Rise of the Feline Society Chapter 15 - The Gang Boss
When they reached the surface, the group walked back to the meet up spot to discuss how they would split the winnings.
"Now it is time to split the money," Felix said. "With the odds against us and the amount of money that I was able to bet we were able to collect 10,000 dollars in cash."
Everyone's jaw dropped. The amount of money that the gang was able to get for this one fight was more than they imagined.
Especially for William as his eyes had practically turned into dollar signs when he heard how much it was. With 10,000 dollars he could pay off everything for his family bills, food, and anything else that needed to be covered. His family would be set and the risk of them having to move down a tier would be gone.
That's when he continued. "Don't get excited just yet. We still have other things that have to be paid for."
He raised up the stack of 10,000 dollars. After he counted some, he pulled around half of the money off the pile placing it on the ground.
"Here," Felix began. "Since we are an expanding gang, we need to allocate 50% to the operational costs of the gang."
William's jaw dropped in shock. His misled dream of paying off everything just got sliced in half. He felt bummed but the bad news kept on coming as Felix continued.
"There is always a point where there won't be good income or an attack happens so we will need emergency funds," Felix started to count again as he pulled off a smaller stack of the money placing next to the other stack of money. "As of the moment 20% of the money will be allocated for emergency funds."
Now in Felix's hand was only 30% of what was remaining which was only 3,000 dollars in funds.
Felix continued. "Lastly, we have 30% for the gang members' pay. Since there is five of us it must be split five different ways meaning each of us will receive $600."
He counted the money paying himself and the rest of the group. When William received the remaining $600 out of the 10,000-dollar pile all he wanted to do was cry right then and there. $600 will only put a dent into the bills and debt that the Carter family still had to pay off. He now had around $1,500 but unfortunately most will have to be prioritized on his food supply so his family wouldn't be getting much unless he wanted to risk dying.
Penny and Marvin looked used to it but Amelia just like William also looked like she had a sad expression on her face.
"Don't worry," Felix said. "When I have the funds, I will buy up a piece of land that will be our turf. A place that will be ours." Felix smiled like his dream was close to becoming reality. "Ok, that is it for tonight. There won't be anything tomorrow. It might be three days until the next underground fight club takes place at a different location. Unfortunately, since we won the odds of our two duos winning has gone up so the amount of money that we made today will never happen again."
Everyone sighed as they heard this news from Felix.
"Get some rest," Felix ordered. "Try to not do anything stupid. I'll see you later."
When he finished that's when the gang dispersed. Everyone went upstairs to change and Felix placed the money for the gang operations into the briefcase. Unlike for the gang operations pile he grabbed up half of the money from the emergency pile placing it into a briefcase. He then took the other half placing it into an empty pocket which was equivalent to $1,000 and that was 10% of the funds. One by one everyone changed coming back down the stairs to leave. Just when William was about to walk out Felix called him over.
"William," Felix said. "Before you leave, I want to talk to you."
William not knowing what Felix wanted nervously made his way over to him. When he stood in front of him Felix pulled out the $1,000 from his pocket handing it over to William.
William was a little stunned that he had just got handed $1,000 and he didn't know what to say but that's when Felix began his explanation.
"This here," Felix began. "Is the 10% cut designated for the gang boss. The emergency funds only needs to be 10% not 20%."
"Gang boss?" William asked confused. "Aren't you the gang boss?"
Felix laughed a little his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.
"No," Felix said which caught William by surprise. "I'm not a leader William. I'm not the type to charge in or fight like the way you can Will. You're what this gang needs. You'll be the face of the gang. Don't worry I'll manage everything, you just need to represent us with your nature to do whatever it takes to win like when you bit the Ironclad gang member. I got to admit I didn't see that coming. I decided to hand you the money alone so the others wouldn't get jealous. They won't know that you get 10% of what the gang earns
William contemplated what Felix just said. Felix wanting him to lead the gang. What did he think? Well, he didn't know what to think. One moment he was a transporter for the Shadowfire gang and the next he was told to lead a new one.
"Don't worry," Felix continued. "Take a day or two to think it over. You don't need to do anything right now. I can teach you the basics of leading but I think you'll be perfect." Felix smiled which highlighted his sharp jawline. "We will slowly grow and once I can gather the funds to get a decent Animorph serum we can expand faster with your fighting spirit and leadership."
Felix patted his shoulder before picking up the briefcase.
"I apologize for blackmailing you Will," Felix stated looking away slightly. "To be honest I was never going to turn in someone who all he wanted to do was to help his family." He looked back at William. "Are you sure you don't want to invite your sister Sophie?"
William looked at Felix. He was still contemplating of what Felix was asking him to do but he was sure he didn't want any of his family involved. He had enough troubles worrying about himself and didn't want to worry about anybody else."
"No," William stated with certainty. "I don't want to worry about anybody else."
"Too bad," Felix commented. "She sounded like she would be good in this field." He walked up to William and placed the hand that wasn't holding the briefcase on his shoulder. "I know you like to try and fight battles by yourself William but now you're not alone. Call if you need anything and I mean anything." He lifted his hand off of his shoulders before proceeding to leave the building. "See you later William and please consider my offer. I'm hoping that the 10% bonus will sway you if nothing else does," and with that he was gone.
William stood there for a minute thinking about Felix's offer.
A gang boss he thought. I wasn't expecting that outcome. Why does he want me though because I'm sure there are better candidates. That 10% extra for the gang boss is tempting though. Hypothetically if I excepted his proposal how would he react when he found out that he wouldn't need to get an Animorph serum because I am already one.
William smiled seriously considering taking up his offer as he grabbed his backpack exiting from the building. He put the backpack on his chest opening up consuming the rest of his chicken tenders restoring his energy to max and his health to max.
Looks like I have to get more food, he thought. The system said it needed meat. Does that include raw meat.
He thought about consuming raw meat and the thought almost made him gag.
I could always buy and try it. Worst case scenario is that I just cook it.
William decided to take the bus paying the $4 traveling distance fee and the bus drove towards his apartment. He arrived at the bus stop a block away and after two minutes he entered his apartment. When he entered it was quiet. The time was 9pm so his mom and Miranda had already left hours ago for their jobs so the only ones who should be home were Sophie and Lily.
When William entered his two sisters came out of their room. Lily ran up hugging her big brother while Sophie just nodded at him.
"Where were you?" Lily asked.
"I was out with friends," William said as he looked at his sister Lily then at Sophie. "Remember what I told you about the rich kid Felix during lunch?"
Sophie nodded.
"Well," William said pulling out the $600 wad of cash. "He needs to study more before placing bets against me who knows everything about the Animorph Brawl Fight."
Sophie's eyes went wide before snatching the money from his hand looking at it. She squinted her eyes at William suspicious on whether he was telling the truth or not. William just had a smile on his face like he was enjoying Sophie's reaction.
"Fine," Sophie said after a moment. "I'll put this in the safe and tell it to mom in a way where it doesn't look as bad."
She walked off into the master bedroom to put the money in the safe.
"You want to play a game?" Lily asked.
"Not tonight," William said stifling a yawn.
"Of course, you're tired when you're free," Lily pouted scrunching up her face.
William patted her head then went straight to his room.
"Good night," William said.
"Good night," his two sisters replied.
William entered his shared bedroom with a small hallway in the middle because of the three-way split of dividers. His little spot was on the right side and contrary to what he thought as soon as he hit the pillow, he fell asleep.
Little did he know that when he thought his life was turning around, something was awaiting to shatter it apart.
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