The Orphans

The Orphans 

  

Chapter One

JAMES

“F*** you,” she spat, her voice sharp as a blade.

James blinked, caught off guard. “What did you say?”

“Go screw yourself.” Her eyes blazed, daring him to respond.

“How dare you?” His jaw tightened, heat rising in his chest.

“I dare, you piece of trash.” She leaned closer, her voice dripping with venom.

He’d been warned about her—rumors of a mouth like a nuclear blast—but he hadn’t believed it until now. “Someone needs to wash that mouth out.”

“Come and try, you jerk.” She smirked, unfazed, her arms crossed defiantly.

“Don’t tempt me.” His hand twitched, half-raised, itching to make a point.

“Keep that paw off me, creep.” She stepped back, her glare unwavering.

“What did you just call my hand?” James’s voice rose, incredulous.

“Screw you and your claw.” Her lips curled into a mocking grin.

“You’re impossible,” he snapped, frustration boiling over.

“And you’re a walking disgrace.” She tilted her head, sizing him up like he was nothing.

“Yes, you heard me,” she continued, her voice taunting. “If you want to get laid, drag your sorry butt to the next street. Plenty of easy pickings there.”

James’s face burned. “I was only trying to be your friend.”

“And what, sneak into my pants later?” she shot back, her eyes narrowing.

“No!” he protested, his voice cracking with exasperation.

“Get lost, you hulking piece of trash. You’re making me mad enough as it is.”

“What? Did you just call me trash?” James’s hands balled into fists.

“No, I called you a bee, buzzing around and irritating me, you dumb fool.” Her smirk widened.

“What the heck?”

“Go to hell and find out.” She waved him off dismissively.

“I’m out of here,” James muttered, turning away.

“Been telling you that for ages, dumb butt,” she called after him.

James walked away, oblivious to the middle finger she flipped at his back. The cold night air bit at his skin as he trudged down Strangers Drive, the town infamous for its bustling commerce—and its darker underbelly. At twenty-two, an orphan who’d seen more than most, James couldn’t help but wonder how far he’d come in his short life.

The street buzzed with life, its shops glowing under neon signs. Displays of goods lined the sidewalks, from Humphrey’s butcher shop to Mrs. Lin’s herbal store, which competed with Ugo’s rival shop. Ugo, an African vendor, boasted “manpower” elixirs that promised to make men last longer in bed. James shook his head at the thought.

Then there were the gangbangers, swaggering through the market, extorting “protection fees” from traders. Rumor had it their leader, a Chinese man named Mr. Tin Lang, claimed to be the founder of Strangers Drive itself.

As James passed the street the girl had mocked him about, his cheeks flushed. Women stood under dim streetlights, their revealing outfits leaving little to the imagination. “Handsome, come get a feel of this!” called a girl no older than him, flaunting herself boldly. James shook his head, wondering if this was the ugly side of Strangers Drive.

His dream was to own a grocery store, to build something of his own. Working for Mr. Lang paid the bills, but James wanted more—a future, a family to love and care for him, something the orphanage had taught him to crave.

He stopped at a hamburger stand, the smell of grilled meat drawing him in. “One burger with a diet soda,” he ordered.

“You the new kid working for Mr. Lang?” a voice asked.

James turned to see a man in his mid-fifties, tall with a bald head and puffy cheeks that wobbled as he spoke. His round belly strained against his apron.

“Yeah,” James said, nodding.

The man extended a hand. “I’m Mr. Brian. This is my joint.”

“Nice place,” James replied, shaking his hand. “I’m James.”

“Thanks, kid. It’s rare to see young guys like you working an honest job in this f— messed-up town.” Mr. Brian caught himself, grinning sheepishly. “Sorry about my language.”

James chuckled, thinking of the girl’s venomous words. “It’s fine. I’ve heard worse.”

“What do you mean?” Mr. Brian raised an eyebrow.

“Haven’t you noticed? Most young guys here are either gangbangers or drug addicts.”

Mr. Brian nodded grimly. “That’s the bad side of Strangers Drive, alright.”

“I’m hoping to open a grocery store someday,” James said, his voice tinged with determination.

“That’s a solid plan. You’ve got a good heart, kid. Don’t let this town sidetrack you.”

“Thanks. I won’t,” James promised.

“Alright, enjoy your burger. See you around, James.” Mr. Brian waved and shuffled back to his work.

James took a bite of his burger, watching the chaotic pulse of Strangers Drive, wondering if he could carve out a place in this wild, broken town.

Chapter Two

Christabel

“Get your f***ing butt here now, girl!” Mr. Tin Lang’s voice cut through the air like a whip.

Christabel froze, her stomach twisting at the sound. She sighed heavily. What does he want now? She was exhausted from dealing with him, his demands, his threats. One day, she vowed, she’d stick him good—end him for real and finally be free.

“Coming!” she muttered under her breath, adding, “You old rotten bastard.”

When she reached him, Mr. Tin Lang’s hand lashed out, a backhand slap stinging her cheek. “When I call, you run, you piece of trash,” he snarled, his eyes glinting with malice. “I own you, so act like a good dog.”

To be continued