The RPG Organization

1998 – Long Island, NY


Preston Meredith stood against the side of the high school main building and eyed the man before him. Buford, as he was known to all the small time fences, was coming to Preston for a job. Buford-no-last-name, current undisputed player in the Long Island area, wanted Preston and his fellow gang members to do a job. And not just any job, a job that would move Preston and his thugs from small, unimportant nobodies, to a group to be noticed and feared.

“I need you to break into Mr. Mayworth’s Cyber Café and hack his database. I want all the credit card numbers of his clients. I find I’m in need of some cash,” Buford joked, making sure to keep a casual watch for anyone who might interrupt this important conversation.

“When do you want the information delivered by?” Preston did his best to hide his excitement. He needed to be calm in order to negotiate this deal and make a heap of cash.

“I need it in two days max. Otherwise, I’ll find someone else more suitable for the job and you and your little boys will be even lower than dirt, you’ll be the scum beneath the dirt. You won’t ever get a job again,” Buford promised, his smile disappearing as his expression hardened and the look that had made even the most intimidating of persons quake with fear.

“Don’t worry, sir, me and the boys, we’ll have it. Do we get a bonus if it takes less time?”

Buford gave Preston a glance filled with the beginnings of respect for his bargaining skills. “Yes, a small bonus if you can get it to me in under 24 hours.”

“Consider it done.” Preston nodded and then slunked off into the shadows. He couldn’t wait to tell his gang. And he had the perfect person in mind to help with this job.

* * *

Raygan Meredith took the last step off the bus with a relieved sigh. Today at school had been the worst. The other kids had picked on her about her very ragged clothes. It also didn’t help that her face was dirty and her shoes had holes in them. She felt tears sting her eyes. She told her brother Preston that she needed new things but he’d only laughed at her and told her she should be grateful they even had a place to sleep. Not that those words brought any comfort for they were sleeping in an abandoned building. Many times she went hungry and it was very cold where they were currently staying. The blanket she had wrapped around her was thin and had holes in it. But she knew better than to ask. Either her brother’s laughter or his shouts would ring in her ears. It was even worse when the other guys were with him.

Some of them eyed her and it made her afraid. Usually Preston’s ire kept them from doing anything else but occasionally when he was late arriving, like today, then the guys took liberties. None of them had assaulted her yet, but their groping made her want to cry and disappear. Especially Dan. He was the worst of the lot. She heard several pairs of footsteps on the stairs and quickly grabbing her blanket she ran and hid behind some pillars in a darkened corner of the building.

A group of six young men, ranging in age from 16 and up, entered. They were laughing and wrestling with each other. The tallest one had dark black hair and a jagged scar that ran down the right side of his face.

“Yo, Dan, where’s Prez at? We all here and he ain’t,” complained the most youthful looking member of the bunch.

“Shut your mouth Jesse. Preston is out with Buford getting us a job,” Dan snarled, his eyes scanning the darkness for one particular person. Preston’s little sister might only be 12 but already she was starting to get curvy in all the right spots. Plus the girl was one of the freaks and had some power that made her a whiz with electronics. The gang had already benefited from her little skill. “Yo, Raygan, where you at? I know you’re around here somewhere chica.”

Raygan slowed her breathing, her eyes wide as she remained completely still. If she didn’t move or make a sound they wouldn’t look for her. They were too lazy for that.

“Come on mi hermanita. Just come out and talk with us while we wait for your hermano,” Dan coaxed, talking was farthest thing on his mind at the moment.

Raygan’s heart rate sped up when she heard movement. Just when she felt like making a run for it, her brother’s familiar footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. Now maybe she would be safe.

Dan scowled when he heard Preston coming up. Damnit. He’d been hoping to have some fun with Raygan. He schooled his features as Preston came into view and made sure to greet Preston like the rest of the boys.

Preston’s gaze took in everything within seconds and the familiar rise of anger began to bubble up as he noted his younger sibling’s absence. That meant she was hiding, again, from his crew. He was beginning to suspect that maybe her fearful, and sometimes tearful, pleadings to not be left alone with his boys were valid. That thought made him see red. She was his investment and bargaining chip. She wasn’t going to be some gang whore like Dan’s sister was for one of the rival gangs in the area. No, his sister would propel him straight to the top and keep him there. Of course he could always “accidentally” lose some of his members along the way. “Raygan?” her name was both a question and a demand.

Raygan had scooted along the walls on her belly, keep as low to the ground as possible. Wearing mostly black clothes had helped to camouflage her from the males in the building. Her brother’s voice froze her in place and then she crawled another few feet before standing up and came toward Preston from the opposite area where she had hidden.

