The morning sun filtered softly through the narrow window of the hall room. Zain sat quietly on the worn-out bed, eyes fixed on the floor. Across from him, Orion was busy tapping rapidly on his phone, engrossed in a mobile game.
"Orion," Zain broke the silence, his voice steady but urgent. "You've been so lazy these past few days. Don't you remember why we created this gang?"
Orion looked up, slightly annoyed. "Honestly, I don't."
Zain's eyes sharpened. "Then invite everyone. Today, we're holding our first gang meeting."
"As you wish," Orion said, setting his phone aside.
---
That evening, the gang members gathered in the abandoned warehouse—their unofficial headquarters. The fading orange glow of sunset cast long shadows over the cracked concrete floor as familiar faces and new ones mingled quietly.
Zain stepped forward, his voice echoing with purpose.
"I know many of you don't know me well, and some of us were enemies before. But now, you're all my brothers. We are a family."
A silence fell over the group.
"If you think this gang will be like the others, you're wrong. We formed it to protect the people of Hadith area in Rebel—they've been suffering under WS's tyranny."
He looked around at their faces, each one worn but determined.
"Starting tomorrow night, we'll split into small groups to help those who need it."
---
Zain raised a hand, signaling the rules.
"Listen carefully. You must follow your own religion. No drugs or cigarettes. Always help the weak and speak out against injustice. Even if I do something wrong, you must stand against me."
The group nodded in solemn agreement.
"Our first army chief is Alice. Second army chief is Cube. Orion is second-in-command, and I'm the leader. Since we have few members, each army will only have seven."
His voice grew softer but no less firm.
"Our goal is peace. If someone accepts that, good. If not, we will fight. And every one of us must be ready to love death more than life itself."
---
The room grew still as the weight of Zain's words sank in. For the first time in a long time, there was hope—and fear intertwined, like two sides of the same coin.
Orion clenched his fists.
"This... is only the beginning."
---