u201cAny\ttext\tyou send\twill\tgo\tto\tevery\tteam\tcaptain\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime.\u201d Arthur\tnodded,\this\tmind\tfar\taway.\t\u201cAny\ttext\tfrom\tLance?\u201d Reyna\t shook\t her\t head,\t her\t features\t etched\t with\t worry.\t \u201cWhat\t could\t have happened\tto\tthem?\u201d Arthur\tfelt\this\tstomach\ttighten.\t\u201cI\tdo\tnot\tknow.\u201d \u201cDid\t you\t ever\t text\t him\t from\t my\t phone\t to\t let\t him\t know\t you\t were\t using\t it?\u201d Reyna\tasked.\t\u201cIf\the\tthinks\tit\u2019s\tme\the\tmight\tnot\tanswer,\tthough\tI\u2019ll\tkill\thim\tif\the ignores\tme.\u201d\tShe\tflashed\ta\thalf-hearted\tsmile,\thoping\tto\tlighten\tthe\tmood. Arthur\u2019s\t eyes\t widened\t with\t comprehension.\t \u201cWhat\t a\t fool\t am\t I!\t In\t our\t mad dash\tfor\tsupplies,\tReyna,\tI\tforget.\u201d Awkwardly,\t he\t thumbed\t in\t a\t message\t to\t Lance,\t letting\t the\t boy\t know\t that\t he was\tusing\tReyna\u2019s\tphone\tand\tto\tplease\tcontact\thim.\tThen\the\tgazed\tdeeply\tat\tthe screen\t a\t moment,\t as\t though\t expecting\t Lance\t to\t text\t right\t back.\t The\t screen remained\t blank.\t Only\t his\t reflection\t gazed\t back\t at\t him.\t The\t reflection\t of\t a distressed\tand\tguilt-ridden\tman.\tSadly,\the\tslipped\tthe\tphone\tinto\this\tpocket. Reyna\t cleared\t her\t throat.\t \u201cUm,\t isn\u2019t\t it\t time\t for\t you\t to\t call\t the\t mayor?\t You asked\tme\tto\tremind\tyou.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou,\tReyna,\tfor\tyour\thelp\tand\tyour\tloyalty.\tYou\thave\tbecome\tone\tof my\t most\ttrusted\tand\tdependable\tknights,\tand\tyou\thave\tbecome\ta\t better\tyoung woman,\tas\twell.\tI\tfeel\tgreat\tpride\tin\tthee,\tmy\tchild.\u201d\tHe\tplaced\ta\thand\tlovingly on\ther\tshoulder. Reyna\t uncharacteristically\t blushed\t with\t embarrassment.\t \u201cUm,\t thanks, Arthur,\u201d\t she\t mumbled.\t Then\t she\t placed\t both\t hands\t on\t his\t shoulders.\t \u201cWe\u2019re gonna\tfind\tLance,\tArthur,\tbelieve\tme.\tIf\the\u2019s\tnot\tback\tby\tthe\ttime\twe\tmove\tout, I\u2019ll\tgo\tlooking\tmyself,\tsoon\tas\twere\tdone.\u201d\tShe\tpaused\tand\tlowered\ther\thands\tto her\tsides.\t\u201cI\tnever\tthought\tI\tcould\ttake\torders\tfrom\tanyone,\tespecially\ta\tyoung kid\tlike\thim.\tI\talways\thad\tall\tthe\tanswers.\u201d She\t hesitated,\t and\t Arthur\t knew\t why.\t He\u2019d\t been\t told\t how\t Lance\t helped\t her make\tpeace\twith\tSalma,\thad\thelped\ther\tconnect\twith\tEsteban\ton\ta\tdeeper\tlevel than\tshe\u2019d\tever\tconnected\twith\tany\tboy,\thad\thelped\ther\tnot\tbecome\ther\tparents. \u201cThat\tboy\tis\tspecial,\tArthur,\tmore\tspecial\tthan\tanybody\tI\u2019ve\tever\tknown,\tand I\tlove\thim.\tWe\u2019ll\tget\thim\tback,\tI\tpromise.\u201d Arthur\t nodded\t with\t gratitude,\t overflowing\t with\t a\t deep\t sense\t of\t love.\t How great\t a\t gift\t he\u2019d\t been\t given\t in\t these\t amazing\t children,\t he\t thought\t for\t the umpteenth\ttime.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\tReyna,\tfor\tloving\tmy\tLance\tas\tI\tdo,\tand\tfor\tyour fealty.\u201d","She\t nodded\t and\t then\t took\t on\t a\t look\t of\t mock\t seriousness.\t \u201cAhem.\t The mayor?\u201d Arthur\t bowed.\t \u201cYes,\t ma\u2019am,\u201d\t he\t said,\t causing\t Reyna\t to\t grin.\t He\t pulled\t out her\tphone\tand\tpunched\tin\tthe\tmayor\u2019s\tnumber. Across\tfrom\tCity\tHall,\tthe\televen-story\tsheet\tstill\tcovered\tthe\tMural\tProject.\tA system\thad\tbeen\tset\tup\tutilizing\ta\tlong\tpull\tcord\tattached\tto\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tsheet and\t connecting\t to\t both\t upper\t corners.\t At\t the\t appointed\t hour,\t the\t mayor\t would pull\t the\t ripcord,\t the\t sheet\t would\t flutter\t down,\t and\t the\t mural\t would\t reveal\t its face\tto\tthe\tworld. Bleachers\t had\t been\t erected\t on\t the\t grounds\t of\t City\t Hall\t to\t accommodate crowds\t and\t dignitaries\t for\t the\t grand\t unveiling\t scheduled\t for\t tomorrow\t night. Among\t the\t setup\t paraphernalia\t along\t the\t Temple\t Street\t side\t were\t several wooden\tramps\tthat\thad\tbeen\tused\tto\troll\tthe\theavy\tbleacher\tsections\tinto\tplace and\tnow\tawaited\tremoval.\tThe\tramps\twere\trelatively\tsteep\tand\tsloped,\tattracting any\t skaters\t who\t happened\t to\t live\t in\t the\t downtown\t area.\t A\t security\t guard\t had been\tstationed\tin\tfront\tto\tmake\tsure\tno\tkids\tgot\thurt\tbefore\tthe\tramps\tcould\tbe dismantled. Even\tVillagrana\thad\tnot\tyet\tseen\tthe\tfinished\tmural,\tbut\tthen\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tto. The\tmural\twas\tjust\tan\texpensive,\ttedious\tattempt\ton\this\tpart\tto\tshow,\tpublicly\tat least,\tsolidarity\twith\tArthur\u2019s\tcrusade.\tSadly,\tall\this\tefforts\tto\tdiscredit\tthe\tman had\t backfired,\t including\t the\t school\t issue.\t The\t mayor\t intended\t to\t pursue\t that angle\tvigorously\tby\triding\tthat\tobnoxious\twoman\tteacher\ton\tevery\thome\tschool standard\t the\t state\t insisted\t upon.\t If\t nothing\t else,\t he\t hoped\t to\t burn\t her\t out\t and leave\tArthur\tstranded. Sitting\t in\t his\t office,\t Villagrana\t was\t hosting\t President\t Sanders\t and\t Chief\t of Police\tMurphy.\tThe\ttopic\tfor\tdiscussion\twas\tthe\tmural\tunveiling,\tcrowd\tcontrol, and\thow\tto\tspin\tthe\tevent\tto\ttheir\tadvantage. The\t mayor\u2019s\t secretary\t beeped\t on\t the\t intercom.\t Annoyed,\t Villagrana\t flipped the\ttalk\tswitched\tabruptly. \u201cDiane,\twhat\tpart\tof\t\u2018no\tcalls\u2019\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d\tHis\ttone\twas\tsnippier than\tusual. Diane\u2019s\t slightly\t nasal\t voice\t filtered\t in\t through\t the\t intercom.\t \u201cSorry,\t Mr. Mayor,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tKing\tArthur\ton\tthe\tline.\u201d That\tgot\tthe\tattention\tof\tall\tthree\tmen,\tand\tVillagrana\texchanged\ta\tlook\twith Sanders. \u201cSee\twhat\the\twants,\u201d\tthe\tcouncil\tpresident\tsaid\twith\ta\tshrug.","Villagrana\t picked\t up\t his\t phone\t and\t went\t instantly\t into\t his\t PR\t voice.\t \u201cKing Arthur,\twhat\ta\tpleasant\tsurprise,\u201d\the\tschmoozed.\t\u201cTo\twhat\tdo\tI\towe\tthis\thonor?\u201d Murphy\tshook\this\thead\tin\tdisgust,\tbut\tVillagrana\tignored\tit. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t understand,\u201d\t he\t said\t into\t the\t phone,\t his\t face\t clouding\t with puzzlement.\t \u201cThe\t mural\t unveiling\t is\t tomorrow,\t so\t what\u2019s\t happening\t tonight?\u201d He\tlistened\ta\tmoment,\tfrowned,\tand\tthen\tlooked\tdisgusted.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\twhat\tI\tcan do.\tIt\u2019s\trather\tshort\tnotice.\u201d\tHe\tlistened\tagain\tand\tsighed\theavily.\t\u201cVery\twell.\tI\u2019ll contact\tthe\tcouncil.\tGood-bye.\u201d He\thung\tup\tand\tsneered\tat\tthe\tphone\tin\tcontempt. \u201cWhat\twas\tthat\tall\tabout?\u201d\tSanders\tasked,\ttwiddling\this\ttie\tas\the\tspoke. \u201cHe\tsaid\tfor\tall\tof\tus,\tincluding\tthe\twhole\tcity\tcouncil,\tto\tgather\there\ttonight at\tdusk.\u201d \u201cFor\t what?\u201d\t Sanders\t asked.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t enough\t of\t a\t bitch\t to\t get\t \u2019em\t all\t here tomorrow\tnight.\u201d The\t mayor\t glared\t fiercely.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t The\t damnable\t man\t wouldn\u2019t\t say. He\tjust\tsaid\tfor\tus\tto\tbe\there\tand\twe\twould\twitness\t\u2018the\ttrue\tpower\tof\tArthur\u2019s Round\tTable\u2019.\u201d \u201cWhat\tthe\thell\u2019s\tthat\tsupposed\tto\tmean?\u201d\tChief\tMurphy\texclaimed. \u201cAs\tthough\tI\tknow?\u201d\tVillagrana\tsnapped\tin\treturn.\t\u201cYou\tbetter\thave\tyour\tmen on\thigh\talert.\u201d Murphy\tshrugged.\t\u201cYou\tgot\tit.\u201d Villagrana\t stood\t and\t gazed\t out\t the\t window,\t his\t eyes\t falling\t on\t the\t massive sheet\t just\t across\t the\t street.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t like\t this.\t Whatever\t he\t does,\t I\u2019m\t sure\t it\u2019ll make\tme\tlook\tbad.\u201d Sanders\tsmirked.\t\u201cYou\tdo\tthat\twell\tenough\ton\tyour\town,\tMr.\tMayor.\u201d The\tmayor\tturned\tand\tflashed\tan\ticy\tscowl.\t\u201cFeel\tfree\tto\tleave\tany\ttime.\u201d Sanders\trose\tand\tslipped\this\ttie\tbeneath\this\tdark\tgray\tjacket\tand\tbuttoned\tthe top\tbutton.\t\u201cMy\tpleasure.\u201d He\texited\tthe\toffice\twithout\tanother\tword. Villagrana\tglowered\tat\tMurphy.\t\u201cYou\tgot\tany\tsmart-ass\tcomments\tto\tmake?\u201d The\tchief\tjust\tshrugged\tagain.\t\u201cThis\twhole\tthing\tgets\tcrazier\tby\tthe\tminute.\tI gotta\tgo\tget\tmy\tmen\tset\tup.\tSee\tya\ttonight.\u201d The\t mayor\t grunted\t in\t reply,\t his\t mind\t already\t turned\t toward\t tonight\u2019s uncertainty.\t What\t could\t this\t king\t be\t up\t to\t now?\t What\t did\t he\t mean\t by\t power? He\theard\this\tdoor\topen\tand\tclose\tas\tthe\tchief\tleft,\tbut\this\tgaze\tremained\triveted to\t the\t enormous,\t billowing\t sheet\t across\t the\t way.\t He\t was\t losing\t control\t of\t his city. R.\t had\t promised\t to\t take\t care\t of\t it,\t but\t did\t the\t man\t know\t about\t this\t latest development?\tVillagrana\tturned\tand\tunlocked\ta\tdrawer\tof\this\tdesk,\tslipping\tout","a\tprepaid,\tcheap\tand\tdisposable\tcell\tphone.\tIt\tonly\thad\tone\tnumber\tin\tits\tphone book,\ta\tnumber\twithout\ta\tname\tattached.\tHe\tdialed\tthat\tnumber. Lance\tdreamed. The\t X\t Games\t were\t in\t full\t swing,\t and\t he\t was\t in\t the\t lead.\t One\t more\t event\t to clinch\u2014the\t Big\t Air\t Final\u2014and\t the\t gold\t would\t be\t his\t to\t claim.\t Arthur\t stood below,\tand\tJack\tand\tChris\tand\tMark.\tMark?\tYes,\this\tfirst\tfriend\tstood\tgrinning with\t the\t others,\t big\t blue\t eyes\t brimming\t with\t excitement,\t offering\t him\t that\t shy little\tsmile\tand\ta\tbig\tthumbs-up\tsign. And\tReyna\twas\tthere\ttoo.\tReyna?\tYep,\tthere\tshe\twas,\tcheering\thim\ton,\tlouder than\t the\t rest.\t Arthur\u2019s\t face\t reflected\t nothing\t but\t love\t and\t pride,\t and\t he\t raised Excalibur\tin\tsalute.\tJack\tgrinned\tand\tflexed,\tcausing\thim\tto\tlaugh.\tChris\twaved a\t small\t flag\t with\t \u201cTeam\t Lance\u201d\t emblazoned\t across\t it.\t The\t small\t boy\t cheered and\t pumped\t his\t fist,\t calling\t out,\t \u201cLance!\t Lance!\t Lance!\u201d\t Amazingly,\t many\t in the\tcrowd\techoed\tthe\tchant. He\twaved\tdown\tat\tthem\tfrom\tninety-plus\tfeet\tin\tthe\tair\tas\the\tstood\tpoised\tat the\ttop\tof\tthe\tsteepest\tramp\tin\tthe\tgames.\tNot\tonly\tdid\the\tneed\tto\tdescend\tclean and\t fast,\t he\t had\t to\t jump\t a\t sixty-five\t foot\t gap,\t land\t it,\t then\t scale\t the\t twenty- seven\tfoot\tquarter\tpipe,\tgain\tsubstantial\tair,\tgrab\this\tboard,\tand\tland\tclean.\tPiece of\tcake. He\twaited. He\tbreathed. And\tthen\the\tdropped. Whhooooosssshhh! Down\the\tflew,\tfaster\tthan\this\tearlier\trun,\tfaster\tand\tfaster\tand\tfaster,\tand\tthen he\t was\t up,\t up,\t up\t and\t out\t over\t the\t abyss.\t He\t gently\t and\t smoothly\t turned\t 180 degrees,\t sailed\t high\t and\t true\t and\t landed\t on\t the\t other\t side\t with\t a\t light\t clunk\t of wheels,\tand\tthen\tsoared\tup\tagain,\tup\tand\tup\tand\tcleared\tthe\tramp,\tdid\ta\tforward- to-fakie\t grab\t 720\t off\t the\t twenty-seven\t footer,\t spun\t three\t times\t in\t midair,\t and then\tlanded\ton\tall\tfour\twheels\tas\tsmoothly\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tollied\tover\ta\tspeed\tbump. The\tcrowd\twent\twild,\tand\tLance\tpumped\tboth\tarms\tinto\tthe\tair\tin\tunabashed triumph.\t He\t stood\t atop\t the\t smaller\t ramp,\t board\t in\t hand\t and\t gazed\t down\t at\t his fans.\tThey\tcheered\tand\tfist\tpumped\twith\tabandon.\tBut\this\tgaze\tsought\tout\tonly one\tface\u2014that\tof\tArthur.\tThe\tman\twho\u2019d\tgiven\thim\ta\tnew\tlife,\twho\tmeant\tmore to\thim\tthan\tanyone\tin\tthe\tworld,\twas\tshedding\ttears\tof\tjoy\tas\the\tgazed\tupward, waving\tExcalibur\texcitedly. Lance\u2019s\tscore\twas\tannounced,\ta\t96.3,\tand\tthe\tcrowd\tlet\tout\tanother\tdeafening","roar.\tLance\tbeamed\twith\tpride. He\u2019d\tdone\tit! He\u2019d\twon\tthe\tgold. He\t barely\t felt\t the\t elevator\t ride\t to\t the\t ground,\t but\t immediately\t saw\t Arthur approaching,\ta\thuge\tgrin\ton\this\tface.\tWarmth\tenveloped\tLance\tas\the\twelcomed the\t crushing\t hug\t to\t come,\t but\t instead\t shook\t with\t astonishment\t to\t feel\t a\t hand slap\this\tface.