Chapter 5
Nothing lasted for long. He had learned it in his new life as an orphan. Especially when he felt that his little hideout wasn't as safe as he thought anymore. Locke had noticed a few unwanted people wandering too close.
Some of them he has seen before, a bit too many times to his liking. At that point, his paranoia that these people were looking for him didn't feel that outstretched anymore. But he wished he wasn't right, as that implicated many things.
The first thing he thought of was that the Lannisters were trying to finish their work. But he quickly put that thought out, as he didn't think the Lannister or anyone in the Red Keep knew he was alive, and surely he wasn't worth their attention.
The festivities from winning the war against the Greyjoys were long gone. So, this second thought was that people were just getting more guarded, more suspicious, and some, more desperate. Locke suspected that some had figured out he'd been lucky in his efforts to earn coin quite too often. And word traveled fast in these parts.
It was his mistake to think nobody would notice him. But he was a kid who didn't belong to any gang and still moved freely through Flea Bottom like it was his home. So, some gangs were bound to get curious about him. Others were smart enough to guess that Locke might have a nice cache of loot by now. And in the end, he was still a kid. An easy coin. Locke probably would've thought the same if roles were reversed. But he found stealing was far easier when done to people who didn't belong to Flea Bottom.
This place was a den for beasts. Every single one of them was desperate. Every single one of them was dangerous. They had little, and they treasured the little they had a way more than anyone else in this city. Locke already knew how much people here were ready to do for a few silver coins.
So, Locke decided to cut his hair as short as possible, hide his face as best he could, and stay out of sight for as long as he could. No stealing. No stepping out from the darkness of Flea Bottom.
He was lucky to have made a deal with that trio of kids—he had all the food he needed. And he had saved enough money to live on for months. So, he spent his days training with his knife, stabbing and slashing at wooden poles wrapped in rags, far from any watchful eyes.
All he wanted was to understand how to grip the knife better. What was the best angle to slash someone and leave the deepest cut? What was the cleanest angle to stab and still pull the blade free quickly?
He also practiced throwing the knife, though he didn't have much luck with it. Still, it was always better to keep enemies at a distance, so he didn't give up. Everything he did was meant to minimize risk to himself.
The rest of his days were spent exploring the city. It was too big to know all at once, but with time, he believed he could memorize every street and alley. He needed to. That kind of knowledge would be useful one day. His ambition wouldn't let him give up easily either.
And so, weeks passed. He learned more and more. People began to forget him, assuming he was already dead, that someone had gotten to him first and was now hiding with all of Locke's treasure. And yet, Locke couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following him. Watching him.
He didn't like how tense he was all the time. It felt he was a prey, and everyone else around him was a predator ready to strike at any moment. Locke couldn't even sleep well anymore as he would wake to slightest of the slightest sound, ready to face anyone, only realizing he once again overreacted.
Even though he wasn't doing as much as before, and he was eating well, he felt more tired than ever. Still, he pressed on, keeping his head low and observing his surroundings. Waiting until the right opportunity would present him to do something.
…
Every time he met with the trio to exchange food for coin, he'd hide nearby and observe. He had to make sure they hadn't betrayed him, or that no one was following them. The food they carried was enough to feed him for three days—easy pickings for any hungry eyes.
Today, as always, he watched them. But this time, something felt off. They were nervous. They tried to hide it, but Locke's eyes were sharp. He caught the small changes in their posture. They were still kids—they couldn't hide their feelings well, no matter how much they tried.
Even in the heat of midday, they were sweating more than usual. They were experienced urchins; they knew how to prepare themselves. Tension in the shoulders could be normal, but fidgeting? That wasn't like them.
Something was wrong. And even if it was only suspicion, Locke wasn't going to test it. Maybe it was time to cut them off anyway. Nothing lasted long in these parts.
He didn't need answers. He only needed to know when to run. Answers wouldn't change how he survived. But sometimes, survival meant facing what he didn't want to.
Maybe he was lucky—lucky enough not to have learn what it felt like to have cold steel pressed against his neck until now. Like Henry, the cripple, had said, everyone's luck runs out someday. And now he had to admit that was good advice.
"I'd bleed out in a couple of minutes if you slashed my neck from one side to the other." Locke stayed calm as the edge of the knife pressed against his skin. "Death would be inevitable. But a stab in the stomach gives the same result—it just takes longer."