“Where the hell have you been?” Preston demanded of his sister, noting her terrified glance in Dan’s direction.

“A-a-around.” Raygan blushed when the gang laughed. She had begun stuttering only last year and it hadn’t stopped yet. It mostly happened when she was very nervous or afraid.

“Well, don’t be hiding and shit. When I need you, I need you. I shouldn’t have to hunt for you.”

“S-s-sorry, Preston.” Raygan dropped her head and stared at her shoes. Maybe this little “family chat” was over and she could go back to being left alone.

“We’ve got to go somewhere and you’re coming with us.” He reached out to grab her wrist but was surprised when she backed away, shaking her head in denial.

“No.” The last time he had made her go with him, they had done something bad with her gift. It had made her tired and her nose had bled but her brother hadn’t cared. He had wanted the money he got from using her. She’d been sick for a few days after using her gift and she didn’t want to repeat that experience. Being sick had kept her from school, her one true love and this time she was not going to miss it because of her big brother’s schemes.

“Oh, looks like the runt is trying to grow some balls,” chortled Dan, silently thanking the universe for this moment. If Preston couldn’t control his bratty younger sister, then he sure as hell wouldn’t be able to rule a gang. And Dan was hoping to topple the arrogant little prick.

“Raygan, we're going now. You're going to work your mojo and I'm going to make some money. Then you can have that outfit you've been whining about.” Preston's temper was starting to flare. Nobody told him no. And if his little sis did it again she'd regret it.

Raygan wavered. New clothes! It was something she had been dreaming about for the last six months. She debated only a second before her need for the clothing won out. “Ok Preston.” She came up to his side, making sure to keep a lot of space between her and Dan.

Preston grabbed her wrist and practically dragged her from the building with the rest of the gang on their heels.

* * *

Buford stared in disbelief at Preston who stood before him with a cd.

“Here are all the files, names and numbers. And I have it before 24 hours was up.” Preston held the cd just out of reach.

“I'm impressed boy. I didn't think you'd be able to get it done that fast. Pablo has your money in the suitcase and here,” Buford reached into his jacket and pulled out two more stacks of new one hundred dollar bills. “is your bonus.”

Preston took the suitcase and the money from the henchman. “Pleasure doing business with you.” Preston turned to leave but paused when Buford coughed.

“If you're interested, I have another job that will give you double the bonus. Same amount of money for the actual job.”

“Now you're talking.” Preston smirked and walked back over to the desk to get the details.

* * *

Splat. Raygan looked up at the three popular girls who had ganged up on her and began pushing her. She had landed on her butt in a mud puddle. Her new clothes were now ruined. She was not going to cry, she was not going to cry...

“Oh look, the little bitty baby's crying!” chortled Sarah Jane who poked Becky and Jen to get them laughing too. “You think you're something because you have on fancy clothes but you're nothing but a little mutt and trailer trash. Come on girls, let's leave the stinky mud lover alone before we catch whatever she's got.” Sneering once more Sarah flounced away followed by Becky and Jen.

Face red with shame, Raygan came to her feet, aware of the eyes of fellow classmates staring at her. She heard muted laughter and giggles. Turning she fled from the front school, intent on getting back to the building where she and her brother stayed. It took her fifteen minutes but then she wriggled past the hole in the locked fence and made her way up the stairs, careful of the broken and missing ones. The building itself had five stories. They lived on the third. She ignored the scampering of the rats and slid into the little room they called home. Once the building had been some hotel but not any longer. The owners had gone broke and no one else had been willing to buy the property. And so it had sat and slowly became home to many homeless people and families.

“Preston?” cautiously Raygan entered fully into the room, wary of being accosted. When no one grabbed her nor answered her, she slowly relaxed. The only furniture was the used mattress she slept on and a table. She spotted the note and ran over to read it. She frowned at her brother's cramped handwritten. He wanted her to meet him by the park. She looked down at the cheap plastic watch and yelped. She was going to be late! Dropping the note she ran out the room and headed back outside. By the time she made it to the location she was ten minutes late and out of breath. She gulped in a lungful of air and tried to calm her racing heart as she stood still beneath her brother's fierce glower. The rest of his gang lounged on the park benches and all eyes were on her.

“Where the hell have you been Raygan!” Preston had already worked his way into a nice fit of rage and was ready to unleash it on someone.

“Trouble at school,” she mumbled, continuing to look at her feet. She knew that tone. If she wasn't careful he'd slap her. She heard rather than saw the shifting of the gang. If she got in trouble, they might all be in danger for many of them were underage and were skipping school.

“What happened?” Preston was growling but he didn't care.

“Nothing I couldn't handle. It's okay Preston, really it is. It won't happen again,” she hastily reassured him.

