Chapter 1

The sky was overcast today, and there was a slight chill in the air due to a north breeze. This was typical for early spring. By how the clouds gathered overhead Lazarus wouldn’t have been too shocked if there was supposed to be rain later on. Walking through backstreets and alleys, only those who knew the way could navigate it safely and avoid the “rough patches” as they were called.

               Lazarus’ school was just three blocks over, not too far considerably. Passing the first block, Lazarus headed for the main street to walk straight down the rest of the way. Things would have been fine, had not a 1997 sedan deville come swerving in and blocking his path to the street. Lazarus stopped dead in his tracks as he recognized the car that belonged to Henry McGreer, one of the recruiters of the “Southside Wings”.  Formally known as the “Wild Canaries”, since the bad reputation of 1919, and their deformation… they had risen back up taking on a new name, the Southside Wings.

               The doors to sedan opened up and unsurprisingly, Henry himself came out followed by two others Lazarus recognized. One being Bolo, Henry’s “henchman”, and the other… an old friend of Lazarus’. “Hello Cody! Been a while, I was unaware you had joined the Wings.”

Cody, like Lazarus, is part Irish. Cody had dark blue eyes long blond dreadlocks and pale skin and tattoos covering both forearms. Wearing loose jogging pants, and white T-top, his muscles were also slightly toned, evidence he was working out a bit. “Sup bradda!” He exchanged a friendly “secret-hand” exchange with Lazarus before taking a step back and taking his place next to Henry and Bolo. The three now were facing Lazarus, Bolo somehow had placed himself behind Lazarus and Henry and Cody were in front. Seeing he was cut off from a quick escape… Lazarus narrowed his eyes as he saw where this was going.

Sighing Lazarus put his hands up, “Look I’m not asking for any trouble alright. You can tell your boss, that I’m NOT going to join your gang… no matter how big you increase your offer. I don’t care about your little fight, and I want no part of your crack business.”

Henry, a tall-lanky Irish-American with light skin, and copper hair, wore a bowler-hat, a yellow-polo shirt with sandy khaki’s finished off by brown leather shoes. With a crooked grin, and a glint in his tan-colored eyes he said… “Hey now Mr. Free.” He said rather too formally, “no need to worry. We understand… it’s just uh, a couple of the chums saw you crossing the bridge earlier this week, into the restricted zone. Now I warned you the last time you went passed through there that next round you wouldn’t be so lucky.” Henry shrugged, “Personally if it were me, I would let you off… but the boss wants you to learn your lesson. So kid I’m afraid you are going to have to get it this time.

In that instant, Bolo came and wrapped his arms around Lazarus to hold him still for the moment that Henry and Cody would have come in and delivered the “punishing” blows. Lazarus had prepared for this, and wouldn’t give in quite so easily. “Oh no you don’t.” Lazarus said with a slightly grunt, as he dropped down and lifted his hip up, tilting slightly at the same time while pulling Bolo’s arm causing him to flip over Lazarus’ shoulder and hit the concrete on his back. Lazarus immediately followed up by taking his elbow and driving it down onto Bolo’s thigh right in the nerves. Just enough to stun him, but Lazarus didn’t quite have the stomach to decapitate this time round.

Taking out Bolo, though only a few seconds had passed… it was a few seconds longer than Lazarus had anticipated. This allowed Cody to come up and have a “swing” at Lazarus, but was too slow. Ducking low, Lazarus dodged the roundhouse and followed up with a quick straight-forward jab to Cody’s solar-plexus. “Sorry about that!” Lazarus said as Cody doubled over out of breath. Henry didn’t even bother to move when Lazarus now having his opening took off running back down the alley and disappearing around the next corner.

“THIS ISN’T OVER LAZARUS!!!” He heard Henry shout after him. Lazarus just ran, he knew he wouldn’t be chased but he wouldn’t risk it either. Taking an alternative route… Lazarus slowed down and paused for a moment to catch his breath. Thinking back, Lazarus realized just how lucky he was due to the fact Henry didn’t pull out his LC9. With a sigh of relief, Lazarus straightened himself up and walked right onto his school’s grounds….

Reviews

[Corset]

love this, action already, the only trouble I have with the chapter is the continuity of the fight with Bolo. It sounds like bolo came up behind, in order to flip him the way Laz has as described it would have to be from behind, to a elbow blow to his thigh would not be readily available as it (the thigh) would now be the furthest body part away from Laz and Laz would be facing away from Bolo, But.. in this scenario Laz would still have a grip on Bolos arm and a quick jab to the nerves in his neck would work here or he could stun him with his elbow to the back of his head or and elbow to his throat or chest and still be in the crouch to duck Codys kick and in this case he could block the kick grab his leg against his body with his left arm and then use his right elbow to come down hard on codys extended thigh leg or break his knee...just sayin..otherwise its wonderful that he didn't even break a sweat...
this wont stop me from coming back for chapter two though :D

[Carthage Thorne| The Wildcard]

I really super appreciate this review, and you are absolutely right. I hadn't thought of it, going to rego over that and edit what I can to help keep things in continuity. (Being a film student I understand fully how a break in it can be distracting from what is meant to be told.)

[Corset]

:D it seems to be going really well so far, ill be back when I have more time for next chapter

[Coyote Poetry]

You showed a hard world. Must fight or die. I liked the set-up for the fight. You create dangerous situation and you left the reader with a open ending. Thank you for sharing the amazing chapter.
Coyote

[Carthage Thorne| The Wildcard]

Thank you! I confess, I absolutely love leaving opening endings. : )

[Coyote Poetry]

Open ending. Keep the reader coming back and you are welcome.