\tHard.\tAnd\tthen\tagain. And\tthen\the\twoke\tup. His\tface\tburned.\tFrom\thumiliation?\tNo,\tit\thurt!\tHe\treally\thad\t been\tslapped. Groggily,\this\tvision\tbegan\tto\tclear. \u201cThat\u2019s\t enough,\u201d\t he\t heard\t a\t cold,\t vaguely\t familiar\t voice\t intone\t as\t though from\tfar\taway.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tdamage\tthat\tpretty\tface,\tnow\tdo\twe?\u201d His\tvision\tcleared.\tA\tyoung\tAsian\tguy\twith\tclose-cropped\thair,\twearing\tblack pants\t and\t a\t black\t turtleneck\t shirt\t stood\t before\t him,\t hand\t poised\t as\t though\t to strike\t again.\t Lance\t flinched\t back,\t but\t the\t hand\t lowered,\t and\t the\t young\t man stepped\taway\tout\tof\this\tfield\tof\tvision,\tsomewhere\tbehind\thim. And\t then\t Lance\t felt\t the\t pressure\t on\t his\t arms\t and\t hands,\t and\t a\t new\t wave\t of panic\tassailed\thim.\tHe\twas\ttied\tto\ta\tchair!\tA\tstiff,\twooden,\tstraight-backed\tchair. What\tthe\u2026?\tWait\ta\tminute\u2026.\tHe\tand\tJack\thad\tbeen\twrestling\u2026\tthen\tthere\twas something\tover\this\tmouth\tand\tnose,\tand\ta\tweird,\tsickly\tkind\tof\tsmell\u2026. He\tlooked\taround\t frantically,\tstruggling\tagainst\t the\tbonds\tthat\theld\thim.\tHe was\tin\tsome\tkind\tof\toffice,\tand\tJack\twas\tsimilarly\ttied\tto\ta\tchair\tin\tfront\tof\thim, regaining\tconsciousness.\tThe\tbigger\tboy\u2019s\teyes\topened\twide\twhen\the\tsaw\tLance tied\tup,\tand\the,\ttoo,\tstruggled\tto\tescape,\tbut\teven\this\twell-muscled\tarms\twere\tno match\tfor\tthe\trestraints. \u201cIt\t took\t you\t two\t long\t enough\t to\t wake\t up\u201d\t came\t that\t cold,\t steely\t voice\t to Lance\u2019s\tright. He\t whipped\t his\t head\t around,\t groaning\t in\t fear\t as\t he\t saw\t Mr.\t R.\t seated\t at\t a large,\texpensive-looking\tdesk,\twith\ta\tsmall\tAsian\tguy\tbeside\thim. \u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tis\tthis?\u201d\the\tshouted,\this\tbreath\traspy\tfrom\tthe\tchloroform. R.\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t mock\t offense.\t \u201cSuch\t language\t from\t a\t knight\t of\t the Round\tTable.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\thave\tthat,\tcan\twe?\u201d He\tnodded\tto\tthe\tyoung\tAsian\tstanding\tbehind\tJack,\tdressed\texactly\tthe\tsame as\t the\t one\t who\u2019d\t slapped\t Lance.\t The\t Asian\t stepped\t around\t Jack\t and\t without warning\t hauled\t off\t to\t plant\t a\t pile-driving\t fist\t hard\t into\t the\t boy\u2019s\t gut.\t Jack grunted\tin\tpain,\tand\tdoubled\tover\tin\tthe\tchair,\tgagging\tand\tspluttering. Lance\tblanched\twith\tfury.\t\u201cLeave\thim\talone!\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tlearn\tvery\tfast,\tdo\tyou,\tPretty\tBoy?\u201d The\t young\t Asian\t slugged\t Jack\t hard\t to\t the\t jaw,\t snapping\t his\t head\t back\t and","causing\tit\tto\tstrike\tthe\tback\tof\this\tchair\twith\ta\tloud\tthunk. Jack\tgroaned\tin\tagony,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcry\tout.\tHe\tmerely\tglared\tat\this\tassailant with\tdefiant\tfury. \u201cNo!\u201d\tscreamed\tLance.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\thurt\thim!\tI\u2019m\tsorry,\tokay.\u201d R.\texchanged\ta\tlook\twith\tthe\tsmall\tAsian.\t\u201cI\tknew\the\u2019d\tget\tit\teventually.\u201d\tHe smiled,\treminding\tLance\tof\ta\trattlesnake\tcoiling\tto\tstrike. Lance\t gazed\t at\t Jack,\t who\t looked\t dazed\t and\t muddled,\t blood\t trickling\t from\t a cut\ton\this\tlip,\tpurple\tbruise\talready\tblooming\ton\this\tcheek,\tand\this\theart\tached for\this\tfriend.\tHe\tknew\tR.\u2014Jack\tdidn\u2019t\u2014and\the\tknew\tthey\twere\tin\treal\tdanger. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant,\tR.?\u201d\tLance\tasked\twarily. \u201cThat\u2019s\tMr.\tR.\tto\tyou,\tPretty\tBoy.\u201d\tIf\ta\tvoice\tcould\treplicate\tice,\tthis\tone\twas it. Lance\teyed\tthe\tyoung\tAsian\tin\tfront\tof\tJack,\tand\tadded,\t\u201cSorry,\tMr.\tR.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t much\t better,\t Pretty\t Boy,\u201d\t R.\t continued,\t his\t voice\t cold\t and\t smooth. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tgetting\tfar\ttoo\tuppity\tsince\tjoining\tthat\tcrazy\tman.\tA\tchild\tshould respect\this\telders,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tagree,\tMr.\tL.?\u201d The\t Mr.\t L.\t guy\t nodded\t silently,\t his\t cold,\t dead\t brown\t eyes\t fixed\t on\t Lance, making\thim\tsquirm\tlike\ta\tbug\tpinned\tto\ta\ttable. \u201cArthur\u2019s\tnot\tcrazy,\u201d\tLance\tsaid,\tbut\tkept\this\ttone\tneutral,\tconversational. He\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tJack\tgetting\thurt\tbecause\tof\thim. \u201cNo?\t What\t else\t would\t you\t call\t a\t man\t who\t thinks\t children\t should\t have\t the rights\tof\tadults,\thmm?\u201d Lance\t remained\t silent.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what\t to\t say,\t and\t feared\t arousing\t the man\u2019s\tanger\teven\tmore. R.\teyed\thim\twith\tamusement.\t\u201cDo\tI\tfrighten\tyou,\tPretty\tBoy?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Lance\t lied,\t lowering\t his\t eyes\t and\t glancing\t over\t at\t Jack,\t who\t looked furious.\t He\t flicked\t his\t gaze\t at\t the\t older\t boy\u2014a\t warning:\t don\u2019t\t do\t anything stupid! \u201cNo?\u201d\t R.\t repeated\t in\t mock\t shock.\t \u201cThen\t you\u2019re\t dumber\t than\t I\t thought, because\tyou\tshould\tbe.\tYou\tknow\tcomic\tbooks?\u201d The\tquestion\tcaught\tLance\toff\tguard.\t\u201cYeah.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tknow\tLex\tLuthor?\u201d Lance\tnodded. \u201cNot\t the\t pantywaist\t from\t those\t movies,\u201d\t R.\t went\t on,\t obviously\t enjoying himself,\t\u201cNo,\tthe\tportrayal\tin\tthe\tcomics.\tHe\truled\this\tcity\twith\tan\tiron\tfist,\tjust as\t I\t rule\t Los\t Angeles.\t Only\t I\u2019m\t much\t more\t deadly.\t Let\u2019s\t just\t say\t I\t make\t Lex Luthor\tlook\tlike\tMother\tTeresa.\u201d Lance\t nodded,\t pretending\t to\t understand\t the\t comparison,\t even\t though\t he hadn\u2019t\tthe\tslightest\tidea\twho\tMother\tTeresa\twas.","R.\t stood\t and\t stepped\t toward\t the\t two\t boys,\t standing\t in\t between\t them.\t He gazed\ta\tmoment\tin\tcontempt\tat\tJack\tand\tthen\tturned\tto\tLance. \u201cThis\tis\tmy\tcity,\tPretty\tBoy,\u201d\tR.\tsaid\twith\temphasis.\t\u201cDo\tyou\treally\tthink\tI\u2019m going\tto\tallow\tsome\tnutjob\twith\ta\tsword\tto\ttake\tit\tfrom\tme?\tEspecially\twith\tan army\tof\tchildren?\u201d He\t laughed,\t and\t Lance\u2019s\t blood\t ran\t cold.\t It\t was\t the\t most\t frightening\t sound he\u2019d\tever\theard. \u201cYour\tArthur\tis\ta\tbigger\tfool\tthan\tall\tthe\tother\tbleeding\thearts\twho\tthink\tthey can\t give\t this\t country\t back\t to\t the\t people.\t This\t country\t belongs\t to\t the\t rich\t and powerful,\tto\tmen\tlike\tme\twho\twill\tdo\tanything\tto\tget\twhat\twe\twant.\tYou\treally think\tright\tcan\tovercome\tmight?\tOnly\ta\tchild\twould\tthink\tthat.\tMight,\twhen\tone has\t no\t scruples\t about\t its\t use,\t will\t always\t crush\t right,\t my\t pretty\t little\t friend, because\t right\t is\t weak,\t and\t it\u2019s\t weak\t because\t it\t has\t scruples.\t You\t getting\t the picture\there?\u201d Lance\tnodded.\tThe\tman\twas\tcrazy;\tthat\twas\tthe\tpicture\the\twas\tgetting,\tcrazy and\t deadly.\t But\t could\t he\t also\t be\t correct\t about\t might\t and\t right?\t That\t question drifted\t briefly\t through\t his\t troubled\t brain.\t Arthur\t and\t his\t knights\t would\t never resort\tto\thurting\tpeople\tto\tachieve\ttheir\tgoals,\tbut\tthis\tman,\tand\tothers\tlike\thim, wouldn\u2019t\teven\thesitate.\tDid\tthat\tmean\tArthur\u2019s\tcrusade\twas\tdoomed\tto\tfail?\tHe didn\u2019t\teven\twant\tto\tgo\tthere. Ra.\tlooked\tfrom\tLance\tto\tJack\tand\tshook\this\thead\tin\tdisgust.\tThen\the\tspat\tin Jack\u2019s\t upturned\t face,\t the\t spittle\t dribbling\t from\t the\t boy\u2019s\t left\t eye\t down\t his bruised\tcheek. Jack\treared\this\thead\tback\tin\tfury.\t\u201cThe\thell?\u201d R.\tnodded\tto\tthe\tyoung\tAsian,\twho\tdelivered\tanother\tcrushing\tblow\tto\tJack\u2019s midsection.\t He\t doubled\t over\t again\t as\t the\t air\t spewed\t from\t his\t lungs,\t and\t he coughed\tand\tgagged,\tfighting\tto\tregain\this\tbreath. \u201cPlease!\u201d\t Lance\t begged,\t tears\t leaping\t unbidden\t to\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cLeave\t him alone!\tPlease.\tHit\tme\tinstead.\tI\u2019m\tthe\tone\tyou\talways\twanted\tanyway.\u201d \u201cOnce\tupon\tI\ttime,\tI\tbelieved\tyou\tcould\tbe\tof\tuse\tto\tme,\tPretty\tBoy.\tNot\tnow. Not\tsince\tyou\u2019ve\tacquired\tyour\tboyfriend\tover\there.\u201d The\t blood\t drained\t from\t Lance\u2019s\t face,\t and\t he\t nearly\t cussed\t the\t man\t out. Control,\t Lance,\t he\t whispered\t to\t himself,\t control.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t not\t my\t boyfriend.\t He\u2019s my\tbest\tfriend.\u201d R.\tsmiled\twickedly.\t\u201cMy\tsources\ttell\tme\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tquite\tchummy\twith\tthis disgusting\tfaggot,\tand\tthat\tmakes\tyou\tno\tbetter.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\t not\t a\t faggot,\u201d\t Lance\t said\t evenly,\t struggling\t to\t maintain\t control.\t \u201cA faggot\tis\ta\tstick\tof\twood.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tboy,\tand\the\u2019s\tmy\tfriend.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\twhere\tyou\u2019re\twrong,\tPretty\tBoy.\tA\tstick\tof\twood\tis\tworth\tmore\tthan","all\tthe\tfaggots\tin\tthe\tworld.\tIf\tI\thad\tmy\tway,\tI\u2019d\tline\t\u2019em\tall\tup\tand\tshoot\tthem! So\tdon\u2019t\tpush\tyour\tluck,\tif\tyou\twant\tyour\tboyfriend\tto\tlive.\u201d The\t chilling,\t matter-of-fact\t tone\t of\t voice\t terrified\t Lance.\t This\t man\t meant what\the\tsaid,\tand\thad\ta\treputation\tfor\tno\tmercy\ttoward\tanyone. R.\t adjusted\t the\t lapels\t on\t his\t fancy\t suit\t and\t ran\t one\t hand\t through\t his\t slicked back\thair,\tcomposing\thimself.\t\u201cNow\tthen,\tPretty\tBoy,\there\u2019s\tthe\tdeal.\tI\u2019m\tgoing to\tcrush\tyour\tKing\tArthur\tand\this\tinfantile\tmovement,\tand\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\thelp me.\u201d Lance\tshook\this\thead\tvehemently.\t\u201cNever.\u201d R.\t leaned\t in\t and\t planted\t his\t face\t right\t in\t front\t of\t Lance\u2019s,\t causing\t him\t to squirm.\t\u201cYou\treally\tbelieve\tthat\tman\tcares\tabout\tyou?\u201d \u201cArthur\tloves\tme.\u201d Does\the? \u201cLike\t all\t adults,\t he\t loves\t what\t you\t children\t can\t do\t for\t him.\t You\u2019re\t nothing more\tthan\ta\ttool,\ta\tmeans\tto\tan\tend\tfor\thim.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t not\t true!\t He\t loves\t me.\t Check\t my\t phone.\t I\t bet\t you\u2019ll\t find\t a\t grip\t of messages\the\tsent.\u201d I\thope! R.\tnodded.\t\u201cMr.\tL.?\u201d Mr.\tL.\tplucked\tLance\u2019s\tcell\tphone\toff\tthe\tdesk,\ttossing\tit\tto\tR. \u201cThis\tyour\tphone?\u201d\tHe\theld\tit\tout\tto\tLance. Lance\tnodded,\tpraying\tArthur\thadn\u2019t\tgiven\tup\ton\thim,\tpraying\tthat\tJack\tand Lady\tJenny\twere\tright. You\tshould\u2019ve\tresponded\tto\this\tother\ttexts,\tfool! R.\topened\tthe\ttext\tmessages\tand\teyed\tthem\twithout\texpression. There\twere\tten\tmessages\tfrom\tArthur,\tall\tbegging\tLance\tto\tcall\thim.\tThe\tlast one\tread:\t\u201cMy\tdear\tLance,\tI\ttruly\tthink\tof\tthee\tas\tmy\tson,\tand\tI\tlove\tyou\tmore than\tanything.\tReturn\tto\tme,\tplease.\tI\tneed\tyou.\u201d R.\t subtly\t tapped\t the\t \u201cSelect\t All\u201d\t key\t and\t then\t slipped\t his\t thumb\t over\t the word\t\u201cDelete.\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead,\taffecting\ta\tlook\tof\tmock\tsadness.\tHe\theld\tthe phone\tout. Lance\u2019s\theart\tsank.\tNothing.\tNo\tmessages.\tHad\the\tbeen\tforgotten\tafter\tall?\tIf so,\tR.\tmight\tas\twell\tkill\thim\tnow,\tbecause\tthere\twas\tnothing\tleft\tto\tlive\tfor.\tHe lowered\this\thead\tin\tsorrow.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\tworthy,\tafter\tall. R.\t affected\t a\t look\t of\t pity.\t \u201cWhat\t did\t I\t tell\t you,\t eh?\t Now\t that\t you\t see\t who your\treal\tfather\tis,\twill\tyou\thelp\tme?\u201d Lance\tglared\tat\thim.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tmy\tfather,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tnever\thelp\tyou!\u201d \u201cAs\tyou\twish.