In the heart of the bustling metropolis of New York City, the pulse of urban life beats ceaselessly, echoing through the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. The city that never sleeps thrums with energy, its vibrant spirit alive in every corner, from the iconic glow of Times Square to the tranquil beauty of Central Park. Amidst the cacophony of honking horns and bustling crowds, the skyline of Manhattan rises majestically, a testament to human ambition and ingenuity. The gleaming glass facades of corporate headquarters and the historic charm of brownstone apartments paint a rich tapestry against the backdrop of the cityscape.

Down below, the streets teem with life as diverse as the city itself. Business executives in tailored suits hurry alongside tourists snapping photos of iconic landmarks. Street vendors hawk their wares, filling the air with the aroma of hot pretzels and sizzling street food. Artists and musicians find inspiration on every corner, their creativity adding to the vibrant tapestry of urban life. Yet beneath the surface of this bustling metropolis lies a world of shadows and secrets, where danger lurks in the alleys and hidden corners of the city. In the underbelly of New York, criminal syndicates vie for control, their operations shrouded in darkness as they navigate the murky waters of power and influence.

As the sun sets over the bustling metropolis of New York City, the pulse of urban life takes on a different rhythm, weaving through the streets and alleyways of its diverse neighbourhoods. Beyond the gleaming skyscrapers of Manhattan, the city's lesser-known districts come alive with their own unique charm and character.

In these neighbourhoods, the skyline gives way to a patchwork of two-story, three-story, and four-story buildings, each bearing the marks of its own history and heritage. Here, the streets are narrower, and the sidewalks more intimate, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the hidden gems tucked away in their midst. Businesses of all kinds line the streets, their facades adorned with colourful signs and bustling with activity. Mom-and-pop shops and family-owned restaurants share space with community centres and local markets, their presence a testament to the resilience and diversity of New York City's neighbourhoods.

As the day transitioned into night, the city took on a new energy, illuminated by the warm glow of streetlights and the neon signs of corner bodegas. The sounds of laughter and conversation spill out from open windows and doorways, blending with the music of passing cars and the occasional roar of a subway train. Amidst the hustle and bustle, residents gather on stoops and fire escapes, sharing stories and swapping tales late into the night. Children play in the streets, their laughter echoing off the brick facades of nearby buildings, while artists and musicians find inspiration in the vibrant energy of the city around them.

Yet even in these eclectic neighbourhoods, shadows linger in the alleyways and hidden corners, a reminder of the city's complex and sometimes tumultuous history. Here, amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, secrets are whispered and alliances forged, as the city's diverse inhabitants navigate the challenges and opportunities of urban living. Such inhabitant, a girl by the name of Clementine or Clem by her friends, moved unseen by the sleepless city as she walked with her hands in her worn and slightly oversized jacket. If you saw her, you might expect her on her way home, but nothing could be further from the truth. With a hood up, she made her way through the now mostly silent streets of the neighbourhood, only the distant siren and general city noise could be heard in the distance.

A near-full moon filled the sky, casting long shadows, and giving off a sense of spookiness. It didn't take long for Clementine to reach her destination, a corner in the poor part of the city, with many low-income residents.

[color=blue]"Took you long enough Clem?"[/color] commented a young man in his twenties. He had thick long dreadlocks, gathered in the back, a pierced lip, nose and eyebrows. He wore a worn grey sleeveless leather jacket on top of a black t-shirt with a few holes by the collar and a pair of skin-tight trousers. Beside him, were two other teenagers, both 17 years of age, turning 18 by the end of the month. One was a girl, dressing much like the young man with dreadlocks, however, she had styled her hair into a sidecut reaching her shoulder with greenish-purple tips.
The last member of the group was dressed more like he had just finished basketball training, adorning a long jersey shirt, baggy pants and tightly styled cornrows.

[color=orange]"Not my fault you guys are living in an even shittier part of the city"[/color] counted Clementine with a shrug as the group departed their little meeting corner. [color=purple]"No cap, she got you there Jamar"[/color] laughed the teen in the jersey shirt. [color=blue]"Last I checked, that also counted you, Kwamin,"[/color] said Jamar, giving Kwamin a raised eyebrow.

