Markus had barely got any sleep. He spent the whole night preparing for the day he went to the police. 

[Markus] Ok Markus you remember I just gotta go in there and report a crime. That's it. No more no less.

He stepped out of his apartment hastily.  He felt Nervous but determined, that was until he was immediately yanked aside as soon as he left the building.

Markus failed his Lanky limbs to try and escape

[Markus] Please don't kill me I'm only nineteen I'm too young to die

[Bruno] and this is the man who'll stop an entire organized crime unit by himself. 

[Markus] Wait BRUNO! 

[Bruno] yep 

[Markus] WHY! 

[Bruno] hmm I wonder why. Maybe it's because there Ain't a single person who went to the cops with this stuff and survived! Think about it if it was that easy do you really think Bear would still be walking! I mean I'm still in high-school and I know this stuff. What kind of adult are you!

[Markus:thought] if only I knew the answer to that.

[Markus] Well what do you think I should do? If the police are so corrupt.

[Bruno] you can start by not being such a wimp.

[Markus] I am not a wimp! I just have a strong survival instinct.

"Both of you  kids are wimps" 

Bruno and Markus turn around to Langston behind them standing there.

[Bruno] Langston can you tell this dweeb callin' the cops is a stupid plan.

[Langston] I think it's a good idea

[Markus] HA see!

[Langston] if you wanna have ya fingernails ripped off and drowned in the river.

Markus's face when completely blank.

[Bruno] told you.

[Langston]Let's just go down to the restaurant. Then we'll form a plan. 

The group walks down to the restaurant and enters it.

The door was unlocked but the place was empty. It had felt so unnatural for Markus to see it like that at this time of day. 

[Bruno]  Yo Remi you there!

 ….

[Bruno] hm guess she ain't here.

[Remi] no no no I'm here.

Remi stepped out the kitchen door wearing an apron,covered in stains. 

[Remi] I've been working on something new for the shop, by the way I'm calling it the shop now. The restaurant is too long.

It had been a long time since Markus had seen her like this, with her confident and peppy attitude that she was known for. It put him at ease in a way.

[Langston] remi…We need to talk about your situation.

Remi sighs in return 

[Langston] we gotta plan a way to pay em.

Markus felt an  uncharacteristic anger in him from even thought of such an idea. It felt too much like  he would be abandoning Remi. Like he would be running away again.

[Markus] PAY THEM! They're criminals! We should find a way to stop them.Not give them more money.

[Langston] and risk everyone in the neighborhood? We should just give em the money.

[Bruno]Nah Langston I gotta side with Markus on this one.

[Langston]  Bruno when your-when bear sends a threat like that he means it he ain't gonna just let it slide like that.

[Markus] what do you think remi.

[Remi] I say **** em!

Normally Markus would've been annoyed at the foul language but when he heard her say that and say it so confidently too. It gave him the bravery he needed to stay strong.

[Langston] This is serious remi.

[Remi] I know. I remembered that before he died I told papa that when I took the shop I would make it as big as my dreams. I don't want to just survive by paying. I want to live, make those dreams come true.

[Langston] and you're gonna do this alone? With a crime boss  gunnin for you.

[Remi] Nah I won't be alone. My friends will be right here with me won't they.

[Markus] I'll help.

[Bruno] count me in too.

Langston's looked almost pitiful.

[Langston] I know I can't change your mind but just please be careful. And Make sure you take care of eachother. I can practically feel the past repeating itself.

With his final solemn piece of advice Langston leaves the shop. 

[Bruno] So do we have like a real  plan to live or are we just winging it.

Remi looked him straight in the eyes

[Remi] we're winging it. 

Bruno looked astonished 

[Bruno] Wait seriously! We're actually just gonna make this up as we go along. No schedule to keep,no master plans or anything like that.

[Remi] Well it's not like I had the time to really make a plan before now. 

[Bruno] So what are we going to do Then.

[Markus] we should start with getting information.

[Remi] right,I'll learn how to build this business till it's the most popular in the city.

[Bruno] and I'll-

[Remi] you are going to get back to school. It's a monday 

[Bruno] But I wanna help! 

[Remi] you will. After you go to school and help yourself. It's already twelve thirty. How many classes are you hoping to miss?

[Bruno] all of them.

[Remi] get to school you dweeb.

[Bruno] Fine. Hey Markus dude I'll see you later.

Bruno exits the shop swiftly 

[Markus:thought]I've never really seen the the two of them together like that. They .it's good to know that remi still has people who love her even with her family gone.

[Remi] So what are you going to do.

[Markus] Huh,oh yeah I'll look for anything on Ursa.

[Remi]Markus I just said-.

[Markus] I know what you said but no matter what it's important that we know what we're up against.

[Remi] yeah alright.

Markus started to leave so that he could complete his new mission.

[Remi] Hey Markus. I just want to ask you. Why are you doing this? 

[Markus]  what do you mean?

[Remi] the old Markus who worked here would've never done stuff like this. Making all these Plans,walking into the conflict instead of away from it. It's like you've changed.

[Markus:thought] she's right before the banquet I would've never stuck my neck out like this. Because I feel different about her now. I feel like she's my friend and not in that pathetic way like before I mean like she's a real friend

[Markus] because you're one of the first real friends I've ever had in a long time. You're too valuable for me to lose.

[Markus:thought]hm. I never thought I'd say something like that before.

Markus left the shop to start his amateur investigation.

Remi stood there for a minute,thinking about his answer.

[Remi] you didn't have to get so sappy.

Remi's tone was soft and despite what her words, that statement strengthened her will to not just survive but to live.