Preston took note of the mud and tears on his sister's clothes and he had a pretty good idea what that trouble had been but that didn't concern him. They had a job to do. “C'mon Ray, we've got to get going.”

“Where are we going?” Raygan didn't move immediately, suspicion coloring her tone.

“Damnit Raygan! When I say we're going, you go. No fucking questions asked! Understand me?” Preston took a step toward his sister, his hand raised. He smirked when she hunched in on herself and shook her head in agreement. “Let's go amigos.” His hand snagged Raygan's wrist and he unceremoniously dragged her behind him. It took them thirty minutes to make it to the target but they stayed on the opposite street so they could scope the place and make note of any security.

Raygan was scared. They were outside and looking at the offices of Mr. Maynard, a prominent defense attorney. She got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. The gang slipped into a nearby alley to consult. Preston had yet to release his hold on her wrist.

“All right, we're going to hit them tonight around 10 pm. The night security will be switching off and others taking a break. We can go in through a window that is being left open just for us by Jarod's older sister.” Preston looked at the younger boy who nodded gleefully. “Once in side, my lil sis is going to work her magic and we're going to get the information my contact needs. I want everyone here by 9 pm so we can get ready to do our thing. So go, get some rest and I'll see everyone back here. Let's go, Ray.” Preston dragged her out the alley.

All the way back to their building Raygan fretted and worried. This was not the life she wanted to live. She want other things than what her brother was forcing her to endure. They stopped at the neighborhood store and Preston bought some meat and bread. Raygan longingly looked at the candy bars but averted her gaze when Preston squeezed her wrist hard. They made it home and Preston finally released Raygan's wrist. Her wrist had long since gone numb and it took several minutes to get the circulation going in it again. She made sure to put some distance between herself and her brother. “P-p-preston, I don't want to go with you tonight.”

Preston had just taken a bite of his sandwich and choked for a moment, then swallowed it, a scowl on his face. “What did you say?”

Raygan sucked in her breath, trying to calm he nerves. “P-p-please, Preston. I don't want to go tonight. I'm tired.”

“You're tired. You're tired.” Preston started laughing, placing his food on the table he stalked toward his sister, watching as she hastily began to back up. “I don't give a frak if you're tired Raygan. You want to eat, have nice clothes, keep a roof over your head? Then you will by god, do the shit I tell you to do, lil sis. You got that!”

She got it all right but Raygan didn't care about those things. Doing the jobs he made her do left her feeling dirty and evil. She didn't like those feelings. She didn't mind talking to computers, they were very interesting but when Preston made her bend them to do his will, she felt like a traitor. “Preston, please....” The rest of her sentence never made it out for her brother's hand connected solidly with her cheek hard enough to knock her off balance and send her to one knee with a cry.

“I am tired of your mouth Raygan! And nobody, and I do mean nobody, tells me no!” Preston dove at her then and crashed into her, knocking her off her feet and flat on to her stomach. He pressed his knee into the center of her back, effectively pinning her. “I guess I need to show you who's boss around here. You're getting too uppity and it's time I take you down a peg or two.”

“No, no, no! Preston please, don't!” Raygan begged, trying to crawl from underneath her brother's knee.

“Yes, yes, yes Raygan. You will respect me and you will do as I say!” Preston worked his belt free of his pants and then stood up, dragging Raygan to her feet.

Her face was dirt smudged and streaked with tears. Her eyes were wide with fright when she saw his belt and she tried to bolt but Preston held tight. He forced her to her knees and using her hair to control her he started hitting her across her back with the belt. The pain from his hold on her combined with that of the belt had her scream in pain but still the onslaught from her brother continued. When he got tired of the belt he dropped it and started punching her. Raygan tried her best to protect herself but to no avail. Finally after what seemed like hours the blows stopped and Preston released her hair. She sank the rest of the way to the floor, both eyes blacked and swelling, lip split, a bruise on her left cheek and hair loose and free. Her back was on fire and her butt hurt too.

“Don't every say no again or next time I won't stop myself. Now, we leave in three hours. Fucking get some sleep.”

Raygan heard him stomp away and slam the door but she lay there unmoving as she silently cried.

* * *

It took Preston the three hours to calm down enough to go back and get his sister. He threw the dirt wet rag he'd brought and ordered her to clean her face. Ignore her whimpers of pain he picked up a few other things he needed before tossing a hoodie to her and pulling her to her feet. “Let's go.” He dragged his unresisting out the building.

The rest of the gang were waiting and a few guys whistled when they got a good look at Raygan's face. Most of them were shocked and some fearful. Dan was looking thoughtful.

