Chapter One
Liam, Finn and Seamus, all stared at the computer screen.Then one by one, they raised their heads and looked at each other.
“Did you all hear that?”Seamus finally asked.“I mean besides all that effin’ and blindin’ the man spouted?”
Finn rubbed his hand along his jaw.“Aye, we heard it but what is he talking about?He’s a tool.A real spanner actually.So can we believe him?That's the real question.”
“I think you all need to talk to Arthur,” Darleen spoke up.
Will turned his head and stared at her.“Why?”
Darleen nodded at the screen.“He’s lived in that neighborhood for a long time.Most people don’t even see us, they also don’t worry about being overheard either.They think we’re all stupid, lazy people, but we aren’t.I may not have gone to school very long but I’m not stupid.Living on the streets gives you an education that’s for damn sure.”She nodded.“But if you want to know what that evil woman has planned, you need to talk to Arthur.He probably knows.He hears all kinds of secrets.”
Finn stared at her then turned to look at Liam and shrugged.“Couldna hurt, I suppose?Maybe this Arthur has heard something that could help us.”
Lian ran his hand over the back of his head.“Only problem is where in a city this big would Arthur be staying?I mean he has no reason to help us and every reason not to.”
Darleen smiled.“I think you’ll find Arthur happy enough to help you.All you have to do is treat him with respect.Most of the people living on the streets just want some sign that other people see us, they see our struggle and that they are willing to give us the same respect they’d give anyone else.We’re struggling but we’re not down and out.”
“I never thought about it like that, young lady,” Finn finally said.“Guess I never thought about the people living on the streets at all.”
Darleen nodded.“Most people don’t, they don’t even see us after a while.”She shrugged.“That’s where I’ve lived all my life, so I never knew any better.Like I said, my dad bailed right after I was born so it was just mom and me until I was seven.She left me alone that night and went to her job, just like every other night.She didn’t make it home.She got mugged or at least that’s what everyone said.But she fought back with her muggers.She’d gotten paid that night and she didn’t want to be robbed.They ended up snapping her neck.”
“Did you ever hear from yer da?”Liam asked.
Darleen didn’t say a word which told them the answer.
“So you've been living on the streets alone since then?”Finn frowned.
Darleen smiled slightly.“I’m not really alone out there.I have friends that look out for me.After Mom died, they took me under their wing and protected me when I needed it.Friends that care whether I live or die, whether I get enough food or not.Or if I can find a place to stay that’s safe.Arthur was one of those friends.He’s a good man and I’ve heard some of his story but he keeps his past quiet.I think it’s something awful, but I’m not sure.”
“So how do we find this good man?”Liam narrowed his eyes at her.
Darleen glanced over at Will.
He nodded at her.
She reached for her wrist and removed a thin band of leather.She handed it to Will and told him, “You take this bracelet and go to two blocks from here east.There you’ll find three older guys picking up bottles.One of them will know it and if you ask him he’ll come with you.”
Will took the bracelet and looked at Seamus.
His father gave him a nod.
Will left the room.He headed out to the street and decided to walk it.He didn’t want to throw this guy off by driving up to talk to him.
He moved at a fast clip and he did come to an area that seemed like a recycle bin area.
Then just like she had said, there were a few men there with bags in their hands.They were getting plastic bottles and aluminum cans from the bins.Turning to him , they stared.
“We aren’t stealing,” one of the men said.
Will shook his head.“I’m not here for that.”
“What ya here for then?”one of the men asked.He looked older and had a gray beard.
“I was sent by a friend to talk to Arthur.
One of the others halted.“What friend?”