[color=purple]"Bitch, I ain't embarrassed of my neighbourhood, I'm keeping it real"[/color] Kwamin flashed a smile he knew would get on Jamar's nerves.

After a few minutes of bickering back and forth, both men were silenced by Clementine, [color=orange]"Fucking hell, at least blow each other, and make it interesting, than this tired repeating bullshit"[/color]. Both Jamar and Kwamin were almost dumbfounded by their friend's comment and just made a face of disgust, which earned a good laugh from Lira, the girl with a side cut.

It didn't take long before the group of friends found their way to an empty construction site, locked off for the day. Kneeling by the fence, Jamar placed his backpack in front of him pulling out a wirecutter and proceeded to cut it. Meanwhile, the rest kept watch, making sure they weren't getting caught since this wasn't exactly legal.

Before long, the group found themselves freely walking around the construction site, looking around the place. The construction site had been there for about a month or two and the first couple of white walls had been placed. One could argue, that constructing a white building in this part of the city, would be a very stupid idea, but then again, without stupid people, Clementine and her friends wouldn't get so clean and white canvas'.

One by one, each member of their little group, grabbed a spray can and began to paint all manner of artistic randomness on a wall that probably had cost a lot of money. Sadly, the fun was quickly interrupted when a sharp, loud and authoritarian voice pierced the air from another part of the fence. 

[color=red]"Police!"[/color]

In a flash, the group ran, dropping the spray cans and running for the small opening they had made in the fence. Unfortunately for them, the police were waiting for the group the moment they ran out of the small hole in the fence. 

They managed to capture Jamar and Lira, but Kwamin and Clementine.

A female officer had grabbed hold of Kwamin and Clementine's jacket, Kwamin forced himself from the officer's grip while Clementine promptly wrestled out of her oversized jacket. Clementine and Kwamin bolted down an alleyway. All they heard was the female officer call, [color=red]"hey, stop!"[/color], but Clementine only flipped them off.

As Clementine and Kwamin sprinted away from the construction site, their heartbeats thundering in their ears, the sound of police sirens filled the air behind them. The flashing lights illuminated the dimly lit streets as they weaved through alleys and dodged obstacles in their path.

The chase intensified as police cars raced after them, their headlights casting long shadows against the buildings lining the narrow streets. Clementine could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, fueling her every stride as she pushed herself to her limits.

Kwamin followed close behind, his breath coming in ragged gasps as they cut through a small park, thinking they escaped the officers. Sadly, once they reappeared on the other side of the park, both Clementine and Kwamin were tackled to the ground rather harshly by two officers. Despite struggling fiercely and yelling some rather colourful curses, both teens were taken down to the station.

[center][b]~Earlier in the day~[/b][/center]

[color=yellow]"Hello, Mr. Fraser. Hello, this is the principal of Rowling College, I'm calling because this is the fifth time this month Miss Fraser hasn't shown up to her classes. Yes, I know. No, we weren't able to contact her. I'm afraid if she keeps skipping out on her classes any more, she will be dropped from our college."[/color]

[center][b]~Present day, late at night at the Police station~[/b][/center]

[color=red]"Hello, Mr. Fraser. This is Officer Jones, yes, we have your sister... What she's charged with? Breaking and entering, vandalism, fleeing and eluding an officer and resisting arrest. You too, see you tomorrow."[/color]

Clementine was sitting in a holding cell, a rather familiar holding cell. She had a few scratches on her face, after getting tackled to the asphalt. Honestly, it didn't hurt nearly as much, as the first few times she had her struggles with the cops of New York. The holding cell was mostly temporary though and was only there the keep her from running off and causing more vandalism.
Mainly, Clementine was waiting for her brother or brothers to pick her up like they usually did.. Clementine rolled her eyes, knowing she was in for a lesson about all manners of bullshit from her brother Duncan. Touching her scraped lip, she winced, it hurt a bit, even after getting her scrapes cleaned.