Status Quo rule no. 48 - Once a syndicate ‘purchases’ a Hirou wielder, no one can take that Hirou wielder from them unless said fighter is ‘sold’.

Skye passed the familiar streets of lower Bayport. She lowered her nose into her scarf, protecting it from the chilly wind. The sun was up in the sky, lying about warmth and summer. Her little legs hurried in half walking, half running pace as she tried to keep up with her mother. She walked in front of her, her back straight and her short, messy brown hair jumped with every click of stilettos. 

Skye glanced to the sides from time to time. A group of men sat on the stairs at the entrance to some building. They glared at her, one of them smiled with yellow teeth. She lowered her head back and ran closer to her mother, not daring to take her hand. Her mother looked down, took her hand and gently curved her lips up. Was it a worried smile or one out of pity?  

Her mother gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and Skye reciprocated, resting her head against it. They came to a halt, and her mother knelt beside her, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Skye breathed in her mother’s fragrance, a sweet scent that brought to mind strawberry cake. A tender hand caressed Skye’s cheek briefly before her mother rose to her feet and gently urged her to continue walking.

She followed past the gray and breezy streets of lower Bayport until they reached a high apartment building. If they were here, in this part of lower Bayport, it couldn’t mean anything good. Everyone knew who this building belonged to, even the children. She furrowed her brows and followed her mother inside. 

They passed a few huge men as they reached the elevator and up to the top floor. 

The elevator doors opened. A white living room with floor to ceiling windows stared back at her. She squeezed her mother’s hand again while following her with wary steps. 

They sat on one of the white sofas, the confusion in Skye’s eyes was hard to miss. She took a deep breath as she tried to study the room or understand what was going on. Nothing good for sure. She had her suspicions, of course, but hoped she was wrong. 

A man she didn’t recognize entered the room. He was one of the tallest men she had ever seen and his deep blue suit made her alert for some reason. She pushed her body closer to her mother who didn’t react. 

“Sarah! What brings-” he narrowed his eyes on Skye, “you here?”

“My daughter needs a place to stay.” Sarah whispered, and yet, the man heard her.

Skye snuggled even closer to her mother. She didn’t want to leave her. It might come to this considering everything they’ve been through, but she hoped it wouldn’t. 

“She can’t stay here, you know that. Talk to your father, maybe he’ll change his mind.”

“You know he won’t. Please, Bradley, I have no one else to go to, and the other leaders are… Anyway, my father will find her everywhere...” Her voice almost broke. Skye petted her mother’s palm, not daring to see the expression she was making. 

“Put her in the system for all I care. You know that the only business I do with girls is to sell them. If she’s not making me money, I have nothing to do with her,” he said casually.

A loud gulp echoed in the silent room. Sarah’s eyes landed on her knees.

“Or, maybe you have something else to offer me?” Bradley’s eyes lowered to Sarah’s small cleavage. Skye furrowed her brows, narrowed her eyes, and put her hand in front of her body.

“Skye, calm down, honey, everything is okay, Mommy is taking care of it.” Sarah patted Skye’s head, but it was too late. Skye shot a little electrical ball at Bradley, who easily dodged it. The ball hit the vase behind him, smashing it. 

A small burn appeared on the tip of her forefinger and she put it inside her mouth to subdue the pain. Sarah turned her head to Bradley, his grin made her flinch and she pulled Skye closer to her.

“I’ve changed my mind, Sarah. I’ll take the kid.” 

“You won’t put her in the League!” Sarah raised her voice at him, trying to sound as firm as she could. But putting Skye in the League was the best option to keep her away from her grandfather’s claws. 

“You’re not in a position to make any demands.” Bradley stated the obvious truth to Sarah. 

“Bradley, please!” She pleaded and Skye hugged her, wishing she could do something to help her mother, but what could an eleven years old girl do in a world dominated by adults? 

“Fine, but only because I like you. She can’t join before eighteen anyway. But I’ll let Amit train her and keep an eye on her, maybe even live with him. How about that? Amit is a way better option than any other of the coaches.”

“I don’t have any other choice, do I?” Sarah said with a shaking voice, a small tear threatening to escape from the corner of her eye. She believed that perhaps she could avoid this, but despite everything, letting Skye join the League was the only option to ensure her survival. 

“I don’t know, Sarah, that’s for you to decide. That’s the best offer you’ll get from me, it’s more than I would offer anyone else and you know it. You can alway try with other syndicates’ leaders...”

She closed her eyes, letting that tear escape.

Skye bit her inner cheek. Bayport was a cruel place, she knew that much, and there was little she could do to change her situation at the moment. 

“Don’t worry, Skye.” Bardley squatted before her and took her injured hand in his. “I’m going to take care of you just like your mother would have. You can pretend that I’m your uncle or step father, or even older brother.” He smiled, trying to look as caring as possible, but something about his smile made Skye flinch. 

She had no choice but to trust this man’s words. Hopefully, he would treat her well as he promised.