\u201d The\tyoung\tAsian\thauled\toff\tand\tslugged\tJack\thard\tagain\tto\tthe\tface,\tthis\ttime","to\t the\t other\t cheek.\t Jack\u2019s\t head\t snapped\t over\t and\t he\t sagged\t a\t moment,\t looking like\the\tmight\tlose\tconsciousness.\tBut\the\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tcry\tout. \u201cNo!\u201d\t Lance\t screamed,\t fighting\t and\t twisting\t against\t the\t rope\t binding\t him. More\ttears\twelled\tin\this\teyes\tas\tJack\u2019s\thead\tlolled\tto\tone\tside.\tHis\tfriend\tlooked semiconscious. \u201cWell?\u201d\tR.\tsaid,\tturning\tto\tdrive\this\tsoulless\tgaze\tinto\tLance\u2019s\teyes. Lance\tdropped\this\thead\tin\tshame.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tdo?\u201d \u201cNo,\tLance!\u201d\tJack\trasped,\tspitting\tout\tblood\tin\tthe\tprocess.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\thelp\thim!\u201d Lance\tlocked\teyes\twith\tthose\tof\this\tbest\tfriend.\t\u201cThey\u2019ll\tkill\tyou\tif\tI\tdon\u2019t.\u201d And\tI\tcan\u2019t\tlose\tyou,\ttoo! \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare!\u201d\tJack\tinsisted,\teyes\tburning\twith\tdetermination.\t\u201cThe\tneeds\tof the\twhole\tcompany,\tremember?\u201d R.\teyed\tthe\texchange\tcuriously. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tlet\tthem\tkeep\thurting\tyou.\u201d \u201cA\twise\tdecision,\tPretty\tBoy,\u201d\tR.\tsaid\twith\ta\tsmirk. \u201cMy\t name\t is\t Sir\t Lance,\u201d\t the\t boy\t responded\t in\t a\t clear,\t but\t nonchallenging voice. R.\tlaughed.\t\u201cOh\tyes,\tof\tcourse.\tHe\twants\tto\tbe\tSir\tLance\tnow,\tMr.\tL.\tWhat\tdo you\tthink\tof\tthat?\u201d Mr.\tL.\tjust\tshrugged. R.\t turned\t back\t to\t Lance.\t \u201cVery\t well,\t then,\t Sir\t Lance.\u201d\t The\t voice\t oozed sarcasm.\t \u201cI\t happen\t to\t know\t that\t something\t big\t is\t going\t down\t tonight.\t What\t is it?\u201d That\twas\tnews\tto\tLance.\tHe\tshook\this\thead,\tmystified.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019\tknow.\u201d R.\tnodded\tto\tthe\tyoung\tAsian,\twho\traised\this\tfist\ttoward\tJack\tyet\tagain.\tJack didn\u2019t\teven\tflinch;\tjust\tmad-dogged\tthe\tguy. \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t lying!\u201d\t Lance\t called\t out,\t and\t the\t movement\t of\t the\t fist\t stopped.\t \u201cI haven\u2019t\tbeen\tthere\tin\ta\tcouple\tof\tdays.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton.\u201d R.\tgazed\tlong\tand\thard\tat\thim.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tyou.\u201d He\tnodded\tagain,\tand\tthe\tyoung\tAsian\tprepared\tto\tstrike\tJack. \u201cHe\u2019s\t telling\t the\t truth!\u201d\t Jack\t shouted\t before\t the\t fist\t could\t fall,\t eyes\t glaring with\tcontempt\tat\tR. R.\twaved\tthe\tAsian\taway.\t\u201cSo,\tthe\tfaggot\tspeaks.\tTell\tme,\tfaggot,\twhy\tshould I\tbelieve\ta\tdisgusting\tpervert\tlike\tyou?\u201d Jack\t spit\t out\t more\t blood\t and\t returned\t his\t furious\t gaze\t to\t the\t man\t standing before\t him.\t \u201cBecause\t it\u2019s\t true.\t Lance\t wasn\u2019t\t there\t when\t Arthur\t made\t those plans,\tbut\tI\twas.\u201d \u201cJack!\u201d\t Lance\t shouted\t out\t in\t horror,\t knowing\t what\t his\t friend\t was\t trying\t to do.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tworry\tabout\tme.\u201d","R.\tleaned\tcloser\tto\tJack.\t\u201cSo,\tqueer\tboy,\ttell\tme\twhat\the\u2019s\tplanning.\u201d \u201cHell,\tno!\tYou\tmay\tas\twell\tkill\tme.\u201d \u201cNo,\t Jack!\u201d\t screamed\t Lance,\t fighting\t and\t struggling\t against\t his\t bonds.\t \u201cHe will\tkill\tyou!\tPlease!\u201d Jack\tshook\this\thead\tdefiantly. R.\tsmirked.\t\u201cVery\twell.\u201d Now\t he\t nodded\t to\t the\t other\t young\t Asian.\t With\t lightning\t speed,\t the\t man hauled\t off\t and\t pounded\t a\t sledgehammer\t fist\t into\t Lance\u2019s\t gut\t before\t he\t even knew\t it\t was\t coming.\t He\t doubled\t over\t as\t pain\t ripped\t through\t him,\t the\t air pumped\t instantly\t from\t his\t lungs.\t Gasping\t for\t breath,\t he\t mentally\t thanked\t Jack for\tthe\tincessant\tcrunches\tthe\tolder\tboy\thad\tmade\thim\tdo,\tfor\the\twas\tsure\tthey\u2019d saved\thim\tfrom\tpermanent\tdamage. \u201cNo!\u201d\t Jack\t shrieked\t in\t anguish\t as\t Lance\t spluttered\t and\t fought\t to\t sit\t up straight.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\thurt\thim,\tplease\tdon\u2019t\thurt\thim!\u201d \u201cI\tlove\tto\thear\tfaggots\tbeg,\tdon\u2019t\tyou,\tMr.\tL.?\u201d Mr.\tL.\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer,\tbecause\tit\tobviously\twasn\u2019t\texpected. R.\tturned\tback\tto\tJack.\t\u201cWell?\u201d Lance\tmet\tJack\u2019s\teyes,\tand\tknew\this\tfriend\twould\tdo\tanything\tto\tprotect\thim, even\tbetray\tthe\tcrusade. \u201cArthur\u2019s\tgot\ta\tbig\toperation\tgoing\tdown\tagainst\ta\tbunch\tof\tcrack\thouses\tand meth\tlabs\taround\ttown.\u201d R.\tlost\this\tgrin.\t\u201cWhich\tones?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d R.\tfrowned. \u201cReally,\tI\tdon\u2019t!\tI\twas\tout\tlooking\tfor\tLance\twhen\tthey\tsettled\ton\ttargets,\tand I\u2019m\t not\t part\t of\t any\t team.\t I\t swear\t it.\t That\u2019s\t all\t I\t know.\u201d\t He\t glanced\t over\t at Lance,\twho\tstared\tback\tuncertainly. R.\tpaced\ta\tmoment.\t\u201cOkay,\tso\twe\twarn\tour\tpeople.\tWhat\twas\tArthur\tplanning to\tdo\tafter\tthis\toperation?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\texactly,\tbut\the\twas\tgonna\tbe\tat\tCity\tHall\tto\tcall\tout\tthe\tmayor on\tsomething.\tThat\u2019s\teverything\tI\tknow.\u201d\tJack\tlowered\this\thead\tin\tshame. R.\texchanged\ta\tsilent\tlook\twith\tL.,\tand\tthen\trubbed\this\tfingers\tacross\this\tchin, as\tthough\tcontemplating\tsomething.\t\u201cI\thave\theard\ta\trumor\tthat\tso\tlong\tas\tArthur holds\tExcalibur,\the\tcannot\tbe\tkilled.\u201d Lance\tinvoluntarily\tflicked\this\tgaze\tup\tto\tR.\tand\tthen\tjust\tas\tquickly\tlowered it\tto\tthe\tfloor.\tHe\tnoted\tJack\tdoing\tthe\tsame. R.\tsmiled.\t\u201cI\tsee\tyou\thave,\ttoo.\u201d Lance\t fought\t to\t meet\t the\t man\u2019s\t gaze.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t you\u2019re\t talking about.\u201d","R.\t laughed\t hollowly.\t \u201cI\t may\t have\t use\t of\t you\t both\t later,\t for\t negotiation purposes,\t if\t the\t plan\t I\u2019m\t forming\t in\t my\t brilliant\t mind\t doesn\u2019t\t quite\t come\t off. For\tnow,\tyour\tlives\tremain\tyours.\u201d He\t nodded\t to\t the\t two\t young\t Asians,\t who\t quickly\t set\t about\t untying\t the\t boys from\ttheir\tchairs. \u201cPut\tthem\tin\tthe\tholding\ttank\tfor\tnow.\u201d Lance\tand\tJack,\thands\tstill\tbound\tbehind\ttheir\tbacks,\twere\tpushed\ttoward\tthe door\t Before\t they\t made\t it\t very\t far\t down\t the\t hall,\t Lance\t overhead\t the\t two\t men talking. \u201cYou\thave\ta\tplan?\u201d That\twas\tthe\tL.\tguy. \u201cHave\t your\t boys\t ready,\t Mr.\t L.\t The\t best\t you\t have.\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t call\t in Santiago.\u201d The\toffice\tdoor\tclosed,\tand\tLance\theard\tno\tmore. The\t holding\t tank\t turned\t out\t to\t be\t a\t small\t bathroom\t with\t a\t stainless\t steel\t sink and\ttoilet,\tbut\tno\twindows\tand\tno\tfurniture.\tTheir\thands\twere\tuntied\tjust\toutside the\t door,\t and\t then\t Lance\t and\t Jack\t were\t tossed\t into\t the\t room\t like\t bags\t of garbage,\t the\t door\t slamming\t shut\t behind\t them.\t A\t lock\t clicked,\t and\t receding footsteps\tcame\tto\tLance\u2019s\tears. Lance\tlanded\ton\ttop\tof\tJack,\twho\tlay\tpinned\tbeneath\thim\tgroaning\tin\tpain. \u201cYou\ttrying\tto\tseduce\tme,\tLance?\tI\tthink\tit\u2019s\tworking.\u201d\tHe\ttried\tfor\ta\tlaugh, but\twinced\tinstead. Lance\t clambered\t off\t and\t carefully\t wrapped\t his\t arms\t under\t Jack\u2019s,\t dragging the\tmuch\theavier\tboy\ttoward\tthe\twall. \u201cThank\tGod\tfor\tthose\tworkout\tsessions,\u201d\the\tgrunted\tas\the\theaved\this\tbattered friend\tupright\tand\tleaned\thim\tagainst\tthe\twall. \u201cYep.\t Lance\t the\t Animal.\u201d\t Jack\t tried\t for\t another\t laugh,\t but\t ended\t up grimacing\twith\tpain. \u201cDon\u2019t\tmove,\u201d\tLance\tinstructed\tas\the\tgrabbed\tsome\ttoilet\tpaper.\tWetting\tthe paper\tin\tthe\ttiny\tmetal\tsink,\the\ttenderly\twiped\tthe\tblood\tfrom\tJack\u2019s\tbruised\tand battered\tface.\tHe\tfelt\tlike\tcrying\tand\tscreaming\tin\trage\tfor\twhat\thad\tbeen\tdone to\this\tfriend. Jack\twinced\tas\tLance\ttouched\tone\tcheek\twith\tthe\tblood-soaked\ttissue. \u201cOh,\tJack,\tI\u2019m\tso\tsorry.\tThis\tis\tall\tmy\tfault!\u201d Jack\t gaped\t in\t surprise.\t \u201cYou\t seem\t to\t want\t everything\t to\t be\t your\t fault.\t Not healthy,\tmy\tfriend.\u201d","\u201cIt\tis\tmy\tfault,\tJack,\u201d\tLance\twent\ton\tmorosely.\t\u201cIf\tI\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tacting\tlike\ta baby\tand\trunning\taway,\twe\u2019d\tbe\thome\twith\tArthur\tand\tnot\there.\u201d\tDamn,\the\twas screwing\teverything\tup!\t\u201cNow\tR.\tknows\tabout\tArthur\u2019s\tplans.\u201d Jack\tmouthed,\t\u201cNot\tall\tof\tthem.\u201d Lance\u2019s\t eyes\t flew\t open\t with\t surprise,\t and\t he\t looked\t around\t as\t though expecting\tcameras\tor\tbugs\tto\tbe\tevident. Jack\t waved\t him\t in\t close,\t and\t when\t Lance\t put\t his\t ear\t to\t Jack\u2019s\t lips,\t Jack whispered\tsomething\tthat\tmade\thim\tsmile.\tIt\twas\tsomething,\tafter\tall. Pulling\t away,\t Lance\t returned\t to\t wiping\t off\t Jack\u2019s\t face,\t terrified\t that\t they really\thad\tbetrayed\tArthur,\teven\tif\tit\thad\tbeen\tunintentional. \u201cWe\tgave\tit\taway,\tdidn\u2019t\twe?\u201d\the\twhispered.\t\u201cArthur\u2019s\tweakness.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tso.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d Lance\tgazed\tat\this\tfriend.\t\u201cWe\tboth\tblew\tthat\tone.\tWe\tgotta\tfind\tsome\tway\tto warn\thim.\u201d Jack\t nodded,\t and\t they\t lapsed\t into\t a\t brooding\t silence,\t Lance\t contemplating their\tfuture,\tand\tthat\tof\tthe\tentire\tRound\tTable. It\t was\t late\t afternoon,\t and\t The\t Hub\t was\t a\t hive\t of\t activity.\t The\t main\t teams\t had been\t sent\t out\t to\t set\t their\t traps\t and\t await\t Arthur\u2019s\t signal.\t Six\t hundred\t knights had\t trooped\t into\t and\t out\t of\t the\t dry\t riverbed,\t gathering\t up\t their\t equipment\t and joining\ttheir\tassigned\tteammates.\tThe\tother\tfour\thundred\thad\tbeen\tinstructed\tto rendezvous\tat\tCity\tHall\tby\tseven\to\u2019clock. Everyone\t was\t excited\t and\t anxious,\t knowing\t that\t this\t undertaking\t would\t be fraught\twith\tdanger. Arthur\t had\t directed\t them\t to\t get\t into\t position\t and\t wait.\t \u201cAt\t my\t command, initiate\t operations.\t Use\t caution\t at\t all\t times,\t my\t noble\t knights.\t Tonight\t ye\t be marching\tinto\thistory,\tbut\tI\tcannot\tlose\tany\tmore\tof\tyou.\u201d A\tfew\thad\tinquired\tabout\tLance,\tbut\tin\tthe\tbustle\tof\tpreparations,\tthe\tquestion died\t a\t quiet\t death.\t It\t was,\t however,\t never\t far\t from\t Arthur\u2019s\t mind,\t or\t his\t heart. Reyna\t and\t Chris\t stayed\t by\t his\t side\t as\t the\t teams\t formed\t and\t marched\t away\t to meet\ttheir\tdestiny. Esteban\t and\t Reyna\u2019s\t team\t was\t the\t last\t to\t depart.\t The\t remaining\t archers\t and swordsmen\twould\ttravel\twith\tArthur. \u201cEverything\tbe\tready,\tArthur,\u201d\tEsteban\tsaid\tafter\tsending\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tteams on\ttheir\tway,\ttossing\tReyna\ta\tconfident\tgrin.\tShe\tgrinned\tright\tback. Arthur\t nodded,\t eyeing\t Esteban\t appraisingly.\t When\t he\u2019d\t first\t joined\t the crusade,\t the\t boy\t had\t been\t bald.\t Now\t his\t hair\t had\t grown\t out,\t accentuating\t his","handsome\tgood\tlooks.\tBut\tmore\timportantly,\the\tseemed\tto\thave\tgrown\tover\tthe past\tfew\tmonths,\tnot\tphysically,\tbut\tin\tmaturity.\tDespite\tthe\tcallous\tjoke\tEsteban had\tmade\tat\tMark\u2019s\texpense,\tArthur\tstill\tsaw\tenormous\tpotential\tin\tthis\tboy\twho not\tso\tmany\tmonths\tago\thad\tfelt\tlittle\thope\tfor\ta\tfuture\tof\tvalue. \u201cI\tthank\tyou,\tSir\tEsteban,\tfor\tthy\tknowledge\tand\tleadership\ton\tthis\tcampaign. You\t have\t grown\t much\t these\t past\t months,\t and\t I\t am\t deeply\t honored\t by\t your loyalty.\u201d Esteban\tstood\ta\tmoment,\tspeechless. Arthur\tsaw\thumility\tin\tthose\tbrown\teyes. \u201cOh,\t well,\t uh,\t thanks,\t Arthur.\t It\t weren\u2019t\t so\t much.