Jordan still couldn’t see Grillo. Whenever Grillo spoke, Jordan only heard Nyla talking to herself.
Grillo’s striped tail swayed back and forth.
“Flora,” he whispered, “ask Jordan if he can help us make some money. We need food, and we don’t know anything about this world.”
Flora nodded and turned toward Jordan.
“Jordan, can you—”
Before she could finish, a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her backward.
“What—?” Flora gasped.
A deep, chilling voice came from the shadows.
“I see you’ve been hiding, niece.”
Jordan spun around.
“Hey! Let her go!”
A tall man stepped into the light. He wore a long black leather coat that nearly brushed against the ground. His dark eyes were cold, and a crooked smile spread across his face. His presence alone seemed to make the entire street colder.
Grillo’s oversized ears folded back.
There was something about this man that frightened him.
The stranger looked down at Jordan and laughed.
“It’s all right, little man,” he said. “I’m her uncle.”
Jordan frowned.
“If you’re really her uncle, why are you grabbing her like that?”
The man’s smile slowly disappeared.
“Because my niece has forgotten where she belongs.”
Flora stared at him in confusion.
“I don’t know you.”
His cold smile returned.
“You may not remember me, but I remember you.”
Jordan stepped closer.
“She said she doesn’t know you. Let her go.”
The stranger tightened his grip on Flora’s arm.
“This is a family matter. Walk away before you become part of it.” "I've been looking everywhere for you," he said. "You've caused quite a bit of trouble."
Flora tilted her head.
"I don't know you."
Silas chuckled.
"Oh... you'll remember me soon enough."
Grillo quietly whispered,
"Flora... I don't trust him."
Jordan stepped in front of Nyla.
"She said she doesn't know you."
Silas glared at Jordan.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
"I'm her friend."
Silas laughed loudly.
"Friend? You're just a child."
Jordan stood his ground.
"Maybe... but I
'm not leaving her with you." Jordan slowly pulled back his jacket.
Flora noticed something strange attached to his waist.
She stared at it with curiosity.
"What is that?"
Silas smirked.
"Is that a gun, boy?"
Jordan didn't answer.
"If you don't let her go..."
"...you're going to find out."
Silas burst into laughter.
"You really think a gun scares me?"
Jordan's expression never changed.
"No."
"But my father does."
Silas raised an eyebrow.
"Your father?"
Jordan nodded.
"My father's name is Pimp Back Slickback."
Silas's smile faded.
"I've heard that name before."
Jordan took one step forward.
"Then you know whose territory you're standing in."
"I said..."
"Let her go." For the first time, Silas looked uncertain.
The street became completely silent.
Even Grillo stopped moving.
Silas slowly smiled again.
"So..."
"You're Pimp Back Slickback's son."
Jordan nodded.
"I am."
Silas laughed.
"Your father may rule these streets..."
"...but he doesn't rule me."
Dark energy began swirling around Silas.
The air became heavy.
Windows rattled.
Streetlights flickered.
Flora watched in confusion.
She still didn't understand why everyone suddenly looked afraid. Silas's patience finally ran out.
"You've tested me long enough."
With one violent motion, he threw Nyla aside as if she weighed nothing.
She crashed across the sidewalk and rolled several feet before coming to a stop.
"Flora!" Grillo screamed as he ran toward her.
Jordan's eyes filled with anger.
"You're going to pay for that!"
Silas slowly turned toward him.
"Oh?"
"You think you can stop me?"
Jordan reached toward his waist.
The moment his hand touched the gun...
Silas vanished.