The Fall

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Chapter Zero

Chapter One - "Freeze"

Part I

Part II

The bar tender nodded his head in gratitude, and eagerly turned his eyes away from Nathan's.

"That's quite the suit."

The words were clearly intended for Nathan, and emanated from the corner of the bar where the cheering and laughter had originated a moment ago.

"I didn't know the circus paid so well."

Nathan's jaw tightened as the clown's performance won over his audience. The air thickened with ridicule as an onslaught of sycophantic chuckles and snickers displaced the anger he was feeling towards his father. He looked over his shoulder to the group surrounding the pool table.

Two cowardly heads instantly averted their attention away from Nathan and towards the man holding a pool cue at the edge of the table, whom the others all stared at intently. He alone directed his gaze towards Nathan, and the casual smirk on his face suggested he had more to say.

"Exactly how tall are you?" The cocky showman looked slowly to his left and to his right, at the group of young men that surrounded him. Positive now that Nathan had caught sight of the gang tattoos that adorned the sides of his neck, he looked onward once more. "We have a bet, you see."

The younger gang members surrounding their leader glanced at Nathan, and then at each other. One looked barely sixteen, while the oldest of them appeared to be no more than twenty two.

"Six eleven?" He continued. "Seven foot?"

Nathan's jaw relaxed with his gaze as clarity on the current situation presented itself to him. This forty year old hasn't-been was all too obviously putting on a show for his new recruits. This theatre was intended to convince them of his strength, and to cultivate fear of him in them. But it was clear this would go no further than words. Not only because an attempted assault upon Nathan would invite Keepers from Providence Heights into their district, but because to test another physically, and to be put to shame, would bring about the loss of the respect his performance had earned him thus far.

"Well? Tell us then?"

A pitiful smile was the only response offered by Nathan, before turning back around to order another drink.

The reaction left the actor little option. "Fuck you, then." He threatened. "Don't be coming around here again after tonight, you freak."

The thought crossed Nathan's mind to ruin the fool's charade by teaching him a lesson in front of his own students. But he knew there was little need. The other gangs in this district would solve the problem for him before long. He ordered another drink and laughed to himself quietly, realising the similarities between how the poorest, and the wealthiest, control their own.




Part III coming soon.