\t I\t know\t these\t streets\t real good\tand\u2014\u201d Arthur\t held\t up\t a\t hand\t to\t stop\t him.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t did\t not\t have\t to\t join\t us\t against some\t who\t were\t in\t the\t past\t thine\t allies.\t And\t you\t have\t been\t masterful\t in organizing\tthese\tteams.\tAgain,\tI\tthank\tyou.\u201d Esteban\tnodded,\this\teyes\tflicking\tup\tto\tthose\tof\tReyna. She\trolled\ther\town\teyes\tand\tlaughed.\t\u201cHis\tego\u2019s\tbig\tenough,\tArthur,\u201d\tshe\tsaid with\ta\tgrin,\t\u201cdon\u2019t\tmake\tit\tworse.\u201d\tThen\tshe\tfrowned.\t\u201cAny\tword\ton\tLance?\u201d Arthur\tshook\this\thead. \u201cDon\u2019t\t worry,\t Arthur,\t he\u2019ll\t be\t back\t and\t in\t charge,\u201d\t Esteban\t assured\t him. \u201cThat\t kid\t kicks\t a\u2014I\t mean\t butt,\t and\t he\u2019s\t smart,\t and\t he\u2019s\t got\t mad\t talking\t skills and\u2026.\u201d\tHe\ttrailed\toff,\tstruggling\tfor\tthe\tright\twords.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tjust\tthe\tright\tone\tfor the\tjob,\tArthur,\tyou\tknow?\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\tindeed.\u201d Reyna\tgaped\tat\tEsteban\tand\tthen\tshook\ther\thead\tin\tamazement. Despite\t his\t fears\t for\t Lance\t and\t Jack,\t Arthur\t smiled.\t Esteban\u2019s\t words\t helped assuage\t some\t of\t his\t guilt\t over\t replacing\t Lance,\t even\t temporarily.\t He\t studied Esteban\tand\tReyna,\tso\topposite\tand\tyet\tso\tperfectly\tsuited\tfor\tone\tanother.\tThey had\tcome\ta\tlong\tway\tin\ta\tshort\tperiod\tof\ttime. \u201cGodspeed,\t my\t knights.\t Tonight\t we\t take\t a\t major\t step\t toward\t the\t future\t of your\tcity.\u201d They\tnodded\tand\twent\toff\tto\tgather\ttheir\tteam. The\tHub\tstill\tbuzzed\twith\tthe\tremaining\tarmor-clad\tboys,\twho\tclutched\ttheir weapons\tand\tadjusted\teach\tother\u2019s\tchain\tmail\tor\tbreastplates. Arthur\t spotted\t Chris\t struggling\t into\t his\t chain-mail\t shirt.\t His\t mind\t flashed back\t several\t months\t to\t Lance,\t struggling\t with\t his\t helm.\t He\t slipped\t Reyna\u2019s phone\t from\t his\t pocket\t and\t checked\t the\t messages\t for\t the\t hundredth\t time. Nothing.\tSighing,\the\tstepped\tover\tto\tChris\tand\tsquatted\tbefore\tthe\tboy. \u201cThou\t shalt\t be\t at\t my\t side\t this\t night,\t Sir\t Christopher,\u201d\t he\t said,\t adjusting\t the chain\t mail\t and\t slipping\t a\t helm\t one\t size\t too\t large\t over\t the\t boy\u2019s\t small\t blond","head.\t\u201cI\tshall\tprotect\tthee.\u201d Chris\t smiled,\t but\t his\t big\t blue\t eyes\t begat\t sadness\t all\t the\t same.\t \u201cI\t know\t that, Arthur.\tI\tjust\twish\u2026.\u201d Arthur\t nodded,\t knowing\t exactly\t what\t the\t boy\t wished.\t \u201cI\t wish\t they\t be\t here with\tus\ttoo,\tmy\tboy.\u201d\tHe\tgripped\tthe\tchild\tby\tthe\tshoulders\tand\tsqueezed\tgently. Chris\u2019s\t eyes\t suddenly\t went\t wide,\t and\t Arthur\t stood\t to\t whirl\t around,\t hoping against\thope\tthat\tLance\twould\tbe\tthere. But\tit\twas\tJenny.\tShe\tstood\tbefore\thim\twearing\tjeans\tand\ta\tsweatshirt,\tblonde hair\t falling\t loosely\t about\t her\t shoulders,\t her\t lovely\t eyes\t and\t mouth\t etched\t with concern. \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t Arthur,\t I\t just\t had\t to\t see\t you.\u201d\t She\t eyed\t the\t hustle\t and\t bustle around\t her,\t and\t then\t her\t gaze\t settled\t on\t Chris,\t armored-up\t for\t battle.\t \u201cYou\u2019re going\tafter\tthe\tdrug\tdealers,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\u201d Arthur\u2019s\t eyes\t opened\t wide\t with\t astonishment.\t He\t knew\t he\t shouldn\u2019t\t be,\t but her\tastuteness\talways\tamazed\thim.\t\u201cYes,\twe\tare.\u201d Clearly\tterrified,\tshe\tscooped\tChris\tinto\ther\tarms\tand\theld\thim\tfacing\tArthur. \u201cArthur,\tit\u2019s\ttoo\tbig\tfor\tthem\tto\thandle.\tIt\u2019s\ta\twar\tout\tthere.\tA\treal\twar.\u201d \u201cThese\tchildren\tare\tno\tstrangers\tto\twar,\tJenny.\tOr\tdeath.\tBoth\thave\tbeen\ttheir upbringing.\t If\t necessary,\t it\t be\t better\t to\t die\t for\t something\t than\t to\t live\t for nothing.\u201d Jenny\u2019s\tmouth\tdropped\topen\tin\tshock.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\tlooked\tinto\tChris\u2019s\teyes, the\teyes\tof\ta\tdamaged,\tcast-off\tchild\twho\u2019d\tbeen\treborn. Arthur\t knew\t there\t was\t no\t fear\t in\t Chris\u2019s\t eyes,\t no\t sense\t of\t danger.\t And\t yet those\t eyes\t had\t always\t spoken\t of\t someone\t much\t older,\t someone\t who\u2019d\t seen more\tof\tlife\tthan\the\tshould\thave. Jenny\tgave\tChris\ta\tkiss\ton\tone\tcheek\tand\tset\thim\tdown.\tHe\tinstantly\tmoved to\t stand\t beside\t Arthur.\t Chris\u2019s\t blond\t hair\t had\t grown\t out\t from\t several\t months without\ta\tcut,\tand\the\tseemed\talmost\ta\tminiature\tversion\tof\tthe\tking. \u201cArthur,\t I\u2019m\t afraid\t for\t you,\t for\t them.\t I\t care\u2026.\u201d\t But\t she\t trailed\t off,\t her\t face rife\twith\troiling\temotions. \u201cYou\t did\t reassure\t me\t that\t I\t do,\t indeed,\t possess\t the\t strength\t to\t lead\t these children.\t Tonight\t shalt\t be\t the\t true\t test.\t We\t do\t what\t be\t necessary\t if\t they\t are\t to have\ta\tfuture\tof\tvalue.\tTrust\tme,\tmilady.\u201d \u201cWhere\u2019s\tLance?\tIsn\u2019t\the\tgoing\twith\tyou?\u201d Arthur\u2019s\t face\t drooped,\t and\t sadness\t nearly\t overwhelmed\t him.\t \u201cAlas,\t he\t hath not\treturned.\tNor\thath\tJack.\tI\thave\ttexted\thim,\tbut\the\thath\tnot\treplied.\u201d \u201cOh\t no,\u201d\t Jenny\t muttered,\t her\t brows\t furrowing\t with\t worry.\t \u201cArthur, something\t must\t have\t happened\t to\t him.\t He\t loves\t you,\t and\t he\t was\t coming\t back here.\t I\t know\t it.\t Oh\t God,\t Arthur,\t we\t can\u2019t\t let\t anything\t happen\t to\t that\t boy.\t We","can\u2019t!\u201d\tShe\tsounded\tfrantic. Arthur\tnodded.\t\u201cI\thave\tbeen\tunable\tto\ttell\thim\u2026.\u201d\tHe\ttrailed\toff\tbecause\the saw\t that\t she\t understood\t what\t he\t meant.\t \u201cJenny,\t do\t you\t believe\t history\t repeats itself?\u201d The\tquestion\tclearly\tcaught\ther\toff\tguard.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cT\u2019ween\t Mordred\t and\t myself\t were\t a\t series\t of\t misunderstandings.\t The\t end result\t was\t tragedy.\t Now\t with\t Lance\t there\u2019s\u2026.\u201d\t He\t let\t the\t thought\t trail\t off, unable\tto\tarticulate\tit\tfor\tfear\tit\tmight\tcome\ttrue. \u201cArthur,\tI\u2019m\tgoing\twith\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tannounced\tin\tthat\ttone\tof\thers\twhich\tsaid, this\tis\tfinal. Arthur\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cNay.\tIt\tbe\ttoo\tdangerous\tfor\ta\tlady.\u201d \u201cReyna\u2019s\t not\t a\t lady?\u201d\t she\t replied\t sharply.\t \u201cLook,\t Arthur,\t I\t can\t take\t care\t of myself,\tand\tI\twant\tto\tbe\tthere\twith\tyou.\tI\twant\tto\tfind\tLance.\tAnd\tI\twon\u2019t\ttake no\tfor\tan\tanswer.\u201d She\tstood\ther\tground,\thands\tto\ther\thips,\tsoft\tfeatures\tset\twith\tdetermination. Arthur\t studied\t her\t with\t a\t steadfast\t gaze.\t Every\t time\t he\t saw\t her,\t she\t showed him\tsomething\tmore,\tsomething\textraordinary. Alas,\ta\twoman\tof\tthis\tage\tbe\tconfusing\tand\tterribly\texciting,\the\tconcluded. \u201cVery\twell,\tJenny.\tThe\ttime\tof\tdestiny\tbe\tat\thand.\tCome.\u201d\tWith\tChris\twalking between\tthem,\tArthur\tcalled\tout\tto\tthe\tothers,\t\u201cCome,\tmy\tknights,\twe\tmarch.\u201d All\t the\t boys\t assembled\t and\t dutifully\t followed\t their\t king\t and\t queen\t toward whatever\tdestiny\tFate\thad\tin\tstore\tfor\tthem. Since\t neither\t Lance\t nor\t Jack\t had\t their\t phones,\t and\t with\t no\t windows\t in\t their holding\t cell,\t neither\t boy\t had\t any\t idea\t how\t much\t time\t had\t passed\t since\t they\u2019d been\t thrown\t in\t there.\t But\t they\t knew\t for\t certain\t that\t time\t was\t running\t out\t for Arthur,\tmaybe\tfor\tthe\tentire\tRound\tTable,\tunless\tthey\tfigured\tout\twhat\tto\tdo. They\tlay\tup\tagainst\tthe\twall\tside\tby\tside,\tthoughtful\tand\tbrooding,\tlamenting choices\t made\t and\t not\t made.\t Words\t said\t and\t not\t said.\t But\t none\t of\t it\t mattered anymore,\tbecause\tneither\tboy\treally\tbelieved\the\u2019d\tcome\tout\tof\tthis\talive. \u201cHe\u2019s\t gonna\t kill\t us,\u201d\t Lance\t finally\t said\t aloud,\t though\t he\u2019d\t been\t thinking\t it for\thours.\tThinking\tabout\tthat.\tAbout\tArthur.\tAbout\tMark.\tAbout\tJack.\t\u201cSoon\tas he\ttakes\tdown\tArthur,\u201d\the\tfinished,\this\tvoice\thopeless\tand\taccepting. \u201cWell,\tI\tknow\tfor\tsure\tI\u2019m\ttoast,\u201d\tJack\taffirmed\tstoically.\t\u201cYou\theard\twhat\the said\tabout\tfaggots.\u201d Lance\t looked\t over\t sharply,\t anger\t welling\t at\t the\t humiliating\t way\t Jack\t had been\ttreated.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tuse\tthat\tword!\tYou\u2019re\tJack,\tand\tyou\u2019re\tgood.\tScrew\thim!\u201d","Jack\t smiled\t sadly.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t worry\t about\t it,\t Lance.\t I\u2019m\t used\t to\t being\t called names.\u201d \u201cWell,\tyou\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe!\u201d \u201cIt\t doesn\u2019t\t matter\t anymore.\t He\t will\t kill\t me,\t Lance,\t I\t know\t that.\t You\t might have\ta\tshot,\tthough.\u201d Lance\tsnorted\tin\tdisgust.\t\u201cFor\twhat?\tTo\twork\tfor\tthat\tscumbag?\tI\u2019d\trather\tdie first!\u201d\tHe\tpaused\tand\tmet\tJack\u2019s\teyes. Jack\tsmiled\tback\tappreciatively. Sudden\t awkwardness\t overwhelmed\t Lance,\t and\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t meet\t his\t friend\u2019s gaze,\t couldn\u2019t\t look\t at\t Jack\u2019s\t handsome,\t battered\t face,\t or\t into\t those\t sad\t and fatalistic\tbrown\teyes.\tHe\tfought\tthe\tlump\tin\this\tthroat. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t the\t matter?\u201d\t Jack\t asked\t uncertainly,\t fisting\t his\t tunic\t to\t quell\t his shaking\thands. Lance\tlooked\tup\tshyly,\thesitantly,\this\theart\tsuddenly\tuneven.\t\u201cWell,\twe\tboth probably\twon\u2019t\tmake\tit\tand,\twell,\tI\tbeen\tthinking\ta\tlot\tabout,\twell,\tI\tbeen\tkind\ta wondering\t if\u2026\t well,\t about\t what\t you\t said\t before,\t about\t the\t things\t we\t don\u2019t\t say to\teach\tother?\u201d\tHe\tfell\tsilent,\teyes\tdowncast. \u201cHey,\tbadass\tboy,\tthis\tis\tyour\tbest\tfriend\tover\there.\tSpit\tit\tout.\u201d Lance\tlooked\thim\tright\tin\tthe\teye.\t\u201cCan\tI\tkiss\tyou,\tJack?\u201d Jack\t blanched,\t his\t face\t displaying\t guilt\t and\t hope\t and\t shock,\t all\t at\t the\t same time.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d Lance\u2019s\t chest\t constricted,\t and\t his\t cheeks\t burned.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t it\u2019s\t stupid,\t I know.\t It\u2019s\t just\t that,\t well,\t Reyna\t kissed\t me\t one\t time,\t and\t I\t know\t I\t liked\t it,\t but, well,\tI\u2019d\tjust\treally\tlike\tto\tkiss\tyou,\ttoo.\tI\tknow\tI\tsound\tcrazy!\u201d Jack\u2019s\t face\t took\t on\t an\t expression\t of\t understanding,\t and\t he\t reached\t out\t to gently\t grasp\t Lance\u2019s\t tremulous\t hand.\t \u201cNo,\t you\t don\u2019t,\t but\t you\u2019re\t not\t gonna\t die here,\tLance.\tI\u2019m\tgonna\tmake\tsure\tof\tthat.\u201d \u201cI\t just\t have\t a\t bad\t feeling,\t you\t know,\t and\t I\t been\t wondering\t what\t it\u2026.\u201d\t He trailed\toff\tagain,\tlowering\this\thead\tin\tdisgrace. \u201cWhat\tit\twould\tfeel\tlike\tto\tkiss\tanother\tboy?\u201d Lance\t lifted\t his\t heartrending\t eyes.\t \u201cNo,\t Jacky.\t I\t been\t wondering\t what\t it would\tfeel\tlike\tto\tkiss\u2026\tyou.\u201d Jack\u2019s\teyes\twent\twide\twith\tstaggering\tcomprehension,\tand\tthe\tblood\tdrained from\this\tface. Lance\tsaw\tthat\tlook\tof\tbetrayal\tin\tJack\u2019s\teyes.\tBetrayal\tof\tMark. \u201cNever\tmind,\tit\u2019s\tstupid.\tJust\tforget\tI\tsaid\tanything.\tGod,\tI\u2019m\tsuch\ta\tpathetic loser!\u201d He\tpulled\this\thand\tback\tand\tlooked\taway.\tHe\twished\the\tcould\tjust\tdisappear into\tthe\tfloor.","Jack\tpaused,\this\thands\tshaking\tas\the\trecalled\tMark\u2019s\twords\tto\thim\tin\tthat\tletter: \u201cYou\t two\t would\t be\t good\t for\t each\t other\u2026.\u201d\t Mark\t had\t given\t him\t permission. Had\tMark\tsomehow\tsensed\tthe\teffect\tLance\twould\thave\ton\thim?