Lookism:Legends

The sun had dipped beneath the skyline by the time Jalen and Daniel were led through narrow streets and broken fences to a run-down, single-story house tucked behind an old laundromat. The door creaked open and a wave of musty air hit their noses. Inside, about a dozen kids lounged on dirty cushions, some smoking, some passed out. The walls were yellowed with time, graffiti sprawled over them like battle scars.

"This is it," So Funny said, pulling her hoodie down as they entered.

Like What stepped in after her. "The fam."

Daniel and Jalen followed, careful to keep their expressions neutral. They were here for answers. Blending in was the first step.

The moment they stepped inside, a bottle came flying through the air toward them.

Jalen's hand shot up and caught it cleanly before it could hit Daniel's shoulder.

The room went quiet.

A tall guy with sharp eyes and a bandaged forehead stood at the center of the room. He had a cigarette in one hand, a crooked grin playing on his lips.

"You bring in strangers?" he barked, glaring at the two girls. "What the hell's wrong with you?"

Like What stepped back instinctively. "They're cool, Riley. Chill."

Riley Oh the self-proclaimed leader of the fam ignored her. His hand twitched like he was about to strike her.

Before it could happen, Daniel reached out and caught Riley's wrist mid-swing.

"Don't," Daniel said, calm but firm.

There was another beat of silence.

Then Riley smirked. "You got balls. I like that."

He yanked his arm free and gestured to a rusty table nearby where a plastic jug sat. The liquid inside looked grayish-brown, with odd particles floating in it.

"Drink that," Riley said, grabbing two cracked cups. "If you do, you're in."

Even the other fam members looked uneasy.

"That's the challenge," So Funny whispered. "Rotten soda, soy sauce, raw egg… and something else. We don't even know."

"You don't have to" Like What started, but Jalen stepped forward, picked up a cup, and downed it in one go without flinching.

Daniel followed immediately after, gagging slightly but swallowing it down.

The room erupted in a mix of cheers and grim laughter.

Riley raised an eyebrow. "Not bad. I like your style."

He clapped both of them on the shoulders.

"Welcome to the family."

As the cheers rose and the smoke thickened, Jalen and Daniel sat back against the stained couch. They had made it in.

Now it was time to see how deep this rabbit hole really went.