Lookism:Legends

The night air had barely cleared the taste of that disgusting liquid from Daniel's throat when the rooftop door slammed again. Like What and So Funny had gone down a few minutes earlier. Now, Daniel and Jalen sat in silence, listening.

Something felt off.

Suddenly, muffled yelling floated up to them. Daniel stood first, his brows furrowed. "Do you hear that?"

Jalen's face was serious. "Yeah."

They moved quietly down the stairwell, stopping just before the last turn. Peeking around the corner, they saw Riley standing in front of the girls, most of whom were lined up against the grimy wall, their eyes downcast.

Riley's expression was twisted with something ugly. "You know the deal. New girl first. Clients don't like girls who know what they're doing."

The girl he pointed at a thin, nervous teen who couldn't have been older than fifteen trembled as she stepped forward. She had only joined the fam a few days ago. Her lips quivered. "I… I don't want to"

"You don't want to?" Riley laughed. "You think you got a say? You live under my roof. You eat my food. You don't get to want anything."

Daniel stepped out instinctively. "She's not going anywhere."

Riley narrowed his eyes. "You're not in charge here, rich boy. Stay out of it."

Riley shoved Daniel back roughly, and before Daniel could lunge, two older boys from the fam blocked his path. "Stay," one of them warned.

The girl, tears streaking her cheeks, was being pulled toward the back exit. Daniel could only watch, fists clenched, rage boiling in his chest.

"Why… why is she crying like that?" he asked, his voice strained.

Jalen's voice came from beside him, low and dark.

"Because she knows exactly what's about to happen," he said. "Riley's not just some runaway leader. He's selling them… prostitution, most likely."

Daniel froze. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

Jalen's eyes were narrowed, burning with cold fury. "I figured something was off. But this… this is lower than scum."

Daniel took a step forward, but Jalen stopped him. "Not yet," he said. "If we go in without a plan, they'll hurt the girls."

Daniel looked at Jalen, furious but listening.

"We'll save them," Jalen said. "All of them. But we're going to do it right."

Daniel nodded slowly, breathing hard. "Let's end this place."