“Charlotte, we came to get that kid.  My friend feels it’s important, and she’s usually got a pretty damn good reason for doing what she does.”

That is true, even if it does come with a talent for rationalizing things.

“Thank you,” I said.

“So it’s up to her, what we do here”

What were our options.  Using Lisa’s power?  I wasn’t sure how it applied here.

Yeah, what is she supposed to Know that would help them get Bryce out of the brawl?

If she had a way of addressing the audience, maybe there was something she could say to turn the tide, or turn them against their leaders… but the only way to do that would be to get the microphone Skidmark had.

Hm. Might work, but would probably be difficult.

We had Lisa’s soldiers, but no matter how well-trained they were, there was a certain point where fighters in quantity overcame fewer fighters of higher quality in a brawl.

True.

Not to mention that some of the Merchants had guns.  The great equalizer.  I was pretty sure Lisa’s soldiers would be packing, but the problem with guns was that they drew attention, and we definitely did not want to fall under too much scrutiny.

Another good point.

But if he does win… imagine explaining to Sierra that not only did Bryce willingly join the Merchants, but Skidmark gave him superpowers on a can and he’s now a supervillain.

The man -Thomas?- beckoned with a wave of his arm, and Bryce and his girlfriend ran, dropping to the ground as they touched the border of the ring.

Oh don’t you dare

Welp, I guess Taylor’s going in.

“No!” I shouted, as the effect of Skidmark’s power sent them careening into the ongoing free-for-all.  My voice was lost in the cacophony of the screaming, shouting, hollering crowd.

Cod damn it, Bryce.

So you know how I was talking about people voluntarily entering the arena…?

I stared helplessly at the unfolding scene.  The two teenagers managed to get to their feet and gather together with Thomas, the mother, and one or two others.  They were soon lost in the jumble of people that were all punching, kicking and strangling one another, spurred on by adrenaline, self-preservation, alcohol, stimulants and greed.

Yeeah, you’re either going in there or leaving Bryce and his girlfriend alone for now. Time to make a choice. I think the latter is better.

There was little enough room that when someone fell, they were trampled by those that were still fighting.

I doubt Bryce can win.

So with developments with Bryce being as they are, are we still on for making the Merchants hurt?

Bryce had reached his girlfriend, and wrapped his arms around her.

Huh, that was quick. I guess he’s experienced at getting where he wants through the crowd at this point.

Still holding her, he turned to see us approaching.  I was in the lead, and Minor close behind me.

Maybe he just wanted to say goodbye?

He looked the other way, past the glowing perimeter of Skidmark’s arena, and I followed his gaze to where a middle-aged woman with bleached blond hair and a taller black man with a scar on his lips stood.

Friends of yours?

A.k.a. bodyguards?

I recognized them from Sierra’s description.  They were the same people who had attacked the church.

Oh yeah!

We collectively backed out of the way, but Bryce had other intentions.  The boy wrenched out of Jaw’s grip and threw his shoulder into the small of Senegal’s back.

Hm. Not bad. I guess they taught you (or caused you to teach yourself) how to fight to some extent.

The man was only barely able to keep from stumbling forward into the charging Merchants, but with his attention elsewhere, Bryce managed to slip past.

We got a fugitive over here!

I joined Minor and Brooks in giving chase, and though Minor was bigger and stronger, I had the advantage of a slight build.

Ah, yeah, that would make it a little bit easier to navigate this mess.

I’m not sure whether it’s worth the effort, really, but I guess this might be the only chance they’d get to get him out of here.

I ducked between the people and followed Bryce into the thick of the ‘audience’.

This should be interesting.

We moved as a group, Lisa’s soldiers in a tight circle around us with Bryce, Lisa, the rescued girl and me in the center.

The rescued girl has been markedly silent since we first saw Bryce. It’s been like she wasn’t there.

We made our way toward the nearest exit, but our way was barred by an unfolding brawl between two groups a good distance from the main spectacle.  Rivals?

Well, that’s inconvenient.

Enemies seeing an opportunity to exact vengeance for some past event?

Perhaps.

The girl who’d been on the bench with Bryce ran for the thick of the melee surrounding the ring.  She was shouting, almost screeching, “Thomas!  Mom!”

Huh?

Oh… she might be getting help for Bryce. Shit.

Bryce struggled in an attempt to go after her, but Jaw held him firm.

I almost missed what happened next.  A woman from the group fighting in front of us ran, and a band of young men charged after her, which brought them just in front of us.

Yeeah, this isn’t good.

“We should go,” Lisa said.  She turned to Jaw and ordered, “Bring the boy.”

I guess it’s up to Taylor to point out that they really don’t want the Merchants to get five more capes.

Also, bringing Bryce back against his will… Nice reversal.

Jaw grabbed Bryce by the shirt and hauled him to his feet.  He pointed at the girl who had been sitting next to Bryce, “And her?”

Ask the girl and Bryce, I guess.

Not that I think they’re going to do that.

“Leave her.” Lisa called out, raising her voice to be heard over the screams and cheering.  She said something else, but I couldn’t make it out.

Yeah, seems reasonable enough. We don’t need her.

The crack of a gun being fired went off somewhere.

Ah, right, weapons allowed. I wonder how many Merchants are dying to their peers tonight.

Instead of stopping the crowd, it seemed to provoke them, pushing those who hadn’t been participating into action, like runners who’d been waiting for a starter’s pistol.

…fair enough.

It was as though the Merchants felt more secure with their hands around people’s throats than they did trying to get away.

That… sounds like classic bully mentality. Applying it to the Merchants seems pretty accurate.