Ally Kat walked over to me and lifted me by the collar. The look in her eye was neither amused nor angry. It was simply a look with no hint of what she was thinking. However, her lack of emotion was what made me more nervous and I almost looked away. But I quickly told myself that I had to remain strong and stared right back at her.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot about the little brat,” Konrad said as he stood, keeping a firm grip on Katrina's wrists. “What were you thinking, kid? Coming in here without permission and hiding like that? What would you have done if Miss Crazy over here and gone wild and started shooting everywhere and one of them hit you?”
I remained staring at Ally Kat and answered, “I would have gritted my teeth and bore it. If it was so bad that you had to send me to a hospital I would have found some way to pay you back. I'd do what I had to.”
“You've got guts, kid. But you still lack skills and experience. Why don't you try going after someone a little safer? Then you can build your way up to our level. After all, you can't just start at the top.”
“I can't afford not to,” I said. “In the world of books, a book is great or it isn't. The author's skill and experience mean nothing if the story stinks. Most great novels come from the unrecognized authors that are discovered by the public. So... if I want to make it at all, I have to make it to the top from the very beginning.”
“That's sweet and all, but this isn't a story. It's real life. If you want to write about the real world, you need to stop sticking your head in the clouds and grow up a bit.”
I listened to his words. I knew he would refuse me yet again. And this time, the decision would be final.
“But if you wanna stick around and risk your own neck, go ahead.”
I looked at Konrad, unable to believe what he just said.
“What's your name, kid?”
I smiled. “Just call me Fable.”
~*F*~