\tCould\the\teven have\tseen\tJack\u2019s\tlove\tfor\thim,\tbut\tbelieved\tLance\tmore\tworthy\tof\tit? Since\tthe\tmoment\tJack\thad\taccepted\tthat\the\twasn\u2019t\tbi,\tthat\the\twould\tnever\tbe attracted\t to\t the\t girls\t who\t hovered\t around\t him\t like\t bees\t to\t pollen,\t he\t knew\t he didn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\ta\tplayer\tand\ttreat\tboys\tlike\tso\tmany\tguys\ton\tthe\tfootball\tteam treated\tthose\tgirls.\tHe\twas\tlonely,\tand\this\tparents\u2019\tindifference\ttoward\thim\tonly reinforced\t his\t pervasive\t sense\t of\t unworthiness.\t But\t even\t then,\t at\t fourteen,\t he knew\t he\t wanted\t someone\t to\t love\t who\t would\t love\t him\t back,\t someone\t amazing and\tspecial\tand\tone\tof\ta\tkind. Someone\tlike\u2026\tLance. Jack\t turned\t his\t body\t and\t reached\t out\t to\t cup\t trembling\t hands\t around\t his friend\u2019s\tsoft,\tsmooth\tface.\t\u201cYou\tare\tso\tnot\ta\tloser,\tLance.\tOh\tmy\tGod,\tno.\u201d\tHe hesitated\t then.\t His\t breath\t seemed\t to\t waver\t uncertainly\t on\t his\t lips.\t \u201cBut\t you know\tI\u2026\tthere\u2019s\tstill\tMark.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\tI\tjust\twanted\tto,\tyou\tknow,\tsee\twhat\tit\tfelt\tlike.\tWith\tyou.\u201d Jack\t leaned\t in\t before\t Lance\t could\t say\t another\t word\t and\t pressed\t his\t lips gently\tto\tthose\tof\tthe\tyounger\tboy. Lance\tclosed\this\teyes,\tand\tkissed\thim\tback. Jack\t felt\t such\t an\t overwhelming\t rush\t of\t excitement\t alight\t his\t every\t nerve ending\tthat\the\tthought\the\tmight\tpass\tout,\tand\tthen\the\tpulled\tback,\teyeing\tLance with\tuncertainty. \u201cWell?\u201d Lance\tlooked\tconfused.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\thow\tit\tmade\tme\tfeel.\u201d\tHe dropped\this\tgaze. Jack\u2019s\t rush\t of\t excitement\t troubled,\t and\t thrilled\t him.\t That\t simple\t kiss\t was more\tpowerful\tthan\tany\the\u2019d\tever\texperienced,\teven\this\tfirst. \u201cYou\twant\tmy\tadvice?\u201d Lance\tnodded\teagerly. \u201cWait\ttill\tyou\tfall\tfor\tsomeone,\tand\tthen\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tthe\tFourth\tof\tJuly.\u201d \u201cThanks,\tJacky.\u201d \u201cI\tpromise\tyou,\tLance,\twhatever\thappens\tto\tme,\tI\twill\tsave\tyou.\u201d Lance\tgrinned.\t\u201cNot\tif\tI\tsave\tyou\tfirst.\u201d That\tbroke\tthe\tawkward\ttension,\tand\tJack\tlaughed.\t\u201cDeal.\u201d They\t settled\t back\t against\t the\t wall,\t and\t Lance\t eyed\t on\t the\t toilet\t across\t the room.\t \u201cYou\t know,\t Jack,\t I\t been\t thinking.\t They\t might\ttake\t us\t with\t them\t when","they\t go\t to\t do,\t you\t know,\t whatever.\t You\t heard\t R.\u2014he\t might\t need\t us\t for negotiations\tor\tsomething.\u201d \u201cSo?\tWhat\tcan\twe\tdo?\u201d \u201cWe\tneed\tto\tarm\tourselves.\u201d \u201cWith\twhat?\tThey\ttook\tour\tdirks,\tour\tphones,\teverything.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tbut\tI\tjust\tgot\tan\tidea.\u201d\tLance\tnodded\ttoward\tthe\ttoilet. Jack\tstudied\tthe\ttoilet,\tand\tthen\tturned\tback\tto\tLance\twith\ta\tquizzical\tlook\ton his\tface. Lance\tgrinned. The\t teams\t had\t all\t reported\t in\t from\t their\t checkpoints.\t None\t had\t noted\t unusual activity\t at\t any\t of\t the\t houses,\t and\t every\t team\t was\t poised\t to\t begin\t the\t assault. Arthur\u2019s\t was\t the\t last\t to\t depart.\t Heading\t up\t his\t team\t was\t Justin,\t who\t appeared confident\t and\t powerful\t in\t his\t helm,\t mail\t shirt,\t and\t breastplate.\t He\t carried\t his sword\tand\tshield\twith\tdignity\tand\tpride. The\t remainder\t of\t Arthur\u2019s\t team\t carried\t smoke\t bombs\t in\t their\t backpacks, along\t with\t some\t of\t the\t nets\t Arthur\t had\t procured\t that\t morning.\t Lavern\t led\t a small\tcontingent\tof\texpert\tarchers\tto\tact\tas\tperimeter\tcover\tin\tcase\tof\tattack. Within\tthe\tdry\triverbed,\tArthur\tsat\tatop\tLlamrei,\twith\tChris\tin\tfront\tand\tJenny behind,\t gazing\t out\t upon\t his\t knights.\t They\t shuffled\t restlessly,\t anxious\t to\t be underway. \u201cMy\tnoble\tknights,\u201d\tArthur\tcalled\tout\tto\tthem,\t\u201cthis\tnight\twe\tmarch\tforth\tinto history.\tOurs\tis\tthe\tmost\tdangerous\tquest\tof\tall,\tfor\twe\tseek\tto\tdestroy\tthe\tman who\tcontrols\tso\tmuch\tof\tthese\tdrugs.\tBe\ton\tyour\tguard\tat\tall\ttimes,\tmy\tknights. I\t have\t faith\t in\t you\t all.\t We\t go\t forth\t under\t the\t banner\t of\t right,\t so\t let\t us\t take\t a moment\tto\task\tGod\tfor\tprotection\tthis\tnight.\u201d He\tbowed\this\thead\tin\tsilence,\tas\tdid\tevery\tchild\twith\thim.\tThen\the\traised\this head,\theld\tExcalibur\thigh\tabove\thim,\tand\tcalled\tout,\t\u201cIt\tbegins!\u201d A\tcheer\twent\tup\tfrom\tthe\tgroup,\tand\tthey\tclambered\tlithely\tup\tthe\triverbank and\t piled\t into\t the\t enormous\t SUV\t Justin\t had\t brought.\t He\u2019d\t actually\t asked\t his mother\tfor\tpermission\tto\tborrow\tit\tthis\ttime.\tAt\tfirst\tshe\u2019d\tsaid\tno,\tbut\twhen\the explained\tit\twas\tfor\tArthur,\tshe\trelented. However,\tJustin\tknew\tshe\tnever\twould\thave\tagreed\thad\tshe\tknown\ttheir\ttrue destination,\t for\t Arthur\u2019s\t target\t this\t night\t was\t the\t supply\t warehouse\t of\t Mr.\t R. and\tMr.\tL.","Mr.\tR.\tand\tMr.\tL.\thad\tmade\tgood\tuse\tof\ttheir\ttime\twhile\tLance\tand\tJack\tcooled their\theels\tin\tthe\ttiny\tbathroom.\tMr.\tR.\thad\tcontacted\tall\this\tmain\t\u201cdrops\u201d\tin\tthe city\tso\tthey\twould\tbe\tprepared\tfor\tan\tattack. Arthur\u2019s\tfoolish\tfollowers\twill\tget\ta\trude\tawakening\twhen\tthey\tattempt\tto\ttake my\thouses. \u201cIs\tSantiago\tin\tplace?\u201d\tMr.\tL.\tinquired. Mr.\tR.\tnodded.\tAll\tthe\tpieces\twere\tin\tplay\tto\tfinish\tthis\tuprising\tonce\tand\tfor all. \u201cWhy\t not\t just\t call\t this\t Arthur\t on\t the\t kid\u2019s\t phone,\t tell\t him\t you\t have\t the\t kid, and\tlure\thim\tin.\tEasy\ttake\tdown.\tNo\tchance\tof\ta\tmistake.\u201d Mr.\t R.\t sniggered.\t \u201cMr.\t L.,\t you\u2019re\t an\t outstanding\t businessman,\t but\t very\t poor at\t public\t relations.\t This\t man\t has\t become\t a\t media\t darling,\t an\t entertainment\t for the\tpeople.\tHe\u2019s\tlike\tthe\tultimate\treality\tshow.\tAnd\tlike\tany\tgood\treality\tshow\u2014 of\t which\t there\t are\t none,\t by\t the\t way\u2014we\t must\t give\t the\t viewers\t a\t slam-\t bang finale.\tWhen\tthis\tman\tdies,\tit\tmust\tbe\tin\tfull\tview\tof\teveryone,\tespecially\tthose stupid\tkids\tof\this.\tThe\tentire\tso-called\tcrusade\twill\tend\ttonight.\u201d Mr.\t R.\t knew\t he\t was\t a\t hothead\t at\t times,\t but\t his\t flair\t for\t the\t theatrical\t was often\tquite\tuseful. \u201cHave\tyour\tmen\tload\tthe\tfagboys\tinto\tthe\tlimo.\tI\twant\tthem\tto\thave\ta\tfront- row\tseat.\u201d Mr.\tL\tgrinned\tand\tleft\tthe\toffice. Mr.\t R.\t pulled\t Lance\u2019s\t phone\t from\t his\t desk\t drawer\t and\t slipped\t it\t into\t his jacket\tpocket\tbefore\trising\tfrom\this\tdesk\tand\tfollowing\tafter\this\tpartner.","CHAPTER\t13:\t IT\tBE\tYOUR\tCHOICE ARTHUR\u2019S\tTEAM\tLEADERS\tHAD\tALL\tbeen\tchosen\tto\tstrike\tat\tdrug\tlabs\twithin\ttheir own\t neighborhoods.\t That\t way,\t each\t leader\t knew\t the\t lay\t of\t the\t land,\t the\t easy escape\t routes,\t and\t the\t best\t ways\t to\t attack\t each\t house.\t Of\t course,\t the\t kids\t all knew\t this\t was\t a\t token\t gesture.\t They\t would\t only\t be\t destroying\t one\t lab\t in\t each neighborhood\u2014one\tout\tof\tdozens\u2014but\tit\twould\tsend\ta\tclear\tmessage\tto\tall\twho wished\tto\tdeal\tdrugs\u2014the\tRound\tTable\twill\tseek\tyou\tout\tand\tdestroy\tyou. Esteban\tled\this\tteam\tback\tto\tBoyle\tHeights\tto\tthe\tmost\tnotorious\tcrack\thouse in\this\tneighborhood.\tIt\twas\tone-story\tand\told,\tlike\tmost\thouses\tin\tthe\t\u2019hood,\tbut especially\tugly\twith\tits\thideous\tpink\tpaint\tjob.\tIt\tsat\tconveniently\ton\ta\tcorner\tfor easy\t access\t to\t buyers\t and\t sellers\t who\t could\t come\t and\t go\t without\t attracting undue\t attention.\t There\t was\t a\t three-foot-high\t metal\t fence\t surrounding\t the\t front, and\t Esteban\t knew\t there\t were\t two\t back\t buildings\t behind\t the\t main\t house\t where the\tdrugs\twere\tproduced\tand\tstored. Eyeing\tthe\tplace\tin\tthe\tfading\tsunlight\tas\ta\tknight\tof\tthe\tRound\tTable,\trather than\tas\ta\tgang\tmember\twho\tused\tto\tslang\tfor\tthese\tpeople,\tEsteban\trealized\tthat it\tlooked\tlike\tan\tordinary\thouse.\tUnless\tyou\tknew\twhat\twent\ton\tin\tthere,\tyou\u2019d never\tguess. Reyna\t crouched\t by\t his\t side,\t bow\t and\t arrow\t cocked\t and\t ready.\t They\t had hidden\tthemselves\tand\ttheir\tteam\tin\tthe\tbackyard\tof\tan\tempty\thouse\tjust\tacross the\t street,\t observing\t their\t target\t for\t any\t signs\t of\t movement\t while\t awaiting Arthur\u2019s\tsignal. Esteban\t glanced\t over\t at\t Reyna\t and\t shook\t his\t head\t as\t though\t once\t again forcing\t himself\t to\t believe\t all\t this\t was\t real.\t A\t fine-ass\t rich\t girl\t into\t him?\t Never saw\t that\t one\t coming.\t And\t this\t whole\t knights\t and\t Camelot\t business?\t Who would\u2019ve\t thought\t a\t bad\t kid\t like\t him\t could\t ever\t do\t anything\t that\t seemed\t so good? He\t eyed\t the\t crack\t house,\t so\t innocent\t looking,\t yet\t so\t deadly\t and\t so\t much\t a part\t of\t his\t youth.\t How\t many\t kids\t like\t Mark\t had\t OD\u2019d\t or\t gotten\t hopelessly hooked\t on\t dope\t because\t of\t him,\t because\t he\u2019d\t gotten\t them\t started?\t A\t lot,\t he figured.\tAnd\tfor\twhat?\tSo\the\tcould\thave\tfancy-ass\tshoes\tand\tother\tswag? Before\tArthur,\tbefore\tall\ttheir\tneighborhood\tclean-ups\thad\trevitalized\tthe\tcity,","including\this\town\tbarrio,\tEsteban\twould\u2019ve\tsaid\tswag\tand\tgirls\tand\tmoney\twere all\t that\t life\t was\t about.\t He\t thought\t he\u2019d\t had\t power.\t But\t this,\t what\t they\t were doing\ttonight,\tthis\twas\tpower\u2014the\tpower\tto\tchange\tthings\tfor\treal. He\tfound\this\tgaze\treturning\tto\tReyna.\tShe\tlooked\tso\ttaut,\tso\tamped,\tso\tready for\taction. Man,\twhat\ta\tturn-on. She\tcaught\thim\tstaring,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tShe\tpuckered\tand\tkissed\tair\tin\this direction,\t drawing\t a\t smile\t to\t his\t face.\t He\t felt\t his\t phone\t vibrate\t and\t slipped\t it from\this\tpocket.\tThe\ttext\twas\tfrom\tArthur.\tOnly\tone\tword:\tBegin. Lance\t and\t Jack\t were\t led\t at\t gunpoint\t out\t of\t the\t bathroom,\t into\t an\t elevator,\t and then\tdown\tto\tan\tunderground\tgarage.\tThe\ttwo\tyoung\tAsians\tcalmly\tpointed\tvery high-tech-looking\t handguns\t at\t both\t boys\t and\t looked\t prepared\t to\t use\t them. Neither\t Lance\t nor\t Jack\t saw\t any\t possible\t opportunity\t to\t overpower\t these\t men. Sure,\tto\tLance,\t Jack\tlooked\ta\t lot\tstronger\t than\tthose\t guys,\tbut\t a\tbullet\ttrumps muscles\t any\t day.\t So\t the\t boys\t offered\t no\t resistance\t as\t they\t were\t led\t to\t a\t black Hummer\tstretch\tlimo\tparked\tsideways\tacross\tthe\tgarage\tfloor. Shoved\thard\tinto\tthe\tluxuriously\tappointed\tcar,\tthe\tboys\twere\tflanked\tin\tone of\t the\t rear\t seats\t by\t the\t armed\t Asians.\t In\t the\t facing\t bench\t seat\t were\t R.\t and\t L., the\t former\t grinning\t like\t a\t young\t child\t gazing\t at\t a\t pile\t of\t presents\t on\t his birthday. \u201cWhere\tare\twe\tgoing?\u201d\tLance\tasked\tas\tthe\tlimo\tbegan\tmoving. Mr.\t R.\t laughed.\t \u201cYou\t were\t there\t when\t it\t all\t began,\t Pretty\t Boy,\t so\t it\t only seems\tfitting\tfor\tyou\tto\tbe\tthere\twhen\tit\tends.\u201d His\t words\t and\t cold,\t chilling\t tone\t sent\t shivers\t down\t Lance\u2019s\t back.\t He exchanged\ta\tglance\twith\tJack\tand\tknew\this\tfriend\twas\tthinking\tthe\tsame\tthing: if\ttheir\tplan\tdidn\u2019t\twork,\tthis\tcould\tbe\tthe\tend\tof\teverything. Esteban\u2019s\tteam\twas\tin\tplace.\tUpon\treceiving\tthe\tgo-ahead\tfrom\tArthur,\tand\twith dusk\t casting\t the\t ugly\t pink\t house\t into\t a\t half-light,\t half-shadow\t realm,\t everyone had\t slunk\t to\t his\t or\t her\t assigned\t location.\t They\t now\t surrounded\t the\t house, putting\tspecial\temphasis\ton\tthe\ttwo\tback\tbuildings\tthat\tcontained\tthe\tdrugs.\tThe archers\t were\t in\t place.\t Some\t had\t attached\t smoke\t bombs\t to\t their\t arrows,\t had them\tcocked,\tand\tmerely\tawaited\tEsteban\u2019s\tcommand. Suddenly,\twithout\twarning,\ta\tbullet\tsailed\tfrom\tthe\thouse\tand\tstruck\tthe\tedge of\tEsteban\u2019s\tshield.","He\tdropped\tback\tdown\tbehind\tthe\tfront\tgate\tand\tcursed.