“Let's do this. Raygan, Dan, Jarod, you're with me. The rest of you know what to do.” The group broke apart as Preston led his party around back and in through the unlocked window.

They stopped outside the empty security room and with a shove, Preston maneuvered Raygan to the console. She placed her hand on it, her eyes closing for a moment as a faint glow came from her hand. When she opened her eyes they glazed. “Security systems off.”

“Good girl. Now time to hack the attorney's computer.” Pulling Raygan's arm they hurried to the second floor and Mr. Maynard's office. Once again she placed her hand on keypad and with a click the door opened. Preston hurried her over to the computer, put in the cd and pushed her down into the seat. Raygan put her hand on the tower, once more closing her eyes. Her hand glow and the tower began to hum. Images and copies of documents flashed across the screen to quickly for the eyes to follow.

“Preston, her nose,” Jarod whispered.

Preston looked at Raygan and saw that her nose was indeed bleeding. Ignoring it he leaned in closer to her ear. “Burn everything on the Silchez case onto the cd.” The tower whirred and then the cd ejected. “Ok let's go.” Preston dragged Raygan up, ignoring the blood that was flowing faster from her nose. They hustled her out and back outside, meeting up with the rest of the group. Raygan was semi-conscious by the time she and Preston made it home. Preston roughly dropped her on to the mattress and left her again. Raygan whimpered once more and then fell into the void of unconsciousness.

* * *

The sun had risen and a fine mist coated the city but Raygan was unaware of it. She had yet to wake from her unconscious state. Blood from her nose coated her clothes and her pillow. She didn't hear the footsteps on the stairs nor the shouts of the other inhabitants as the police and the Department of Children and Families raided the building. She didn't see the police officers charge in, didn't see the woman in the business suit stride in or even hear the horrified gasps of the adults who stood above her looking at her battered face and the blood on the pillow underneath her head. She barely stirred when they lifted her and hurried her downstairs and to the waiting ambulance below.

* * *

“How is she doc?” Officer Hank Jenkins stared at the girl in the other room. He was as appalled as the other officers once the extent of the girl's injuries had become known. It was a miracle that the girl was still a virgin, judging by the pitiful living conditions she had been staying in. It made a baffling contrast to the name brand clothes she had on when they'd brought her in.

“She needs time, rest, good food and a stable home. Whoever did this to her wanted to make a statement.” Dr. Wilkes glanced at the slumbering young woman. “We estimate that she's between 11 – 13 years old. She's not been taken care of properly in some time.”

“DCF wants to put her in a group home but until we get an id on her, we're making them wait.” Jenkins pointed. “She's waking up.”

Wilkes hurried inside, Jenkins on his heels.

Raygan slowed opened her eyes and groaned. Wow the light was so bright. It took her muddled mind a second to process her surroundings and she sat up with a gasp of fright before scooting as far back against the bed as possible, her eyes wide as she stared at the police officer and doctor in the room with her. “W-w-who are you?”

“I'm Officer Jenkins and this is Dr. Wilkes. What's your name, young lady?”

Raygan gulped, twitched and stared down at her tightly clenched hands. She didn't remember making them do that.

The two men exchanged glances and waited.

“R-r-raygan. My name is Raygan.”

“Have a last name, Raygan?” Jenkins wanted to keep her talking, get as much information as he can.

“Meredith. P-p-please, I have to go now. I have school.”

“I'm sorry Raygan but you can't go to school. We need to contact your family so that we can get you back to them while we sort this out.” Jenkins carefully watched the girl's reactions for clues.

She tensed up. “I ain't got family. It was just me there.”

“You know that's a funny thing because we found men's clothing in the room where we found you. Want to try that line again?” Jenkins scowled at her, hoping to, but hating having to do it, intimidate her into giving up some names to work with.

“P-p-please. Don't make me tell. He'll be angry. Please,” Raygan pleaded, her eyes filling with tears.

“Maybe she should rest a little while longer,” Dr. Wilkes suggested, worried about Raygan's health.

“No, she's going to tell me now.” Jenkins crossed his arms and saw Raygan wilt. Then the story came rushing out.

* * *

The gavel banging made Raygan jump. She looked back at Preston and the gang who were livid at the judge's decision. She wasn't sure how to feel. After that day in the hospital all sorts of things had changed. She had been sent to a group home but then, because of her great behavior had been reassigned to a foster home. After that had come all the hearings and Preston trying desperately to get her back. But in the end the evidence of his neglect and abuse had been too much and the judge had taken all custody from her brother and transferred it to the Baxters. Her new foster parents hugged her but as she looked over their shoulders she saw Preston's look and fear ran a shiver down her spine. This wasn't over, not by a long shot.