Bravo, "Jet" and "Tyla"!
Jet stood up in the ring, watching them. When the last of the crowd had gone. Jet was left with her guards, bartenders, waiters and cleaners. "Everyone, gather round. Tyla, come up here with me."
Tyla cautiously climbed onto the ring and slipped underneath the ropes. She wasn't the only girl there, but she was the youngest. A few of the barmaids giggled until Jet frowned at them.
Jet: "Tyla, tell these people what you know about tribes."
Tyla's mind went into overdrive. "Oh, right, umm ... tribes are a group of people that come and live together. They all like ... uh ... protect each other? They were made so people could pool resources and stay alive."
Jet: "Stay alive. And more than ssstay alive. Thrive. Grow ssstrong. Be the bessst. I was there once, and I will be again. Tonight I'm bringing back the Vamp Tribe. This one ..." puts a hand on Tyla's shoulder "... is the first member of my new tribe. Who is next?"
There were more uncomfortable laughs and giggles, and people looking at Tyla. No one stepped up. Jet didn't move. Her hand on Tyla's shoulder was a grip that tightened. Tyla didn't notice the laughs; she was too busy thinking. To become strong, the best. If she became that ... a small smile edged onto her face. No one would ever dare to laugh at her again.
Waitress: "That girl is pathetic. She'll run first chance she gets."
Jet heard every word, and she knew who said what. Slowly she pulled a stiletto from her boot. "Tyla, give me your right hand."
Tyla had learnt that when Jet told you to do some thing, don't question it. She gave Jet her right hand. (Jet won't hurt me, I know she won't. Not bad any way.) She opened her eyes and nodded, confident.
Jet held Tyla's hand tightly and spoke very low, for Tyla alone. "Brace yourself. Do not flinch. Do not cry out."
Tyla drew in a big deep breath and stared at her wrist. She forced herself to relax her muscles, put on a show -- otherwise she'd make Jet angry. An angry Jet was far worse than any pain she'd encounter otherwise.
Jet raised Tyla's hand so the others could see. She moved her grasp so she was holding Tyla's first and second fingers slightly apart. The stiletto was razor-sharp. Quickly she slid the knife-tip in a V-shape, from one finger down to the base and then up the other. When she held Tyla's hand forward now it was up showing a V-sign with blood slightly dripping down to her hand.
Jet: "V. For Vampsss." She held up her own hand to show the same sign then turned Tyla loose. "Only Vamps. So? Are you going to let one little girl put you all to ssshame? Do you have her guts? Join the Vamps or get out now."
First one, then another joined Jet in the ring. Tyla finally let herself look at her own hand. It had begun to sting and she winced at the feeling of the loose skin rubbing together. Blood had stained her jeans. She covered it with one hand, sticking close to Jet as other people came forward to join.
Jet nodded and marked each one as they came up. YES! It felt good and right -- finally making a move. THIS move! It took 2 hours and when it was done, Jet stood looking at the people around her with a calculating gleam in her eyes.
"I will never know who ssset up my tribe and took them out, but I ssswear it will NOT happen again. The Vamps will be stronger than ever. Stronger, smarter -- Bandage your hands. Open the doors. Let the people back in. Watch each one. I will give anyone a bounty of 20 coins for each new recruit you bring to the Vamps." She lifted one eyebrow at the silent tribe around her. "Any questions?"
-Chyna
photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"
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