Richard gulped, unsure of what to do in this scenario. Things became bleak for him and his acquaintance. Bang! A gun fired off, and a bullet flew off, piercing through Cyborg’s hand. He let go of the jar, causing it to shatter on the floor, allowing Fawn to get out unharmed. Cyborg got down on the ground and grabbed his bloody hand, as he grit his teeth and tried to hold back from screaming.

As Lightning went over to check on Cyborg, Richard used this as his chance to strike back. He grabbed Lightning and head-butted him, sending the man across the wall and knocking him back, falling to the floor in agony. Richard turned back and rushed over to Fawn’s aid.

“Fawn, are you alright?”

“Richard, look out!” Fawn cried out.

Before Richard knew it, Lightning got back up from the impact and ran over to him at breakneck speed. He pulled out a bat and swung it over Richard’s head in full swing. The impact hit him as life flashed before his eyes, and he fell to the floor with a loud thud.

“Oh no!” Fawn gasped.

“How irritating.” Lightning muttered.

Cyborg took out first aid and bandages to apply to his hand. He got up and jerked his head to the sides in frustration.

“Who did that?”

Lucy’s eyes widened as she looked down at the gun in her hands. Smoke coming out from it. She dropped the gun and crawled back to hiding behind the counter before getting caught.

Fawn ground her teeth as an aura enveloped her. “You two will pay for that.” She muttered as her eyes glowed, staring intensely at the two thugs. She raised her arm and gathered energy around it. “You must be the ones that murdered my family, and just for that, I will—”

“What are you talking about?” Lightning asked.

“And what are you doing?” Cyborg inquired, his hand shaking.

“Wait, stop!” A voice interjected.

The group turned to find the source of the voice. “Ashley?” They gasped and pointed at one another. “You know her?”

“Get away from these guys!” Fawn exclaimed.

“Don’t listen to her!” Cyborg yelled out.

“This ghost and her ‘buddy’ are causing turmoil between your parents!” Lightning added.

“They’re lying!” Fawn thundered.

“Stop it!” Ashley snapped, walking closer to the group. “Fawn is my friend, and Cyborg and Lightning are my friends as well, and my caretakers.”

The three gasped at the revelation.

Fawn shook her head. “Why aren’t your actual parents’ caretakers for you?”

Cyborg and Lightning looked away, staring at the wall and floor. “It’s complicated.”

“Hold up, why should I trust that you’re not as bad as she claims?” Fawn inquired. “You knocked out Richard!”

“But that was out of self-defense!” Lightning held his hand out in defense.

Cyborg nodded. “And you’re the reason Ashley’s parents are—”

“Wait, do you have proof of this?” Ashley asked.

“Well, no, not necessarily.” Lightning muttered.

“I know how to resolve this.” Ashley proclaimed, her face lighting up. “Why don’t we find the leader’s hideout and confirm it for ourselves? If it’s not these two, then you guys should leave them alone, got it?”

“Sounds good.”

Ashley turned to Fawn. “What do you say? This could be your chance to clear your name.”

Fawn raised an eyebrow. The whole idea sounded suspicious. Maybe it was too soon to lower her guard around the girl. “You seriously have personal tie-ins with a gang?”

“That’s right.” Cyborg nodded. “And if you’re guilty, then our leader will pick out an extraordinary punishment for you two.”

Fawn looked down at Richard’s unconscious body. “What about him?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get him over without getting caught.” Lightning boasted.

“I also know a shortcut we can take to get there faster,” Cyborg added.

“This is also pretty secretive, so can you close your eyes while we guide you there?” Ashley suggested.

“Um, alright?” Fawn closed her eyes and sighed.

From the other side, Lucy heard the doors open and close. She got out of her hiding place, everyone left as they had wrecked the area.

What was that all about? She thought, getting up and brushing herself off. Have I seen something I shouldn’t have? What do I do now? Lucy panicked. If I don’t do something, then— She stopped and stared out at the windows. No, I should investigate. This could be a big change in my life, and I don’t want this opportunity to leave me. She took off her hat and left the store without looking back.