\t\u201cThey\tmade\tus,\u201d\the whispered\tto\tReyna.\tHe\tput\this\tfingers\tto\this\tlips\tand\twhistled\tloudly. All\thell\tbroke\tloose.\tHis\tarchers\tfired\ttheir\tsmoke\tbombs,\tbut\tgunfire\terupted from\tthe\thouse,\tsending\tEsteban\u2019s\tteam\tscrambling\tfor\tcover.\tThe\tgunshots\thad thrown\t off\t the\t archers\u2019\t aim,\t and\t most\t of\t the\t arrows\t went\t wild,\t striking\t walls rather\tthan\twindows,\tand\tfilling\tthe\tyard\twith\tblinding,\tbillowing\tsmoke. Esteban\tlooked\tat\tReyna.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tlike\tthey\tknew\twe\twas\tcoming.\u201d They\t watched\t through\t the\t rising\t smoke\t as\t the\t front\t door\t crept\t open,\t and\t the barrel\tof\ta\tshotgun\tpointed\tout,\tstraight\tat\tthem. \u201cOh,\thell\tno!\u201d\tReyna\texclaimed\tand\tstood\tto\ther\tfull\theight,\tletting\tloose\ther arrow.\t It\t sailed\t through\t the\t cracked-open\t door,\t and\t with\t a\t grunt\t of\t surprise\t the gun\t barrel\t disappeared.\t But\t the\t door\t remained\t open.\t Reyna\t whipped\t her\t head around\tto\tLuis,\this\tarrow\tcocked\tand\tloaded\twith\ta\tsmoke\tbomb.\t\u201cNow!\u201d Luis\t leapt\t up\t and\t let\t his\t arrow\t fly.\t His\t aim\t was\t perfect,\t and\t it\t went\t straight through\t the\t open\t door\t into\t the\t house.\t There\t came\t a\t muffled\t explosion,\t and suddenly\t the\t house\t filled\t with\t dirty\t white\t smoke.\t Reyna\t ducked\t back\t down\t as windows\t burst\t open\t and\t more\t bullets\t flew\t at\t them\t along\t with\t the\t smoke. Crouching,\t Reyna\t took\t aim\t again\t and\t fired\t through\t the\t smoke\t and\t through\t the front\twindow.\tA\tloud\t\u201cUgh!\u201d\twas\theard,\tand\tthe\tbullets\tceased. \u201cNow!\u201d\t Esteban\t called\t out,\t and\t they\t surged\t through\t the\t gate\t toward\t the house,\t shields\t raised,\t swords\t ready\t to\t fight\t hand\t to\t hand.\t Esteban\t yanked\t open the\tdoor,\tand\tsmoke\tpoured\tout. He\tcoughed\tand\tspluttered,\tbut\thung\tback\tfrom\tthe\tentrance.\tHe\tmotioned\tthe net\tcarriers\tinto\tplace\tas\the\theaved\tyet\tanother\tsmoke\tbomb\tthrough\tthe\tdoor.\tIt exploded\twith\ta\tloud\tpop\tlike\ta\tfirecracker,\tand\tmore\tsmoke\tpoured\tforth. \u201cWe\t gotta\t move\t fast,\u201d\t he\t whispered\t to\t Reyna,\t \u201c\u2019fore\t someone\t calls\t the\t fire department.\u201d She\t nodded\t and\t then\t leapt\t back\t as\t a\t man\t burst\t from\t the\t house,\t blinded\t by smoke,\t bleeding\t from\t a\t wound\t to\t the\t shoulder,\t but\t still\t wielding\t the\t shotgun. Esteban\t smashed\t down\t on\t the\t man\u2019s\t wrist\t with\t the\t flat\t of\t his\t blade.\t The\t man cried\tout\tin\tpain\tand\tdropped\tthe\tgun\tto\tthe\twalkway,\tstaggering\tto\this\tknees. A\t woman\t stumbled\t toward\t them\t through\t the\t smoke,\t her\t arm\t wrapped\t in\t a bloody\t cloth,\t coughing\t and\t hacking,\t brandishing\t a\t handgun.\t The\t point\t of Esteban\u2019s\tsword\tstopped\ther\tin\tmid-step,\tand\tshe\tgazed\twith\tstunned\trecognition at\thim\tthrough\tsmoke-burned\teyes\tbefore\ttossing\ther\tgun\tto\tthe\twalkway. Esteban\tglanced\tover\this\tshoulder\tto\ta\tshort,\tskinny\tboy\tnamed\tRonaldo,\twho stood\t back\t a\t few\t paces,\t sword\t in\t one\t hand\t and\t cell\t phone\t in\t the\t other.\t \u201cYou getting\tall\tthis,\tRonaldo?\u201d The\tboy\tnodded,\tdipping\tthe\tphone\tto\tget\tclose-ups\tof\tthe\tman\tand\twoman\tas","they\tremained\ton\ttheir\tknees,\tcoughing\tand\tspluttering. \u201cAnybody\telse\tin\tthere?\u201d\tEsteban\tasked. The\tman\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cJust\ttwo\tout\tback.\u201d The\twoman\tglared\tat\thim.\t\u201cTraitor!\u201d Esteban\t flinched,\t but\t didn\u2019t\t respond\t to\t her\t taunt.\t He\t was\t done\t with\t her\t and everyone\t like\t her.\t They\t were\t his\t old\t life.\t He\t waved\t over\t the\t net\t carriers.\t They tossed\tthe\tlarge\tfishing\tnet\tover\tthe\tman\tand\twoman,\tforced\tthem\tat\tsword\tpoint to\troll\tover,\tand\tthen\tsecured\tthem\twithin\tthe\tnet\tlike\ta\tcouple\tof\tbluefin\ttuna. Esteban\t and\t Reyna\t headed\t around\t back\t with\t the\t others,\t leaving\t these\t two\t in the\tcustody\tof\tLuis. The\t situation\t in\t back\t was\t a\t more\t dicey.\t The\t two\t back\t houses\u2014more\t like large\tsheds,\treally\u2014had\tno\twindows\tthrough\twhich\tto\tshoot\tthe\tsmoke\tbombs. A\t boy\t named\t Willie\t told\t Esteban\t that\t somebody\t was\t holed\t up\t in\t the\t bigger shed,\tfiring\tout\tthrough\ta\tsmall\tslit\tin\tthe\twalls\tevery\ttime\tthey\tgot\tclose. Huddling\t together\t beside\t the\t garage\t for\t cover,\t Esteban,\t alongside\t his\t team, considered\ttheir\toptions.\tTime\twas\trunning\tout. These\t hits\t had\t been\t designed\t to\t be\t quick\t and\t dirty\u2014slam,\t bam,\t in\t and\t out before\t the\t neighborhood\t even\t knew\t what\t had\t happened.\t Somebody\t had\t tipped these\t people\t off,\t Esteban\t knew.\t Did\t that\t mean\t the\t other\t teams\t were\t in\t trouble too?\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tworry\tabout\tthem,\the\trealized.\tThey\thad\tto\ttake\tthese\tguys\tout, and\tthey\thad\tto\tdo\tit\tnow. \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime\tfor\tthis!\u201d\the\twhispered\tin\tfrustration. \u201cWhat\u2019re\twe\tgonna\tdo?\u201d\tReyna\tasked,\ther\tbow\tcocked\tand\tready. Esteban\t looked\t over\t some\t of\t his\t old\t homies,\t now\t his\t fellow\t knights.\t He\u2019d grown\tup\twith\tmost\tof\tthem,\tand\tmost\thad\tbeen\tin\tthe\tgang\twith\thim.\tHe\tcould trust\tthem,\the\tknew.\tWould\tthey\tdie\tfor\thim?\tYeah,\tthey\twould. \u201cGuys,\u201d\t he\t whispered\t to\t his\t team,\t \u201cwe\t gotta\t storm\t that\t shed.\t Swords\t and arrows\tready.\tFrankie,\tyou\tdraw\ttheir\tfire\tto\tthe\tside,\t Willie\tyou\t toss\t a\tsmoke bomb\tright\tin\tfront\tof\ttheir\tlittle\tass\twindow.\tI\u2019m\tgonna\tbreak\tdown\tthat\tdoor!\u201d Reyna\u2019s\tmouth\tdropped\topen.\t\u201cEste,\tthey\tgot\tguns.\u201d He\teyed\ther\tsoberly.\t\u201cYou\tthink\twe\tain\u2019t\tbeen\tshot\tat\tbefore?\tWelcome\tto\tmy life,\tReyna.\tIf\tthis\t\u2019hood\tever\tgonna\tbe\tfree,\twe\tgots\tto\tdo\tthis.\tNow\tget\tready\u2014 soon\t as\t we\t bust\t in\t the\t door,\t fire\t right\t into\t that\t place.\u201d\t He\t tossed\t her\t a\t grin. \u201cMaybe\tyou\u2019ll\thit\tone\tof\t\u2019em\tin\tthe\tballs.\u201d Reyna\tsmiled. Esteban\t gave\t the\t signal.\t Frankie\t dashed\t madly\t across\t the\t back\t driveway, zigzagging\tand\ttossing\ta\tsmoke\tbomb\tright\ttoward\tthe\tshed.\tBullets\tstrafed\tthe driveway,\t kicking\t up\t chips\t of\t concrete\t near\t Frankie\u2019s\t feet\t and\t forcing\t him\t to dive\t for\t cover\t behind\t the\t side\t of\t the\t house.\t The\t bomb\t exploded,\t filling\t the","driveway\tand\tbackyard\twith\tbillowing\tsmoke. \u201cNow!\u201d\tEsteban\thissed,\tand\tthey\twere\tup.\tWillie\tdodged\tthe\twhizzing\tsounds of\t bullet\t fire\t to\t lob\t another\t smoke\t grenade\t right\t at\t the\t tiny\t crack\t where\t the shooting\thad\tcome\tfrom.\tLike\tan\tenraged\tbull,\tEsteban\tcharged\tthe\tclosed\tdoor at\t a\t run\t and\t slammed\t hard\t into\t it,\t just\t the\t way\t he\t used\t to\t hit\t the\t opposing players\t in\t tackle\t football\t games\t as\t a\t kid.\t The\t door\t cracked\t and\t groaned,\t but didn\u2019t\tfall\tin. He\t bounded\t quickly\t to\t the\t side\t as\t bullets\t pierced\t the\t wood\t of\t the\t damaged door.\tPanting,\this\tshoulder\tsore\tand\tthrobbing,\tEsteban\teyed\tthe\tdoorknob.\tThe wood\taround\tit\thad\tsplintered\tbut\theld. He\tcursed,\traised\this\tbroadsword\thigh\tabove\this\thead,\tand\twith\tevery\tmuscle in\this\tthick\tarms\tand\tshoulders\tbrought\tthe\tblade\tdown\tagainst\tthe\tknob\twith\ta loud\tthunk.\tThe\tsword\tsliced\tclean\tthrough\tthe\thandle,\tand\tthe\tknob\tclattered\tto the\tconcrete. Reyna\t lifted\t a\t well-toned\t leg\t and\t kicked\t the\t battered\t door\t inward, simultaneously\tfiring\ther\tarrow.\tA\tshriek\tof\tpain\troared\tfrom\tinside,\tand\tReyna knew\t she\u2019d\t made\t contact.\t She\t reloaded,\t saw\t movement\t in\t the\t darkness\t of\t the shed,\t and\t fired\t again.\t A\t scream\t and\t a\t thud\t could\t be\t heard,\t and\t Reyna\t grinned smugly\tat\tEsteban,\twho\tstood\trubbing\this\tsore\tshoulder. \u201cShow\toff,\u201d\the\tmuttered\tand\tcautiously\tentered\tthe\tsmall\tbuilding.\tTwo\tmen lay\t moaning\t and\t twisting\t on\t the\t floor.\t Esteban\t felt\t a\t thrill\t of\t accomplishment knowing\t these\t guys\t would\t now\t be\t out\t of\t business\t because\t of\t him,\t hopefully forever. Ronaldo\tentered\twith\tthe\tphone,\tsweeping\t the\tvideo\teye\t over\tbags\tof\twhite powder\t on\t several\t tables\t and\t settling\t on\t the\t two\t wounded\t men\t groaning\t and writhing\t on\t the\t floor.\t Reyna\t flipped\t on\t the\t lights.\t One\t man\t had\t been\t shot through\tthe\tupper\tthigh,\tthe\tother\tin\tthe\tright\tshoulder.\tShe\tflicked\ta\tlook\ttoward Esteban\tand\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\tmissed.\u201d He\t grinned\t and\t quickly\t took\t action.\t \u201cWrap\t these\t guys\t up\t and\t collect\t all\t this stuff.\tWe\tgotta\tbounce.\u201d His\t team\t quickly\t netted\t up\t these\t last\t two\t and\t dragged\t them\t around\t to\t the front\t along\t with\t a\t net\t full\t of\t drug-manufacturing\t paraphernalia.\t Some\t of\t the drugs\twere\tleft\tbehind\tas\tevidence\tand\tthe\trest\tconfiscated\tas\ta\tgift\tto\tthe\tmayor. As\tEsteban\tand\tthe\tothers\treached\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\thouse\tto\tdeposit\ttheir\tload, Frankie\tpulled\tout\ta\tpremade\tnote\temblazoned\twith\tArthur\u2019s\t\u201cA\u201d\tsymbol.\tEvery team\t had\t been\t given\t the\t same\t note.\t Each\t note\t was\t exactly\t the\t same,\t and\t each was\tto\tbe\tleft\twith\tthe\tnetted\tdrug\tdealers. The\tnote\tread\tas\tfollows:","To\t the\t good\t people\t of\t this\t neighborhood\u2014The\t Round\t Table\t and\t King Arthur\t hereby\t deliver\t unto\t you\t some\t from\t among\t your\t number\t who\t have brought\t death\t and\t addiction\t and\t misery\t to\t this\t area.\t You\t may\t pass\t them onto\tthe\tpolice\tand\trid\tyourselves\tof\ttheir\theinous\tinfluence,\tor\tuntie\tthem and\tallow\tthem\tto\tcontinue.\tThe\tchoice\tbe\tthine. At\t last,\t Esteban\u2019s\t team\t finished\t its\t mop-up\t and\t prepared\t to\t depart.\t The captives\tstruggled\tand\tcursed\tfrom\twithin\ttheir\tfishnets,\tbut\tnone\tcould\tescape. \u201cWe\u2019re\t done,\t here,\t knights\t of\t the\t Table,\u201d\t Esteban\t announced\t with\t pride. \u201cLet\u2019s\t get\u2014\u201d\t he\t turned\t as\t he\t was\t speaking\t and\t stopped\t dead.\t Many\t of\t the neighbors\u2014his\tneighbors\u2014stood\tin\tthe\tstreet\tjust\toutside\tthe\tmetal\tfence\tgazing in\tat\tthem.\tAmong\tthem\twas\this\tmother. He\t and\t the\t others\t cautiously\t approached\t and\t stood\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the fence,\tuncertain\tof\tthe\tcrowd\u2019s\tintent. \u201cHello,\t mijo,\u201d\t said\t his\t mother\t quietly.\t \u201cYou\t not\t bringing\t trouble\t here,\t are you?\u201d \u201cNo\tmama.\tYou\tall\tknow\tthese\tpeople\twe\tgot\ttied\tup\tback\there\tand\tyou\tknow what\t they\t done\t to\t this\t barrio.\u201d\t He\t looked\t out\t at\t the\t young\t and\t the\t old,\t the\t big and\tthe\tsmall.\tHis\tpeople\tall.\t\u201cOur\tcrusade\tis\tto\trid\tour\tbarrios\tof\tscum\tlike\tthis who\tdone\tnothing\tgood\tfor\tthe\tneighborhood\tand\tonly\tbrung\tbad.\tI\tknow\tit,\tand you\tknow\tit.\tBut\tArthur,\tsee,\the\tbe\tabout\tgiving\teverybody\tchoices.\tThat\u2019s\twhy we\tbe\tleavin\u2019\t\u2019em\there\twith\tyou.\tIt\tbe\tyour\tchoice,\tmama.\tYou\tcan\tlet\tmy\tsister grow\tup\tlike\tI\tdone,\tor\tyou\tcan\tcall\tthe\tcops\tand\thave\t\u2019em\ttake\tthis\ttrash\taway. We\tgotta\tgo\tmeet\tArthur.\u201d When\the\tsaw\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tmaking\tany\tthreatening\tmoves,\tEsteban\topened\tthe gate\tand\tallowed\this\tteam\tto\texit\tthe\tfront\tyard\tand\tgather\ton\tthe\tsidewalk.\tHe and\this\tmother\tgazed\tsilently\tat\tone\tanother.\tThe\tsound\tof\tpolice\tsirens\tcould\tbe heard\tapproaching. \u201cWe\talready\tcalled\t\u2019em,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\telderly\tabuelita\t who\thad\tthreatened\tRyan with\tthe\trolling\tpin\tat\tRound\tTable,\t\u201csoon\tas\twe\tseen\twho\tyou\thad\ttied\tup\tover there.