Johnny strides through the street, the city's pulse slowing to a whisper around him.

  The morning sun casts long shadows, and the air is thick with anticipation. A few beggars huddle under tattered umbrellas, their eyes vacant as he passes by.

  Suddenly, a small hand clips onto his coat, tugging him to a stop. He looks down to meet the gaze of a street kid, no more than 6 years old, with eyes that wallow in distress.

  The kid's face lights up, and Johnny's tough exterior cracks. He digs into his pocket, pulls out a wad of cash, and presses it into the kid's palm.

  The kid's grin splits wide, and he dash off, disappearing into the crowd.

  Johnny steps into a coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping him. He makes his way to the reception, where a suited man with a stern expression looks up.

  Johnny leans in, his voice low and gravelly, "I'm Johnny. Sunshine Igwe sent me."

  The man's eyes narrow, and his expression morphs into a mix of curiosity and caution. "Sunshine sent you... what is it?" he asks, his tone measured.

  Johnny clears his throat, "He told me to ask about a female fighter who goes by the name Jessie."

  The man furrows his brows. "Man.. you're in the West. What's your deal, why–"

  Johnny cuts him off, by offering cash.

  The man smiles. "good.. well, what do you wanna know?"

  "I need to know if she's home. Or where to find her."

  "Well... truth is... Jessie hasn't been home ever since she left... but, I'm going to take you to the group, maybe you'll find a lead on her. Come with me."

  The man steps out of the reception area. "Angelo, make sure you handle things while I'm gone."

  "Aye, sir..."

  Johnny and the man walk together through the streets. Johnny's eyes scan the surroundings.

  A shanty neighbourhood with patches of dusty earth, kids scavenging for scraps, and makeshift stalls lining the narrow alleys.

  "Is this where Jessie grew up?" Johnny asks.

  The man turns and smiles. offers a hand shake. "I'm Timothy by the way. how about you?"

  "Johnny."

  Timothy chuckles. "yea.. Jassie grew up here.. Her father was the leader and Co founder of the Outlanders.

  man was killed in a clash with another gang from the south."

  Johnny nods his head in surprise. "Her father was a gang leader. I'm guessing he'll be notorious."

  Timothy laughs. "Not quit. Handy was a cool man tho. he created the outlanders so the West could have a leading party. and it worked. The outlanders own the West and we govern here nicely."

  Johnny shifts his head back, a mix of surprise and disgust in his face. "Nicely? Man, look around... all I see is people struggling to survive. Kids feeding on scraps, dirt on the ground."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Timothy sighs, his expression laced with resignation. "Mr., don't be a saint. The world's cruel. The West was getting a fair deal till Handy died. Our new leader's not as good, but having the outlanders protect the West, is better than nothing..."

  Johnny's voice rises. "I don't see good governance if people can't live in peace."

  Timothy shakes his head. "Good governance's a luxury we can't afford lately, man. Corruption's rotted the world.

  We're under-developing, everywhere. All we get are guns and weapons, while everything else crumbles. Leaders only care about themselves and lining their pockets."

  Johnny nods, his expression hardening. "Yeah, you're right. I've seen it all, traveling through territories and streets. The world's not just broken, it's self-destructing. The thing is, people aren't even trying to fix the problem. They're just trying to survive. And in the process, they become the problem."

  They reach a rundown warehouse, its metal walls scratched and battered. Timothy grins, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Yeah... this is it. Our hideout."

  They step inside, and the air thickens with tension. Men stand on guard, guns at the ready, eyes narrowing on Johnny. Timothy walks forward, Johnny trailing behind him like a shadow.

  The crowd parts, as Timothy and Johnny walks through. Revealing a man on a blue hat, and a thick dark eyeballs. He stands tall, a cold glare settling on Timothy. "Timothy... what brings you here?"

  Timothy points behind him. "Well, I've got this dude. He's looking–"

  Johnny bursts forward, his expression twisting in shock. "What?! Pintosa?"

  His eyes blaze with fury as he closes in on Pintosa. The two men stand toe to toe, guns drawn, barrels touching. "Pintosa... how dare you," Johnny spits, his voice dripping with venom. "Right after Sarah died, you never cared about Clary. All you did was bail."

  Johnny's finger tightens on the trigger. "I'm grateful I found you here. I'll end you..."

  The men snap into action, they stand on guard. guns trained on Johnny, ready to fire.

  Laughter spread across Pintosa's face. He focuses his gaze. "Johnny, you're wrong.. I know I don't really have a decent life. Your sister Sahra gave me a chance. I wouldn't toss that away by abandoning my kid.."

  "Where is her then?"

  "I left right after Clary went missing. looking for her, i came here, reached out to an old friend for help, Handy. Johnny, Clary's safe, living in good health. My spy confirms."

  Johnny's gaze hardens, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're ashamed of yourself, aren't you? Wouldn't even take her in. What a careless father you are..."

  Pintosa's expression twists. "No... not like that. She's happy there. I wouldn't cut her happiness short by dragging her back."

  "Where is she?" Johnny demands.

  "A town called New Sage. She's there."

  Johnny holsters his gun, his movements cold and calculated. "I'll go get her. She's always been close to me anyway..." He turns, striding off.

  Pintosa rushes after him. "Johnny, wait! If she follows you, come back here. You'll be safe in the West. I'll–"

  Johnny cuts in, a slow smirk spreading. "Worry not, man... thanks for the lead, though. But no. You're not a good father, and you're not bad either." He shakes his head. "Hell, I'm not a saint. I Came here looking for someone different, anyway..."

  Pintosa looks desperate. "Who? Tell me... I'll help."

  Timothy chimes in, "He's looking for Jessie. The ex-boss's daughter."

  Pintosa's expression shifts. Oh, the boss's daughter..

  Right after her father passed, there was debate about the next leader. Since Handy's first child's a woman, she wasn't considered. Outlanders only recruit men. And his son, a boy with blue eyes and dark hair, was still underage.

  So the team gave me the role instead. Jessie left home a few days after, and was never heard from again. Heard she's joined a gang, and she's strong now... Also, not too long ago, her brother left home... and we're watching him. He's in New Sage. We'll wait till he's of age, then we'll bring him in."

  Pintosa's expression turns calculating. "A kid's gotta follow his father's legacy. And that means he needs to join us."

  Johnny glares. "Clary won't follow your legacy dude.. you're a bad example.. "

  Pintosa's mouth spreads wide, laughing. "Ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Ha-ha... Yeah alright. I hear you."

  His expression changes instantly, he furrows his brows.

  "So. Why are you looking for Jessie?"

  Johnny's smile spreads, a cold glare flashing in his eyes. "Nevermind, I was only looking for her 'cause she dented my pride in a one on one battle and ran away."

  Pintosa chuckles, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "You've never changed, Johnny... you always put your pride on the line. It's the only flaw I know you have."

  Johnny's smirk widens. "It's fine, it seems coming here wasn't a waste after all..." He turns, striding away with a newfound purpose. "I'm heading for Clary now."

  Pintosa's voice is laced with sincerity. "Good luck, man... ever need anything, we'll be happy to assist."

  Johnny waves a hand, not looking back. "Better take good care of your city instead..."

  With a swift movement, he disappears into the shadows, vanishing into thin air like a ghost.