A knife was held to his neck. So, Locke pressed a knife to his assailant's stomach. One push and the blade would be buried deep. A wound that few could survive, if they were lucky, that is.
"So, you're the black cat that's been prowling our territory all this time."
It was a girl's voice. Locke wanted to turn and look, but couldn't. Still, from her voice alone, he could tell she wasn't much older than him. And since her voice came straight to his ear, she wasn't much taller either.
Even knowing he might win in terms of strength, he didn't want to test it. She had come to him without a sound and put a blade to his neck before he realized it. She was dangerous.
"You Wren, right?" Locke threw his guess.
"The kids were talking too much, it seems."
"What do you want?"
"You've been doing some business in our territory without our permission. So, you're going to have to pay."
"Fine. But first, let's put those dangerous toys away before someone gets hurt."
To show good faith, Locke was the first to lower his knife and even put it into his belt. If she wanted to be paid, she had no choice but to do the same. And since she wanted payment, he would pay. What other choice did he have? He was alone. He was weak.
"Seems like the stray cat knows his place," Wren said, pulling her knife away.
"This stray cat's seen a lot on these streets. Dogs devouring rats is the cycle of life around here. I don't plan on being prey."
Freed from the knife, Locke exhaled in relief. "But it really pisses me off, you know."
"What does—"
Before she could finish, Locke turned and slapped her in the head with all his strength. It only split her lip before she snapped her head toward him, only to catch a punch in the stomach. Locke threw himself at her, tackling her to the ground with all his weight.
"You damn fuckers!" Locke couldn't hold his rage back as he punched her. "You think you can fuck with me!" Another punch. "Do I look like some pushover?" She shielded her face now, but Locke didn't stop. "I'll fucking kill you all! Your territory? I don't fucking care! This is my city now! I'll do what I want! Who the fuck are you to tell me otherwise!"
Before he knew it, he was breathless. But he couldn't stop. He had to kill her. He couldn't take it anymore. He'd already lost everything to this damn city. And now some bitch was telling him he had to pay? No. He would make them pay.
"Stop it!"
It was a solid kick. It knocked Locke off the girl and sent pain lancing through his head. He scrambled to his feet, despite the headache, and drew his knife. The trio of kids were now helping the bitch up.
"I told you I'd gut you if you cheated me."
He had no choice now. They'd betrayed him and tried to shake him down for coin. He couldn't let it go. He had to make an example—so no other kid would ever dare mess with him again.
"Step back."
"Big sis?"
Damn it. The girl didn't look shaken by the beating. If anything, she looked more ready to kill him than before. She drew her knife and flipped it in her hand like it was nothing. They'd said she was good with a blade. Locke had to calm down and focus.
"You're dead, stray cat. You fucked up."
"Shut the fuck up. What do you even know, huh? You think you're so tough? I'll kill you. But before that, you should know those kids behind you are going to die because you decided to mess with me. And you—" he pointed to the nearest kid "—you better start running. Because once I'm finished with this bitch, I'll gut you and hang you by your guts so the whole city sees what happens when someone messes with me!"
Who was he kidding? This was the tipping point. He couldn't calm down. So, he lunged at the girl, trying to stab her, only for her to easily sidestep and slash his arm.
It should've hurt. But it didn't. He felt nothing as he tried to cut her chest, only for her to spring back and slash his other arm.
It only made him angrier. So, he threw the knife at her. She was surprised—she stumbled as she dodged.
That was all he needed. He charged and knocked her knife away before pummeling her again. She shielded her face, frustrating Locke even more. So, he grabbed her throat and started to squeeze.
"That's enough, kiddo."
Locke had barely started to squeeze before big hands grabbed him by the armpits and threw him like a sack of grain.
"I knew this would happen when they sent you, Wren. I told you not to try anything stupid."
Locke was so consumed with rage that he didn't think. He rolled to his feet, grabbed a rock, and rushed at the man who'd thrown him. If he were going to die, he'd fuck them up first.
That was his last thought before a fist connected with his face—and everything turned to stars, then darkness. He didn't even have time to feel pain before he passed out.
A.N. As always, thanks for reading and supporting me, so I can continue writing without any concerns, and if you want more, up to seven more chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.