tag Jack - our fun after school

Sophie did know she moved too quickly to follow at times. She liked Jack and he was her friend too. School was hard enough to deal with without friends who could back you up. It was harder when you hadn't been there long and they had that in common. So based on his choice it was a straight line going east to get where he wanted to explore. It was also easier to do this during the daytime but you might need a flashlight from time to time.

This was also her area and playground and she did want to show him round it anyway.

"Exactly Jack. There's less danger up here. You can figure out your own map this way. East is a straight line from here and we can get quite a distance just going on the fire escapes before we need to hit street level" she advised with a smile. Then at the edge of the roof pointed out to him where the fire escapes sort of linked up. They layout of these street and buildings weren't uniform so you had to zig zag a bit to keep going in an easterly direction.

"How's your sister getting on?" she asked once she'd led the way to the next fire escape by making the short jump from the escape that ran down the other side of the building and linked up with its neighbour three levels down. She'd disturbed some birds doing this but the view down into the alley showed people were around. The day version of the night workers were around in a little group looking for customers.

Jack P. J.

Sophie did wonder when Jack's sister would end up here. She hadn't even dealt that much with her even with going to the same school but given she liked to go places on the island she'd be here eventually. Also given the way both Sophie and Jack's personalities worked and were so close to each others this had to be good for them. Perhaps not for others but she had a crime habit that she'd need to unlearn at some point in her future otherwise it would define that future. She was still good at heart but could that co-exist with what she was doing in the here and now?

"She does need to find out who she is but its not always safe to wander round on your own. Same as us but we seem to work better together" she quietly replied not wanting to disturb others below them that much. It took Jack longer to make the jump but he wasn't used to this environment; she was so could wait for him. "Good jump Jack. You have a choice now. This route can take in one more fire escape or a climb down to street level where the day walkers are" she added with a little smile as she pointed out his immediate options. She'd also spotted some Ashford PD officers about to talk to the day walkers and that wouldn't just spoil their day.

Jack P. J.

So with a choice made another matter had to be dealt with before they could keep going above ground. "It's Janelle's choice in the end but I will try and look out for her. You can't be on your own here" she quietly said and added "we'll keep going up but I've got something to sort out first. Join in if you want to and feel led".

Taking a rock out of a pocket she looked down to firstly observe what was going on. Two officers were hassling four sex workers and she felt she couldn't let this pass. "Officer Dipstick and friend. Leave them alone" she shouted down throwing her stone at a trash can. She expected something to come out of it and it turned out be cats she disturbed. Another thrown stone disturbed a few large rats and the confusion should give the ladies a chance to get away at least. She laughed at the chaos she was causing as the two Ashford PD officers were not only wondering who was insulting them but the cats and rats were fighting one of the worlds oldest battles known.

Jack P. J.

Jack joined in the fun and while the sex workers made a quick exit the rock Jack threw disturbed more rats. Cats usually won this ancient battle but rats had the instinct to get away and live a bit longer.

"Sex workers and law enforcers have been like this for a long time. Their work shouldn't be illegal but it is; not just here but in a lot of the world. Even where my dad came from and he came from Hong Kong. I seen it in LA too. They also need to earn a living so they'll always butt heads" she mused once the officers also made an exit. Then it was time to move on. Given her own background she knew cops were also tangling with the Triads and it was better to not know the details at her age; she just knew it was messy most of the time and that mess had claimed the life of her father; another crime player had done that and not LAPD.

So on they went with them getting to another roof and then down to street level. The journey so far had involved a lot of climbing up and down and some jumping across gaps. Now they were on ground level she needed to keep landmarks in mind to keep going in the desired direction. She was looking watchful and out for potential trouble while also pointing out things he'd need to know right now and in the future. And given she'd seen him take to rocks so easily perhaps she could get him a present for the next adventure; she had an order she was waiting on.

Jack P. J.

Sophie mainly learned by listening and also by doing as she'd been urban exploring even before she came to the isle. Her old neighbourhood hadn't the same range of places to go to but that hadn't stopped her. With her dad and aunt knowing the world they told her what would help her in the future; they hadn't told her the ultimate aim of this criminal education but what she learned helped in the here and now.

"The same thing was going on during the days of the Roman Empire and I doubt its going to change in the future" she chuckled. Then added "my father and aunt taught me a lot by telling me their stories and off course I had questions that needed answers. I think my curiousity came from my mother; so did my mutation and noticing details. I don't get doing this everyday but I was also doing it in my old neighbourhood".

She was able to keep them going in the right direction as the buildings started to look more run down as they passed each block and street junction. Two children on the move were barely noticed in this rhythm of life and before long they'd be hitting the gang territories. At that point the adventure would truly begin and the danger would greatly increase.

Jack P. J.

Hearing what Jack had to say made her smile but he also had an observation. "Thank you Jack but if that is what they think about me its their loss not mine. I don't need them in my life" she replied shrugging her shoulders but added "I could also say you're cool Jack. We make a good team".

Sophie by now was paying more attention than she'd done previously now they were into more dangerous territory. "I don't run into gangs that often but they are a reality not rumour. When I do I find it easier to make an escape rather than fight them but sometimes you don't get a choice" she further added as they were getting into darker alleyways now. So she stretched out her right hand and concentrated. The flaming sword came into life but she was using it as a light source for now. It had flames round the edges but was white fire the rest of the way.

"I would suggest grabbing a rock out of my backpack. There's also a knife if you think you need it". She couldn't see anything yet but filtering out the various low level noises from the ones people made was hard as you also had to deal with echos. If there was danger it was above them; the path they'd have to go sooner or later as they'd need to climb up another fire escape to get their bearings.

Jack P. J.

Sophie couldn't keep her flaming weapons going for long but it was usually enough given she got quite a bit of practice with it. Jack still had the flashlight so that was still an option. So with them both armed with rocks she led the way picking her way through the rubbish. She kept her light source going until they reached the fire escape and the usual routine was followed.

"It's good to be prepared Jack. In fact I'll have a present for you next time we do this" she quietly said as she doused her sword and climbed up the ladder. "You'll be fine even if it is your first time. Trust me and your own skills if we find company" she added in an encouraging manner. She also had to look around as well as up and down all while they climbed. This was also the ideal time for another pair of eyes and ears.

Jack P. J.