\u201d Esteban\u2019s\t mother\t smiled\t sadly.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t mijo,\t for\t everything.\t It\u2019ll\t be different\tnow,\tfor\tyour\tsister.\tI\tpromise.\u201d He\tnodded.\tBefore\the\tcould\tturn\taway,\tshe\tgrabbed\thim\tin\ta\tcrushing\thug\tand held\t on.\t Mortified,\t Esteban\t squirmed\t out\t of\t her\t embrace.\t \u201cC\u2019mon,\t mama,\u201d\t he hissed,\t\u201cyou\tbe\tembarrassing\tme!\u201d She\tlet\thim\tgo.\t\u201cSorry.\u201d Reyna\t stepped\t forward\t to\t stand\t beside\t Esteban,\t clearly\t indicating\t by\t her stance\tand\tby\ther\tlook\tat\tthe\tolder\twoman\tthat\tshe\twas\tasserting\ther\town\tclaim","on\thim. His\tmother\teyed\tReyna\tappraisingly.\t\u201cI\tmet\tyou\tbefore.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tReyna\treplied,\t\u201cduring\tthe\tclean-up.\u201d The\tolder\twoman\tsmiled.\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\this\tlatest\tjaina?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\u2019m\this\tlast\tjaina.\u201d Esteban\t turned\t a\t bit\t red\t and\t had\t to\t cover\t his\t awkwardness.\t \u201cOkay,\t team, cops\u2019re\t coming,\t we\u2019re\t outta\t here.\u201d\t He\t turned\t back\t to\t his\t mother.\t \u201cGive\t Rosa\t a kiss\tfor\tme,\t\u2019kay?\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\teven\twait\tfor\tan\tanswer,\tjust\tsprinted\toff\tdown\tthe\tstreet,\this\tteam following\tclosely\tbehind.\tReyna\tpatted\tEsteban\u2019s\tmother\ton\tthe\tarm\tand\thanded her\tthe\tphone\tRonaldo\thad\tused\tto\tvideo\tthe\twhole\toperation. \u201cGive\tthis\tto\tthe\tcops.\u201d\tThen\tshe\tfollowed\tthe\tothers\tinto\tthe\tdarkness. Throughout\t the\t city,\t in\t neighborhood\t after\t neighborhood,\t similar\t operations unfolded\t at\t the\t same\t moment.\t Because\t of\t Mr.\t R\u2019s\t warning,\t his\t people\t were prepared\tfor\tan\tattack.\tHowever,\tlike\tall\tadults,\tthey\tgreatly\tunderestimated\tthe power\t of\t young\t people\t when\t those\t young\t people\t wanted\t something\t badly enough.\tA\tnumber\tof\tthe\tdrug-house\towners\twere\twounded,\tlike\tthose\tin\tBoyle Heights,\t but\t none\t were\t killed.\t That\t had\t been\t Arthur\u2019s\t directive.\t Bullets\t had grazed\tsome\tof\this\tknights,\tbut\tnone\twere\tbadly\thurt. In\t placing\t former\t gang\t members\t as\t leaders\t of\t each\t team\t Arthur\t had\t ensured that\t his\t knights\t knew\t how\t to\t deal\t with\t gunfire,\t just\t as\t Esteban\t and\t his\t old homies\thad\tdone.\tJaime,\tDarnell,\tDuc,\tTai,\tand\tall\tthe\tothers\thad\tachieved\tgreat success,\tconsidering\tthe\todds\tagainst\tthem.\tSome\tof\tthe\thouses,\tupon\treceiving the\t heads-up\t from\t Mr.\t R.,\t had\t cleared\t out,\t leaving\t nothing\t for\t the\t knights\t to attack\tor\tconfiscate. But\t considering\t it\t was\t but\t a\t small\t salvo\t in\t a\t much\t greater\t war,\t Arthur\u2019s operation\twas\ta\tresounding\tsuccess.\tAnd\tcontrary\tto\twhat\tMr.\tR.\thad\ttold\tLance and\tJack,\tevery\tneighborhood\thit\tthat\tnight\tmade\tthe\texact\tsame\tchoice\u2014call\tin the\tcops\tto\tremove\tthe\tdrug\tdealers,\tand\tall\tfelt\tempowered\tfor\thaving\tmade\tthat choice. When\t Arthur\t had\t given\t the\t word\t to\t begin,\t he\t and\t his\t own\t team\t were\t lurking within\t the\t shadows\t of\t a\t large\t industrial\t building\t directly\t facing\t Mr.\t R\u2019s warehouse.\tA\tHummer\tstretch\tlimo\thad\tpulled\tout\tof\tan\tunderground\tgarage\tten minutes\t before,\t but\t since\t then\t all\t had\t been\t still.\t Arthur\t and\t Jenny\t exchanged\t a","look\twhen\tthe\tlimo\tdeparted,\tas\tthough\tthe\tsame\tsense\tof\tdread\thad\tcome\tover them\tboth\tsimultaneously. Despite\tthat\teerie\tfeeling,\tArthur\tdispatched\ta\tyoung\tknight\tnamed\tNorman\tto take\t care\t of\t the\t parking\t garage\t gate,\t which\t had\t descended\t once\t the\t limo departed.\tHe\tsent\ta\ttext\tto\ta\tsplinter\tgroup\tto\tdo\tthe\tsame\ton\tthe\topposite\tside\tof the\twarehouse.\tThe\tlarge\tpadlocks\tArthur\thad\tpurchased\tthat\tvery\tmorning\twere perfectly\tsuited\tto\tthe\ttask. With\tboth\tgarages\tsecured\tagainst\tescape,\tArthur\teyed\tthe\tquiescent\tbuilding soberly.\tTo\tthink\tthat\tsuch\tdeath\tand\t destruction\tof\thuman\tlife\toriginated\there on\ta\tdaily\tbasis.\tHe\tscanned\tthe\tfew\twindows\ton\tthe\ttop\tfloor,\twaved\this\thand\tat Lavern,\tand\tpointed\tto\tone\twindow\tin\tparticular.\tThe\tsmall,\twiry\tboy\ttook\taim and\tfired\ta\tsmoke\tbomb.\tThe\twindow\tshattered,\tand\tsmoke\tbillowed\tout\tinto\tthe setting-sun-drenched\tsky. Arthur\tsent\ta\ttext\tto\this\tsplinter\tteam,\tand\tskilled\tarchers\ton\tthe\topposite\tside began\ttheir\tassault. Arthur\tpointed\tout\tthe\tnext\twindow\tto\tLavern.\tThe\tboy\tfired.\tAnother\tbomb. More\t smoke.\t And\t so\t it\t went\t until\t a\t smoke\t bomb\t had\t been\t fired\t through\t every upper-floor\t window.\t Smoke\t billowed\t from\t the\t wounded\t building\t like\t blood from\tan\tanimal\tthat\thad\tbeen\tstabbed. Arthur\tnodded\tin\tapproval\tat\tLavern\u2019s\texpert\tshooting.\tThe\tsmall\tboy\tgrinned back\twith\tgratitude. \u201cNow\t we\t wait,\u201d\t Arthur\t whispered,\t and\t all\t eyes\t returned\t to\t the\t smoking warehouse. Mayor\t Villagrana\t stood\t at\t his\t window\t watching\t the\t brilliant\t red\t and\t orange\t of the\t setting\t sun,\t the\t twinkling\t of\t city\t lights\t springing\t to\t life\t below\t him,\t and wondered\t what\t Arthur\t was\t up\t to,\t and\t would\t R.\t take\t care\t of\t it\t like\t he\u2019d promised.\t All\t these\t kids\t running\t around\t the\t streets\t doing\t who\t knew\t what\u2014it was\ta\tpublic-relations\tfiasco\twaiting\tto\thappen. \u201cWell?\u201d\tcame\ta\tharsh\tvoice\tfrom\tbehind\thim. Villagrana\t turned\t to\t observe\t Council\t President\t Sanders\t with\t the\t usual\t scowl plastered\t to\t his\t craggy\t old\t face.\t Seated\t with\t Sanders\t was\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t city council\u2014none\t too\t happy\t to\t be\t here\t by\t the\t looks\t on\t their\t faces.\t Chief\t Murphy had\talso\tbrought\tin\tSergeants\tRyan\tand\tGibson. Oh\tjoy,\tthe\tmayor\tsighed\tinwardly,\tthe\twhole\tcircus\tis\tin\ttown. Despite\t these\t thoughts,\t all\t he\t said\t was,\t \u201cNothing\t going\t on\t that\t I\t can\t see.\u201d Sanders\t\u201chummpphed\u201d\tand\texchanged\ta\tlook\twith\tVice\tPresident\tSandra\tGale.","The\tphone\trang\tsuddenly,\tstartling\tVillagrana\twith\tits\tharsh,\ttinny\tclang.\tThe mayor\t snatched\t it\t up\t in\t annoyance.\t \u201cYes?\u201d\t He\t listened\t but\t a\t moment\t and\t then held\tout\tthe\tphone\tto\tChief\tMurphy.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tfor\tyou.\u201d Murphy\trose\tfrom\this\tchair\tand\ttook\tthe\tphone\tfrom\tthe\tobviously\tdisgruntled mayor.\t\u201cYeah?\u201d\tHe\tlistened,\tthen\tcovered\tthe\treceiver\twith\this\thand\tand\tturned back\tto\tthe\tgroup.\t\u201c911\tcalls\tcoming\tin\tfrom\tall\tover\tthe\tcity.\u201d\tThen\the\tresumed listening\tto\tthe\treport. Villagrana\t and\t Sanders\t exchanged\t a\t look.\t Despite\t their\t enmity,\t the\t mayor knew\tthat\twhatever\twas\tgoing\ton\tprobably\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tgood\tfor\teither\tof\tthem. Arthur\t watched\t as\t people\t attempted\t to\t exit\t from\t the\t underground\t garage.\t The padlock\t trapped\t them\t like\t the\t rats\t they\t were.\t Arthur\t looked\t at\t Jenny,\t who nervously\t gripped\t his\t hand.\t He\t squeezed\t it\t gently\t and\t then\t nodded\t to\t Lavern. The\t boy\t retrieved\t from\t his\t satchel\t another\t arrow,\t this\t one\t fitted\t with\t bound cloth.\tEnrique\tsoaked\tthe\tcloth\tin\tgasoline\tand\tlit\tit.\tLavern\tnotched\tthe\tarrow, took\taim\tat\tthe\tfirst\twindow\the\u2019d\ttaken\tout,\tand\tfired.\tThe\tarrow\tmade\ta\tperfect arc\t up\t and\t into\t the\t office.\t Within\t moments,\t fire\t leapt\t from\t the\t window\t as\t the interior\twent\tup\tin\tflames. Arthur\t observed\t a\t moment\t as\t the\t fire\t took\t hold.\t Lavern\t shot\t several\t more flaming\t arrows\t in\t through\t the\t upper\t windows,\t and\t as\t the\t inferno\t engulfed\t the entire\ttop\thalf\tof\tthe\tbuilding,\tArthur\tsignaled\tto\tJenny.\tThe\tprepaid\tphone\tshe\u2019d been\tgiven\twas\talready\tin\ther\tsweaty\thand,\tand\tshe\tthumbed\tin\t911. In\tthe\tmayor\u2019s\toffice,\tVillagrana,\tthe\tcouncil\tmembers,\tRyan,\tand\tGibson\thad\tall taken\t spots\t at\t every\t available\t window\t to\t observe\t the\t scene\t below.\t Smoke\t rose from\t all\t over\t the\t city.\t Sirens\t shrieked\t as\t the\t flashing\t red\t of\t fire\t trucks\t and\t the flashing\tblue\tand\tred\tof\tpolice\tvehicles\tripped\tthe\ttwilight\topen\tlike\ta\twormhole might\ta\tgalaxy\tof\tstars. \u201cWhat\t the\t hell\t is\t happening?\u201d\t Villagrana\t practically\t shouted.\t \u201cIt\t looks\t like\t a war\tzone\tdown\tthere!\u201d Ryan\t and\t Gibson\t exchanged\t a\t frustrated\t look.\t They\t clearly\t wanted\t to\t be\t out there\twith\twhatever\twas\tgoing\ton. Chief\tMurphy\tfinally\thung\tup\tthe\tphone.\tHe\u2019d\tmade\tseveral\tcalls\tto\this\tmen at\t Parker\t Center\t and\t now\t had\t a\t pretty\t good\t idea\t what\t was\t going\t on.\t And\t he liked\t it.\t Damn\t if\t he\t didn\u2019t\t approve,\t despite\t the\t vigilante\t nature\t of\t the\t whole thing.\tHe\tcleared\this\tthroat,\tand\teveryone\tturned\tto\tlook.\t\u201cYou\twant\tthe\tstory?\tI","got\tit.\u201d He\tleaned\tup\tagainst\tthe\tmayor\u2019s\texpensive\tdesk,\tignoring\tthe\tflash\tof\tanger in\tVillagrana\u2019s\teyes. \u201cWell,\tChief,\u201d\tSanders\tasked\tanxiously,\t\u201cIs\tthe\tcity\tburning\tdown?\u201d Murphy\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cNot\t fires.\t Just\t smoke.\t Well,\t there\u2019s\t one\t fire\t at\t a warehouse,\tbut\tsomebody\tcalled\tit\tin\tand\ttrucks\tare\ton\tthe\tway.\u201d \u201cThen\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\tout\tthere,\tChief?\u201d\tVillagrana\tpractically\tscreamed. The\t Chief\t cleared\t his\t throat\t again.\t \u201cIt\t seems\t our\t King\t Arthur\t and\t his\t kids have\tsmoke\tbombed\ta\tbunch\tof\tcrack\thouses\tand\tmeth\tlabs\tthroughout\tthe\tcity.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\tSandra\tGale\texclaimed,\ther\teyes\twide\twith\tastonishment. The\tchief\tnodded.\t\u201cYep,\tbagged\tthe\tcookers\tand\tleft\t\u2019em\tin\tfishnets\tfor\tus\tto pick\t up\t and\t book.\t Actually,\t these\t kids\t are\t turning\t the\t netted\t cooks\t over\t to\t the locals\t and\t letting\t them\t decide\t to\t call\t us\t or\t not.\t That\u2019s\t the\t 911\t calls\u2014citizens who\t want\t us\t to\t finish\t what\t Arthur\t and\t his\t kids\t started.\t They\t even\t videoed everything\tand\tleft\tthe\tevidence\tfor\tus\tto\tuse.\u201d \u201cAnybody\tget\thurt?\u201d\tRyan\tasked. \u201cToo\t early\t to\t tell.\t I\t think\t some\t cooks\t got\t shot\t with\t arrows,\t but\t that\u2019s\t still unconfirmed.\u201d \u201cHell!\u201d\tVillagrana\tcursed,\tglaring\tat\tthe\tChief\tas\tif\tthe\twhole\tevening\twas\this fault.\t \u201cDo\t you\t know\t how\t bad\t we\u2019ll\t look\t in\t the\t media,\t Chief,\t when\t a\t bunch\t of kids\t can\t do\t better\t police\t work\t than\t the\t LAPD?\t We\u2019ll\t be\t the\t laughing\t stock\t of the\tcountry.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\tall\tyou\tcare\tabout,\tMr.\tMayor?\u201d\tSandra\tGale\tasked\tincredulously.\t\u201cI, for\t one,\t think\t this\t King\t Arthur\t has\t done\t us\t a\t tremendous\t favor.\t Chief,\t how would\the\tknow\twhere\tto\tfind\tthese\tdrug\thouses\twhen\tyour\tmen\tdidn\u2019t?\u201d \u201cIf\t I\t may\t answer\t that,\t Chief,\u201d\t Ryan\t piped\t up,\t and\t the\t Chief\t shrugged.\t \u201cThe kids\t know\t everything\t that\t goes\t down\t in\t their\t neighborhoods,\t Ms.\t Gale.\t That\u2019s why\t we\ttry\tto\tbefriend\tthem.\tUnfortunately\twe\tstab\tthem\tin\tthe\tback\tway\ttoo often,\tso\tthey\tdon\u2019t\ttrust\tus.\tThey\tdo\ttrust\tArthur.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tout\tof\tline,\tSergeant!\u201d\tMurphy\tbarked,\this\ttemper\trising. \u201cYeah,\tRy,\u201d\tGibson\tadded.\t\u201cWhen\tdo\twe\tstab\t\u2019em\tin\tthe\tback?\u201d \u201cEvery\ttime\twe\tarrest\t\u2019em\tand\ttell\t \u2019em\tif\tthey\t help\tus,\twe\u2019ll\thelp\tthem.\tWe help\t\u2019em\tall\tright,\tstraight\tto\tprison.\u201d Gibson\topened\this\tmouth\tto\tprotest,\tbut\tended\tup\tsaying\tnothing. The\tmayor\tlooked\tfit\tto\tbe\ttied.\t\u201cSo,\tMr.\tPolice\tChief,\twhat\tdo\twe\tdo,\thuh?\u201d \u201cI\t got\t my\t men\t responding\t to\t the\t calls,\t including\t that\t warehouse\t downtown. Seems\tthat\twas\ta\tmajor\tdrop\tand\tmanufacture\tpoint\ttoo.\tDidn\u2019t\tyou\tsay\tArthur wanted\tus\there\tin\tyour\toffice?\u201d The\tmayor\tnodded.","\u201cThen\t I\t guess\t we\t wait\t for\t him,\u201d\t Sanders\t added\t before\t returning\t to\t the window. Smoke\t billowed\t above\t the\t city\t lights,\t and\t flashing\t sirens\t cast\t everything\t in strobing\tshades\tof\tblue\tand\tred. At\tthe\tfirst\tsound\tof\tapproaching\tsirens,\tArthur\tnodded\tto\tJustin. \u201cThank\tyou,\tSir\tJustin,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tplacing\tone\thand\ton\tthe\ttall\tboy\u2019s\tshoulder. \u201cYou\t have\t done\t a\t great\t deed\t this\t night\t for\t the\t people\t of\t thy\t city.\t Your\t father would\tbe\tproud\tof\tthee.\u201d Justin\t basked\t in\t the\t compliment,\t but\t lowered\t his\t gaze\t at\t the\t mention\t of\t his father.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso.\tProbably\tjust\tthink\tI\u2019m\tsome\tkind\ta\tpyro\tor\tsomethin\u2019.\u201d Arthur\twaited,\tnever\ttaking\this\teyes\tfrom\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tface\tuntil\tJustin\traised\this head\tagain\tsheepishly.\t\u201cI\ttake\tgreat\tpride\tin\tthee,\tSir\tJustin,\tand\tI\tthank\tthee\tfor thy\tloyalty.\u201d\tHe\toffered\ta\tsmall\tsmile,\tpatted\tthe\tboy\ton\tthe\tback,\tand\tturned\tto the\tothers.\t\u201cNow,\tmy\tbrave\tand\tnoble\tyoung\tknights,\twe\thave\ta\trendezvous\twith the\tmayor.\u201d He\texchanged\ta\tlook\twith\tJenny\tand\tthen\tglanced\tdown\tat\tChris,\twho\tgazed at\t the\t burning\t building\t in\t wonder.\t The\t top\t floors\t were\t completely\t engulfed\t in flames,\tand\tthe\tpeople\tbelow\tbeat\tfuriously\tagainst\tthe\tlocked\tgarage\tgate. Arthur\t slipped\t quickly\t up\t into\t Llamrei\u2019s\t saddle,\t knowing\t the\t approaching sirens\t would\t arrive\t in\t time\t to\t save\t those\t who\t were\t trapped.\t Hopefully,\t they would\tfind\tthe\tnote\tJustin\tattached\tto\tthe\tpadlock\tand\tarrest\tthem\tall. But\tthat\tdecision\twould\tbe\ttheirs\tto\tmake. He\treached\tdown\tfor\tChris\u2019s\tupraised\thand\tand\teasily\thefted\tthe\tsmall\tboy\tup into\t the\t saddle,\t adjusting\t Chris\u2019s\t helm\t and\t noting\t the\t long\t blond\t hair\t flowing from\tbeneath\tit. Was\tI\tonce\tso\tsmall\tand\tyoung,\the\tmused\tas\tJenny\tdeftly\tclimbed\tup\tbehind him? He\tturned\tand\tcast\ther\tas\treassuring\ta\tlook\tas\the\tcould\tmuster\tbefore\tflicking the\treins\tand\tstarting\tdown\tthe\tstreet,\this\tteam\tof\tknights\tfollowing.\tSince\tthey weren\u2019t\t far\t from\t City\t Hall,\t they\t were\t all\t on\t foot,\t Justin\u2019s\t mom\u2019s\t SUV\t left behind\tfor\tthe\ttime\tbeing. Lance\tand\tJack\tremained\tuntied,\tbut\theld\tat\tgunpoint\tby\tthe\ttwo\tAsians\tflanking them.\t Lance\t knew\t if\t either\t of\t them\t made\t a\t move,\t any\t move,\t it\t would\t be\t their last.\tSo\tthey\tsat\tstiffly\tagainst\tone\tanother,\tLance\tglancing\tabout\tthe\tunabashed","opulence\tof\tthe\tlimo\tand\tawaiting\tan\topportunity\tto\tput\ttheir\tplan\tinto\taction. R.\t observed\t them\t with\t amusement.\t The\t look\t in\t his\t eyes\t frightened\t Lance, because\the\tknew\tthis\tman\thad\tno\tconscience.\tWhatever\the\twas\tplanning\thad\tto be\tstopped. Lance\t glanced\t down\t at\t the\t floor,\t hoping\t to\t appear\t humble,\t while\t his\t mind raced\tfor\ta\tsolution.\tHe\talmost\tgagged,\tbut\theld\tit\tback.\tTucked\tunder\tR.\u2019s\tseat, right\tbehind\this\tfeet,\twas\tLance\u2019s\tskateboard.\tHe\tfigured\tit\tmust\u2019ve\tbeen\ttossed under\tthere\twhen\the\tand\tJack\thad\tbeen\tkidnapped,\tand\tthen\tforgotten. Could\tthat\tbe\tuseful? His\t thoughts\t were\t interrupted\t by\t movement\t from\t R.\t He\t flicked\t his\t eyes\t up and\tonto\tthe\tman\u2019s\tface. R.\tlaughed.\t\u201cSo\tjumpy,\tPretty\tBoy.\u201d\tHe\tmade\ta\tbig\tshow\tof\treaching\tinto\this pocket. Lance\theld\this\tbreath,\tcertain\ta\tgun\twould\tbe\tproduced. But\tR.\tmerely\tpulled\tout\ta\tcell\tphone. Lance\u2019s\tcell\tphone. His\teyes\twent\twide\twith\tsurprise.\t\u201cHey,\tthat\u2019s\tmy\tphone\u2014\u201d A\thard,\tbony\telbow\tto\tthe\tribs\tcut\thim\toff,\tand\the\tcoughed\tand\tspluttered\tto catch\this\tbreath. R.\tlooked\tat\thim\tsmugly.\t\u201cI\tdo\tbelieve\tchildren\tshould\tbe\tseen,\tbut\tnot\theard. Isn\u2019t\t that\t the\t adage?\u201d\t He\t chuckled\t as\t Lance\t struggled\t to\t regain\t his\t composure, and\tJack\tglared\tfuriously.\t\u201cIt\tapplies\tto\tpretty\tboys,\tas\twell.\u201d Lance\t could\t tell\t Jack\t wanted\t to\t jump\t the\t man\t then\t and\t there.\t He\t met\t Jack\u2019s eye\tand\tnodded,\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tokay.\u201d R.\t thumbed\t in\t the\t number.\t He\u2019d\t memorized\t it\t before\t deleting\t Arthur\u2019s messages.\t \u201cI\t think\t it\u2019s\t high\t time\t I\t had\t a\t little\t chat\t with\t your\t so-called\t King Arthur,\tdon\u2019t\tyou?\u201d Neither\tboy\tresponded\tas\tR.\tpressed\t\u201cSend.\u201d","CHAPTER\t14:\t BE\tIT\tOVER? ARTHUR\t AND\t HIS\t TEAM\t HAD\t made\t good\t progress.\t They\u2019d\t proceeded\t straight\t up Temple\tfrom\tthe\twarehouse\tand\thad\tacquired\tquite\tan\tentourage\talong\tthe\tway. Some\t of\t Arthur\u2019s\t other\t knights,\t who\t had\t completed\t their\t raids,\t folded\t into\t the parade,\tas\t had\t been\tplanned.\tBut\t what\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tplanned\twere\tthe\tpeople\u2014 local\tresidents,\tmany\tof\tthem\tchildren\tand\ttheir\tparents\u2014who\tspotted\tthe\tmarch from\t their\t windows\t and\t had\t spilled\t out\t onto\t the\t sidewalk\t to\t follow.\t Seeing Arthur\t and\t his\t knights\t in\t the\t flesh\t was\t a\t thrill,\t and\t seeing\t them\t on\t the\t march meant\t something\t was\t going\t on,\t probably\t something\t good,\t and\t they\t obviously wanted\ta\tfront-row\tseat. Jenny\t looked\t amazed\t as\t the\t number\t of\t followers\t kept\t increasing.\t Within\t a few\t blocks,\t the\t procession\t had\t outgrown\t the\t width\t of\t the\t sidewalk,\t and\t people were\t spilling\t out\t into\t the\t street,\t causing\t drivers\t to\t slow\t down\t and\t gawk\t at\t the impromptu\tparade. Arthur\t had\t just\t passed\t the\t intersection\t with\t Los\t Angeles\t Street\t when\t the phone\tin\this\tpocket\tbegan\tvibrating. He\tfrowned.\tSince\tall\tof\this\tteams\tknew\tto\tmeet\tat\tCity\tHall\tupon\tcompletion of\t their\t raids,\t and\t there\t was\t no\t need\t for\t communication,\t he\t felt\t a\t sudden\t chill run\tup\this\tback.\tHe\tslipped\tout\tthe\tphone\tand\tglanced\tat\tthe\tname\u2014\tLance.\tBut rather\tthan\telation,\tfear\tseized\thim,\tand\the\thesitantly\tplaced\tthe\tphone\tto\this\tear. \u201cYes,\tthis\tis\tArthur.\u201d A\t stony,\t heartless\t voice\t came\t out\t of\t the\t phone,\t and\t the\t words\t pierced\t his heart\tlike\ta\tknife.\t\u201cI\thave\tyour\tpretty\tboy,\tand\tyou\twant\thim\tback.\u201d Arthur\t sucked\t in\t a\t loud,\t shocked\t breath,\t drawing\t Jenny\u2019s\t attention.\t \u201cArthur, what\u2019s\twrong?\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer,\this\theart\tthumping\tfrantically,\tthat\tshadow\tof\tdoom\tclosing in\ton\thim\tfrom\tall\tsides.\tHe\tsaid\tinto\tthe\tphone,\t\u201cWho\tare\tyou?\u201d Lance\t observed\t R.\t settle\t more\t comfortably\t into\t his\t seat,\t crossing\t his\t legs\t and smirking\tlike\ta\tpredator\tabout\tto\tstrike.\tMr.\tL.,\tas\talways,\tremained\tunreadable.","\u201cWho\tI\tam\tisn\u2019t\tterribly\timportant,\u201d\tR.\tbegan\tsmugly.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tjust\tsay\tI\u2019m\tthe true\truler\tof\tthis\tcity.\tIt\u2019s\tbelonged\tto\tme\tfor\tyears,\tand\tI\tintend\tto\tkeep\tit.\tYour pathetic\tattempt\tto\treturn\tit\tto\tthe\tpeople\tends\ttonight.\u201d Arthur\t continued\t guiding\t Llamrei\t up\t the\t street\t as\t he\t listened,\t but\t allowed\t the mare\t to\t move\t at\t her\t own\t pace.\t \u201cIs\t Lance\t all\t right?\t Do\t you\t have\t Sir\t Jack,\t as well?\u201d At\tLance\u2019s\tname,\tboth\tChris\tand\tJenny\tleaned\tin\tcloser. R.\tlet\tout\ta\tsnort\tof\tdisgust.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tmean\tthe\tfaggot,\tyes,\the\u2019s\there\ttoo.\u201d Lance\tbristled\t at\tthe\t word,\tbut\t Jack\ttook\t it\tin\tstride.\t He\tlooked\talert\tto\tany possibility\t to\t put\t their\t plan\t into\t action\t and\t clearly\t had\t no\t intention\t of\t being rattled. \u201cYou\t could\t really\t do\t so\t much\t better\t in\t your\t selection\t of\t knights,\t King Arthur,\u201d\tR.\twent\ton\ttauntingly.\t\u201cI\tmean,\treally,\tfaggots?\tAnd\twanna-be\tfaggots? I\u2019m\tcertain\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\tdisappointed\tto\tlearn\tthat\tyour\tpretty\tboy\tson\tis\tprobably\ta fagboy\ttoo.\tDoesn\u2019t\tthat\tjust\tdisgust\tyou?\u201d Lance\t burned\t with\t equal\t parts\t humiliation\t and\t hatred.\t Jack\t lightly\t elbowed him,\ta\tsignal\tto\tkeep\this\tfocus.\tLance\tforced\thimself\tto\tstay\tcalm. Arthur\t felt\t a\t sickness\t well\t up\t in\t his\t stomach\t and\t surround\t his\t thumping\t heart. He\tknew,\tdeep\tdown,\tthat\tthis\tman\twouldn\u2019t\thesitate\tto\tkill\tLance\tand\tJack.\tHis tone,\t his\t words\u2014this\t was\t a\t man\t without\t conscience\t or\t remorse.\t Arthur\t forced himself\tto\tremain\tcalm. \u201cOn\tthe\tcontrary,\tI\tcould\tnot\tbe\tmore\tproud\tof\tSir\tLance,\tand\tSir\tJack.\tThey be\toutstanding\tyoung\tmen.\u201d R.\t guffawed.\t \u201cYeah,\t right,\t men.\t That\u2019s\t a\t good\t one.\t It\u2019s\t those\t attitudes\t that\u2019ve doomed\tyour\twhole\tcrusade\tfrom\tthe\tstart,\tKing.\tOnly\tthe\tstrong\tsurvive\tin\tthis world,\t and\t might\t will\t always\t crush\t right!\u201d\t He\t smirked\t again\t at\t the\t boys, obviously\tenjoying\thimself.","Arthur\tsat\tstiffly\tupon\tLlamrei,\tboth\tChris\tand\tJenny\tleaning\tin\tanxiously.\t\u201cHow do\tI\tknow\tmy\tboys\tbe\tstill\talive?\u201d Jenny\tgasped,\tand\tChris\u2019s\teyes\twelled\twith\ttears. \u201cDo\tyou\thave\tvideo\tchat\ton\tyour\tphone?\u201d\tR.\tasked\twith\tan\texaggerated\tsigh,\tas though\tsaying,\t\u201cwhy\tdo\tthey\tnever\tbelieve\tme?\u201d Arthur\thanded\tthe\tphone\tto\tChris.\t\u201cSir\tChris,\tdoes\tthis\tphone\thave\tsomething\the called\tvideo\tchat?\u201d Chris\ttook\tthe\tphone\tand\tthrough\tblurred\teyes\tpressed\ta\tcouple\tof\tbuttons\ton the\ttouch\tscreen\tto\topen\tthe\tvideo\tchat\tfeature.\tBefore\thanding\tthe\tphone\tback, he\tlooked\timploringly\tat\tArthur.\t\u201cAre\tLance\tand\tJack\tgonna\tbe\tokay?\u201d Arthur\tnodded.\tThen\the\theld\tup\tthe\tphone\tand\tspoke\tinto\tit.\t\u201cI\thave\tit.\u201d R.\t turned\t the\t screen\t away\t so\t as\t to\t not\t reveal\t himself.\t Instead,\t he\t turned\t the phone\tto\tface\tLance\tand\tJack. Lance\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\thimself.\t\u201cArthur,\the\u2019s\tgonna\tkill\tyou!\tIt\u2019s\u2014\u201d\tAn\telbow\tto the\tribs\tshut\thim\tdown\tbefore\the\tcould\tfinish. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\ttrap,\tArthur\u2014\u201d\tJack\tspit\tout\tbefore\the,\ttoo,\tgot\tan\telbow\tto\tthe\tgut. R.\t glared\t and\t disengaged\t the\t video\t feature\t before\t returning\t the\t phone\t to\t his ear.\t \u201cYou,\t see,\t Arthur,\t your\t knights\t are\t alive\t and,\t like\t all\t children,\t incredibly stupid!\u201d A\t wave\t of\t panic\t assailed\t Arthur\t at\t seeing\t the\t boys\t struck\t so\t harshly,\t and\t he fought\tto\tcontrol\tthe\tfear\tin\this\tvoice.\tHis\tbreath\tfelt\ttight\tin\this\tlungs,\tand\this heart\t pounded\t with\t dread.\t He\t should\t have\t been\t prepared\t for\t a\t man\t like\t this\u2014 there\thad\tbeen\ta\tgreat\tmany\tof\this\tilk\tback\tin\tBritain. But\the\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tprepared.\tAnother\terror\ton\this\tpart. Please,\tLord,\tdo\tnot\tlet\tLance\tand\tJack\tpay\tfor\tmy\tmistake\u2026. He\t exhaled\t a\t deep\t breath\t then\t spoke\t into\t the\t phone,\t \u201cDo\t not\t harm\t them.\t I shall\tdo\twhatever\tyou\task.\u201d"]
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